This one goes out to all my barbecue mamas and grill daddies who know the perfect rib slides right off the bone and the perfect brisket falls apart at the touch. Now, before you question the authenticity of grade A barbecue on the west coast, don't. Much to everyone's surprise, there are a handful of mouthwatering establishments with smoked meats and ribs of every sort— Carolina's infamous pulled or shredded pork marinated in spice and vinegar, Memphis' "down and dirty", soaking wet or dry rubbed ribs smoked to perfection and finally, Texas "cowboy style"—AKA meats cooked directly over mesquite for that savory BBQ we all know and love. Guess what? It doesn't stop there. Fixings are just as important as the main course. So don't you dare neglect sweet, sweet cornbread, oh-so-flaky buttermilk biscuits, ooey gooey mac ‘n cheese and bomb baked beans with bits of bacon.
So, dust off your bibs and stretchy pants and prepare to wipe astonishing amounts of sauce off your chops. It's time to grind ... those teeth on some good BBQ all over LA.
Gus's BBQ
South Pasadena, $$
Gus's BBQ has a plethora of delectable eats from traditional to Southern BBQ. Chow down on beer braised brisket smoked up to 16 hours or enjoy Memphis style ribs soaked in homemade sauce. For fixings, the BBQ baked beans, savory and sweet with small bacon bits, are a must. If you're not a rib person, the oh-so-very-juicy brisket burger will satisfy your BBQ craving.
Image courtesy of @infatuation_la
Baby Blues BBQ
Venice & West Hollywood, $$
Ready to talk dirty? Texas style ribs served up just the way you like it, rich, big and tender. Baby back ribs dry rubbed, slow smoked and brushed with a house BBQ sauce. Pulled pork seasoned, smoked with Guinness beer and hand pulled. Is your mouth watering yet? If you’re with the homies, check out the Butcher’s Block special. It feeds 4-6 folks with 16 ribs, half smoked chicken, half a pound of pulled pork and brisket plus a choice of 4 fixings and corn bread. Damn, count me in for a party of 1.
Image courtesy of @babybluesbbq
Maple Block Meat Co.
Culver City, $$
Take a walk on the wild side with signature chopped pork shoulder topped with shaved fennel and peach mustard or return to the childhood delight of the old school chopped pork stacked with creamy slaw and red sauce. Feeling extra hungry? Make it a plate with the Lunch Box Special. Add your choice of slow, braised greens or ranch beans and a beverage. Talk about a steal of a meal with a flavor dance party in your mouth.
Image courtesy of @thesmokingho
Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Long Beach, $$
One word, cornbread. Seriously, it's like an orgasm for your carb taste buds. But that's not what this is about, so let's talk BBQ. Lucille's is loaded with the tenderest baby back ribs, the juiciest St. Louis Spareribs and big meaty beef ribs for the folks who don't care for pork. Honestly, whatever you order, you're bound to leave satisfied and with your pants unbuttoned. Oh, don’t forget to grab an order of the buttermilk biscuits with honey apple jam while you're there.
Image courtesy of @lucilles_bbq
Horse Thief BBQ
Downtown, $$
Horse Thief BBQ keeps it simple with six options, all of which are jamming with flavors and well worth the dollar dollar bills. I recommend a meat plate because you're going to want chow down on potato salad and mac and cheese while reveling in the glorious BBQ. If you can't decide what meat to get, go with the beef brisket and all its mouth watering goodness.
Image courtesy of @horsethiefbbq
Bludso's Bar & Que
Fairfax, $$
Fall off the bone, beautifully smoked, straight delicious ribs are available for you Texas BBQ-loving fools, so arrive hungry and ready to eat. With recipes passed down for two generations, you know the eating is good. The baked beans got a hint of brisket while the collard greens show the pork some love. Before you stack up on BBQ, take a look at the dessert menu. The Peach Crisp a La Mode is to die for and made from National Pie Champion Nicole Rucker.
Image courtesy of @bludsosbbq
Boneyard Bistro
Sherman Oaks, $$
Boneyard Bistro is more than your average BBQ joint. At night, it gets a facelift and transforms into an upscale bar. Whatever the time of day, order the deep fried macaroni balls. If you're lactose free, risk it! Now prepare to salivate all over the damn place. Chef Aaron Robbins serves up slow hickory smoked pork ribs served whatever way you like, baby back or spare, dry, wet or chipotle glazed. Talk about ordering your dream! The same option is available for his Santa Maria Red Oak Grilled Beef Ribs, tri tips and brisket.
To read more about Boneyard Bistro, check Aaron Robbins tour of SVF HERE ...
Image courtesy of @boneyardbistro
Bigmista's
Long Beach, $$
Bigmista originally started off as a pop-up at the farmers market with founder Neil Strawder towing around a smoker. Crowds lined up and down the block for a pound of thick cut brisket and rib tips. With a cult following, he opened up a brick and mortar in Long Beach in 2014. Now you can purchase one of his platters, also know as B.A.P.O.M. or Big Ass Piles of Meat every day of the week. Just know, Neil follows the Texas rule. When the meat is gone, it is g-o-n-e. So do yourself a solid and plan your visit accordingly. Oh, and try the kool-aid pickle while you’re at it. It’s an interesting treat to eat for sure.
Image courtesy of @smoking_rays_backyard_bbq
Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ
San Fernando Valley, $$
Straight out the damn gate your nose is hit with the sweet scent of smoky goodness and your eyes are greeted by a wall of braised meat. You can order the brisket sweet or hot—dealer’s choice and always opt for baked beans. If you’re not down for brisket, order the pulled pork sandwich. Note, all meats are slow cooked in a brick over for that smoky taste, so you really can’t go wrong with what you order.
Image courtesy of @ttechh9ine
Ray's BBQ
Huntington Park, $$
With the website URL iwantbrisket.com, ordering brisket at the counter is a no-brainer and not one to disappoint. It’s cooked to absolute perfection with flavors to match. I highly recommend the brisket sandwich, it comes on a brioche bun with homemade coleslaw and pickles and is the perfect size to fill you up. No sides needed here! If you feel like being adventurous, Ray’s is known for their Mac 'n Cheese burritos, with your choice of pulled pork or brisket. Whatever your fancy, you’ll leave stuffed and with a smile.
Image courtesy of @raysbbqhp
JNJ Burger & Barbeque
West Adams, $$
JNJ's is a groovy mom-and-pop BBQ joint with the juiciest of hot links and the tenderest of beef ribs and pork tips. The bite is soft and the meat pulls right off the bone. If you're going to go for sides, I recommend the potato salad as it perfectly accents the brisket and I'm a brisket kind of girl. Also, for my heat lovers out there, ask for the "Crazy Sauce". Warning though, it is not for the faint of heart.
Image courtesy of @mut_la
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Georgia Peach and self-proclaimed BBQ expert Casha Doemland spends her days munching ribs, writing and exploring. She's a classic film enthusiast, runner, dog walker and collector of quotes and tattoos. Follow her adventures @cashad.
Header image courtesy of @thesmokingho
