Barbecuing is a form of art for most chefs and takes technique, creativity and patience.
This slow-cooking method is often used to prepare smoky meats, and is a popular way of cooking food in the southern states in the U.S.
And because it’s #ToplessSummer, having a local go-to barbecue joint in your repertoire is a must and luckily for Los Angeles, there are a handful of incredible barbecue restaurants in the area where you will be licking your plate clean.
Check out our list of the best places to get BBQ right here in LA!
Dr. Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ
8136 Sepulveda Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91402
(818) 780-6701
www.hoglywogly.com
Hogly Wogly has been a valley institution since 1969. Nothing else is offered on the menu but the best BBQ dishes, partly because Hogly Wogly slowly smokes all of the meats in-house in a brick pit oven using real firewood. Seasoned with a unique blend of spices and a secret sauce, Hogly Wogly’s briskets, ribs, ham and chicken are trimmed of fat, which provides the leanest meat possible. Entrees and barbecue sandwiches come with freshly baked bread, baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad or coleslaw. If hosting
a large group at home or looking to dine at an authentic BBQ joint, Hogly Wogly is a number one choice.
Bludso’s Bar & Que
609 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 931-2583
www.barandque.com
Owner Kevin Bludso brings his Texan roots to the Bludso’s Bar & Que kitchen. From the planation days of his great great grandfather, Kevin created a successful restaurant and menu featuring Bludso family BBQ techniques and secret recipes. For the larger group, The Tray feeds six to eight people and includes a taste of Bludso’s best brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, half chicken, full rack of pork ribs, two hot links, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, coleslaw, potato salad, pickles and cornbread. A la carte is also available. Bludso’s first location is in Compton.
M Café
11678 San Vicente Blvd.
Brentwood, CA 90049
(310) 207-1122
www.mcafedechaya.com
For the vegetarians, there aren’t many barbecue restaurant options out there. M Cafe, which is LA’s hip macrobiotic eatery with a Hollywood following (Anne Hathaway, Olivia Wilde and Demi Moore, to name a few), brings an alternative option to the table. The restaurant’s unique barbecue sloppy joe is prepared with seitan (wheat gluten) in place of meat. The Carolina-style BBQ sandwich created by Chef Lee Gross is a thinly sliced grilled seitan fired up in M Café’s zesty BBQ sauce on a toasted whole wheat bun. Piled high with grilled onions, pickles and an old fashioned creamy coleslaw, this sandwich has absolutely no dairy, poultry, meat or refined processed ingredients.
Related: Best Vegetarian Burgers In Los Angeles
Baby Blues BBQ
444 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 741-8527
www.babybluesvenice.com
Baby Blues BBQ has a distinct taste combining Memphis-style cooking with the western regional flavors of North Carolina. St. Louis cut ribs, dry-rubbed baby back, brisket cuts and pork are slow-cooked in Guinness beer and smothered in a house-made smoky sauce. Any of the Baby Blues platters (Memphis ribs and pulled pork or brisket, Marion County slow-smoked chicken, Texas-style beef ribs or smoked tri tip) are excellent choices. All of them are served with two fixins (choose from creamed spinach, pork and beans, chicken smoked rice, coleslaw, baked beans, mac n’ cheese and more) and cornbread. Baby Blues will deliver and cater, too.
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