5 Best Barbecue Joints in Los Angeles

By Jenn Garbee Wed., Feb. 29 2012 at 9:15 AM

Elina Shatkin

Combo plate from Bigmista's

3. Bigmista's Barbecue:
Bigmista just sounds like the sort of place where you want to lay out a really big order for brisket. It is. Pit master Neil Strawder started out on the BBQ competition circuit. But by 2008, he had decided to sell those competition creations at, of all places, the Watt's Healthy Farmer's Market (Strawder and his wife, Phyllis, have since expanded their business to several area markets). There's something satisfying, or perhaps just hilariously entertaining, about knowing his hybrid BBQ (a little Texan, a little North Carolina), "burnt ends" (crusty bits of charred meat and fat) and pig candy (sugared and caramelized bacon) are hanging out among organic produce destined for a local vegan restaurant or two. If those Bigmista collard greens can bridge such a vast American culinary divide, we can only imagine their briny presidential campaign trail potential. Farmer's Markets: Sunday, Atwater Village and Long Beach; Wednesday, Harbor City; Thursday, El Segundo; Saturday, Torrance.

2. Phillips' Barbecue:
If pork ribs are your thing, you already know about the peppery version Phillips' has been pushing through its To-Go windows for more than 20 years. They're leaner than some (not a bad thing here), but we'll stop there as Mr. Gold can convince you to taste them more effortlessly than we ever could. The sauce debate is one we try to avoid in polite blog conversations. But as we're talking about Phillips' pork barbecue, not the beef offerings (stick to the pork, the beef often comes off as too dry here), the "hot" barbecue sauce is spicy, tangy and pretty hard to beat if you can hang with the heat. Expect a long wait (Tip: It's wise to call ahead with your order, and you will still wait). Think of it as more time to contemplate the beauty of restaurant sarcasm. 4307 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 292-7613; 1517 Centinela Ave., Inglewood, (310) 412-7135; 2619 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 731-4772.

Turn the page for our #1 pick...

Location Info

Venue

Map

Bludso's BBQ

811 S. Long Beach Blvd., Compton, CA

Category: Restaurant

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Tags:

Baby Blues BBQ, Best BBQ Los Angeles, BigMista's, Boneyard Bistro, Dr. Hogly Wogly's, Jack Daniels World Championship Barbecue Competition, JNJ Burger, Lockhart BBQ, Neil Strawder, Smokin Willie's BBQ, Watt's Farmer's Market

We Recommend

foodie

Smoke Star BBQ is also very good. New bbq joint in LA! No more long drives to get my meat on :)

robin

bludsoe has good side dishes...but when it come to sauce WOODYS win.i have never has sauce that good...

My family is from Louisiana and Memphis, Tenn. - Being from the South I always had the great pleasure of eating some of the best Soul Food on the Planet. Smokin Jonny's BBQ is the best BBQ I have ever had. I no longer have to wish for Kansas City, Chicago or Memphis BBQ. Last time I ate at Phillips Barbecue the ribs had so much fat, I threw my ribs away. It is nasty, just thinking about it. I was truly disappointed with Phillips BBQ.Phillips, Rib Nest, Jay Bee's, Woody's and D's I am sorry to inform you, their is a new King in Town and his name is "Smokin Jonny's." My favorite meal was the Chicken, Brisket and Rib tips. The sides that will know your socks off are the Baked Beans and Potato Salad. The food is soooo good I want to move around the corner, then I would not have to drive. Oh and the German Chocolate Cake is over the top gooood.Remember the ole saying -you have to slap yo momma-- well if you don't - you sure need to beat up yo Daddy. This food is that good.Heaven must have brought you here to save California's BBQ rep.You are really Jon the Baptist.

Stay away from those restaurant chains if you want some real authentic hickory wood smoked BBQ.Such as Chicago Ribs, Tony Roma's, Applebee's etc.This spot is the real deal.

Thanks for coming to the South Bay--Your next location should be Culver City!!!

Upfront

Check out Smokin Jonny's BBQ for some Great Authentic Wood Smoked BBQDine in or Take out.Located at 14813 South Western Blvd.Gardena, CA 90249(310) 324-3600www.smokinjonnysbbq.comThe brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs and sausage are mouth watering good.Don't forget to try the mac n cheese and baked beans!!!

Filmnu

If you want some great hickory wood smoked barbecue--ck out SMOKIN JONNY'S BBQ at 14813 South Western Avenue--Gardena, CA (310) 324-3600The brisket, pulled pork, bbq chicken, mac n cheese, sausage and beans will keep you coming back for more!!! The place is clean and the service is wonderful.Treat yourself and don't cheat yourself.

Mike Feygin

Brazen BBQ is not far away, can we go there instead?

Mike Feygin

Wow, if electric BBQ is OK for top 5, can we use a Microwave?

Bigmouth

What are you babbling about?

Zadennuray

Smoke City Market!!!!!!!!!!!! I grew up in Austin and smoke city market is the only brisket Ive found to be as good as the brisket in hill country.

Sylvie Curry

Bigmista BBQ is the best. Real.Good. MeatIt is worth a trip to one of his Farmer's Markets just to get a taste of how BBQ should taste.

Patio Pitmasters

I second BigMista! Great sauce too. Free BBQ lessons at www.patiopitmasters.com

Neil Bigmista Strawder

We are thrilled to be on the list with all of these great BBQ joints. Thank you for your support!

Bigmouth

Please open a brick-and-mortar Bigmista! Some of us can't make it to the farmer's markets.

The Sane

i've lived in the hood for 8 years now, and have raved about Phillip's to all my less adventurous friends ever since. they truly are the best pork ribs i've ever had!

dru

Thumbs up for both BigMista and Bludso's. I have yet to try the other ones listed.

Wykoff Mcadams

Now "THAT'S WHAT IAM TALKIN BOUT knowing HOW to repersent CORSICANA,TEXAS and Mrs. WILLIE MAE FIELDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nsandifer_55

This is by far the best BBQ spot so far in the Los Angeles area and surrounding counties...

Michael Cohen

This list is pretty dead on. I've been to 4 out of the 5 (except Smoke City) and they all deserve their spot!! Bludso's is definitely the best, BigMista's is great, Phillips has perfectly cooked ribs, and JNJ makes some tasty BBQ in a real down-home setting. Well done!

Liisabelle

To even mention Horrible Hogly's in this piece discredits any validity to the writer's views on 'cue. To say that place is a travesty is an insult to travesties.I'm not convinced LA will never get BBQ or BBQ reviewing right. Don't write, if you don't know.....truly. Especially about something as reverant as BBQ.

Chow Noir

I think your inability to understand the context in how Hogly's was mentioned discredits the validity of your comment. Don't comment if you don't know how to read...truly.

SpyderJ

I think you may have missed a crucial "not" in that first sentence there Lisa. Good effort though. BIGMISTA rules!

Silver Gutierrez

You guys totally missed Spring Street Smokehouse. They OWN.

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