Jaybee's Bar-B-Q in Gardena

[blacksab67]

Jaybee's Bar-B-Q in Gardena: This place was just featured on the Food Network (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives).

Anyone been?

[martyR]

Along with J&J, It is in my top two of BBQ places. Great ribs, and pulled pork. Unfortunately for me it's a long drive.

[JT in LB]

The neigborhood is very suspect, probably do not want to go alone at night. However it is the best BBQ I've had in the L.A./O.C. area. Their bbq baked beans alone are worth the trip.

[DiveFan]

Uh, you just missed this topic on the same subject: http://www.chow.com/topics/456543

Don't worry about the 'hood. It's not cute like 2nd St. in Belmont Shore, it's an industrial area!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&h...

I don't remember their beans because of the great brisket; see their web site via the place link.

[exilekiss]

I just tried Jaybee's BBQ (Gardena) because of the Food Network promo (and because so many CH'ers raved about it). We went during Lunch, and there was a line out the door! Unfortunately, we ended with mixed results:

* Their Pork BBQ Ribs were VERY disappointing! We were so shocked, because that should be their specialty. And, with the insane line out the door, we figured there'd be good turnover and the meat should be fresh.

The Pork Ribs were extremely smoky (to the point it may have been burnt?); and it had a strange flavor throughout the meat. It was also a bit dry. Very bummed about that.

* Pork Shoulder (Pulled-Pork) Sandwich: Wow! The Pork Shoulder was SO tender and flavorful, and perfectly combined with their house BBQ sauce. I was very impressed, and would come back just for that.

* Mac-and-Cheese (side): It was pretty decent. Definitely had the "home-made" taste and texture, and was nice.

Given the failed Ribs and great Shoulder, I'm hesitant about making the long drive just to get the Shoulder. I'm going to try Baby Blues next, since that one is also much talked about here.

[carter]

You should go to the Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks as they just got a new meat supplier, and the St.Louis and babybacks are truly moist and very nicely smoked. And the beans, which I typically do not eat as I am not a beans lover, were sensational. The pulled pork has always been good, with the pulled pork ravioli appetizer one of my favorite regardless of which restaurant I am in. Companion really enjoyed his fried mac n cheese, which while not my thing, is truly a taste you need to try to see if you might like. The collards are very tasty as is the cole slaw, btw!

[exilekiss]

Thanks Carter!

You'd recommend going to Boneyard Bistro over Baby Blues?

[DiveFan]

For suggestions, don't forget the omnipresent CH LA BBQ board: http://www.chow.com/places/regions/2?filters%5Bgeneral_cuisine%5D=Barbecue

If you are driving the I-405 and want an alternative, I also recommend Bodacious Q in Carson near CSUDH: http://www.chow.com/places/5990 Disclaimer, I'm a brisket kind of guy so I still haven't tried their pulled pork or St. Louis ribs.

Sorry to hear about your bad ribs experience, exilekiss. I wouldn't write them off, IMO ribs are harder for a BBQ restaurant to be consistent with.

[exilekiss]

Thanks for the tip DiveFan! :)

I just tried Baby Blues yesterday and was thoroughly impressed with their Baby Backs, but Jaybee's Pork Shoulder is still the best I've ever had.

[wilp]

I have been going to Jaybees for many years and love it.

Granted, its close to home and an easy stop. On the neighborhood, chill, its not that bad, its a mostly industrial section of Dominguez and pretty tame. Just know your way in and out (rec. using the 405 route) if your worried about it.

Jaybees is inconsistent but mostly are a great BBQ outfit. Pork ribs are the big unknown. I dont really like mushy pork ribs, I like some "pull" when I eat them, and many times Jaybees will overcook the ribs at a high heat.

Pork shoulder and beans, cole slaw and greens they are spot on. The quality is always pretty high. On beef ribs they also excel, but again inconsistent.

I would always recommend a visit, but there are serious competition out there that hold their own. There are 2 "cant miss" items at Jaybees - pork shoulder (sandwitch or not) and the beans.

[exilekiss]

Hey wilp,

I totally agree (based on just 1 visit, it seems to jive with your notes): Jaybee's Pork Shoulder is amazing! So tender and delicious. :) But their Baby Back Ribs (my favorite) were really burnt and badly done when I went (sigh).

I'd go back to Jaybee's just for the Shoulder.

[wilp]

It kills me... with a little care Jaybees could be a classic. It has the potential to be the best BBQ in So. Cal. But they continue to dissapoint on consistency.

I stick with it on the pork ribs, I almost always get them. Half of the time I hate them, Half of the time I dream about them. AAARRGGHH

[Gingerleen]

I don't eat much pork, but the feature on FN also said that they serve chicken. Has anyone tried it?

[JackG2]

Went to Jaybee's a couple of nights ago and ordered a pork sandwich and beans. The sandwich and beans were OK, but nothing special. The flies in the place and the "B" card, reflecting the latest county health department inspection, were a turn-off.

[Low Blood Sugar]

I went to Jaybee's this weekend based on the results of the Chowhound BBQ contest(which I guess was held in 2001).

We ordered:
Pork ribs
Hot links
Mac & cheese
BBQ beans

I was really hoping for something special but I found myself less satisfied than going to a chain restaurant like Lucille's.

Issues:
the pork ribs had close to zero flavor. No smokey taste, the hot sauce was not hot or flavorful and there were huge fatty sections of the ribs(maybe that's common, i don't know).
the bbq beans tasted EXACTLY like campbell's baked beans. remember that scene in Ratatoutille(if you've seen it)where the evil food critic takes a bite of his food and it takes him straight back to his childhood? I had that experience with these beans, except it zoomed back to my childhood to a vague memory of opening a can of beans.

the mac & cheese was OK. it tasted homemade but it also didn't have much flavor. I had to add a decent amount of salt to taste anything.

the hotlinks were fairly good. they tasted homemade. they weren't cooked well so the skin felt pretty rubbery. other than that, the spices in the links were tasty.

and lastly, I have to mention the service. the cashier had on one of those 'faux' rude attitudes that i've heard they do at some novelty-type restaurants. it was reminiscent of the soup nazi from seinfeld. before you finish what you're saying, the cashier cuts you off and asks what sides you want. also cutting you off into the first syllable of your side order. i can understand that they're busy, but the cashier likes to throw in alot of ...mm hmms... and you got it player this, player that.. i guess you'd have to be there to understand.

with all of the different bbq places in L.A., I don't see myself returning to this place.

[exilekiss]

Hi Low Blood Sugar,

Thanks for the latest report. That's so unfortunate. Sounds like you had the same experience I did... I wanted to love their Pork Ribs, but they were disappointing. Haven't been back since.

[TonyC]

I believe I've eaten every Q joint in the Compton/Carson area. From Jay Bee's to Bludso's to Winfrey's to Smoky's in Long Beach, etc.

Jay Bee is on par with its mediocre pulled pork + poor ribs, beef brisket was half decent. Bodacious Q in Carson is superior in every aspect (including price) but that's not saying much at all.

Bludso's in Compton does NOT use a Old Hickory Pit stainless steel smoker. While the sauce isn't as thick and spicy as JB's, I don't even need the sauce to savor the pork ribs @ Bludso's. Great rub, great locale (IMO), family run biz, a nicely balanced smoky sauce, all matched to a buncha smoky drum kettles outdoors. It deserves it's own thread, but i'm too lazy to write it...

[exilekiss]

Hi TonyC,

Very nice! Thanks for the info. :) So is Bludso's in Compton your favorite BBQ joint in town?

[Foodandwine]

Went once will not be back!! End of story. Actually it stinks.. And if you know me this is a very Harsh review.. Stay away.

[mdpilam]

Yeah, I went a couple weeks ago, and was disappointed. Not horrible, but definitely not return worthy.

[TonyC]

If you're in the neighborhood of Jay Bee's, try Bludso's instead.

Far superior Q: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/577719

[la tache burger]

Excellent pork shoulder, never had it be anything but very good, sometimes superb. Especially at lunch, long lines, awesome q.