Beef Ribs

652390 Beef Ribs Mon Sep 14 17:52:36 -0700 2009 89 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5029962 We were up in San Luis Obispo for the Thursday night farmer's market and they've got these serious BBQ set-ups in the street doing the Santa Maria thing - tri-tip and ribs - and I had a total yen to try some beef ribs. I wouldn't admit this to my friends, most of whom have only contempt for anyone who would choose a beef rib when pork ribs were available - but I think comparing beef ribs and baby backs is like comparing sirloin steak and salmon steak - a completely different animal (literally.) Anyway - back to SLO. There were two places selling single ribs for $2.50, and they wound up giving me two and three ribs respectively (I shared with family). Meaty, smoky, sauced up and truly terrific. The third place might have been the best - it was a Chinese joint that was dishing up chow mein but they had beef ribs - $3.00 each - and mine was huge, meaty, tender and barely dusted with a little hoisin sauce. Incredible flavor. But now - back in Santa Monica - I want that experience close to home. Not that many BBQ places do beef ribs. Mr. Cecil's does, and I had one last night - it was good, kind of pulled away from the bone but tender, sweet sauce on the side. At $3.50 for a single rib, kinda steep. Then there's that place on Lincoln, Bennie's BBQ I think? that had a beef rack I really liked - vinegary sauce, lots of meat, a little fatty. Not a lot of people like that place but I'd go back there. So finally the question: any other beef rib fans out there? Where's the awesome spot? Bonus points if it's within shouting distance of the west side. But I'm ready to travel for the real deal. Thanks - BIM Mon Sep 14 17:52:36 -0700 2009 13327 BIM 1 5030044 Only place I've had acceptable beef ribs is at Lucille's BBQ, and sometimes they can be hit or miss. Good beef ribs are hard to come by because people prefer pork ribs and poor beef ribs are tough and chewy, they don't cook them long enough. Also when you consider standing rib roasts are sold with the ribs, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of beef ribs even at the supermarket and if they do have them, they 've been trimmed pretty close so there's not much meat. Mon Sep 14 18:24:48 -0700 2009 5029962 11914 monku 1 5030082 Dr. Hogly Wogly's has the best beef ribs I've ever had anywhere. I know many 'hounds are divided over the Doctor's pork ribs, but I've never heard anyone complain about his beef ones, which are simply divine. Mon Sep 14 18:40:31 -0700 2009 5029962 16564 Arthur 2 5031044 But Dr. Hogly Wogly's sounds so much better than Dr. Beefy Weefy's. I remember beef ribs being quite good there. Tue Sep 15 07:35:53 -0700 2009 5030082 40486 Cinnamon 2 5156736 The beef ribs at the Dr.'s were tough and not very meaty. For $50 (for 2) I was quite disappointed. A long way to go (Panorama City) for a very so-so meal. There are too many better places, Tasty Q BBQ for one at HALF the price. OK, no atmosphere, but the food was great. Wed Nov 04 17:35:15 -0800 2009 5030082 1115788 Urbanman 1 5030101 Phillips - any of their 3 or 4 locations - would qualify as the best beef ribs I've had in LA. I like them with mixed sauce. Hot is too much, and mild is too little. Mixed is just right.... Note that they don't have medium. They have mixed. I don't know where this comes from or why its so, but it is indeed so. While you're waiting for your food, someone might ask for medium, and you'll hear what I've just laid out for you first hand. And you can be glad it was someone else who asked for medium, and not you. But rituals aside, these ribs are really good. Baby backs, too, but I like the beef ribs. I've had the ribs in SLO at the farmers market too. Yummy. Mon Sep 14 18:46:14 -0700 2009 5029962 14582 CulverJack 2 5030601 love phillips beef ribs Mon Sep 14 23:23:27 -0700 2009 5030101 262621 peppermonkey 1 5030157 I know exactly what you are talking about...Mrs. TravelPath and I crave these ribs done in the Santa Maria BBQ style...they are very good. I have looked in SoCal for something similar to no avail...I am afraid you will have to go to SLO or Santa Maria for these!...You may want to try Dr. Hogley Wogley...their ribs can be quite good. Mon Sep 14 19:11:12 -0700 2009 5029962 14026 TravelPath 1 5030175 Baby Blues in either Venice/Marina Del Rey or WeHo does very good beef ribs. They are a big seller so sometimes they run out, which always bums me out. Mon Sep 14 19:18:15 -0700 2009 5029962 108169 Servorg 2 5030179 You wouldn't assume this but Awash, the Ethiopian place on Pico, near Fairfax, does really incredible char-grilled beef ribs. I absolutely recommend people give 'em a shot. Mon Sep 14 19:20:45 -0700 2009 5030175 110491 odub 3 5098129 To follow-up with my own review: we went to Awash again recently and got the ribs again. I think the order is 4 ribs for less than $20. Might have been less than $15 actually but I cant remember. This time, they were still delicious BUT a bit too charred, as if they had been left on longer than they should have. It wasn't like charcoal but could have been better. I still think beef rib fans should give Awash a shot, especially if other folks in your party like great Ethiopian food too! Mon Oct 12 16:40:30 -0700 2009 5030179 110491 odub 2 5030360 I second Baby Blues for their beef ribs. They are very meaty, like steaks on a stick (the bone) and delish. Mon Sep 14 20:36:37 -0700 2009 5030175 60617 rednyellow 2 5097685 I've had this place on my radar for a while and finally went. Boy, was I disappointed. I opted for a single rib at $13!, the rib platter (still only 1 rib) was $20 or $21. These prices are BS. The place is a dump and the rib was fatty and tasteless. I wouldn't mind the setting if the food was great, but it was far from it. Cute waitresses, but that's no consolation for so-so food. Boy do I miss "Dem Bones" from West L.A. Great food at a decent price. Boo hoo. Don't waste your hard earned money at BB BBQ. Two words; Rip Off. Mon Oct 12 13:41:59 -0700 2009 5030175 1115788 Urbanman 3 5097711 Holy *%$! Even Claim Jumper gives you FOUR beef ribs for $20. Is there at least a half-pound of beef attached to the darned thing for that money? I'll keep doing mine at home thanks. Mon Oct 12 13:51:01 -0700 2009 5097685 11405 Midlife 4 5098191 I haven't been there in a little over a year, but I believe you can still get a plate overflowing with FIVE of Dr. Hogly Wogly's spectacularly enormous, meaty, scrumptious beef ribs for under $20. (And they come with bread and two side dishes.) Mon Oct 12 17:05:37 -0700 2009 5097711 16564 Arthur 5 5098220 Trekked all the way out there from South OC with my son one day because of reviews here. Thought the pork ribs and brisket were very good, but not earth-shattering (maybe it was the long drive). Beef ribs were for the next visit, which hasn't happened yet. Mon Oct 12 17:16:08 -0700 2009 5098191 11405 Midlife 6 5098804 Midlife - Sorry you missed out. Like I indicated higher up on this thread, I think the beef ribs are Dr. Hogly Wogly's most celebrated, least disputed menu item. Make sure to order them next time you go, at least as part of one of their combo plates. Mon Oct 12 23:01:39 -0700 2009 5098220 16564 Arthur 3 5097725 Yes, the Venice BB is carefully maintained as a "dump," and the prices are too high, but for me, Urbanman, "the rib was fatty and tasteless" is the key point in your post. I had the same experience with their beef rib and won't even get into the stringy brisket (for which I hope that sad-looking homeless person at the filling station down the street has forgiven me). Mon Oct 12 13:55:54 -0700 2009 5097685 281830 Harry Nile 1 5030346 Aww, your post brings back great memories of visiting my friend in SLO and going to the Monday night street BBQ. I agree that the beef ribs are amazing. I had some pretty good ones at Baby Blues a couple of weeks ago but they charged $15 a rib. A bit fatty and I didn't think worth it but they would do in a pinch. Gotta get back up to SLO soon. Mon Sep 14 20:32:47 -0700 2009 5029962 155500 ExtraCheesePlease 2 5030364 $15 a rib sounds a bit steep? Mon Sep 14 20:37:30 -0700 2009 5030346 11914 monku 2 5030572 Do not encourage BBBQ, they beef ribs are weak! The guy had some bs about premium angus extra thick beef short ribs, whatever! I think they were very fatty and not worth the extra price. I got the combo and when I asked for the beef ribs as one choice I was told it was $3 more, I think it was $3. Mon Sep 14 22:44:12 -0700 2009 5030346 11279 Burger Boy 3 5031449 You and I had very different experiences at BBBQ. I've had their beef ribs several times and they have never been fatty or weak. They were very good each time. Tue Sep 15 09:38:26 -0700 2009 5030572 60617 rednyellow 4 5031481 For reasons unknown BB (maybe it's the commonality of the initials?) has it in for Baby Blue's. As I have said before and will say again, Baby Blues is in that same category of restaurants in which Beach 26 exists. Very good local places that I will always go to since they are near me. If I lived across the "LA Expanse" from them I would not make a special trip to go to either of them (but would find as local as possible to me "substitutes" that I liked to fill the void). Tue Sep 15 09:48:44 -0700 2009 5031449 108169 Servorg 5 5032600 But, Burger Boy worships 26 Beach ? Tue Sep 15 16:23:30 -0700 2009 5031481 11914 monku 6 5032802 It's a puzzlement (as Yul Brenner said)... Tue Sep 15 18:01:12 -0700 2009 5032600 108169 Servorg 7 5036719 Hey, theymake a great burger! When was the last time you had a burger there and which one did you have? Thu Sep 17 08:39:29 -0700 2009 5032802 11279 Burger Boy 6 5036711 What ever Thu Sep 17 08:37:45 -0700 2009 5032600 11279 Burger Boy 6 5036736 I do love their Burgers, Salads & French toasts! You can keep the pizzas! Thu Sep 17 08:43:16 -0700 2009 5032600 11279 Burger Boy 5 5036732 I just never liked their BB BBQ, maybe because I LOVED 4J's so much more, the place that preceeded BB, amazing authentic southern BBQ, and out of this world smoked wings! A great place that had they been around a little longer with all the internet blogs & tweeting they would still be there. Thu Sep 17 08:42:25 -0700 2009 5031481 11279 Burger Boy 6 5036743 Texas burger. It was good, but not the very best quality in terms of the meat. Like I keep saying, I like 26 - but it just isn't at the very pinnacle of burger places in LA as far as I have experienced. Thu Sep 17 08:44:57 -0700 2009 5036732 108169 Servorg 4 5033952 Ditto. The Texas beef ribs are enormous and very good. Also, believe it or not, Banderas has solid beef ribs; you have to order them off the menu. Wed Sep 16 08:49:32 -0700 2009 5031449 74451 vinosnob 4 5036715 Just telling it like I see it! And the additional charge for the beef ribs, come on! Thu Sep 17 08:38:39 -0700 2009 5031449 11279 Burger Boy 2 5030596 I saw the picture on their web site and they were big short ribs. Well, short ribs can be very good, but short ribs and back ribs are totally different, yet both are beef ribs. I think what the original poster is talking about are beef back ribs, the byproduct of boneless ribeye roasts. The problem is that ribeye roasts are sold at a premium, while the ribs are almost a discard item ($0.88/lb at Superior Markets). Whereas short ribs are sold as a premium item. Theus the difference in price and perceived value. I will say that short ribs are very difficult to overcook due to the fat, while back ribs are quite easy to overcook. And whole short ribs have as much meat as 2 or 3 back ribs, easily justifying a considerably higher price. Mon Sep 14 23:13:20 -0700 2009 5030346 23013 ganeden 3 5036740 I believe BB BBQ uses the short ribs! Thu Sep 17 08:44:25 -0700 2009 5030596 11279 Burger Boy 1 5030567 Try Bludso's in Compton but they only have the beef on the weekend. Dr. Hogly Wogly has a good beef rib. JnJ Burgers & BBQ on Adams has good beef ribs. One last place, Grandpa Fred's in the Valley. Mon Sep 14 22:41:35 -0700 2009 5029962 11279 Burger Boy 2 5030585 hogly wogly sucks, it's a non-chain version of tony roma's at best. but anyhow, mom's bbq in the valley will do in a pinch. i have heard good things about grandpa fred's j n j i do like (i believe you were one of the early proponents of that joint) and they have some of the best slices of sweet potato pie around. do they ever have that peach cake or pie anymore? also, Phillip's bbq is great for beef ribs as well as mom's bbq on imperial in south la. Mon Sep 14 23:00:11 -0700 2009 5030567 10866 kevin 3 5036749 Long before J Gold was talking about J n J, that was MY place..LOL Great guy, great family, great food! I do not think his mom is make as many desserts these days due to health issues, maybe Jay's wife is doing the pies. Thu Sep 17 08:46:01 -0700 2009 5030585 11279 Burger Boy 1 5030583 Wow Baby Blues is right near by - been there a few times but didn't even know that had beef ribs. Going tomorrow. I'll try to hit some of these other places in the weeks to come. Thanks. Mon Sep 14 22:59:13 -0700 2009 5029962 13327 BIM 1 5031518 The Beef Ribs at Spring Street Smokehouse isn't all that bad. http://www.sssmokehouse.com/index.html Tue Sep 15 10:02:30 -0700 2009 5029962 11583 ipsedixit 2 5036754 Ipse, I hav BIG respect for you and your reviews but "isn't all that bad" is not what I expect from a great hound like yourself! Give me GREAT! Thu Sep 17 08:47:13 -0700 2009 5031518 11279 Burger Boy 1 5031558 Well it sounds like 'hounds have given you a few options to try, so you might as well make a Chow Tour out of all the options and I'll throw in another venue for you to try in your quest: Joey's Bar-B-Cue in Chino. Run by Joey today, but started by his parents who were orginaly from Texas, and Texas is known for its beef 'Q. I really like their beef ribs, meaty, smokey, tender but not "falling off the bone", which in my opinion is overcooked. Go to Joey's original location on a Saturday evening (which is in an old farm house) and after eating saunter out back and you can sit and listen to a singing cowboy under a big tree (and pick up some cold beer at the back window). A rib dinner which comes with your choice of Baked Potato, Baked Yam or a Veg-A-Bob (a variety of charbroiled vegetables on a skewer) and a choice of Cole Slaw, Bar-B-Q Beans, Corn on the Cobb, French Fries, Yam Fries, Homemade Potato Chips or Homemade Potato Salad will run you about $20, or just a whole rack of beef ribs will run $24. http://www.joeysbbq.com Tue Sep 15 10:15:16 -0700 2009 5029962 10059 ChinoWayne 1 5031872 While I favor the sliced beef with mild sauce for lunch, with an extra beef link and coleslaw on the side, many mates love the beef ribs at Phillips. I like the branch on Crenshaw just south of Adams, mostly because there is an outdoor counter. New branch in Chino, at least the sign says. Tried it yet CWayne? Tue Sep 15 11:57:37 -0700 2009 5029962 13876 ickster 2 5032171 Oh man, didn't know it was here, definitely need to track it down. We will be getting some of their 'Q and I will report back. Tue Sep 15 13:40:48 -0700 2009 5031872 10059 ChinoWayne 3 5032204 They arrived in Chino on the "Q.T." obviously... Tue Sep 15 13:49:44 -0700 2009 5032171 108169 Servorg 4 5036765 Servog, we agree to disagree on BB BBQ but on Phillip's I can say no wrong, almost! LOL Thu Sep 17 08:49:49 -0700 2009 5032204 11279 Burger Boy 3 5036759 Chino, good to see you posting, hope all is well and get back in the game, more chow time! LOL Thu Sep 17 08:48:57 -0700 2009 5032171 11279 Burger Boy 4 5036815 Thanks, BB . Thu Sep 17 09:02:53 -0700 2009 5036759 10059 ChinoWayne 2 5037341 Used to be Clarks BBQ until Phillips bought it. Thu Sep 17 11:58:08 -0700 2009 5031872 254809 A5 KOBE 1 5032587 FYI. wherever you go and order a "full rack" of beef ribs make sure you get 7 ribs. I've been served 6 many times and have to ask for the 7th. Tue Sep 15 16:19:51 -0700 2009 5029962 11914 monku 1 5033017 Yes, the Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, on Ventura just a coupla blocks east of Woodman, and PLEASE do not confuse the place with Mr. Cecil's, which is dreadful. Tue Sep 15 19:45:21 -0700 2009 5029962 10359 carter 2 5165304 I've been several times at Mr. Cecil's and maybe it has been just luck or good timing, but their beef ribs were actually pretty delicious. Their pork ribs were a bit on the dry side though. Sun Nov 08 12:40:18 -0800 2009 5033017 1120714 LAFenris 1 5033224 If you happen to be in downtown Culver City with an overwhelming craving for beef ribs and can't drive anywhere else, Santa Maria BBQ on Culver Blvd. (between the movie theater and city hall, on south side of street) has beef ribs. http://santamariabbq.com/ They are not the kind of thing I'd drive for but if I was desperate for beef ribs and was there, I'd order them. As I did today after reading this thread. I prefer the vinegar-sauce-soaked succulent kind ... these are a little more... smoky and less moist (though I wouldn't say they're dry) with a sauce you add that is a more western-tasting sauce than what I associate with the more humid, languid parts of the South. Tue Sep 15 21:41:08 -0700 2009 5029962 40486 Cinnamon 1 5033261 Haven't been to Jay Bee's BBQ for a while but I remembered they had these really big beefy ribs. I'm not a fan of beef, but they were tasty. http://www.jaybeesbbq.com/ Tue Sep 15 22:12:22 -0700 2009 5029962 176415 rinkatink888 1 5034168 OP here - so I tried the beef rib at Baby Blues on Lincoln yesterday as reccommended above. It's completely bizarre. The thing costs $15 and is the size of a football. I was pretty excited when I saw it - huge and black - sitting on the grill getting licked by flames. A guy would dab sauce on it occasionally and turn it. BUT...it was just not that good. The meat had very little flavor and seemed stringy and overcooked. It was just not fun to eat - I think the size of it kept the insides from having much flavor and it had a grainy, brisket-y feel. The outside seemed burnt but not crispy - and worst there was NO SMOKE FLAVOR at all - not even much BEEF flavor. I couldn't eat very much of it, and what I did eat I had to drench in sauce for it to have any appeal. You know, this happened before here: I was doing a sandwich blog and someone recc'd Baby Blue's pulled pork sandwich and I remember it just not having much flavor. Again, no smoke whatever - just texture and cole slaw on a bun. I know this place is popular - maybe I hit a bad day - but I'm starting to wonder. Wed Sep 16 09:53:08 -0700 2009 5029962 13327 BIM 2 5034204 try the beef ribs at phillips next Wed Sep 16 10:03:07 -0700 2009 5034168 262621 peppermonkey 2 5034346 Nope, it's just overrated. People rave about it because of a lack of BBQ on the westside. Go to Bludso's or Phillips or BigMista's (though no Beef Ribs here). Wed Sep 16 10:39:50 -0700 2009 5034168 67980 mdpilam 3 5049651 Bigmista's has experimented with beef ribs I believe the last two weeks. Sold out every time. He does charge $5/bone but the bones have about 1/2 pound of meat on them. I don't know if they're going to become a regular menu item or not. On Sunday a couple of his customers from Eagle Rock (Friday nights) came looking for more at Atwater. Tue Sep 22 12:16:57 -0700 2009 5034346 273606 Chow Down Hound 2 5034550 Sitting on the grill, licked by flames? They don't actually barbeque (smoke, in a wood fired pit over indirect heat)? What kind of bs barbeque is that, Baby Blues? Stay on the quest BIM, there definitely are better beef ribs to be had out there. Wed Sep 16 11:38:10 -0700 2009 5034168 10059 ChinoWayne 3 5035050 Smoker first, then finished on the grill... Wed Sep 16 14:34:57 -0700 2009 5034550 13171 silence9 4 5035802 Well that might be a little more acceptable, but basting with sauce while on the grill, more than once, tsk tsk tsk... seems like they are masking something. My preference is to never sauce the meat while smoking or grilling, just paint some sauce on the meat after removing from the cooking vessel, if sauce it you must. ;-) Wed Sep 16 20:13:58 -0700 2009 5035050 10059 ChinoWayne 5 5036363 CW, the long bone ribs (which were the last ones I tried at BB's and which were great) don't get any sauce on them by the restaurant. You are free to sauce, or not to sauce, as is your personal pleasure. My assumption is that the grilling is done to the smoked ribs to impart some immediate heat and a bit of caramelizing before they get served up to the diner. Thu Sep 17 06:16:57 -0700 2009 5035802 108169 Servorg 5 5036774 I love you Chino! Thu Sep 17 08:52:30 -0700 2009 5035802 11279 Burger Boy 4 5036773 That is another issue with me, I think they need to smoke them longer, oh well. Thu Sep 17 08:51:47 -0700 2009 5035050 11279 Burger Boy 2 5035763 well, if it was grilled as you say then of course there should be no smoke flavor. Wed Sep 16 20:03:01 -0700 2009 5034168 10866 kevin 2 5036772 THANK YOU ! ! ! Thu Sep 17 08:50:58 -0700 2009 5034168 11279 Burger Boy 1 5035198 It may be sacrilege to mention here, but the beef ribs at Claim Jumper are usually very good. $20 for about 5, I think.. ... sounds pretty standard. OTOH, I usually buy them at any market for around $6 and do it myself when the wife is away for dinner. Didn't like them at Lucille's, but I didn't like much there except the sides. Wed Sep 16 15:36:13 -0700 2009 5029962 11405 Midlife 1 5035865 As others have said Phillips is the best. Love the beef ribs, the chicken links are the bomb, and their sliced beef is good too. I go to the one on Crenshaw and Adams, but since you are on the westside, I would go to the one on Centenila just passed LaCienega. Also Woody's on LaBrean in Inglewood is just as good it is the same family. As to the sauces, If you like it really hot get the hot sauce. Sicne we ususally order a lot we usually get the sauce on the side and get both the hot and mild and mix it ourselve. Don't forget that they serve white bread with it. If you go, I would order ahead, that way you don't have to wait too long. Their menu is online. Went to JnJ and they were out of ribs Haven't tried Bludso yet, but we stopped by and got a menu. Hubby said the people their are really nice. Oh by the way, Ribs USA in Burbank has really good beef ribs. Wed Sep 16 20:40:33 -0700 2009 5029962 62097 paprkutr 2 5036783 Just did Bludso's. Get the beef brisket, the links and the pork ribs be sure to do sauce on the side. They only do the beef ribs on saturday or sunday. Thu Sep 17 08:54:38 -0700 2009 5035865 11279 Burger Boy 2 5037348 I am still convinced this is the Best BBQ in LA. Definitely get the Texas Sampler with sauce on the side. Thu Sep 17 11:59:35 -0700 2009 5035865 254809 A5 KOBE 3 5037841 Phillips or Ribs USA? Thu Sep 17 14:26:53 -0700 2009 5037348 11279 Burger Boy 4 5038688 Bludso's. The beef rib is good, meaty but a bit fatty. But their BBQ is damn good, best rib tips ever. Thu Sep 17 21:25:50 -0700 2009 5037841 254809 A5 KOBE 5 5038872 Try the rib tips at J n J and let me know what you think. I love his rib tips! Fri Sep 18 01:51:51 -0700 2009 5038688 11279 Burger Boy 1 5038866 Hi BIM the OP here - so today I went to Philip's (on Centinela) and split the 4 beef rib dinner with my cousin. Asked for mixed sauce (thank you CulverJack). Truly good beef ribs - tasty and fun to eat, and I wish I'd had all 4 to myself. If I was going to say anything at all, I might say that the beef flavor was a little too subtle for the overwhelming sauce. The meat was very moist, almost like it had a touch of steam, and the ribs were awash in the vinegary sauce which - don't get me wrong - was very good. Though not quite the Santa Maria intense oak-smoked ribs I had last week, I think these are worth a repeat visit. Fri Sep 18 01:45:16 -0700 2009 5029962 13327 BIM 2 5039751 you know the mixed sauce is great with the beef ribs...but not so much so for me with the pork ribs...is it better to get the hot sauce only with the pork? Fri Sep 18 09:44:43 -0700 2009 5038866 262621 peppermonkey 3 5039893 I love Phillips hot sauce. Fri Sep 18 10:34:28 -0700 2009 5039751 67980 mdpilam 1 5153569 Never one to shy away from an opportunity, I visited this fine little establishment with the missus last week. Previously, I had trekked up to Panarama City to Dr. Hogley Wogleys (tasty but tough) and also sampled Baby Blues BBQ on Lincoln in Santa Monica (expensive, fatty and tasteless), now it was time to go to the hood and track down some downhome cookin'. Tasty Q's did not disappoint. Plenty of ribs. I ordered the half-rack of beef ribs, which came with 2 sides and 6 ribs. This cost me a whoppin 10 bucks. I ordered baked beans and slaw for my sides and both were super tasty. The little lady ordered a beef rib sandwich, which really wasn't a sandwich, just a smaller version of what I had and 1 side. She enjoyed it also and her meal, which was plenty for her, set me back 7 bucks. You order through a little window and in a few minutes you get the goods through that same window and bring it back to your little table. The place looks like it was a former Taco Bell, but so what. The food is GREAT. Tasty and tender, just like God intended And you can't beat the price. Being white folk we might have felt a little anxious about going to So. Crenshaw at night, but don't worry. The area's fine. The people who run the place are super nice and were pleased that we loved the cookin'. Phillips is up the street and we'll check it out also. I'm looking for the best. So far, Tasty Q's has my nod. $20 including Cokes and we were happy campers and well fed. If you like good food at a great price, this is it. Be a little adventurous and head down to 30th & Crenshaw. You can thank me later. For now, just enjoy a really good meal. Tue Nov 03 16:54:24 -0800 2009 5029962 1115788 Urbanman 1 5153597 I treked out to Van Nuys on my unending quest for meaty, tender beef ribs. Didn't find them here. Not very much meat and boy were they tough. What happened to cooking them at low-medium heat for hours until the meet comes easily comes off the bone? The sides were good. Really good slaw and the baked beans were tastey. Nice people working there, but I went for the beef ribs. Might try it again since many people talk them up. Check out my review of Tasty Q's BBQ on Crenshaw. If you're tired of dropping 50 bucks for a so-so rib dinner for 2, try $20 and get the real thing at Tasty Q's. Tue Nov 03 17:06:09 -0800 2009 5029962 1115788 Urbanman 2 5154170 Assuming you're dis is of Hogly Wogly's - which I totally concur. Maybe it's because I remember them in their heyday in the early 80s, but imho, they're should be a downhill alert posted about their beef ribs. Meaty, but any taste comes from the sauce, and not from the meat. As for Tasty Q - I also agree, although a little less wholeheartedly. When they're on, they're great. But I've also had some experiences of ribs that were more fat than meat. Not often, but it shouldn't have happened. Tue Nov 03 23:18:26 -0800 2009 5153597 11135 Briggs 1 5154210 I agree that the Phillips south of the 10 fwy on Crenshaw is pretty solid. Wed Nov 04 00:45:02 -0800 2009 5029962 233427 tenxtone76 2 5157563 The best beef ribs I have eaten in LA has been at Tulsa Rib Company, but you have to drive all the way to Orange to get them. I generally love pork ribs more at most places, but when I go to Tulsa Rib, the beef ribs are the best!!!! Thu Nov 05 05:54:13 -0800 2009 5154210 120544 nomo_fan 1 5179401 Just tried BigMista's newest menu items. Huge beef ribs and boneless chicken thighs. Someone described the beef ribs as "Flintstone sized". And they were tender with a lot of flavorful rub. I got to El Segundo at 5 PM and got the last ones. Their tenderness reminded me of his excellent brisket. And my wife is happy he is offering chicken, which was some of the best BBQ chicken I've had. I'm still partial to his brisket and port ribs, but the beef ribs and chicken are a welcome addition to the menu. And Mrs. Mista said she would bring her mac & cheese next week to El Segundo. I highly recommend the beef, but he does seem to run out quickly. Follow him on his Twitter account. Fri Nov 13 12:15:49 -0800 2009 5029962 62188 Ogawak 1 5182475 i'm more of a pork spare rib guy, but the best beef ribs i've found were from bludso's. they are succulent, tender, trimmed of just the right amount of excess fat, well seasoned (only salt and black pepper, i think), and smoked just so. bigmista's bbq is smoked too much, obscuring the flavor of the meat, and the texture is inconsistent. if you're so inclined to use sauce, it contains an inordinate amount of onion powder. however, their collard greens are the best! Sat Nov 14 21:43:45 -0800 2009 5029962 1124640 aizan 2 5182588 You're a new poster, aizan, so I don't know your tastes, yet. How many times have you been to Big Mista, and what have you had? You say that "bigmista's bbq is smoked too much" -- are you talking about the beef ribs? I'm sensitive to over-smoking but have never had the problem there with brisket, pork ribs, or pulled pork. I can't say anything about the beef ribs or the sauce you didn't like, having never had either. If you've gone only once and ate only one thing, perhaps Big Mista had a Famous Dave's moment. (It happens. ;-) Otherwise, I can't explain your inability to taste the flavor of the meat, because on numerous occasions I've tasted and greatly enjoyed the meats, their juice, and the (appropriate amount of) smoke. Sun Nov 15 00:41:16 -0800 2009 5182475 281830 Harry Nile 3 5183000 Famous Dave's, that is funny! I think Dave is still out of his meatballs and crab melt. Sun Nov 15 08:31:46 -0800 2009 5182588 11279 Burger Boy 4 5183435 wait what's famous dave's is this a restaurant or sub shoppe? Sun Nov 15 12:18:19 -0800 2009 5183000 10866 kevin 5 5183482 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/645613 Sun Nov 15 12:41:36 -0800 2009 5183435 108169 Servorg 3 5183214 just once to try the spare ribs and brisket. so dry, tough, and hard that i had no inclination to go again, even if their collard greens are the best i've found. maybe the problems with texture on that occasion were related to the excessive smokiness. since they just put beef ribs on the menu, i'll have to go back, though i'm a little skeptical after reading other people's experiences. sometimes they say it's great, sometimes it's dry, sometimes it's "mushy." Sun Nov 15 10:32:18 -0800 2009 5182588 1124640 aizan 4 5183577 "sometimes they say it's great, sometimes it's dry, sometimes it's 'mushy.'" Yeah, 4,152, 811 say "great"; 1 drily says "superb"; and 1 says "mushy." I'm just pulling your leg, aizan. Here on chowhound you have both the expected right to your dissenting opinion and (if you're a real 'hound) a natural obligation to express it. So you're where you should be. Nevertheless, your experience is very different from anything I've had at Big Mista over the past year, and this summer I spent much time touring Texas, the South, and the Midwest seeing clearly that our Mista ranks with some of the best temples of the BBQ Belt. The only thing they seem to be missing is the snarling service of a certain place in KC that has been too well known for too long and the tired meats of a New Orleans joint that should never have been franchised out of Memphis. When you go back, tell Neil -- Big Mista -- about your first experience. (He's the large guy who's usually swinging a heavy, sharp meat cleaver. ;-) Ask him to recommend his best for that day. Neil is a very friendly entrepreneur who's interested in his customers and more than willing to solve problems. Let us know how it goes. And welcome to chowhound! Sun Nov 15 13:30:16 -0800 2009 5183214 281830 Harry Nile 5 5183926 Got a couple Big Mista beef ribs this morning. $4 each because he said they were kind of small this week from the butcher, otherwise $5 each. Tender and comes off the bone clean, then cut it with a knife and eat it like a steak. Fred Flintstone would be in heaven. Picked up a rack of pork ribs too. Sun Nov 15 16:13:30 -0800 2009 5183577 11914 monku 2 5184599 Bigmista's Barbecue does not use onion powder in any of their seasonings or sauces. Sun Nov 15 21:37:29 -0800 2009 5182475 256839 bigmista