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I really love JR's BBQ on La Cienega Blvd in Culver City. I most always get their beef and pork ribs combo with medium hot sauce, beans and greens. There a good bit of smokiness in the meat and enough kick in the sauce. Once in a while I get a mix of medium and hot sauce, which makes me sweat a bit. Their hot sauce really makes me sweat a lot, though. The beans are so good with lots of meat chunks in it. I've been going here for about 10 years now. JR is such a nice guy that it's always a pleasure to see him when my friend and I are there.
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JR's BBQ
3055 S La Cienega Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 -
I recently tried Bludso, Big Mista (today) and Smoke City (last week). My vote by a long shot goes to Bludso's, just more consistent, tender and smokier across the board.
Not sure if it was an off day today; Big Mista's brisket and ribs were both very lightly smoked, very faint smoke rings. I did not like their bbq sauce either. Quite disappointed given the rave reviews on this thread. I really wanted to love them given their proximity to me...
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re: Sgee
Peripatetic
May 8, 2011 01:23 PM
I was thinking of going to Big Mista's today but found out that Neil had just returned from a work gig in Vegas yesterday and was working on a catering job today, so I decided today wasn't the best day for it.
I really hope that he gets a bricks and mortar place soon and then doesn't spread himself too thin.
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I really like Bludso. They are very nice people and they put heart and soul into their food.
Separately, I'm interested in thoughts re sides. I don't go for bbq and just take a pile of bones and sit in a corner. I'm going to order some greens, beans, coleslaw and/or potato salad. Most places are so obsessed with the protein, it seems they skimp on the sides ... usually tastes like it came straight from Smart & Final.
With that said, kudos to Phillips for their amazing greens; Bludso for his beans and potato salad; and JayBee for great beans and very good greens.
Your thoughts?
PS: LA is a big place. IMO, the San Fernando Valley FINALLY has decent BBQ worth recommending - I think these are worth trying: Smoke CIty Market and Roger's Rib Shack. (Swinging Door is not new, but add that to the mix, too.)
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Smart & Final
10113 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034›14 Replies-
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re: reality check
Bludo's BBQ will include Beef Ribs in its Texas Sampler for an extra charge of $2 per Beef Rib (weekends only):
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re: cdub
Sorry ... one more thing on Smoke City ... To go to Smoke City and not the get house-smoked pastrami should be illegal.
It is, simply put - the best pastrami I've ever eaten ... yes, better than Langers, better than Katz's in New York, and way better than the famous place in Montreal, Schwartz's. Of course, this is just my opinion.
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re: SOPAS
i appreciate good sides a lot. here's my take on who's got the best:
collard greens: bonnie b's
runners up: bigmista, bludso's (phillips is always bitter and has no meaty flavor in the pot liquor...hmm)
beans: bludso's
runner's up: j 'n' j, bodacious
mac & cheese: bludso's
coleslaw: bludso's
potato salad: none so far
cornbread: bludso's, park's finest (cornbread bibingka) -
re: SOPAS
Steve2 in LA
May 6, 2011 12:04 PM
Interesting take, SOPA. I've been to most of the heretofore named BBQ joints (Bludsoes, Big Mistah, Smoke City, Roger's, JayBee's, Bear Pit [gah!] Mom's, Uncle Andre's, Kansas City BBQ Company, Boneyard Bistro, Uncle Cecil's, Zeke's, Dr. Hogly Wogly's, Grandpa Fred's and even Rattlers)
I've found the better the meats, the more forgettable the sides. My guess is because they put most of their focus into the protein, the sides are an afterthought and sometimes even (gulp) store bought!
I hold restaurant BBQ sides to a pretty high standard so almost all of them fall short with the exception of the Deep Fried Mac & Cheese at Boneyard Bistro. Now, BB is probably the most expensive of all the aforementioned places and like the others has had mixed reviews but those little deep-fried cheese and pasta bombs do not suck. At all. (Their Cowboy Ribeye!? Wahoo!)
And so, it goes.
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Boneyard Bistro
13539 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 -
re: SOPAS
Not a BBQ place, but Flossie's has hands down the best sides to go with her excellent fried chicken, from collared greens to the mac n cheese and great pies.
Maybe on Thursdays I need to get a fried chicken plate at Flossies and a pound of brisket or a side of pork ribs at Big Mista's at the El Segundo farmer's market.
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People are going to be split over which one they prefer. I have gone to both, depending upon my whereabouts and needs. There were times when I thought Bludo's was best, and then there were times when BigMista's ruled. It's also a matter of preference. BigMista serves the sauce on the side, while Bludo's piles the sauce on, unless you ask. One thing is for sure; one taste test doesn't do either place justice. Some here have had dry brisket from BM's. That's never been the case for me. I like BL's BBQ sauce the best. I also love BL's pork shoulder. BM's pork ribs have generally been better.
Oddly, though BL's beef ribs (only on weekends) have been highly touted here, I actually have liked BM's beef ribs, more like steak on a stick.
I love them both, and they're good friends as well.
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My fave bbq is definitely bigmista's pulled pork. I prefer it to bludso's pulled pork (which in all fairness I've only had once...whereas I generally eat bigmista's weekly). To me, bigmista's perfect pulled pork sandwich is aptly named...a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, rich pork with light, crunchy, refreshing coleslaw.
Agree that bludso's brisket was moister and fattier than bigmista's, but I'm not sure which I prefer. The pork is what I really want anyway. -
monku
Mar 26, 2011 06:22 AM
Bigmista's gets my vote for best ribs (pork and beef).
See beef rib pic below.
http://bigmista.com/›12 Replies
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re: monku
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re: rickym13
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re: bulavinaka
what stood out the most for everyone was how good bludso's brisket!
i think the quality of the meat might be better with bigmista's, we notice that his ribs and brisket was much leaner and bludso's was very fatty. we also thought bludso's was little more smokier.
they were both great! but last night bludso's edged out bigmista's.-
re: rickym13
I have no issue with fat when it comes to good bbq. That fat cap on the brisket really makes a huge difference IMHO. Fat is essential for spreading out the intense flavor of the smoke and the sauce, and I'm guessing that it's also key in keeping the meat moist during the smoking process. And like you and your group, folks love that smoke. I used to be a hater of smoke, but after having Bludso's , it's literally changed my views on this flavor. Scotch, smoked stouts and porters are flavors I now seek all because of Bludso's!
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re: wienermobile
wienermobile
Sep 1, 2011 06:11 PM
Had Bigmista's BBQ Pastrami for the first time today at the El Segundo farmers market and boy was that great. Smokey, tender and slightly spicy. A real treat. Highly recomended.
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We've gotten the large party tray at Bludso's several times and it's always been well received. Order with the sauce(s) on the side - mild or spicy (and it is very spicy for most folks). I really like their brisket and usually order an extra pound. Their bbq beans are killer and their potato salad has a tang of mustard and maybe some vinegar - goes well with the smoke, heat and depth of flavor.
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