Que in the Valley

[MarkC]

Went to Bear Pit last night and found it strictly mediocre. Is there any good cue in the valley? I've heard of the chains Rosie's and Wood's BBQ, and there's a place called Dickie's and also a hole in the wall called Roger's. There's also an intriguing looking place in chatsworth manor called "Cooking with Lennie", which is a brick and mortar extension of his movie set catering business. Any of them any good?

I have seen recommendations for take out operations located in supermarket parking lots, but am more interested in sit down places (my wife won't let me bring the stuff into the house).

[goodhealthgourmet]

i drive past Uncle Andre's on Moorpark nearly every day and always wonder about it. i searched and found plenty of CH chatter about it from years ago, but nothing really recent...

[carter]

Was thinking the same thing - as if the blog world passed them by, yet they have been there for well over 10 years, so someone likes the place. And parking is generally available in that center for dinner.

[kevin]

I didn't like it at all, way too heavy, not very tasty. But then again I ordered the fried catfish with a couple sides. It also took the better part of a half hour or more while I was waiting for my food.

When the soul food itch hits, Mom's BBQ on Vanowen in Van Nuys is my soul fooder of choice by far.

[granadafan]

I'm disappointed in the Bear Pit's quality. It used to be tough to drive past it everyday, but now I don't even give it a second look.

On the other hand, I'm psyched that Zankou Chicken finally opened in Granada Hills! Hoorah!

[Jwsel]

Was Bear Pit ever good? The only thing on their menu that I have ever liked were the baked beans. Those are the thick, sweet baked beans that you used to be able to find at places like Love's BBQ and are hard to find these days. But other than the beans, everything I've had from Bear Pit has been pretty bad.

Now if only someone could team up Smoke City's brisket with Bear Pit's beans. Then I would be happy.

[boogiebaby]

We used to like the Bear Pit, but it's really gone downhill. Rosie's is decent if you're in that area. It's not far from our house so that tends to be where we get takeout from. If we want to eat out, we usually go to Wood Ranch at Northridge mall. They have good tri-tip and ribs, and I love that they have prime rib on the weekends (one of my favorites). There's a Rosie's on Topanga but that is of no relation to the one in Northridge, and is not as good, IMO. Dr. Hogly Wogly's on Van Nuys is pretty good, and popular.

[SIMIHOUND]

Dr Hogly is inconsistent or I would be a frequent patron. It is certainly worth the trip though.
http://hoglywogly.com/

[la tache burger]

Agreed, when the beef ribs at Hogly Wogly's are good, I think they're better than anywhere in area and I LOVE them. Don't really like any of the pork options at Hogly Wogly's and the beef ribs are not ALWAYS great. Boneyard has really good baby backs and spare ribs. Based on a recent visit, Kansas City might not be as good as it was a few years ago when I thought it was pretty good.

[Servorg]

There is Dave & Romeo's http://superstarlida.wix.com/bbq (see CH report by Hypnotic23/Stuart) http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846761 and I think the Swinging Door is still around: http://swingindoortexasbbq.com/ and the venerable Hogly Wogly http://hoglywogly.com/ and Boneyard Bistro http://www.boneyardbistro.com/ on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks and finally Smoke City http://smokecitymarket.com/ has gotten some good reviews on this board in the past.

[cdub]

not sure if dave and romero's is going on anymore. haven't seen it in at least a month.

smoke city is pretty much the best option in the valley.

[Jwsel]

If the OP likes sweet BBQ like Beat Pit has, he may not like Smoke City. The sauce is more thin and vinegary.

Also Smoke City is fantastic for brisket and very expensive beef ribs, but I find its pork offerings -- pulled pork, pork ribs, etc. -- are not particularly good and its sides are really weak. I recommended Smoke City to a friend who asked for a recommendation for BBQ, not knowing he wanted pork ribs, and he complained for weeks.

Another serviceable place is Kansas City BBQ Co. in North Hollywood. The problem is that I don't think there are any places in the valley that are more than serviceable.

[Steve2 in LA]

I agree 100% with Jwsel. We all went through the options, likes, dislikes over the last few years and the general consensus is there ISN'T a "great Q" joint in the Valley. (More's the pity.) Personally, I'm hoping the new Bludsoe's venture on La Brea in Hollywood, will open and change my world.

[cdub]

I agree the pork and chicken is not very good but like any good Texas BBQ
, beef is king. That moist brisket is spectacular.

[Servorg]

I note that Dave & Romeo's website says they are open from 3 PM to 8 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. http://superstarlida.wix.com/bbq#!cal...

[cdub]

Understood. Just saying that they haven't been there in a month so...

[mucho gordo]

Let's not forget Mr Cecil's, El Paso and My Brother's BBQ.

[goodhealthgourmet]

Mr Cecil's has been closed for nearly a year.

[mucho gordo]

Thanks, ghg. I didn't know that. IIRC, they were still there in April when we moved to Vegas.

[goodhealthgourmet]

the storefront/signage was probably still there, but they closed last December. the original location on Pico is gone too.

BTW, i didn't know you moved - i hope you're enjoying life in the desert!

[mucho gordo]

Compared to where we were in North Hollywood, this is paradise. Now, if I could just find 40 virgins.................

[kevin]

Mr. Cecil's may have one remaining location left intact on Highland Ave in Manhattan Beach.

[wienermobile]

Mr Cecil's Manhattan Beach is done. Closed, concluded, finished, terminated, halted, discontinued, dissolved; adjourned & Kaput

[kevin]

Smoke City is the best of the bunch, especially if you you are looking for primo slabs of juicy, wet (read: fatty and ultimately disarmingly luscious) brisket on butcher paper. Grab a shiner bock or three. A side of sliced tomatoes, a slice of cheddar cheese to eat in between bites of brisket as would ginger during an expansive sushi omakase meal and you are good to go.

[carter]

"A slice of cheese to eat in between bites of brisket" - heresy!
No cheese needed, thank you!
Why ruin what you say is good brisket, unless you are trying to make a hamburger out it, as opposed to a rib-type dinner?

[kevin]

Just sayin.

You can easily have a good experience without the cheddar. But when in Rome ... Wait a second. We are not really in Texas so you can in fact hold the cheese.

[carter]

Well said!

[Jase]

I prefer the raw onion and pickled jalapeño to cut the richness. I've gotten used to that ever since I did my Austin BBQ trek.