The Hub
Previous topic | Next topic Return to Forum
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
Looking for restaraunt recommendations
Posted Sat, Aug 24 11:42 am
Have family coming into SoCal in October and they are asking for real BBQ. For a crowd this size, we need to head out. We looking for smoked - not grilled - stuff.

We're thinking of getting something in the general Glendale/Pasadena/East valley area before the Cal game, but we are sadly out of touch with what's good there. Suggestions and cautions, please !
DoubleBruin
Joined: 11/05/05 Posts: 1,780
BBQ suggestions
Posted Sat, Aug 24 1:36 pm
In response to Looking for restaraunt recommendations (70sDude)
I love smoked BBQ but am no expert. I haven't found any place in SoCal that is as good as the bbq I've had in Houston during a visit. Here are places that are good but not great. Check out the yelp reviews that I've linked:

Zeke's in Montrose (close to Rose Bowl)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/robins-wood-fire-bbq-pasadena#query:bbq%20ribs

Robin's Wood in Pasadena
http://www.yelp.com/biz/robins-wood-fire-bbq-pasadena#query:bbq%20ribs

Smoke City Market in Sherman Oaks
http://www.yelp.com/biz/smoke-city-market-sherman-oaks#query:bbq%20ribs

Swinging Door by Burbank Airport (hole in the wall)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-swingin-door-texas-bbq-north-hollywood

The Bear Pit at 405x118 fwy
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-bear-pit-bar-b-que-mission-hills#query:bbq%20ribs
blue and gold 4-ever
Joined: 2/07/06 Posts: 10,049

Avatars available for donors only
Lucille's Isn't Bad
Posted Sun, Aug 25 7:36 am
In response to BBQ suggestions (DoubleBruin)
There's one in the IE and in the OC.
Splat Shot Sal
Joined: 7/02/11 Posts: 1,130
Gus' s BBQ on Fair Oaks
Posted Mon, Aug 26 12:18 pm
In response to Lucille's Isn't Bad (blue and gold 4-ever)
is also pretty decent. But if you really want good bbq in a nice place you should just go to Houstons. Their bbq ribs are pretty delicious and their Hawain ribeye cannot be beat.
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
Familiar name
Posted Mon, Aug 26 2:47 pm
In response to Gus' s BBQ on Fair Oaks (Splat Shot Sal)
That Pasadena location looks tempting alright. Thanks.

I wonder it is of the same chain which used to have a presence in Woodland Hills a decade or so back. Dunno.

That place closed, and offered ribs that were par-boiled and sauce-finished on the char-grill. Tasty, but not what we have in mind for BBQ this time (at the moment anyway.) I'll keep it in mind. Their grilled steaks, sauced roast chicken (juicy) and sides were done very nicely, if it's the same chain.

70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
This calls for a road trip
Posted Mon, Aug 26 2:51 pm
In response to BBQ suggestions (DoubleBruin)
Bear Pit's food had fallen off steeply since its heyday in the 50's through 70's. I don't want to go back there.

We'll swing by the first two you listed. Need a decent sit-down place for ten or twelve folks. Thanks.
DoubleBruin
Joined: 11/05/05 Posts: 1,780
Sorry, wrong link for Zeke's
Posted Tue, Aug 27 12:41 am
In response to This calls for a road trip (70sDude)
Here's the correct one

http://www.yelp.com/biz/zekes-smokehouse-barbeque-montrose
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
Feedback
Posted Sun, Sep 29 12:46 pm
In response to BBQ suggestions (DoubleBruin)
The experience at Robin's Wood (food, service, ambiance) was just OK. Probably would prefer using Bandit's BBQ in Camarillo to it.

Still looking. Thanks for the tip.
Old bruin79
Joined: 11/29/11 Posts: 2,077
Or, Bandit's in Thousand Oaks on...
Posted Sun, Sep 29 2:55 pm
In response to Feedback (70sDude)
Moorpark, cross street Wilbur...
Quieter than Camarillo, just saying!

Live and Die A BRUIN...
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
Yes, we know the place
Posted Tue, Oct 01 10:04 am (Edited Tue, Oct 01 10:04 am)
In response to Or, Bandit's in Thousand Oaks on... (Old bruin79)
Funny you mention. Our personal cautionary tale.

My son had an experience at that location with the head of staff that we're likely to not soon forget. He and his family planned a 7 PM reservation for a party of 14 on a Friday night, for a wedding rehearsal party dinner no less. The rez was not honored; it took an hour to get that table. Not nice. That proved more than awkward. It was weird as we had eaten there with my son's family for years, even at the old original little building and we knew Ron Parker pretty well.

I wouldn't want plan to take a large party there again, not while that guy is there. Got no trust for him and both sides spilled bad words on the trail behind. The Camarillo location, though smaller, has proven reliable and we've had no fracas there. It is more convenient from our direction anyway. Thanks.
Old bruin79
Joined: 11/29/11 Posts: 2,077
Wow! Sorry to hear you guys went through a...
Posted Tue, Oct 01 8:19 pm
In response to Yes, we know the place (70sDude)
ordeal... I won't be going there anymore and really haven't been there in well over a year... Not that anything happened to me but just been busy with work and school...

Okay, so when do we all meet at Bandit's in Camarillo... lol

Live and Die A BRUIN...
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
Appreciated all input
Posted Thu, Oct 10 7:07 am
In response to BBQ suggestions (DoubleBruin)
and we're not going for BBQ as it turns out. Dang.

We're going to The Hat for pastrami burgers and gravy fries instead. It was an old fave of my sister and with her family in town for her 70th birthday, well, how wrong can we go ...
blue and gold 4-ever
Joined: 2/07/06 Posts: 10,049

Avatars available for donors only
Can't Beat The Hat
Posted Thu, Oct 10 10:39 am
In response to Appreciated all input (70sDude)
Their gravy fries are awesome. Animal Fries from In-N-Out are right up there.
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
The Hat, recommended: unchanged in decades
Posted Sun, Oct 13 10:56 am
In response to Can't Beat The Hat (blue and gold 4-ever)
I hadn't been to The Hat for maybe 15 years. Ordered way too much for everyone and we all ate enough for a game-time coma or heart attack. Me, a whole pastrami sand, plus too many shared fries: plain, some gravy, some chili. Somehow stayed conscious through the game.
monkeyboy86
Joined: 3/15/06 Posts: 359
The Hat's Cherry cola is something else too
Posted Fri, Oct 18 10:57 am
In response to Can't Beat The Hat (blue and gold 4-ever)
Coke+ hand pumped cherry syrup!