Saturday, May 28, is National Brisket Day. If you’ve had corned beef or pastrami before, then you’ve had brisket. This large piece of flavor-packed beef is often cured or smoked, but it’s also one of the best cuts for braising and slow cooking. I hope you can plan ahead and celebrate National Brisket Day with one of your favorites or try something new.
It was fun preparing this roundup because I had the opportunity to try many places new to me. Below is a roundup of restaurants across LA that serve brisket.
DTLA
Horse Thief BBQ
Horse Thief is owned by two native Texans and operates next to the Hill St entrance in Grand Central Market. There, they showcase the classic meats of Central Texas as well as sides that are creatively prepared. The brisket sandwich comes with two sides; the most popular being cornbread and mac and cheese.
Horse Thief BBQ
Grand Central Market, 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
horsethiefbbq.com
LA Brisket
When you look at LA Brisket’s menu, you know you are in for a terrific brisket experience. LA Brisket uses all-natural beef with no added hormones. It is cooked “low and slow” for 15 hours. The brisket ends up extremely tender and is used to make sandwiches, rice bowls, and loaded fries.
LA Brisket, 736 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 562.741.7000
or 18189 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701; 562.356.8277; labrisket.com
Magal BBQ
Magal BBQ is a K-town BBQ featuring 2-3 person combos that revolve around either beef or pork. The house specialty is the Mapo Galmaegi, or pork skirtmeat. The brisket is paper-thin and cooks quickly.
Magal BBQ, 3460 W. 8th St., Los Angeles 90005; 213.383.1909
Moo’s Craft Barbecue
Owners, Andrew and Michelle Muñoz of Moo’s Craft Barbecue started out in their Boyle Heights backyard, became famous in Smorgasburg LA, and now have their own brick and mortar. The meat is crafted from Central Texas BBQ and is sliced to order. Houston-based photographer Ben Sassani just Instagrammed a photo with a caption that read: “If @mooscraftbarbecue was in Texas, it’d be top 10.”
Moo’s Craft Barbecue, 2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031; mooscraftbarbecue.com
HomeState
HomeState brings in a crowd for their breakfast tacos. People line up for their Tex Mex specialties such as their breakfast tacos, queso, and migas. The Lonestar Migas is made with organic eggs scrambled with crispy corn strips, onions, cheese, shredded brisket, and fresh pico de gallo.
HomeState 12105 W Waterfront Drive, Suite B, Los Angeles CA 90094 or
4624 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.906.1122 or
5611 N Figueroa St Unit #1, Los Angeles, CA 90042 or
1992 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103; myhomestate.com
Mid City
Bludso’s Bar & Que
Seven years ago, I was surprised when Bludso’s Bar & Que closed their Compton restaurant and joined forces with gastropub Golden State. Together, they opened a brick and mortar on La Brea Ave. If you ever wondered what it was like to have true Texas barbecue with fine craft beer, Bludso’s Bar & Que is your place to visit. Pair your meal with Junior’s Paloma with sea salt and chili powder on the rim.
Bludso’s Bar & Que, 609 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.931.2583
barandque.com
Revolutionario
Revolutionario used to be the only North African Taco restaurant in the world. In 2016, North African tacos caught LA’s Taco Madness event by surprise. There, Revolutionario Tacos defeated heavyweights Mariscos Jalisco, Carnitas El Momo, and Ricky’s Fish Tacos. Now they sell their smoked beef brisket for $120 half tray, and $240 for a full tray.
Revolutionario, 1436 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca 90007; 424.233.3526
revolutionario.com
Slab
Burt Bakman used to operate Trudy’s Underground BBQ from his backyard in the valley. He took the plunge and opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant on 3rd Street. Called Slab, it’s true Texas-style BBQ and the fixings aren’t an afterthought. While the brisket is delicious, many opt for Tony’s Back Back Ribs. Beware that parking is challenging and seating is limited.
Slab, 8136 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.855.7184
slabbarbecue.com
Woody’s Bar-B-Que
Woody’s Bar-B-Que is a family-owned business, and they have had some of the same employees for over 30 years. They prepare and sell beef and pork ribs, rib tips, and chicken. Their beef brisket is smoked for hours with a special marinade that gives it a tasty outer crust.
Woody’s Bar-B-Que, 475 S. Market St. Inglewood, CA 90301; 310.672.4200 or 1958 W. Florence Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047; 323.758.8303
woodysbarbquela.com
Phillips Barbecue
Phillips BBQ is probably best known for its moist and tasty pork ribs. Their larger location on Crenshaw has indoor seating whereas their Inglewood location is takeout only. They also feature brisket, chicken, and rib tips. Make sure you check their hours before you visit them.
Phillips Barbecue, 2619 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016; 323.731.4772 or
1517 Centinela Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302; 310.412.7135
Westside
Maple Block Meat Co.
Maple Block Meat Co. smokes their meat in locally available peach wood. The result is a pleasant sweet flavor and not inundated with smoke. Their brisket is tender and juicy, but best of all, it has a delicious bark. Their brisket sandwich comes with red cabbage slaw, pickled shallots, and green sauce.
Maple Block Meat Co., 3973 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230; 310.313.6328
mapleblockmeatco.com
South Bay
Sister’s Barn
Sister’s Barn has two different experiences on the same property. On one side is a small market selling wine, beer, barbecue essentials, and take-out food. On the other side is an eatery that serves “coastal California style” barbecue. The meats are locally sourced from farms (Brandt beef, Shelton poultry, Snake River Berkshire pork) that grow their stock without hormones or antibiotics.
Sister’s Barn, 1408 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277; 424.452.6070
sistersbarneatery.com
HopSaint Brewery
HopSaint Brewery is located in Torrance and they jointly run a gastropub on Anza. The kitchen is first-rate and produces better food than most area gastropubs. Their BBQ Smoked Brisket dish is available Wed thru Saturday from noon until they run out. It includes a choice of potato or cole slaw.
HopSaint Brewery, 5160 W 190th St, Torrance, CA 90503; hopsaint.com
Willingham’s World Champion BBQ
John Willingham is a member of the barbecue hall of fame, and his name is synonymous with Memphis barbecue. Owner Phil Bae has been cooking barbecue since 2001 and trained in Memphis to learn Willingham’s method. Their brisket is moist and flavorful. Bae slices it in front of you, so you can specify whether you like your cut lean or with some fat.
Willingham’s World Champion BBQ, 443 S Pacific Coast Hwy #A, Redondo Beach; willinghambbq.com
Robert Earl’s BBQ
One of Long Beach’s best-kept secrets is Robert Earl’s BBQ. Earl began his backyard, quickly gained attention, and started a food truck and a brick-and-mortar restaurant in North Long Beach. His brisket is the stuff legends are made of beef so tender that it falls apart without much effort. It’s a memorable experience.
Robert Earl’s BBQ, 703 E Artesia Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90805; 562.726.1116
robertearlsbbq.com
Orange County
Smoqued California BBQ
At Smoqued California Barbeque all meats are low and slow-cooked over hickory, red oak, and fruitwoods. The brisket is smoked between 10-12 hours. Smoqued’s beer menu features artisan and craft selections highlighting the finest of California brewing.
Smoqued California BBQ, 128 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866; 714.633.7427
smoquedcaliforniabbq.com
Jav’s Bar-B-Q
Jav’s Bar-B-Q is cooked in an all-wood pit for no less than 12 hours with post oak wood to create a rich and sweet smoke flavor. What comes out is Central Texas BBQ that is juicy and flavorful, fall-off-the-bone meal. Brisket is available as a plate meal or as a sandwich with optional sides.
Jav’s Bar-B-Q, 500 S. Anaheim Blvd. #D, Anaheim, CA 92805; 714.844.2680
javsbbq.co
WR Kitchen and Bar
Popular Wood Ranch BBQ recently rolled out a new fast casual concept called WR Kitchen and Bar. The menu features many features from the original Wood Ranch menu such as tri-tip, baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket, the barbecue chopped salad and others. In addition, diners will find tacos, filled with a choice of brisket, pulled pork, smoked steelhead trout, roasted chicken or roasted cauliflower.
WR Kitchen and Bar, 28061 Greenfield Dr. Laguna Niguel, CA 92677; 949.342.4740
wrkitchenbar.com