Costa Mesa BBQ?

ComputerMike

ComputerMike

Take a breath!
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Apr 28, 2008
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I'm going to be in Costa Mesa, CA next week on a course. Any BBQ joints worth checking out? Beach Pit BBQ looks interesting.

I'm from the frozen North, known as Canada so any advice would help.

Mike
 
Beach Pit is ok, but the problem with most BBQ places in OC is they typically cook inside an oven with little or no real smoke flavor so you basically get oven cooked BBQ. I think it's a problem with the health regulations in Orange County not allowing any "real" smokers to be setup. They used to have a pretty good spot called Austin Spencers Reall BBQ in Newport Beach, but I think they got shut down. There is also the newport rib co on harbor. The Q is sub par, but the sauce is ok. Not bad if you need a quick fix, but no where near comp Q. Are you going to be in town over the weekend? I would fire up my smoker, but Nov 6th is a KCBS compitition in SD (about an hour and a half away from Costa Mesa) that me and the old lady will be judging. If your in town and have time let me know. I have lots of space in the truck so you could hop in and spend a day eating REAL Q. Plus it's at a casino so there will be time for some gambling afterward.
 
Head out to Compton, Bludsos BBQ is real good, and they actually cook on a smoker, who'd a thought? :thumb:

If you do go there, try not to look like a tourist. :boxing:
 
I'm of the belief that good BBQ is something you just won't find in hoity-toity areas. Rich people don't know how to cook, they have personal chefs to do that for them; and poor people can't afford to open restaurants in rich areas. I've never been to Beach Pit for this reason. It looks more like patronizing immitation of the real thing. I have yet to find good Q in areas like Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport or any of the other more upscale areas in the OC. That said, to find good Q, you must be willing to go into the not so primped areas like Long Beach and Santa Ana. I realize that a person of the frozen tundra probably may not want to venture into the scary areas like Inglewood, Compton and all those other areas referenced in rap songs, so I'll give you a few names of places I've been to that aren't too scary.

Santa Ana is just a quick 15 minute drive inland. There, you will find Burrell's BBQ. http://www.yelp.com/biz/burrells-bbq-santa-ana I like them when I'm in the mood for something saucy.

If I'm not in the mood to be standing around in for a long wait and just want something half decent, I wouldn't count Lucille's BBQ out. They're a chain, but as far as chains go, they're ok. I like them more than Famous Dave's. I like their slow smoked tri-tip. Mind you, this IS a touristy place to go. As a member of the Brethren, I encourage you to seek out the real deal elsewhere. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucilles-smokehouse-bar-b-que-long-beach

Now... I have to say...my very favourite is in a sketchy area and it isn't for long leisurely meals. It's called Bludso's BBQ in Compton. This is more like the kind of Q I like to make and the sides I like to eat, especially the collard greens, mac and cheese and the red velvet cake. I know, it's in one of those infamous areas... they're on a main road off the freeway so you wouldn't have to weave around in a sketchy area. Just go during the day and you'll be fine. And you'll be supporting a local ma and pa in an area that really needs the business. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bludsos-bbq-compton
 
ComputerMike said:
I'm going to be in Costa Mesa, CA next week on a course. Any BBQ joints worth checking out? Beach Pit BBQ looks interesting.

I'm from the frozen North, known as Canada so any advice would help.

Mike
Click to expand...


As mentioned above, Burell's is a good BBQ place. It's straight up Bristol Street to First or Fourth.

Good food at a decent price. Also, make sure to call for the hours, I think they're closed on Mondays.

Tell Fred the Simple Green guy sent you!
 
I agree with everything thats been said. We are Q deprived here in SoCal and make up for it by cooking ourselves(which isn't a bad thing)

IMHO Beach Pit is very plain and expensive for what they are serving. The only smoke flavor I tasted was in their bbq sauce aka liquid smoke. We only ate there once and won't bother again. The worst part is they just opened a location on Main st, just two minutes from my house. Man what I would give for a good local Q joint...

There is some quality mexican food in Costa Mesa. Our favorite is Mi Casa restaurant.
http://orangecounty.citysearch.com/profile/585331/costa_mesa_ca/mi_casa.html

If you will be around on the weekend, drop me a pm and we'll have you over for some real Q.
 
If you go to Burrell's, get there early - His food tends to sit all day, and dries out quickly - IMHO, a lot of the quality here is gone... great Mexican place down the street call El Gallo Giro.

Scott's in Orange is worth a shot, and Bludso's is good too. Better off lookin' for Thai, Vietnamese, Korean BBQ, or Mexican in the OC - Brodard's is really good for Vietnamese, and not just Pho.
 
C Rocke said:
If you go to Burrell's, get there early - His food tends to sit all day, and dries out quickly - IMHO, a lot of the quality here is gone... great Mexican place down the street call El Gallo Giro.

Scott's in Orange is worth a shot, and Bludso's is good too. Better off lookin' for Thai, Vietnamese, Korean BBQ, or Mexican in the OC - Brodard's is really good for Vietnamese, and not just Pho.
Click to expand...

There's a little place in a residential area of Garden Grove that's quite nice. But I hear it's by special invitiation only...
 
Huntington Beach is a short hop from Costa Mesa. On Main Street about two blocks up from the ocean is Smokin' Mo's. Ribs are better than most, but still a ways from being competition quality. Order a side of their home cooked potato chips to enjoy.

Best part is the patio out front. Get a pitcher or two of beer, and enjoy the beach babe views and street cruisers going up and down. It is a pleasant way to relax, kill an hour or two, and then stroll on down to the beach walk.
 
Smokey Bones said:
Huntington Beach is a short hop from Costa Mesa. On Main Street about two blocks up from the ocean is Smokin' Mo's. Ribs are better than most, but still a ways from being competition quality. Order a side of their home cooked potato chips to enjoy.

Best part is the patio out front. Get a pitcher or two of beer, and enjoy the beach babe views and street cruisers going up and down. It is a pleasant way to relax, kill an hour or two, and then stroll on down to the beach walk.
Click to expand...
Smokin Mo's was recently bought by Beach Pit and they are unfortunately now using the Beach Pit process. I agree with you about the scenery, definitely plenty to look at down there
icon10.gif
 
darthtrader said:
I'm of the belief that good BBQ is something you just won't find in hoity-toity areas. Rich people don't know how to cook, they have personal chefs to do that for them; and poor people can't afford to open restaurants in rich areas. I've never been to Beach Pit for this reason. It looks more like patronizing immitation of the real thing. I have yet to find good Q in areas like Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport or any of the other more upscale areas in the OC. That said, to find good Q, you must be willing to go into the not so primped areas like Long Beach and Santa Ana. I realize that a person of the frozen tundra probably may not want to venture into the scary areas like Inglewood, Compton and all those other areas referenced in rap songs, so I'll give you a few names of places I've been to that aren't too scary.

Santa Ana is just a quick 15 minute drive inland. There, you will find Burrell's BBQ. http://www.yelp.com/biz/burrells-bbq-santa-ana I like them when I'm in the mood for something saucy.

If I'm not in the mood to be standing around in for a long wait and just want something half decent, I wouldn't count Lucille's BBQ out. They're a chain, but as far as chains go, they're ok. I like them more than Famous Dave's. I like their slow smoked tri-tip. Mind you, this IS a touristy place to go. As a member of the Brethren, I encourage you to seek out the real deal elsewhere. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucilles-smokehouse-bar-b-que-long-beach

Now... I have to say...my very favourite is in a sketchy area and it isn't for long leisurely meals. It's called Bludso's BBQ in Compton. This is more like the kind of Q I like to make and the sides I like to eat, especially the collard greens, mac and cheese and the red velvet cake. I know, it's in one of those infamous areas... they're on a main road off the freeway so you wouldn't have to weave around in a sketchy area. Just go during the day and you'll be fine. And you'll be supporting a local ma and pa in an area that really needs the business. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bludsos-bbq-compton
Click to expand...

I thought I was the only one on this board that has been to Bludso's! His brisket is always on point, love it. :thumb:
 
Whatever you do- don't go to smokin mo's in HB. Place should be called over-sauced mo's.
Peach Pit in Newport is pretty good, but a little overpriced. I'd get some sushi if I were you.
 
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