Baby Blues BBQ

444 Lincoln Bl.
Venice, CA
310 396-7675

Ah yes, BBQ has never been so hot. Here in this hipster, low key BBQ joint is one fun dining experience. Yes, the meat here is real and I've been here a few times now and I can say that when it's on - it's ON. Like anyplace, there are some off nights. But I'll tell you what's off the hizzay and that's the servers. Fit and beautiful they serve future beer-bellied patrons their portions of succulent smoked meats and prepared sides to everyone's delight. And by everyone, I just mean me, because I can only speak for myself on this.

Corn bread is present here, as are the collard greens and shrimp, ribs, mac and cheese, and what have you. The puled pork is a little too wet in my opinion although the flavor is good. Brisket is a little tough when I had some but again, good flavor. I had the Lasker Burger once and I respect them highly for using artisan bread for the bun. This place has some class and then it's got raunch - take the hot Porno Sauce for example.

If you make it here to Venice in the LA area, head over and check this out. There are plenty of barbecue places in LA but very few that are as fun as Baby Blues.

B-

Brett's BBQ: Revisited

10550 Craftsman Way #185
San Diego, Ca 92127

Back in July 2007 we reviewed a new place called: Brett's BBQ. We liked it, didn't like it, liked it, brought more people to it who liked it, and liked it a little more.

The bottom line is this: we gave them a C+ and B-, waffling back and forth. But here's the kicker, I find myself going back for more and that's saying something. So, to set the record straight we want to say this: These guys are the real deal. This is barbeque, people - and it's CERTIFIED.

Hogg's Beach BBQ

1158 West San Marcos Boulevard,Suite #104
San Marcos, CA. 92078
760-510-9254

One thing seemed completely wrong immediately when we heard of this place: it's called "Beach" BBQ and they are in San Marcos. To be completely honest, this location is actually the 2nd of 2 stores, the first one being in La Jolla - which is in fact a beach town. But I've done some due diligence and fount out that the restaurant formally known for BBQ is now known for pizza. Yes, apparently, someone took it over or this that and the other, and now the place is called Extreme Pizza or Z Pizza whatever - in any case, the guy on the phone says that they don't have BBQ anymore but the do carry BBQ pizza which is very good. I asked him that that was smoked and he said, "well, no."

So on to #2 and what we got was... well, #2. This review was the second of the day and the first had already done us in a little bit so we were a little queasy. We decided to take on a classic - the pulled pork sandwich. Yes, this little number will set you back about $6 and the guy behind the counter thought we were dumb for taking so long to decide but some things are worth the wait. I will let you know when I find out what that is. What the guy prepared for us was some toasted BK bun with some "meat" whose texture could be described as a wet mop with a touch of barbecue flavoring.

We trudged through this tragedy, downing some of the hot sauce that only provided heat but no comfort and walked outside to the car only to find that the sandwich had one more trick up it's sleeve. Yes, aftertaste. This was south in the mouth for sure and if I were to expound on my previous tirade, this sandwich would be succinctly described as a "DIRTY wet mop."

Franically looking for something tosave us from this torture I reached deep into the door pockets to find two old, hard pieces of peppermint gum - ah, salvation at last.

D+