great barbeque!! even better service and family fun atmosphere!! great community also !! area! area!!

Texas BBQ done right in the heart of Los Angeles. Bludso's on La Brea has earned its reputation as one of LA County's top places to eat and after our visit, it's easy to see why. We ordered two combo plates at $35 each -- well worth every penny. We upgraded to the lean brisket for an extra $2 and added pork ribs for $3 more per plate, and the result was a tray piled high with some of the best BBQ in the city. Sides included mac and cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw, with both regular and spicy BBQ sauce on the side and sweet tea to wash it all down. The lean brisket was an absolute standout -- tender, juicy, and bursting with deep smoky flavor. The pork ribs were equally impressive, smoky and fall-off-the-bone tender with a gorgeous bark on the outside. The mac and cheese was honestly some of the best I've ever had -- rich, creamy, and comfort food at its absolute peak. The baked beans were packed with flavor and loaded with chunks of pork that made them feel like a meal on their own. The coleslaw was a perfect palate cleanser -- delicate, fresh, and not overly sweet, exactly how it should be done. The one minor letdown was the hot link sausage -- it was juicy but lacked the bold flavor you'd expect, and the skin was a bit tougher than it should have been. A small miss in an otherwise outstanding meal, and not enough to take anything away from the overall experience. The atmosphere was electric -- lively and loud in the best way, packed with energy and wall-to-wall televisions. We happened to go during the FIFA World Cup Final and the place was absolutely hopping. Our waiter was extraordinarily attentive and friendly, and the food came out quickly and piping hot despite how busy it was. Bludso's is the real deal. If you're serious about BBQ in LA, this is your spot. Get the brisket, get the ribs, and don't skip the mac and cheese. read more

See all

The meats were decent overall, but the tri-tip was a little disappointing--it arrived lukewarm and had more fat than I expected. The wings were the highlight: flavorful, well-seasoned, and cooked nicely. Unfortunately, the beer wasn't very cold, which took away from the experience. The atmosphere was enjoyable and the place has potential, but for a BBQ spot, I expected the meat and drinks to be served at the right temperature. I'd give it another try, but this visit was just average. read more

Classic LA establishment from Compton. This bbq shop was one of the few places to go to back in the day. Now they're up in Fairfax and Santa Monica and even LAX. The meats have been pretty good but I feel the quality has fallen off a bit compared to the past. The brisket and ribs are still decent but I feel there is often too much sauce and the meat isn't as tender as it use to be albeit still tender. The pulled pork is ok and the potato salad & Mac n cheese are decent. Cornbread is quite dry imo. I've had it both at the restaurant and catering and it feels similar in quality. The brisket sandwich is decent with a decent portion of brisket. Staff is super nice and friendly and the atmosphere has a friendly chill joint vibe. read more

Went on a Friday around 1 ish and there was no wait. They had the game playing and staff was welcoming . Ordered the beef rib rack 10/10 ( great shareable portion for 2 people )& / lunchtime special with lean brisket & chicken and both were good. For sides we got sweet potato mash , corn bread , and Mac & cheese . Spicy bbq sauce wasn't spicy , I would def say it's more of a mild spice. Would go back! :) read more

See all

I put what we ordered in the photo captions, but the food was really good! Definitely expensive, but that's how it goes when it's cooked with such quality and care! They were busy as we went on Father's Day, but we made reservations and were seated immediately! Super cool inside and our waiter was incredibly kind! It was great! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Brisket Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

We shared the lunch combo and had plenty of leftovers to take home (granted we are older people and not huge eaters). I enjoyed the pork ribs and my husband made short work of the brisket. Both meats were tender and flavorful. The ribs are a little dry but some added sauce did the trick. I always ask for some chili vinegar to add acid to the meats and also to the collard greens. The greens were good - a bit one note but tasty all the same. The Mac and cheese is a tad gloopy (almost as if there's too much flour in the cheese sauce) - but that didn't stop my husband from eating most of it. We had a side of cornbread. It's a tad too sweet for me but we ate it happily. Staff are super nice and helpful. Street parking is available. read more

See all

Bludso's BBQ has always been cooking up quality bbq! Ordered the brisket, baby back ribs, sausage, cornbread, fries, and mac. The brisket was so juicy and well seasoned. The rib bark was packed with flavor and just incredible. Sides paired well with the bbq, we finished it all. Vibes inside are great and staff is awesome. Highly recommend the next time you're crazing bbq in LA! read more

See all

Texas-style BBQ in LA, perfect if you want to skip a flight to TX. Highly recommend the dinosaur beef rib, it's melt-in-your-mouth tender with incredible flavor. I didn't love the set I chose (2 x 1/4 lb meats + 2 sides). It didn't feel like a good value since the portions were small, it was more like a sampler. The rib tips were okay, the brisket was good, and the beans and potato salad were great too, but nothing really stood out except for the dinosaur beef rib. I'd still come back to try other items on the menu. read more

See all

This place had quality meats and beers! Loved that they had the World Cup playing too! Good vibes, great food and cold drinks! We ended up ordering more ribs and lean brisket too! I would say that the lean brisket was a bit more dry than the regular however the sauces came in handy for that. read more

See all

This is definitely one of the best BBQ spots in LA. I'm torn between this and Moo's...not sure who gets the crown. Probably 1a and 1b. That aside, onto the review... Bludso's brisket is tender and marinated just right. While some briskets are too salty, Bludso's maintains a light and balanced flavor profile, which lets me enjoy the flavor of the beef. However, be warned that some leaner cuts might be a tad bit dry. The pork ribs were also great. although they weren't "fall off the bone" soft, it's still one of the best ones I've had in LA. The sides were also good. They weren't mind blowing but they were definitely comforting. Overall, Bludso's is a great BBQ spot that I would come to again and again. Definitely one of the best in LA. Note: I do have to say that if you're from Texas, you might not be "wow'd". Franklin BBQ in Austin is leagues above both Bludso's and Moo's (first time in my life having brisket melt in my mouth!!). But if you've never left LA, Bludso's will probably be the some of the best BBQ you've had in your life! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Been coming here for over two years. Sat at the bar yesterday, we ordered a half rack of ribs fried okra greens and fries. Everything came out fresh and hot and ribs were seasoned perfectly and not try. They ran out of Prosecco so I got a margarita and the drink was good. Service was prompt especially for a busy Friday night during World Cup. read more

Bludso's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Bludso's is not what it used to be. I had the brisket and turkey lunch combo and the burnt ends were so dry and cut into small pieces. What happened to the slices. I had the greens which were dry and had no juice, the bitter potato salad, and beans that taste like they came right out the can. And forgot to put cornbread in my order which I paid for. I would not recommend this place. read more

Stopped in with a friend recently and while the food wasn't horrible or anything, the final product definitely did not match the price point. I went with a 2 meat/2 side combo and got the brisket and pulled pork. Both servings of proteins were relatively small and both meats were dry compared to what I expect out of quality BBQ. The brisket in particular left a lot to be desired. The mac and cheese was solid. The collard greens were under seasoned. A small piece of cornbread would have been nice, but that costs extra. Service was fine, but felt mechanical. More akin to dining at a Applebees vs. a local neighborhood restaurant. I had to ask twice for BBQ sauce even though they brought it for the person I was with. At over $30 for lunch the value to quality ratio just wasn't there for me. Moister meat, bigger portions and a little TLC from the staff would take this up a notch, but it is what it is. Decent BBQ. read more

Bludso's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Parked right in front, bring your coins, meter parking or you can scan and pay. I rather just put the coins! We paid for an hour. We had reservations. Upon walking in, spacious place. Seated right away. We did the Dine LA menu we got brisket and pork ribs two sides, potato salad and mac and cheese comes with corn bread and honey butter All that for 25.00 not a bad deal. Brisket tender and fell apart, really good. Pork ribs, a little tough on the meat Mac and cheese, good but felt like it was left out too long Potato salad, good and complimented the meats Cornbread good with the honey butter but on the dry side. Got a garden salad and it was pretty good and helped balance the overload of meats we had. Really enjoyed the dill ranch dressing it was tossed in. We also got the dinosaur beef rib and that itself was a meal in it's own. Really good and flavorful. They had to give us a tray to take it home in. We got some appetizers hush puppies had a spice to them and it seem like it took over. seasoned fries, good and nice crunch. fried okra lightly batter and came was a really good dill ranch. Amazing service, super attentive and our drinks were never emptied. read more

See all

This is the best barbecue I've had. Service is great dinosaur beef rib was the best, pork ribs were also great and then the brisket, mac & cheese and beans were both good beans were different than I've had. And then the banana pudding is phenomenal. read more

Bludso's BBQ - Brisket and pork rib combo - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

What a great spot with a great vibe . The service was warm and cheerful the food was delicious but definitely in the pricier range , worth your money though and the bread?! read more

Rustic interior and divebar vibes.. perfect to eat some meat-heavy BBQ! The inside reminds me of a clean barn and there's several TVs placed around. A group of friends and I shared the group platter with each other since we were all curious to try out different meats. After eating from each bite of side and meat, I would definitely find my go-to to be the brisket. The soft and juicy brisket is what was extraordinary for me and was what I wished there was more of. I wish the pork ribs was juicier and less dry.. the meat wasn't tender to the bone and was quite chewy. I think this spot is a pricey spot for eating some barbecue but it was good to come here as a group. PS We wanted to try the dinosaur ris but they did run out, so if you want to know, I recommend calling ahead! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Bludso BBQ The Bludso's Tray - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you're looking for a BBQ place that hits the spot in the melrose area ,Bludso's on La Brea has become an established go to for us locals. Everything from the brisket to the ribs to the sauce hits the BBQ craving with precision. Gets a little messy sometimes, but we know what we're signing up for. read more

This was my first time at Bludso's BBQ and it was exciting, because I knew of the chef! My family and I ordered a little bit of everything! My favorites were the beef sausage as well as the baked beans as the side. I thought all the meats were very tender and seasoned well. There wasn't a bad side dish either. Service was good, and I felt that the food came out pretty quickly, especially because it was so crowded there! If you're looking for a good BBQ place, I would definitely recommend Bludso's, and come as a group, so you can try a variety of stuff! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Bludso's is always great and I'm so thankful to have a location so close to home. In my opinion, Bludso's has the best BBQ in the city! If you know then you know that Kevin Bludso is a BBQ legend who brought Texas style to Compton and Angeleno-ed it to perfection. I may be biased, but it's reallllllllly good. Compton isn't open any longer but along with this Fairfax location, you'll find a couple others around town. Bludso's brisket has me dead. Like....the spices on the meat always having me in heaven. And I've only had the lean brisket! Like what more treasures await me the next time I get them!? I also love their Mac and Cheese which I have also fallen in love with. It is always so creamy, just the right texture, and again the spice combination is just so rich in flavor and just the right amount in portion size at $7.50. I'm such a fan of Bludso's and it's always my go to when craving barbeque! read more

Food was really good. Had the $35 meal combo, 2 meats choices and 2 sides for $35. Mac and cheese was fire and also had the bbq beans. Pork and and brisket was cooked to perfection. Will definitely eat here again. Great service at the bar as well. Excellent experience! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Menus - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

My boyfriend and I were in the mood for some good BBQ, so when the place we originally wanted to go to was closed, we decided to check out Bludso's. Let me start out with the positives, the ambience was laid back and there was a college football game on so it was quite lively. We didn't make reservations so we were told it was either a 30 min wait for a table or that we could sit at the bar or outside. It was too chilly outside so we sat at the bar, which was nice and comfy and our waiter was super friendly and attentive. In terms of the food, my boyfriend got their special $35 penny which included a choice of two proteins and two half pint sides. He went with the red hot sausage and brisket with Mac and cheese and Cole slaw. I picked off the menu and got the quarter pound of the pork ribs rack, the brisket, and the corn bread. The red hot sausage was probably our favorite thing we ate. It was a delicious and spicy beef sausage that I'd highly recommend. The brisket was decent. Pretty juicy and tender, and the corn bread with the sweet butter was delicious as well. Where it fell short for me were the ribs. The felt dry and not as juicy and tender as I'd hope. They also lacked flavor for me. Overall, not a bad experience but for $100 I'm not sure it was worth it. read more

Bludso's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

This might honestly be some of the best BBQ I've had. I am in awe of how delicious and absolutely TENDER the meat was, especially the $39 DINOSAUR RIB that we got. I mean WOW - that rib must have been at least 5-10 pounds of JUICY, DELICIOUS TENDERNESS. We also tried some of the other meats including the brisket, hot link, and pork ribs. The brisket was really tender as well (although not as tender as the dinosaur rib) and the hot link was super spicy but really flavorful. The pork ribs I thought were solid but nothing too special, hit the spot though. I also ordered the hushpuppies side for $10 and they give you so many hushpuppies for the order! They were super crunchy as well and also very flavorful, accompanied by a mesquite BBQ sauce. I came on a Saturday around 1 pm and the atmosphere of the restaurant was very lively. About 3/4 of the restaurant was full and people were slowly trickling in throughout my time there. I would definitely come back on a Sunday for some NFL football. The bar would definitely be lit and they also have some good happy hour deals (not on Sunday though). There are giant TV screens and projectors all around you so there is never a bad view and you will be able to see every game on the TVs. The service was good as well and the server checked in on us consistently. I am so glad I decided to come here for some lunch. The food came out quickly and was extremely delicious. I have no complaints. Amazing experience! read more

See all

* The brisket was pull-apart tender and deliciously peppery with no knife needed, while the pulled pork was smokey and flavorful; the barbeque sauce wasn't needed as the meats were great on their own, but it was tasty and tangy * The collard greens were very soft but still held their structure - mild flavor of the greens allowed the pork bits to shine; the cornbread was crumbly sweet and enjoyable * The baked beans were outstanding - very unique with a more mustard-based sauce covering incredibly tender beans, a must-try when visiting * Overall, a great spot for some tasty barbeque surrounded with a friendly atmosphere read more

See all

The food was so good! Service was excellent. They were friendly and fast too. Food came out hot! We had the pork tips For an appetizer with THEE best homemade each I've ever had! Lord it was good! We had brisket, we had a beef Dino rib, the collard greens? Were the best greens Ive ever had. No joke. The Mac n cheese, where do I begin? Let me just say the mac & cheese tasted even better the next day. The béchamel was silky smooth and when I reheated it, it was just as smooth as it was the day before. We also had their baked beans. Yum yum. read more

Bludso's BBQ - The pork tips - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is way bigger than what I expected. I sat outside at a picnic bench. I was able to find parking right up front. The service was also great and the staff was friendly and accommodating. The table ordered 2 platters Ribs, brisket, turkey , rib tips. All the meat was great and my favorite thing was the sides of potatoe salad and mac n cheese! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Bbq platter - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

As someone who's extremely critical when it comes to places claiming "Texas barbecue," I don't hand out praise lightly. After 32 years living in California, I can confidently say this is the best barbecue I've had in the state. We made the trip out today and tried the brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was unreal--tender, buttery, and perfectly smoked. The pulled pork was just as impressive, packed with rich, smoky flavor. But the real standout that had me doing a full eye-roll into the back of my head was the mac & cheese. Absolutely next level. The sides didn't miss either. The beans were delicious with a subtle hint of mustard that worked beautifully. The potato salad had a similar mustard note and was just as satisfying. The cornbread, paired with honey butter, was simple but perfect. We're finishing things off with banana pudding and blackberry cobbler, and based on everything else, I'm expecting both to be just as incredible. My son asked me what I'd rate it, and I'm giving it a solid 9/10. The only thing keeping it from a perfect score is the lack of traditional Texas BBQ extras--white onion, pickles, and white bread. It would be great to see those added to plates or available at a small fixings bar. Bottomless sweet tea? Delicious. Worth the drive? Absolutely--even if it's far for us. If you're serious about barbecue, put this place on your must-try list. read more

See all

Service was very good, food a little too dry and burn, variety of sides to choose, dessert is delicious, parking on street. read more

See all

So sad to say but Bludso's has gone down. This was my favorite spot in all of SoCal for BBQ, the only spot for real Texas style bbq. Unfortunately it's not the same anymore. It's too too expensive for what you get and you just can't feel the love in the food anymore. Portions are small and most of the menu is meh. The brisket is still solid but not legendary like it was and for like $6 for one thin slice that's half fat? The ribs are also good and maybe the best thing in the menu now. The sides are now mid, might as well be Sysco Cole slaw and the beans are ok. Eve the corn bread doesn't have that homemade taste. This would be two stars except for the service. The service and wait staff were on point and did offer excellent and friendly service. Kevin where are you? Please come back and then maybe I will. read more

Worst bbq I've ever had. I ordered the brisket, it came with two pieces. One of those pieces was almost entirely fat, leaving very little actual meat. For the price, I expected much better quality. To make matters worse, I felt sick after eating which only added to my disappointment. Between the poor quality of the brisket and getting sick afterward, this was not a good experience. I won't be returning and can't recommend it based on my visit. read more

Bludso's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

All of the meat was tender even the smoked turkey breast and if you cook you understand how that's a huge achievement. The platters were enormous with plenty of food to share with a large party or take home as left overs. You can't go wrong with anything you order here but my favorites were the chicken wings , fatty parts of the brisket , the potato salad, and the massive buttery sweet cornbread. Watched the game on the TVs inside the restaurant family friendly. The servers were friendly and helpful it was really an enjoyable experience. After all that delicious food you'll go home full and ready to take a nap. read more

See all

The ribs and rib tips were inedibly salty. REALLY salty. Super disappointed. The Mac & Cheese was grainy. I could taste the flour in the roux. The potato salad was pretty mid. The greens and hush puppies were good and the cornbread was like eating cake. Overall it was not very good for the price and amount of food. read more

Can not recommend enough. Servers were super attentive and friendly. It was quiet seeing as it was a weekday evening but were loads of take out orders going out but the food was incredible. A bit expensive as all bbq is but so worth it read more

See all

The standouts that my group and I liked were the brisket, mac n' cheese, and cornbread. The brisket was tender and had decent flavor but I couldn't taste any smokiness. The mac n' cheese was tasty and had the right amount of cheesiness. The cornbread had a subtle sweetness that was pleasant though tasted a bit dry. The cole slaw, baked beans, and potato salad were pretty good. The pork rib and dino beef rib had positives and negatives. The pork rib had good flavor but was dry. The dino beef rib was gigantic and very tender but was bland. I did not taste much smokiness in these meats either. We thought the weak points were the pulled pork, chicken, Texas red hot sausage, and collard greens. The pulled pork was stale, did not taste fresh, and was just acceptable. The chicken overall was average but the chicken skin had some decent flavor at least. The Texas red hot sausage tasted average, was not that spicy, and seemed like something you could get at the local grocery store. The collard greens tasted kind of plain. Overall, I would recommend trying this place because it's an iconic BBQ spot in LA but I don't think the expensive prices for the meats here are worth it. read more

See all

Bludso's is the truth. If you're looking for tender, smoky BBQ, this is your spot. The ribs are cooked to perfection,still with a nice pull. The brisket is deeply smoky with the perfect smoke ring and a killer crust. And don't skip the smoked wings with the dry rub juicy, packed with flavor, and seriously addicting. read more

See all

Ambiance: it's a bbq place located on la brea ave, they have large bar area, dining hall, and few outside seats at the front entrance, street parking only Service: lack of service, and so slow, it took forever to get attention from servers, they have sufficient staff, but very disorganized and not running efficiently Food & Drink: classic bbq items with sides, most disappointing experience is their meat was served almost cold, barely even warm Brisket - ** dry and cold Pulled Pork - ** dry and overcooked Mac & Cheese - *** tasted was fine, cheese powder wasn't stirred thoroughly Potato Salad - *** average taste Roasting IPA - *** might be bad luck, hard to drink Price: stingy portions and overly priced for its overall poor quality, not worth $30+ per person, I would not return or recommend this place to friends read more

See all

Bludso's BBQ was a solid 10/10. We had the Dino beef rib, brisket, pork ribs, smoked wings, chicken link, BBQ beans, potato salad, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Everything was flavorful, tender, and cooked perfectly. The Dino rib and brisket especially stood out. Definitely one of the best BBQ spots I've been to. Will absolutely be back. read more

Bludso's BBQ - A full spread - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here for lunch because we were craving barbecue. I can see why now this place is a staple when it comes to wanting and needing barbecue here in Los Angeles. Definitely on the busier side so I'd get there a little before lunchtime or sometime in the afternoon between three and five. Service was great though. Everyone from the Manager to the white staff was amazing. We got walked through the menu, then ordered a few things starting off with their smoked wings, which were my favorite of the meal. We got some brisket and some of the ribs and also their ginormous beef rib. Everything was cooked perfectly. The brisket was slightly dry, but still good. The sauces were tangy and sweet and delicious. Loved the Mac and cheese. Definitely will come back. read more

See all

My wife and I absolutely love coming here! Every time we visit, the food is consistently delicious and perfectly seasoned. You can really tell they take their time marinating everything -- the flavor runs deep in every bite. The ribs were hella seasoned and packed with flavor, easily some of the best we've had. The chicken wings were super flavorful and cooked just right. And the brisket... wow. Nice and tender with a thick, beautiful layer of bark that really brings that smoky richness. On top of the amazing food, the customer service was great and the whole place was very clean, which always makes the experience even better. And don't sleep on the drinks -- they were delicious too! Definitely one of our go-to spots. Highly recommend if you're craving some seriously good BBQ! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Pork Rib! - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all