I grew up in Hollywood, but I had no idea that some of the best barbecue has been happening a few blocks down in Fairfax for the last 15 years. Luckily, my younger brother turned me on to Bludso's recently and we just finished a family lunch there. Since they only serve their sandwiches on weekdays, we opted for Fried Okra, "2 Meats 2 Sides"(chicken and brisket), two sandwich buns. At the suggestion of our server, Beto, we added an extra quarter pound of sliced brisket. Beto really knows what he's doing... and because of him it was a perfectly satisfying amount of food for the three of us. He definitely went above and beyond. We're looking forward to heading there on one of the next weekdays our teenager has off to try their sandwiches. read more

See all

Wow, this BBQ spot really surprised me! I work so close by and can't believe it took me this long to finally try it. The customer service was great--super friendly, welcoming, and easy to talk to. I also like how active and engaging they are on social media. The place has a nice, relaxed atmosphere too. But let's get to the important part--the food! The tri-tip was tender and full of flavor, the baked beans were delicious, and the mac & cheese was definitely on point. And that watermelon lemonade? WOW! That might be worth the trip by itself. If you're looking for good BBQ and great service, give this place a try. I'd definitely recommend it, and I'll be coming back! read more

This place was actually recommended by a coworker. Some friends of mine had listed a few places they wanted to go to for Dine LA, and this was on their list, so I figured it was a good pick. We were all completely floored by how good the food was!! It was impressive!! I'm not a huge meat eater, so I got the jackfruit pulled "pork," and it was very well done -- their barbecue is excellent. I also tried their pastrami, and it's some of the best pastrami I've ever had in my life. Everyone else loved the ribs, and they said the chicken was good too. But the sides, though!! The mac & cheese was a tearjerker -- I usually don't like restaurant mac and cheese, they just don't do it right, but this place nailed it. The potato salad was superb too, and I'm someone who doesn't eat potato salad unless I make it myself or someone I know makes it. The fried okra was out of this world. The cornbread and collard greens were both excellent. The only thing that didn't blow me away was the hush puppies -- still fine, just not on the same level as everything else. We finished with banana pudding, and it tasted exactly like I remember from growing up. Even the drinks impressed me -- I had an Arnold Palmer, and I couldn't have made it better myself. It was so much food, and so good. I don't usually order barbecue at restaurants in LA because I know I can make it better myself -- this place changed my mind. read more

I went for their DineLA lunch menu. I had been to Bludso's in the past and honestly wasn't that impressed, but today's visit completely changed my opinion. I ordered the smoked pastrami sandwich. When I think of BBQ, pastrami isn't the first thing that comes to mind, but it was delicious. If this isn't on their regular menu, it needs to be. My spouse got the two-meat combination with ribs and chicken, and he loved both. I helped him with the mac and cheese, which I also loved. The portions were very generous. We had talked about ordering the hush puppies but completely forgot. Afterwards, we were actually glad we did because it would have been way too much food. Our server was personable and attentive and had a really chill vibe about him. He checked on us without overdoing it, and I really appreciated his service. Overall, it's a fun spot with a full bar and plenty of TVs showing sports. I couldn't help but order an IPA that our server recommended, and it was good enough that I had to stop myself from ordering a second one. I went in remembering why I hadn't been impressed on my previous visit and walked out wondering why I hadn't given Bludso's another chance sooner. read more

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

Great spot for a family, friendly meal big tables and loud restaurant perfect for toddlers. Definitely make a reservation as they get very busy very quickly. Food is fresh and tasty. Also loved that they had meat on the kids menu my baby. Loved the chicken. read more

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

Wow.... I've found a bbq that's consistently delicious. The portions are large in my opinion. I love the lean brisket and the ribs. Oh my friend looked the jackfruit sandwich. read more

See all

My family and I stopped by Bludso's BBQ while we were visiting the area. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly, and the service was excellent throughout our visit. We started with the fried okra and hush puppies, and both were pretty good. For our entrees, I ordered the two meats and two sides with brisket, a Texas Red Hot Link, mac and cheese, and potato salad. My husband created his own pulled pork sandwich since sandwiches aren't available on the weekends by ordering pulled pork, coleslaw, and a bun. My mom had the two meats and two sides with ribs, chicken sausage, greens, and coleslaw. My sister ordered the loaded chicken fries, and we also ordered two kids' meals with pulled pork and fries and pulled chicken and fries. Overall, I was a little disappointed with my meal. The brisket portion was much smaller than I expected, and nearly half of it was fat, leaving very little meat to enjoy. The Texas Red Hot Link was a lot hotter than I anticipated. The mac and cheese was good, the potato salad was just okay. The pulled pork was flavorful and one of the better items we tried. Unfortunately, the greens had far too much vinegar for my taste. While the food was a bit hit or miss for our family, the service was good. Based on all the great reviews, I was expecting to be blown away by the food, but it just didn't quite live up to the hype for us. read more

See all

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

What a pleasant surprise! Tasty BBQ right off La Brea. I'm always hesitant when it comes to eating bbq that's not made at the house but Bludso's got me right. I came for the dinela special. I got the brisket, bbq jackfruit, baked beans, potato salad and corn bread. The bbq was tender and flavorful. The sides were treated with the same respect as the meat. Most places treat the vegan option as an after thought but Bludso's put effort into the flavor profile of the jackfruit. I loved how the place wasn't overly lit with overhead lights. The staff was very friendly and kind. I'll definitely be back! read more

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

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

To be honest the meat is pretty good, but some of it was a bit dry in my opinion. My favorite was the mac & cheese which was full of flavor. The hot links were pretty tasty as well as the lean brisket. The bbq sauce is full of flavor. I wish the cornbread was a bit more moist but overall really good food. read more

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

See all

Always been a fan of Bludso's So when I saw the lunch menu on DineLA Knew exactly where I had to go for late lunch!!! So damn glad I did. Not only was the food & service impeccable. The price on said menu is AMAZING!! #ballinonabudget #knowbwforeyougo read more

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

OK, I'm not gonna lie... I have been to this place before and I always do the same darn thing: I love brisket, especially when it's juicy a little bit fat here and there is fine with me but today my amazing waiter suggested that I try the "Dinosaur Rib. OMG... OMG... OMG... It was absolutely amazing perfectly cooked with some burnt ends and tons of flavor and a true 1 pound worth of meat excluding the massive bone. The place is always is very welcoming and the service is quick and you can tell the employees also seem to be very happy. I will come to this place every time I visit LA. Let me know what you think and I hope this review makes a difference because this business deserves a lot of credit! read more

Bludso's BBQ - Dinosaur Rib - 1 lb. i'm capable of finishing something like this, I brought it back to my hotel room and devoured it like an animal.! - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

We went to Bludso's for a family lunch get together. We ordered the two meat combo and the three meat combo. We also ordered the chicken sausage with the fried okra. The service was great. Our server was so gracious because we had many requests. He even took our family picture for us. The ambiance is really cool. There is a bar inside, booths and tables. Several TVs on the wall. The last time I ate at Bludso's was when he was located in Compton. The parking is interesting. There is parking in front of Bludso's but it's metered parking and I believe it's for an hour. I was told there is a small lot behind the restaurant but I just parked on Clinton which is street parking near the restaurant. It's a 2 hour parking limit. I did noticed that there was an abandoned business right next to Bludso's which is an eyesore because it's dirty in front of it. I think it detracts from the restaurant's appearance. I love the food but I don't think I would dine in again because of the parking situation. I will just order takeout. The food is excellent so yes I will be back. read more

See all

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

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

Katie was an amazing server and the food we ordered, brisket, pull pork and smoked chicken was super amazing and literally melts in your mouth. Katie made the experience go from a 9 to a 11 on a scale of 10. ;-) Can't wait to get back. The sides were absolutely delicious as well. Took the creamy coleslaw and blackberry pie home and was....uhhh....amazing. lol. read more

* 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm sorry to say it but i'm so disappointed in Bludso's. Hyped up it to him that it was fire but it ended up only having one flame. We got the 3 meat and side plate with Ribs, Brisket, and rib tips and mac n cheese, collard greens, and bbq beans. The ribs were fantastic 10/10, brisket 7/10, but the rib tips were inedible, like totally inedible, harder than jerky. I've had it there before and it was never like this and I recommend it so I have no Idea what happened but way overcooked. I expect way better from an BBQ iconic place in LA. It was so bad it was embarrassing. Please do better. Btw the beans were fire, mac n cheese was good, collard greens just ok, needs more vinegar, longer cook time and a pinch more of red pepper flakes read more

Ordered Uber Eats and got 1/4 pound of brisket and sausage. They gave such a sad little piece and I'm almost certain this isn't 1/4 pound for $37????? read more

Bludso's BBQ - Sad Uber order of 1/4 of Brisket and Sausage - 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

Enjoyed it from start to finish! The staff was very attentive from when we walked in till we left. Everyone was smiles and friendly and eager to help. The menu had a lot of interesting items, but we chose the beef barbecue ribs and a red hot link. The beef ribs are giant, hence they are called dinosaur ribs! Very meaty just the right amount of fat and very delicious. It's got a dry rub on it, and the barbecue sauce comes on the side. They had both hot and regular. Both were delicious, but of course I prefer the spicy. Coleslaw was delicious creamy tangy very good. The barbecue beans did not have ham in it. They use brisket in the barbecue beans, which gives it superb flavor. We also had the fried okra which was yummy. The cornbread with the honey butter, and I had a sweet tea, which was perfect. To end this all, we shared an epic banana pudding. I wish I would've taken a picture of that. We had lots left over which we ate the next day and our fur babies were extremely happy to get those giant bones! Loved it and will definitely be back. read more

Bludso's BBQ - Dinosaur ribs, red hot link, coleslaw and BBQ beans!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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