(Took Out 02/13/24 TU @ 4:00pm): Uncle Dre's BBQ for Fat Tuesday!
For my carnivore fix before the start of Lent season that resulted in my annual cleanse of no alcohol and meat, I sought out Uncle Andre's BBQ as a new BBQ place for me to try. The pictures and reviews on Yelp sold me, and coincidently I was working in the area which made it very convenient. I always harped on the fact that there were no BBQ joints in my Silver Lake hipsterhood (I guess it wasn't healthy enough), but the San Fernando Valley had ample choices. Would Uncle Andre send me into BBQ bliss!?
PURCHASE
6pc Half Baby Back Ribs Dinner w/Mac & Cheese & Macaroni Salad Sides ($20.95): Each rib was meaty, sizable, and very tender as everything fell off the bone. The sauce was slightly sweet and tangy and just enough to cover the meat. Under normal conditions, I would've ordered a full rack and had some leftovers the next night, but I couldn't do that this time around. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=1ja-2fKFckizb62h4gL-5Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Side Mac & Cheese (Included): Creamy, gooey, hearty, and peppery this was a lovely meal in itself with plenty of extra cheese. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=SBjW5iisuhgPMHv0Ooft4g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Side Macaroni Salad (Included): Wonderfully firm pasta with barely any mayonnaise (a plus!) but it seriously needed some pineapple (that's how I liked it). https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=HKyS_A5EKXvQ3YXRCrK70g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
2pc Chicken BBQ Dinner w/Baked Beans & Cole Slaw Sides ($14.95): A gigantic breast and thigh were the parts I received, and I couldn't be happier! The meat was so moist and tender while the sauce was the same as the ribs. I stuffed myself with all of this goodness. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=HL0zPtcUP_l3F7kxmeQrXQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Side Cole Slaw (Included): I usually wasn't a cole slaw fan, this was actually nice, crunchy, a tad peppery, some spice, and not very soupy - well done! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=9HMOggUkSnmncimtCaMYBQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Side BBQ Baked Beans (Included): Soft beans simmered in the lovely aforementioned barbecue sauce, I was tooting my own horn a couple of hours later. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=CPI6t7VI5YsnL7fZI-IztQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Peach Cobbler ($5.00): An enjoyable dessert with chunks of crust and peach, plenty of cinnamon, served warm, and all of the gooey juices was simply soothing. I wished I had an entire pie or leftovers. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=uB-B0JkdIOeXccsQcQLUUA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Credit Card Fee ($1.00): It was all good!
SERVICE
I was greeted by two gentlemen behind the tiny order counter. I quickly knew what I wanted and placed my order. I took a seat and relaxed while I watched the constant flow of customers who picked up their orders. About 15 minutes later, my order was packed and ready to go. Everything was easy and straightforward - greatly appreciated!
PARKING (FREE)
They shared a small parking lot with a handful of other businesses in a tiny strip mall. Otherwise, there was limited parking along the main drags of Moorpark St. (where I parked), Colfax Ave., and all surrounding side streets - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A quaint eatery that was mainly a takeout restaurant with a couple of booths and chairs/tables https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=1pSwMsDTkPAZ5iWHN53iKg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw to enjoy your meal onsite. Many framed celebrity photos hung on peach-colored walls. Easily legible menus https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=rCCBmMjUjmRnUu8TMJZCqw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw hung above the order counter. A decent amount of natural light came through the large glass wall windows and doors while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There was one TV while disco, hip-hop, and soul music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mHuL2svdIenqHwmNjVxR1A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Uncle Andre's BBQ happily led me into Lent, and I couldn't wait to return to try more of their Southern food and varied menu. I loved the portion sizes and service, while I felt the prices were maybe a tad high (but dammit, the food was good!). And of course, I was happy to support another small mom & pop local business! I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $46.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS read more