BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52"

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (jellybear)

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:33:11 GMT

How dare they try to pass off North Carolina BBQ at those California prices!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:11:18 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by mar52

TJ has the best tacos! However, it's not safe there anymore.

Brad, your brisket still looks like chunks or pulled. Mine was all strings. Tough, hard to chew tasty strings!

Boy, how I wish you sent that brisket back, Marlene!
You deserved a plate of real good babybacks instead!

Yes, TJ has such crime problems with all those drug cartels, kidnappings, shootings, etc..
I think I'll just stick to those good $1.50 L.A. tacos;
I'm even happy going through the drive thru at Albierto's!
We don't have those kind of deep fried tacos shells around my way....
the way the melted cheese and shredded beef all blend together....
That's the typical L.A. taco and I love it!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:05:29 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by chewingthefat

Ellen, if you ever get to Playa del Rey again, there is a super road food joint there called "The Shack", a burger place, try the Shackburger, Loisiana hot link charbroiled on top of the charbroiled patty, unforgettable!

I know THE SHACK... I used to like it much better in years past..
I used to actually live in Playa Del Rey back in '92, while I was working for the airlines and dealing poker.
gave THE SHACK one more shot a year a half ago during my previous L.A. visit. (for old times sake!) The burger was underwhelming to me, and the roll could've been fresher. I noticed that many recent reviews on yelp.com are feeling like I did. For those that like sausage, though, that SHACKBURGER with the hot link is the way to go.
I do love the surfer vibe in there, and sitting outside.
And fellow Roadfooders may even like the burger; it's not a bad burger, but it was just okay to me...
I confess I did go in there during my most recent L.A. visit, but just slipped in their side door to use their bathroom.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:55:06 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Brad_Olson

Marlene, I wonder if your serving came from the brisket point and not the flat. [URL='http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb109/Brad_Olson/Grilling/373090-R1-050-23A_023.jpg'][/URL]
Brad

Now THAT'S brisket! Unfortunately, Marlene just got the STRINGS!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (mar52)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:10:13 GMT

TJ has the best tacos! However, it's not safe there anymore.

Brad, your brisket still looks like chunks or pulled. Mine was all strings. Tough, hard to chew tasty strings!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (joerogo)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:23:13 GMT

Great report Ellen, nice to meat ya Marlene!

I think my favorite so far is the corn, with a twist of lime. Looks like LA is a tough place to find good Q. Thanks for doing the homework for us.

WJ, Best taco I ever had was at a roadside stand as I was walking across the border in TJ.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ScreamingChicken)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:45:33 GMT

Marlene, I wonder if your serving came from the brisket point and not the flat. This photo is about a year old but IIRC the slices are from the flat and the piece to the right with the visible grain is part of the point:[URL='http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb109/Brad_Olson/Grilling/373090-R1-050-23A_023.jpg'][/URL]

Brad

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (chewingthefat)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:25:32 GMT

Ellen, if you ever get to Playa del Rey again, there is a super road food joint there called "The Shack", a burger place, try the Shackburger, Loisiana hot link charbroiled on top of the charbroiled patty, unforgettable!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (doggydaddy)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:25:17 GMT

wj,

I agreed, go with what is available and popular in the region. L.A. is such a cultural mix, that BBQ would not be a goal. My point was that I would try many other foods -twice- before going for BBQ. I would go to the Baja Fresh store that is right next to the BBQ place. I bet they have everything on the menu.
There are many different beef dishes to be found down there. Go to a Korean BBQ, for their beef ribs and if you like pickled vegetables, they have that down too.
My ex was from Memphis and she would not let me eat California BBQ. Bless her heart on that one.... I don't eat Cajun/Creole food in Connecticut. No need for disappointment. I sense that ellen felt that way with some of the things she encountered.

=== I see the "wink" so you know my thoughts that burgers in LA are extremely overrated===

They weren't a goal for me either, but while there I did have to try the usual standard bearers for burgers in L.A., once.

Here is what a California burger was for me. I ate here all the time.
excellent burger, rings and shakes.
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=3951

They have expanded the menu considerably since I left. One thing I want to point out is the Bordenave burger. The roll is made by Bordenave's Bakery, one of the better bakeries in the Bay Area. This is a -true- sourdough with a firm and unique texture. It is a all American burger that you cannot get anywhere else in America:
http://www.phyllisgiantburgers.com/menu/burgers.html

mark

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (wanderingjew)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:05:40 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by doggydaddy

I miss So-Cal. It is a different state of mind.

Close reading of the menu states that the brisket is beer braised. This will certainly create a stringy appearance using the grain to this effect. In some ways, what you see is what California has called beef BBQ since way back when I was cooking there, this actually looks better than I remember. It is possible that he is using tri-tip as their 'brisket'. Odd that tri-tip doesn't appear on the menu. That's regional.

=== it does make me look forward to my trip to San Diego/LA which I plan to take next April, except I'll be indulging in AUTHENTIC-REGIONAL roadfood such as Street & Fish Tacos/ Burritos, Smoothies, Sushi/Rolls/Teriyaki and a French Dip or Two.===

I think that if I was in So-Cal, BBQ would be on my agenda after I ate every other style and type of cuisine. ...twice. For a beef injection, I would go for burgers.

mark

Mark after my "nirvana like experiences" with burgers in Omaha, I know nothing will compare. I see the "wink" so you know my thoughts that burgers in LA are extremely overrated. Besides the burgers I get here in Rhode Island are so much better. I do look forward to another trip to another burger mecca- Kansas City. But unfortunately I have to wait till 2010 since I'm gonna tie that trip in with Minnesota (and the Twin's new ballpark), Iowa and the Dakotas

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (doggydaddy)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:54:32 GMT

I miss So-Cal. It is a different state of mind.

Close reading of the menu states that the brisket is beer braised. This will certainly create a stringy appearance using the grain to this effect. In some ways, what you see is what California has called beef BBQ since way back when I was cooking there, this actually looks better than I remember. It is possible that he is using tri-tip as their 'brisket'. Odd that tri-tip doesn't appear on the menu. That's regional.

=== it does make me look forward to my trip to San Diego/LA which I plan to take next April, except I'll be indulging in AUTHENTIC-REGIONAL roadfood such as Street & Fish Tacos/ Burritos, Smoothies, Sushi/Rolls/Teriyaki and a French Dip or Two.===

I think that if I was in So-Cal, BBQ would be on my agenda after I ate every other style and type of cuisine. ...twice. For a beef injection, I would go for burgers.

mark

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (billyboy)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:35:25 GMT

Ellen and Marlene, great report! Thanks so much. I haven't been to L.A. since 2001 when I spent 3 months driving through the state and went around L.A. for 3 weeks. If Baby Blues wasn't spelling North CAROLINA correctly, then I'd be worried about their spot-on recreation of its BBQ. I'd be disappointed with that brisket too! Lots of smoke and sauce on the side is how I'd expect Texas style brisket to be.

Great shots of Playa Del Ray. If I lived there, I'd be biking along that path 5 days a week! Gorgeous!

Those ribs from Joey's did look suspect, like they overly sauced them just before serving, trying to hide inferior meat.

Looking forward to the rest of the report!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (mar52)

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:03:41 GMT

You're on! I have no problem driving for good food.

Wish my friends understood it.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:20:12 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by mar52

Ellen, I was sorry to hear about your soggy Joey's ribs. I won't give them another try.

We need to do something, though.
This disappointing Joeys is... "Joey's Smokin B-B-Q"...
not to be mistaken with: Joey's Bar-b-q http://www.joeysbbq.com/ (I see a California lawsuit in the making)
MAJOR difference!

I don't know how you'd rate their beef ribs, but let me tell you something. I'd drive you all the way to one of their locations just to eat there. Love that place! I'd also drive you back of course. Maybe we could stop at Langer's or Canter's on the way back!

You're ON , fellow Roadfood gal! I'm definitely excited about going for some noshes with you when I'm in L.A. again..
I've been to one of those JOEY'S BBQ places a few times while living in L.A. (like on the way back from the L.A. County Fair)
I loved the place, too.... and of course, I had their beef ribs!
It's got a nice, rustic feel in there, as well.

Once again, Roadfooders, do NOT confuse Joey's SMOKIN BBQ with this completely unaffiliated "Joey's BBQ" small 3 location chain.
And that's so NEAT that you are already enlightened with that other Joey's. (espescially being that it's more than an hour away from you, and more like 2 hours in rush hour!)
When I lived in L.A., I cruised all over the place, too...

It would be so relaxing to have you drive again,(you are so cool!) but of course, I'll insist on paying for all our noshes.
And like you said, we'll hit LANGER'S and Cantor's on the way back into town!
Perhaps I'll come back into L.A. in the late winter/early spring...

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (mar52)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:45:44 GMT

Ellen, I was sorry to hear about your soggy Joey's ribs. I won't give them another try.

We need to do something, though.

This disappointing Joeys is... "Joey's Smokin B-B-Q"...

not to be mistaken with: Joey's Bar-b-q http://www.joeysbbq.com/ (I see a California lawsuit in the making)

MAJOR difference!

I don't know how you'd rate their beef ribs, but let me tell you something. I'd drive you all the way to one of their locations just to eat there. Love that place! I'd also drive you back of course. Maybe we could stop at Langer's or Canter's on the way back!

My critque on Glacier's ice cream.... I've already been back! I can't get enough of that Key Lime Ice Cream.

Again, it was fun and I'd love to do it again!

Miami Don... I was happy to help you with where to eat in LA and let me tell you that you did LA proud! Even though I frequent a lot of the places that you ate, I was able to enjoy it again through your pictures and narration. If you ever come back I'll show you the real way to eat a Phillipe's French Dip and it won't be for breakfast.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:34:05 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by John A

Looks like the start of another Ellen classic trip report.

Actually, since I went to so many places between my 8 days in L.A., and 8 days in Vegas, that I was thinking of splitting up my reports a little bit...(like "L.A. delis", "L.A. Burgers", etc) (sorry , no SUSHI report , Wandering Jew)

But then I just read Ken8038's input on my other thread...
He suggested I break it down into a part 1, part 2, etc, like I did with my CT Trip report.
And I can still write in names of restaurants , like "part 2, L.A., Porky's BBQ". He said it's easier to follow that way, instead of me jumping all around to the different food type boards.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:22:00 GMT

As pissed as I was that JOEY'S SMOKIN BBQ was somehow out of BEEF RIBS 11 am,
I went back for a return attempt at my beef ribs.
It was Sunday, Oct. 12th, my last day in L.A.
This time I called first (around 11 am again) I was told by an Andy that "We still have a few left"
JOEY'S SMOKIN BBQ, Manhattan Beach, CA.... in the parking lot of the nice Manhattan Village Mall.
It's in the same structure as the movie theatre

I questioned Andy upon entering about why they have trouble keeping beef ribs in STOCK. He said "It's the new supplier we're using. They often don't seem to have enough to sell us, but we like using them cause of the meat quality"
Anyway, my BEEF RIBS were AWFUL! (in my humble opinion!)

They tasted like they had been BOILED in a pot all night; a soggy,watery taste to me, not a good crusty taste (like BABY BLUES BBQ had)
I had about 2 bites and threw them out.

MORE L.A. BBQ joints coming in my "L.A. BBQ, Part 2"

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (wanderingjew)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:04:23 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen

WJ
When I saw today's front-page Restaurant... The Mexican Restaurant in Springfield, Mass. I thought of you.

Yep, Watching those Illegals swim the Conneticut River to get out of CN and into Mass. Now there's Regional Specialization for you !!

I know what you mean Al,

I was thinking the same thing this morning when I first saw it

I'm gonna have to have a heart to heart with Chris and Amy about that one

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (mayor al)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:00:47 GMT

WJ
When I saw today's front-page Restaurant... The Mexican Restaurant in Springfield, Mass. I thought of you.

Yep, Watching those Illegals swim the Conneticut River to get out of CN and into Mass. Now there's Regional Specialization for you !!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:57:10 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by wanderingjew

Looks like you all had a great time

I'm already excited to read your eventual LA/San Diego report!
Your trip is only 6 months away!

I hear what you are saying about REGIONAL specialties..
but for me personally, THOSE beef ribs are a L.A. specialty, as I can't get anything like that here in my A.C area!
NO beef ribs on any menus. Nothing I've seen, anyway, except for Kelsey and Kim's BBQ in Pleasantville that does short ribs.

Hey, I like your multi-colored new posting style, WJ!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (wanderingjew)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:47:41 GMT

Looks like you all had a great time

Although I'm melting at the...gasp..... thought of even considering bbq in Southern California, it does make me look forward to my trip to San Diego/LA which I plan to take next April, except I'll be indulging inAUTHENTIC-REGIONAL roadfood such as Street & Fish Tacos/ Burritos, Smoothies, Sushi/Rolls/Teriyaki and a French Dip or Two.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:44:50 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by MiamiDon

Ellen4642 and Mar52:
Sure looks like you had fun together!
Mar52: I appreciated your comments when I took the trip to L.A. in August. I see that you are indeed a local, and anyone that Ellen gives the "seal of approval" to, has mine too

Hey, Don! So nice reading your comment!
Next time you're in L.A., Mar52 is great company to have a nosh with!
Her and I really connected.
Just think, that in less than a week you and I will be finally "meating up" for the first time. Daytona, here we come!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (ellen4641)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:41:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by mar52

Hi Harriet, are you "the sister"? The pork rib eating sister?
Come to LA and I'll eat pork ribs with you!

Harriet affectionately calls me "sister". She's one of my Jersey Roadfood.com sisters! We met on the NJ Hot Dog tour a year ago, and hung out again on the tour last month. She's very bubbly, like me, and would've fit right in with our L.A. BBQ adventures!

Both Harriet and my blood sister, Nancy, can be found on my NJ Hot Dog Tour report in the Hot Dog forum. Sept. 2008.

That's neat, though, that you remember that my actual sister does go for those PORK ribs. She loves those baby backs, while I'm all beef.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (MiamiDon)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:31:06 GMT
Ellen4642 and Mar52:

Sure looks like you had fun together!

Mar52: I appreciated your comments when I took the trip to L.A. in August. I see that you are indeed a local, and anyone that Ellen gives the "seal of approval" to, has mine too.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (John A)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:10:21 GMT
Looks like the start of another Ellen classic trip report.

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (RibDog)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:43:59 GMT
Even though they called it brisket, it was most likely made from a chuck roll which is a primal cut from the chuck. Cooking a true brisket, there is no where on the brisket you could get strands of beef that length. And keep in mind that they use a chuck roll instead of brisket because a chuck roll is cheaper per lb. and should have less shrinkage than regular brisket because it does not have as much fat in it.

John

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (Greymo)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:00:50 GMT
Ellen, this was fun to read and it looks like you found a really fun dining companion............how nice!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (Baah Ben)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:57:29 GMT
There they are...Beef Ribs!!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (mar52)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:40:30 GMT
That IS Whoopie and why is she looking at my tush like that?

Hi Harriet, are you "the sister"? The pork rib eating sister?

Come to LA and I'll eat pork ribs with you!

RE: BBQ "meat up" with lovely L.A. Roadfooder "Mar52" (mar52)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:53:26 GMT
Hi Ellen! We had fun!

Can you believe a barbecue joint being out of barbecue?

The flavor of my *cough* brisket was good, but the strings were tough. To eat them I spun them on the fork like spaghetti. Not good! I'd NEVER order it again.

The spinach was called Creamed Spinach. After the first taste, I didn't touch it. It was nasty flavored with way too much nutmeg and the cream was just milk stirred in to the cook spinach. Crossing that one off of my list also.

The corn bread and corn were Deeeeeeelicious! I added some hot sauce to my corn. I could make a meal just of that so I left Baby Blues happy.

Ellen lives in New Jersey and I live in Los Angeles. It turns out we know some of the same people, one living in Las Vegas.

It's a small, small world and Roadfood is making it smaller!

Ellen, I can't wait until you make it back out this way. It was fun!