Baby Blues BBQ
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Baby Blues BBQ Catering |
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Andy from Memphis - Blackened Catfish Sandwich
2008
I'm in LOVE with your food!
Hey there,
Recently tried your restaurant and it was amazing.
The whole experience was great, you have the sweetest
waitresses and the food is so, so good.
I dream about it -- haha.
I wrote a review about it on my foodie
blog.
I would love if you could put up my review on your
site!
Can't wait to come back again
Thanks!
Monica
Quite Possibly the Best BBQ Ribs Ever I think I’m in love. The Memphis style ribs at this little BBQ joint simply blew me away, with their combo of dry and wet rub. I enjoy wet and dry styles of BBQ, so this is the best of both worlds. Surprisingly, this place is in LA!
The place is called Baby Blue BBQ (www.babybluesbarbq.com). If you come here, come early. We barely beat the dinner rush on a Saturday night by showing up at 6:00 PM. And we still had to wait for 15 minutes. A few minutes later, the line was out the door. The place is small and occupies an odd shaped corner spot on Lincoln Blvd., and you can either pull up a seat at the bar or in the dining room on the other side.
I shared the “Memphis Queen” plate (1/2 rack each of Memphis & Baby Back ribs, plus sides) with my husband and it was more than enough food for the both of us. Their style is a nice fat St. Louis style cub pork rib with the chewy rib tips left on. I prefer this cut over the baby backs, because I think the Baby Backs are just too soft. I like a variety of texture on my meat! But their Baby Back ribs are mighty fine as well.
The dry rub really penetrates the meat and gives it great flavor down to the bone. The wet sauce is mopped on at the end and caramelizes, giving it a slightly sweet and tangy finish. It’s a tomato based sauce with a balance between salty, sweet and tangy. Nothing overpowers the senses, unlike the cloyingly sweet ribs you generally find at chain restaurants.
Each table has two versions of a hot sauce, made in-house daily. One was “hot” and the other was called “XXX DANGER”. I think I have developed an abnormal tolerance for spicy food, because I really didn’t think the XXX version was unbearable.
Single guys will also enjoy coming here for the other “meat”, the ridiculously hot women that waitress here. Seriously, every single girl was so beautiful. Obviously, this is not your average BBQ joint. Our waitress insisted that we try the jumbo grilled tiger shrimp with remoulaude sauce, so she brought out a few on the house. The shrimps were huge and very fresh, with that juicy “snap” when you bite in. I will definitely order these next time.
Another great thing about this place is that the owners seem like down to earth guys that do their fare share of hustle in the kitchen, all while drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon. They have an awesome restaurant and I’ll definitely be coming back here again.
Monica
Quite Possibly the Best BBQ Ribs Ever
Guide 2 The Good Life |
February 20, 2008
Best Dinner Ever
I saw your rib joint on TV and I took my wife down for some ribs. She grew up on Lincoln Blvd. and Pacific Street and I grew up on 6th and Pico Blvd., both Santa Monica Kids. We just walked in the door and I jumped right on the computer to tell all locals and all who can get to this restaurant to hop in there cars right now and go get the best food you'll ever have. The waiter walked up to me and asked if everything was allright. I just had my eyes closed in a semi daze and smied between bites.
Kevin McGlaze
The Best
Saw you on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives." Son lives in Granada Hills. We live in Sactramento. Went down for a long weekend. Sunday night dinner at your place. Place was packed. And now we know why. BBQ is AWESOME! Service was... well... were we the ONLY 4 in the place? I knew we weren't because the line was out the door and the phone was ringing off the hook. The the service proved otherwise. But we DIDN'T order the shrimp. Chef comes to our table, asks if we ordered the shrimp, we said no. "NO"?! he said. "No." He shook his head, walked away before I could say -- "OK, OK, we'll try the shrimp." Too late. Damn. But before our dinner comes out, we are GIVEN a sample of the shrimp. TO DIE FOR!!! Order the shrimp and everything else on the menu. THE PLACE ROCKS!! Excellent in all ways. AND . . . THEY ARE EXPANDING! Thanks BBBBQ! In all respects, you are the BEST!
Carol
Best BarBQ Ever
My boyfriend and I saw your restaurant on "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives" and decided to take a road-trip from San Diego. When we got there the staff seated us as the Chargers party of two. We told the waitstaff that we drove all the way up from San Diego just for Barbecue. We were very quickly greeted by Rick, who proceeded to order for us and called our platter the Chargers Platter. The platter contained Memphis Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Shrimp, Chicken, Sausage, Macaroni and Cheese, Mashed Sweet potatoes, okra, and corn. It was the most amazing Barbecue that we have ever had. We told the owners and the staff that we would be back once a month and so far we have been. We have not only had the most amazing Barbecue ever at Baby Blues, but we have also had the most amazing service. The owners and wait staff always make us fill right at home even though we can only come in once a month due to the drive. Thanks Rick and Danny for such amazing food and customer service.
Sincerely,
Tom and Kami (from San Diego)
Charger party of Two
December
2007
I was at your restaurant last Friday for my Birthday around
6:30 pm. I immediately was shown to a table and didn't have to wait assuming
I would after reading about your seating capacity. I ordered the chicken
& rib combo with collards and mac & cheese. I was told the kitchen
ran out of potato salad. That didn't matter. It was some of the best ribs
I have eaten in my 47 years of living. Growing up on the Southside of Chicago
I have tasted many ribs but nothing compared to the perfectly cooked bones
and chicken served at your establishment. The side dishes were more than
I expected because usually not a lot of attention is paid to them in most
BBQ restaurants. Keep up the good work & never let anyone tell you
white boys can't cook ribs.
Thank you for a wonderful meal.
RUDY WHITE
Hello
Baby Blues
I watched the "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives" show on the Food Channel and that caused my buddy and me to drive in from Long Beach to find out how good the food is.
First off we got there just as you opened but there was a steady stream of customers right behind us! The staff was among some of the most friendly I have ever experienced. The friendliness wasn't contrived it was genuine and I know the difference.
As to the food I ordered a rack of St. Louis style ribs without sauce and mac n cheese and potato salad.
The food was absolutely what I hoped it would be. The ribs didn't need sauce as the meat was tasty and full of flavor.
I hate driving LA freeways but we will make the close to 60 mile round trip to come here again, it's more than worth it.
Mike Mills
Awesome
Dinner!
Danny and Rick,
Hey guys, this is Bo and Diana, we visited your place last weekend from Las Vegas while visiting family in Santa Monica. We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our dinner/visit! We truly appreciated how you took care of us, and we're telling EVERYBODY we can about your place! Diana's sister who lives in Santa Monica will be visiting you. We look forward to our next visit and we both wish you all the best in the year to come!
Happy Holidays!
Bo Smith
p.s. Are you able to send us the pic that was taken
on your camera?
We would love to put in a scrap book we have. Thanks!
email: bylnrjd at cox.net
I visited
your fine restaurant on a recent trip to LA. The food was excellent! The
"Suicide King" is out of this world and the Okra is to die for!! The
ribs will leave you dreaming for more. The staff is excellent and bursting
with kindness and character. And the owner has the largest head I have
ever seen. Seriously, it's like a pumpkin! I can't wait to get back there!!
-- Ken Richards - kenn at mintcherry.com
August
2007
The only problem with Baby Blues BBQ is that some things
are so extraordinary that being just excellent is a disappointment. If
you are from the South or raised on southern cooking, some things are just
expected to be there. Corn-on-the-cob, cole slaw, okra, corn bread and
greens have to be right or the best BBQ is not going to go over. Baby Blues
got all of them right. The okra I could have sat and ate a dozen servings
it was that good. The slaw was different but at the same time a perfect
match with my Memphis ribs. My ribs were a little dry but a nibble on my
wife's order of baby back ribs and I know what I want next time. My son
couldn't decide if he should concentrate on his brisket sandwich or our
waitress; both were just out of this world. The pork-and-beans with the
pulled pork layered on top were a revelation in taste. Since dad got stuck
with the check I will whine and say it was a bit pricey. It was worth every
penny. Try the 'nilla wafers and banana pudding -- that is all my wife
has talked about for two weeks. And Danny, you still need a better looking
web
site.
Willard Joder
wilhard at gmail.com
I have been eating at this joint for a couple
of years now... I am originally from Texas so when I first moved here I
was on a mission to find a good BBQ place... finally after eating meat
cooked in an oven with red sauce poured over it I found YOU! I love love
this place, I feel like I am home when I am there, the atmosphere and music
are totally down home. If I am not bringing someone there to try your place
I order out at least once a week! Keep up the good cook'n. LENORA
Rick
and Danny!
YOU GUYS ARE GENIUS!!! I saw your spot on "Diners,
Drive-Ins and Dives," and being a Santa Monica/Venice native I had
to give you my support!!! My family's from the south, so I grew up on soul
food... you guys have hit the nail on the head!!! Great atmosphere and
wonderful employees!!!
Cheers!
Debbie A New Fan
Venice
Barbecue Cookoff
Community
Bragging Rights
Venice
is home to some of the finest culinary experiences in all of Los Angeles
- some real gourmet establishments. But when the days are long and the
weekend has come, nothing tastes better than a back-yard barbecue. And
although some will tell you Texas while others say Tennessee, everybody
around here knows that California is always ripe for cooking outside. Here
at the Mission we’re committed to a celebration of creative home-style
cuisine. So, this summer we’ve sidled up to the BBQ experts at Jack Daniel’s
for a series of neighborhood cook-offs. There will be three competitions
over the next couple of months where local pro-chefs compete alongside
passionate back-yard barbecuers. At the end of the summer, we’ll crown
the Jack Daniel’s Barbecue King of Venice. We provide the grill, the meat
and a hungry crowd of carnivores. You are invited to bring your friends,
your neighbors and your own open flame style. Local celebrities will award
fabulous prizes including Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Famous Barbecue
Sauce and QuikSilverEdition gear. (But everybody knows that the real prize
is community bragging rights). These events are free and open for the whole
community to attend and enjoy. If you, or someone you know, is a passionate
barbecue cook anxious to showcase their skills, please contact
Adam.Katz
at quiksilver.com
for
more information on entering the competition. visit QuikSilverEditionMission.org
|
Venice
Barbecue Cookoff 2007
QuikSilverEdition
QuikSilverEdition
Mission in Venice Beach, California
is
partnering with the whiskey and barbecue experts at Jack Daniel's to host
a series of neighborhood barbecue competitions this summer at the QuikSilverEdition
Mission in Venice Beach, California. In celebration of the art of outdoor
cuisine, one of the many casual luxuries of the coastal lifestyle, these
friendly competitions will pit backyard heroes against local professional
chefs as SoCal's finest showcase their unique open flame styles and serve
up choice offerings to the panel of community
judges.
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, July 14thThe winner of the overall championship on August 25 will be crowned
Local gourmet hero, Jason Stroh of Stroh's Gourmet,
challenges dog-town marinades and a super secret surfer sauce.Saturday, August 4th
Big Baby Blues BBQ brings the dirty south to the South Bay - Watch out soccer moms!Baby Blues BBQ on Lincoln faces off against Glencrest BBQ down on A.K. Also in the mix are the Matt Logan and the Tequila Team, Jamal Northington, and Two Smokin dogs with his lady-friends. Jason Stroh from Stroh’s Gourmet will be serving up delicious sides and salads.
Saturday, August 25th
Final showdown and the crowning of the Venice Beach Jack Daniel's BBQ champions
“Jack Daniel's BBQ King of Venice.”
Community Bragging Rights
There will be a cook-off with some returning competitors and a few new contestants.
The series of three events, beginning
Saturday July 14, are free and open to the public.
Barbeque fans of all ages are invited to join in the judging process and responsible drinkers over the age of 21 will be able to sample some of Jack Daniel's fine Tennessee Whiskey.
Confident and passionate barbecuers can even enter to compete! In addition to neighborhood bragging rights, the winners of each individual competition will receive fabulous prizes from Jack Daniel's and QuikSilverEdition.
If you, or someone you know, is a passionate barbecue
cook anxious to showcase their skills,
please contact Adam.Katz@quiksilver.com
for more information on entering the competition.
The QuikSilverEdition Mission
is a temporary project and a physical space — a place
where artists and designers join the surfers and the suits to swap travel
stories, meet their heroes, tune up their ten-speed or just relax with
a few cocktails at the bar.
It is our mission to create a place where the unique spirit of the California coast will be nurtured, shared and taught. By combining social gatherings, art events and educational forums we pay tribute to the pillars of our community's strength. The Mission on Abbot Kinney intends to ensure a sustainable natural environment, a welcome and creative society and the freedom to enjoy life's easy pleasures.
The QuiksilverEdition Mission
is made possible by its network of creative and innovative
partners.
Special thanks to The Mission, Global Inheritance, Stoked Mentoring, Perfect Day Surf Camps, Yogaworks, Plantronics, Altec Lansing, Peroni, Tequila Herradura, Longboard Vineyards, Jack Daniels, Hint Water and Redbull.
For more information about the competition or the featured
chefs
and to reserve your place at one of the upcoming events,
visit QuikSilverEditionMission.org
|
Adam Katz / Director of Programming
The QuikSilverEdition Mission • 1621 Abbot Kinney
Blvd. • Venice Beach CA
Adam.Katz@Quiksilver.com • 401.935.5288 • Visit us
at QuikSilverEditionMission.org
|
BBQ Junkie: http://BBQJunkie.com
|
July 2007
Danny & Rick,
Pleasure to meet you both! Just wanted to let you know that the dinner, the hospitality and service was right on... not to mention the food - Sunday 23 July 2007! I've told my friends and they've told me that they are coming up as well. I know that you all will treat em' nice! Once again, thanks. Can't wait to come back!!!
James Mickey
Temecula
Wall Street Journal
Thought you'd like to see a mention of our Baby Blues
takeout dinner last night
from a friend with a
Wall Street Journal blog.
Kara Kara Swisher :
"Not to be outdone, we made acquaintance with writer
Charles Runnette and his veggie Mercedes, whilst on a run to the most excellent
Baby
Blue Bar-B-Q in Venice, Calif., last night (which was deliciously
oily, too)."
Kara Kara Swisher
started covering digital issues for the The Wall Street
Journal's San Francisco bureau in 1997 and also wrote the BoomTown column
about the sector. With Walt Mossberg, she co-produces and co-hosts D: All
Things Digital, a major high-tech and media conference.
Michael Goff
BBQ Junkie: BBQJunkie.com | BarbecueBible.com |
You know, I’ve eaten at famous barbeque joints all over the south, from
Wilber’s and Piggy Park (Carolina) toI know barbecue, and I’ll tell you what, Baby Blues is good. I have been there something like 7 times and while there have been some inconsistency problems a few times, overal I liked it. The pulled pork is very good, the shrimp are out of this world, the pork ribs are… from so-so to tasty. Twice I got charred, dried-out meat because the guy left them on the grill while talking to the waitress. The pork and beans are great... you get a bowl of tasty beans with a large amount of pulled pork. My only complaint would be the pork ribs are pretty dry... ribs are very tricky business. I recommend it. Oh… and their regular sauce is exceptional, not the candy-sweet sauce that seems to plague all the other “real” BBQ joints in Southern Cal. If you want sickly sweet, eat a candybar afterwards.
Dreamland and Big Bob Gibson’s (Alabama) to
Taylor Cafe and Louis Mueller’s (Texas) to
Rendevous and Cozy Corner (Memphis) to
Gates (K. C.).
-- Dave O 2007
Having lived in the south for 7 years before moving... I have to say Baby Blue’s is the best Q I have had this side of the Mississippi. I live down the block from them, and they are my go-to “I-don’t-wanna-cook-tonight” restaurant. Great barbecue, and (finally!) a beer/wine license hopefully on the way! To the people who complain about price - Are you unable to read a menu? How are you surprised by your bill? Did you think the printed prices were a joke? I go with my girlfriend and we split one pulled pork plate and a chicken sandwich. With drinks and tip we get out of there for $30. To the people who complain about it being greasy - It's barbecue. The flavor in barbecue comes from pork fat -- aka grease. Enjoy every juicy bite, clean your plate with your cornbread, just be careful not to get any on your shirt! I recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
-- Dave-on-Sunset 2007
I used to live in the slum called Venice. Baby Blues was a great discovery; it’s the best BBQ that I’ve had in L. A. I used to live in Texas; the only good thing about TX is the barbeque, and what gets called BBQ in L. A. is just grilling. But Baby Blues is real. It is not TX style, but meat smoked for hours is what matters. Go for lunch, have a pulled pork sandwich and water. It’s not too expensive. And tip good.
-- Chuck A Luck 2007
I love Baby Blues BBQ you have to try the tiger shrimp I read the review and I feel like you are talking about an entirely different place. I live over 30 minutes away from baby blues and I take the trip aleast once a week just to get a taste. Their hot bbq sauce is also the greatest I have ever tasted and the owners are the most humble men I have ever met. Service is always fast my food is always hot and the waitresses are so friendly. And let me ask you have you ever had good bbq that was cheap?
-- Nicole 2007
I just finished my first meal at Baby Blues and would recommend it to anybody who enjoys great food, great atmosphere and great hospitality. We showed up at almost closing time and were encouraged to stay, they were more than happy to cook anything we ordered just minutes before closing the doors. The rub was unbelieveable, the sauce was amazing everything cooked to perfection…and after it was all said and done we had the bannana pudding which after a meal that I thought was the best BBQ I have ever had topped it off. A MUST try, great guys, great staff and great food.
-- Slim
I had the pulled pork sandwich here and it was excellent.
-- John 2005
I LOVE Baby Blues!! Haven’t had their ribs, but the beef brisket is to die for!! Smothered in their hot and BBQ sauces… it’s the BEST! Their cornbread kicks ass, the mashed potatoes are delicious, and the corn on the cob can’t be beat. The service is pretty darn slow and it is a bit pricey, but Baby Blues it still a must-try. And you can BYOB
-- Sabrina 2005
I like Baby Blues. I think their strongest dish by far is the pulled pork — tasty and moist. The sandwich is on excellent rustic bread rolls crisped on the grill, I get the slaw served on the side. The brisket is good but pulled like the pork rather than sliced. Very friendly place. Two of us split a sandwich and a plate last time so we had more than enough food, two sides to share, and kept the cost down. I usually go for the hottest sauces, but I prefer their regular house to the kickass spicy.
-- Nosh 2005
This place ROCKS! I’ve been to all 50 states and this is by far the best BBQ I have ever tasted. The XXX Porno sauce is awesome and the eight of us that were there all tried something different and was all top notch. The staff is cool, the music is a wild blend of everything and the homemade desserts were fantastic. Were it not for the calories, the BigMan would be there every day and getting MUCH bigger. Do yourselves a favor and get there. Soon.
-- BigMan 2005
The first time I ordered take out from Baby Blues (this was right after they opened) I found the ribs to be kinda dry. A month or so ago I ordered their burger and it was honest to go the best burger I’ve ever had in my life. I tried to do the take out thing again the other night and it wasn’t available so I went in. Great luck as it turns out. I spent a couple of hours there chatting up the owners and cooks and having a great time. I ordered the platter with all 3 kinds of ribs and each one was better then the last. The baby backs are to die for, and the others are wonderful too. While there a guy sat down next to me and ordered the steak and shrimp. When the cook handed the steak to him I about passed out it looked so good. I mentioned that next time I was came in I was gonna give that a try. The guy said “wait til you taste it” and cut me off a hunk and tossed it onto my plate. One bite and I fell in love. Never in my life have I had a more tender or flavorful steak. As for deserts I’ve had the banana pudding and peach betty. Both were very good, but I admit the pudding was by far my favorite. The service there is great- the people there actually seem to appreciate you’re there and they treat you right. I will be back often, and I’m bringing friends with me.
-- Jeff 2005
