There used to be a location down the street from me in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd. that closed a while back. I finally made it out to their very fun Venice location right in the heart of this cool and artsy community! And let me tell you…they did not disappoint! If you’re looking for authentic Southern BBQ then this is your place. For the kind of mouth-watering BBQ that you’d normally find in cities like Texas or Memphis-look no further! Baby Blues will satisfy all of your Southern BBQ cravings.
In 2008 Guy Fieri of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” paid a visit to the Venice location. He did a great segment about co-owners Danny Fischer and Rick Mac Cathay opening Baby Blues BBQ in 2006. These East Coast transplants called their Southern California styled BBQ, Hybrid BBQ. Whatever you call it, their 16 hour smoked BBQ ribs are off-the-bone delicious!
Here’s what I had:
Starters:
Suicide King- Two slices of fresh baked cornbread topped with your choice of meat, cotija cheese, a dab of remoulade and BBQ sauce. I just can’t say enough about this starter. You just have to try it. Decadent…but what the heck!
The Sauces:
BBQ- Mild vinegar based.
SWEET- Tangy BBQ-molasses.
XXX- Habanero, serrano, and poblano peppers with pineapple, raspberry, and mango.
HOT- Medium flavored “Buffalo”-style with a hint of ginger.
They are all gluten free and homemade-just amazing.
Sandwiches:
Sliced Brisket Sandwich- On Soft Roll with coleslaw. This brisket is so tender! It has a nice flavor and the coleslaw on top just pulls the whole sandwich together.
Burger:
Bacon-Blue Stuffed Burger – A half-pound of prime chuck hand-blended with blue cheese and maple bacon into a patty, served with lingonberry mustard. The meat is so lovely with the best flavor, with the blue cheese; it’s just off the charts.
Platters:
Memphis Style Ribs – Square cut, long-bone pork ribs, rubbed top to bottom with a blend of dry spices, slow smoked then grilled and lightly basted with our house BBQ sauce. These come to you hot and juicy. They are simple wonderful.
Regional Classics:
Sliced Brisket- Black Angus beef, pepper crusted, slow smoked for 14 hours and hand carved to order. This meat is flaky, light and so moist. It is just the best of the best!
Smoked Chicken – Natural and hormone-free chicken. Because a happy chicken is a tasty chicken. They serve up a moist and delicious ler and thigh.
Combos:
Blue Devil- Your choice of 4 different meats with an additional fixin’.
I chose Sliced Brisket, Catfish, Shrimp and Baby Back Ribs.
Baby Back Ribs- Prime cut pork ribs dry rubbed, slow smoked then grilled and brushed with their house BBQ sauce.
Grilled Shrimp – Black tiger shrimp, marinated and grilled. Topped with a New Orleans style remoulade.
Gulf Coast Catfish – a catfish filet seasoned with Cajun spices and blackened in a cast iron skillet. Topped with remoulade. The shrimp is grilled to perfection. The Catfish is just fantastic. The ribs are falling off the bone, tender, light and so yummy.
Fixins:
Collard Greens, Mac N Cheese – 4 cheeses, Baked Beans, Cornbread, and Cole Slaw. My favorite was the Mac N Cheese- super creamy with very large elbow noodles. Really terrific!
Desserts:
Banana Pudding- their house specialty! Served with vanilla wafers, it’s truly a dessert symphony of wonderfulness.
Key Lime Pie- by far my favorite Key Lime pie of all times! Sweet and creamy with just a hint of lime. Just amazing!
Chocolate Pie- if you love chocolate you will have to try this pie.
Beverages:
Beers: Bud Light…truly the drink to have with BBQ. It quenches your thirst and cools your palate.
Wine: House red or House white, both were great for house wines and went great with the various menu items.
Luckily, I was able to get my BBQ fix on Labor Day itself, so, no backyard party for me and I would not have had it any other way. They play great music that adds to the overall atmosphere with The Rolling Stones, country banjo music and Southern Rock all setting the tone.
Baby Blues BBQ’s interior makes you feel like you are somewhere in the South. Its rustic with lots of great art on the walls. All meant to make you feel like you are in someone’s home or backyard. It’s Casual, rustic, with a great beach feel. Lots of couples and “dudes” drinking beer and eating BBQ.
Next time you’re hankering for amazing BBQ, try Baby Blues BBQ. You will be happy that I suggested it. They have 3 locations in Los Angeles: Venice Beach, Echo Park, K-town and locations in San Francisco and Philadelphia. I just loved all of their Smokey delicious flavors!
Baby Blues BBQ
444 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA.
