Diners' Choice: Barbecue restaurants in Los Angeles

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Barbecue cuisine in Los Angeles? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Gus's BBQ - South Pasadena

4.7

4.7 (2051)

$30 and under

Barbecue

South Pasadena

About the restaurant

Since 1946, Gus’s has been serving the good folks of South Pasadena (and beyond!) true Southern hospitality and some of the best real pit BBQ around. Housed on historic Route 66, Gus’s is a tribute to Southern life, where family, tradition and celebration are of the utmost importance. A menu filled with traditional Southern cooking and authentic, wood-smoked BBQ is complemented by an impressive range of whiskies, wines, cocktails and local craft beers. Today, Gus’s is a space for a warm welcome, a cold mint julep, and a big plate of the best flavors from the American South and Midwest. You’ll leave knowing exactly why Gus’s food has been hailed, “….so good that we found ourselves eating more than we’d imagined” by S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times and was named one of the top 10 BBQ restaurants on the west coast by Sunset Magazine.

Top review

Stephy

Dined 7 days ago

Gus’s BBQ never disappoints. Consistently best baby back ribs in town! Sides: mash garlic potatoes, coleslaw, mac&cheese and creamed corn YUM. Service ALWAYS attentive, friendly and expedient. Hubby had the trifecta: Jalapeño sausage, brick chicken and pulled pork. All DELISH!

Naples Rib Company

4.7

4.7 (1432)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Widely recognized as the premier barbecue spot in Long Beach, Naples Rib Co. offers their signature Baby Back Ribs, St. Louis Ribs, & Beef Ribs. They also serve Slow Roasted Tri-Tip, Prime Rib, Steaks, Shrimp, Fish and innovative Salads. The main dining room consists of mostly cozy booths. The bar has 3 TV's tuned to local sports with 7 seats at the bar counter top and 7 tables. We accommodate large parties in out Banquet Room which can seat anywhere from 6 to 50 guests and is perfect for family celebrations. We have a 15 minute grace period on all reservations. Please contact us if you will be late. We look forward to welcoming you!

Top review

darleneVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Bon apetit. Really tasty and freshly prepared. Love the entertainment too

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Popular dish

French Dip Ala Prime Rib

Popular dish

Senior Prime Rib (6 oz)

Gus's BBQ - Claremont

4.6

4.6 (830)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Claremont

About the restaurant

Since 1946, Gus’s has been serving true Southern hospitality and some of the best real pit BBQ around. Housed in the iconic Claremont Packing House, Gus’s is a tribute to Southern life, where family, tradition and celebration are of the utmost importance. A menu filled with traditional Southern cooking is complemented by an impressive range of whiskies, wines, cocktails and local craft beers. Today, Gus’s is a space for a warm welcome, a cold mint julep, and a big plate of the best flavors from the American South and Midwest.

Top review

NormVIP

Dined on Jan 11, 2025

Our first time to Gus’s We will definitely be back!!!

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Popular dish

BBQ Brisket Tacos

Gus's BBQ - Porter Ranch

4.7

4.7 (959)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Northridge

About the restaurant

Since 1946, Gus’s has been serving true Southern hospitality and some of the best real pit BBQ around. The third Guss location makes its home in The Vineyards, one of Los Angeles premier lifestyle centers offering world class entertainment, dining and shopping. A menu filled with traditional Southern cooking is complemented by an impressive range of whiskies, wines, cocktails and local craft beers. Guss is a tribute to Southern life, where family, tradition and celebration are of the utmost importance.

Top review

Walter

Dined 7 days ago

We have been there before but mostly for lunch or dinner, never for breakfast. So our first time at breakfast was good. We'll definitely comeback.

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Broken Spirits Distillery

4.6

4.6 (49)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Long Beach

About the restaurant

We are Broken Spirits, a distillery born from a love of forgotten recipes and the desire to create something new from the echoes of the past. Step through our unassuming door and be transported to a bygone era. Our speakeasy-inspired interior is a warm embrace of exposed brick, plush seating, and the gentle hum of conversation. Worn leather-bound recipe books line our shelves, whispering secrets of forgotten cocktails, while vintage lamps cast a romantic glow. Our culinary creations are chef driven and locally sourced. Join us for a meal and stay for a memory.

Top review

Char

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious food. We went around noon on a Saturday and made a reservation assuming it was going to be busy but it was quiet. Multiple screens with football playing but relatively quiet. Great drinks and attentive staff. Will be back very soon.

Craft by Smoke and Fire - Pasadena

4.2

4.2 (648)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Pasadena

About the restaurant

At Craft by Smoke and Fire, we see ourselves as more than a restaurant; our mission is to be a cornerstone in the community. A place where you can find great food made by great people. Craft by Smoke and Fire offers an emotional souvenir in every dish. Craft dishes, Craft cocktails and great entertainment. We don't just feed the body; we focus on the soul. Please note to serve more families in our community, every party has one hour and a half to dine at the table. Thank you again for choosing Craft by Smoke and Fire Pasadena

Top review

Victoria

Dined 7 days ago

Great service our waitress was fun and on top of things. Tomahawk was amazing

Maple Block Barbecue

4.4

4.4 (223)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Culver City

About the restaurant

Maple Block Meat Co. is a tribute to the craftsmanship of butchering, smoking and grilling meat, paying respect to the deep-rooted traditions of American barbecue. Located on Sepulveda Blvd between Venice and Washington Place in Culver City, Maple Block Meat Co. specializes in authentic, wood-smoked meats prepared with the classic technique of smoking with whole peach wood and incorporating a variety of subtle flavor profiles that we love. Guests can expect a familial casual atmosphere, friendly attentive service, seasonal menu based on the traditions of American barbecue and a bar featuring craft beers, interesting wines and handmade sodas.

Top review

JillVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Another excellent experience at Maple Block. Service was fantastic and the brisket and chicken were delicious. We loved that the pulled pork didn't come out drenched in sauce--it had just enough to balance the fatty pork.

Craft by Smoke and Fire - Arcadia

4.2

4.2 (379)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Arcadia

About the restaurant

Top review

AmilyVIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Quesadilla brisket is sooo good! Great restaurant!

Sauced BBQ and Spirits El Segundo

4.0

4 (264)

$30 and under

Barbecue

El Segundo

About the restaurant

Authentic, southern BBQ with Axe Throwing, Shuffleboard and Bocce Ball. Warm up with one of our amazing whiskeys, house brews, or fancy craft cocktails and finish off the night with a rack of slow smoked St. Louis style ribs or some of our tasty brisket.

Top review

Harley

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

We visited on Monday, December 9 for my son’s 21st birthday. I wanna say our server’s name was Isaac. I’m not sure I got that right but he was absolutely amazing. We sat at the table right next to the front entrance. He was the best server. We had a great time and we truly appreciated him making it a great night.

Craft by Smoke and Fire - LA Live

3.2

3.2 (46)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Downtown

About the restaurant

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Food is delicious and servers are nice. However the service has consistently been very slow. Definitely need more servers and cooks on game days!

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