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    Bludso's BBQ

    4.1 (834 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    BLUDSO'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    DineLA lunch special
    Susan L.

    I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by for their dineLa lunch deal. First, the "good." It's a decent value. One of the choices was for two meats, two sides and cornbread. The bad: the meats were only ok. Calling it Texas-style is false advertisement, imo. I lived in Texas for a long time and had more than my fair share of bbq, and sorry to say, this doesn't even come close. My two meats were brisket and pork ribs. The ribs were flavorful but dry. The brisket faired a little better, but was also dry. It was the spicy bbq sauce that saved it. The ugly: yikes, the sides. I got the mac n cheese and the collard greens with smoked turkey. I didn't care for either. The mac n cheese was mushy and too salty, trying to mask the lack of any flavor. The collards greens were not that much better. The smoke turkey should be called smoked jerky. I really felt like the greens were a delivery system to get rid of unordered leftover turkey. The cornbread wasn't much better. It was a corner piece that was dry and tasted stale. Such a disappointment. I probably should have walked right out when I was greeted with a "what can we do for you today?" Seriously? Do you think I came in for an oil change? Yeesh. My server was ok. She was busy with a big table of ten, so that evidently was at my expense. No worries, I won't be back.

    Seasoned fries
    Peter X.

    My friends and I came here over the weekend to celebrate one of their birthday. They were craving American BBQ so we choose this place because the pictures looks amazing. I made reservations ahead of time off Yelp for a party of 4. I got a reminder email and text to confirm my reservation. We were lucky to find parking in the back lot because it's limited and was almost filled up. We arrived early to the restaurant but they were still able to sit us. We decided to go with the Bludso tray that is meant for 10 people. We also order a side of fries which was very good, the level of seasoning was amazing and the taste was my favorite part. The Bludso Tray came out quick and it was a lot of meat. I like the brisket with the spicy bbq sauce, whole chicken was perfectly marinated, the ribs and tips were amazing and the Texas red hot sausages was delicious. I only tried the mac and cheese from the side, which I thought was okay. The rest of the sides like potatoes salad, slaw greens and bean my friends like. They give you a lot of cornbread and pickle which we didn't even eat much. So we had a lot of boxes for to go because we couldn't finish the tray meat either. The customer service here was amazing and I would recommend this place.

    Pork ribs, potato salad and Mac n cheese
    Valentine B.

    I decided to try this location since I usually visit the La Brea location. As always, the service was consistently friendly, and the food came out quickly. The smoked wings were delicious, packed with smoky flavor and a well-seasoned dry rub that never disappoints. They're always one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the brisket was dry and lacked the tenderness I usually expect from Bludso's. The ribs also tasted like they had been sitting for a while and weren't as fresh as I'm used to. Bludso's is still one of my favorite BBQ spots, but based on this visit, I'll be sticking with the La Brea location for the quality and consistency I've come to expect.

    Kimberley W.

    It was my first time going w my friend & both of us had heard great things via our Texan friends regarding good bbq in LA! It hit the spot! We ordered the dinosaur beef rib that fell off the bone with a quick knife cut -- so good- and split it between us two, including the fries which had some sort of magic seasoning that was incredibly (it's somehow tangy and bbq like but kind of teriyaki esque) I loved them. As well, we ordered a small portion of the Mac and cheese, and dessert aka the blackberry pie à la mode (which was perfect sweetness - not too sugary) although the pastry part was a bit hard to cut, it all came together and was still really tasty. Huge thanks to our server Deilon (sp?) who helped us figure out it portion size what to order and gave us the the best recommendations every time! We also met the GM and Head Chef after -- will def come again. Great service and food! They were playing the World Cup (soccer/fifa) game so people were watching that.

    Hushpuppies with BBQ Aioli
    Lisa Y.

    Bludso's is popular for a reason! They do authentic Texas-style barbecue in LA. Bludso's has three different locations, but I went to the Santa Monica location. The other two locations are La Brea and Van Nuys. They have a variety of different meats to choose from including brisket, pulled pork, pork rib tips, chicken links, dinosaur beef ribs, and more. My favorite was the lean brisket since they trim off a lot of the fat. There is still fat within the meat, and it's still moist and tender! They have two different BBQ sauces, mild and hot. The hot wasn't too spicy, but I preferred the regular. We also got their Hushpuppies, which came out warm and crispy. It come with a BBQ aioli sauce for dipping. Make sure to add on some of their classic BBQ sides as well. I really enjoyed the mac and cheese and baked beans. They also have corn bread with a yummy honey butter. The best part is, everything is made in house from scratch! Friendly service! Their seating options range from smaller tables to larger tables to accommodate midsize parties and bar seating.

    What I got!
    Nichole D.

    I originally left a 1-star review because I was genuinely disappointed with what I received compared to what was pictured when I placed my order. However, I'm updating my review to 5 stars after the manager, Oscar, personally reached out to me the very next day. Oscar apologized for my experience and offered to refund my entire order. He also told me that the next time I'm in the area, I could ask for him personally so he could make sure my order was fulfilling. I honestly can't remember the last time I left a negative review and had a manager reach out so quickly and genuinely make an effort to make things right. Customer service is extremely important to me, and I really appreciate when a business stands behind its customers and takes feedback seriously. Oscar definitely went above and beyond. I also want to clarify that my original review was not about the quality of the food. The food is actually amazing! I've been to their other locations plenty of times and have always been happily satisfied. My issue was specifically with the portion and what I received compared to what was shown when ordering. At the end of the day, things happen, but how a business responds to an unhappy customer says a lot. Oscar turned a disappointing experience into a positive one, and I truly appreciate that. Thank you, Oscar, for reaching out and making things right. That kind of customer service deserves 5 stars. I'll definitely be back!

    Dino rib.
    Melinda B.

    Such good food!!! Their collard greens are made with their delicious smoky turkey; it's one of my favorite foods. All the sides are amazing, though, so it's hard to pick. The meat falls off the bone, soft and absolutely finger-licking good. Service was excellent, and the joint has a soulful ambiance that matches what comes out of the kitchen. There is parking in the back, so no stress about driving around looking for it. We shall be back.

    Draft Juicy IPA
    Joel M.

    Mother's day cravings were beef ribs, it helps to make reservations here sometimes gets pretty busy, a little parking located behind the restaraunt. We ordered enough food to create a mountain of meat. Beef Dinosaur ribs are massive and the beef fat renders a lot, making it kind of "greasy" if you aren't used to it it may catch you off guard like it did for me. The brisket was similar to the dino ribs. Pork ribs were really good not greasy at all. Mac was good. When they served us we never really saw the server again, I needed water bad! The hot BBQ sauce was my favorite, they have a really good dill ranch thing that came with our rib tips appetizer that was awesome. Overall decent BBQ, come hungry because the helpings can be alot. Dining room ambiance was chill lots of tables.

    A little bit of everything!
    Sandy A.

    Awesome food! Went there this past Fourth of July for my son's birthday and the food was really good. The staff were friendly and attentive. Would go back again.

    Salad
    Dana M.

    Party of 4.... It was my first time dining here and everyone else's 2nd time. Soon as we walked in, we were greeted right away. The wait was about 2 minutes. There were plenty of open tables and booths. They also have bar seating options with TV's as well. Once we got seated, our server Daylin (I hope I spelled it correctly) greeted us and gave us a rundown of the menu. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and made some excellent recommendations. He was very attentive as well. Everything on the menu looked delicious. We ordered beef ribs, dry rub wings, brisket, salad, Mac n cheese, fried okra and cornbread. Where do I begin!? My absolute favorite..... the wings. Do not dine here without ordering the dry rub wings. You get the entire wing seasoned to perfection! Delicious. As for the drinks, they do have a nice selection of cocktails. I ordered the CC rita (made with Henny) yum! They have a parking lot in the back (free) or you can look for meter parking. Definitely give this place a try!

    Corn bread, Rib tips, hot links (top) Brisket, ribs (2nd row) Chicken link (3rd row)  Mac n cheese, Cole slaw Lean brisket (bottom)
    Kathy X.

    The barbecue here is one of the best you will find in LA. The brisket is slow roasted for 14 hours, and you can taste how tender that meat is. The lean brisket, is also super tender and really good. My favorite meat, however, was the rib tips, they are so tender, you have to get them! The mild and medium barbecue sauces that come with all the meats are absolute perfection, and they have a lot of dimension to it. The mac & cheese is incredible along with the cornbread. Service is fantastic here, they are so nice and friendly. They are extremely busy, but the food comes out pretty quickly, and our server checked in on us pretty frequently.

    2 meats - brisket, ribs, baked beans, potato salad, AMAZING CORNBREAD.... sweet Bbcue sauce
    Miguel I.

    When I miss home Texas Bbcue this is THE PLACE that saves me! Quality of the meats and the sides are unmatched against other LA Bbcue places. Edith my waitress server was super sweet and very welcoming EXCELLENT SERVICE by all the STAFF.... Love their potato salad, baked beans, brisket, ribs. Fav Bbcue place in L.A.

    Loaded French fries
    Olive D.

    Bbq cravings for a weekend dinner. We ordered corn bread perfect side dish for the juicy and tender baby back ribs. Hush puppies and loaded French fries these alone are filling. We got seated right away, serve water and server got our order. Music playing on the background while huge screen TV surround the wall. A very chill vibes family friendly restaurant serving comfy foods.

    Dine LA plate $45

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    2 days ago

    Best BBQ around, there is no doubt! The service is outstanding and the ambiance is so backyard BBQ, its awesome! Can't wait to get back!

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    1 month ago

    Small portions for the price. And disgusting collard greens. Not sure when the quality changed, but def won't be back!

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    Page 1 of 21

    Ask the Community - Bludso's BBQ

    Does the Santa Monica location take reservations?

    Yes.

    Is takeout available?

    YES!

    View All 4 Questions

    The Mulberry - Cheesecake

    The Mulberry

    4.0(133 reviews)
    2.7 miSawtelle

    The moment I stepped into this restaurant, I immediately fell in love with the decor. We went…read morearound sunset, and the golden-hour lighting made the space even more beautiful. I was instantly so glad we chose this spot to celebrate our anniversary because it was the perfect setting for a romantic date night. Now, let's talk about the food! Everything we ordered was delicious, with the exception of the Korean aguachiles, which we probably could've skipped. We also tried the bluefin bibimbap, oysters, and the oh-so-tender short rib that practically melted in our mouths. But the most unforgettable dish was also the simplest: the Korean fried chicken. It wasn't necessarily something out of the ordinary, but it sure tasted like it. The perfect crisp, flavor, and seasoning had us eating every last piece right down to the bone. Our server also made the experience even better. She gave us some of the best recommendations and were incredibly attentive and friendly throughout the entire meal. We absolutely loved this restaurant and are already planning our next visit!

    The Mulberry is a cool, modern, more upscale Korean fine dining restaurant. The vibes are…read moredefinitely more date night - dark, moody, candlelit, and loud. My friend and I ordered the soy marinated prawns, beef tartare stone pot rice, creamy chicken soup, Wagyu beef soft tofu soup. The prawns were nicely marinated in a slightly sweet slightly salty soy sauce, and came paired with some barley and seaweed to make mini wraps. Delicious and a nice way to start the meal. The creamy chicken soup was indeed very creamy and smooth but the bowl is really small and would've been better with a higher soup to noodle ratio since the noodles soaked up the yummy soup. The tofu soup was surprisingly bland even though it was very red. It could've used more umami flavor or spice - something to jazz it up since the tofu, egg, and beef itself were not seasoned. My favorite dish of the night was the steak tartare stone pot rice. It came with a lot of veggies that helped balance out the sauce and I'm a sucker for crispy rice. However, the rice itself wasn't seasoned thoroughly as some spots had absolutely delicious sauce while other spots were bland. And the sauce wasn't a part of the tartare on top so it wasn't a mixing issue. The staff are kind and attentive, even with us being tucked away in the back corner and hidden by a curtain panel.

    Photos
    The Mulberry - Inside

    Inside

    The Mulberry - Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10

    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10

    The Mulberry - Kimchi pancakes

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    Kimchi pancakes

    R+D Kitchen - Fries & secret sauce.

    R+D Kitchen

    4.0(1.7k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I've eaten at R&D Kitchen in Yountville, Dallas, and Orange County, but this update is for the…read moreSanta Monica location -- my backyard! Per their website, R&D means all locations, so I guess consistency is the whole point. Great food, top-notch service, quaint atmosphere like always. We shared the dip duo first (must order), then I got the Knife and Fork Tuna Burger -- pan-seared ahi, iceberg, red onion, tomato. It's a limited item so ask about it if you don't see it on the menu. Ahi was cooked perfectly. We also shared a housemade chocolate chip cookie for dessert -- great way to end the meal. Can't go wrong here, and glad to have one this good so close to home!

    What a treat! During a summer in Orange County, we decided to plan a visit to LACMA and my…read morefavorite specialty boutique, Citron on Montana Ave. At Citron, we asked for a restaurant recommendation and the lovely Alex highly recommended R+D Kitchen. Thank you Alex! We loved R+D Kitchen! We lucked out on parking on Montana Ave. and were able to be seated immediately for a Sunday late lunch. Service is outstanding, with each and every staff interaction was a joy from the charming host to all servers. We had the fantastic Shrimp Louie, salad which included 4 huge, perfectly steamed shrimp and a luscious herby thousand island dressing, plus a perfectly cooked cheese omelette with Monterrey jack cheese (rather than the goat cheese). Delicious! Entrees came with a slice of toasted french-style bread which was the perfect accompaniment. I love restaurants that take special care of details, and R+D Kitchen is right there. Such comfortable seating, crispy napkins with button hole, heavy, easy to hold silverware and updated immaculate restrooms. The servers were all attired in immaculate, creative uniforms. I thought we'd have to make a trip to Montana Ave. a weekly event while we're here, but we just discovered there's an R+D Kitchen right here in Orange County, so we will definitely be trying that!

    Photos
    R+D Kitchen - The kitchen

    The kitchen

    R+D Kitchen - Smoked trout dip

    Smoked trout dip

    R+D Kitchen

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    Laurel Grill - Smoked Bacon and Pineapple Pizza

    Laurel Grill

    4.3(533 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $$$

    Visiting La Laurel Grill during a trip back home felt like a warm, comforting hug. The beautiful…read morewooden interior, soft ambient lighting, and inviting bar area create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to linger for hours over a great meal. The service was wonderfully attentive, adding to the relaxed and pleasant feel of the evening. The standout moment was undeniably the Meatballs, which brought back fond, nostalgic memories of the homemade meatballs my grandmother used to make. The menu impressed across the board, featuring delicious Bacon Wrapped Dates, fresh Hamachi Crudo, and flavorful Smoked Bacon pizza that rounded out an incredible dinner.

    On a random Saturday night my gals and I went to Culver City to eat. Found this place on instagram…read moreand it looked good. So right off the bat, there isn't any parking for this place. It's a garage lot for the entire little area. It's not free parking by the way. Anyway back to the restaurant, we waited for about 15 min at most which was nice considering she initially said 45 min. The waitress was super nice, the food was okay. Small portions for the prices we paid. I felt like our plates could use more flavor, they felt a bit bland. The ambiance was lowkey like a romantic casual if that makes sense. Low lighting with heaters outside and you're looking out to the small little buildings next to the stairs. Moral of the story, I don't think I'd go back here. Not because my experience was bad, primarily because I felt like the food was a bit over priced, and not really worth the price.

    Photos
    Laurel Grill - Also where the magic happens

    Also where the magic happens

    Laurel Grill - Fully assembled cheeseburger. Perfectly cooked.

    Fully assembled cheeseburger. Perfectly cooked.

    Laurel Grill - A specialty Vespa and a perfect martini with blue cheese olives

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    A specialty Vespa and a perfect martini with blue cheese olives

    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    4.2(4.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    We had a very good experience here! Our waitress was friendly, fast, and gave great…read morerecommendations! We split two appetizers, which was plenty due to the portion size. Drinks were delicious and the vibe was fun!

    I finally made it to The Misfit in Santa Monica, and honestly, the interior is giving major…read moreBalthazar-meets-Parisian-speakeasy energy. It's located in the old Clock Tower building, and the Art Deco decor is absolutely stunning--dark enough to hide a bad day but vibrant enough for a girls' night. The Vibe: It's loud, lively, and perfectly "bohemian chic". If you're coming on a weekend, prepare for a crowd, but it's the good kind of crowded where everyone looks like they just came from a gallery opening. The Food: I'm still thinking about the Crispy Chicken Sandwich--it was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and came with a fennel-apple slaw that actually felt fresh. We also shared the Bacon Wrapped Dates (obviously) and the Hand Cut Kennebec Fries, which arrive in a bowl so huge it could basically be its own zip code. The Drinks: Their Happy Hour is arguably the best in the city. I had the Japanese Dream with matcha, and it was expertly crafted--not too sweet, which is my biggest pet peeve. The "Misfit" Moment: The service can be a tiny bit slow when it's "rammed," and there's a 4% kitchen fee that feels a bit unnecessary, but they make up for it with those complimentary sea salt chocolate chip cookies at the end. They are warm, gooey, and life-changing. One major heads-up: I heard a rumor they might be closing their doors on April 18th due to some landlord drama, so get there while you still can.

    Photos
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

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    Massilia

    Massilia

    4.3(1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    When mom is in town, she puts my love of LA restaurants to good use and has me book a trendy place…read morefor her and her sisters. Today, I got to join the fun and enjoy a lovely dinner at Massillia! Surprised the relatives for their 5:30 reservation. I was supposed to stay for just a drink, but I was having such a great time, I had to crash the entire dinner! 5:30 on a Friday night was the perfect time. It was chill and quiet. The restaurant itself is super relaxing and had a nice ambiance. To start, I asked the waitress to bring me a fruity cocktail and what she handed me was delicious. I totally forgot to snag the name, but it was refreshing and yummy. For food, my aunts ordered EVERYTHING! we are a vegetable loving family and definitely got lots of yum yum that reflected that: ratatouille, salad, mushrooms, calamari, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salmon flatbread, and so much more. Everything was so flavorful! I really enjoyed every dish we got! If I had to choose some absolute favorites it would be the salad and the ratatouille! Both were incredible ( along with everything else). Finished the meal off with the pear dessert and a glass of port. Yummy! Great meal with family! I'll happily be back in Massilia to have another lovely dinner.

    Food was alright, the pizza flavor was good but the crust was too hard…read more Ambiance is nice and the shop is a walkable distance to 3rd street promenade.

    Photos
    Massilia - Rolling fresh pita bread

    Rolling fresh pita bread

    Massilia - Shrimp Aguachile - Avocado

    Shrimp Aguachile - Avocado

    Massilia - Fresh Homemade pasta with Kale and Squash

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    Fresh Homemade pasta with Kale and Squash

    Bludso's BBQ - bbq - Updated September 2026

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