Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Rodney's Ribs

    4.4 (240 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Rodney's Ribs Photos

    RODNEY'S RIBS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Rodney's Ribs

    Recommended Reviews - Rodney's Ribs

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Coach P.

    Rodney was super nice and provided great service! I really enjoyed all of the sides, which were full of flavor. The ribs were just okay for me, but I'm definitely looking forward to trying the brisket next time. Overall, I had a good experience and would recommend giving this spot a try!

    brisket plate + Mac n cheese
    Holly H.

    Food: - brisket/brisket sandwich: 6.5/10, would love to have the sauce on the side - ribs: 7.5/10, pretty good, would get again - Mac n cheese and potato salad were not stellar but they were tasty Service: - expect a wait time, we waited for 50 minutes - we weren't sure if we had to wait bc we came in the middle of the afternoon/not during peak lunch time, or we were just waiting for a fresh batch of meats - Rodney was super friendly! Ambiance: - no seating outside - spacious lot

    Sunny S.

    Rodney makes my favorite brisket sandwich in all of LA. The food here is fantastic. The meat is always juicy and tender and full of flavor. The portions here are massive. I still can't believe how good his sandwich is! He service is great as Rodney is always super nice!! He usually parks his truck in a parking lot on Lake street.

    Rodney's dinner
    Shawn S.

    Amazing barbecue food truck that specializes in ribs. We ordered Rodney's dinner that came with 5 juicy, fall of the bone ribs and 2 sides, as well as 2 extra ribs a la carte. The food was very tasty and satisfying. The ribs were drenched in sauce but surprisingly not uber sweet. The beans and potato salad were great complements to the ribs. Friendly service in a large parking lot.

    Hot Links
    Henry L.

    To all Pasadena residents, Rodney's Ribs is an absolute institution. Rodney has parked his truck there for decades and it has been consistently delicious all this time. If you're looking for "fall off the bone ribs" (this generation calls it "tendernism") or ribs that taste like smoke, then Rodney's is not for you. If you're looking for tender ribs with that perfect amount of chew and a fabulous bbq sauce with just the right sweetness-to-spicy kick ratio, then this is THE spot. I usually ask for the sauce on the side but when Rodney forgets and lays it on, I'm not going to complain because the sauce is damn tasty and he gives you so much bread that I can just use the top layer of sauce as my personal dip. The ribs are the star no doubt but don't miss the brisket and hot links because they can hold their own as well. But what makes it complete is Rodney himself. The man is a true gentleman and his love of bbq and his creations are infectious and we can't help but feel like we're guests at his backyard barbecue.

    Brisket Sandwich thinly sliced with generous portion. Absolutely delicious!
    Cindy S.

    I love Rodney's Ribs! His lean BBQ Brisket Sandwich is delicious! It's thinly sliced, but he is generous on portion of food. The Pork ribs have a nice bite to them, yet tender. The homemade side dishes are delicious as well. His BBQ are lightly smoked and are perfectly sauced. Rodney's mobile BBQ isn't fancy and the menu is straight forward. You can find him at the CVS parking lot on Lake Ave and Mountain St , access from Roma Market. If you plan on stopping by, I would call ahead to see if he is there, sometimes he sells out for the day or running behind. His food are delicious and made with care. Credit Credit and Cash accepted.

    Rib tips. I didn't take this pic but it looked just like this. I ate them all too fast before taking a pic
    Launi K.

    This review I not normal as Mr Rodney was serving food while the Eaton fires were still burning in Altadena. I appreciate so much that he was still serving his amazing bbq in the middle of such a devastating time. When I went they didn't have all of the meat options nd veggie. But what he do have was delicious! I got the rib tip and brisket. They were tender and top quality. He is in a truck in the cvs parking lot on Lake. Please go out and support this business and know you will be getting great food in re

    rib tibs

    Love this food truck so much that we visited 2x in 2 weeks! The meat is tender, the bbq sauce isn't too sweet or overwhelming, the sides are delicious and the prices aren't ridiculous. The truck is parked in the corner of the CVS parking lot Tuesdays-Saturdays. I suggest calling ahead to make sure he's there and to see what meats he has left. On our first visit he only had brisket left BUT it was one of the best bbq briskets i've had so no regrets. I haven't had a bad dish yet and the order of faves so far: 1) Brisket 2) Ribs 3) Potato salad with eggs in it =) 4) Mac n' cheese 5) Rib tips 6) Coleslaw 7) the white bread lolz i mean, it's bread. i made a potato salad + meat sammich with it

    Ribs Plate with Potatos Salad and Green Beans
    Lucy B.

    It was authentic! There's just something special about when small business owners pour their heart and soul into what they do--and you can taste the difference! We had the ribs and brisket--yum, yum, and yum! We also enjoyed the potato salad and the green beans (they had already sold out of the other sides, which tells you something!). Everything was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. A big thank you to Rodney and Andre--the Dynamic Duo! Your love for food and your passion for sharing it with others really shines through. My husband told me, "You need to write a review!"--and he gave it 10 out of 10 stars (and he's pickier than I am!). We'll definitely be back. Until next time! ~ Sandra

    $5.00 for green bean
    Misael S.

    As I walked up I was told to wait since the computer wasn't working. I ordered a brisket sandwich with a side of green beans. The menu reads $4.10 for sides. I was charged $500 for green beans . I asked for the sauce on the side which ended up with a sloppy brisket sandwich

    Rodney's special with green beans and potato salad
    Michelle T.

    I tried Rodney's special, and it was great. The ribs were flavorful and saucy, and the food came out quickly with minimal wait time. They accept both card and cash. I didn't get a chance to try the mac and cheese this time, but I'm looking forward to it on my next visit. Rodney was friendly, and overall, I really enjoyed my experience.

    James W.

    A local fixture for Pasadena, Rodney's Ribs brings mobile smokey BBQ to a CVS parking lot. When open, you can see his smoking setup working. A commercial smoker in a trailer. The menu is simple and you'll find the usual fixings for Brisket, Spareribs, and Pulled Pork. Both Sandwiches and entree orders are available and everything is laden with sauce unless you ask otherwise. All of the BBQ is well to heavily smoked. Depending on the time and day there are shortages and inconsistencies. I found the brisket to be sliced too thin but may work well in a sandwich. Ribs were not always consistent and certainly dry if not consumed right away and/or reheated. Kudos and credit are given for the mobile setup. When it's good it's great.

    Olivia S.

    Been debating this review and what level of stars to give. Sometimes I get on bbq/brisket kicks. I had brisket the day before and wanted more. I was going to make a salad and throw some on. I like the brisket at Craft & Fire, 1/2 lb is $14. I used this as the baseline. I wanted to support black and local business and try this place. I called close to closing and was told it was $17 and they'd have it ready. I figured $3 wasn't too much more to support the business. I got there and was told my total was $21! Excuse you?! He said the other guy made a mistake and it was $19! I was less than impressed. I had just called, they could've honored what I was told. I begrudgingly paid and left. Strike 1. I tried the meat. It's ok. Nothing to write home about. I actually had a number of hard, inedible pieces. I'm not sure I cared for the sauce being on it either. $14 is doable, for $19 it better be AMAZING and it wasn't. The experience w the money and the meat not being fab all left a taste in my mouth. I talked to my chiro (also a black small business owner) and he said he'd been there and said they were pricey but that he enjoyed the ribs. He understood my reluctance but wasn't shocked by my experience. Would I go back? Not sure honestly. I can't think of anything redeeming with the meat or my customer service experience.

    Brisket sandwich with a side of mac'n'cheese

    See all

    Photo of Joshua D.
    132
    76
    29

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Coach P.
    5
    191
    482

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Rodney's is the BEST bbq in Pasadena, hands down! Have tried several others; trucks, dine-in, delivery...none as good as his!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jes V.
    33
    30
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 13
    Love this 32
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lucy B.
    0
    26
    39

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Amy C.
    0
    13
    0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John W.
    21
    89
    12

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    That's some good BBQ. The meat is tender and flavorful. There are not many BBQ places in Pasadena. So, you get it where you can.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    OOH EMM GEE! mmmm, mmm, mmm! You have to have Rodney's Ribs. If you have not, you must. No matter what plate you get, you WILL-BE-SATISFIED.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sir V.
    2
    37
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great guys and awesome food! They came for our event at a local park and did not dissapoint.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ed Z.
    0
    10
    0

    1 year ago

    Incredible barbecue with fast service. A good variety of choices with great side dishes

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Simply the best, better than all the rest. Rodney Of The Rib is the king of bbq ribs in Altadena and all of Los Angeles.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Rodney's Ribs

    Is Rodney's there this summer? Tried a few times Feb-Apr and could never find the truck.

    Yes!

    Is Rodney's still open? Not sure where they are located now that the Christmas trees are in the parking lot at CVS

    YES, He's still in the general area depending on parking, when trees are done he'll move back to usual location

    View All 4 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Food Trucks 16,360 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Los California Tacos

    Los California Tacos

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $

    I've been coming here a while time now (at least to me since like 2017) and their focus on just…read moreserving the best street tacos and nachos with the cheese whiz sauce is incredible. They have a small simple counter to the left of the truck so you can stuff your gullet right there next to what is a nicely kept but unassuming food truck in front of a Japanese specialty auto shop. It's cash only, but there's Chase and BofA pretty close by if you need an ATM. Parking is limited to Fair Oaks unless you wanna walk past all those antique shops up North on Fair Oaks towards this other taco truck which I like less than this one! There's an interesting Santa statue on the store to the right of this truck that I always think about. All of the taco meats are good. I don't even like cabeza, lengua, or chicharron but it is delectable here. They have pollo, carne asada, and carnitas too. There's also a pineapple beverage, horchata, or Coke cans to drink. It's a simple menu but a strong one.

    Excellent tacos! The menu is limited but everything is delicious. The salsas are full of flavor and…read morethey serve a good portion of meat. They offer onion and cilantro separately which is a rare perk at taco spots. They sell horchata and pineapple drinks (recommend), and a few soda options. Truck workers are friendly and efficient, you receive your food moments after ordering. There's a bar style table off to the side if you want to eat there, no seating options but the area is clean. *CASH ONLY* and well worth a stop at the ATM. Open late weekdays and even later on the weekend, great spot for a late night bite.

    Photos
    Menu
    Menu
    Los California Tacos
    Los California Tacos

    See all

    Fat Boys

    Fat Boys

    4.7
    (76 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I went to the Rose Bowl for Pokemon Go Tour: Kalos. It takes place outside and it was sunny as well…read moreas a bit cold. Birds were chirping and music was playing out of the speakers scattered throughout the area. It's a food truck. I ordered the cheesy Mikey. I only waited less than 5 minutes for it. The line to order was pretty long. I waited in that line for an hour or longer. But that's understandable since a lot of groups ordered tons of items while it was just me that ordered. I got to speak to Mike since one of his employees left. He verified my order, gave me napkins since it's not self serve and pointed out the ketchup and other condiments I think. The cheeseburger came with lettuce tomato onion garlic aioli sauce and the patty. I loved how all the flavors blended together, nothing was overpowering. It came with fries and it filled me up. The portion size was perfect. My order was $23.84 but that's because I tipped 10% and I think it was worth it. My one gripe was that they don't accept cash which is understandable because the kiosk was card only. I should've walked to the front and checked it or asked an employee. Yelp assistant said they accept cash so that needs to be corrected to sometimes or never.

    The Fat Boy's catering truck came to cater for an event nearby and they did a great, efficient, and…read morefriendly job feeding so many people! I didn't wait too long for my food either and I can understand how stressful it can get and how backed up the orders can get too. Their speedy work is doubly impressive because they offered multiple things off their menu and allowed people to make customizations too. I got the Cheesy Mikey, which is their hand crafted 1/2 lb angus beef patty burger. The burger is seasoned with their Mike's Fat Boy's seasoning. The burger comes with a generous portion of chopped lettuce, sliced tomato, American cheese on a grilled brioche bun (it was grilled with butter and had a nice tasty crispy edge of the bun). The burger came with their garlic aioli sauce. It's a very filling burger and perfect for me since I didn't have breakfast. I will have to admit that this burger is a bit saltier than what I would have liked, but if you balance out your bites to get enough lettuce and tomato within the ratio, it balances out the saltiness, but if there's the option to adjust it, I definitely would. Overall, pretty good!

    Photos
    Fat Boys
    Fat Boys
    Fat Boys

    See all

    Big Grandma's Kitchen

    Big Grandma's Kitchen

    4.2
    (75 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Got to visit my favorite pupusa truck at the LA After Dark Night Market. And the pupusas were…read morecrispier than ever. I had two revueltas. The refried black beans are a little on the salty side (which I like, but fair warning for sensitive palates) and are the perfect consistency. This was the first time I had the plantains and honestly the $19 combo plate was pretty filling for me, so I had to share them! My plate also came with three different dips/salsas: a sweet one for the plantains, a light cheesy sauce, and a mild salsa. The revueltas and the black beans were definitely my favorite part of the experience.

    Big Grandma's really knows how to slang a mean pupusa. The masa was moist, and there was no…read moreskimping on the lard - resulting in the most flavorful pupusa I've ever had. Grandma's is incontrovertibly the best pupusa in LA, that's for damn sure. I ordered the cheese pupusa (with the most hearty cheese-to-masa ratio - yum!), which contains zucchini and nopales. This was absolutely insane. It also came with the salsa roja (also very flavorful), plantain, and curtido (a pickled slaw). They currently have a link to their gofundme up on their instagram (@biggrandmaskitchen), because sadly the owner's cooking equipment and tools burnt down during the Eaton Fire. Despite having had tragedy strike them recently, this local small business is still selflessly giving back to the communities of Altadena and Pasadena by regularly donating food to residents and first responders at community food drives, so I strongly urge everybody to consider donating, or at least buy a pupusa or two - you will NOT regret it! Rooting for this small biz to thrive!

    Photos
    Big Grandma's Kitchen
    Combo G - 2 Pupusas, Plantains, Beans, Sour Cream & Sauce
    Combo G - 2 Pupusas, Plantains, Beans, Sour Cream & Sauce
    Found them next to the soccer field at Charles White Park on Sunday

    See all

    Found them next to the soccer field at Charles White Park on Sunday
    Dina's Dumpling

    Dina's Dumpling

    3.8
    (111 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    This was essentially highway robbery. I tried at the USC APM Lunar New Year event and there was…read morereally not other food options and my toddler was hungry. $18 for 6 dumplings is absolutely diabolical! They were very average dumplings with thick skins and very oily from the pan fry. The filling was not special and filled with only meat. Real ones know you need either Napa cabbage or celery to give it freshness. Unfortunately, I had no choice but would not have eaten here. If you have other choices, go there. I had to order 4 dishes for my family $82 total --Ruined my day and I felt like I got robbed clean.

    As someone of Taiwanese descent who makes a mean homemade dumpling, it's hard to find DUMPLING that…read moreholds up to my standards, and I even get disappointed with cult favorites like Din Tai Fung and Paradise Dynasty. I first tried Dina's Dumplings a few years ago when they used to have their food truck pop ups at UCLA, and even up til the last time I had their food (last week), their quality is extremely consistent and high. Their dumplings might not look the most meticulously wrapped, but the unpretentious homemade-style wrapper and high quality, protein-packed fillings (which never have bones, tendon, fat, or shells mind you) definitely do not disappoint. My favorites are their shrimp and chicken dumplings, which are so flavorful and juicy, as well as their noodles, which are a solid chow mien/pan fried noodle option. My only gripe is that for their prices, the portion sizes are quite small, but it's a price I'm willing to pay for their amazing quality. Highly recommend checking them out if you happen to stumble upon one of their pop ups!

    Photos
    Small combo
    Small combo
    Five spice noodles
    Five spice noodles
    Pork and beef dumplings

    See all

    Pork and beef dumplings
    Smokehouse Social Barbecue

    Smokehouse Social Barbecue

    4.3
    (207 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Husband suggested barbecue for dinner, and this spot happened to be right across the street from…read morethe Vons market we usually go to -- what an absolute gem of a place! The staff told us Tuesdays are usually busy, but because of Memorial Day weekend, most of their rush came earlier in the weekend, so tonight was nice, chill, and relaxed. Love the huge open windows and bar set up. We ordered the brisket, Sy Louis pork ribs, chicken wings, blue masa cornbread, mac & cheese, and finished dinner with the apple cheddar pie. Everything was absolutely delicious. The brisket was tender, smoky, and practically melted in your mouth. The chicken wings were crispy and perfectly seasoned. The ribs were smoky with just the right touch of sweetness. But the real standout for me was the blue masa cornbread -- absolutely incredible. And the apple cheddar pie was the perfect ending to dinner. The balance of sweet and savory flavors paired so beautifully together. 10/10 -- we'll definitely be back again!

    After searching for a good BBQ spot in the San Gabriel Valley, we came across this place and…read moredecided to give it a try. It's located in what used to be a Dickey's Barbecue Pit. Overall, the food was good, but we were disappointed that they had already run out of ribs. We were told that on weekends you should call ahead and place your order if you want to make sure you get them--definitely something to keep in mind. The brisket was a bit too fatty for my taste, but the coleslaw was delicious, and the mac and cheese was solid. I'd say it's worth checking out and deciding for yourself, but if ribs are what you're after, be sure to order them in advance.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Smoke'n Brisket Burger
    Smoke'n Brisket Burger
    Sweet tea-lemonade mix

    See all

    Sweet tea-lemonade mix

    Rodney's Ribs - foodtrucks - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...