It’s a fact that L.A.’s BBQ game now rivals any in the nation, blending Texas tradition with West Coast polish. Below are ten must-try destinations—strategically spread across the city, the Valley, and the Westside. Likewise, these selections are guaranteed to elevate your 4th of July dining experience while you enjoy fireworks overhead.
Bludso’s BBQ
Location: Mid-City, La Brea
Kevin Bludso’s flagship cranks out Central-Texas classics: pepper-crusted brisket, monster beef ribs, and jalapeño-cheddar links that leave a gentle burn. Nab the Smoke Box Sampler to feed a crowd, then finish with banana pudding so silky it doubles as dessert and palate extinguisher.
Moo’s Craft Barbecue
Location: Lincoln Heights
What started as a backyard pop-up now draws hours-long lines for wagyu brisket, pork belly burnt ends, and smoked barbacoa tacos. Early birds score the prized “El Jefe” platter—every meat plus a cup of creamy elote esquites.
Maple Block Meat Co.
Location: Culver City
Pitmaster Daniel Weiss helms a white-oak smoker that perfumes Sepulveda Boulevard. Order the fatty brisket by weight, pair it with seasonal farmers-market sides, and grab a to-go pint of pimento cheese for tomorrow’s sandwich upgrade.
Swinging Door BBQ
Location: North Hollywood
A two-forked offset smoker perfumes Vanowen Street with mesquite, turning out lacquered spare ribs, fatty brisket, and garlic-herb fries that stay crisp to the last bite. Plenty of parking and generous takeaway platters make it a July 4 party lifesaver.
The Memphis Grill
Location: North Hollywood
Takeout-only but worth every curbside minute, this Tennessee-style shack piles pulled pork, dry-rubbed ribs, and smoked chicken into paper boats. Sides—candied yams, coleslaw, corn muffins—taste like a Southern reunion on Lankershim.
Domestic BBQ
Location: Covina & La Puente
California flair meets Southern tradition: rib-eye steaks, tri-tip flautas, and tea-smoked duck breast share menu space with peach-glazed ribs. Order the saucy pot pie if it’s on the board, then finish with banana pudding in a Mason jar.
Bo Daddy’s BBQ
Location: South Park, DTLA
Smoke billows from barrel pits outside this no-frills storefront. Mango coleslaw cools the heat of spicy links, while the smoked Philly cheesesteak guarantees next-day leftovers—assuming it survives the drive home.
Harry’s Oklahoma Style Smokehouse BBQ
Location: Gardena
New to the South Bay rotation, Harry’s sticks to hickory and low-n-slow tradition. Expect smoky bologna sandwiches under a canopy of American flags and picnic tables—pure July spirit without the grill cleanup.
Heritage Barbecue & Brewery
Location: Historic South Central
OC’s famed pitmasters now smoke Central-Texas brisket and hatch-chile sausage for the city crowd. The brewing arm pours hazy IPAs that cut through fatty bark like citrusy fireworks.
Woody’s Bar-B-Que
Location: South L.A.
An icon since 1975, Woody’s still slow-cooks over red oak, turning out rib tips and hot links that defined Crenshaw’s smoke scene decades before the craft-cue wave. Order a small rib dinner with extra sauce and embrace a glorious mess.