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Hollywood has two options for American style BBQ, Zeke's and Huston's. Huston's is the clear winner. Why? Let me break it down.
Huston's has only slightly better meat but, much better sauce. Zeke's sauce flat out suck's compared to Huston's.
Huston's is about half the price of Zeke's (cha-ching).
The only advantage Zeke's has on Huston's is the venue. Huston's is a small little run down looking hole in the wall (with minimum seating), while Zeke's has newer building and a nice big dining area.
Zeke's has a wider variety of side dishes too but, who eats BBQ for the sides anyways.
So here is the bottom line. If you're looking for good meat and great sauce, go to Huston's. If you're with a big group, want a pretty location and lot's of choices for sides, go to Zeke's. I suppose if you're taking a girl/guy out and you want to look like a big spender, got to Zeke's too. Although, if you're girl/guy cares more about the quality of the food than the amount your paying for it, Huston's should be your choice.
On a side note, having relatives that are transplants from Texas and Memphis and have been grilling grade a Q since before I was born, I feel like I'm a pretty decent judge of good vs. poor BBQ.
One last thing. Huston's official hours are 11 to 9. However, if it's after 7:00pm, always call Huston's to make sure they are open. They are notorious for closing early if things are slow.
Good lord! I got the tip from a co-worker and was very upset with him after this visit. I saw a brick and mortar pit in the kitchen and a dingy dining area. I thought it was gonna be money. Nope.
First off, they use chuck instead of brisket...WRONG! And then the meat was cooked way too long. Almost the consistency of beef jerkey. Tried the ribs too and they were undercooked. Had to tear the rubbery meat from the bone.
Surprises me how many people don't know what bbq is or think that there is only one style. And bugs the crap out of me when they try to combine the two into one place. Can't do it. TX style is smoke and beef. Southern style is pork and sauce. Spring st. is the closest I've seen bbq come to the real stuff in TX (but still not even close). Stay away from this trash or order extra sauce to lube your throat before attempting to swallow that mess. Peace!
I have easily eaten here over 100 times in 30 years.
As of late (the last few years) they suck.
But their fries are still a favorite.
I'll start the review with the fact that I have lived in Texas (including Houston) for the past six years and just moved back to my home state of CA recently. I am now very picky about my BBQ and prefer tangy/spicy/vinegary type sauce (with the exception of really liking the sweet Salt Lick BBQ sauce in Austin).
I will say that Huston's is my second favorite BBQ spot in LA after Bludso's in Compton. I tried the chopped beef sandwich, potato salad, and also tasted the ribs. The chopped beef sandwich was flavorful and had those nice tasty crunchy bits. Potato salad was a nice addition, but nothing super awesome. The ribs were pretty good, not nearly as fall off the bone like Bludso's, but they get the job done. The key for me is the sauce. I liked the tangy/smokey sauce flavor, so adding that to tender flavorful meat equals a winner in my book.
I pulled in to the tiny valet driveway next to the restaurant and the guy let me pull in and park myself after I told him I was going to eat at Huston's. I don't see it being a problem unless the lot is full I guess.
I will probably be back because it is so much more convenient than going down to Compton and waiting a long time for food.
Man, I've been waiting to try this place and let me tell you all that waiting was totally worth it!! The sandwiches are so good! You can order them with slaw in the sandwiches which i didn't know about until after i already ate. I guess i'm just gonna have to make another trip (yay).
I got the bbq beef regular size, and it was soft and juicy meat smothered in bbq sauce that was both tangy and smokey tasting. It was perfect for the holiday weekend! You know Memorial day brings the bbq season and this place beats the work of having to do it yourself (not that i could do it that well).
I was born and raised in the South and am constantly looking for places that serve southern style food to suffice my cravings.
Huston's is good for just that if you're looking for a good pulled pork BBQ sandwich and baked beans. My husband had the "Brownie," which is beef instead of pork and it was good too.
We will definitely go back or order take-out from Hustons's. My pulled pork sandwich was awesome... really juicy, no fat, prepared right in front of me, etc. Their BBQ sauce is pretty good, and the baked beans were as well. The only complaint I can really offer is that they don't have much to offer for sides... fries, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad--no mac & cheese, green beans, etc.
Serviceable Texas BBQ is slow-cooked at this half restaurant/half shack on Cahuenga and Hollywood. The menu consists of the standard plates with side dishes. I had the beef ribs and found them fairly good, though not as tender as I've had elsewhere. The bbq sauce was sweet and the meat itself had a nice bone taste to it. The baked beans and macaroni were baked beans and macaroni.
Limited lot parking is available and the service was quick, quick.
I don't know, BBQ is a weird thing for me... I've never had BBQ that's blown me away. It fills me up and makes me feel like a man. Perhaps it's like wine where my palate simply isn't educated enough to differentiate the subtler points.
And then again, maybe it's all just a pile of sauced up meat that goes down messy and makes you feel like a cowboy.
Either way... I'll do Huston's again, but I'll probably be drunk the next time.
Disclosure: I've been eating here once a week for 2 years.
What NOT to expect: Ambiance. Décor. Salads. Tofu. Valet.
What to expect: Delicious, authentic slow-cooked pit barbecue. A modest shotgun-style building. You go there for the food, and the food is delicious. Their pulled pork (they call it "brownie") is juicy and cooked to perfection.
What should you order?
1. Brownie Combo: Pulled pork, open-face on a toasted bun. Two sides (baked beans, macaroni, coleslaw...)
2. Brownie / Ribs Combo: Same as above, but half ribs, half pulled pork.
Not bad. Convenient location makes this a go to when you are in the area. I had a pretty reasonable meal for 11 bucks including tax which was a beef rib dinner with the 2 sides being beans and french fries. Friendly crew, more often found playing video games when customers are thin and far between. Nothing special, nothing bad, and recommended.
Rarely can I write a review as I am actually eating the food. That is precisely what I am doing now. You know why? "Cause HUSTON'S DELIVERS! Woot! +1 Bonus star
After walking five miles today I sprawled on the couch and had a major BBQ craving. Since the PIG is closed, all that's left around here is Zeke's (overpriced and soul-less) and Huston's. It was a no brainer.
I ordered a pulled pork sandiwch with slaw and beans, and some Beef Ribs (I figured they would make good leftovers).
Delivery was prompt and courteous. The whole thing cost $25 including tip and delivery.
The pulled pork sandwich comes on a sesame seed burger bun. The meat is tender but flavorless. I hit it with a lot of hot sauce.
The slaw is decent enough though I am a huge fan of shredded slaw, as opposed to chopped into fine bits. The beans are good - sweet and smokey.
The beef ribs are meaty. Again, the meat itself is flavorless. It is soft and comes off the bone, but my suspicion is that this is not from a very long cooking process... I think they pre-boil the meat.
The sauce is tangy. It lacks spice and complexity though.
All in all, I think I will continue my pattern of ordering from them every six months or so and feeling ok about the whole experience.
Every time I'm in L.A., I get shit from a friend who can't believe I love it so much. It only makes me love it more :)
Hole-in-the-wall dive restaurant with the best BBQ in Hollywood.
This isn't a place to take a date.…
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Pulled Pork like I remember in Kentucky.
I pass by Houston's on the way to work every morning and the owner always waves hello when he sees me. The attitude at this place is cordial and human. And it's not dressed up. JUST like the places I'd frequent in Kentucky, the smaller places, not the big steak and rib houses)
Houston's always hits the spot whenever I'm homesick or need some grounding. I had searched all over for decent pulled pork. The kind that's torn up, not chunked. with sauce dripping (it's not the best sauce ever, but it really is tangy and nicely sweetened). It's fast, fairly cheap, and always reliable.
Now, this is a Texas BBQ joint, so I don't really know what the differences are, but I wished they had some South East stuff, like green beens...or Burgoo...or...Ale81. But the semi-sparse menu means they know their customers. It also means my vegetarian friends can't come.
They could invest in a stuffed boars head, though. THAT is missing.
Pronounced Houston's this little BBQ shack is pretty good.
Its cheap for BBQ and the meat aint bad. Its not 4 or 5 star
quality but its a good eat if your in the neighborhood and
craving a BBQ sandwhich.
Oh Ma Gawd!
So last night near the beginning of the debauchery that was Christine's 21st b-day party I was standing outside of the Burgundy Room enjoying a cigarette and I can see and smell the amazing-ness that is Huston's Texas BBQ
So I had a small amount of dinner but the more I stared at the place the more I was getting hungry
And me being the standard yelper I have to try every fabulous hole in the wall place I am drawn to
I was right
Quick, kind and polite service
AMAZING food, I had the pork sandwich, and it was delectable
The meat was tender with just the right amount of spicy-sweet bbq sauce on a soft warm bun
Guuhhhh I am drooling right now!
It's a bad sign when the best reviews of a place are from people who rated it based on their experience when they were shitfaced. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but just about any greasy, bad-for-you food tastes good when you're hammered.
I've been here once (stone cold sober, btw), tried the ribs, and never went back. This is not because the ribs were bad, but they certainly weren't anything special. Didn't think the sauce was anything to write home about, didn't think the meats were particularly tasty or well-cooked. Not a disaster, but let me say this: I love the shit out of BBQ, and I live not far away, yet I have never once been moved to return. Mediocrity doesn't do it for me.
The remainder of this is a plea: where oh where is the good BBQ in LA? I've been spoit for choice in other cities: Rockland's or Capital Q in DC; Uncle John's in Chicago; and Van's Pig Stand in Norman, OK being my faves. But does LA just not represent on this front? I am growing to think the answer is yes, but if you can tell me I'm wrong I'd love to hear it.
This place isn't the best BBQ place that i've tried but its definitely better than Tony Roma's or any of those other chained rib places. Its a little hole in the wall kind of place but it has great food.
I dislike partying in Hollywood. It's just jammed with Bridge-and-Tunnel Entourage-wannabes whose goal in life is to annoy me with their banalities (overheard once: "Hey, are those jeans True Religion?" -- a dude said this).
And because I can't seem to get my drinking groove on in that area, I will never experience the magic that most Yelpers seem to feel when they have Huston's barbeque at 2 in the A.M. while they're stinking drunk.
I've tried Huston's twice. The first time, I thought their beef ribs were gamey.
Because I don't want to base my opinions solely on first impressions* I gave this joint another chance.
*If people judged me solely on their first impression, they'd think that suave-icity was my only dimension ~ when in fact, debonair and smoove-ness are the two other dimensions that make up the Man-that-is-Edgar.
The second time, I ordered pork ribs and I was so hungry that tree bark would've tasted good to me. And yet, I was disappointed with Huston's barbeque.
I guess one of these days, I will be suckered into hanging out at Star Shoes or Cinespace - during which I will have to down more than my usually allowance of Vodka tonics to tune out the vapid conversations about Lindsay's latest nip slip or Britney's exposed coocher-roocher. Then afterwards, maybe I will finally experience the Huston's orga-nasm that other Yelpers have had.
Unfortch, I can only give this place *gasp* two stars ~ both of which are for the service, which was friendly and efficient.
It was either McD's, Jack in the Box, Fred 62's or BBQ one Saturday night. After a few, I mean, after drinking A LOT Saturday night we came here after noticing they were the only place between the bar and the parking garage that was open late without the wait for food and no reservations.
The place is so bright I had to wear shades. But I didn't have any so my eyes had to adjust themselves from being in a dark bar to a bright restaurant. The food is mostly BBQ, of course, with a friendly staff. We had some tasty pork burgers and chili cheese fries. Delicious! It's nice to have food in our stomachs to soak up all that booze.
Now if only my hangover was as tasty :(
chanced upon this place because we were looking for something quick to eat before going to see ken oak at hotel cafe.
very mom & pop looking shop that has been around since 1944. walked and and the guy was very nice. greeted us and asked if we'd ever been here. then said that their pulled pork and brownie (pulled beef) sandwiches are really good. ribs as well if you like ribs.
so i tried the brownie plate which came with french fries and coleslaw. the brownie is tasty but not overwhelmingly good. felt like it had a bit too much bbq sauce that cut the natural flavor of the meat itself.
this place is your basic southern bbq at very reasonable prices. just missing the corn and the sweet tea.
I'll start off by saying I'm a Southern Expatriate living in the Wild West, always looking for that little slice of home.
Huston's may not look like much from the outside, but the smell wafting through the grimy streets of Hollywood should be a good sign that you've found a quality place.
I love BBQ, and for a city that houses culinary sensations from around the world, finding some good southern style BBQ can be tough. Huston's reminds me of the BBQ i was raised on (minus the sweet tea, although I've given up trying to find that out here). I always get the chicken and beef ribs combo platter, and while the ribs can sometimes fall short, the chicken is always on par.
The sauce is sweet with a hint of smoke, and the portions are wonderful. When it comes to the sides, the potato salad should be skipped. Go for the baked beans and the coleslaw. The coleslaw has a sweet flavor to it (i think it might be mango) that I really enjoy. If you're brave enough, mix the beans and coleslaw together. It will blow your mind.
The price is cheap and the service is fast. Please, try Huston's sometime. Do your stomach a favor. It's sick of Sushi.
Don't come on Sunday. That's the Lord's day. Huston's remembers the sabbath and keeps it holy.
Lunch here yesterday afternoon with my boyfriend who is from Tennessee, and his friend who is also from Tennessee and has lived also in Texas, this place did alright. I know nothing about BBQ, being from the mostly culture-less void that is the suburbs of Southern California, but I enjoyed my BBQ beef salad, and the boys said, so far, this was the best BBQ they have had in California. They also mentioned, however, that this isn't saying much, so keep in mind this is a "bar of comparison" sort of deal.
Small, easy to miss restaurant, friendly staff, and the food is tasty. They even have a small selection of parking spaces next to the building.
I'm currently trying to find the best BBQ in town. So far I've been to Texas BBQ King, Phillip's, Huston's, and JR's. Of the 4, Huston's was definitely last.
The biggest thing I've noticed when stepping into Huston's was the lack of smokeyness, if that's a word. Ordered half a rack of pork ribs, baked beans, and the potato salad. The ribs were put on the griddle, for some reason. The meat was not consistent- some pieces tender, some pieces tough. The sauce was not great as well.
I don't think I'll be back anytime soon.
I went to school in florida and got used to eating delicious bbq foods.
When I moved to LA I expected it would be hard such a thing in Hollywood. Boy was I wrong. It's good. It's cheap. It's quick. I don't know how else to say this, but, it doesn't get much better than this. Sure it's not top quality, but then, it's not top money either... and the speed they deliver at is uncanny. Seriously, great stuff.
OW my heart hurts!
Not really, but damn, this place is fantastic. Ending an early night out and stopping by this hole-in-the-wall is worth it -- tasty chili fries, delicious sandwiches with beef and savory smoky sauce. I cannot complain about this spot.
I am grateful for being sobered up by wonderful barbecue. You salvaged my night.
Having been raised in the south, I fully endorse Huston's Texas Pit Bar-B-Cue. It's fantastic. There are a lot of different combinations or pork ribs, chicken and pulled pork with various sides that you can put together, but I usually stick with a full rack of pork ribs. Insanely good. This is the only time I saw a co-worker finish his lunch and stand up and go get A SECOND LUNCH. It was SERIOUS.
I don't drink a lot, and when I do, it's Del Taco or I go to bed hungry. My impressions of Houston's Pit BBQ are borne from many stone-sober, un-biased visits.
Houston's was one of the first places I ate at upon setting foot into the city, and the quality of that first pulled-pork sandwich was near orgasmic. It had been a long time since I had anything CLOSE to the pulled pork I grew up on, and this absolutely hit the spot.
The food is made to order, and served in unimpressive styrofoam boxes, or plastic trays. The place is old as shit, and the nasty yellow plastic seating does nothing for the palette. It's a touch overpriced, and I once saw a homeless guy come in and steal all the sauces, but none of that matters. Houston's delivers perfect pulled pork every time, their staff is friendly and down to earth, and eating there is always a pleasure. I don't know what else anybody could ask from a hole in the wall BBQ joint.
This is now my favorite place to eat in LA. Being raised in the Deep South, I've eaten a lot of barbecue in my life and was looking for a good place here to get my fix. Huston's hit the spot: the meat was tasty and tender, the sauce was perfect and not too sticky, and the side items were pretty good. The place is cheap and fast and, for some unexplainable reason, not that busy. We were the only people there on a recent Saturday night at 7:30. I reccomend the chicken and ribs combo, or just the beef ribs by themselves. Moist, meaty, fatty, perfect. For sides, stick with the baked beans and cole slaw, the potatoe salad doesn't have enough mustad or dill in it. The cole slaw has a hint of mango that makes it really good.
Huston's wasn't totally traditional barbecue (one unique thing, the meal comes pre-slathered in sauce, which you don't normally see in the South) but it was great in its own little way.
UPDATE: I had to take Huston's down a notch because I went back and had some of the worst ribs of my life. I think they were way overcooked and tasted gamey. I should have sent them back but I was blinded by hunger. The pulled pork was delicious though so I can't lower it any more than 4. I'm still gonna go back and let them right their wrong.
Huston's was just o.k. Nothing special! I got the 1/2 chicken and ribs plate which also came with coleslaw, BBQ baked beans and some bread. The ribs and chicken weren't bad, but I wasn't crazy about the sauce. I like BBQ sauce with some bite to it and Huston's sauce comes only one way, their way. The coleslaw was a little bland and the BBQ beans tasted like they were straight from the can.
But what ruined it for me was the fact that Huston's charges for drink refills. Charging for refills should be outlawed. I can understand if restaurants serve cans only, but if they have a soda fountain, refills should be free. A large soda was 1.30 and it was maybe 16oz. a refill was an extra .50. Since, the rest of the menu is pretty reasonable I guess that's how they justify it.
I wouldn't go out of the way to eat at Huston's!
I am from the South and miss the bbq there! Houstons is awesome. Definitely not a fancy place, but the food I recommend. I brought this to the Hollywood Bowl when everyone else bought wine, cheese and fruit. The fattening BBQ was the hit I have to say. I also had a party catered by them and they delivered it promptly. Try it!
I usually get the pulled pork sandwich and some macaroni salad.... The baked beans are awesome too. Finish it off with an iced tea. YUMMY.
I'm kind of on the fence about this place. Sometimes I get good bbq and sometimes I don't. Maybe they have different cooks, but it's never consistent which is a pain in the ass. I love their cornbread. It's always moist and yummy. Their sandwiches are huge and their prices are decent. If they would get on the ball and have consistent bbq I would definitely go there more. But considering the bbq choices in LA this is a little better than the rest!
Yeah...I have to say, unfortunately, Huston's is a place I'd only ever go again if I was drunk coming out of a bar in the area. No pink smoke ring...I didn't smell the smoker...bad combination. The price was right, but other than that I can't say much in the way of positives for Huston's. Sorry...`
This is a great little spot. Very friendly service and the sandwiches are delicious. Wouldn't order the chili or ribs again but you can't beat these sandwiches for the price. All in all an awesome place!
I will start by saying the food is pretty good and I will eat here occasionally. They are open until 11pm and deliver with no minimum order, so if you live in the area its a nice option for delivery. The pricing is good, you can get full for around $10. The place is a total dive, but it has character. If you are partying it up in Hollywood and get hungry, stumble in and chow, you won't be disappointed.
I live down the street and have been meaning to check this place out for a while. I just stopped by for lunch and just had a pulled pork sandwich. Not the best pulled pork I've ever had but it was above average. The bun it was served on tasted a bit stale. I am leaning more toward a 3 star rating but in all fairness I didn't try the ribs or sides or anything so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and go with 4.
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Category: Farmers Market
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
Category: Barbeque
Culver City, CA
Category: Barbeque
Neighborhood: North Hollywood
Category: Barbeque
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