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Jay Bee's House of Fine Bar-B-Que
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 7 pm
Tue-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
201 reviews for Jay Bee's House of Fine Bar-B-Que
Review Highlights
"And the pulled pork sandwich is fabulous."
(in 36 reviews)
"They were among the best rib tips ive had."
(in 30 reviews)
"The baked beans are awesome."
(in 42 reviews)
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201 reviews in English
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Review from Ron S.
Fontana, CA
1/31/2012
One of the best restaurant BBQ joints that i've been to.
Took my dear cousin here for his bday and we both enjoyed the gift of tasty foodie exploration. The flavors were memorable, I can still taste it now as i write this.
The sauce was not overly sour, since i got the medium spiciness, the tangy kick built on itself with every bite without over powering the meaty flavor and sweet smoky flavor.
Although they are renown for their pulled pork, i seemed to have enjoyed their bbq rib tips and Lrg. BBQ Beef sandwiches a lot better since they both hold up the smokiness a lot better. I also loved their baked beans that have been done right, since it was seasoned with the drippings and chunks of left over bbq tidbits.
It was quite the drive for me, but worth the trip. I have yet to try what the rest of the neighborhood has to offer, but compared to I.E. bbq, it tops them all in flavor and moistness.
I look forward to trying their greens and mac n' cheese, since they were out today.
So far in South Cali, I would put this on the top.
So on to my BBQ quest !!! -
Review from Bill N.
Gardena, CA
I've been a fan of Jay Bee's since I found out about them in the early 90's. I must admit that I haven't sampled much of their menu though because I am stuck on their Large Pork Rib dinner. I get the medium sauce because the one time that I ordered the hot sauce, I could not enjoy my meal because the sauce was just that hot! The neighborhood is very industrial and can be a little "intimidating" but it's worth trying out if the interest is there.
BTW - lately I've been buying dinner from Jay Bee's about every two weeks. I'm addicted!!! -
Review from Shane S.
Alhambra, CA
9/20/2011
Great ribs at this little joint. Well worth the trip in if you don't live near the area.
I have had the beef ribs (big and meaty), pork ribs, rib tips, and pulled pork here and all have been great. I enjoy the mild sauce as the medium is mildly hot and the rest are just flat out hot. I prefer the mild which is very flavorful, compliments the meat perfectly, and doesn't distract with it's heat.
The beef ribs here have a strong smokiness to them you'll either enjoy more or less, but dislike is not something I could imagine. And the pulled pork sandwich is fabulous. On a budget? Try the Hot Link On Bread for $3. Can't go wrong, really.
So why 4 Stars and not 5? Well for one I am not super crazy about ribs, and have tasted just as good (not better) elsewhere in my time. For every reason I can give you for these being the best, I bet a good day at any number of top bbq joints could match these ribs. The point is they don't screw them up here, and they are just as good if not better then most. Good enough for me.
The sides are nothing special but not bad. Just average, and limited to traditional bbq sides. The beans are pretty good, and i recommend the bbq spaghetti . But these things are just meant to compliment the ribs, not offer anything too special. Want different sides? Right next door is a burger joint. Go order some fries, chili, onion rings, or whatever else your heart desires to go with your ribs. Eat at one place or the other....and enjoy.
Also as others have pointed out this place is not in the ghetto, so no worries. It's in an industrial section of L.A. You may have to drive through some ghetto areas to get here, but who cares? It's L.A. for gods sake! What would one expect? -
Review from Merlin L.
Arcadia, CA
2/2/2012
One of the best BBQ joints my ass. It's only decent. Can't get more ghetto then this shack. Service and attitude fits in with the area. Don't expect anything more, expect an I don't give a shit what you want attitude and you won't get offended.
My first time and got the rib dinner. They're spare ribs and lightly smoked. I do like spare ribs since they have more meat than baby backs. There is just enough smoke not to over power anything and is just about right for most people. They smother the ribs in sauce when they serve it, I'd suggest getting the sauce on the side. Even though there is good flavor in the smoke, I venture a guess and say without the sauce the ribs wouldn't hold up on their own. Also, the ribs didn't come off the bone like true fine bbq should.
You might say, well you can't give them two stars: "meh. I've experienced better" on your first try. Well then I say this, if your ribs are only decent, then yes I've experienced better.
$11.xx for the dinner which consists of 5 large spare ribs, two sides about a half cup each, bbq sauce, and two slices of dry wonder bread thats been sitting out for hours on end. Good amount of food for the money no doubt.
Again, decent ribs if you live in the area or are passing by. Otherwise I'd go somewhere else. -
Review from Marc A.
Mission Viejo, CA
1/16/2012
Eh it was decent. I compare it to the best bbq in socal so its tough. Around here its the best I have so far but it was lacking flavor. We got spicy bbq sauce on everything. I tried:
Pulled pork sandwich 3.5/5: the best thing I had. Pork was good, bun was soft, and had a little Cole slaw in it which was a nice touch.
Bbq links 3.5/5: it was pretty good. Spicy and covered in sauce. Second best thing but so much sauce it was hard to tell just how good. Would definately order it again.
Pork ribs 2/5: average at best. Not falling off the bone and didn't have a ton of flavor. Just ok.
Bbq baked beans 3/5 and cole slaw 2/5: both ok. Beans were better but didn't have a ton of flavor. The Cole slaw was average.
It was all drowning in sauce and I love sauce but it wasn't spectacular. I wouldn't drive 30 minutes for it but if I'm around and want bbq I would stop by. -
Review from Tiffany W.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I enjoy the sides of the BBQ joint as much as the BBQ itself. The baked beams were sweet and tangy, really good, and the potato salad was good. We ordered the pork rib plate and the pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich was better than the pork ribs. It was tenderly pulled, and the BBQ sauce was a slow burn. We got medium. Maybe hot would have been better. Te ribs unfortunately were not as tender. But still good. Again the BBQ sauce is really good. Tangy, spicy and awesome.
-
Review from Bryan B.
Lakewood, CA
1/4/2012
This place is the bomb! Really good pulled pork sandwich and bbq ribs. Beware of the really hot sauce - it's too flaming hot! Next time you roll through Compton, be sure to stop here and chow down.
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Review from Melissa H.
Chino, CA
The owner Beverly Neely is the sister of Jim Neely's who owns Interstate BBQ in Memphis TN. Being part of the Neely family gives them street cred. to me.
This restaurant is not located in the ghetto, but it does have a wide variety of people patronizing at there. However, I do agree the peddlers selling things from their car in front of the restaurant needs to go, how annoying. But hey, if you can come off your high horse and dine sitting on a picnic bench outside, than you can get ready to eat some of the best bbq on the west coast for half the price of what you would pay in a large chain restaurant.
I drive 35 miles one way to enjoy their delicious food. My favorite is the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw; it was juicy, smokey with a little spicy kick from the mild bbq sauce. My husband loves the pork rib dinner. These are the meatiest, juicy and tender rib on the west coast. You can taste hint of smoke in every bite of these ribs and they are so tender the meat almost falls off the bone. I have tasted most of their sides. Their bbq beans are good but I am not a fan of beans. The potato salad and greens are delicious but my favorite is the coleslaw.
I really give them 3.5 stars because the greens are not always available.
If there were one thing that Jay Bee could improve on, it would be to put extra coleslaw on those pulled pork sandwiches. An improvement like that I might have to make the drive from the I.E. to Gardena every weekend. -
Review from Chris B.
8/11/2011
"Foodlatio" (140 character reviews blog):
Memphis Q legit smoked flavor, bad sides & high prices don't justify. Food Network inflation? Sass is free, maybe I shouldn't go in uniform. -
Review from Jenny T.
Torrance, CA
8/3/2011
Maybe I'm spoiled because I've had really good ribs before (hello memphis and kansas city... i love you), but Jay Bee's was just alright for me. Not bad, but not particularly great either. Since there really aren't that many other bbq places in the South Bay, my family will probably go again. But this should not be taken to mean that it's as good as Guy (from Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives) said it is. I don't get it- HE'S had really good ribs before too, so he should realize this is not it.
Also this place is ghettooooo. It's all by itself on a little island in the road and the entire place is barred up and bullet-proof glassed. Also, when I went there was a very large wild dog roaming the place (he even came inside and the cashier had to try to shoo him out). There was a family outside eating on the picnic bench and the dog jumped up and took all their food. Jay Bee's was nice about it though and replaced their meal for free. -
Review from Ryan B.
Studio City, CA
9/17/2011
I'd give Jay Bee's a 3.5... went for a late lunch today and had a very short wait for some tasty BBQ. Ordered the 2-meat combination with pork ribs and chopped beef, both medium sauce. It was some yummy BBQ and worth the reputation (Neely name and DDD episode).
Don't know what the complaints about service and ghetto comments are all about... Service was fine and the place is located on an island in an industrial neighborhood just north of the Home Depot Center off Alondra and Avalon.
I would be a fool to say that this is the best 'cue in So Cal... I'll reserve that comment for my favorite - Bludsoe's. Still, I'll be back; next time I'll try the BBQ sandwiches which look pretty darn good too. -
Review from Elaine P.
West Covina, CA
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was like any other BBQ place. Nothing really special about it. It's basically a little stand in the middle of a bunch of warehouses. The BBQ sauce is a little too watery and has way too much vinegar. The rib tips were good just too fatty. They give you white sliced bread which I was very surprised about since it's suppose to be an authentic BBQ place. Besides the food being average, the service was horrible! I asked for extra napkins and got exactly one extra napkin and a pissed off look from the cashier. Anyways, I wouldn't personally go there again and it was definitely not worth the 45 min drive.
-
Review from Kevin B.
6/5/2011
I saw Jay Bee's last week on Diners, Drive-in's & Dives (first aired in 2007, wow!), so Saturday I decided to go check it out.
I ordered a Texas link sandwich with "medium" sauce, 2 pork rib dinners (mild) with macaroni salad and baked beans and a 1/2 lb of sliced beef brisket (mild).
The link seemed overcooked and it was completely drowning in sauce between two pieces of plain white bread. Even though the "medium" sauce overpowered the flavor of the link, it was still good. The St Louis style ribs were smokey, very tender and quite tasty! The macaroni salad was mass produced, not homemade. The sliced brisket seemed pretty good... but next time I'll have to try it W/O the sauce.
I the down side, I tried to order the greens, mac & cheese and BBQ spaghetti... but nope, all sold out. They also ran out of baby back ribs while I was waiting for my order... and they still had 4 hours to go before they closed!
Bottom line: Yes it was pretty good BBQ, but I don't think it was "all that" (not 5 stars).
I will try it again IF I'm up in the area, but I won't make a special trip. Why? There's another BBQ place in Long Beach (R & W BBQ) that I think is equally as good, if not a little better.... plus it's a LOT closer! -
Review from Peter D.
7/5/2011
Saw this on Triple D (Bite me, Guy) and came with a buddy to try it out. We drove out from the Pasadena -- excited and ready for some good BBQ. We braved the more, uh, colorful, side of LA. We waited in line, got our food and...what a craptacular disappointment! Pork ribs were dry and overly salty. The meat fell off the bone...but not in a good way. More like, this-meat's-been-in-the-oven-for-X-amount-of-days- and-has-no-other place-to-go fall off the bone. I'm glad I didn't get the sides except the corn bread, which was small, cold and brittle. Oh, c'mon, man!
I've had better BBQ experiences everywhere else. Seriously, I've made better BBQ and I'm not a cook. I figured maybe it was a bad day, so I came back a few months later with the same friend...with the same results! Thumbs down...just like their website. Way down. Bleh. -
Review from Leon H.
Cerritos, CA
9/3/2011
Very good BBQ! Saw it on DDD... dont get the rib tips, but get the ribs.... try the hot bbq sauce too... they give you plenty of sauce.... worth a try!
yes it is kind of in the middle of the street.... -
Review from michelle L.
Long Beach, CA
1/4/2012
Food is good but bad service. There are two persons i think the mom and son. You need to know what to order and if you ask,you'll get yelled at. I would never come back.
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Review from Jay T.
Compton, CA
10/4/2011
The barbeque is okay and I kind of like their barbeque spaghetti but the two ladies who alternately man the front are less than pleasant and its always the same when I get the pork rib dinners from them for my wife. One of them makes it clear that she'd rather be doing something else than serving you and the other one gave me some serious attitude when I drove up last night close to their closing time. She barked out "I'll take you if you know exactly what you want, don't waffle about it, I'll take it if you know exactly what you want". I wanted to drive off but my wife likes their que, sigh...I just think that as a consumer we have too many food choices to have to deal with a bad attitude; I don't think its too much to ask a business to have a pleasant person working the front...
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Review from L-train L.
Manhattan Beach, CA
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is ghet-toe! In the middle of a street near compton (the address says gardena but it definitely feels like compton). This place is a takeout place for safety reason and because there's like four or five long tables outside. Memo to the dude with his family at that table: burp once and say "excuse me" - that's cool; burp a dozen time, while purposely increasing volume and dropping bass on every burp and saying "excuse me" a dozen time - not cool yo.
Okay, the 5 star is for the pork ribs only. the meat just falls off the bone, tender, fatty, juicy pork with a zangy thick tomatoey and tangy vinegarly sauce. One of the best ribs I ever ate. -
Review from Monique J.
Los Angeles, CA
11/18/2011
One of my co-workers eat here a lot and let me taste a hot-link once. I thought it was ok but nothing to brag about. On Tuesday he had a "Rib Dinner" and let me have one of the ribs. "De-Lish" So today I stop by after work to order me a dinner. The sales clerk was very rude. After telling her this was my first visit she became a rude smart-a**. When I got home I felt robbed. For $11 and change they gave me 5 very small baby ribs. A small scoop of beans and an even smaller scoop of potato salad. I will not be patronizing this place again. Disappointed!
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Review from G W.
Pasadena, CA
8/10/2011
Probably the best Pork BBQ ribs in LA. I have not tried the Brisket or beef ribs yet so stay tuned. It is not in a
'Ghetto" place like some ignorant people are saying here. Apparently they are ignorant and of course never been to a real ghetto (stupid MF'ers!). Its in Gardena/Compton border in an industrial area, just north of the 91 freeway. Easy to find and easy to park. Enjoy this great BBQ! -
Review from Christine L.
Westminster, CA
5/7/2011
The first time my friend took me here, I nearly pooped my pants because of the location. It is literally a tiny shack on an island in the middle of the street. However, after devouring the food, I realized I've been missing out on the best BBQ. I LOVE JAY BEE'S! People love Jay Bee's so much that it's even been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network.
What I've tried: Out of the few times I've been here, I've only had the large pork shoulder bbq sandwich. They offer many other bbq items, but I will keep getting this sandwich because it is the best freaking pulled pork bbq sandwich I've ever graced my taste buds with. There is so much flavor to the sandwich, it is simply mouth watering. They even put cole slaw in it! *drooooooooling* You can check out the rest of their menu here: http://www.jaybeesbbq....
Prices: It's $5.10 for the best pulled pork bbq sandwich EVER.
Service: The service is alright. You just order at the register and wait for the food, which doesn't take too long. The few times I've been here, there hasn't been any long lines, but I'm sure it gets busy during other times.
Location: Like I mentioned earlier, it is literally a tiny shack on an island in the middle of the street. They have a small parking lot in the back, but I've also seen people park across the street and jaywalk over. They also have a small porch with very limited seating. -
Review from Love Food R.
Bakersfield, CA
10/17/2011
I dont know what the hype is, the food is not anything good for LA considering all the choices available.
Pork ribs 2/5: the hot bbq sauce was good but it was not great and the meat had zero flavor
Beef Ribs 2/5: tuff meat and no flavor
Potatoe Salad 2/5 tasted store bought
Baked beans 3/5 it was ok but the best tasting item we had
Cobbler: 0/5 was old
7 up cake: 2/5 dry but had good flavor
All sweets were not made on location but by someone they purchase from in Inglewood so they are all prepackaged and who knows for how long they have been there.
NOT going back!!! -
Review from Ally F.
Compton, CA
7/2/2011
I've tasted better.
The sides are not good at all, unless you enjoy mac salad that tastes exactly like the tubs of mac salad you buy at the grocery store. I got a pulled pork sandwich....didn't really excite my taste buds.
The hubby, who is a bbq-joint fanatic didn't really care for his ribs.
My son didn't really eat his food which only happens if his taste buds aren't excited as well lol
All together spent about 45 dollars to feed three people.
Seems like this place is a hit or miss.. either you get them on a good day, or like me, I got them on a bad day. -
Review from Sara F.
Anaheim, CA
10/23/2011
The food was amazing !My husband and daughter were a little nervous with the area. We did not fit in. The service was a bit rude. The star was the food. After we ate my husband said we will definetly go back. I say go early if you want beef ribs. They were out when we were there. I had the ribs with mild sauce,YUMMY ! and my husband had the should with medium sauce. He LOVED it and is still talking about how good it was.
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Review from Angela B.
Buena Park, CA
5/3/2011
Maybe I'm jaded because I have family with the BBQ Skillz, but this place didn't fully satisfy that deep down need for amazing BBQ.
We had:
Pork ribs dinner- medium sauce, Potato salad, and Cole slaw. The meat was tender but it was drowning in the sauce. Don't get me wrong I'm a fan of bbq sauce but I'm always leery if I can't find the meat... What are you trying to hide??
Cole slaw was OK and potato salad was the Stater Bros brand... spare me please- plus I wanted Greens or Mac & Cheese but that isn't a side option for dinner plates.
Chicken Links dinner - hot sauce, Baked Beans. Links were good, again drowning. Sauce was hot and oddly grainy. Baked beans were OK, I make better.
Extras (like I paid extra for these things and they were whack :( )
Mac & Cheese- Um NO! Devoid of seasoning I put bbq sauce on it...
Greens- I've been eating greens since I had teeth and I've never tasted greens like this- weird, sweet, and bitter taste - so strange, even my husband couldn't figure it out.
Sweet Potato Pie- haven't tasted it yet, but it's from an outside bakery - so it doesn't count.
Might give this place one more try for a pulled pork sammy- I'll let you know how it goes. -
Review from Niketa C.
Carson, CA
10/16/2011
Very good considring you are not in the deep south
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Review from Gene k.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Jaybee's BBQ is all about the sauce. The ribs, chicken and pulled pork sandwich with the BBQ sauce is incredibility good. For the price it's a killer of a deal.
For a pull pork sandwich its about $6. That's seriously like McDonald's Angus burger prices. You can't compare it to quality but it shows how expensive processed fast food can be versus good down to earth food for the same price. Seriously, why would anyone would eat at a fast food chain restaurants unless your in that much of a hurry but still. Eating is about enjoying.
If you get the dinner special that can seriously feed two people. It comes with beans, coleslaw and toast. For about $10, the food portion is very generous. I would come here whenever I'm having craving southern style BBQ. Later to find out this place was featured Triple D on Diners Drive in...That's pretty sick. -
Review from Jeff Y.
Torrance, CA
6/24/2011
Just got back from stuffing the gut at Jay Bee's. With not many authentic bbq options in the South Bay area, we're lucky to have Jay Bee's.
No frills, just good ol' bbq. I highly recommend their pulled pork sandwich (ask for sauce on side if you don't like it drowned by default). The sauce here is amazing. I like a little kick, but not too much - therefore I always go with their 'spicy' (just above 'mid'). Pork ribs are great too. Something you don't see too often around here is their BBQ Spaghetti, a recommended try for sure.
Sitting here full, I'm already looking forward to going back soon. -
Review from Jason G.
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Location is what it is, just stop by and get takeout, no big deal. Unfortunately the chicken and rib tips were dry, ok flavor. Pork shoulder was a little better.
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Review from Reno C.
1/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
There is not many places that serves rib tips, and this is my favorite. I grew up eating spare ribs, Barbecue, Baked, stewed, souped, and smoked.
Jay bee's offer three different levels of heat for your sauce, mild, medium or hot. I've tried hot and I can not taste the ribs. For the dinners, you get two sides of your choice of Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, or Cole Slaw.
Jay Bee's offers Beef Ribs, Pork Ribs, Beef links, Pork Shoulder, Chopped or sliced beef, sandwiches and desserts.
If your looking for a fancy place, this is not for you. But if you want good Barbecue, then give Jay Bee's a try. -
Review from Pearl L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/7/2011
Jay Bee's Etiquette: Speak up, be concise and use "yes ma'am" as much as possible.
I was born & raised in the south, so I should have known how to act. I think California has changed me. Don't be wishy-washy like me and change your mind while ordering. If you order something you don't want, just deal with it. It's probably tasty anyway.
I lose self-control once I smell the food. It's kind of scary. I've been able to devour my combo ribs + shoulder + sides + Wonder Bread all in one sitting. Don't judge.
Fine bbq indeed. -
Review from Ricardo A.
Garden Grove, CA
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sooooooooooooo BOMB!
the people who complain about waiting?
If you wanted a quick bbq rib sandwich go to McDonalds, have them shit in a box and enjoy princess.
Jay Bee's is mouth-watering good.
My brother and I were stranded waiting for AAA, as we passed this joint earlier I instantly knew this place was good because of how dingy it looked.
So we walked on over.
Walking in to the tiny space to order, you bump elbows with the other customers and you see signs everywhere "If you are on your cell phone, you will not be helped" (yeeee fuck you corporate world!) The older lady who took our order guided us through the menu and made fun of my brother for lacking conversational skills. Very friendly and efficient.
Seating is either curb side or at the porch. nothing fancy just kickin it.
If your to uptight on waiting, and eating on picnic tables this restaurant is NOT FOR YOU.
I
They're spicy pulled pork sandwich is AMAZING! -
Review from Michael C.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2011
My favorite BBQ joint in all of SoCal and it's basically a takeout BBQ shack with 2 picnic tables. But the food trumps all.
The first thing you should notice when you approach a BBQ joint is the omnipresent scent of smoke. If you don't smell the smoke, you are likely getting something that has been par-boiled/baked to make it tender, then flash grilled to add some last-minute smoky flavor and slathered with sauce to make taste like BBQ. Not here.
True BBQ fans know that the real way to do BBQ is to slow cook over smoke and the telltale sign of this is the red "smoke ring" that the meat develops when cooked in this manner. Come to Jay Bee's and you will get the smoke ring every time. Would you expect any less from this descendant of the renown Neely BBQ family?
Beef back ribs, pork spareribs, pork shoulder and beef brisket (either chopped or sliced, your choice) are the stars here. I typically do the beef/pork rib combo but I'm a glutton for BBQ (side note: you will sleep very well after that plate of food). Oh, and the baked beans have obviously been spiked with some of the BBQ meat as well, they're awesome.
You won't get a waiter or a nice tablecloth to eat on here, but you'll get the best smoky BBQ in SoCal. If you're a half-decent cook, you can boil/bake/grill ribs at home and very easily come up with something similar to what those BBQ chains do. But you'll have a hard time replicating the smoky goodness of Jay Bees BBQ. -
Review from Guy N.
San Pedro, CA
8/31/2010
A true Harbor Gateway landmark!!! That doesn't sound right. Harbor Gateway never caught on at all so I think Gardena sounds a lot better.
Regardless, this little joint has been here forever and they depend on one thing, good food. They definitely don't depend on their location, advertisements, or curb appeal, all of which is nil. They know they're good and they know that have a lot of customers. They don't even take phone orders unless you are ordering a whole lot of food. Barbecue is pretty much cooked already so there isn't much cooking that is done on the spot, so walking in is quick.
It's located on a parking island near the industrial area of Avalon and the parking sucks. It's a good thing turn around is quick at this place.
Intimidation probably keeps a lot of people who are driving by from dropping in. Really, it's a shack with an old sign and worn down paint. Unless you have your window down to smell the smoky goodness, you will opt for elsewhere.
But let me tell you, once you walk in, everybody is extremely cordial and friendly. We were talking to a few people in line and there is only one thing on everybody's mind, that smoky barbecue. Everybody seems so happy to be there. I was a little wary with the waiting area though. The screen door opens inward and the area is small so it's definitely a little claustrophobic in there, not to mention a fire hazard with the door that way. Thick glass separates you and the kitchen/cashier (very gas stationesque) and cameras are all over the place. A sign to not come here alone at night if you can help it.
Bad stuff aside, let's get to the good stuff.
Slab of Pork Ribs - Medium Sauce - Wow. This is good, stick-to-your-ribs ribs. This is not that fancy stuff that chefs cook down until it falls of the bones and is almost mushy. This has a nice crisp crust on it that reeks of the wonderful smoke that it was slow cooked with. The sauce had a good spice to it but it wasn't overwhelming. The ribs were not doused in the sauce but they do put a good heaping of it in the bottom of the plate in case you want to take a dip. You can taste the love that were put into these ribs.
Chopped Bbq beef - Medium Sauce - Beef that is cooked down and chopped up. The little crispy edges are extremely tasty. That good bite is the exact texture needed complement the soft meat. Put that on a sandwich and you'll be good.
Mac n Cheese - How can you mess up MnC really. It's always tasty but this side was especially tasty for some reason. Not too rich but nice and cheesy. A good side with bbq always.
Coleslaw - Seemed like they use something other than mayo but not sure. It was good and not too soupy which I hate. I love it how they make it proportionally moist and yet don't detract from the taste. Nice and refreshing side.
Beans - BBQ beans are great. Big ol chucks of pork belly are still lingering amongst the smoky legumes. It's not too mushy and not too firm. Perfectly cooked.
We have yet to try the links and pulled pork but we will be back to try it for sure. Also, they have banana pudding and cornbread which looked tasty and is definitely on the radar. Don't be intimidated by the exterior and just chance em. You'll be happy to have such classic bbq in a world of fake bbq.Listed in: Home of the Mohicans!!!
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Review from Andrew H.
Fremont, CA
7/26/2010
Was driving thru Gardena and saw this place which I remembered from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. So naturally, I have to stop and try this place out.
First of all, the area is not what you consider the best. Slightly scary if you don't grow up in the area, but nothing to worry about. Go thru the white gated doors into a small ordering/waiting area with protected glass for the people that work there. Since this is not a bank, it does make you wonder a bit..... Anyhow (just try to block that out of your mind), I orders the pull pork sandwich with a side of mac n' cheese. The sandwich was not disappointing, as good as any reputable BBQ I ever had. The Mac n chesse was very OK. I think it's a little better than the ones you get at the frozen food aisle of your supermarket. But this is definitely one of those hole in the wall place where you'll love to come to if you live in the neighborhood. -
Review from enrique p.
Monrovia, CA
10/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
Really? This place was on tv? Ok, ill just get to the point!
This place is like eating at a gas station. It's ghetto! And it's one of those places where you just say, "Ok, been there. Done that!" Will I return? No! Food just doesnt taste good when the outside/park benches were occupied by pigeons just before you sat down!
On to the food rating. Well, I was hungry. And I was satisfied. Was it good? Well, Ill just say it was edible. Cole Slaw was dry. Beef Ribs were ok. They werent tender. BBQ Spaghetti was just that. BBQ with tomato based spaghetti sauce. It didnt taste good at all. It literally tasted like BBQ and Spaghetti sauce put together. The flavors did not complement each other! The beans were good but you really cant mess up bbq beans. -
Review from Jon C.
Redondo Beach, CA
8/18/2011
I have only ordered the large pork shoulder sandwich in regular and spicy... might try really spicy next time. They have other bbq food here but I found what I want to eat from here and am happy not trying anything else.
Bread, pulled pork, coleslaw and bbq sauce - GOOOOOD! They give you a fork because depending on where you need to be after you eat, you might not want to pick it up.
Having lunch here every few months, I have never found the line nor the wait for the food to be too long.
There are only 4 benches to eat at and I have always been able to sit down when I wanted to. I can imagine that on a busy day you should be prepared to bring your food somewhere else to eat. As mentioned in other reviews, this place is in the ghetto so some may be uncomfortable to sit down anyways. -
Review from Lauren V.
6/14/2010
I read somewhere on chowhound some time ago that Lucille's bbq was voted as being the best bbq in so. cal. While i have nothing against lucille's, im not too fond of that "fact".
While there's always exceptions to every rule and you cant always get what you want, etc.. I personally feel that a great american bbq place should be family owned, the smokers should be visible to the customers and the physical restaurant should barely qualify as a restaurant...more like a shack. And of course, the food should be phenomenal (and i hate using the word 'phenomenal' to describe food)
Jay Bee's has all those qualities that i love about BBQ joints.
I was taken here by my southerner friend who had seen some kind of food network special on this place. Say what you will about that walking cartoon character Guy Fieri, some of his advice on eateries is actually legit. Apparently this is a westcoast outpost of some other famous bbq place in the south. Whether or not that's true, i like it here nonetheless.
They passed my discerning bbq test with flying colors: Their brisket is awesome. Tender through and through. Its smoky, cut properly across the grain so it falls apart in your mouth and succulent. ITS REALLY HARD to make a proper brisket. It dries out easily if you're not skilled in the smoking arts. I've had some terrible brisket lately, all too often its dried out and drenched in sauce and cut paper thin so as to try to fool the customer. Jay Bee's brisket was cut thick and each piece tasted as good as the last. They know what they're doing..
I ordered a 2 item combo and also had rib tips. I was able to pull them apart easily because they were so tender. Im not sure if they take em to the grill after smoking but that's what i guess they do because the rib tips also had a slight but desirable crust to them. They were among the best rib tips ive had.
While I wanted to go for their more exotic sides like mac n cheese, collard greens or bbq spaghetti, i was allowed 2 "lesser" sides with my combo. The macaroni salad, again, among the best i've ever had. the macaroni was actually al dente, not a soggy heap of starch and gloop.
The baked beans that rounded out the meal were also good. Not overpowering or lacking in anything. Overall, good sides.
For dessert i shared some banana pudding. If you've never had banana pudding at a bbq place, this isnt just some plain yellow pudding. Its lighter and is layered with real banana and most importantly, wafers. Wafers that have been sitting in the pudding as to be moist and cakey like ladyfingers in a tiramisu.
So really, the food is incredibly good and what's more, it's dirt cheap! Compared to other bbq establishments it is. a 2 item combo was only $13. Single menu items come in under $10. incredible.
Wellll...maybe its the actual establishment that keeps prices so delightfully low.
There's an old adage that i've heard many times about Chinese restaurants: if the bathroom of a chinese restaurant is filthy, the food must be good. If that is actually true, than i believe the same can be applied to really great smokehouse bbq places...only instead of just the bathroom, the whole dang place is pretty shithole-esque. Not shabby chic, either. Truly lacking. Ghetto.
The place is literally a shack that seems to be in the middle of an intersection. Out of 100% of the property, 80% is inaccessible to customers. Which is good, they need the space to make great food but the rest of it...
To order, you go through a small door to get into a small room to order at a window. Then you sit outside on one of the small handful of picnic tables and wait for your number to come up.
Not a place I would take to impress somebody UNLESS they're really into bbq or very down to earth. The barb wire lining the roof adds a nice touch.
Im not hating, its this dedication to product and not location/decoration that, in my eyes, makes a great bbq place. Even the slower pace of the employees makes this hole in the wall endearing. Jay Bee's has their bbq bases covered and Im wanting to come back so i can try it all. -
Review from William W.
La Habra, CA
1/17/2011
What do you add to famous? Apparently, Jay Bee BBQ has been previously lauded by greater than I. My colleague recommended we add this shack to the Lollapafoodza Tour after watching an episode of some Food Network show on dives and dumps. So anything I add is going to be somehow anti-climactic. I mean, how do you compete with a mid-tier cable network?
I sit writing this review as I watch the movie Apollo 13 with my family. It occurs to me that a trip to Jay Bee is a slight bit akin to a journey to the moon. We have one hour for lunch, Jay Bee is 25 miles distant, we are going to have to use the gravitational pull of the dense smoke of bbq to slingshot us back home in time for more work. Houston, our telemetry indicates we may have a problem. Oh well, at least CapCom is coming with us.
Jay Bee exists on a one-foot raised concrete triangle. It is its own little island in the middle of working-class Gardena. Like any good bbq shack, you order from a counter, and eat either in your car or at the four seagull-infested picnic tables under the patio. A paper towel dispenser is mounted on the wall. It is interesting that in this age of cultural displacement, one can still travel across this country and sink into the ethos of bbq. From Memphis to Portland, there are shared mores: Lines, counters, picnic tables, Wonder bread, plastic forks, and paper towels. Jay Bee sits on its triangle of concrete, a fortress of smoke, spice, meat and culture.
And what meat. In the pantheon of L.A. bbq, Jay Bee ranks on a level just below the Godhead of Phillip's in Leimert Park. I ordered the full pork rib dinner, spicy, and my only complaint is the spicy wasn't quite. The meat had been obviously well-cared for, smoked for hours until it melted off the bone. The sides--potato salad, slaw, beans, collard green for a few extra pennies--were ably put together. No sweet potato pie though, that sucks.
Then there was Linda. As we settled in to our meal, Linda emerged from the kitchen, obviously on her break. As she approached our table, I noticed that she eyed the corner seat by the wall of our picnic table in a possessive way. She made a split-second decision not to engage the newcomers, and moved for another table. I intercepted her and asked, "are we in your spot?"
She answered, "Honey, I sit in that spot every day for lunch, and you are most definitely in my spot."
I told her there was plenty of room, for her, and she approached the table as my colleague scooted over and she said, "Honey, you're gonna have to make more room, I ain't never been that small." From there, it was game on.
She asked where we were from, and when we told her we had driven all the way from Orange County, she was less than impressed. Her reaction, "Y'all come back when you driven cross the state line to eat here, then you come a long way." So much for our moon shot.
We brought ribs back for one of our colleagues husband's, and they perfumed the car all the way home. It is hard to proclaim one bbq shack better than another, but Jay Bee definitely holds it own. -
Review from Christy L.
Brea, CA
3/6/2010 2 photos
After playing the usual game of..."so where you wanna go eat at? I dunno...where do YOU want to go eat at?" for a good 15 minutes, the hungry dude suggested we go eat at a BBQ place in Gardena that was on the diners, drive-thru's and dive in show on Food Network. He did warn me that it's not a fancy place whatsoever and they might not even have an indoor dining area.
Ok, whatevers, let's just go eat!!!
Followed the navigation and saw a big sign that said Jay Bee's BBQ that was on a triangular part of a street where we completely missed the little street that leads to the parking lot. First timers be ware...there's only ONE way into the parking lot. Had to drive another mile before getting back to the one street that led to the parking lot.
It was literally a standing shack with maybe 5 outdoor benches where you can eat your food. We walked into the restaurant where barely 6 people can fit in at once. There was a huge glass that divides the customers and the kitchen staff. The menu is quite simple.
Dinner: comes with two sides. Sandwich comes with one side.
We ordered a small plate of pork ribs and beef ribs and got their baked beans potato salad and cole slaw. GET THE BAKED BEANS!! Yummm.
Both ribs literally fell out of the bones and it was perfectly cooked. I got the mild sauce which was drenched on the ribs. Some pieces were dry and some were very juicy. Overall, the ribs were really good. The sauce however can be toned down a bit.
It's a good place to come for To-Go if you live around the area. Not sure if I'd make a long trip just to come here and eat. Afterall, no dining area was a big turn off. The weather was 60 degrees with a little drizzle and quite windy. Hard to enjoy your food when your fingers are frozen, hair is blowing all over your face and napkins are flying all over the place! Grrrr~ Hence, the 4 stars.Listed in: Best of Los Angeles
