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Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ

4 star rating
based on 162 reviews

Category: Barbeque  [Edit]

1639 E Imperial Hwy
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 990-4944
Hours:

Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Private Lot
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar

162 reviews for Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ

Review Highlights   

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"the biscuit with apple butter is as amazing as a biscuit can get." (in 50 reviews)
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"first off the baby back ribs here a excellent." (in 24 reviews)
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"I always get the one with tri-tip, ribs and chicken." (in 30 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Norma L.

 

5

23

Norma L.

Garden Grove, CA

5 star rating
11/12/2009

I love Lucille's!  
But for some reason I always leave here with a stomach ache.  
Maybe I eat too much and too fast or something.  :(

My favorites are the beef brisket sandwich and the pulled pork.  The sausage links are delicious as well.  Biscuits with apple butter are also fantastic!

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Photo of Lucy N.

 

7

16

Lucy N.

Diamond Bar, CA

4 star rating
11/8/2009 5 photos

Lucille's is pretty legit and all but it's not as orgasmic as everyone says it is. Ok, so we got the backyard family feast that's supposed to serve 4-6, but we had a party of 10 (:
free biscuits! the apple butter was really good.
the feast includes: 2 racks, 2 half chickens, 4 sides.
we got baby back and beef ribs. baby backs are so much better, but beef has more meat but it's tougher. the sides that we got were: garlic mashed potatoes, fries, honey roasted peanut slaw, and mac n cheese.
mashed potatoes and fries were freaking bomb.
peanut slaw was good.
mac n cheese was whatevs. least popular thing of the night.
make a friend tell the server that it's your berfday so you can get a free sundae :D or you can do it yourself if you have no shame. haha
the bill was around 109 including tax+tip and everyone was food-coma status by the end of the night.
Pretty unforgettable meal.

TIP: GO TO COSTCO AND BUY THEIR LUCILLE'S GIFT CARDS. YOU GET 2 $50 GIFT CARDS FOR $79.99. that's 20 dollars in your pocket for all you math-challenged people (:
oh and go to their website and sign up for their lucille's club. you get a $5 coupon! I LOVE MONEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY(:

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Photo of Kristy I.

 

45

101

Kristy I.

Rosemead, CA

3 star rating
10/5/2009

Went here when I was visiting the BF and it was good!  The wait is pretty long on most nights (we've come here and changed our minds multiple times because we didn't want to wait), but the food is actually pretty worth it.

The biscuits that they start you off with aren't anything to write home about by themselves, but that apple butter is heavenly.  With the bf's appetite for bread, I didn't get too many biscuits, but thankfully he isn't into sweets so I got all the apple butter to myself!!

For dinner I got the tri-tip with mac n' cheese and veggies as my sides.  The bf got baby back ribs with the garlic roasted mashed potatoes and sweet corn.  Both entrees were good, but I'd have to say I liked the ribs a little more.  So tender and tasty!  The tri-tip was good, but it was drier than I was hoping.  The sauce definitely made the tri-tip better, though.  I really liked all of the different barbecue sauces that they have on the table, but they were even better mixed together!  Original with a bit of the hot and Memphis-style--Mmmm.  

Out of the sides, you can probably guess what we really liked: the mac n' cheese and the potatoes!  The veggies were mostly there to keep it a balanced meal :)  Oh, and you can't forget the drinks!  No, we didn't get alcohol, but the strawberry lemonade in that big mason jar hit the spot.  Not too sweet, not too sour: perfect strawberry lemonade!!

I'm sad that we didn't have enough room for dessert, but the next time I visit, we are doing it right!

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Photo of Laura H.

 

0

8

Laura H.

Brea, CA

5 star rating
11/19/2009

Beef ribs!  Yummy!  They have the best food and it's where we go to celebrate everything.  Seriously, the best you can get.  I haven't had one thing there that I haven't liked.  Their bread pudding is amazing too and my husband loves the new red velvet cake they have.  If you haven't gone, you need to.  It's addictive though, I have to warn you.  Amazing service and a fun environment.  My husband reccomends the tri-tip.  The front porch lemonade is amazing.  I think it's loaded with alcohol, but you'd never know it by it's amazing taste.  I think I want to go right now!

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Photo of EatOutKid E.

 

0

26

EatOutKid E.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
10/26/2009

This place is bomb!!!  

Clean, consistent bbq...some items can be dry but overall it is a very good dining experience.  No other place like it in SoCal

I especially love the cornbread.....YOU GONNA EAT YO CORNBREAD??!  (from the movie "LIFE")

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Photo of Jennifer C.

Elite '09

28

207

Jennifer C.

Hacienda Heights, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 10/31/2009 13 photos

we had such a good time last time we had to come back for more...it was lunch and there was about a 15 mins wait...but after 15 minutes we went to inquire about our table and the host replies "i was just about to call you guys" realiie?!?! cuz before we walked over u looked like u were standing here bored out of ur mind...

start off with FREE biscuit w/apple butter...the sweetness of the biscuit pairs so well with the sweetness of the butter...tho i find it odd they only give 2 at a time

this time we asked for the ribs dry...so we tried it with all the diff sauces...
spicy: i love it...my fave out of all 3
memphis: taste like sweet and sour sauce from mcd to me...or at least similar...i personally don't like sweet in my entree but this was my boo's fave
original: solid sauce!

and for my bdai i got a FREE sundae!!! =]

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    8/29/2009

    My boo & i kame on a saturday around 7:30 pm and even though it looked like a long wait it… Read more »

Photo of andy t.

 

0

4

andy t.

Villa Park, CA

5 star rating
11/6/2009

the joy I felt when I had my first rib....unexplainable son! do expect to ball out unless you go for their lunch specials...i recommend the spiked strawberry lemmonade from the bar...I forgot what it was called but it has it's own
page on the drink menu...can't go wrong with ribs, tritip was pretty good too..not a big fan of BBQ chicken but it was tasty...and if you. order the feast/family meal you get watermelon too...now that's ballin

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Photo of Kevin L.

 

5

23

Kevin L.

Burbank, CA

4 star rating
9/24/2009

Lipsmackalicious, finger-lickin, saucy-face-a-makin', feeding -frenzy GOOOOOOOOD!  I wonder how my vegetarian friends would feel if they saw me eat at this place?  It might be disgust, or it just might be a conversion experience?

Beef ribs.  Brisket.  Hot links. Corn.  Beans.  Slaw.  Corn bread.  Check, check, check, check, check, check and check.

I'm not from Memphis, St. Louis or anywhere in TX, but I know what I like...I like me some Lucille's!

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Photo of Jayne L.

 

62

140

Jayne L.

Cerritos, CA

3 star rating
9/21/2009

I was just there last Friday for bf's birthday dinner with friends.  We had around 12 people in our party but only 5 of us showed up.  What was great was their service.  Although they said 80% of our party had to show up, they immediately sat us and were really accommodating for our friends' babies.

Complimentary biscuits and yummy apple butter, never-ending refills of your drink, and LARGE portioned meals! Everyone ended up ordering the combo plates and just shared with one other person.  It was filling! Also, their Okra is to die for! YUMMY!

The other Lucille's locations aren't so accommodating, but this one was! Great job, Brea Lucille's! :)

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Photo of Alan N.

 

4

6

Alan N.

Yorba Linda, CA

4 star rating
10/9/2009

Lucille's is a great place to go for tasty BBQ. The meat is always juicy and perfectly cooked. I've had a chance to taste all meats and they can do now wrong.

The food is a little expensive but well worth the price.

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Photo of John N.

Elite '09

26

161

John N.

Laguna Beach, CA

3 star rating
10/12/2009

The first time I want to Lucille I thought it was the best BBQ I ate in California but after a while it became clear that it is more commericalize chain then anything else. The ribs are ok. The hamburger are hugh but nothing to brag about. The brisket is alittle dry for my taste and the catfish and Fried chicken were ok. So the overall experience has to be ok. There are Lucille popping up in Long Beach and Irvine it it is basically everywhere.Oh I think the best thing about Lucille has to be the Black and Tan and that how I discover Blue moon beer and it use to be my favorite until I drink it too much and now i can even stand the taste of blue moon. hehe

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Photo of Chrissy N.

 

4

29

Chrissy N.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
9/4/2009

The bf and I stopped off in Brea to visit our friend on our way to Hollywood. Our friend wanted to take us out to eat and he decided on Lucille's and MAN! I am so happy he chose this place.

They start you off with fresh, warm biscuits and apple butter. Yum! It was a little lame though because they gave us 3 biscuits for 4 people...but it's okay, because they eventually refilled our biscuit basket.

The bf and I both got the baby back ribs, my friend got the brisket and his friend got a bbq burger. It takes sort of a long time for all the food to get out (about 20-30 mins?) but when it does get to your table...the wait was SO worth it.

The meat on the ribs was falling off the bone and it was heavenly. I like the sauce a lot. It's sweet...like REALLY sweet. I can see how it could be a little off-putting to some people who are not used to that type of bbq sauce, but it worked for me just fine. Both of my friends really enjoyed their food too. I'm pretty sure I have the diabetus now though. Worth it!

The only thing I really didn't like were the greens. EWWW. They were just WAY too strong and the texture was a little off. I'm not sure if they added too many different seasonings or if they cooked it for too long, but it just wasn't all that great.

Would I come back here? HELLZ YEAH!
Should you come here? HELL TO THE YEAH!

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Photo of Joshua L.

Elite '09

15

132

Joshua L.

Fullerton, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 9/2/2009

Everyone loves Lucille's for their Family style picnic deals when you go in a large group, large sides, and don't forget the awsome oh so tasty apple butter and fresh biscuits.  Also, don't forget the live blues music on weekends.  Cool place to hang.

Catering from them is just as good.  I recently went to an event where our friends catered from there and the food was outstanding as usual.  It's even good slightly cold after everyone's had their fill. :)

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    1/29/2008

    The first time I went to Lucielle's I was so excited I thought about it for weeks before our visit.… Read more »

Photo of William V.

Elite '09

112

260

William V.

San Dimas, CA

4 star rating
7/16/2009

I have had good experiences with this particular Lucille's restaurant. And despite Lucille's being a chain, I love their ribs. The consistency of their ribs are well prepared; and the selection of sauces... more than adequate.

My favorite item are the Baby Back Ribs. I usually opt for the full rack, which is about $3 more. The ribs come with a choice of two sides. Also, your table is given biscuits (too bad they don't have honey).

Ribs are about $22 and $25 for and half and full rack, respectively. As for anything else on their menu... I wouldn't know. However, the appetizer plate -- which includes pork ribs, onion straws, okra, fried tomatoes, egg rolls, pickles, chicken strips, and quesadillas -- makes a good appetizer... if you have a massive appetite.

As for service, I have found the staff to be very cordial.

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Photo of Laurence L.

 

2

60

Laurence L.

Rowland Heights, CA

5 star rating
8/21/2009

The biscuits are to die for.

Some may find it fairly odd, but I never get the ribs when I come, mainly because I'm just not really a ribs fan. I always get the smoked half BBQ chicken. It's delicious and filling. I've had the jambalaya before and it was very delicious as well.

The waiters and waitresses are extremely polite and helpful. Great well staffed place.

Only downpoint of Lucille's is how packed it can get during meal times and the waits can be quite a while (I waited 30 mins tonight). But I guess that should be expected of any chain restaurant on a Friday or weekend night.

Overall, Lucille's is a never fail place for me. I highly recommend it to anyone who's never had it before or is in the mood for some great BBQ.

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Photo of Jay B.

 

789

71

Jay B.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
7/3/2009

What better than review a BBQ smokehouse on the 4th.  The wait is long and reservations smartly required.  But come with friends, loved ones or family (didn't mean to separate loved ones and family =P ) and the time will pass quickly because you know you're in for a spectacular debauchery of a meat fest:  Slabs, schlongs, breasts, and thighs - the only thing missing is the sweet cherry pie =(.  

We ordered the Lucille's Super Feast:  Choice of 3 racks of either Baby back, St. Louis or Beef (Baby backs are the best followed by the Beef); 2 whole BBQ chicks; choice of two 2 pounds of hot links, tri tip, pulled pork, rib tips, or beef brisket (beef brisket - good but dry, tri tip - very dry); large tossed greens; and choice of 6 sides (sweet corn, shoestring fries, honey roasted peanut slaw, BBQ beans, roasted garlic smashEs, and those southern sweet pots - all were great).  Oh yeah I popped a few belt holes!  Filled to the brim but still ordered the big chocolate cake and key lime cheese cake.  In the end, it all went to the same place - so I'll lump everything as I'm a fan fan fan.  And yes, you'll need a "real fan" when you hit the potty a day later...  "Do you smell what the belly is cookin' ?" (Thanks Dwayne Johnson)

A little advice:  Goto Costco buy two $100 gift cards for $80 - save $40 bucks right there.  For 10 or more people, instead of ordering the Super Feast for $200, order two Backyard Family Feasts (totaling $170).  You'll get 4 racks of ribs, 2 whole chicks and 8 sides - No salad or 4 pounds of dried-out meat.  The ribs are the best so I would go that route next time with a big party.  The Lucille's onion straws look awesome as well, but that's for next time...

Service was just OK - kinda pushy, but for a big group they already know what they're getting.

Another note:  If the wait is too long, Nordstrom's Rack is a couple of blocks east of this location so enjoy...

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Photo of Marlon B.

Elite '09

262

165

Marlon B.

Fullerton, CA

5 star rating
6/21/2009

Yes Lucilles is a chain now! so what, it's friggin awesome!

The place is fun they play my favorite type of music "The Blues"
I dig the decor
I Luv the food
Biscuit's with Apple butter! (wow)
The Jambalaya SPICY and Good
The Beef Ribs Awesome
The Greens! outstanding =)
Even the side salad, the blue cheese dressing they have the best
Hot Link! Oh Baby!!!
Fried Chicken Plate with all the fixins including white gravy!! Oh Momma!!
Soup- Corn Chowder whoo hooo!!!

I think you get the point I could go on! plus I luv the smoker in the restaurant luv that smell =)

And by the way my Dog Tex luvs those beef rib BONES!!!! =)

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Photo of ed m.

 

0

34

ed m.

Newport Beach, CA

4 star rating
10/12/2009

The ribs were great but service was too slow.  And at a "Southern" place, okra must be a side -- not an appetizer.

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Photo of H Q.

 

40

172

H Q.

Placentia, CA

5 star rating
8/30/2009

Probably the best chain BBQ place around. This is the first time I've been to this location. The place was hoppin' and it was 8pm on a Friday. We got a cool table on the second floor that you can look down and see all the going ons down below. Being a very hot day, I had some nice views of tank top wearing women. Since it was my birthday, it made my day a little brighter.
I always order the Porch Combo. Lots of food, enough for a second meal the next day to extend the Lucille's experience. I had the pulled pork, St. Louis ribs and chicken. I was full after eating the biscuits, pork and ribs, so the half chicken went untouched and was my Saturday lunch. I know it's weird but I like cold chicken and eating it that way made it so much better. In my opinion.
I was hoping for a piece of cake or pie for my birthday treat, but was served ice cream. Oh well, you can't give 6 stars, so 5 will suffice.

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Photo of Ryan C.

Elite '09

108

188

Ryan C.

Anaheim, CA

1 star rating
5/6/2009

Ok went there for a late dinner I was watching the dodgers game and the wife was getting hungry so i will give you the play by play.

Wife: i am hungry lets get food
Me: lets go to buffalo wild wing so i can watch the game
Wife: that's a far drive
Me: what ever i don't care i am hungry to

so we get in the car and she said

Wife: what time is it
Me: 8:30
Wife time we get there its going to be late we can go to Lucille's
Me fine it is on the way

so we get there and sit in the bar area they have 3 tv's 2 of them had the laker games and 1 had the crappy angel game so i asked them can you change the game to dodgers he said someone is watching the angel game and i said so they suck and there loosing 8 to 0 put the dodger game on please and he didn't what a bitch so then we order our food i get the brisket slider and grits the wife got the chicken sandwich so while we are waiting i ask again about the ball game again they did not change it so we get our food and mine is cold and grits are all lumpy WTF i am pissed by now so i rushed my wife to finish her food so we can get out and watch the last of the game cause i was tired of watching it on my BB so that was my dinner experience here

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Photo of Ivan S.

 

37

35

Ivan S.

Costa Mesa, CA

4 star rating
6/3/2009

The ribs are absolutely Delicious. The meat is so tender that you can not even cut it. It practically melts in your mouth and the spicy BBQ sauce is not spicy but gives you that great tangy pinch. We went for HH and that made things very affordable.

The staff was super nice, the bartender made sure that we always had what we needed and brought us biscuits every time we wanted more. They were also so very tasty and buttery. If you are on a diet stay away but otherwise come have some and be prepared to overeat because it is just that good.

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Photo of Matt K.

 

4

80

Matt K.

Long Beach, CA

4 star rating
10/30/2009

good meet and lots of big people there so you know the food is good.

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Photo of Mei N.

 

22

78

Mei N.

La Puente, CA

4 star rating
5/28/2009

Yes I love this place Both my Grandmothers loves this place ... they always wanna go to that rib place (ALWAYS)

We generally get one of the family feasts depending on how many people come with us... and we are always shooting for leftovers ( lots of them) Cause yeah really my grandmother have like 4 ribs each and some side and are stuffed =p

You know the ribs are tender and yummy when 2 old ladies w/ denture love it!

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Photo of Tiffany C.

 

6

49

Tiffany C.

Huntington Beach, CA

5 star rating
6/11/2009

This is BOMB-diggity YO!

The boyfriend's family took me heere for my 21st birthday...

and ooohhh-wwiieee!!! this is such an awesome place!

Starting with the glass of water... heheh.. it's not even a normal glass of water... it freakin' looks like an extra humongo strawberry jam jar WOO!!!

The food just melts in your mouth! We spent I think 80's-90 dollar for the whole fam bam!  4 couples... it's more than enough, even though you are with guys... or you ARE guys who eat food without swallowing hehehe!!!

You should come by and try this place out.... my mmouth waters everytime I think about those ribs..... woooo!!!

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Photo of LiLLy C.

 

63

20

LiLLy C.

Norwalk, CA

4 star rating
3/30/2009

You have to try their pork chops here.  Their awesome!  Tender, Juicy, & Perfectly cooked.
Have a Raspberry Mojito while you wait to be seated if you go on a weekend night =)

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Photo of D R.

 

13

225

D R.

Santa Ana, CA

4 star rating
7/1/2009

Get the Trip-Tip.  It is OUTSTANDING.  The ambiance is nice, serviceis generally good... and always a wait.  A bit on the higher price side, but again, very worth it if you get the TRIP TIP.

Sides are nothing to write home about.

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Photo of John K.

 

3

39

John K.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
8/19/2009

Lucilles is great!  The tri tip is always good.  The ribs are always cooked to perfection.  They have great hor d' vores and a very reasonable Happy Hour.  I would recommend this place.  I have been to the Lucille's in Cerrios and was very satisfied.  The service is great.  They also have a great beer that bears their name.

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Photo of Kathy T.

 

0

8

Kathy T.

Fountain Valley, CA

4 star rating
7/10/2009

The food here is absolutely out of this world!
Everything on this menu is just mouth-watering, and the biscuits are so good with the apple butter! I think everyone agrees with that! lol And i'm a big food fan, so i watch food network all the time, and Lucilles Smoke house was mentioned on it before! I think it's soo funny that our beverage glasses are put in these jars instead of regular glasses! How fun is that?
OMG...and the garlic mash potatoes are so good as well!
YUMmmmmm!!
Can't complain when you got food this good.
The prices are a bit high, but once again, very well worth it.

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Photo of Manny D.

 

3

7

Manny D.

Lawndale, CA

5 star rating
6/28/2009

Greeeeeat!!!

I would go for seconds but Im stuffed!

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Photo of Zak P.

 

2

48

Zak P.

Anaheim, CA

2 star rating
8/22/2009

OVERRATED is the word I would use to describe Lucille's. The atmosphere it top notch, however food lacks the amazing taste I am expecting for the prices they are charging. We waited 1 hour to be seated, and food was slow coming out. Server was inattentive and food was average. I have had much better BBQ from smaller locations that offer higher quality at lower prices.

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Photo of Shanna L.

 

2

8

Shanna L.

Yorba Linda, CA

5 star rating
5/8/2009

Absolutely love how the meat is so soft and tender it falls right off the bones!

Their biscuits are the absolute best!
It is definitely worth the wait to get a table.

The Backporch lemonade is one of the best mixed drinks I've had there.

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Photo of Ana M.

Elite '09

178

377

Ana M.

Portland, OR

4 star rating
Updated - 1/21/2009

I'm currently obsessed with the BBQ Chicken Salad! I'm sure it has more calories then I can fathom, it is far from a "healthy" salad. It has thin onion rings on top, grilled chicken breast, chunks of cheese, and a ton of other fabulous things. I order the regular size and I have never come even close to finishing it, it's pretty much a mountain of salad. They offer a smaller size and with the biscuits they give you it is more then enough.

To sweeten the deal even more, they started having happy hour! The deals aren't that great but hey, I dig happy hour.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 2 star rating
    1/10/2008

    Not a huge BBQ fan at all but my parents are so I took them... They're from Texas and were not super… Read more »

Photo of liz c.

Elite '09

39

84

liz c.

Burlingame, CA

5 star rating
3/11/2009

It's pretty much this:

On the 7th day, while God was resting, He created Lucille's BBQ chicken AND apple butter.

And called it GOOD. :)

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Photo of Litto K.

 

0

13

Litto K.

Monterey Park, CA

4 star rating
8/10/2009

my boyfriend took me to here in brea to eat.. and its pretty far from where we live... but he said it was the BEST out of all the Lucille's out there!

so we ate there.. and everything was so YUMMY! hahaha but omg... the drinks... i didnt even ask for refills... its so HUGE! o.o  but other there than the ribs her soft came off right off the bone! very tender ^-^ chicken was good there too and  the MASH POTATOS were to DIE FOR!

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Photo of Lee E.

 

15

63

Lee E.

El Monte, CA

5 star rating
7/17/2009

Beef Ribs, St. Louis Ribs, Cornbread w/ Apple Butter, Strawberry Lemonade...I'd eat this stuff for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or as a 4th meal...Soooo Goooood

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Photo of Craig R.

Elite '09

289

202

Craig R.

Long Beach, CA

5 star rating
1/9/2009

Best BBQ joint in my opinion. I love Lucille's so much. I have been eating at this place for over five years. I have never ever had a bad meal here. I also have never walked out of this place hungry or with out a doggy bag. The restaurant is really cool inside and out. The outside has a nice patio area to hang out at while you are waiting for a table (trust me you will be waiting) with tables, chairs, benches, and outdoor heaters. The inside has an old southern feel to it. There are a lot of cool pics on the walls and flying pigs hanging from the ceiling. There is also a huge metal BBQ smoker packed full of ribs, chicken, tri tip, etc. On weekends they have live jazz bands that play on a little stage inside the restaurant. On weekends this place gets jammed pack. I have waited for over two hours to get a table for four before on a Saturday night.

The food here is amazing. Before each meal they serve complimentary biscuits (which are big and fluffy) with the most amazing apple butter. At each table they have two types of BBQ sauce which are regular and spicy. The regular is good but the spicy is out of this world. I put it on everything. I could write at least two full pages about all the different food (because I have tried everything on the menu) here. Instead I will list my favorite things
Appetizers:
Deep fried pickles - Sounds kind of strange but they are amazing
Sides:
1. Mac and cheese - Super cheesy
2. Creamy Cheese Grits - By far my favorite side dish. Phenomenal
Dinners:
1. St Luis spare ribs -super tender and extremely delicious
2. Smoke house BBQ burger - Huge full pound burger with onion straws, bbq sauce, and bacon
Desserts:
Snickers ice cream pie - Taste just like the candy bar

The service here is always great. I have always had a great waiter/waitress every time. The prices are really good. Especially since they feed you like it is going to be your last meal. The amount of food you get is enormous.
I highly recommend this place for anyone who is looking to have some great BBQ. Just make sure you come with a huge appetite.

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2

24

Camille U.

Anaheim, CA

3 star rating
2/21/2009

I've tried this location probably about 6-7 times over the last 3 years.  All in all it is pretty good chain barbeque but I have had some real negative experiences and some really good meals.  The worst - half of my chopped pork sandwich was a huge glob of chopped fat.  It was disgusting and one bite totally turned my stomach.  I complained and my waiter actually tried to tell me that chopped pork always has clumps of fat in it and I should try something else.  What a joke!  OK I know that's quite a bad review but it's worth saying that was an isolated incident and it's been really good for the most part.

For me I don't go here that often because it gets ridiculously crowded.  I'm impatient anyways but unless you go at 10 oclock at night or mid afternoon you can be promised a wait of anywhere from 30 mins to 1 1/2 hrs.  Forget that!  One thing they do offer is online ordering so if you live nearby you can place your order and go pick it up.  

Unfortunately for now this place is the best choice close to Anaheim for Memphis style (sweet smoky sauce) BBQ, since every other BBQ place around here is bland and run by people who don't know a thing about how to cook anything but brisket.  

One thing I  recommend is the onion straws.  They're $8.50(!) but it's a real mountain and tasted great.  We took what we couldn't eat home then for two days afterwards used the leftovers as a vegetable dish (ha)  -once with steaks and then on sliders.  They really turned out to be worth the money!  Lest I forget what's true to my heart - they have cold draft beer and serve one of my favorites Sierra Nevada in addition to a few other good choices.  In my opinion that goes a long way and will even make up for a couple bad memories...

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28

64

Jennifer C.

Diamond Bar, CA

2 star rating
7/21/2009

I don't know what it is about these BBQ places...
All the waitstaff seem to be dumb as a cow...must be sniffing too much BBQ smoke or something.
I ordered some BBQ to go, at 7pm at night, where I was supposed to pick it up at 7:30pm. At 7:30pm I arrive, almost running over a large party of people loitering on the streets, while I try to get the "to go" parking.
I walk in while there was a bunch of people outside staring at me, because I was in a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. Was I supposed to be dressed for this occasion? I am only getting food togo. Weirdos. Anyways, I walk in to the restaurant and ask the hostess where do I pick up to go. She sends me over the another counter with no one in it, and says she will be right there.
I wait for about like 10 minutes...a surfer dude walks up to me and asks what I want. I told him I wanted to pick up my food, he looks at these sheets of paper and tells me that he didn't put my order in yet.
He said I will have to wait another half-hour because he didn't put it in yet.
SERIOUSLY? You do not tell a half starved 24 year old who just got off 8 hours of work, that you do not have food! I wanted to murder the dumb blonde bitch.
Unfortunately, I had to wait. So I walked over to borders and bought a book. When I came back, a nicer young man got my food ready and was very polite. However...he forgot my drink. Nice one, Lucille's!
You guys have the best BBQ and food, at least afford a employee training program.
BTW...two stars for the food. And that's it. Everything else, the parking, the staff, the REALLY REALLY long lines are not worth it.

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6

37

Ken P.

Fullerton, CA

2 star rating
1/23/2009

Another formerly great place goes corporate... and loses their edge. I'll keep this short, but Lucille's used to be an honest BBQ restaurant where the staff actually seemed to give a damn that you were there... in terms of preparing food correctly and serving it professionally. With two wonderful exceptions (Jim and Adrian at the bar are great), the service has seriously fallen off in the past 18 months. OK, it's not all bad, but the last few times I ate there I felt like the sullen, gloomy servers seemed quite bothered by the fact that food was actually being ordered.

And speaking of the food, yes, the portions are over the top, the sauces are over the top, and the prices are not low. OK, so I eat half the portion and I'm fine... but the quality has also slipped the past year or so. It starts with the biscuits. Reviewers here who rave about those biscuits probably don't remember the Lucille's biscuits of 2007... giant, flaky, buttery Southern beauties served two to a basket with a dark, creamy apple butter. Recently the biscuits have morphed into those Denny's style "dinner rolls" with a lighter colored, bland so-called apple butter. Corporate cost-cutting at its finest. I had lunch there yesterday, and the hot links were overcooked and dry, the veggies were mushy and those biscuits were, well, sad. The mac and cheese was still good at least.

It's too bad. As I see the proliferation of barn-sized Lucille's eateies popping up (Chino Hills, Rancho Cucamonga for example), the quality has dropped like a rock. Lucille's has joined Claim Jumper, BJ's, Carino's and Sleezecake Factory in the pantheon of Southern California feeding troughs that cater to people looking for "big dumb food". Spend your money at an independent restaurant and have food that is prepared by people who care, working for owners that care.

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Elite '09

7

138

Lesley C.

Fullerton, CA

3 star rating
4/17/2009

Just because you are a BBQ restaurant doesn't give you the right to sauce your salads with BBQ sauce.  Totally uncool.  And that is what happened to the TRI TIP SALAD, an unappetizing pile of baby greens, halved cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and avocado dressed in a weird, smokey, sweet bbq dressing.  Topped with slices of tri tip in more bbq sauce.  No good.

Boyfriend had the BBQ BABY BACK RIBS & BRISKET platter with GREENS and POTATO SALAD.  Greens were delicious but a little on the salty side.  Potato salad was yummy.  No complaints about the BBQ either.  

BISCUITS - First time I had these, loved them.  This time, I think they had too much baking powder.  They tasted fine, but it left my mouth totally sapped of moisture.  Really odd.

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