They have lunch specials that come with a sandwich (your choice of meat(s)), 2 sides, and soda. I got brisket and hot links with coleslaw and mac & cheese. I think it was $18 or so, which is within what I’d expect for Santa Monica (almost bordering on a good deal for the area).
The sides were very good despite the coleslaw lacking color. No complaints here.
The hot links were nice with a good kick. I may order them again.
The problem unfortunately is the brisket. The taste itself is good, it has a nice amount of smoke to it, and it’s seasoned simply—which is what I prefer. However, it was dry, dry, dry. I know brisket flat can easily end up that way but I was definitely hoping for more, given the positive reputation. I would not order it again and especially not at the price they charge ($48/lb!).
Apparently they don’t have smokers on site (due to SM regulations) and bring the smoked meats over from their other location. It’s a possible failure point that could explain the brisket condition, but really if it’s held correctly at the right temp during transit it should be a non-issue.
I cook a lot of BBQ, so I’m unlikely to return, but I think I would come back if I didn’t like what I make myself.
74BMWBavaria
This looks sad.
cubrunner34
Had bludso’s once and wasnt impressed. Is there any good BBQ in LA??
corner
Seems like brisket in LA is more likely than not to look like this. The only proper brisket I’ve had in LA is Moo’s.
halfsourorfullsour
It’s so wild to me that someone would run a bbq joint and basically just give up. Like this chef/owner MUST have had very good BBQ many times in their life while traveling, or even made it themselves.
And then they serve this. Like dude you must know this brisket is dogshit. I guess it’s just an example of how hard the industry can be that you just lose sight of the ball.
SemenSnickerdoodle
I miss their old Compton location. It was much better than what they have nowadays. Plus they had an insane pulled pork sandwich combo back in the day.
KWash0222
Wow this looks terrible. I’ve had Bludso’s a few times (once at their Hollywood location, and the rest was delivery), and it’s always looked way better than this. Hope this isn’t their overall quality going down and that it was just an off day
SpraynardKrugerIWB
I had some there the other day that was very moist, I enjoyed it as LA bbq goes. Is this the lean brisket?
clnsdabst
i went to this location and had a good experience, although it was very busy (line out the door). had the brisket, hot link, ribs, hush puppies, corn bread and cole slaw.
the ribs werent the best, but everything else was very good. brisket looked better than these photos, the hot link wasnt very pretty but tasted good. wasnt cheap.
trojanusc
Bludso’s is just try and tastes like smoke. No nuances in the flavor.
Superbadasscooldude
Coming from Texas and being a big Texas bbq enthusiast, bludsos is very bad in my opinion. It’s the type of bbq you would expect at an elementary school cafeteria during the rodeo when they do special bbq dishes; just large scale bad quality bbq. I think people in California found it acceptable before learning what real high quality Texas bbq tastes like. Please do yourself a favor and get bbq at Bartz, A’s, Rays, Moo’s or my favorite in socal, heritage bbq and save yourself the experience of mediocre (even bad) bbq at bludsos.
No-Background-3698
Bludso’s looks and tastes like something you’d eat on an airplane. Flavorless and uninspiring
ProbablyOffTask
Bludsos is terrible
morkman100
Have had brisket multiple times at Bludso’s and never received anything that looked even close to this. Always has been amazing.
UrbanFarmer213
Am I crazy to think that 5-10 years ago Bludsoe’s was MUCH better?
thisusernametakentoo
It was so much better when it was in Compton….minus the wait
DrSprock
48 bucks for brisket really?!?
DarkTyphlosion1
Rays BBQ in Huntington Park is legit. Love that spot, I work about 5 minutes away
incominghottake
Bludsos has good pork ribs . Brisket at slab is better.
19 Comments
First time at the new Bludso’s in Santa Monica.
They have lunch specials that come with a sandwich (your choice of meat(s)), 2 sides, and soda. I got brisket and hot links with coleslaw and mac & cheese. I think it was $18 or so, which is within what I’d expect for Santa Monica (almost bordering on a good deal for the area).
The sides were very good despite the coleslaw lacking color. No complaints here.
The hot links were nice with a good kick. I may order them again.
The problem unfortunately is the brisket. The taste itself is good, it has a nice amount of smoke to it, and it’s seasoned simply—which is what I prefer. However, it was dry, dry, dry. I know brisket flat can easily end up that way but I was definitely hoping for more, given the positive reputation. I would not order it again and especially not at the price they charge ($48/lb!).
Apparently they don’t have smokers on site (due to SM regulations) and bring the smoked meats over from their other location. It’s a possible failure point that could explain the brisket condition, but really if it’s held correctly at the right temp during transit it should be a non-issue.
I cook a lot of BBQ, so I’m unlikely to return, but I think I would come back if I didn’t like what I make myself.
This looks sad.
Had bludso’s once and wasnt impressed. Is there any good BBQ in LA??
Seems like brisket in LA is more likely than not to look like this. The only proper brisket I’ve had in LA is Moo’s.
It’s so wild to me that someone would run a bbq joint and basically just give up. Like this chef/owner MUST have had very good BBQ many times in their life while traveling, or even made it themselves.
And then they serve this. Like dude you must know this brisket is dogshit. I guess it’s just an example of how hard the industry can be that you just lose sight of the ball.
I miss their old Compton location. It was much better than what they have nowadays. Plus they had an insane pulled pork sandwich combo back in the day.
Wow this looks terrible. I’ve had Bludso’s a few times (once at their Hollywood location, and the rest was delivery), and it’s always looked way better than this. Hope this isn’t their overall quality going down and that it was just an off day
I had some there the other day that was very moist, I enjoyed it as LA bbq goes. Is this the lean brisket?
i went to this location and had a good experience, although it was very busy (line out the door). had the brisket, hot link, ribs, hush puppies, corn bread and cole slaw.
the ribs werent the best, but everything else was very good. brisket looked better than these photos, the hot link wasnt very pretty but tasted good. wasnt cheap.
Bludso’s is just try and tastes like smoke. No nuances in the flavor.
Coming from Texas and being a big Texas bbq enthusiast, bludsos is very bad in my opinion. It’s the type of bbq you would expect at an elementary school cafeteria during the rodeo when they do special bbq dishes; just large scale bad quality bbq. I think people in California found it acceptable before learning what real high quality Texas bbq tastes like. Please do yourself a favor and get bbq at Bartz, A’s, Rays, Moo’s or my favorite in socal, heritage bbq and save yourself the experience of mediocre (even bad) bbq at bludsos.
Bludso’s looks and tastes like something you’d eat on an airplane. Flavorless and uninspiring
Bludsos is terrible
Have had brisket multiple times at Bludso’s and never received anything that looked even close to this. Always has been amazing.
Am I crazy to think that 5-10 years ago Bludsoe’s was MUCH better?
It was so much better when it was in Compton….minus the wait
48 bucks for brisket really?!?
Rays BBQ in Huntington Park is legit. Love that spot, I work about 5 minutes away
Bludsos has good pork ribs . Brisket at slab is better.