RE_WRITE Here’s the carnivorous glory that is Holy Cow, a barbecue restaurant from MessHall’s Rob Serritella that takes over an old Louise’s Trattoria on the dividing line between Santa Monica and Brentwood. Right across from the Brentwood Country Mart, this new joint doesn’t adhere to any particular style of ‘cue, but keeps the smoke low and slow. Think about rubbed baby back ribs, or USDA choice brisket with Texas toast. Consider tri-tip, a California specialty, with chimmichurri, or perhaps Carolina-style smoked pulled pork.
There’s even roasted turkey, grilled salmon, and fried chicken, as well as a slew of salads, because we all know the folks in Brentwood can’t live on beef alone. Dig into the farmer salad with an endive and frisee mix with blue cheese and sweet pecans, or perhaps the real McCoy, made with romaine hearts, cherry tomatoes, and avocados.
And since barbecue just isn’t complete without sides, Holy Cow’s offering everything from collards to slaw, and potato salad to quinoa (which would be heresy in Texas). To drink, try a draft beer like Saint Archer IPA, or an Alesmith X Pale to wash down the ‘cue, or be refined and sip on a cabernet sauvignon appropriately dubbed “Carnivor.”
Holy Cow
264 26th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310-883-6COW
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.
As of Feb 2015
BLUDSO’S BAR-&-QUE
Food lovers know the hottest ticket in town is really a meal ticket, and when it comes to meals–especially meat-centric ones–everyone is hungry for a taste of the just-opened Bludso’s BBQ on La Brea. You can get stick-to-your-ribs eats like ribs and other BBQ deliciousness while watching those dressed up stars collect statuettes Sunday night thanks to their 6 large flat screens around the restaurant and bar. Oh, and they’ve got Mint Juleps on tap! Starts at 5 p.m.
Bludso’s Bar-&-Que: 609 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 931-2583
In Silverlake…
HAVE TO CHANGE WORDING
Bourbon, smoked meat, and craft beer collide on the Eastside.
The barbecue trend isn’t stopping yet in Los Angeles, with yet another smoky spot hitting Silver Lake in the form of Charcoal. Replacing the old Lago D’argento Pizzeria as of yesterday along Hyperion, chef Jeremy Zimmerman (Sunset Marquis) has personally brought over a 1,700 pound smoker right into the heart of the Eastside, with everything from baby back ribs and brisket, to kelbasa and andouille sausages coming out of its iron belly. It’s the meat-centric celebration that Silver Lake denizens never knew they wanted.
Partnered with Anat Escher (Barberella, Bugatta), Zimmerman brings his native Kansas City barbecue featuring slow-smoked ‘cue that takes up to 15 hours to prepare. KC-style barbecue tends to boast tomato and molasses-heavy sauce that gets slathered right onto the meat, versus more austere Texas-style servings.
Drink offerings are plentiful, including bourbon-based cocktails like O’ Bloody Hell, mixing blood orange, bourbon, lime, agave, and fresno chili slices. The craft beer selection is no slouch either, with Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter or Finest Kind IPA from Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Open 4 p.m. to close, seven days a week.
Charcoal
2611 N. Hyperion Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
