Willingham’s World Champion BBQ

Excellent brisket! Juicy and flavorful. The sides were also very good, especially the coleslaw and mac n cheese. We got the family meal with an extra small side and it was perfect for us. Come and try the delicious food. Your taste buds will be pleasantly satisfied with great BBQ taste and hearty portions!

Nasty than a mf don’t go here lol unless you have no taste buds
¹⁄₁₀ best thing there was the lollipop I got at the end

No Bueno!
Where did it all go wrong?
They claim Championship BBQ on their wall and on their take out menu (in the past), today, you or I might produce a better product.
In my opinion, this is why it fails:
The smell test:
if you go to a BBQ place you will come out smelling like smoke. Not here, not even a whiff of smoke in the air.
The meat, we did not detect any smoke smell on them as well.
FAIL
The food test:
Beef Brisket: the meat was NOT tender. Very little to no fat at all.
Rib Tips: the big pieces were okay, but they also served me a few thin flat pieces. Eating those pieces resembles eating jerky. I had to pull on the meat for it to release into my mouth.
Smoked Turkey: was okay. Turkey breast is huge, the product they were slicing for us was 1 inch in diameter, we concluded that they must be cutting the breast meat into serving portions before they are cooked (I can’t say it’s smoke) and it’s on the dry side.
Mac n Cheese: was the only redeeming item on my plate. It’s nothing special, but I was hungry and finished it all. Not good when I leave meat on the plate and finish the side dish.
Baked Beans: was just okay. It had some BBQ pieces in it, but nothing special.
BBQ sauce that is used with the meat is super salty, and I like salty things, not these.
FAIL.
Service was okay.
Price, considering how bad the food was, is over priced.
Positive Note: they have BBQ sauce on the side. Sassy Sweet, Mild, Hot & Extremely hot. All very good BBQ Sauces. But none of them could help the meat.
I can honestly say, this is the worst BBQ place I’ve been.
I definitely won’t be back.

I had the brisket and pork. Both very moist. Good flavor. BBQ sauce is ok. I eat the meat plain. As is. The coleslaw is delicious as the potato salad.

Major disappointment I doubt the Willingham family have much to do with this crap hole. The brisket was dry and rubbery and the workers seemed like minimum wage, who have no experience what so ever with BBQ and could not answer any questions on how the meat was prepared. Another horrible fake California BBQ joint. Stay away Hambones down the street is much better

Tasty bbq, helpful staff. picked up the #3 Family Package which includes pulled pork, whole chicken, 2 sides, drinks and buns. Fed 4 for under 30… bargain! Only con I can think of is trouble finding parking during the week, on a Saturday it wasn’t an issue.

So my new thing is to at least try all the bbq spots in my area every two weeks. Willingham’s was my last stop. I am going to give a fair «Non emotional» review.
1. Walked inside and there was absolutely no bbq smell (first sign) It smelled like the floors had just been mopped with bleach and bathroom soap.
2. Poor customer service. There was only one person who ordered ahead of me and once she finished they didn’t ask for my order until she was walking out the door.
3. Out of Mac & Cheese– I purchased the cole slaw and potato salad instead. The cole slaw tasted like it was previously frozen and the cabbage was translucent. The potato salad was okay
4. I ordered the brisket and rib combo (loved the prices) I chose the non lean side of the brisket and even so it just was not tasteful. It was not seasoned. The bbq ribs were okay and well seasoned but I was turned off when I saw the associate take them out the microwave. Ugh… I am done.
5. The bbq sauce. I tried all of them, literally all of them but ended up using my own when I got home.
I tried and Willingham’s failed me.

Strange place to me. I went the week they opened.
The place was extra clean (well, is new :-) and I didn’t smell any BBQ or smoke. When I ordered the owner was «teaching» the young employees how to cut the ribs and put the sides together. Food had no flavor, dry, overcooked and it was at room temperature. Is this world champion BBQ? On the side they have different kind of BBQ sauces (extra hot, sweet, etc) to add to your food.
Also I saw a big sign asking for a experienced BBQ cook (???). Really? They asked for a cook AFTER they opened?
Hambones and Johnny Rebs are better options and perhaps cheaper.

Very good for quick fast BBQ. Brisket and ribs very tasty. Potato salad was good as well. Wish they had a better selection like a nice dinner roll instead of the sliced white bread. Otherwise I would come again.

Bar B Que.
so many different opinions…
so many convoluted ideals and expectations.
when im in the area, im almost always naturally pulled toward Hambones for good ‘Q. it just so happens, that on this day, i was already dead set on going there. that is, until i approached Bellflower blvd, on Alondra. i looked up and read the words «Willingham’s world champion bbq».
Now, to most people, this might not be a big deal. but i took pause. because i am a student of the art of BBQ, and i recognized the name «Willingham». i sat there, in traffic, waiting for the light to change, and mulling to myself «wait. can it be? but. this is the west coast. it cant be. but. what if it is?!» i made up my mind, and cut across lanes to make it into the driveway. i had to find out.
John Willingham is a legend of BBQ. No, that doesn’t even do him justice. John is the stuff of mythology. his idea’s and designs revolutionized the concept of competitive BBQ. He’s a 21-​time Grand Champion at events like the Memphis in May, and American Royal BBQ competitions (both considered World Championships of BBQ).
he’s basically the Laird Hamilton of BBQ (don’t get that reference? Wikipedia him)
so as i walked into this establishment, i had high hopes that this could possibly be, the BBQ of legend. my hopes began to fade immediately. the place had «franchise» written all over it. the inside décor was sterile and plain, and looked like an old El Pollo Loco. as i continued in, my assumption was confirmed. there, on the wall, was a picture and bio of the man, John Willingham. i was stoked.
the menu was simple, and direct. and the prices all seemed very reasonable. i opted for the 2 meat plate, with Pork Ribs, and Pulled Pork. i also chose the coleslaw, and mac-​n-​cheese. after a few minutes, my order was ready. both meats were served dry. this, i already expected. John believed the meat should be the star, and the sauce should compliment, not define the BBQ. it also came with 2 slices of white bread. this is very characteristic of southern, Memphis-​style BBQ. there were 3 sauces available: Johns original «Wham sauce» which is kind of a hybrid of Carolina style sourness and Memphis style savory/​sweet. then there was the «Sweet and Sassy Wham sauce». this was straight-​up Memphis in a bottle. sweet, and tangy, with just the right amount of savory to balance it. the third offering was the «Wham hot sauce». not a traditional «hot-​sauce» per se, but still very good. it was like the original Wham sauce, but with a spicy-​heat finish on the palate.
my plate looked full, with a pile of pulled pork, under two meaty pork spare ribs. the two sides seemed kinda muted. the mac-​n-​cheese looked as if it came out of a box, and was obviously overcooked. the slaw was finely minced up, and seemed harmless. before any sauce got near my plate, i had to try the meat. the rib had a beautiful smoke ring, and was quite moist. the meat gave way easily to my bite, and pulled away without leaving the rib bone bare. the seasoning was simple, and delicious. i was longing for more of a smoky flavor, but it never materialized. the pulled pork was a bit dry, but had a great «pork» flavor. this also lacked that smoky-​ness. so, i dotted a few pieces of meat with the variety of sauces, and began to taste, and compare. my favorite was easily the sweet and sassy sauce. it hit all the right notes on my palate. even those acidic ones way in the back, that instantly trigger your salivary glands. the coleslaw was a great accompaniment, but the mac and cheese was soggy and bland.
three stars for a BBQ god.
well… unfortunately, this representation of John Willingham has been sterilized, franchised, and glazed over. it kinda made me sad, and almost offended to see his name being sold this way. its too bad. but he’s still a hero to me.
i left Willingham’s with a full belly, but kind of a broken heart. the ‘Q was, decent. but nothing to make note of. the sauce saved the day. they need to go back to the drawing board on how exactly to package this franchise to not be so… Muted and Bland.
The World misses you, John. but you’ll live forever in the hearts, and on the grills of those whom you’ve influenced and inspired.

Excellent BBQ restaurant. Huge dinner portion for around $ 25.00 — plenty for two adults and a child (or two). We ordered the beef brisket, both lean and fatty cuts. Very tasty — the fatty portion was my favorite, just the right amount of fat. We sampled three different BBQ sauces. Hot sauce, and I love spicy food, was just too hot for me. Other two sauces were delicious. Mac and Cheese was very tasty, cheesy. We will definitely be back. Quick service and a delicious meal. Friendly customer service, too.

I am sorry, but i was not impressed with this BBQ restaurant. I had the ½ chicken dinner with mac n cheese and the mild sauce. The chicken was moist and good but visually it was not appealing. There was no rub or sauce on the chicken, the sauce came on the side and tasted strongly of vinegar, i could not eat it (sauce). The ½ chicken was very small… though the price was reasonable i guess for the size of the chicken. The Mac n Cheese was not visually appealing either and tasted like Velveeta Shells n Cheese with a squirt of hot sauce added. I usually dont order chicken at a BBQ place but was in the mood for some smoky, tender, BBQ’y chicken… which i did not get.
I guess i have been spoiled by Bludso’s tender, smoky meats and delicious homemade Mac n Cheese so i will continue to get my BBQ at Bludso’s.

better than your chain BBQ but still not as good as Bubbas back yard. had the brisket it was a bit fatty and flavorless. When I smoke my own they have great flavor with out any sauce. Here it had none. They do have a wide selection of tasty sauces but some flavored wood (peach, apple etc) would add to the meats flavor

First time here. Had the Cali Dude Bob, added their famous Wham Hot Sauce. Also had a side of Mac & Cheese. Delicious!

I shall not return to this establishment. I cannot divide my critique between Pros & Cons, because there were no Pros to report. Ordered the brisket plate.
Cons:
* For one, you get Conned for what you are getting at this place.
*I guess the employees are still new, since they appeared to be learning their roles.
*The brisket was dry (That’s the first & last draw).
*The sides were not good (Who the f*ck gives you two slices of wonder bread as a side?). If I wanted a sandwich, I would’ve chosen a brisket sandwich.
*Not worth the price, Def. not worth it.
*Quantity: You will get less for what you are paying for, trust me.
*Quality: Already mentioned that the main entrée was DRY (Game Over).
*You know it’s total sh*t when one of their own employees tell you: «Shoulda ordered one of the sandwiches, those are better.» (Top quality BBQ establishments should have good food, regardless!!!)
Last words: If you don’t care how good a BBQ should be, then this place is for you. If you don’t care for the quality of the BBQ, then this place is for you. However, if you love BBQ, then I highly recommend other BBQ establishments.
Brisket was so dry, I used the left over piece as a toothpick.

Good ribs and decent brisket, but the sides were odd to say the least

We came in late. They only had chicken and brisket left, a good sign. We got the brisket BOB and they were good. We also got the chicken plate, that one was good too. Overall it’s pretty good, i’d go back.

This place has a smaller variety of BBQ’d goods, but that might actually be a good thing. I’ve only tried the brisket so far and it is excellent! The serving is generous for the price and with the two sides it makes for a satisfying meal.
The cole saw is not the sugary dessert stuff. Instead, it is a creamy, slightly vinegary and cabbage-​y slaw. I added some hot sauce to it and it was perfect. I had the slaw for both sides.
They also pack in a couple of slices of good ol’ white bread with your plate.
The wife had a pulled pork sandwich and was very impressed. The pork was juicy, smokey, flavorful and plentiful. They really pack on the meat in their sandwiches. Her preferred sauce was the Sweet and tangy. I agree with her on that one.
This is definitely the best BBQ value in the area. Other places nearby are a bit pricier, and in some cases higher quality (except for the Brisket, their’s is on par with the best BBQ restaurants in town, including the one I make at home!) But Willingham’s BBQ can be a fast food BBQ place at near fast food prices, which to me, makes it a stand out joint.
DO give it a shot!

I waited a while to try this place. You know so they could work the kinks out… I’m not sure where people get off saying its too pricy seeing as the highest priced item is 12.99 $ for 2 proteins and 2 sides with bread… the economy isn’t that bad! My brisket had a perfect smoke ring. And the BBQ sauce was delish the service and chef were on point. Definitely on my list of places to go back to

1 lb of brisket and a ½ a pound of pulled pork was $ 23 ! Delicious!