Brick Smokehouse

Wait… Did I go to the same place as everyone? The reviews were so high I was stoked for good bbq…
The menu was extremely meh… Only bbq items were ribs (which were good) or pork or chicken.
I saw pics of mac n cheese and biscuits and other stuff but they had none of that tonight… Options were meek, so I opted for french fries (which they were out of). They were also out of napkins… At a BBQ place??? I’m sorry what?! Lol
I’d call before going in, to see what the menu entails, otherwise be prepared for major disappointment. 2 stars for the new server who was sweet and for the ribs (but ask for extra BBQ on them, they were pretty dry).

Half menu was sold out when I ate here; nice ambiance. little known place known by word of mouth.

After hearing the buzz from friends and some restaurant reviewers, I finally had reason to be up in West LA and got to try what people were raving about. They were not wrong…
I split the sampler for two with a friend so we got to try it all. For me the standouts were the pork belly, ribs and tri-​tip plus the grits and root veggies. The meats were smoky and flavorful and the house made BBQ sauce had a great combination of sweetness with a kick. The grits were creamy and rich and the veggies were well prepared with a bit of sweetness to them. There was a well-​chosen selection of quality craft beers to pair with the meal — I chose an Oskar Blues G’Knight which had the bitterness and body to complement the meal.
This place has a great homey, neighborhood vibe with a friendly staff. I wish it was nearer to home for me so I could come by more often, but I have a feeling I may periodically invent a reason or two to be in the neighborhood and visit again soon.

Wow, $ 50 doesn’t buy what it used to! But it’s BBQ, so I guess you have to expect a high price. Their sampler gets you a little of everything on the menu, and a lot of that is stuff you should never order (why turkey? WHY?!)
We went on a Friday night, early to beat the crowd. Not busy at all at 6:30pm, so we got a quick table and waitress was attentive. We knew we wanted the sampler for two. We were assured it was more than we could finish, maybe good for three or more.
Plate was just what I was expecting: half of it was a big hunk of turkey, and not nearly enough of the really good stuff. They have turkey, brisket, baby backs, tri tip, and pork belly, along with all the sides like greens, mac and cheese, a few random greens. And one biscuit. ONE BISCUIT on a sampler for two! Do they give you half a biscuit when you order the single? Imagine if we had lots of people splitting one biscuit!
Turkey was dry and no flavor.
Tri tip was tough, maybe overcooked, no real flavor. Made a good sandwich the next day.
Baby backs were passable; I would even say I liked them, but wouldn’t come back for them.
The brisket was excellent! That went quick! Tender, and plenty of flavor, juicy. We would definitely come back for this.
Pork belly was my favorite. Not the most consistent since it as some fatty parts, some meaty parts, but that is to be expected. Only sad there wasn’t more of this.
As for sides, the mac and cheese was very good, and everything else was just fine.
So my suggestion, skip the sampler, just go with the brisket and pork belly, with a side of mac and cheese.

Pros:
Meat Good
Sauce Good
Cons:
Saturday at 7PM — No Brisket & No Ribs
Food on the cold side
No craft beers on tap
Arrogant chef

Wow!!! This was one of the best bbq places up to date! My experience here was fantastic, the waitress was super sweet and hospitable.
My boyfriend and I wanted baby back ribs initially but unfortunately they weren’t availible when we ordered. So we ordered tri tip, a red hot sausage link, brussel sprouts, mac n’ cheese, and it came with fresh biscuits.
The tri tip was cooked PERFECTLY. It wasnt chewy or dry. It was juicy, moist and had the perfect amount of seasoning. Along with all the other things we ordered I had already forgotten about the baby back ribs I so wanted going in. All my friends love this spot, and now I will be a frequent customer.
The best part of the night was when we were good and full, the waitress came over and told us the chef had specially cooked some ribs he had in the back just for us! I was blown away, i’ve never had that kind of warm, homey feeling in a restaurant. On top of that they gave us a discount on our check. I mean, I couldnt have givin better service to my grandma!!! 5 stars… you guys are awesome.
Fine dining, Family atmosphere !!!

We initially had to send back our meals because they were served cold and the server was very accommodating.
Pros
Mac and cheese– really rich and tasty
Service– even though we sent it back, they were really nice about it
Canned beers
Honey butter– but really, who can mess up butter?
Cons
Brisket– dry
Baby back ribs– dry
Biscuits– not really sure if these were for human consumption or a weapon of self defense… They were really dense and hard
Overall not the best BBQ, probably won’t go back unless (insert any reason here).

Brick Smokehouse is officially my new favorite BBQ spot on the westside.
I dropped by solo this week for an early dinner. And while I wanted to try the sampler, it was too much food for one person. So I went with the baby back ribs ($ 14) and a side of mac and cheese. The ribs were excellent; very tender, juicy and pretty meaty for baby backs. There was a thin layer of smokey bark on them and arrived without sauce.
They have two types of bottled sauces on the table. I opted for the thick dark BBQ sauce first. It has a bold smokey (chipotle?) slightly tangy flavor; very good. The chili sauce is thinner and oily but packs a ton of heat. The mac and cheese was a tad salty but very creamy and cheesy. I wish they gave you more of it for $ 5 though. The ribs also came with some coleslaw and a biscuit. Both were fine, but there was more than enough food without them.
The service is very helpful and friendly. Chef Glenn will come out to ask how your food was, fix any problems and will make sure you leave satisfied with your meal. I’ll be sure to come back soon with hungry friends to try their other items. The brisket will be next on my list.

I was introduced to this restaurant last weekend and boy let me tell you. You can’t go wrong with this place. Brick Smokehouse is the new kid on the block that is making friends quick w/​their memorable savory briskets and pork belly that are tenderized to perfection. (I recommend the tasting menu to newcomers, but briskets, hands down thee best!) Inside, the staff have this unique charm to them that is enjoyable, if your table is not ready. I’m proud to recommend this rib joint to anyone searching for good eats without having to break the bank. Love this place and can’t wait to return!

Went for the opening then had them cater my party!
Hands down my favorite BBQ in LA. Hits all the right buttons: artisan style, locally sourced meat smoked and beer steamed with love to absolute perfection and craft beers to wash it all down.
Top Picks:
Brisket — OMG tender and tasty
Pork Belly — put it in my belly
Grits — bold choice for LA but f’n great and so so worth it — creamy and delish
Mac-​n-​Cheese — for true lovers of mac-​n-​cheese. PERFECT
Brussel Sprouts — FRIED — need I say more?
This is good for your soul food. Also, It’s nice to support a local chef. What Venice should be all about.
Eat here. That is all.

As a vegetarian for 25 years, I’m used to going to BBQ restaurants to have a few drinks and socialize. I didn’t expect such delicious vegetarian options at Brick Smokehouse. My boyfriend ordered the sampler plate and tried every meat on the menu while I tried all the veggies and sides. It was so flavorful and satisfying. We were both very impressed with the food. The staff is incredibly friendly and the spot was full of locals. We will be back!

Do you like great food? good people who care? get on down to brick smokehouse.
I had baby backs, tri-​tip, Brussel sprouts all as the previous guy said exceptional…

What a delicious meal! We drove from NoHo to Venice in hopes of finding some good BBQ last night, and were rewarded with a fantastic experience. Meat so tender and flavorful it melts in your mouth, prepared with rubs and sauces that are creative, but still deliver on the traditional BBQ flavor profile you want. We sampled a variety of sides, all yummy, including a tender & flakey buttermilk biscuit with honey butter that would have made my mom proud. We followed their craft beer suggestions, sampling some excellent brews that complemented the food perfectly, and enjoyed chatting with the warm, friendly team of people that all made sure our experience was going well. Easy parking, a comfortable vinyl booth, a kind playlist of rock n roll, good folk, and the best damn BBQ to be found in LA. We will definitely be back!

I don’t know what happened to me when our 5 plates of food arrived, but about 2 minutes into the meal I realized I was just picking meat up with my fists and shoving it into my face. Tri-​tip, brisket, ribs and biscuits completely bypassed my plate & fork.
Chef Glen’s tri-​tip is so tender, you can shove an entire slice into your mouth and be on to the next piece with very little effort in the chewing department. Plus, the blackberry bourbon BBQ sauce that adorns the tri-​tip (and in table-​top squeezie bottles) has the perfect balance of sweet & spicy that has bite but doesn’t burn all the way down your gullet.
The brisket was equally tender and delicious, with a java rub that paired nicely with the Coffee Brown ale from Saint Archer, an up & coming/​award-​winning brewery out of San Diego.
Ribs? Probably the best I’ve had in recent memory, with meat that just falls off the bone.
Despite what seemed like a carnivorous feeding frenzy, I felt surprisingly refreshed after eating, as opposed to the normal belly-​slapping daze you expect from a BBQ gorging.
Plus, there’s a free parking lot AND tons of street parking, even at 5:30 on a Saturday night, which is unheard of in Santa Monica.
(added bonus: awesome 90’s rock music)

Been here twice already.
First time, it was heaven. Delicious meats that were moist and made with passion. No shortcuts here. My husband was concerned there weren’t a lot of sauces, but once he tasted the brisket and the ribs, he quickly realized none were needed as these meats are smoked and made to their best potential. MOIST MEATS. (for those who hate the word «moist,» be warned, you’ll hear it a lot at this place.)
Came here a second time with our friends who travel the country tasting BBQ on an annual basis. They ordered a third dish after finishing off their plates. We also had two pies for dessert. The bourbon apple pie was good. I might encourage ice cream next time if they got it.
Also, living over a decade in Venice it’s getting harder and harder to just eat somewhere local, grab a bite, keep it low key, ya know? Can we just fuckin’ eat dinner around Venice anymore? Does it always have to come with bells and whistles and long waitlists and words on menus that servers need to explain to me? I’m hungry, I want to eat. Sometimes I want fancy food, and sometimes I just want good food. Both types of establishments can have a home here in Venice.
I am grateful for the Brick Smokehouse for giving us a home cookin’ and a place to hang, grab a beer, and eat some good food. Please don’t leave us.
HIGH POINTS:
Incredible craft beers.
Amazing grits.
Chef Glen will stop by your table and make sure you’re happy.
LOW POINTS:
None.

This is spectacular BBQ! The sauce on the Baby Back ribs is the best I’ve ever had. The creamy grits (apparently mascarpone is the secret ingredient) and the brussels sprouts are delicious sides. Excellent craft beer selection.
I’m coming back as often as possible before everyone finds out about this place.

Do you like exceptional barbecue? Do you like great sides, a rotating menu and craft beer? How about a restaurant that is about substance and not style? If so, this place is for you.
Somehow it’s rare these days to have a restaurant that does food with which you are familiar but has the ability to do those foods exceptionally well, without pretense. This place manages to accomplish exactly that. From brisket to Mac n cheese to Brussels sprouts to pumpkin pie, it’s just honest, good food prepared by people that care.
The atmosphere is simple yet feels comfortable without being worn down or kitschy. Each time I’ve gone there is a great beer to pair with my food and I’ve left thinking, «why can’t more places be like this?» I’d highly recommend giving it a shot.

This is my new favorite BBQ restaurant! Awesome smoked meats and delightful veggie dishes too. I’ve been back several times already and tasted the whole menu… everything is delicious and unique.
The staff is excellent at pairing the best beer or wine with your order as well. They’re always rotating in great craft beers that go splendidly with the food.
You gotta try it if you’re looking for great BBQ and beer in the Venice /​Santa Monica /​Marina area. Or if you’re farther afield it’s worth traveling for. Brick Smokehouse is instantly one of the best spots in LA in its class!

This Chef Glen dude knows how make some serious, mouthwatering, can’t-get-enough, throw-​it-​down-​my-​gullet, BBQ. I don’t remember the last time I hit any restaurant three times in ONE week. His mac-​n-​cheese and brussel sprouts, in my opinion, are the perfect sides to the brisket (my fav). My growing waistline may not impress the ladies, but with meat this good, it may just be the key to world peace. And for that, I say give me a bigger belt.

The BBQ is legit not only that but chef Glen came and sat at our table and explained his take on the food. Service is exceptional and the atmosphere is eclectic and hospitable.
Must try: Brisket and Mac and cheese also the baby back ribs. It’s the best bbq I have had in LA, a must try.
Get here before the place gets packed which it will.
We will be back for sure!!!