Bludso’s Bar & Que, (609 N La Brea Ave., Mid-City; 323.931.2583) is the new La Brea restaurant opening this week, where barbecue master Kevin Bludso (Bludso’s in Compton) and burger barons Jason Bernstein and James Starr (The Golden State) come together.
Grab a seat at a wooden booth, on an industrial stool, or on the small front patio. The muted gray walls and soft lighting let the hearty meats (dry-rubbed pork shoulder, juicy rib tips) shine through. They are all smoked in-house and can be accompanied by tender collard greens and Southern-style potato salad. Wash it all down with a mint julep or Fernet (both on draft) and grab a slice of red velvet cake for dessert.