Pecos Bill's in Glendale CA

Restaurant review

Pecos Bill's Pit B-B-Q, Glendale, CA

By JOE O'CONNELL, cbbqa past President
Posted February 19, 2002

GLENDALE, California -- Pecos Bill's Pit B-B-Q occupies a tiny shack on Victory Boulevard, near the junction of the 5 and 134, in Glendale.

Real wood smoke

We live in California and have our own traditional, Santa Maria barbecue. Most of the time, Santa Maria barbecue means tri-tip (a beef cut that is unknown outside the state) or sirloin, rubbed with salt-pepper-garlic, seared quickly over the high heat of red oak coals. Santa Maria barbecue is authentic barbecue, because it is cooked -- like all authentic American barbecue -- in the heat and smoke of wood and wood coals.

But the South enjoys a different barbecue tradition: pork or other meat cooked over wood and wood coals at a low temperature and slowly. The South has several different major barbecue styles, including those of the Carolinas, Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. Subtle nuances arise from the use of different meats, woods, rubs and sauces, but all share the low 'n slow technique.

All authentic American barbecue -- from California and the South -- use wood and not gas, steam, or electricity. Only wood produces both the heat and smoke that gives authentic American barbecue its distinctive appearance, taste and texture.

Pecos Bill's makes authentic American barbecue, using real wood, including orange and lemon.

Pit

Pecos Bill's cooks all its barbecue on its old, brick pit. The pit occupies half of the shack's interior, and it produces lots of heat on hot summer days.

Very limited seating

Locals frequent the joint for lunch, many sitting at the five or six tables on the sidewalk outside. There is no inside seating. Most order their barbecue to-go.

Rating

The pork and beef are moist, tender and smoky. The slaw is tangy and the beans are especially good. Ribs, which are offered only on weekends, are worth the drive.

Pecos Bill's is an LA-area barbecue treasure which should be the short list of everyone who knows and appreciates real, authentic American barbecue.

Rating: excellent.

Location

Pecos Bill's Pit-B-B-Q
1551 North Victory Boulevard
Glendale, California

Phone: (818) 241-2750

Other reviewers comments

By Bill Stadler:
"Located near the junction of the 5 and the 134 freeways, this little place has takeout only (with a few tables outside on the sidewalk). I had the shredded "oakie pork" with their medium sauce, and it was great. He has a brick pit and uses fruit woods, preferring orange and lemon. The pork spare ribs are served only on the weekend, but are worth the wait, they are tender juicy, and very flavorful. There was a very noticeable smoke ring on the pork and beef. They also serve turkey and ham, and their sides are coleslaw, and pit baked beans, both were quite good . . . the beans had a distinct smoked flavor. This is a place worth going back to . . . when you are too tired to "Q" your own."