Restaurant review

Zeke's Smokehouse - Traditional Barbecue in the Glendale, CA area

Leonard Schwartz and Michael Rosen were both gourmet chefs at high end restaurants in the valley area of Los Angeles, and both always had an interest in barbecue.  They joined with father and son Ron and Kirk Gelsinger to provide the new offering. Leonard informed me that before they opened he headed a team to visit the Midwest and South, gathering recipes for regional barbecue. Texas style brisket, ribs that remind you of Kansas City, and pulled pork, Carolina style, head the menu. According to Leonard, the recipe gathering trip was "a rough job, but someone had to sample all that food, and I forced myself."

We visited Zeke's a few days after they opened, and the food was excellent.  People were lined up along the sidewalk, in the rain, just to get a table. I had the brisket and it was delicious with a noticeable smoke
ring.  My wife Susan had the chicken, and she said it was wonderful.

Three regional sauces (Carolina vinegar, a sweet KC style and one this is mustard based) are provided on the side, each reminiscent of a specific barbecue style. All sauces are blends created by Zeke's chefs.

I returned a few days later and sampled the pulled pork sandwich. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender and quite delicious. The sandwich was topped with outstanding slaw which only enhanced the flavor of the pork. Their hushpuppies are very tasty and not too heavy. You should also sample their homemade kettle chips--very good.

I made one more stop at Zeke's to try the ribs--a half slab of Memphis Baby Back Ribs.  The rib plate runs $13.95, with two sides and sauce on the side. It was well worth the price. The ribs had a nice, subtle smoky flavor and were quite tender.

Zeke's also offers a sampler plate called Zeke's Feast, which gives you a
selection of a choice of three items: Ribs, Brisket, Pork, Chicken or Links. It comes with two sides and runs $19.50.

Many families frequent Zeke's. As always, the kids never tire of barbecue. Zeke's even has a kids menu with Grilled cheese sandwich, Chicken Littles, and Meatloaf--all served with kettle chips.

Zeke's serves a limited selection of beer and wine at this time.

Prices at first seemed a bit high for barbecue, however, the quality of the food is well worth the price. Sandwiches start at $5.95, and platters at $11.95 for the beef ribs. The all-white meat quarter chicken platter is $6.95.

The place is wheelchair accessible. Reservations are not accepted, just get in line and wait until a table clears out.

Of additional interest, Zeke's is looking into a business membership in CBBQA, and perhaps assisting in the sponsorship of events, as well as offering a place for an occasional board meeting.

Zeke's Smokehouse is well worth a visit.  Hope you like it. If you have any questions, just send me an email.

Location

Zeke's Smokehouse
2209 Honolulu Ave.
Montrose, CA
At the intersection of the 2 and 210 freeways
(818) 957-7045
Map of 2209 Honolulu Ave
Montrose, CA 91020-1616