Click to expand any images
OK, people, I am excited about this one—The Smokin’ Joint BBQ at 8486 West 3rd Street, just steps east of La Cienega, has officially opened for business, like, right now, for lunch! Owner Michael Kesler said they hadn’t exactly planned to open for lunch today, but just swung the doors open and there were already people ready for pulled pork and corn on the cob with chile lime butter and it wasn’t even noon yet.
This is Kesler’s first restaurant, who’s made his career in the music biz, but also went to Cordon Bleu. The Smokin’ Joint is a melding of the two, where he features rock, blues and jazz on a massive screen and will be decorating the interior further with guitars, photos and the like. The move to the world of food also makes his daughter happy, who wished he wouldn’t be on the road so much. It was a quick roll out too, as he got the place together over the course of 2 1/2 months: “We were ready to open mid-July, but had to deal with the city on parking issues.”
The BBQ spot with be open (at this juncture) 11am-10pm, and definitely at least five days for lunch and seven days for dinner. Check the menu after the jump!
The menu and more images!
People in for lunch; click to expand any images
» Eats—The Smoking Joint Fine California BBQ Opening This Month, Maybe
» Eats—The Smoking Joint BBQ to Take 8486 Cafe Space
19 responses so far ↓
1 Food Marathon // Aug 21, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I’m in. Will be there tonight.
2 SinoSoul // Aug 21, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I have NO idea what “Cali” style beef brisket means, but brisket smoked for 12 hours isn’t exactly a breaking technique. Some might even say that’s at least 2-3 hours short of “proper” cook time.
As always, thanks for the tip but gonna file this one under: “Northside BBQ”, “Not in a hurry”.
3 GotsTaGetMeSomeBBQ // Aug 21, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I have been disappointed by the BBQ in LA for 20 years…but not anymore! I am from the south and trust me when I say that this place was incredible! Great vibe, great staff, great service and truly incredible BBQ. I happened to stop in on opening night, which is usually a rough night for any restaurant…and if I could have brought a cot and spent the night, I would have. Huge TV’s playing old blues videos and the best BBQ I have had west of the Mississippi. This chef can REALLY cook.
By the way, the woman who was hostessing and working with the chef…I have to say, even more beautiful than the ribs…and she could not have been more pleasant to us. This place is going to be a hot spot in LA very soon.
4 The Pocket Lint // Aug 21, 2009 at 5:38 pm
YAY! I can’t wait–I’m so excited to try it! Do they do takeout, I assume?
5 Snarky // Aug 22, 2009 at 6:30 am
Commenter #3, seriously? The way being a shill for the restaurant/owner works is that you post some positive things anonymously, but you try to play it down, maybe throw in some rushed grammatical errors, and even lob in a complaint or two – you know, like the parking is bad or you wish they improved their beer selection – things that are negative but not REALLY negative. But instead you write this glowing screed of PR-infused optimism that positively reeks of self-interest. Try better next time. At least when this place eventually shutters, the new medical marijuana dispensary won’t have to change the name.
6 B+S Weekly Round-Up—August 17-21, 2009 // Aug 22, 2009 at 9:55 am
[...] RSS ← Eats—Exciting! The Smokin’ Joint BBQ Now Open! [...]
7 GotsTaGetMeSomeBBQ // Aug 22, 2009 at 12:47 pm
To “Snarky”… actually yes, seriously.
And thank you, but I do not believe the patrons of this, or any other restaurant, need posting “instructions” and parameters from you.
I can assure you that I am not a “shill for the restaurant,” as you falsely assumed. I am not one of the owner’s friends or acquaintances; however I was thrilled to discover this new restaurant on my way home from work at CSMC. Apparently, you have never stepped foot in the restaurant and yet you consider yourself a credible source of information and the grand high exhaulted mystic ruler of properly written restaurant reviews? Please. Maybe you should keep your mouth shut until AFTER you have put some food in it. I am from the South, have traveled extensively and eaten at some truly stellar restaurants (and dives) and can tell you that I was extremely impressed with this BBQ, chef, staff and the vibe created for the customers. As I previously mentioned, I have been disappointed by BBQ in LA for 20 years. Not any longer, this BBQ was incredible. I actually returned to the restaurant three nights after my first visit with a few doctor friends and everyone was equally as impressed as was I. To the owner (whomever you are) and to the breathtakingly stunning and gracious hostess (whomever you are), congratulations on doing a truly fine job.
8 Mike // Aug 22, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Just had lunch there. Sigh.
Cold food, bungled the order, long wait for food, and rather expensive.
Owner was super nice in apologizing for everything and told us they’d only been open for 2 days and would improve on everything. For $30/person though, wouldn’t go there again. Oh, and no alcohol…yet…
9 TAMAR // Aug 22, 2009 at 4:21 pm
BLESSINGS KARIN!!
10 Snarky // Aug 23, 2009 at 11:33 am
The same shills are posting EVERYWHERE under an assortment of newly-created guises! Chowhound, Eater…it’s ridiculous. It’s obviously the owner, a friend of the owner, or even the hostesss (whom this same fake commenter is in love with). It’s so, so, so phony. I’ll never go there in a million years. Pathetic attempt at viral marketing. I’m hoping it fails. Shutter fools!!!
11 GotsTaGetMeSomeBBQ // Aug 23, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Hey Snarky…I just checked the websites you mentioned and it seems like you are all over them discrediting anyone with a positive review. You just use different names, cut and paste and assume no one will notice?
Your give away was “I’ll never go there in a million years.” That’s funny, you haven’t been there yet and you spend your time discrediting the opinions of people who have actually been there. I don’t think the owner(s) are going to miss you Snarky…at both of my visits, the place was pretty full. Let’s hope that Snarky never shows up needing medical attention at Cedars…but if you do, Snarky, make certain to introduce yourself to me.
12 Anonymous // Aug 23, 2009 at 11:40 pm
food fight! love it.
13 600 Pounds // Aug 24, 2009 at 9:16 am
Even if it IS a lame attempt at viral marketing, I feel more than a bit sorry for Snarky for having such a reaction to it. Does it really affect you so tremendously? I’ll simply try the food and won’t waste any more time on this idiocy…
14 B+S Eats—The Smokin’ Joint, Pulled Pork, Catfish Bites and Fried Pickles // Aug 24, 2009 at 1:01 pm
[...] off, I apologize for these lame-ass Blackberry photos, which are pathetic even compared to my first cursory photos of The Smokin’ Joint, but the husband and I were already seated and ordered [...]
15 mamapug // Aug 24, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Anyone who would actually choose the name “Snarky” is trying w-a-y too hard to be noticed.
16 C // Aug 24, 2009 at 5:14 pm
After waiting for a few months, tried the takeout on Saturday. I have to say overall I was disappointed. The staff was very friendly, but the food was not really bbq. Got the pulled pork and it was more of a brisket stew. The “sauce” was really just an au-jus…. so if that’s your thing then so be it. Not for me. The beans also were tasty, but no sauce at all…. just au jus. I was kind of pissed at the portions for the sides especially for the french fries that were undercooked which was something I haven’t encountered in a long long time (all 10 of them in a tiny container). Cornbread was meh. We also got the pulled chicken sandwich, very soggy and covered in peppers. Didn’t really want peppers, so thanks but no thanks. Most of this could be due to it being takeout, but even the sauce (the cornerstone in my opinion) was more water than sauce. Maybe I’ll try it again and eat in house…
17 Rock and Roll BBQ at The Smokin’ Joint | Dig Lounge // Aug 26, 2009 at 7:20 am
[...] sheets of butcher paper, The Smokin’ Joint has soft opened, and has already been hit up by Blackburn and Sweetzer, Food Marathon, and Thrillist. Located near the busy section of 3rd and La Cienega, the Joint is [...]
18 samantha // Sep 17, 2009 at 7:57 am
Love this place!!!
The food is very good
very good service, I hope they start to deliver soon.
will be back
19 Norman Bogner // Nov 25, 2009 at 5:32 pm
As a novelist, and a onetime sous chef at Michelin starred restaurants, I am also a lover of barbecue. I have eaten BBQ in KC, and throughout the south, especially as my wife is a southerner. Today we discovered The Smokin’Joint On W. 3rd St, in L.A.,and it was dynamite. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich and I went with the brisket. They were terrific as well as the cole slaw which had a nice spike to it as did the sauce. The service was attentive and not obtrusive. This may become our second home.
Norman Bogner
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