Mr Cecil's California Ribs

(310) 442-1550

12244 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064 34.0286 -118.45178

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Neighborhoods: West Los Angeles, West LA

MRCECILSCALIFORNIARIBS.COM

Price:

$

Last updated 6.20.11

Category:

Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats

General Info:

Open 7 Days

What People Are Saying About Mr Cecil's California Ribs

Featured Review

Mar Yvette

Contributor

Located at the end of a strip mall stretch of Pico, this longtime barbecue joint might first grab your attention with its cartoonish shack exterior. But it's what's cooking inside this exposed-brick space that keeps folks coming back for more. Hungry carnivores can choose from St. Louis, baby back and beef ribs--all without sauce. Yes, that's right. Without sauce. That's because the whole concept of Mr. Cecil's ribs is that they're already so tasty there's no need to slather 'em up. Instead, accessorize those meaty slabs with grilled corn in chili-lime butter and a bowl of barbecue baked beans…

ambiance
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Mr. Cecil ambiance is unique and feels like a real BBQ joint.”
  2. “and you'll enjoy the food, the "ambience" and the service.”
  3. “wish their location was a little bigger, but we usually take it to go so it's not a big negative.”
drinks
0.0% positive
  1. “Shortribs were tasteless, iced tea was commercial out of the bar tap, water was clorine tasting, service was slow and bill was high.”
food quality
77.5% positive
  1. “Their meats have this weird, gas like flavor.”
  2. “I've had better ribs and a lot more food, presented with more style, at Lucille's and Zeke's, and even at The Elephant Bar, which serves a delicious, huge platter of of an *entire* "r" of ribs plus sides for $1 more than Mr. Cecil's teeny half "r”
  3. “Decent pork and beef ribs and the standard sides.”
  4. “Everytime I keep receiving unsatisfactory orders -- the ribs were too dry and too few, the bbq sandwich was too vinegary.”
  5. “With improved management, this will be a huge hit in Sherman Oaks - we needed a casual place that still serves great food, and this is it!”
  6. “They had excellent big beef ribs that were juicy and tender.”
  7. “Excellent dry-rub style bbq!”
  8. “I'd even go so far as to say the baby back ribs are as good as those I've had in St. Louis and only slightly below Memphis, the bbq mecca of the world.”
  9. “arrived at 1:30, 50 minutes waiting and the BBQ beef was so dry and full of gristle that I didn't bother to eat it.”
  10. “personally enjoy the red containered "spicy sauce" more.”
  11. “The baked beans are fantastic with lots of bacon and the ribs really do fall off the bone.”
  12. “We also love the sides - and for a dollar, you can get grilled corn in place of the regular selection (but the hush puppies are yummy!)”
  13. “The two sauces they offer you in their syrup pitchers are very tasty, although the meat is well flavored enough to where you don't mind eating without it.”
  14. “The prices are a little high, the sides (bbq beans and coleslaw) are no good, though the fries are very good and the corn on the cob looks amazing though i've never tried it.”
  15. “and are a meat lover, you'll like Mr. Cecil's, but this review is from a "dry-rub" BBQ devotee (though, I appreciate a fine wet-BBQ, as well, once in a while.”
  16. “hope they get their act together as the food is GREAT.”
  17. “If you don't like the sauce, you're out of luck because your ribs are slathered in it.”
  18. “Go to Tony Roma's instead where the food is better, the prices are reasonable and the service is good.”
  19. “find it friendly, I think the side dishes are great.”
  20. “was diappointed at first and then really diappointed when i paid 34 dollars for a cold dry meal.”
  21. “The food was really good, but it was just too much for the price - I won't be coming here again.”
  22. “had the baby back ribs, which were excellent, even without the sauce.”
  23. “The two pork rib selections have always been AWESOME; tender, and falling off the bone.”
  24. “This is by far the best bbq I've had in a restaruant.”
  25. “Love it w/o any sauces: juicy, melt-in-your-mouth tender, meaty, tasty), hush puppies (as good as the best of the deep South w/ a kiss of chili) and the coleslaw (freshest, crispiest, cleanest tasting) are on my "Last Meal" list.”
  26. “huge slabs, tender meat falling off the bone.”
  27. “and appreciate excellent, world-class cuisine in any form, for an honest price.”
  28. “meats/cuts. However, I've always gone there for the mainstays: st. louis ribs, baby back ribs, tri tip, beef ribs, and good ole chicken.”
  29. “They charge enough for the food and bottled water (4.25 for a Figi) you would think that somewhere in between paying their employees $6.75 an hour (which is a little too much for the service I have received there) and paying off the light bill they could ”
  30. “Truly delicious in Sherman Oaks”
  31. “Without question they have the best beef ribs in the city & you'll love those sides, especially the corn bread.”
  32. “At the end of the meal, the manager asked us if we enjoyed the dinner, and we all responded "no." He didn't say, "How can we make it right?”
  33. “The BBQ beef sandwich was the worst we have attempted to eat.”
  34. “The rub on the meat is really good.”
  35. “And if you're feeling like being healthy, the salads are fresh and tasty!”
  36. “The ribs are outstanding - both the baby backs and the beef.”
  37. “The food was amazing, I got great reviews from the guests and I was impressed as well.”
  38. “The chicken is solid too, juicy with a good smokey flavor (even thugh they don't smoke the meat first?)”
  39. “My husband loves southern food especially BBQ so of course I went to THE best place to cater his 40th birthday celebration.”
  40. “Food has always been consistenly good at Mr. Cecil's and we've recommended this bbq joint to many friends.”
  41. “love their baked beans, cornbread, and cole slaw (they put scallions in it yumm).”
  42. “and you'll enjoy the food, the "ambience" and the service.”
  43. “The food is good, but when we tried to add things to our order, the food didn't arrive while we had our main course.”
  44. “Should you go for the pork, I recommend the St. Louis Style.”
  45. “One full order of Mr. Cecils beef ribs will feed 2-3 hungry people because there is so much darn good meat on dem bones.”
  46. “These ribs are dry (sauce on the side) but not dry-rubbed with dusting spices like The Pig.”
  47. “The Ribs looks like they were cooked yesterday, the corn was cold and the beans tasted like honey.”
  48. “This place is pretty small but has really really yummy food.”
  49. “The prices are a little too expensive though - $25 for a pork and beef rib combo.”
  50. “This place has THE BEST beef ribs I have ever eaten!”
  51. “Our guests LOVED the food!”
  52. “Excellent corn bread.”
  53. “usually order chicken, my husband ribs.”
  54. “don't know why they're allowing this place to serve such horrible food when they once used to be awesome.”
  55. “good food, but you have to pay for it”
  56. “However, the best part about mr. cecil's is that the ribs are done with a dry rub, so sauce is not necessary as the ribs are already full of flavor (I think that they even mention this on the menu, to try the ribs sans sauce first).”
  57. “The food is great, sometimes.”
  58. “Their big beef ribs are now much smaller.”
  59. “Mr Cecils has terrific ribs - with a range of sauce types from mild to super spicy.”
  60. “The chicken was dry, the beef sandwich was fatty and gristly, the cornbread was dry and tasteless, the fries too salty and the so called baked potato is microwaved.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “However, the best part about mr. cecil's is that the ribs are done with a dry rub, so sauce is not necessary as the ribs are already full of flavor (I think that they even mention this on the menu, to try the ribs sans sauce first).”
  2. “We also love the sides - and for a dollar, you can get grilled corn in place of the regular selection (but the hush puppies are yummy!)”
  3. “Despite being a small joint, their menu is quite extensive, offering all sorts of”
  4. “The two pork rib selections have always been AWESOME; tender, and falling off the bone.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “My husband loves southern food especially BBQ so of course I went to THE best place to cater his 40th birthday celebration.”
service
67.64999866485596% positive
  1. “The service is excellent as well!”
  2. “But I find myself agreeing with the people who believe that this is some of the best BBQ in LA.”
  3. “Shortribs were tasteless, iced tea was commercial out of the bar tap, water was clorine tasting, service was slow and bill was high.”
  4. “They charge enough for the food and bottled water (4.25 for a Figi) you would think that somewhere in between paying their employees $6.75 an hour (which is a little too much for the service I have received there) and paying off the light bill they could ”
  5. “Poor service, lousy attitudes and overpriced.”
  6. “The staff were very helpful and attentive, although I went at a time when it wasn't that busy.”
  7. “I'd be happy to sit and eat though, as there are a bunch of really cute waitresses and nice outdoor seating.”
  8. “We unabashedly love the quality of barbeque & service that Mr. Cecils delivers everytime.”
  9. “The service was terrible,(get better service @ Carl's Jr), the ribs were dry and tasteless and is not cheap.”
  10. “Their service was never good, but I didn't care as their ribs were good.”
  11. “That said, the service was friendly.”
  12. “At the end of the meal, the manager asked us if we enjoyed the dinner, and we all responded "no." He didn't say, "How can we make it right?”
  13. “Many people feel that this place is a shabby shack with poor BBQ.”
  14. “One full order of Mr. Cecils beef ribs will feed 2-3 hungry people because there is so much darn good meat on dem bones.”
  15. “and you'll enjoy the food, the "ambience" and the service.”
  16. “Go to Tony Roma's instead where the food is better, the prices are reasonable and the service is good.”
  17. “find it friendly, I think the side dishes are great.”
value
57.890000343322754% positive
  1. “and appreciate excellent, world-class cuisine in any form, for an honest price.”
  2. “The price is okay- most rib places are expensive, so it was no shock.”
  3. “The prices are a little too expensive though - $25 for a pork and beef rib combo.”
  4. “This place is really expensive and not very good.”
  5. “huge slabs, tender meat falling off the bone.”
  6. “The service was terrible,(get better service @ Carl's Jr), the ribs were dry and tasteless and is not cheap.”
  7. “Good but not great; not a good value”
  8. “The price is right and the best deal is the Triple Combo is the best.”
  9. “We also love the sides - and for a dollar, you can get grilled corn in place of the regular selection (but the hush puppies are yummy!)”
  10. “Go to Tony Roma's instead where the food is better, the prices are reasonable and the service is good.”
  11. “was surprised at how expensive the place was, but it was really cute (and casual, think Jasper White's Summer Shack from Boston).”
  12. “The roasted ear of corn (1 dollar extra) is very good.”
  13. “nor more expensive WLA BBQ restaurant w/ table cloths and cloth napkins, but it's in WLA and one bite tells you that ingredients are the best.”
  14. “The food was really good, but it was just too much for the price - I won't be coming here again.”
  15. “The prices are a little high, the sides (bbq beans and coleslaw) are no good, though the fries are very good and the corn on the cob looks amazing though i've never tried it.”
  16. “I've had better ribs and a lot more food, presented with more style, at Lucille's and Zeke's, and even at The Elephant Bar, which serves a delicious, huge platter of of an *entire* "r" of ribs plus sides for $1 more than Mr. Cecil's teeny half "r”
  17. “was diappointed at first and then really diappointed when i paid 34 dollars for a cold dry meal.”
  18. “Poor service, lousy attitudes and overpriced.”
  19. “With improved management, this will be a huge hit in Sherman Oaks - we needed a casual place that still serves great food, and this is it!”
wait time
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “arrived at 1:30, 50 minutes waiting and the BBQ beef was so dry and full of gristle that I didn't bother to eat it.”
  2. “Shortribs were tasteless, iced tea was commercial out of the bar tap, water was clorine tasting, service was slow and bill was high.”
  3. “They had a great crew that we quick and efficient and set up and tore everything down effortlessly.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/05/11

Mr. Cecils Sherman Oaks BBQ

by firsttimereview at Citysearch

As much as I love good food, good BBQ, I especially love good customer service. Ty, you are a manager supreme!! As I get older, I find that I am not getter more aggressive, or even assertive, but more willing to comment on good, or poor service. And in fact, this is only my second restaurant comment.

My son and daughter in law introduced us to Mr. Cecils a while back, and now I am especially pleased since we no longer have a BBQ place near us. The groupon was encouragement to return.You have a wonderful HH, to begin with. A basket of beef or Baby back ribs for 9.99, or a large plate of wings for 3.50. Can't beat that!!! Unfortunately, NO wine, which I ordered anyhow, on HH.

And I called ahead to ask if the groupon would be accepted for HH. The answer was yes which is not the case in all places.

I waited for a couple of people who did not make it. You know how we often say it is the people and not the food...well, I was hungry, cravin' BBQ, and in this case...sorry folks.

I was very pleased with my food! I asked Ty, the manager, just out of curiosity, not at all a complaint, about the beef ribs. By the way, I love the dry rub. what is the point in those sauces?? The basket for 9.99 at HH is a great deal, but some of bones were a bit bare, so to speak. I wasn't complaining, but wondering if that would be different if I ordered them on the reg menu as a platter for $25. or something?? Cuz I might not be too pleased then. He acknowledged that all ribs are different, and if there was a problem, to tell my server and it would be taken care of. Right away he said he would get me some additional bones to go. I told him it was not at all necessary, that was not what I was asking for. He insisted. Customer service?? I will be back!! I like being treated well! Alison, my sever, was very sweet , also.

Looking forward to my leftovers. And my neighbor's dogs are too!.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/20/10

BBQ Asian Style

by Erin W Davis at Citysearch

Traditional American BBQ with an Asian flare. What else would you expect in LA? Why go to this BBQ spot over other ones? 1. Catfish Nuggets, 2. Hushpuppies, and 3. Cornbread. Aside from having great BBQ, this spot serves some staples of Southern cooking that are hard to come by in LA. Yum Yum!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/03/10

Mr. Cecil's Catering Rocks!

by jhbiel at Citysearch

My husband loves southern food especially BBQ so of course I went to THE best place to cater his 40th birthday celebration. Mr. Cecil's catering manager is a doll and bent over backwards to make sure all of our favorites were a part of my husband's special day...hush puppies, fried catfish, cornbread, hot links, etc. Our guests LOVED the food! Thank you Mr. Cecil's and Samara! You both are amazing and we'll be back!!

  • Pros: Melt in your mouth fried catfish, need I say more????
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/29/09

Great BBQ place!

by laurenelise1 at Citysearch

I hosted a party for 150 people and Mr. Cecils came to our rescue!!

They literally brought a 6 foot grill and cooked all of our food to order! The food was amazing, I got great reviews from the guests and I was impressed as well. They had a great crew that we quick and efficient and set up and tore everything down effortlessly.

As far as the food, the ribs, beans, coleslaw, tri tip, cornbread etc. were incredible. i seriously had no complaints and be sure to get the grilled corn on the cob. That was by far the most popular item that day--we even ran out!!

BBQ sauces were superb as well!

In need for BBQ catering? Contact Samara. Shes super helpful!

  • Pros: amazing BBQ
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/10/09

You are not supposed to leave a BBQ place hungry

by sleepykitten at Citysearch

I have given this place a chance 3 times over and I quit. For a BBQ place with mostly decent reviews, I was surprised at how low quality the food was. I usually order chicken, my husband ribs. Once I asked for breast and they brought me dark, failing to inform me that they were out of white. The ribs were tiny, over cooked and just plain sad. The servings are soooo small. Another time when I was able to get a breast, it was the tiniest thing I'd ever seen. This place is not worth it. You'll drop $40 - $50 easy between 2 people and you'll leave hungry. Do yourself a favor and drive across town to Dr. Hogly Wogly's.

  • Cons: very small amount of food for what you pay

The Details on Mr Cecil's California Ribs

Place Categories:

  • love baby back ribs
  • great food
  • dry ribs
  • best place
  • never good service
  • big excellent big beef ribs
  • good bbq
  • loved hush puppies
  • tasteless cornbread
  • like mr cecil
  • very tasty bbq sauces
  • recommend grilled corn
  • worst bbq
  • worst wla bbq restaurant
  • cold dry meal
  • dry bbq beef
  • fantastic baked beans
  • full order
  • all loved bbq joint
  • really good rub
  • too expensive prices
  • enjoy good traditional bbq
  • great taste
  • very helpful staff
  • huge tender meat
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