Mr Cecil's California Ribs

(310) 442-1550

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

Get Map & Directions »

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. “wish their location was a little bigger, but we usually take it to go so it's not a big negative.”
  3. “and you'll enjoy the food, the "ambience" and the service.”
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. “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.”
  2. “Our guests LOVED the food!”
  3. “This is by far the best bbq I've had in a restaruant.”
  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. “If you don't like the sauce, you're out of luck because your ribs are slathered in it.”
  6. “Mr Cecils has terrific ribs - with a range of sauce types from mild to super spicy.”
  7. “The rub on the meat is really good.”
  8. “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.”
  9. “My husband loves southern food especially BBQ so of course I went to THE best place to cater his 40th birthday celebration.”
  10. “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?”
  11. “Excellent dry-rub style bbq!”
  12. “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.”
  13. “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.”
  14. “The Ribs looks like they were cooked yesterday, the corn was cold and the beans tasted like honey.”
  15. “The chicken is solid too, juicy with a good smokey flavor (even thugh they don't smoke the meat first?)”
  16. “Food has always been consistenly good at Mr. Cecil's and we've recommended this bbq joint to many friends.”
  17. “had the baby back ribs, which were excellent, even without the sauce.”
  18. “usually order chicken, my husband ribs.”
  19. “love their baked beans, cornbread, and cole slaw (they put scallions in it yumm).”
  20. “Their big beef ribs are now much smaller.”
  21. “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.”
  22. “good food, but you have to pay for it”
  23. “personally enjoy the red containered "spicy sauce" more.”
  24. “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.”
  25. “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.”
  26. “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.”
  27. “The food was amazing, I got great reviews from the guests and I was impressed as well.”
  28. “Decent pork and beef ribs and the standard sides.”
  29. “Excellent corn bread.”
  30. “The food is great, sometimes.”
  31. “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”
  32. “And if you're feeling like being healthy, the salads are fresh and tasty!”
  33. “These ribs are dry (sauce on the side) but not dry-rubbed with dusting spices like The Pig.”
  34. “This place has THE BEST beef ribs I have ever eaten!”
  35. “The prices are a little too expensive though - $25 for a pork and beef rib combo.”
  36. “The food was really good, but it was just too much for the price - I won't be coming here again.”
  37. “and appreciate excellent, world-class cuisine in any form, for an honest price.”
  38. “don't know why they're allowing this place to serve such horrible food when they once used to be awesome.”
  39. “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.”
  40. “The baked beans are fantastic with lots of bacon and the ribs really do fall off the bone.”
  41. “The ribs are outstanding - both the baby backs and the beef.”
  42. “The two pork rib selections have always been AWESOME; tender, and falling off the bone.”
  43. “Truly delicious in Sherman Oaks”
  44. “and you'll enjoy the food, the "ambience" and the service.”
  45. “Without question they have the best beef ribs in the city & you'll love those sides, especially the corn bread.”
  46. “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).”
  47. “Go to Tony Roma's instead where the food is better, the prices are reasonable and the service is good.”
  48. “The BBQ beef sandwich was the worst we have attempted to eat.”
  49. “was diappointed at first and then really diappointed when i paid 34 dollars for a cold dry meal.”
  50. “huge slabs, tender meat falling off the bone.”
  51. “Their meats have this weird, gas like flavor.”
  52. “This place is pretty small but has really really yummy food.”
  53. “find it friendly, I think the side dishes are great.”
  54. “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!)”
  55. “Should you go for the pork, I recommend the St. Louis Style.”
  56. “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!”
  57. “Everytime I keep receiving unsatisfactory orders -- the ribs were too dry and too few, the bbq sandwich was too vinegary.”
  58. “They had excellent big beef ribs that were juicy and tender.”
  59. “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.”
  60. “hope they get their act together as the food is GREAT.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “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!)”
  2. “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).”
  3. “The two pork rib selections have always been AWESOME; tender, and falling off the bone.”
  4. “Despite being a small joint, their menu is quite extensive, offering all sorts of”
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 staff were very helpful and attentive, although I went at a time when it wasn't that busy.”
  2. “Go to Tony Roma's instead where the food is better, the prices are reasonable and the service is good.”
  3. “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 ”
  4. “Their service was never good, but I didn't care as their ribs were good.”
  5. “and you'll enjoy the food, the "ambience" and the service.”
  6. “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?”
  7. “Many people feel that this place is a shabby shack with poor BBQ.”
  8. “But I find myself agreeing with the people who believe that this is some of the best BBQ in LA.”
  9. “The service was terrible,(get better service @ Carl's Jr), the ribs were dry and tasteless and is not cheap.”
  10. “Poor service, lousy attitudes and overpriced.”
  11. “The service is excellent as well!”
  12. “I'd be happy to sit and eat though, as there are a bunch of really cute waitresses and nice outdoor seating.”
  13. “find it friendly, I think the side dishes are great.”
  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. “We unabashedly love the quality of barbeque & service that Mr. Cecils delivers everytime.”
  16. “That said, the service was friendly.”
  17. “Shortribs were tasteless, iced tea was commercial out of the bar tap, water was clorine tasting, service was slow and bill was high.”
value
57.890000343322754% positive
  1. “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”
  2. “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.”
  3. “Go to Tony Roma's instead where the food is better, the prices are reasonable and the service is good.”
  4. “Good but not great; not a good value”
  5. “was diappointed at first and then really diappointed when i paid 34 dollars for a cold dry meal.”
  6. “The price is right and the best deal is the Triple Combo is the best.”
  7. “and appreciate excellent, world-class cuisine in any form, for an honest price.”
  8. “Poor service, lousy attitudes and overpriced.”
  9. “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!”
  10. “huge slabs, tender meat falling off the bone.”
  11. “The price is okay- most rib places are expensive, so it was no shock.”
  12. “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.”
  13. “was surprised at how expensive the place was, but it was really cute (and casual, think Jasper White's Summer Shack from Boston).”
  14. “This place is really expensive and not very good.”
  15. “The service was terrible,(get better service @ Carl's Jr), the ribs were dry and tasteless and is not cheap.”
  16. “The roasted ear of corn (1 dollar extra) is very good.”
  17. “The prices are a little too expensive though - $25 for a pork and beef rib combo.”
  18. “The food was really good, but it was just too much for the price - I won't be coming here again.”
  19. “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!)”
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

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

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

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

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

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
Advertisement

Lists In Los Angeles

Recent Reviews In Los Angeles

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Kravings Fusion

18663 Ventura Blvd #100, Tarzana, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Natalee Thai Cuisine

10101 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Natalee Thai Cuisine

998 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Tawanna Thai

6236 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Advertisement