Robin's Woodfire BBQ

(626) 351-8885

395 N Rosemead Blvd (Halstead Street)
Pasadena, CA 91107 34.1526 -118.0767

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Neighborhood: Northeast

robinsbbq.com

Years in business

Established in 1982

Hours:

Tue-Thu 11am-10pm

Fri 11am-10pm

Sat 11am-10pm

Sun 11am-10pm

Last updated 4.04.12

What People Are Saying About Robin's Woodfire BBQ

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Attached to a suburban shopping center, the playful shack-like interior is decorated with old-fashioned advertising signage for soda, citrus fruits and more. The family-friendly eatery is known for signature sauces like tangy original, Carolina sweet mustard and the "smokin' spicy mad dog." Meats are hickory-smoked for hours, while mashed potatoes, onion rings and coleslaw are among the side dishes. House-made desserts include peach cobbler and apple pie a la mode.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
On Tuesday and Sunday nights, items on the kids' menu are 50-percent off for each child dining with a paying adult.
Save Money:
A discount is available for patrons with a stub from the Pacific Hastings Ranch movie house next door. Click for showtimes.
ambiance
98.14999580383301% positive
  1. Relaxed atmosphere and nice service, but it can get noisy.
  2. The place is not romantic, but the food and service is good.
  3. The atmosphere is fun, lots of interesting memorabilia to look at.
  4. The music is cool, the atmosphere is upbeat and the patio is comfortable.
  5. The atmosphere is bright and alive with plenty of patrons lookig for good BBQ.
  6. The atmosphere is fun and casual.
  7. Great music, atmosphere and really incredible ribs.
  8. the food was great, and good/fun service.
  9. the decor inside is cool, could be family or cool date night place.
  10. was very surprised with the atmosphere and the service WAS excellent THANKS to Jess.
  11. Though I wouldn't consider it a romantic restaurant at all, our server Christopher made us feel as if we were his only guests.
  12. The atmosphere is fun, like a unique Friday's.
  13. Loved the ribs, the sauces and the ambience.
  14. We love Phillip's on Crenshaw and Woodys on Slauson but for all around atmosphere, service, music and damn good BBQ we head over the hill to Robin's.
  15. Looks great, fine meats, fun experience
  16. The place has a fun look, the music is good and not too loud & is really worth a try.
  17. Real friendly staff, comfortable outside patio, clean restrooms and some very well smoked barbeque.
  18. It is laid back and comfortable and the people are even nice.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The ribs are tasty, the blueberry cornbread is awesome but the desserts too have declined in quality, especially the chocolate cake which used to be "death by chocolate" and now is more akin to cheap birthday cake.
  2. like the retro sodas like Moxie orange cream and the fresh squeezed lemonade.
  3. Their dessert (Double death by Chocolate) is HUGE!
  4. Well smoked tips, hot fresh cut fries and a real good strawberry shortcake for dessert.
drinks
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The place has an incredible collection of old beer neons and signs, a good BBQ joint feeling.
  2. Full bar, clean restrooms & patio.
  3. The hostess was rude, the waitress must have been new because she couldnt answer simple menu questions, and our drinks came in dirty glasses.
  4. Great old neons & beer signs are everywhere, really great eye candy for a nostalgic collector.
food quality
79.60999965667725% positive
  1. We'd invited out of town family to come sample some great food.
  2. Ribtips for appetizers are my favorite, and you can't beat the garbage can lid combo for a meal (or 3-4 meals.)
  3. Good smoked meat, hickory and mesquite, Texas style from one who BBQs
  4. The blueberry cornbread was one of a kind, the baked beans were quite good and the sauces were excellent.
  5. Looks great, fine meats, fun experience
  6. Good food, service needs improvement
  7. I'd highly recommend the tender baby back ribs, the spicy links and the beerbattered onion rings.
  8. Our best picks were the garbage can platter, the beef ribs which were excellent and full of well smoked meat , the onion rings and the fresh squeezed lemonade.
  9. liked the baby back ribs with the Memphis Red Vinegar BBQ sauce.
  10. Although the Beef ribs have always been good, the chicken is always dry; the babyback and pork ribs can range from grand to bland.
  11. The quality of the meat is consistently great and just falls off the bone.
  12. Though the incredibly huge crowds on weekends tend to make the service a bit slower the food greatly makes up for it.
  13. The sides are ok at best, we had the cole slaw which was standard but made well, the mashed taters which were full of garlic and parmesan and very tasty and finally the much tauted blueberry cornbread which was nothing special.
  14. Great food, iffy service
  15. The BBQ is decent, especially the burgers.
  16. miss the fresh baked bread that they used to serve but the garlic bread replacement is quite good.
  17. The meat is dry and the taste is bland.
  18. the food was great, and good/fun service.
  19. The place is overpriced and the food has never been the same since one of the founders Tex Morgan left.
  20. All the meat was very well smoked and even came with the blue ring which is the sign for authentic BBQ.
  21. The sausage link was dry but I have never had a moist juicy sausage link in any restaurant ever so I was not suprised, it was tasty though.
  22. The blueberry cornbread is heavenly, and the meat is so flavorful, even without the sauces (you can order them "dry" and then get the four different sauces on the side for dipping).
  23. The side dishes like coleslaw are tasteless, and the corn bread/muffins leave little to be desired.
  24. Well smoked tips, hot fresh cut fries and a real good strawberry shortcake for dessert.
  25. So when we go to dinner we are looing for Quailty food, great service and value.
  26. The side dishes were excellent especially the pecan cole slaw.
  27. Robin's is very good and the only thing lacking is a brisket and sliced pork.
  28. Tri tip was a bit dry, and the pork ribs and especially spareribs were just incredible!
  29. Overall, Robin's food is pretty regularly good, but it's not cheap and for the prices you pay better service should be expected.
  30. My husband had the ribs, he said the meat was ok but the sauce was bad.
  31. The sauces are excellent as are the side dishes.
  32. The sauce is usually pretty great and their chicken is awesome.
  33. You can have several choices of sauce, I forgot about that and we were givin the standard house sauce which was pretty damn good.
  34. Their onion rings and fries are good, specially if you like In-n-out style fries.
  35. like the retro sodas like Moxie orange cream and the fresh squeezed lemonade.
  36. Tasty deep pink smoke rings on everything and the beef has a peppery rub that I taste hours later at home, really good stuff.
  37. Similar to the Cheesecake Factory in that it's kind of pricey but you get huge plates of food.
  38. cannot remember having a salad which was so bad.
  39. The meat is just so damn good.
  40. Don't let the other reviews fool you, the food is mediocre at best.
  41. The place is not romantic, but the food and service is good.
  42. we all had the big beef ribs, and they were awesome!
  43. Sometimes the food is cold and the sauce tastes tinny.
  44. Robin's Woodfire BBQ & Grill Has a great menu ranging from juicy big mouth burgers to great BBQ ribs with a variety of great special sauces.
  45. Being a BBQ addict I rate restaurants not only for a one visit great meal, but after several visits I look for consistency.
  46. The ribs are tasty, the blueberry cornbread is awesome but the desserts too have declined in quality, especially the chocolate cake which used to be "death by chocolate" and now is more akin to cheap birthday cake.
  47. We ordered our meal dry & had all four sauces brought on the side.
  48. The baby backs were fall off the bone tender and the blueberry cornbread was unique and delicious.
  49. Still great food
  50. The hot link was good, chicken & tri tip was dry, and beef back ribs didn't exactly fall off the bone.
  51. Perhaps a rib joint may not be the best place to get a salad?
  52. Baked beans and other sides were just average, but the blueberry muffin was good.
  53. They smoke tobaccy outside, so if you want fresh air, stay-in or request no smoking around your area.
  54. We liked the Mad Dog & the Original best though the Carolina Mustard sauce was quite good.
  55. The food was pretty good, the tri tip was overdone, but still flavorful.
  56. The chicken was probably the best I've ever had.
  57. The new rubs are great and sauce really is only needed if you like it that way.
  58. Best picks were the baby back ribs, the huge beef ribs, the blue-cheese pecan cole slaw & the blue berry corn bread.
  59. This place has very good spicy sauce and requires you to use your hands, since forks and knives just won't help you too much.
  60. Great ribs (and all other food I tried), great management, great service!
menu variety
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. It's nice to have a good selection of excellent BBQ in every corner of L.A.
  2. also enjoy Robins because of there great kids menu with a lot of great choices of foods for the kids.
  3. The hostess was rude, the waitress must have been new because she couldnt answer simple menu questions, and our drinks came in dirty glasses.
  4. Service was prompt, the portions were huge and the kids menu was a nice touch.
  5. Robin's Woodfire BBQ & Grill Has a great menu ranging from juicy big mouth burgers to great BBQ ribs with a variety of great special sauces.
  6. Nothing bad on the menu
  7. You can have several choices of sauce, I forgot about that and we were givin the standard house sauce which was pretty damn good.
overall
80.95000267028809% positive
  1. May not be the best place for a vegetarian, although the pecan cole slaw and the muffins are incredible!
  2. Robin's is also a great place to throw a party.
  3. When we walked in we felt a great vibe to the place.
  4. This is a great place for kids.
  5. It's just a real nice place with very good barbeque.
  6. The server was upbeat, the music was great and the place rocked.
  7. Perhaps a rib joint may not be the best place to get a salad?
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. We had a great experience & will happily return.
service
85.78000068664551% positive
  1. The service was a bit slow but the place was packed.
  2. The hostess was rude, the waitress must have been new because she couldnt answer simple menu questions, and our drinks came in dirty glasses.
  3. Great ribs (and all other food I tried), great management, great service!
  4. Though I wouldn't consider it a romantic restaurant at all, our server Christopher made us feel as if we were his only guests.
  5. Usually, the service is bad.
  6. The server made up for his slowness with a great attitude.
  7. The staff was sharp, the blues playing in the backgroud was hot & the BBQ was great.
  8. Overall, Robin's food is pretty regularly good, but it's not cheap and for the prices you pay better service should be expected.
  9. Relaxed atmosphere and nice service, but it can get noisy.
  10. Very good ribs & service
  11. the service was sporadic (we had to ask several times and still ended up taking some sides home because we didn't get them during dinner) and the karaoke was just annoying.
  12. Good food, service needs improvement
  13. Our server Sergio was professional, fast and not real talkative, just efficient.
  14. Our waiter was attentive & friendly.
  15. C-Lo aka baby Jesus #2, our waiter was awesome!
  16. The server was upbeat, the music was great and the place rocked.
  17. The waiter is super friendly and made us feel so welcome.
  18. The staff was efficient, bathrooms were clean, the place had a rib joint feel to it and we even met Robin as he was walking around the tables.
  19. The place is huge & was jam packed yet our server Aaron made us feel as if we were his only table.
  20. It is laid back and comfortable and the people are even nice.
  21. was very surprised with the atmosphere and the service WAS excellent THANKS to Jess.
  22. the food was great, and good/fun service.
  23. Though the incredibly huge crowds on weekends tend to make the service a bit slower the food greatly makes up for it.
  24. Great food, iffy service
  25. The service was excellent!
  26. The best service we've had in years!
  27. Real friendly staff, comfortable outside patio, clean restrooms and some very well smoked barbeque.
  28. The place is not romantic, but the food and service is good.
  29. The best thing we can say is the the service is good, and it's usually pretty empty on weekdays, and a little busier on weekends.
  30. Great waiter, great barbeque & some great old blues in the background.
  31. The staff is very friendly and easy going, just remember that this is not a chain place and the staff may not be as polished but they also aren't corporate chain drones either.
  32. So when we go to dinner we are looing for Quailty food, great service and value.
  33. Everything we had was great including the service.
  34. We love Phillip's on Crenshaw and Woodys on Slauson but for all around atmosphere, service, music and damn good BBQ we head over the hill to Robin's.
value
90.0% positive
  1. Cool place and worth a drive.
  2. Though the incredibly huge crowds on weekends tend to make the service a bit slower the food greatly makes up for it.
  3. great value!
  4. Service was prompt, the portions were huge and the kids menu was a nice touch.
  5. Best picks were the baby back ribs, the huge beef ribs, the blue-cheese pecan cole slaw & the blue berry corn bread.
  6. Our little one devoured a huge kids hot dog that I helped him finish.
  7. Overall, Robin's food is pretty regularly good, but it's not cheap and for the prices you pay better service should be expected.
  8. Compared to other barbecue places, great value for the big portions!
  9. With 4 in our party the price was right and the BBQ was fabulous.
  10. The ribs are tasty, the blueberry cornbread is awesome but the desserts too have declined in quality, especially the chocolate cake which used to be "death by chocolate" and now is more akin to cheap birthday cake.
  11. Similar to the Cheesecake Factory in that it's kind of pricey but you get huge plates of food.
  12. So when we go to dinner we are looing for Quailty food, great service and value.
  13. The place has a fun look, the music is good and not too loud & is really worth a try.
  14. The place is huge & was jam packed yet our server Aaron made us feel as if we were his only table.
  15. The place is overpriced and the food has never been the same since one of the founders Tex Morgan left.
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. The service was a bit slow but the place was packed.
  2. For starters the wait to get into this place was ridiculous, and it wasnt because there was a line out the door, we asked for patio seating and it took them 15 minutes to set a table and seat us, and the place wasnt even busy.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/22/11

BOMB BBQ

by hulensty

pasadena is stacked with places to go to, but not too many compare to the delicious food you find at at this place. The ribs are amazing, true bbq flavor.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/24/11

Huge menu

by claudiea

Robins is a great place to go for bbq night. I love there ribs and the bbq sauce. Anyways good service, good food, good price need I say more.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/26/10

if you don't like it, get your tastebuds checked!

Contributor

I really can't believe that anyone can post a bad review. I saw the bad review about the salad and chuckled. Perhaps a rib joint may not be the best place to get a salad? Duh! Anyway! Great ribs (and all other food I tried), great management, great service! May not be the best place for a vegetarian, although the pecan cole slaw and the muffins are incredible!

The Details on Robin's Woodfire BBQ

Place Categories:

  • great bbq
  • great place
  • great iffy service
  • best spare ribs
  • great music
  • incredible beef ribs
  • flavorful smoked meat
  • super friendly waiter
  • very good robin
  • excellent special sauces
  • incredible smoked barbeque
  • delicious blueberry cornbread
  • very friendly staff
  • always dry chicken
  • full onion rings
  • great meal
  • great fun experience
  • big garbage can plate
  • great bbq ribs
  • good tritip
  • clean bathrooms
  • full garbage can platter
  • great food
  • fun atmosphere
  • comfortable outside patio
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