Whimsical, casual BBQ spot serves up super-sized slabs.

by Mar Yvette

Like its original location on Pico, this 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 the grilled corn in chili-lime butter and a bowl of barbecue baked beans brimming with bacon.

09/18/08

If you HATE Dr. Hogly Wogly's...

by scooterpye1

You'll LOVE Mr. Cecils. It has the dried out grilled ribs, soggy fries and bland sauce direct from Smart & Final's that you CRAVE. And then the pretentious Chuckie Cheese meets Nightmare on Elm Street decor will make you swoon. And you pompous elites will puff your empty chests out with pride at having your car parked by a real paid valet. So you can rub elbows with more of your smug empty suit poseur pals. All while being left to wait for a wobbly table in an otherwise empty dining room and attended to by an overly inked would be actress whose bad attitude is softened only by her story of how she got HEP-C from her last piercing.

In short - the perfect "barbecue" joint for those whose idea of great barbecue was their last McRib.

Hi-Ho!

• Pros: Nothing like Dr. Hogly Wogly's
• Cons: Not expensive enough.

08/07/08

Mama likey

by whitemeatnugs

I have been here two times, and both times have I left saying "I should come here more often!" I am thinking of adding it to my list of regular haunts. I tried the pulled pork sandwich the first, then last week I enjoyed the BBQ'd brisket sandwich. They are large portions, the sides are large and shareable, and there is so much on the menu I'd like to try. The restaurant has a comfortable feel to it. It was very clean and the staff was friendly. I will be returning, and would hope to have a few drinks next time with my meal.

• Pros: delicious, large menu
• Cons: valet or hunt for parking on Ventura

04/15/08

cecils, my oh my, cecils

by kingsley024

the place s*&^&, we went twice since eric, an old time manager left, two times too many!! the place is run by kids, Eric was the only manager worth anything over there, and he had the right mind to leave, the place has gone to the dogs.

04/14/08

GREAT SERVICE, FOOD, PARTY

by Sheridanne

I wanted to throw my boyfriend a fun (yet casual/intimate) surprise bday party with a few close friends. He loves ribs and I came across Mr. Cecil?s in a Google search. I had never been there and sight unseen, I decided to proceed with my plans and hold the dinner @ their Sherman Oaks location. From my first conversation with manager Ali, to our emails to the event itself...it was smooth sailing. Their attention to detail and service delivery was fabulous. At the actual bday dinner, we were greeted by the owner and Ali to ensure all plans went well. They introduced us to the staff which included our FABULOUS server, Mara. She was beyond phenomenal. She was so lovely, so accommodating, so vibrant. I loved that she remembered our names and constantly greeted us that way. Her service (without question) made the experience above and beyond my expectations. Not-to-mention the very delicious food. My guests included major meat lovers and vegetarians like me. The menu truly catered to all tastes and the dessert was unbelievable!

A big thank you to all and a HUGE thank you to Ali and Mara. Looking forward to another Mr. Cecil's experience in the very near future.

Take care of you.

Lisa

04/09/08

are you kidding me????

by timothylaw

I went to this rest. the other night to celebrate my wife's birthday. Well, it was a Saturday night, looked like there wasn't enough servers for the place. We waited for our server, some gal, tattoos galore, (i thought this was a family rest.) was quick with trying us to rush trough our order. Food comes out, i ordered the short rib dinner, my wife ordered the baby backs. food was cold, took another 10 minutes to get out waitresses attention. She grabs the plates like she's doing us a favor. No manager on the floor. Ridiculous service, sorry to say, we wont be going back there. How this place still stays in business is a wonder to me. Quincy's down the street on Ventura is worlds apart. Much better customer service and amazing staff. Always there if you need anything. I wouldn't go there again, not if they paid me... what, the owner cant afford to have managers on the floor?? we paid for our food and left. It would have been nice to voice our complaint to someone there, but i guess it was every person for their own.

• Pros: nothing at all, waste of money..
• Cons: used to be a good place.

03/25/08

best bbq ribs

by johnny1234

i went to this so called rib joint the other nite.... all i can say is.............WOW... WOW, it was some of the best i've had... we sat at the bar. Sarah or farah was her name..... so nice and so sweet... very attentive... the food, out of this world... ribs were just what i hoped.... drinks, well i had the mojito,,,,, sooooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooooooooood... all i can say is two thumbs up LA!!!! wish they had more happy hour specials!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: great food
• Cons: nothing

03/02/08

BEST NON GREASY RIBS and TASY

by chefonpatrol

I have had ribs all over town and they are usally poor quality meat, greasy and covered in a sauce to hide the quality. These ribs-we had all 3 kinds were tasty with out any sauce and came clean off the bone. I have no idea what all those negative comments were about. I do not think we were at the same place I was. We drove over the hill into the valley just to see if everything I heard about this place was true. It was and more. The sides were tasty and I tried them all but the cornbread. The beans were good but the other sides were much better. The staff was really nice. I casually mentioned the air was blowing right on us and she ran and turned it off with a big smile happy to help out. I can't imagine anyone not having an amazing meal. I LOVED THIS PLACE!

• Pros: GREAT RIBS and STAFF
• Cons: ITs a drive over the hill for us but worth it.

08/02/07

WORST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE!

by rockydog1

In a half-empty restaurant, the hostess parked us at the bar, left us for thirty min. then when I asked her what we were waiting for, told me that she had walked through the (empty) bar calling us (!). UNBELIEVABLE! The unbridled arrogance was astonishing. Food is fair at best. "Baby Backs" weren't, got fatty spareribs instead, waitress ARGUED with us that they were in fact good when they were AWFUL, as if it was I who didn't know any better. GRILLED on top of that, not slow-cooked as real BBQ must be. Greasy fries, mediocre sauce. NOTHING to RECOMMEND this PLACE except it is "BBQ" for those who don't know any better. Cutsey decor is for children. And to add insult to injury - this place charges DOUBLE what this cheap chow should cost. SO... FOOD: NO! - SERVICE: NO!! - VALUE: NO!!! Any Questions?

• Pros: It was open when we got there.
• Cons: The Entire Experience. Awful!

05/17/07

GO ANY PLACE ELSE. JUST NOT HERE!!!

by cglaurence

I heard so much about this place that I had my daughter take me here for Mother's Day. BIG MISTAKE!!! I love Baby Back Ribs and love grilling them at home. Someone even said this place was as good as Tommy Bahama's in Palm Desert. THEY CAN ONLY DREAM OF BEING THAT GOOD! I'd rather drive the two hours to the desert for T.B.'s ribs then go to this place ever again. Another interesting note is that they don't cook the ribs with BBQ sauce. You have to pour the BBQ sauce on the ribs after they are delivered to your table. Anyone who loves good ribs knows that you cook the sauce on them while they are cooking. It gives them more flavor. Not only that, I ordered Baby Back Ribs and got REGUALR PORK RIBS. Can you believe that? I asked the waitress if she was sure it was Baby Back Ribs and not regular Pork Ribs that I was eating and she smiled and said, "No! It's Baby Back Ribs." I knew they weren't but I didn't want to spoil the day so I let it slide. I'm not a complainer and this is the first review I've ever given but these were soooo bad that I decided I had to let other people know so they wouldn't have a horrible meal like we did. As far as the tender, drop off the bone goes. . Another lie! I couldn't even pull them apart with my hands. I had to use a knife and fork! No kidding!!! It was like cutting a steak or a piece of chicken. Really! They were no "melt in your mouth" ribs that's for sure. My daughter and I both said, "NEVER AGAIN!" How this place stays in business is beyond me. Now I know why they only had four tables being used. The lady told me that they expected more people but maybe because it was Mother's Day that people went someplace else. RIGHT!!!

• Pros: Location!
• Cons: The Worst Baby Back Ribs I've ever had!