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Bludso's Texas BBQ Joint Opens Today in Mid-City
(Photo via NomsNotBombs on Flickr)
Barbecue badass Kevin Bludso and Jason Bernstein and James Starr of the Golden State are opening up their much-anticipated joint in the former Tar Pit space today.
There are high hopes that this collaboration -- and the updated F & B program-- can rectify the less-than-pleasant vibes of the Tar Pit space, with its too-staid dining room.
Bludso's naturally will boast more of a down-home, minimalist design. The revamped space has concrete floors, steel picnic tables, and 'que served on paper-lined trays.
One thing that hasn't gotten the axe, though, is the Tar Pit's lenient liquor license, which will allow the Bludso's crew to operate as a bar 'til 2 a.m., though to start they'll only be open til midnight. They'll be taking advantage, serving California craft brews similar to the program at Golden State, as well as mint juleps and Fernet on tap.
But as much as he'd like to be, Bludso himself can't be in two places at once. He'll be maily focussing on the Compton location and catering, but has trained former food writer and Tasted host Noah Galuten to man the smokers on La Brea.
Says the LA Weekly:
Galuten has brought not only his expertise but his mother, Nancy Lyons, whose desserts (apple pie, red velvet cake) will be what you're ordering after your plates of brisket and pork ribs, pulled pork and rib tips, all priced by the pound and served on paper-lined sheet trays ("BBQ looks stupid on a plate").
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It's good to know that they aren't totally turning barbeque bougie, because Bludso's Compton location has soul.
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