South Pasadena’s own Barbecue Joint – Gus’s Barbecue
Recently renovated, Gus’s Barbecue features some of the good barbecue in the West San Gabriel area. I was first there about 10 years ago … and for my 2nd trip the summer of 2009. It was recently taken over by the same group/family that owns Tops in Pasadena. They did a complete makeover to the place along with a new website.
Being a novice BBQ connoisseur, but striving to become an expert, I don’t have extensive experience in tasting a lot of different BBQ joints. Though, I have had BBQ in North Carolina, New York City, and in a few different places in Los Angeles.
If you want to get a better idea about BBQ in and around LA and beyond, check out PulledPorker’s Blog http://bbqandbaseball.blogspot.com/
But my experience at Gus’s was a good one. Not a great one but good. I did enjoy the sides – mostly the mac’N cheese and fries. Heck I will order mac’n cheese at any fine dining establishment. But I didn’t come to Gus’s for the sides.
The baby back ribs were good, not exceptional. They had a few different kinds of bbq ribs – St. Louis, Memphis, and Carolina. I couldn’t really tell the difference unless I read the menu. In fact they all tasted quite good. I don’t really have a preference. In my eyes, good barbeque must have good texture – meaning that the meat has to fall off the bone as you rip it easily from the bone with your teeth. I do like the smokiness of the Carolina’s and the sweetness from the Memphis.
I do want to proceed to expand my bbq experience. But in order to do that, I am going to have to try a lot of other BBQ places. If you guys have suggestions, please let me know.
