Like a cat stalking prey, I’ve had my eye on Pork Belly’s Sandwich Shop since I first heard of its pending opening in mid-July.
Earlier this month, when I finally made my way through the sea of hipsters and sneering vegans clouding Abbot Kinney in a meatless-induced, pressed-juice haze, my salivating stare at the menu was enough to make chef Paul Mojica let me in on two coveted secrets: Dip and fried pickle chips.
1. If you love pork belly, get the PBLT (pork belly, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on sourdough) since it comes with three pieces of luscious pork belly over the signature Belly Up (BBQ pork belly and coleslaw on brioche) which only totes two.
2. Chop Tots & Slop Tots: Open until 2 am Friday and Saturday, I can’t imagine ever wanting anything else. Riddle your drunken self this – tater tots covered in brisket or sloppy joe with melted cheese ($4.99). Your taste-buds savior to anything offered by those hackneyed loitering food trucks.
3. Secret Chocolate Chip Cookies: Your sandwich will come swaddled in brown paper. Inside the first tuck, you will find a mini chocolate chip cookie (also available for purchase, five for $2.49).
If you’re looking for a seat, waiter, or salad, this is not your spot. But if you love brisket, pork, taters, potato salad, fried pickle chips, and meatballs, this is absolutely your joint.
It’s open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 2 am, and Sundays from 10:30 am to 9 pm.
Pork Belly’s Sandwich Shop
1146 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
424.777.8875
