Local Barbecues, Coffeehouses and Seafood Spots Earned “Best” Titles
Five Santa Monica dining spots earned top prizes on the Los Angeles Times’ “Best of the Southland 2023” Readers’ Choice Poll for the Westside/Downtown/East L.A. region.
Bludso’s BBQ, the new outpost that opened in July on Santa Monica Boulevard from LA pitmaster Kevin Bludso, took home the prize for “Best BBQ” on the list.
The eatery beat out several L.A. hotspots for the title including Moo’s Craft Barbecue, Phillips Bar-B-Que, The Park’s Finest and Wood Ranch. The Santa Monica location serves options such as Southwest Chicken Salad, Lean Brisket, Smoked BBQ Jackfruit, Dinosaur Beef Rib, Texas Caviar, Banana Pudding and Blackberry Cobbler. Offered sauces include Hot & Mild BBQ, Pint Ranch and Chipotle Butter Ranch.
Science-based restaurant True Food Kitchen secured the “Best Vegan/Vegetarian” title. With a location at 395 Santa Monica Place, the outpost aims to ensure “all of its craveable dishes and drinks work to increase the longevity of our people and planet.” Its menu items include the Wild Caught Tuna Lettuce Wrap, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Edamame Dumplings and more.
Other local restaurants that took home the top spots on the list included Santa Monica Seafood Market & Cafe (“Best Seafood”), Santa Monica Brew Works (“Best Local Craft Brewery”) and LOKL HAUS ( both for “Best Coffeehouse” and “Best Brunch”).
To view the entire list and awards, go to https://www.latimes.com/bestofthesouthland.
