Culver City: BBQ at the Maple Block Meat Company

 

For months I’ve been hearing the best new barbecue place in Los Angeles is actually in Culver City. What’s a ‘cue-loving girl to do but drive over there and check it out. I dropped in recently with a group of 6 others on an early Sunday to check out Maple Block Meat Company. We sat at the bar because we didn’t make reservations but it all worked out. I rather like sitting at the bar and getting a good look at the open kitchen.

 

 

Maple Block has only a beer and wine license for now. I chose an Old Rasputin because I like dark beer.

 

We got the pickles plate to start. It had everything that I wanted- pickles, pickled cauliflower, pickled radishes. The radishes were just slightly bitter so it made a nice contrast to the tartness of the brine.

 

When I see chicken wings on the menu, I’m going to want them. I managed to snag one before they were all gobbled up. I didn’t need sauce on these but appreciated the choices.

 

The ladies wanted veggies and I can’t say I wasn’t into the salad. It was great to get a little bit of greens in before the onslaught of meat.

 

I knew we had to get the ribs, not that I heard this was the specialty (turns out that’s the brisket) but because that’s my favorite BBQ. Ribs, keep ’em coming. The fatty brisket was the universal fave but to gain perspective, ask for some leaner pieces as well. The ribs were definitely very meaty and of the two sauces offered, I liked the spicier one just slightly more. Overall though, I prefer thicker saucers that are spiked with more vinegar. But certainly the well-marinated ribs didn’t need sauce.

We also got the pork belly which was stellar. It was a great thick hunk of it and better than bacon or any unmarinated piece from your average grill place in Ktown (but it’s probably not fair to compare the two different styles of BBQ- American vs Korean).

 

I wanted the biscuits to be fluffier but these were fine.

 

However, don’t miss the mac and cheese. There was plenty of cheese to fill in all the nooks and crannies of the elbow mac. Yes! Real mac and cheese uses elbow macaroni.

I did enjoy Maple Block Meat Company but the quest continues for the best BBQ in Los Angeles. I hear I should be making a quest to the Eastside and seek out the Park’s Finest. Until the next BBQ report, I do recommend driving west for ‘cue.

Maple Block Meat Company

3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230  —  (310) 313-6328

 

© The Minty 2015