#30:secondmendations

[la-foodie]

Smoke City Market BBQ - Sherman Oaks, 30:SECONDmendations (ep 008)

Read our full blog post review of Smoke City Market here.

Here is LA Foodie's review of Smoke City Market (Authentic Texas BBQ) in Sherman Oaks in less than 30 seconds. Ben dives into a pile of meat and likes what he finds. Brisket is served several ways here and is the star of the show.

What we recommend: Barbecued pastrami. It's sublime. For other dishes, ask what is best that day. Get plenty of yummy side dishes. And don't skip dessert!

Pros: Good (not great) barbecue near Los Angeles

Cons: Not everything here is worth writing home about

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, Ka'u Specialty, Inc. Coffee

Here is your review of Ka'u Specialty, Inc. Honey Dark Roast Coffee in less than 30 seconds. Ben says it's good either hot or cold brewed, so give it a try!

WE RECOMMEND: Try it with a Toddy (cold brew) maker. That way, you'll have concentrate on hand for days!

PROS: Has a boldness and sweetness that translate well to either a tasty cold or hot beverage.

CONS: It comes from Hawaii, and it's only available online (but you only shop online anyway, right?).

This is a damn fine cup of coffee.

Music by Bit Shifter

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, Dr. Bob's Handcrafted Ice Cream

Ben & Drew review the venerable Dr. Bob's Handcrafted Ice Cream in Pomona in 30 seconds or less! Located at the Fairplex, it's a fixture at the LA County Fair and sells its ice cream in smaller stores all over (for locations that sell it: http://drbobsicecream.com/retail/retail.html).

WE RECOMMEND: Go get you some. Especially at the fair, this ice cream is made right there with fresh ingredients. Hell yes.

PROS: It's great ice cream with some really great flavor choices. Try the fresh peach!

CONS: Is there anything bad about great ice cream? Answer: NO.

Find Dr. Bob's at the LA County Fairgrounds or at a local grocer near you!

Music by Bit Shifter

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, The Secret Goldfish Baking Company (cookies)

Here is your review of some cookies from the craft-baking shop, The Secret Goldfish Baking Company, in less than 30 seconds. The cookies are vegan, but you might not know. Most of the cookies were OK, but the ginger snaps knocked our cookies off. 

Please forgive Drew's audio. Drew just forgot to turn his mic on. What a dope.

What we recommend: Buy the ginger snaps, skip the rest. Don't tell your friends that the cookies are vegan, and they probably won't notice.

Pros: Dense, chewy, deeply flavorful ginger snaps.

Cons: Most of the other cookies were pretty good, but we thought that the texture was a little "off."

Music by Bit Shifter

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

Here is your review of Dogfish Head's fall-only beer, Punkin Ale, in less than 30 seconds. Ben likes flavored beers more than Drew, but they both agree that this beer is yummy.

What we recommend: Drink one by itself first, and then make beer cocktails with this stuff. Some good cocktail ideas are here: http://goo.gl/BomD3

Pros: Great balance. An all-around good beer, and it tastes like autumn. Drink it :)

Cons: Pumpkin beers usually taste like pumpin pie, and this one is no exception. You had better like the taste of pumpkin before digging-in.

Music by Bit Shifter

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, L.A. Burger

Here is your review of LA Burger on Pico Boulevard in less than 30 seconds. Drew and Ben visit the low-profile, blink-and-you'll-miss-it hamburger shack. They claim (on a big vinyl banner) to have "The Best Burger in LA," so we had to try it! As it turns-out, this "best burger" is only an OK burger.

What we recommend: Spend your money at The Apple Pan. It's close, and it's WAY better.

Pros: Charming, ramshackle hamburger stand. Cons: Not a great burger.

Find LA Burger at 6001 West Pico Boulevard Google Maps Link

Music by Bit Shifter

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, The Bruery

Here is your review of The Bruery in Orange County in less than 30 seconds. Drew, on a solo mission, is drinking too much and slurring his speech at The Bruery in Placentia, CA (near Anaheim). They don't serve food, but there is often a food truck outside. Believe me, you're going to want to lay-down a base -- these beers can be strong.

What I recommend: Talk to the guy behind the bar. The beers rotate often. Or buy a taster and find what you like!

Pros: Awesome beer. Cons: The place is dirty (it's a brewery), no food.

The Bruery's tasting room (what you see in this video) is here: 717 Dunn Way Placentia, CA 92870 Tasting Room Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5pm - 10pm Friday: 2pm - 10pm  Saturday & Sunday: 12pm -10pm 

More info about The Bruery is here: TheBruery.com Music by Bit Shifter

[la-foodie]

30:SECONDmendations, Golden Road Brewing

Here is your review of Golden Road Brewing in less than 30 seconds.

Ben and Drew, the Food Dudes, are tipping back beers and chowing-down on food at Golden Road Brewery in Atwater Village. 

We tried pretzels, fritters, pulled pork, banh mi, and some other grub. This food is OK for soaking-up beer but not much more. Not recommended. But we DO recommend the beer, which is good because it's a brewery. The beer is good, with the Point the Way IPA being one of the best (if you like hoppy beers).

More info on Golden Road Brewing at GoldenRoad.la

Music by Bit Shifter