Tiny 7th Street Retail Space Lands BBQ King

By Eric Richardson
Published: Monday, August 11, 2008, at 04:57PM

BBQ King Eric Richardson [Flickr]

The Original Texas BBQ King was displaced from the corner of Sunset and Figueroa recently for construction of another Orsini development, but Downtowners looking for their BBQ fix are about to be back in luck.

BBQ King has moved to 53rd and Vermont, but the restaurant’s prepping to open a tiny take-out space on 7th street, between Olive and Grand.

The space, perhaps barely eight feet wide and easy to miss from the street, has bounced between different retail concepts and still features a sign from its last life selling juice. It’s understandably hard to figure out what works in a spot that only might tip 100 square feet.

Takeout southern-style BBQ seems like a use that just might find enough traction to make a go of it.

BBQ King / 525 W. 7th / 213-627-7555 / Opened August 13th.

Update (8/13): Raul reports in the comments that BBQ King opened up today.




Comments

1

This BBQ actually sounds like a great place. the hole in the wall places are usually the best

# on Aug.12.2008 AT 07:51 AM
2
celia writes:

this is great news! i might not make it to 53rd and vermont, but 7th between olive and grand is definitely close enough to walk or take the DASH for my bbq king fix.

# on Aug.12.2008 AT 10:00 AM
3
akamomo writes:

The corner of 7th & Olive can use it! 7-11 sucks a bit but the restaurant/market under The Brockman should do a lot. Wondering how long until a single of the retail spots under the 7-11 building will be leased - hopefully more unique spots like the rib place. 7th street has certainly been changing, keep it up! Can’t wait to give these guys some business.

# on Aug.12.2008 AT 11:06 AM
4
Laurey T writes:

This makes my belly very very happy.

# on Aug.12.2008 AT 03:44 PM
5
Jeremy R writes:

“Wondering how long until a single of the retail spots under the 7-11 building will be leased - hopefully more unique spots like the rib place. 7th street has certainly been changing, keep it up! Can’t wait to give these guys some business.”

The 7-11 building is called the mandel.

There is an upscale thai place going into that ground space. It will have fancy cocktails, be open late, the full deal.

The people leasing it are called Maison LLC.

http://www.angelenic.com/797/maison-metro-applies-upscale-twist-to-thai-cuisine/

# on Aug.12.2008 AT 04:39 PM
6
Will Campbell writes:

Clearly the size of the storefront forced the owners to lop off the “Loves America” that used to be part of its name at Fig and Cesar.

# on Aug.12.2008 AT 04:49 PM
7
bromike666 writes:

I went to BBQ King Loves America once, it kinda sucked.

Spring Street Smokehouse FTW!!!!!!!

# on Aug.13.2008 AT 06:30 AM
8
Trspot22 writes:

Spring Street is ok but BBQ King is the real deal and definitely not as boojie!

# on Aug.13.2008 AT 10:36 AM
9
Raul writes:

Today was their first day. Having some tri-tip right now for lunch.

# on Aug.13.2008 AT 12:31 PM
10
bromike666 writes:

Trspot22,

Maybe I ate there on a bad day but I swear everything was dry and chewy. Since then in my 9 years downtown I’ve not once considered going back. I’ve eaten at SSSH 10 times or so and have dreams about their BBQ.

Lets settle this once and for all and get the IAAL together for a “BBQ showdown” ride. In the meantime I’ll go back and try “BBQ King Used To Love America” again and see what I get.

# on Aug.14.2008 AT 06:41 AM
11
Casper writes:

Went today.

It was average, at best. Dry meat.

Spring Street is far superior both in food and experience.

# on Aug.14.2008 AT 06:11 PM
12
Urban Bruin writes:

Great to see BBQ King is staying in downtown (a small store front is better than nothing) but it seems like we may have a ribs war brewing. A new addition to downtowns BBQ scene has just opened up, “Showbiz Ribs” on 6th between Grand and Olive. They’re giving it a go with with evening hours until 9 pm, 7 days a week.

Bromike guess you’ll have to add another seat to your “BBQ Showdown”

# on Aug.16.2008 AT 03:10 AM
13
akamomo writes:

@ Jeremy R:

You sure the Thai deal is still on? Things look 110% frozen in terms of any work going on in the retail space of The Mandel (worst name ever, perhaps owner hasn’t heard of Howie), previously known as The Coulter Building.

# on Aug.17.2008 AT 03:26 AM

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