THE OINKSTER

If we’re not willing to settle for junk living, we certainly shouldn’t settle for junk food. 

-Sally Edwards

THE OINKSTER

2005 Colorado Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90041

(323) 255-6465

11:00 AM to 10:00 PM                    Sunday through Thursday

11:00 AM to 11:00 PM                    Friday and Saturday

Other location:

776 Vine Street

Los Angeles, CA 90038

(323) 536-9248

11:00 AM to 10:00 PM                    Sunday through Thrusday

11:00 AM to 11:00 PM                    Friday and Saturday

The Oinklster

I was in the waiting room in  a doctor’s office looking through an issue of Los Angeles magazine that had a cover story about the Top 301 restaurants that are not on the West Side (Yes, the Top 301 restaurants!!!) and picking out barbeque places that we had not yet tried.  With a name like The Oinkster you would think that it would have something to do with barbeque so Sharon and I decided to try it for lunch.  It’s in a part of town called Eagle Rock between Gendale and Pasadena.  If you are not familiar with Los Angeles there is a rock on the hill above, on the other side of the 210 Freeway, and it does look like an eagle. 

The building is a midcentury A-frame that used to be a Jim’s Burgers, although I was told, originally was a Tasty Freeze.  There is a parking lot on both sides, and under the name, The Oinkster, the sign proclaims “Slow Fast Food”.  OK, strictly speaking this is not a barbeque place, it’s a high class burger joint , but there is a real smoker out back, and when you look at their menu the top two items are Smoked Pastrami and Pulled Pork.   There is a waiting line to order.  You make your order when called to the counter, by very personable staff, and they give you a numbered standard to put on the table so that one of the staff can bring you your order.

The menu has sandwiches, three pastrami, one pulled pork, the rest burgers and chicken, along with salads, rotisserie chicken, sides and drinks.  The pastrami and the pulled pork are also available by the pound.  Advance notice must be given for orders greater than five pounds.  The sandwiches are served with a pickle spear, but you can make a combo out of them by adding Fries (Belgian style, twice fried.) and a drink for four dollars more.  They make almost everything on the menu in house although the rolls the sandwiches are served on come from the San Francisco Baking Company.  (We saw the delivery.)  Another thing to note, as an indication of the quality here, is the cheese.  Anything that has cheese on it here has real cheese not “plastic cheese” (American cheese).

Since we were there for the barbeque Sharon ordered a Pastrami Sandwich (Just a basic one, you can also get one with Red Cabbage Coleslaw, Carmalized Onions, and Gruyre Cheese on it.) as a combo and I ordered the Pulled Pork as a combo.  Combos include a fountain drink.  They also have malts, shakes, some unusual, and a varied selection of craft beers.  (Check the chalk board above the counter for the current selection.)  Even though it was the middle of the lunch hour the food arrived promptly and hot.  (It was a Monday, which according to the Google listing, is usually quiet.

Pastrami

The pastrami is cured and smoked here.  They have their own spice rub blend and smoke with apple wood.  Their portions are definitely not stingy.  The sandwich is well stuffed with meat.  Sharon took half of it home.  It’s very tasty but could stand to be a bit leaner.

Pulled Pork

This is a Carolina style pulled pork.  The serve it dry but include a somewhat vinegary sauce on the side.   By itself, the pork is above average.  Personally, I think the sauce could use a bit of mustard, but that’s just a preference.   The flavor of the pork is enhanced by the sauce, not overwhelmed by it.  The sandwich includes Red Cabbage Coleslaw and caramelized onions.  I ended up taking half of it home and having it later for a snack.  It was still good.  I would definitely stop in for another one if I’m in the neighborhood and hungry.

Fries

The fries are done Belgian style, twice fried.  Just plain good fries.

This is not one of our usual reviews.  It’s not strictly a barbeque place, but the barbeque they do is very good.  It would be interesting to see how they would fair with more barbeque selections on the menu, however, they are a long time fixture in the Eagle Rock area with the menu they have and you don’t mess with success.  This place has seriously good food at reasonable prices.   We haven’t tried the whole menu but the two smoked items are 8.5 to 9, a little different but worth trying.