ROSIE’S BBQ AND GRILLERY – PART II

ROSIE’S BBQ AND GRILLERY – PART II

 

“Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.”
― Orson Welles

8930 Corbin Ave

 
Northridge CA 91324 

 
(818) 349 3055

https://rosiesbbq.com/

Mon: 11:00am - 9:00pm
Tue:   11:00am - 9:00pm
Wed: 11:00am - 9:00pm
Thu:   11:00am - 9:00pm
Fri:     11:00am - 9:30pm
Sat:    11:00am - 9:30pm
Sun:   11:00am - 9:00pm 

I got there at 10:30 before they were open.  I could smell the smoked meat outside.  One of the servers saw me outside, opened the door, and told me they were not ready yet.  Since it was a hot day she even offered me a glass of water while I was waiting. By the time they were ready to sell the meat there was a line out the door which was a good sign.  The scale and cutting board were set up on the bar. The prices (actually by the half pound) were posted behind the bar.  You don’t have to order a specific weight, the meat is sliced in front of you, you tell him where to stop, weighed and you pay for whatever it weighs.  Apparently, he got a good deal on beef ribs because he mentioned that they were lower than the usual price.

Beef Rib

The ribs were large and meaty with a good bark on them.  They had been smoked over white oak.  The rub seemed to be a basic, Texas style, rub heavy in the salt and cracked pepper.  I got one rib and that was more than enough for two people. The flavor was not timid at all and simply said “BEEF”! This was very different from the ribs we had in the restaurant a few days earlier.  While not absolutely the best beef rib we’ve had it’s up there.

Pulled Pork

Looking at the pieces of pork we could see that the pork shoulder had a good smoke ring and bark on it before it was pulled apart.  This very different from the pork we had at our visit in 2013.  It had a definite flavor and you could tell that you were eating pork.  I did make a pulled pork sandwich with it and the complementary pickled red onions and dill pickles that came with my order and enjoyed it thoroughly. 

Baby Back Ribs

Again, these were very different from what we had in 2013.   They were tender, meaty and flavorful.  Unlike before, the flavor was definitely not bland.  We have had better but not by much.

Brisket

He threw the brisket on the cutting board it quivered, just like brisket I have seen in Texas.  I had him cut from the lean end and the slices were still fork tender.  It had a good smoke ring and great flavor.  I can say without reservation, this is not my mother’s brisket.  (That’s a complement.  If my mother were still with us even she would agree.)

Arguments over which barbecue technique is “better” or “more authentic” aside the meat at the new Rosie’s location is much better and the service is very friendly.  The Smoked Meat Saturday absolutely establishes a barbeque style that is well appreciated as evidenced by the line out the door on Saturday morning.  However, the sides we had still needed some rethinking. 

If you just come to buy the meat we rate it a 9 however, for the whole experience, we rate it an 8.