Glencrest Bar-B-Que Restaurant

Glencrest Bar-B-Que Restaurant, Venice – Quick Review

Glencrest Bar-B-Que on Abbot Kinney has a cozy, mom-and-pop vibe with a prime Venice location and a few spots for alfresco seating. The smell of smoked wood hits you as soon as you walk in, setting the right tone for BBQ.

The menu is classic BBQ with a soul food twist: collard greens, mac n’ cheese, red beans and rice, plus desserts like 7up cake, peach cobbler, and sock-it-to-me cake. Prices are very reasonable; the most expensive item, the Bar-B-Que pork rib dinner with two sides and a drink, runs about $10.25.

What was ordered

• Bar-B-Que pork rib dinner
• Collard greens
• Red beans and rice
• Cornbread
• Strawberry soda

Food impressions

• Ribs: Good smoky flavor and very filling, but the texture was inconsistent—tender in some spots, a bit tough in others.
• Collard greens: Satisfying and well done.
• Cornbread: Pretty delicious and a nice complement to the meal.
• Red beans and rice: Disappointing; lacked seasoning and overall flavor.
• Strawberry soda: Hit the spot and paired nicely with the meal.

Bottom line

The BBQ isn’t perfect, but the combination of solid flavors, low prices, and a fantastic sunny-day Venice location makes Glencrest worth a visit—especially if you live or work nearby. It’s the kind of place you’d go back to, both to explore more of the menu and to try that sock-it-to-me cake after a stroll and some shopping on Abbot Kinney.