BBQ Joint

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

A polished Southern-themed chain with solid execution and great biscuits — better than expected for a corporate BBQ concept.

By Luis Ramirez

Details

Address
Long Beach, CA
Style
Southern-style
Price
$$$

This sounds like a fantastic visit to Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ on 2nd Street in Long Beach. Even late on a Monday night, the wait and the smell of the hickory wood smoker set the stage for a memorable meal.

The Onion Straws appetizer, compared to a better version of the Awesome Blossom with Lucille's BBQ ranch, clearly made a strong first impression. Following that with spare ribs and a pulled pork sandwich — both described as incredible — reinforces that the kitchen delivered on the promise of the aroma from the smoker.

Having three distinct BBQ sauces (Memphis, Hickory, and Hot & Spicy) gave you room to experiment, and it’s notable that the Hot & Spicy stood out as the most unique. The sides also seem to have been a highlight: sweet potatoes, grilled corn, greens, and garlic mashed potatoes all earned a “worth having again,” which is impressive for a single visit.

Your only “complaint” being the sheer volume of food suggests strong value, and it’s reassuring that despite Lucille’s being a multi-location operation, it didn’t feel overly chain-like to you. Overall, this reads as a very positive experience with hearty portions, flavorful BBQ, and a satisfying atmosphere after a long evening of Christmas shopping.