Ok, I drove past WLA Mr. Cecil's many times, thinking, ""who would eat in a shack that looks like it's ready to fall down and the place is probably unclean."" Ok, Ok, it's a front for a corrugated-steeled welding shop. If you want to impress a date, it's not it. It's also opposite from my favorite places....Asia de Cuba, The Penthouse, Katusya/Brentwood, Pedal's Cafe, but the food is to die for. Baby back ribs (best ""dry-rub"" BBQ in LA. Love it w/o any sauces: juicy, melt-in-your-mouth tender, meaty, tasty), hush puppies (as good as the best of the deep South w/ a kiss of chili) and the coleslaw (freshest, crispiest, cleanest tasting) are on my ""Last Meal"" list. Chicken ? Never had one better, but the baby back ribs is extra ordinary !!! Clientele ? Parking lot (too small) is taken-up by RR/BMW/MB. Prices ? It's not a Tony Roma's or a Chili's (though they look better)...nor more expensive WLA BBQ restaurant w/ table cloths and cloth napkins, but it's in WLA and one bite tells you that ingredients are the best. It's ZAGAT rated. Ambience & Service ? Chill out, it's a neighborhood BBQ ""joint."" Service is on-par w/ the other famous neighborhood BBQ joints. Chill, sit back and just don't be shy to flag a waiter/waitress over...and you'll enjoy the food, the ""ambience"" and the service. I've been there ""in a hurry""...and ""to relax and enjoy"", but never been disappointed. Tip ? Go early (5-5:30pm, if on Saturday evening) to get easy seating. There are only 4 booths in the middle and few wood tables (the kitchen and serving area is bigger than the seating area).\r
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If you've eaten in the ""best of the best"" throughout the world and US, rated 4 stars to a road-side stands...and appreciate excellent, world-class cuisine in any form, for an honest price...and are a meat lover, you'll like Mr. Cecil's, but this review is from a ""dry-rub"" BBQ devotee (though, I appreciate a fine wet-BBQ, as well, once in a while...but I like dry-rub, just fine)....Enjoy !
Pros: Best dry-rub BBQ, Hush puppies to die for, Cole slaw, House wine
Cons: Parking, no reservations
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