Big Mista’s BBQ Makes List of 99 Essential LA Restaurants

In January of this year, LA Weekly’s Jonathan Gold got his first taste of Big Mista’s Barbecue at the Atwater Village Farmers Market.  His description of a meal put together from the remains of the day — “the charred crispy bits and sizzled fat trimmed off the brisket, the last hot link, a bit of sliced tri-tip and a chicken thigh” — left readers salivating for more.

Since then, Long Beach based Big Mista’s Barbecue has gone on to get two nods of approval from LA Weekly.  The first kudos came in February with an inclusion in their list of “99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die”.  In early November, Big Mista’s farmer’s market stand was listed on Mr. Golds “99 Essential LA Restaurants”.

What should South Bay diners recognize from this most recent acknowledgment?

First, Big Mistas is only available on the Farmer’s Market circuit, not at a local restaurant.  Second, three of their five weekly markets are right around the corner in Torrance and El Segundo.  And lastly, no other restaurant on the list is in the South Bay; the closest are Bludso’s BBQ in Compton and a few spots in Venice.

Neil Strawder, the pit-master behind Big Mista’s Barbecue, shared some comments on this via telephone.

“Its truly an honor to be on the list and the only one from the South Bay” ,  he said.

“People say there’s no good barbecue in California; well now there is.  There are two places [Jonathan Gold] mentioned this far south and they’re both barbecue.  I’m really excited about that.  I hope this encourages people to come out to the farmers markets to try it.”

When asked what new items are on the menu, Neil described their Spicy Sticky Wangs — “Not wings“, he emphasized, “Wangs!” — and a Pulled Pork Parfait; smoked pork layered between mashed potatoes or cole slaw.

How were these new items received at his last market? “We sold out of both of ’em”.

In closing, Neil thanked his customers for coming out and supporting his business.  “We really love serving everyone,” he said.

Turning back to the core of his menu, he added “I would tell people not to forget the great BBQ we have!  People come looking for the pig candy, which is good, but first and foremost we sell BBQ.”

Big Mista’s Barbecue

http://www.bigmista.com
@BigMistasBBQ on Twitter

Look for Big Mista at the following South Bay Farmers Markets:

Torrance, Tuesday and Saturday 8 AM – 1 PM, Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard
El Segundo, Thursday 3 PM – 7 PM, Main Street & Pine Avenue

Photo credit:djjewelz.