Bludso's Bar & Que

Last year, legendary pitmaster Kevin Bludso sold out of his fabled fried turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving, so get a move one if you want to reserve one of his whole-smoked birds. Get them a la carte or go for the Thanksgiving combo that adds in Cornbread Stuffing, Collard Greens, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Smoked Turkey Gravy, all of which are available for purchase separately, too. For dessert, you can add on a Sweet Potato or Mexican Lime Pie.
Cost:Whole turkeys $135-$145; combo dinners $225-$265; sides $20-$40; pies, $38.
How to order:Order online for pickup on November 23 from 11:30 am–4 pm or Thanksgiving Day from 11 am–1 pm.

Owner/pitmaster Kevin Bludso—better known as Big Kev—hails from Compton, but you’re unlikely to find authentic Texas BBQ of this caliber west of the Lone Star State. That’s because as a child, Bludso spent his summers in Corsicana, Texas, where his aunt Willie May Fields introduced him to Texas-style ‘cue. By the time he reached double digits, Bludso was cooking alongside his aunt, and in 2008 he opened Bludso’s first location—a small takeout BBQ stand in his hometown of Compton. The empire has since grown to include a flagship in Hollywood, a concession stand in the LAFC Soccer Stadium, a location in the Proud Bird Food Bazaar by LAX, and a sprawling restaurant and bar called San Antone by Bludso’s in Melbourne, Australia. Cousin to soul food, BBQ is also best shared with friends who won’t judge you for slurping sauce off your fingertips: order Bludso’s Tray, which serves six to seven people, and includes a half-pound of brisket, half-pound of pulled pork, half-chicken, full rack of pork ribs, half-pound of rib tips, two Texas red hot beef links, half-pint of all sides, pickles, cornbread, and BBQ sauce for just $130—or less than $20 per person.
How to order: Make reservations for dine-in online. Pickup and delivery via Toast, Caviar, Chownow, and most third-party delivery apps.