Del Amo Mall in Torrance is undergoing a facelift from its 1980s contemporary suburban slumber to a more up-scale “lifestyle center” theme, soon to be anchored by newer shops and restaurants like Nordstom’s and Victoria Secret. The mighty myth of malls across America has not been financially prosperous this century with many being made into parking lots or empty spaces, but Del Amo Mall appears to be positioned to regain (again) consumer confidence. It was the biggest mall in the country when Ronald Regan led the country and one of the most profitable too. Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ won’t be turned into a patio café, thankfully, but will stay on site and move from its outside location along Fashion Way to somewhere inside the mall once said construction is complete.
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Cue is open while Del Amo Mall renovates for new look & additional stores.
The culinary description Southern Style Bar-B-Cue doesn’t normally fit amongst South Bay waistlines nor is barbecue big business around the beach cities; there used to be a Chicago for Ribs in current Rock & Brews Redondo Beach location and Pinkies BBQ in Hermosa Beach seemed to lack consistency. At one point, Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in Marina Del Rey was the best fix for soul food, a touch outside the bubble though.
Next time the pang of fall off the bone, tender smoked meat, strawberry lemonade in a mason jar or fresh muffins with apple sauce butter enter your bbq fantasy, don’t bother with any Google searches or attempt a Yelp cross-word puzzle, just go to Lucille’s and all shall be satiated. Roadhouse décor, high-backed booths with a coat hanger, a light whisper of jazz mixed with blues and a dank aroma of rubs & spices greet patrons daily. Hospitality is not lost here in this corporate backed venture; all guests at any Lucille’s location in California, Nevada or Arizona receive the courtesy question, “Have you been here before?” Most likely the answer is yes, then a “welcome back” is always what comes next. The menu is a crock-pot of Cajun, Creole, cat-fish, jambalaya and fried dill pickles but most come here for the slow cooked quality bar-b-cue and sides.
Fried Dill Pickles, as an appetizer, at Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Cue in Torrance.
Remember that hot dogs and hamburgers are grilled, while bar-b-cue is cooked long and slow at low temperatures in some sort of smoker to get that pink middling, tender texture. Lucille’s uses Hickory Wood in their smokers and smoking times vary by cut of meat. A thick Beef Brisket may smoke for a whole day while a slab of pork laden ribs needs about eight hours. Sauce is secondary at Lucille’s, usually applied toward the end of smoking process, making slow-cooked bar-b-cue the masterpiece at Lucille’s. Take into account, seasoning, rubs, smoke time and one could arguably calculate a total prep time of 1-2 days before that Rib Combo or BBQ Platter reaches the fingertips. Lucille’s has the feeling of a smart business plan, ideal high-traffic locations in Torrance & Long Beach, next to malls and hotels but its die-hard attention to homemade bar-b-cue is the main engine that drives its success.
The BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich is outstanding, thin slices of smoked tri-tip stacked high between a potato bun drizzled with mop sauce set the standard. Scoop a side of creamy coleslaw between the buns and your sandwich just got better. In fact, the tri-tip should be a counterpart to any plate, platter or combo at Lucile’s. The Baked Beans are sweet and also smoky, the Honey Roasted Peanut Slaw come with actual peanuts, the Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Macaroni & Cheese pair well with all their dinner BBQ plates like Brisket, Baby Back Ribs or Smoked BBQ Half Chicken (marinated in bbq saucefor 24 hours). Three different sauces: Hot & Spicy Bar-B-Que Sauce, Original Bar-B-Que Sauce, and Memphis BBQ Sauce sit on every table if you want to experiment.
The BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwich at Lucille’s is one of the best tri-tp based sandwiches in the South Bay.
Save a little scratch by sitting down for a lunch special served Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Chicken Lunch Combo or Rib Comb costs $14.99 or $16.49 and you get one side. Even though Lucille’s is currently under construction, on weekend nights, expect a wait time of at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Cue in Torrance us currently open for bbq as Del Amo Mall cocoons into a hipper medium for shopping & eating and is located along 21420 Hawthorne Blvd. next to Barnes & Noble across from Fashion Way. www.lucillesbbq.com