L.A. BBQ Festival: Vegetarians, Steer Clear of Santa Monica

When I went to the Big Apple BBQ Festival in New York last year, I wished and wished with all my might that we had something like that in Los Angeles. Fortunately, Dan Silberstein of CozmoDeck and DrinkEatPlay was thinking the same exact thing and was able to actually do something about it since putting together events is his thang.

So he created the L.A. BBQ Festival, modeled after NYC’s popular annual event, which will have 10 of the top pitmasters from around the country doing what they do best: grill meat. From the SoCal area, there will be Gus’s BBQ, Parise Pit BBQ, Mr. Cecil’s California Ribs and Bristol Farms. And of course BBQ from BBQ capitals in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Mississippi will be represented.

Enjoy your food on the Santa Monica Beach while taking in the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. There will also be a beer garden and entertainment provided by a Johnny Cash cover band as well as a Beatles one and a hair metal one. Fun!

Tickets are $10 a day or you can pay $50 for a two-day fast pass which allows you access to express lines to the food, a CozmoCard deck and a festival t-shirt.

Unfortunately the price of admission doesn’t include the food, etc., which is $10 for barbecue, $4 for sides and desserts (from Essential Chocolate Collection and Leyna’s Kitchen) and $3-$7 for drinks. But the good news is that there are a limited amount of fast pass tickets available for sale through Goldstar. So instead of paying $50 you only have to pay $25 ($6 service fee). This event ain’t til September but thought you might want to get a heads-up on those discount tickets.

EVENT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 and SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 from 12-6pm

Santa Monica Pier North Parking Lot
Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90401 (map)