The Bear Pit

My husband and I stumbled across The Bear Pit when we missed the interchange and exited the freeway. I said, ""It looks horrible, which means it might just be fantastic."" Not everything was fantastic, but we both were happy. I had the 1/2 chicken (a bit dry, but flavorful and excellent with the sauce), and he had Ribs and Ribs (he preferred the beef to the pork). The prices were reasonable, and the servings were large, with plenty of sides and excellent service--the waitress was prompt and personable, and brought refills without being asked. Now for the sauce--they have two, and the darker one is better. It's tangy with a bit of sweetness and just a hint of pepper. Often BBQ sauces go overboard on the vinegar, but this had an excellent balance of flavors. We'd definitely go back. Pros: Service, Value more

I've been eating at the Bear Pit for years and almost always leave completely satisfied. I love smoked meats, and you can smell this place when you drive by. There are a few things there that I just love- their hot links are the best I've ever tried- very lean with no gristle, and not overly hot. They put this great sweet glaze on them. The garlic toast is great too- you get a huge slab of it with your dinner or get a sandwich on it- it's the best! Beef on garlic toast is totally yummy. I love the coleslaw, my wife hates it, it has a vinegar/sweet flavor.(I'm not into mayo, she eats it by the spoonful). Their sauces are good, not to hot, and different than many other places I've tried. They've got a sweet one and one that is more of a typical hickory style. The service is usually good, but when they're busy don't expect a lot of conversation. The servers are almost literally running around! I don't get the bad reviews. Complaining about sawdust on the floor, come on! This is not a fancy place, almost kind of a dump, but that just adds to the roadhouse kind of atmosphere. But the food is really good, and you get big portions besides. Pros: great food, good value, kid friendly Cons: can be noisy, no ambience more

I went to bear pit last week and never going back again the Beef ribs was tough and burned. the sauce was not hot parking lot was full Cons: Burned Ribs, no parking, bad area of town more

In their TV commercial they show a guy and his wife and the guy is eating the ""kodiak"" and they make it sound like it's a lot of food. I took my girlfriend there, and I ordered the Kodiak and she ordered the steak sandwich. The Kodiak: a tiny bowl of beans and coldslaw, two small beef sandwiches, and a charcol stick they called beef rib. I had to eat my food and hers and I was still hungry. The beef sandwich had no taste, and the steak required half a bottle of A1. Nothing special here. If you're looking for tasty BBQ, I would look elsewhere. Pros: Big parking lot, Lots of napkins, Fast service Cons: Burned ribs, small sandwiches, No ambiance more

What a great place. I got the Taster's Treat and what a lot of food. It was so much food I couldn't finish. Taster's Treat comes with pork ribs, beef ribs, sliced beef, sliced pork, and two pieces of your choice of white or dark meat chicken. The night we went they were out of the pulled pork. So they gave us a choice of turkey, more beef or lamb. I took the turkey. The chicken, turkey, and sliced beef were some of the best I've ever had!!!! The ribs were a little overcooked. But I would give them another try. I like their regular BBQ sauce. Not much of a kick but very nice flavor. The sweet sauce is terrible. One other compliant was the hostess. My buddy and I stood there for about five minutes before the lady standing right in front of us, asked how many people. Pros: Great food, sliced beef, turkey Cons: , Sweet BBQ sauce more

The roast beef sandwich is the best I have ever had. Make sure you order it with the garlic toast. The regular BBQ sauce herereally makes the sandwich great. They currently do not offer a spicy though, which would be nice. If you sit in the back room, the kids have something to look at (bears and such painted on the walls). more

My boyfriend and I stopped into bear pit 2 weeks ago and I don't know if they were just having an off night or what but the ribs we has were terrible! The rest of the food was excellent but the ribs were crispy, tough, and WAY overcooked. I may give the Bear Pit another chance after reading the reviews but I didn't think it was anything special and neither did my boyfriend. We probably won't go back. Pros: Fries were crispy, good beans, clean restraunt Cons: , overcooked meat more

I have been going to the Bear Pit since I was a baby (obviously my parents took me). I no longer live in the area but I always have to go to the Bear Pit at least once when I am in town and we have taken alot of our friends there, they loved it to and many have gone back on their own. I have never found better bar-b-que anywhere, especially the bar-b-que beef sandwich on the toasted garlic bread. I also buy at least a case of the bar-b-que sauce to bring home, it's a hit with everyone. Pros: Inexpensive, atmosphere more

I have to say that while I am a native californian, I have lived and eaten BBQ in the South and in Texas(San Antonio, Houston and Dallas) So for all the people from TX that know what BBQ is, I have had worse BBQ in TX. I would recomend this place, the food is good, the portions are large and the service has always been friendsly. My father grew up in this area and has also eaten BBQ in the same places that I have and every time that he flies out here from Atlanta to visit, I know one thing is for sure....we WILL make a trip to the bear pit. more

I have been eating at the Bear Pit since I was 5. The ambiance is laid back, with sawdust on the floor and bear-themed murals on the walls. Cold vegetables and ice water greet you at the table. Easily the best sandwich on the menu is the BBQ Beef on Garlic Bread (~$6.95). If you are still wavering on whether or not to go, know that this red meat vegetarian (99.98%) says their sandwich is worthy of her attention (on an exceedingly rare day)... more

I've been going to the bear pit for over forty years. It was always considered a family treat to drive out to the place. The food has always been good. I prefer their chicken dinner the best, my husband likes the sandwiches. The garlic bread is excellent. My Mom loves their beans. One should never confuse this place with other styles of BBQ. It stands alone. I've been to texas style bbq places, and the spices are so overpowering you don't taste the meat. The Bear Pit is a landmark restaurant that has stood the test of time. I'ts still my overall favorite BBQ place anywhere in LA. Pros: reasonable in price, lots of seating Cons: sawdust on floor more

The Bear Pit has been a favorite of mine for over thirty years, it is always one of my first stops when in the northern SF Valley. During those thirty years+ I've eaten BBQ in TX, MO, KS and all over the south. None of them come close. Nothing beats the sliced pork sandwich on garlic toast with slaw (and extra sauce on the side). The sawdust on the floor is always good (except my kids try to play in it too much) and the iced pickle bowls are great!! Wish they had one where I live now, man do I miss LA. more

It doesn't matter if your from Texas or wherever, BBQ is a matter of taste. The Bear Pit is Missouri style BBQ, and has been there for over 45 years. You can't get a table during dinner especially on weekends. Its crowded from noon til closing. Good ribs, a great ""Bear Pit Special"" sandwich on grilled sourdough bread. The best bbq beans anywhere. Good coleslaw and really good potatoes. Their BBQ sause is terrific, and makes the difference. It's not tomatoey. Just the best you ever had. Places like this don't last that long if it wasn't one of the best. I travel from Huntington Beach to ""the valley"" where I grew up just to get another fix. Pros: Good value, Good food, good parking Cons: only one location, crowded on weekend more

I come from South Texas where REAL bar-b-que is the best. I was so disappointed in the tastless meat, both chicken and ribs. I couldn't believe it. The only salvage of this restaurant is the sauce. They put mounds of it on the meat to give it some flavor. And, what is Missouri style? Who knows, we didn't find out, and we never will go back. more

I have been twice and both times I found the meat totaly without flavor, once you remove the sauce. Sauce is everything or else you might as well eat the box the ribs came ion Cons: Beans more

This place has the best beef ribs I have ever had at a restaurant very tasty, they also have a great sandwich called the bear pit speacial with ham and roast beef on cheese toast ummmmm! you can dine inside or on the patio if you like to smoke. Pros: easy parking more

Great service! Servers work hard to please their customers. Have not had a service problem in 15 years(ever). I love the Hot Links plate and wife swears on the BBQ pork sandwich on garlic bread (excellent)! Everything is served fresh, hot and good. The only thing I could wish for is: move closer to my house!!! Pros: Great food, Love the BBQ Sauce, Great atmosphere Cons: Too far from my house, Urges for Bear Pit!, Urges for Bear Pit! more

The sauce is all that you need. I like the food, I like the lokk, but the sauce. Grrrrrrreat! The Old Fashioned is excellent but the NEW Fashioned is perfect. If you like a sweet BBQ sauce you have to try this one! Pros: The sauce, The smell more

The food here is OK at best. The portions are small for the price, which turns out to be OK as the food seemed dry to us. Service OK, restaurant average, dated decor. Area is also a bit sketchy. Bottom line, there are better BBQ options available, we suggest you try them instead. Pros: Dry Meat Cons: Sketchy Area more

One of L.A.'s most overrated bar-b-ques. It might have been good at one time - though don't know for sure because I have only been there four or five times in the last 15 years. And it has never been any good. Second rate diner styling and the food to match. Stay away from the ribs or chicken - haven't tried the rest. Cons: bad food, dated decor more