Just one man's humble opinion about BBQ. Not an expert opinion, just an amateur one.
Maybe I shouldn't have said "Best" in the title, but it sure tasted like it that day. With the stars aligned, with a full moon, and on my birthday the meat consumed like gods on this day. Everything was clicking like a Zeus had intended we feast on the succulent BBQ. How else could I describe this unspoken food group of BBQ.
This early lunch to celebrate my annual day of birth took us from the usual Asian cuisines in San Gabriel Valley to the Northern Pasadena BBQ joint Perdue's. With my family, we ordered one of every entree, just to try everything out, including the BBQ Chicken, Sliced Brisket, Baby Back Rib, Fried Catfish, and the Meaty Meaty Beef Rib. With these entrees, we had all the different types of sides. We had all sorts of sides with potato salad, collared greens, mac'n cheese, red beans & rice, cole slaw, sweet potatoes, and fries.
We each had our favorites among the smattering of choices, of this Texas style BBQ. My parents liked the sweet potatoes and Beef Brisket, the Meaty Meaty ones. Beef bbq - ribs or brisket has never been my favorite. I have always felt beef ribs are tough to compare to the meat-falling-off baby back ribs. Unfortunately, Perdue's is not different - beef ribs and brisket are the two things I wouldn't order again or suggest. My younger brothers enjoyed the baby back ribs and the catfish, while I feasted on the Chicken. I also enjoyed the baby back ribs and catfish. I wouldn't say the baby back ribs are the best I've ever had, but it was quite good. I would have preferred if the meat fell off the bone more easily or was more tender. The catfish, usually a Friday specialty was delicious. The Chicken was my favorite of the day, it was tender and juicy. I wish I had more. I think, but I could be wrong, chicken is often overlooked when it comes to BBQ, and it shouldn't be.
The sides were also quite good. I could easily just have sides for a meal. Perhaps a potential concept is to merge a Korean restaurant method with BBQ cuisine. Have a grill in the middle of the table - for everyone to grill their own meats for BBQ - perhaps just to warm it up rather than cook, since it would take too long. Then have banchan - in the form of the BBQ sides - like mac'n cheese, greens, potato salad (oh wait, Koreans have that already). Anyways.. . I think it would work.
Anyways. . . Perdue's is an awesome place for BBQ. But I know in this part of city, there's competition. For me saying they're the best - those are fightin' words that I would love to engage. If you have suggestions on what is the best BBQ let me know.
Barbecue & Baseball's Post
What to Order: Catfish (only on Friday's), Baby back ribs, Chicken, and all the sides
What not to Order: IMHO beef brisket and beef ribs
Parking situation: Street parking is available and I think they have a lot in the back.
Rating
3 pigs, $$
Perdue's
456 E Orange Grove Ave
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 229-0742
www.perduesbbq.com
A simple menu with clear explanations. Sometimes that's all you need.
Baked beans with fries and a side of Chicken . . . LOL
Candied yams or sweet potatoes with mac'n cheese on the entree of Beef Brisket.
Fried Catfish! Come to think of it, it really was good.
Collared Greens with potato salad with the meaty meaty beef ribs.
Buttery Texas Toast!
Baby Back Ribs with cole slaw. The cole slaw was really good. Not to heavy with the white sauce/mix and the cabbage was crisp. 
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