Larkin's-Closed

Larkin's
1496 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles
323-254-0934

Larkin's has long been on my list of places to try. But they are closed Monday and Tuesday, which happen to be two days I'm near Eagle Rock. But, luckily I was near Eagle Rock on Sunday and dropped in.

Larkin's is known for their upscale soul food offerings. It's a small restaurant, so expect a wait when they are busy, but gives such a nice homey feeling. Parking is a bit tough, mostly street parking on Colrado Blvd or in the neighborhood behind Larkin's.

I didn't realize until I called, that Larkin's closes fairly early, 8pm on Sunday's with last orders going in at 7:30pm. So I got my order to go.


I really wanted the fried chicken, $15, but when I placed my order I was told it's dark meat only. So I passed and got the BBQ baby back ribs, $19 with two sides-red beans and rice and garlic mashed potatoes.

I got four baby back ribs that had no smoke flavor at all. I'm pretty sure the ribs were boiled before, then cooked in an oven. They were then drowned in BBQ sauce that had way too much vinegar. The ribs were meaty, but come on, don't pass off these ribs as BBQ, when they are nothing but oven cooked ribs with BBQ sauce.

But, $19 for 4 bones?? Give me a break. This didn't come close to being worth the price.


I picked red beans and rice as one of my two sides. The beans were undercooked, they needed to be cooked for another 10-15 minutes, they were hard and just bland and flavorless. The rice was ordinary.


Garlic mashed potatoes were my second side. I didn't get much garlic flavor and they were a bit too big and chunky for my liking. They needed to be cut up a bit more, to be mashed potatoes.


Mac and cheese, $5. The mac and cheese was the most bland mac and cheese I've ever had. They needed to add salt, because the entire dish was void of salt. The cheese and macaroni were blended well and the macaroni was cooked perfectly. But, it was just too bland to enjoy.

Service was both good and bad.

I was greeted by a lady at the cash register and she wasn't that friendly or welcoming. She was just a matter of fact, going through the motions. I told her I had a to go order and she said "I didn't take your order, but the other person will be right with you." Hmm is it so hard to figure out where my order maybe? Why couldn't she get my order and allow me to pay?

Anyways, the woman who took my order came back from waiting on tables and she was friendly and helpful, just as she was on the phone.

One other thing, if you noticed, there is no sign in front of Larkin's.

I was very disappointed in Larkin's. The food was below average, the prices way too high, and the portions small for the price. I really wanted to like Larkin's but I'm not going back.

Corner Butcher Shop

Corner Butcher Shop
2359 Foothill Blvd
La Verne
909-596-6345

I know, I know, a butcher shop for BBQ? Yes, Corner Butcher Shop in La Verne is a full service butcher shop, that serves BBQ. They also serve sandwiches and hot dogs. About 2-3 years ago I went to Corner Butcher Shop because they had specials on sandwiches, I believe it was 2 for 1. But, even though I went on the day the 2 for 1 special was offered, I was told they didn't have the special that day. So, I didn't bother going back.

But, I've been having cravings for BBQ, and since my first restaurant choice did have any ribs, I figured what the hell and came to Corner Butcher Shop.



I got the half rack of baby back ribs plate, with a chicken salad as my side, $9.99. Once the ribs were set in front of me, I knew the ribs weren't going to be good. They were finished on the grill, evident by the grill marks on the ribs. The ribs were very dry, chewy, and flavorless, even though they were baby backs. There was some smoke flavor. I think freshly cooked ribs would be pretty good, but these ribs had been sitting around for too long! The ribs were meaty and good quality, hell they are baby backs, but the long storage and finishing them on the grill, just ruined it for me.

The chicken salad was fantastic!! The chicken was smoked perfectly and they added some sweetness with raisins and coolness with just enough mayo to make it moist, but not drown the chicken. I would order this anytime.

Service is below average. The lady, who I believe is the owner's wife, didn't greet me or my friend, even though we walked right up to her. We were the only two customers in the store!! Anybody who runs a restaurant needs to understand, greeting customers is the first chance for your restaurant to make an impression on customers. I'm greeted everytime I go to WalMart, why can't I be greeted when I go into your restaurant. She wasn't friendly, just a matter of fact. She needs to brush up on her customer service skills.

I wouldn't go back to Corner Butcher Shop again. While the baby back ribs were a good price, the quality of the baby back ribs were well below average, just like their customer service. There are many other restaurants in the around that actually want my business, so I'll go there instead.