Happy Labor Day! Let's eat barbecue!

barbecued brisket being cut

Labor Day is a great day to spend time at home with family and friends. This holiday was created in 1894 by the labor movement in the late 19th century. Factories, mills, and other unionized companies closed for the day and workers took the day off for rest and relaxation. Staging big outdoor barbecues was a traditional form of civic celebration in the late 19th century, so it's really no surprise that some of the earliest Labor Day events feature barbecue and the tradition carries forward to today.

We're not shy about cooking over fire so grilling is in our wheelhouse, but barbecuing is completely different and requires a lot of skill and mastery. Barbecuing cooks food slowly and often incorporates sauces or marinades. It infuses a smoky taste and makes food extra tender. Meanwhile, grilling cooks ingredients quickly and is normally done with very little oil, resulting in that crispy, charred, caramelized surface and those picture-perfect grill marks.

This Labor Day is going to be a very warm one and while we thoroughly enjoy grilling a beautiful hanger steak or tender shrimp while hanging out on the patio, it's going to be uncomfortable. So, this Labor Day, we're ordering barbecue from one of our favorite spots…

Maple Block Meat Co. | 3973 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City. They specialize in authentic, wood-smoked meats and have a weelly lineup of great food. They also have a special Labor Day page on their website for ordering: https://mapleblockmeat.com/

JR's Barbeque | 3055 S La Cienega Blvd #7314, Culver City. This Memphis-style barbecue was founded in 1998 by Jeanie Jackson and her son, Bobby Johnson. Order on their website: https://www.jrs-bbq.com/

Slab | 8136 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles. Pit master Burt Bakman slow-cooks brisket and ribs in the Texas style.Order online for pickup: https://www.slabbarbecue.com/

Bludso's Bar & Que | 609 North La Brea Ave Los Angeles. Kevin Bludso is a chef, television personality and two-time Steve Harvey Hoodie Award Winner. Order online: https://www.barandque.com/

Holy Cow BBQ | 10645 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, (also in Santa Monica and Redondo Beach). "Hang-Out or Take-Out" this California style slow-cooked goodness. Order on their website https://holycowbbq.com/

Happy Labor Day!

Cecilie Korstgrilling, barbecue, labor day, ///