American BBQ
Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ
Unlike a lot of competitors, Lucille’s offers not only excellent barbecue, but a delightful environment in which to enjoy it. Many people get it to go, but miss the hokey murals, attentive service, and the chance to enjoy their food from a plate rather than a to-go container. Lucille’s makes great ribs and brisket but also puts smoke flavor on items you won’t find elsewhere, like Alabama cider-marinated chicken, and their version of nachos. There’s something for everyone, including vegetarians, at this very good restaurant that happens to serve great barbecue.
Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ
21540 Hawthorne Blvd. #401B
Torrance
(310) 370-7427
Runner-up:
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
407 N. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach.
(424) 398-0025
American Contemporary
The Stanton HB
The Stanton is named after a term for a British sports clubhouse, but this isn’t a sports bar where you’ll hear people discussing cricket. Conversations are more likely to be about the interesting angular design of the room, the various drinks offered, or most importantly, the food. Alongside some globalized items like curried squash and oysters with uni, The Stanton delivers American favorites like roasted salmon with beets, a lobster roll enlivened with tarragon aioli, and a really fine smoked and grilled ribeye.
The Stanton HB
844 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach
(310) 372-7462
Runner-up:
The Strand House
117 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach
(310) 545-7470
Asian fusion
W’s China Bistro
In one way, just about everything at W’s China Bistro is fusion, because the recipes that the Chong brothers brought to the place reflect their PeRunner-up:vian-Chinese heritage. Other items are original and more distinctly fusion, such as the shrimp in Chardonnay sauce, pork belly banh mi sliders, and the salad that includes mango, Asian pear, and gorgonzola. These items are intriguing, inventive, and highly successful. Asian and European ideas mingle to create something novel and fresh, and that’s what successful fusion is all about.
W’s China Bistro
1410 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach
(310) 792-1600
Runner-up:
Little Sister
247 Avenida Del Norte
Redondo Beach
(424) 398-0237
1131 Manhattan Ave.
Manhattan Beach
(310) 545-2096
Bar food
Shellback Tavern
A shellback is a sailor who has crossed the equator, which was the sign of a well-traveled, old salt in the days of sail. The Shellback Tavern is the latest in a run of establishments in this spot since the 1930s, with remarkably few changes. Don’t go here for cutting edge cuisine, because you won’t get it. Instead there are excellent renditions of traditional and modern favorites like fried zucchini, chips and guac, burgers, and some salads for those who like their bar food healthy. Almost everything is made in house rather than being dragged out of a freezer, and that makes all the difference. The ocean view means they could probably survive serving blah food, but this family owned business takes pride in what they’re doing.
Shellback Tavern
116 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach
(310) 376-7857
shellback-tavern.business.site
Runner-up:
Henessey’s Tavern
8 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. (310) 372-5759
1712 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach. (310) 540-8443
313 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. (310) 546-4813
