Satisfying BBQ at Chop Daddy’s; Now on the Road

By Melissa Curtin

Sometimes a girl craves some meat, and even though Chop Daddy’s on Abbott Kinney in Venice is right next to the healthiest place ever – Kreation Kafe, you find yourself drawn to the aroma of brisket and craving a hearty sandwich.

Chop Daddys, just blocks from the beach, makes all its rubs and sauces, and smokes all its meats in-house by their Pitmaster, Eric Solton. Eric is a Santa Monica native and So Cal boy at heart. He served in the Army right after high school and it was on a trip with friends from Ft. Bragg to Panama City, Florida that he was introduced to home-style, southern BBQ that he fell in love with. Later, Eric met Gary Notley and entered the world of competitive BBQ where he learned the tricks of the trade. This led to his own catering company where he put his spin on Southern BBQ. Fast forward a few years and Chop Daddy’s was born…

There are so many reasons to keep going back to this spot. Here are a few of my favorite food bites:

1. The delectable Ribs. Smoked in-house and topped with our special rub and BBQ sauce.

2. The Chop – Brisket smoked for over 12 hours in our in-house smoker then chopped. Topped with our homemade BBQ sauce and Cole Slaw on a brioche roll. Truly amazing! Smoky and sweet.

3. The Quebano – Pulled Pork topped with Pork Belly Bacon, Pickles, Cheese and Mustard. Pressed on a French Roll.

4. Belly Up – Their signature sandwich rated Top Ten Best New Sandwich in LA 2014 by Zagat. Smoked pork belly slathered in sauce and topped with their homemade coleslaw on a soft brioche bun.

5. Beans made with pork belly (with brisket). I will order these every time. I couldn’t get enough.

6. The Melt – Gooey Grilled cheese pressed and served on sourdough bread with homemade tomato sauce. This is also sold as the Chop Melt (chopped brisket with cheese) and the Chix Melt (pulled chicken with cheese).

7. Super Tots with the meat of your choice and cheese. Their version of Chili Cheese Fries. They even have sweet potato tots.

8. Chocolate Bread Pudding Bites deep fried the covered with Cinnamon Sugar and Caramel and served with a side of Whipped Cream.

The 300 pound capacity smoker in the back of the shop was brought in from Tennessee. The 12-hour process to create this juicy feast from start to finish includes their own injection, a  two-hour spice rub and a cooking time of  6-10 hours. I have not seen barbecue done like this anywhere in LA. Perfection!

To calm your meat palate down a bit, try the fried pickles or “frickles.” Both the tots and trickles were given in little bags in a generous amount. As I drank my cherry vanilla cola from the retro soda machine, my sugar craving at the end was satisfied with a tiny chocolate chip cookie snuck into the wrapping. Don’t forget to save room for the Bread Pudding Bites.

Want a salad? Try the CD Graze. You choose one of their delicious meats served on a bed of Kale with Spanish Onion (smoked), Thin Sliced Radish, Shaved Parmesan Flakes and Home Made Rustic Brioche Croutons. Your choice of dressing incudes Citrus Vinaigrette, Creamy Blue or Low Fat Ranch.

Located on a convenient corner spot in Venice, what was deemed the coolest neighborhood in America last year, be prepared to get messy, stand and eat, or eat in the back in their new shaded spot.

All sandwiches are under $10. Now Chop Daddys is mobile, so find their truck HERE.

Chop Daddys 

1146 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Venice, CA  90291

Ph. 424-777-8875

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

All photos courtesy of Melissa Curtin, except where credited.