This month’s First Friday Feast takes us to Old Crow Smokehouse, which is a nice BBQ spot tucked away in Huntington Beach, California.

First Friday Feast is a monthly series debuting on the first Friday of each month and elaborates on a recent dining experience. For avoidance of doubt, this is not a sponsored post.

We’ve been trying to have a date night each month this year (and post about it on the first Friday of every month). Sometimes we bring the kids along for date night and sometimes they stay at home. But that’s fine by us–the kids are more than welcome to tag along if they want.

This time was yet another experience with the kids. Our visit to Old Crow Smokehouse coincided with a visit to Huntington Beach during a recent staycation. We arrived without securing a reservation, which was totally fine given our tendency to eat dinner a little bit early. But even by the time our stay ended, it wasn’t crowded, which is cool. The restaurant only has two locations: the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago and Huntington Beach, CA.

In case you want a spot to watch a sports game, there are plenty of TVs all over the interior of the restaurant. So dine inside if that’s what you’re looking for.

The Old Crow Smokehouse Menu

The menu is pretty standard for what you would expect from a BBQ joint. The prices aren’t atypical of what you might find in the Southern California area. But at least the kids meals were quite affordable. For those wondering, the mac and cheese on the kids menu is the same as the side dish on the adult menu. While the kids meal version comes with fries and a drink, the side dish from the adult menu is a bit larger. Pricing is comparable, so pick your poison.

The Food at Old Crow Smokehouse

Drinks

We of course started our meal with drinks. I went with one of my favorite beers (Mango Cart) while Jenn ordered a margarita. And for those concerned, no, I’m not wasted already. I was just engaged with the kids. Friends would know it takes far more than a little sip to do me in. 😉

One thing that I want to point out before dining is how cute the plates are. It looks like paper plates but it’s actually ceramic. The look definitely goes with the BBQ theme.

The kids meal arrived first. Five-year-old Char ordered the mac and cheese, which came with fries and a drink (as referenced). Maybe my standards are low, but I always appreciate it when the mac and cheese is real pasta and cheese rather than Kraft. This one is pretty creamy and it was so good that we had to order a second. My little girl is growing up!

Speaking of growing up, eight-year-old Alex ordered the Old Crow Burger from the regular menu. If you don’t get it with any of the fixings already on it, the burger itself isn’t all that memorable. It’s at least juicy and not overcooked so it’s not a bad burger by any means. But BBQ aficionados would do best to steer away from it and stick to the smoked meats.

Jenn and I shared a “Build Your Own” platter. We ordered a 1/4 slab of baby back ribs, 1/4 pound of beef brisket, and two types of cornbread (classic and bacon/cheddar/jalapeño). The ribs were fall-off-the-bone good, which is how we like them. But personally I preferred the brisket a bit more. It was expertly cooked, with plenty of flavor and deliciously tender. The cornbread was good–who doesn’t like cornbread–but the meats made the meal.

At each table are a few different BBQ sauces to supplement the flavors but I didn’t think they were necessary.

Recommendation: Yes, if you’re in the area

There are plenty of BBQ joints and this one is good. It has more of a local vibe than some of the other big name chains, but the flavor and tenderness is on point. The kids meal is a good deal, so don’t be afraid to bring the family. I wouldn’t say it’s good enough that you need to go out of your way to come here, but if you happen to be in the area, you won’t go wrong with stopping by.

Have you dined at Old Crow Smokehouse before?

Suggested reading:

• Other Destinations and Restaurants We’ve Visited
• Review: The Waterfront Beach Resort
• Excellent Award Treatment: A Review of the Hyatt Regency Long Beach