2008 Woodie Awards
Whittier Eatery
Uptown BBQ restaurant is not up to par.
Jeremiah Magan
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: Local
Barbeque restaurants are a dime a dozen, especially in Southern California. Most have a very basic menu of various grilled meats, and Red Oak BBQ is no exception.
Taking a slightly different approach to cooking their food and using the "Santa Maria Style" of grilling, Red Oak roasts their food over a natural red oak wood fire using a dry rub recipe that designates that style.
However, the difference in taste is subtle and the food takes on a slightly smokier flavor, but the difference is not substantial enough to excuse the small portions and moderately high prices. While the prices are not higher than any other barbeque place would charge, neither the flavor nor the portions justify the prices.
The pork loin sandwich is dry but tender, and smaller than it has any right to be. It comes with a small cup of au jus on the side for dipping which enhances the flavor. Their chicken and French fries are salty but tasty; the chicken is juicy and the fries have a good texture to them. The garlic bread has an almost too light garlic flavor to it and definitely has too much drawn butter soaked into the bread.
There is a lunch and dinner menu with a few major differences available in the two selections. One of those differences being the availability of baby back ribs, which is one of their more popular menu items.
Overall Red Oak does not carry anything ground breaking or innovative. The only items that you would find on their menu that you might not find at other eating establishments are their "Red Oak Dogs" and "Linguica Sandwiches."
The family owned restaurant located near the northwest corner of Greenleaf Avenue and Philadelphia Street offers quick service and friendly staff, the environment is comfortable and inviting.
There is a full bar with a variety of wines and beers available and a few of the standard American beers on tap. If you are not too hungry and have a few extra dollars to spend on lunch, then Red Oak may be a place you would enjoy dining. But the hungry-price-conscious diner may want to stay away.
Taking a slightly different approach to cooking their food and using the "Santa Maria Style" of grilling, Red Oak roasts their food over a natural red oak wood fire using a dry rub recipe that designates that style.
However, the difference in taste is subtle and the food takes on a slightly smokier flavor, but the difference is not substantial enough to excuse the small portions and moderately high prices. While the prices are not higher than any other barbeque place would charge, neither the flavor nor the portions justify the prices.
The pork loin sandwich is dry but tender, and smaller than it has any right to be. It comes with a small cup of au jus on the side for dipping which enhances the flavor. Their chicken and French fries are salty but tasty; the chicken is juicy and the fries have a good texture to them. The garlic bread has an almost too light garlic flavor to it and definitely has too much drawn butter soaked into the bread.
There is a lunch and dinner menu with a few major differences available in the two selections. One of those differences being the availability of baby back ribs, which is one of their more popular menu items.
Overall Red Oak does not carry anything ground breaking or innovative. The only items that you would find on their menu that you might not find at other eating establishments are their "Red Oak Dogs" and "Linguica Sandwiches."
The family owned restaurant located near the northwest corner of Greenleaf Avenue and Philadelphia Street offers quick service and friendly staff, the environment is comfortable and inviting.
There is a full bar with a variety of wines and beers available and a few of the standard American beers on tap. If you are not too hungry and have a few extra dollars to spend on lunch, then Red Oak may be a place you would enjoy dining. But the hungry-price-conscious diner may want to stay away.
Be the first to comment on this story