TERA is spotlighting Eagle Rock small businesses to support our neighborhood’s recovery from the pandemic. For September 2022, we are highlighting Max City BBQ, Eagle Rock’s mouth-watering barbecue joint on Eagle Rock Boulevard.
Below is an interview with Max City’s co-owner, Melanie Blair:
What is the story behind Max City? What made you want to open a barbecue spot in Eagle Rock?
We started making BBQ in our back yard in 2008. By 2010 we had our first “real” customer and created a catering business. People were trending away from extravagant, costly parties and weddings, and they saw Max City BBQ as the perfect alternative. BBQ is inherently casual, and a wedding or other event catered by Max City BBQ is simply a better value than a sit-down, coursed, formal affair (if you’re OK with a more casual vibe, of course!).
Our business grew so quickly that we were turning down more jobs than we could accept, due to lack of space, staff and resources. We started construction on the brick & mortar restaurant in Eagle Rock in 2013 opened our doors to the public in 2014. I live just a few minutes away from Max City BBQ and wanted to be part of our community in a more meaningful way. We love being a neighborhood spot for locals and a destination BBQ restaurant for aficionados from all over the country.
What are some must-try menu items for someone who has never visited Max City before?
Brisket. Slow smoked for 16 hours, it is our #1 menu item and we do sell out! Also, our Mac & Cheese is amazing! We’ve been featured in Time Out LA’s best Mac & Cheese multiple times.
How do you feel that Max City fits into the Eagle Rock community?
It has always been our dream to feed people. Jason [Max City co-owner and chef] thrives in the kitchen and I’m happiest when serving a big meal to a crowded table. We love being able to do that for the entire community. Max City is a great place for a casual dinner. It’s super easy to drop in and quickly grab a family meal on your way home from work. We love when there’s a line of folks sitting at our long bar, watching the Dodgers play over fresh smoked ribs and craft beers.
The pandemic has caused so much strain on local restaurants over the past 2+ years. How have you weathered the storm thus far and what are you optimistic about for the future?
The pandemic and its aftermath have been BRUTAL on small businesses, especially restaurants. We’ve had to completely change our business model several times over in the past 2 years. We went from a busy dine-in restaurant with weekly catering events to pick-ups and deliveries only. We expanded our patio space and re-opened to a hesitant public at ½ capacity. And now that we’re finally back to “normal” capacity, the increased cost of food has hit everyone hard. We’ve thrived and expanded in difficult times before. We’re still here. We’re still persevering. And I hope that the value we bring – both with our food and the intrinsic “good fun” nature of BBQ – shines through!
🦅 🍖 🔥 ♨️
Max City BBQ
4729 N Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 254-4225
www.maxcitybbq.com
Sun, Tues – Thurs: 11:30am-9pm
Fri & Sat: 11:30am-10pm
Closed Mondays