Smoke City Char Bar

4.2

58 Reviews

$31 to $50

Barbecue

Make a booking

2 people

16 Mar 2025

19:00

Neighbourhood gem
Great for outdoor dining
Good for groups

Welcome to the Smoke City Char Bar, an oasis in Downtown LA's Arts District. Featuring gorgeous interiors and comfortable patio seating (dog friendly!), Smoke City Char Bar is an excellent selection for Craft Smoked Meats, BBQ, Local Drafts and Specialty Craft Cocktails. Located just across the street from the landmark Arts District Brewing Co (set your GPS to 899 Traction Ave), free 2 hour validated parking is available in the Aliso Parking Lot (access on 3'd Street).

Additional information

Location
899 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone number
(213) 935-8194
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Barbecue, American, Dining Bar
Hours of Operation
Thu–Sun 16:00–22:00
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Hickory Smoked WatermelonUS$13.00
Diced Bermuda onion, arugula, fresh mint leaves, crispy ginger, feta cheese, balsamic gastrique
Char Bar Smokehouse NachosUS$18.00
Smoke House Chili, cheddar and jack cheeses, scallion, avocado crema
Brisket Deviled EggsUS$13.00
Mesquite smoked brisket, feta cheese
Burnt End Mac & Cheese BitesUS$14.00
Crisp fried with jalapeño herb dip
Crisp Fried Smoked Pork BellyUS$18.00
Creamy burrata cheese, sliced heirloom tomato, balsamic gastrique
Cheddar Corn FrittersUS$13.00
Jalapeños, smoked tomato jam

Artisan Salads

Choose Your Dressing: Mustard Seed Vinaigrette, Honey-Balsamic, Smoked Jalapeño Ranch, Gorgonzola Cream

California CobbUS$19.00
Smoked turkey, baby kale, butter lettuce mix, heirloom baby tomatoes, hard boiled egg, cucumber, radish, avocado with our gorgonzola cream dressing
The BajaUS$22.00
House smoked brisket, Napa cabbage, arugula, black beans, grilled corn, cotija cheese, avocado, serrano, pico de gallo, crisp tortilla strips with our jalapeño ranch dressing
Italian Chopped SaladUS$19.00
Smoked jackfruit, radicchio, baby romaine, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, seasonal citrus, banana peppers, smoked chick peas with our mustard seed vinaigrette
Classic Caesar SaladUS$24.00
Seared salmon, baby romaine, baby kale, brioche croutons, parmigiano reggiano with our house Ceasar dressing

Artisan Sandwich

Substitute your meat on any sandwich or salad! Brisket, Turkey Breast, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Jackfruit, Sausage link, Tri-tip (add $3), Salmon (add $4)

Banh MiUS$21.00
Beef brisket, pickled daikon, shredded carrot, fresh cilantro, fresh jalapeno, sambal aioli on French bread
California CiabattaUS$22.00
Beef brisket, sharp cheddar, butter lettuce, pickled red onion on house ciabatta
Buttery BriocheUS$20.00
Pulled pork, Havarti cheese, Napa cabbage slaw, heirloom tomatoes on brioche
Rustic South Beach ClubUS$23.00
Smoked pork belly, smoked turkey, avocado, butter lettuce, tomatoes on rustic bread
Street TacosUS$20.00
Pulled chicken, smoked corn, serrano, pico de gallo, breakfast radish, avocado salsa, cotija cheese on corn tortilla

Craft Smoked Meats

Choose your Sauce: Harissa Molasses, Cayenne Honey, Mustard Seed-Apple Cider, Soy Ginger

Pacific Salmon
- Half OrderUS$16.00
- Full OrderUS$29.00
Beef Tri-Tip
- Half OrderUS$21.00
- Full OrderUS$39.00
Turkey Breast
- Half OrderUS$16.00
- Full OrderUS$30.00
Beef Brisket
- Half OrderUS$23.00
- Full OrderUS$42.00
Pulled Pork
- Half OrderUS$18.00
- Full OrderUS$34.00
Bone-In Chicken
- Half OrderUS$18.00
- Full OrderUS$34.00
Jackfruit
- Half OrderUS$14.00
- Full OrderUS$26.00
Sausage Link
- Half OrderUS$10.00
- Full OrderUS$20.00
Baby Back Ribs
- Half OrderUS$20.00
- Full OrderUS$37.00

Sides

Napa Cabbage Slaw
- SmallUS$5.00
- LargeUS$8.00
Burnt Ends Mac & Cheese
- SmallUS$7.00
- LargeUS$11.00
Truffle French Fries
- SmallUS$6.00
- LargeUS$9.00
Skillet Cornbread
- SmallUS$7.00
- LargeUS$11.00
Smoked Baked Beans
- SmallUS$6.00
- LargeUS$9.00
Charred Brussel Sprouts
- SmallUS$6.00
- LargeUS$9.00
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
- SmallUS$6.00
- LargeUS$9.00
Southern Collard Greens
- SmallUS$5.00
- LargeUS$8.00
Macaroni Salad
- SmallUS$5.00
- LargeUS$8.00
Elote Street Corn
- SmallUS$6.00
- LargeUS$11.00
Smoke House Chili
- SmallUS$8.00
- LargeUS$12.00

Featured Entrees

Veggie PenneUS$27.00
Chef's selection
Char Bar's Smoked Half Chicken SpecialUS$27.00
Carrot romesco, braised collards, crispy potato
Ragu with 16-Hour Smoked BrisketUS$27.00
Rigatoni pasta, shaved parmesan
Seared Salmon with Seasonal SidesUS$27.00
Celery root puree, mashed potato, roasted winter squash

Non-Alcoholic Mocktails

Basquiat's Blackberry SmashUS$6.00
Fresh blackberries, lime, mint, agave, soda
Manet's Strawberry GingeradeUS$6.00
Fresh strawberries, lemon, ginger syrup, sprite, ginger syrup
Thirsty HirstyUS$6.00
Our version of raspberry lemonade

Fountain Drinks

CokeUS$4.25
SpriteUS$4.25
Diet CokeUS$4.25
Ginger AleUS$4.25

Bottled Sodas

Bottled SodasUS$5.50
Ask server for today's selection

Bottled Water

Bottled WaterUS$5.50
Ask server for today's selection

What 58 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.2Food
4.3Service
4.3Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Smoke City Char Bar delights with "great food and experience," featuring mouthwatering barbecue, creative drinks, and a cozy atmosphere. "Service was excellent," with standout dishes like mac and cheese and deviled eggs with brisket. Despite occasional service hiccups, many patrons promise to return for the "best barbecue in LA."

58 Reviews

M
MARTIN
Los Angeles2 reviews
3.0
Dined on 18 August 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN THE MOOD FOR A NEW RESTAURANT AFTER A DAY OF SHOPPING AND HANGING OUT. CHAR BAR CAME UP ON YELP AS A SUGGESTION. WE LOVE GOOD BBQ AND THOUGHT LET'S TRY IT! THE RESTAURANT WAS VERY NICE, COOL MUSIC AND BAR. I NOTICED 1 EMPLOYEE HUSTLING TABLES AND 1 BARTENDER INITIALLY AND WONDERED WHERE THE REST OF THE STAFF WAS. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RED FLAG. THE RESTAURANT WAS NOT CROWDED FOR A SUNDAY AFTERNOON. MAYBE 4 TABLES WERE OCCUPIED/SERVED (MAYBE 13 PEOPLE IN ALL) AND A COUPLE WAS AT THE BAR. WE WERE EAGER TO TRY THE FOOD AND DRINKS SO WE PUSHED THROUGH. WE WERE SERVED GLASSES OF WATER AFTER BEING SEATED AND THOUGHT THEY WOULD TAKE OUR DRINK ORDER AT THE SAME TIME BUT THEY DID NOT. WE MUST HAVE WAITED FOR SERVICE AROUND 15-20 MINUTES TO GET OUR DRINK AND APPETIZER ORDER. THAT WAS ONLY AFTER I GOT UP TO INQUIRE ABOUT A WAITRESS OR OTHER STAFF TO TAKE OUR ORDER. THE BARTENDER SAID THE GUY HUSTLING TABLES WOULD ASSIST. HE WROTE DOWN OUR APPS, DRINKS, AND ENTREES ALL AT ONCE. 30-40 MINUTES HAVE PASSED AT THAT TIME. AS ANOTHER 20-30 MINUTES PASSED I ASKED ABOUT OUR ORDER OF DRINKS AND THE APPS AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS COMING OUT. THE SLICED GRILLED WATERMELON AND CRISP FRIED SMOKED PORK BELLY APPS WERE SERVED AFTER ABOUT 60-75 MINUTES HAD PASSED FROM WHEN THE WATER WAS SERVED. THEY WERE DELICIOUS! WE ENJOYED THEM. WE WERE SERVED OUR ENTREES AND A PORTION OF OUR DRINKS A FEW MINUTES AFTER. I DID NOT RECEIVE MY DRINK ORDER (VAN GOGH'S FLASK) UNTIL ANOTHER 15-20 MINUTES HAD PASSED FROM RECEIVING OUR FOOD. THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS! MAC AND CHEESE WITH BURNT ENDS, YUKON MASHED POTATOES, BAKED BEANS, TRI-TIP, BRISKET, BABY-BACK RIBS AND SKILLET CORNBREAD. WE ARE BIG FANS OF BBQ AND AGREED THEIR FOOD WAS GOOD. VERY SAVORY AND TASTY! IT MADE UP FOR THE BAD SERVICE. IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD FOR A GOOD BBQ WHILE IN THE ARTS DISTRICT/ DTLA AREA, TRY CHAR-BAR. HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE MAX AMOUNT OF PATIENCE AS WE DID. CHEERS!
Is this helpful?
JR
JamesR
Los Angeles11 reviews
1.0
Dined on 11 August 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
At 8 pm on a Saturday only two tables taken in a room that holds many. Even with that, the order was wrong, the service inattentive. The bartender left halfway through our meal.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 14 July 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We ordered the smoked watermelon appetizer, California Ciabatta sandwich with salad, cornbread, and burnt ends Mac & cheese. It was all delicious. Our friends ordered tri tip and Salmon with crispy Brussels. They loved it aa well. Our server was very friendly. We’ll definitely come back!
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GL
GeorgeL VIP
Sacramento2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 May 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our first time at Smoke City Char Bar. Food and service was excellent. We will go back.
Is this helpful?
MB
MichaelBoh
Los Angeles11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 April 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I loved the food and comfortable, friendly atmosphere. I recommend trying lots of side dishes - they, and the meats, were fantastic! I will be going back soon.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and accommodations for our large group. Drinks were creative and well thought out recipes
Is this helpful?
C
Celeste VIP
San Francisco22 reviews
5.0
Dined on 19 February 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Smoke City Char Bar provided a comfortable,attractive dining choice in DTLA. The varied menu offered a wide variety of appetizers, entrees, and sides. The pulled pork was delicious as were the baked beans and macaroni salad. The brussel sprouts were also a hit at our table.
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H
Heathern
Atlanta1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 January 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place. Chill and helpful staff. Pretty ambiance, great mocktail list and delicious BBQ. Loved the ribs and the mac and cheese was out of this world. Kudos to the Chef - a great place to go when visiting the Arts District.
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W
Will VIP
Orange County5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 31 December 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles hands down
Is this helpful?
DW
DerrickW
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined on 29 December 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Good food. Good service No Malbec. That stunk. We will be back soon Thank you.
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FAQs

Smoke City Char Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (213) 935-8194.

Smoke City Char Bar is rated 4.2 stars by 58 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

16 Mar 2025

19:00

899 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Additional information

Phone number
(213) 935-8194
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Barbecue, American, Dining Bar
Hours of Operation
Thu–Sun 16:00–22:00
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Smoke City Char Bar

Make a booking

Additional information

Appetizers

Hickory Smoked WatermelonUS$13.00

Char Bar Smokehouse NachosUS$18.00

Brisket Deviled EggsUS$13.00

Burnt End Mac & Cheese BitesUS$14.00

Crisp Fried Smoked Pork BellyUS$18.00

Cheddar Corn FrittersUS$13.00

Artisan Salads

California CobbUS$19.00

The BajaUS$22.00

Italian Chopped SaladUS$19.00

Classic Caesar SaladUS$24.00

Artisan Sandwich

Banh MiUS$21.00

California CiabattaUS$22.00

Buttery BriocheUS$20.00

Rustic South Beach ClubUS$23.00

Street TacosUS$20.00

Craft Smoked Meats

Pacific Salmon

Beef Tri-Tip

Turkey Breast

Beef Brisket

Pulled Pork

Bone-In Chicken

Jackfruit

Sausage Link

Baby Back Ribs

Sides

Napa Cabbage Slaw

Burnt Ends Mac & Cheese

Truffle French Fries

Skillet Cornbread

Smoked Baked Beans

Charred Brussel Sprouts

Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Southern Collard Greens

Macaroni Salad

Elote Street Corn

Smoke House Chili

Featured Entrees

Veggie PenneUS$27.00

Char Bar's Smoked Half Chicken SpecialUS$27.00

Ragu with 16-Hour Smoked BrisketUS$27.00

Seared Salmon with Seasonal SidesUS$27.00

Non-Alcoholic Mocktails

Basquiat's Blackberry SmashUS$6.00

Manet's Strawberry GingeradeUS$6.00

Thirsty HirstyUS$6.00

Fountain Drinks

CokeUS$4.25

SpriteUS$4.25

Diet CokeUS$4.25

Ginger AleUS$4.25

Bottled Sodas

Bottled SodasUS$5.50

Bottled Water

Bottled WaterUS$5.50

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Smoke City Char Bar offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Smoke City Char Bar restaurant rated?

Is Smoke City Char Bar currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information