Johnny Rebs’ has been a part of my life for a long time. I have kissed more pigs – and looked on with glee as various family members have done the same – than I can remember. (Other regulars will know that birthday guests are invited to kiss a brass pig for good luck at Johnny Rebs’.)

And there is one reason we keep going back: consistently good food, served with care in a fun and stylish environment. For those of you who follow this column, you know I have a bias against chain restaurants. Johnny Rebs’ is the exception to that point.

Most chains have no soul – they are bland food mills that strive for mass appeal by aiming for the lowest common denominator.

Johnny Rebs’ is a well-run, family restaurant that just happens to have multiple locations. And this has not taken anything away from the quality of their food – or the sense of style and place they create. I have eaten in three locations: Long Beach, Bellflower and Victorville, and had the same excellent quality of food and service in each. This is quite a remarkable achievement.

Now – about the food. They call their cuisine Southern Roadhouse. They serve a wide array of fired and slow-roasted barbeque selections including ribs, brisket, tri-tip, and chicken. They also have all of the traditional side dishes you’d expect including hush puppies, corn bread, collard greens (the best around, in my opinion), mac n’ cheese, and sweet potato fries, just to name just a few.

All of these are very good – the catfish is lightly breaded in cornmeal and always cooked just right. The ribs and tri-tip are the perfect balance of smoke and sauce. The hot links are also a favorite if I want to sweat a little.

But for me, the decision almost always comes down to what kind of sauce to put on my pulled pork sandwich. Do I want their traditional ‘que sauce which is sweet and tart, or do I want the Carolina style spicy-vinegar variety which, when put atop cold slaw, seems to go to another level all together…

Throw in the sweet potato fries, and you too will know why this is a regular pleasure for my family and me.

Johnny Rebs’s
johnnyrebs.com
4663 Long Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90805 – (562) 423-7327