Chris & Pitts BBQ Restaurant — Restaurant in Bellflower

My family have been eating at Chris n’Pitts since 1964. I worked at their Anaheim location as a teenager from 1978-1981. Peggy Walsh was my supervisor as I was promoted to nighttime and weekend cashier. The crew were like family. There was Joanie, and the sisters Shirley and Lanie and all three had been with Chris n’Pitts since the 1960s and stayed until they closed the location . The bar tender had been there since before I started and for a few years in the 1970s they had a piano player and his wife was the head cocktail waitress. Poncho was the Manager. The place was amazingly busy. Weekends the bar was three to four deep and Fri and Sat nights it was not uncommon for 2 hour waiting - and it was a large place with both a dining room and cocktail lounge and coffee shop with coffee shop counter ! We were robbed at gun point when I worked there one weekend just before closing - they caught him later. And a head waitress was under an alias when she stole from the night bank. Everyone had to go for polygraphs and she passed !! The FBI caught up with her and about two months later they walked in and handcuffed her and left. She never came back and all we were told was she was incarcerated for social security fraud and bad check writing schemes in Texas! and yes she copped to stealing the money too... Chris was fair guy, and holidays employees always received turkeys and we got holidays off too. I used to think He looked like Elvis with his “shades” and collared shirts and that cool Porsche he drove! And... they even had benefits packages for managers and wait staff too. A full week was40 hours and I did double shifts - and we had to stand at the register no sitting down. throughout all those years the Chris n’Pitts family have managed to maintain quality and the flavors are pretty darn near the same as 1978! I wish you guys would franchise and open locations in the IE!! You put Lucille’s to shame! Look forward to our next trip to Artesia store... “I can smell them ribs from All the way in Upland!! “...

So Chris & pitts BBQ Restaurant really let me down hard last night. Let me start by saying Chris's & Pitts BBQ Restaurant (Santa Ana) was always one of my family's favorite and "go-to" restaurants of choice. I can remember the sweet aroma of the smoked BBQ in the air and food always being brought out hot and fresh when served for dine-in. With that being said I couldn't wait to take my girlfriend there for her first time. Unfortunately all of the locations in Orange County have been closed so we traveled from Anaheim CA. to Bellflower to give her the true BBQ Restaurant experience. When we arrived last night we were politely greeted at the entrance and promptly seated near the open door. IT WAS FREEZING! I forgot to take a sweater and the host actually sat me and my girlfriend really close to the front door and they had left it wide open the entire time. I tried to ignore the fact and convince my self that the food would make it worth the while. I ordered the chicken and spare rib combination plate that came with a side of bbq beans and fries. My girlfriend ordered a BBQ beef sandwich. My entire plate was coldd the chicken felt like it had been sitting out at room temperature for a while so when I cut open a breast and took my first bight I immediately lost my appetite. I gave it a second attempt and took a shot at the spare ribs this time, the BBQ sauce was so cold when I took a bite of one of the ribs the meat tasted so cold I wanted to spit it out. I'm a huge BBQ lover and I know this is no way to serve traditional smoked BBQ. The only thing that tasted even a tad bit fresh was the steak fries. Otherwise everything that was served to me was cold and disgusting. MY GIRLFRIEND was disappointed because she knew how much I was looking forward to treating her to some BOMB BBQ. All I can say is if I can give this Restaurant zero stars I would. I DONT RECCOMEND ANYONE TO VISIT THIS PLACE UNTIL THEY HIRE MORE PROFESSIONAL STAFF OR ATLEAST MORE...

I've been a big fan of C&P BBQ for years, yet tonight I was completely caught off guard. I purchased a full rack of babyback ribs - cost was $39.99 - came with one side (I opted for mashed potatoes w/gravy) - unpacked it from it's foil wrapping and was GREATLY disappointed in both quantity and quality of the ribs. Enclosed were nine very thin ribs with little to no meat on them, several overcooked/charred....inedible. The mashed potatoes serving would be adequate for an adult male but certainly not enough for two to dine on. I've eaten their ribs in the past and they were nothing like this. If this is the quality of their product offered there is no way I would recommend this establishment to anyone. I can't believe I handed over $39.99+tax for what I received. I attempted to eat two of the ribs - nothing on the bone to sate an appetite...the rest you all are looking at in the photo I've attached. This meal is being returned to the restaurant tomorrow. I'll leave a review on how well that goes tomorrow!!

UPDATE I returned to speak with the manager who was very courteous and concerned about my experience not being a positive one (as I stated in my original review I have been a long time customer and have always been satisfied and happy with their great meals) He offered another full replacement meal or a full refund of my purchase. Things worked out on a positive note and my faith is restored in them. I'm not too shallow to realize that mistakes get made, humans have bad days, and we all need to give each other a break. Thank you to the management of Chris & Pitts on Artesia Blvd for your courteous and professional...