Mama Frans BBQ — Restaurant in Long Beach

Trying to support Black people here but they make it SO HARD! Visited the establishment based on a 4.7 review. I was in Long Beach picking up a bundt cake and I thought, I want some BBQ, so I choose this place. BIG MISTAKE.

Pros: Meat falls off the bone and has a rich, smoky flavor. BBQ sauce is sweet and sticky, just like I like it! That's it though.

Cons: No seasoning on the meat. Just throw it on the grill?? Who does that!

Mac and cheese was dry. Original side desired was potato salad.....but they didn't have that. It hadn't even been started to be prepared. So you open at 12:00, I'm there around 1:30 and you haven't even begun to make the potato salad??

Cashier erroneously added an extra chicken (or beef, we couldn't tell) link AND a rib tip sandwich..........neither of which was ordered. So now we have to double, nay, triple check our receipt, so perhaps that error was ours ..............but NO!

AND now for the low rating: Ordered a 1/2 slab of beef brisket. Checked the bag before we left and discovered it was left out. Husband went back in, told them and came out with a new, large container. Didn't dawn on us to check the new container, just assumed if they got it wrong the first time.............WRONG. Got ALL THE WAY HOME........opened the bag, discovered it was a rib tip dinner. REALLY

I expect so much more from my people and they are not getting my money if they can't get my order right. Most likely the first and last time I will visit this establishment. I'll just stick to my local Woody's BBQ. It's a hole in the wall but the meat is seasoned and they have NEVER got...

Pork ribs were superbly slow cooked, tender, moist meat falling off the bone. BBQ beans were among the best ever I've had, with a nuanced seasing flavor that tasted like ham. Brisket was slightly dry but not too much or something BBQ sauce can help along. Jalapena cornbread with just the right level of bite -very unique version of cornbread. Mac and cheese classically good, slightly browned for a bit of crispy edging to contrast with the soft center parts.

Were were warmly greeted by Mama herself who came out the kitchen for a quick chat. She has a very interesting background story about how she met her opportunity to follow her passion and gifting of presenting some of the most amazing BBQ in the area. Her place along with Robert Earl's are swiftly moving the LBC to legend status among California local owned and operated BBQ destinations!

A few nice tables to sit and eat there in a friendly, festive and BBQ scented dining room. Next time will try one of the yummy looking homemade desserts of bread pudding, lemon cake, or strawberry cake. A wonderful celebration of southern style BBQ in the heart of the LBC. Check it out. You WILL NOT be disappointed. And tell your BNBQ aficionado...

Food is great! My first experience here was 4th of july 2023. I knew they would be busy, so i called hours ahead for my pick up order and when i got there it wasn't ready because my ticket was buried under other orders and was missed. So i had to wait additional time for my food, per why i ordered ahead. Smdh. And my portions was small!! Second time around, i wanted to try chicken but they were out. The guy that took my order seemed like he didnt want to be there, no smile, no greeting, just no customer service skills what so ever. Food came out fast, bigger portions this time. Just dont know why both times bbq sauce was in my greens, i dont like that.

UPDATE: MAY 2025 IDK IF THEY CHANGED OWNERS CUZ WHO IS MAMA FRANS? ANYWAYS, EVERYBODY READING THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP, THEY ARE NOT LYING! GOT FOOD TODAY AND THE GREENS WERE BLAND NO SEASON. MAC AND CHEESE WAS WET & SOGGY. BEANS WERE OK. RIBS WAS WHATEVER, BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY CUT THEM IN HALF TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE YOU GOT MORE THAN WHAT YOU PAID FOR. PORTIONS HELLA SMALL! NEVER AGAIN WILL THEY GET MY MONEY! SMDH! BRING WRIGLEY BBQ GRILL BACK!!! I ALSO CHANGED MY RATING TO A...