bb.q Chicken Sawtelle — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Absolutely disgusting and last straw for me. I stumbled upon this chicken in a different area and it was glad to see that there was one in Sawtelle. I’m not even gonna go on about the awful attitude of the cashier who acts like you’re annoying her when you come in to order. I have eaten here about maybe four times, it’s a pretty rundown looking place, but that’s the least of my worries and I could care less. The biggest issue is hygiene. Today I came in to order chicken, The usual just spicy chicken wings and some fries. I always wash my hands before I eat. Go to the table and get up to go to the bathroom to find out there is no soap in the bathroom. I ask the cashier if they have soap she says no we’ve already told the owner or company and they’re aware but we don’t have soap. I said that’s weird. I said is there soap in the men’s bathroom she goes, I don’t know. I don’t think so but I don’t know you can check I go to check absolutely no soap and you can tell when soap has been out for a long time. I asked her I’m sorry how do you guys wash your hands if there’s no soap here? I then ask if there’s soap in the kitchen, can you give it to me so I can wash my hands? She said oh no, there’s no soap. So I said, okay so they cook without washing their hands or how is that? She looks at me BLANK with no answer and goes oh no there’s soap in the kitchen. But how can that be that there’s no soap? I did see the men’s bathroom had a Tupperware with what smelled like bleach so I wanna say that the employee was washing his hands with bleach which I could say is better than nothing but is still not according to code I sat there for a couple minutes and I couldn’t fathom that a restaurant doesn’t have soap you can go across the street and purchase soap Nevertheless, I just didn’t feel good. I got up and I asked for a refund. This is disgusting. The owner appears to be Pakistani or Indian who didn’t want to give a refund, because it was a struggle to get a refund and it seemed like they were going back-and-forth about getting a refund as they spoke in a different language in front of me needless to say I’m never coming back. That’s absolutely disgusting. No excuse of not having soap when you can go across the street and purchase some...

I was looking forward to liking this place, especially since it replaced an old favorite, Hurry Curry!

Unfortunately, we left with a (metaphorical) bitter taste.

The chicken itself was tasty, and reminded me of other similar restaurants. Two medium orders of boneless chicken, two drinks, tax, and 20% tip came to $47.50. For the price, we were expecting to be amazed, but we were slightly underwhelmed. But perhaps not a bad dinner if you're out of other options!

Apart from the food, unfortunately, our dining experience was rather poor. The dining area only has room for 12 people to sit (11 if you factor in the 2-top with only one chair), so even after the 30 minute wait for our food, no tables had opened up.

When ordering, the cashier politely explained that they don't serve tap water. A little strange, but not a huge deal. I asked to add "a bottle of water" to my order and the deed was done.

When my order was ready, I walked to the cooler and grabbed a bottle of water. As I was leaving, the cashier called my attention and asked to see my receipt. He informed me I had paid for the cheaper bottled water, but grabbed the more expensive bottled water. I understood and swapped them out, but the cashier's approach to the situation was coarse and left me embarassed, as though I was knowingly trying to steal the wrong bottle of water. It would have been great if I was told about the difference and asked which bottle I wanted when placing the order. Since they don't serve tap water, and there are no beverage prices listed on the menu calling out the different pricing for water brands, I imagine they will continue to experience friction here.

(Humorously, after being disciplined, I walked outside and checked my receipt. It said only "1 Water", which satirized their insistence in an amusing way)

TLDR: The food's good, but probably not worth the price and the awkward dining experience. Plenty of other similar spots (Ex: Bonchon, Honey Dress Chicken, Wing Stop) offer great chicken and...

I recently had the pleasure of trying the BBQ chicken at this place, and I have to say, it was absolutely phenomenal! From the moment I took my first bite, I was blown away by the perfect balance of flavors. The sauce was rich and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness that complemented the smoky, tender chicken beautifully. It was evident that they use high-quality ingredients and take great care in preparing their dishes.

The chicken itself was cooked to perfection—juicy on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior that gave each bite a satisfying crunch. I also appreciated the generous portions, which made it a great value for the price. You could truly taste the passion and effort put into crafting each piece.

What really stood out to me was how consistent the flavor was throughout. Every piece was evenly coated in their delicious BBQ sauce, ensuring a burst of flavor with every bite. It’s rare to find BBQ chicken that hits all the right notes, but this place absolutely nailed it.

I would highly recommend this BBQ chicken to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this is definitely a must-try. I can’t wait to come back and explore more of their menu. Five stars...