Barbecue fest will put focus on local flavor

Long Beach BBQ Festival

Inland Empire outfit El Guero Y La Flaca, which blends Texas style with Latin American flavors, will be among the vendors at the Long Beach BBQ Festival, which starts today. courtesy of El Guero y La Flaca

Image

By Richard Guzman

riguzman@scng.com

Long Beach is getting its barbecue grub on this weekend with a festival that organizers hope will put the city on the map as one of the best grilling cities in the Southland.

“One of our goals is to change the narrative of West Coast barbecue,” said Ian Mafnas, co-organizer of the third annual Long Beach BBQ Festival.

“It’s 30 of the best pitmasters in Southern California coming together to collaborate and produce some really good barbecue,” he added.

Set to take place at Shoreline Aquatic Park today and Saturday, the event will feature about two dozen barbecue slingers grilling meats in all sorts of ways.

Also on hand will be craft vendors, whiskey tasting, music, dancing and games.

“We’re hoping to inspire and create a sense of barbecue community,” said Mafnas, who also owns a barbecue restaurant in the city, Axiom Kitchen Smoked Meats & BBQ

Barbecue fans can expect to taste styles ranging from Texas to California, the latter of which is what Mafnas focuses on at his Long Beach spot.

“I like to say Axiom Kitchen is California barbecue because what separates us from everyone else is that we don’t just use salt and pepper. I use a homemade rub made from about eight different herbs and spices and then we also use an herb finishing oil that goes on top of the meat. It’s savory, smoky, umami goodness,” he said.

Another barbecue spot coming to Long Beach from its Inland Empire home is El Guero Y La Flaca, a Texas-inspired restaurant that also incorporates Cuban, Colombian and Mexican spices. The restaurant has participated in the festival since its inception.

“We do things like Cuban espresso rib rub; we do a lechon pulled pork; our brisket has Mexican spices in it. Everything is a little different. The only thing that’s traditional are our sides,” said Justin Escobedo, who with his wife, Jessica, own the eatery.

“We love this festival. They’ve helped us grow over the years. We’ve grown insanely since we started the barbecue fest, and everyone that goes there shows us so much love,” he said.

When: Noon-9 p.m. today and Saturday

Where: Shoreline Aquatic Park, 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach

Cost: $10-$250

Information: longbeachbbqfest.com