Ventura contains one of World Travel Journal's Food Pilgrimage™ sites - the tiny and immaculate -- It's In The Sauce barbeque restaurant. It's In The Sauce makes delicious ribs, both beef and pork, as well as delectable tri-tip sandwiches.
Pit Master and co-owner, Wayne Stevens, says, "This is South Texas style barbeque with a California twist." Regardless of statehood, all the meat is cooked on the premises of this family owned business, and it's smoked to perfection. Everything we have consumed there has been juicy with meat that falls off the bone. Napkins are a must, as is a big appetite as portions are substantial. Plan to eat a lot, because you won't be able to stop.
Tender pork and beef ribs are covered with thick, delicious barbeque sauce that has a sweet, tomatoy base and can be had in their "original" flavor, or a "Hot-N-Spicy" version. First you'll taste a bit of the sauce, and then your teeth find the tender meat. You'll end up slurping the juices and wishing for a slice of bread to mop it up with. The ribs have the right amount of salt and spices on them so that nothing stops the gustatory pleasure of tender meat and sweet, spicy sauce.
Actually our favorite item on the menu is no longer offered - boo hoo. It was the beef brisket sandwich, which was served only on the weekends. Brisket requires a lot of cooking to make it tender, and it is difficult to keep it juicy. But Wayne got it right, every time! Unfortunately not enough customers appreciated, and thus requested the brisket, so production was stopped. A terrible, terrible culinary loss.
That said, we are almost equally fond of their tri-tip sandwiches. Garlic slathered French rolls are grilled to a crisp and then pilled high with delicately-smoked, thinly-sliced lean beef from the sirloin, tri-tip cut. They then pour a good quantity of their delicious sauce on top, and wrap the sandwich tight in paper and aluminum foil. If you eat at one of the outdoor tables (all they have) when you bit into the sandwich you experience first the soft bread, then a garlicy crunch, followed by the sweet sauce, and the resistance of tender, smokey meat. Grab lots of paper towels, and don't hold back the mmmms and ahhhs.
A sandwich alone is enough as the portions are significant, but I always get a rib or two any way -- they are so good, it's a shame not to have one when you can. And the purity of sauce on meat is exemplary.
We love the smell of this establishment because the scent of smoking meat greets you blocks before you arrive - a necessity for a barbeque restaurant.
Every item prepared and served by It's In The Sauce is excellent - and we've had them cater a family party where no one could stop eating. They also sell chopped barbeque chicken sandwiches, hot links, pastrami and occasionally salmon. But the beef and pork dishes are top notch.
We also love the side dishes, which include very fresh, sweet cold slaw, chunky potato salad, and baked beans. The beans are almost too sweet, but the sugar is mitigated the by big chunks of pork meat that have been added to the sauce. They also carry sweet potato tartlets, and peach cobbler. But again, the meat is the reason for going.
Call ahead for orders to go, to have them make whole chickens for you, or to reserve items to pick up for dinner. They are super nice and accommodating people, and everyone has a fantastic smile. Oh, and don't forget to take home a bottle of barbeque sauce. It's so delicious you'll spread it on toast just to get a bit of that yummy flavor.
This is a Food Pilgrimage™ everyone will love. Kids can go, eat and then run around, and the street where the original store is located has fun shops and antique stores nearby. If you live in the Los Angeles area, or you like to take road trips, head for Ventura on a weekend to eat barbeque at It's In The Sauce - then go shopping downtown and visit the beach. You won?t want to leave.
Food Pilgrimage™
Item Name: Barbeque pork and beef ribs, tri-tip sandwich
Price: Ribs or a sandwich with one side dish and a beverage runs about $7.95. Meats are also sold by the pound. Catering available and recommended.
Serving Preparation: Eat in, or heat and eat at home
Time in Production: 8 years
Purveyor: It's In The Sauce
First Opened: 1998
Address: 2050 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: 805-652-1215
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
URL: http://www.itsinthesaucebbq.com
Email: None
Miscellaneous: Sandwiches only are available at the Oxnard, and West Hills, California locations. Sauces can be purchased at the stores or online with PayPal.
