There are two different kinds of bar-be-que in the world. I’m not talking about regional differences, dry rub versus vinegar, or ribs versus chop, but gourmet versus gritty – the difference between a champion bar-be-que that’s been worked over with hickory and a couple dozen spice combos and something that was grilled over an old split drum split in a parking lot. Both are terrific but think of it this way, sometimes you want a cappuccino and other times you just want a cup of joe.
There used to be an auto parts store on Victory Blvd. in Burbank that had terrific bar-be-que. No joke, you would walk in and in between the stacks of part manuals and engine innards was a bar-be-que menu. The guy at the counter took your order for piston rings or tri tip and then disappeared out the back door, returning with some fantastic bar-be-que. Couple weeks ago I was driving on Victory Blvd. and got to thinking about bar-be-que again and immediately see a “Special BBQ Beef” sandwich board on the sidewalk in front of a liquor store and a grill in the side parking lot. So what the hell?
Ummm… Wow! I got the bar-be-que tri tip sandwich and it was just outstanding – just enough sauce without overpowering and some great bread that stands up to the meat.
Who knew that anonymous liquor store I’ve been driving past hid such great food? I was enjoying my sandwich too much to check out the decorations of old airplane parts and vintage photos of Valley aviation. Anyway, I dug around a bit and it turns out the Aero Market has been around since 1947 when Grand Central Airport, Los Angeles Airport, and the Lockheed plant were all active.
Aero Market
1609 Victory Blvd., Glendale (just north of the 134 freeway and Riverside Dr.)