Big Brian's Meats, a SoCal Mex barbecue business Brian Rodriguez started in his home kitchen in 2022, is preparing to open its first permanent shop at 5574 South St. in Lakewood, near Bellflower Boulevard and South Street.
Rodriguez owns the business, which he describes as combining smoked meats with flavors familiar to his and his wife's families, according to WhatNow. The approximately 800-square-foot shop will give the operation a permanent Lakewood base.
According to WhatNow, Rodriguez met the previous operator at a restaurant supply store in North Long Beach in August, and the two arranged the deal. The operator had held the space on a month-to-month lease since January and was planning to retire. Before securing the Lakewood address, Big Brian's Meats worked out of a shared kitchen in Cerritos.
From Film Classrooms to Smoked Brisket
Rodriguez's path to barbecue followed 15 years as a film and video editor and eight years teaching high school film, according to Big Brian's Meats. He left public education in 2022 and cashed out his teaching pension that June to fund the venture, the company says.
Rodriguez told WhatNow that an adviser initially questioned the financial risk but later supported the decision. The business grew from home sales to brewery and community events. Its website describes it as an award-winning, family-run mobile pop-up BBQ vendor and caterer.
What the County’s Home-Kitchen Rule Says
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health says permitted Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations cannot act as catering businesses. The county guidance addresses that restriction, but does not establish which permits or food-safety requirements applied to Rodriguez's earlier home sales or catering, or specify requirements for his storefront or mobile operations.
A Family Affair With Festival Hardware
Rodriguez's wife, children and mother contribute to the family operation, according to WhatNow. The outlet reports the business has catered events of up to 600 people and gained wider visibility through the Long Beach BBQ Festival and an appearance on Fox 11's Good Day LA.
Longbeachize described Big Brian's Meats as a Lakewood-based pop-up at the 2024 Long Beach BBQ Festival, placing its food in the context of Mexican-American cooking and barbecue in Southern California. The company's website says the business took part in the festival's second, third and fourth annual editions, from 2024 through 2026. WhatNow reports that this year it won Best Sausage and Best Side Dish for its brisket chili.
What Comes Next in Lakewood
Rodriguez told WhatNow he plans a soft opening before the end of 2026, with a grand opening targeted for early 2027.
Rodriguez told WhatNow that the pop-up and mobile catering work will continue alongside the shop. He also hopes to open another location in the future.
