Keith Watanabe * NET 2.0

decided that i might as well add this to the list of new blog categories, especially after having a hearty meal over at Lucille's this weekend. the one i attended was located next to Del Amo Shopping Center, right next to the CompUSA. parking is awful seemingly, no matter what time of the day you go (well, maybe not so bad at 3 pm on a weekday). the wait was a good 1 hour. but that, in a perverse way, is a positive signal that the place is actually a decent eat. and, indeed, it was. the place is basically a Southern cooking shop, except on the higher end in terms of prices. the average main dinner menu item ranges from $15-$25+. for a large group of 10, you can even order the group special priced at $189. so no matter what, bring a fair amount of cash. they start you off with some warm buttermilk bisquits with an apple flavored cream butter. this must be a specialty here but it's so good! i wish i could've got a bundle of bisquits with this special butter. looking at the entrees, i rightly figured that ordering any sides in addition to the main course would transmorgrify me into Fat Albert. but there are so many sides to choose from, you feel obligated in a way to return just to give them a shot. I ordered the pork link and tritip combo platter. it's a bit pricey at $25, but there wasn't a question whether or not it would be excellent. and you better believe i enjoyed each morsel, savoring the succulent, tender meat. also, for sides i chose the baked beans and mac&cheese. the baked beans were excellent, having a nice hickory flavor. the whole meal stuffed me pretty badly. i didn't even order soda (thank god) knowing that i would be so puffed out that i could join Ami Yumi and turn their group name into a literal. but my god what a meal that was. i think if you go here you should make reservations because you'd be waiting a fair time at this place. nonetheless, it's some place i definitely would love to try again. gotta say that the food was incredible!