On ‘cue

Zeke’s Smokehouse

Quaint Honolulu Avenue scored big when this smart-looking spot opened three years ago. The brisket is divine. And we could make a very satisfying meal of the sides alone: homemade potato chips, a fine slaw, lusty beans. Sweets, such as a giant, ultra chocolaty brownie, put most fancy restaurant desserts to shame.

* Brisket with two sides, $14.95; brownie, $3.95. 2209 Honolulu Ave., Montrose; (818) 957-7045.

The Pig

Any place that serves fried dill pickle chips is all right with us. You can also get a messy and delicious pulled pork sandwich at this joint, where the tables are topped with four varieties of barbecue sauce as well as hot sauce, hot peppers and the requisite wipes. Come with a friend for “Piggy Hour” 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, when it’s two sandwiches for the price of one.

* Pickle chips, $5.95; pork sandwich, $6.50. 612 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. (323) 935-1116.

Santa Maria Barbecue Co.

This popular ‘cue specialist serves as a sort of unofficial, off-campus commissary for Sony down the street. The menu features a range of choices including Caesar salads topped with tri-tip, BBQ pork or smoky chicken. Traditionalists can get baby back ribs.

* Caesar, $7.25 to $7.50; half rack ribs, $9. 9739 Culver Blvd., Culver City; (310) 842-8169.

My Brother’s Bar-B-Q

It looks like a diner (pie displays and all) with some Western paraphernalia -- steer horns, decorative cowboy boots -- thrown in for good measure. But My Brother’s is doing something right. It’s been serving its own brand of ‘cue -- neither Texas nor Kansas City -- for nearly 50 years. Dinners include a choice of two sides and a serving of good, greasy, garlic cheese bread.

* Dinners, $10.50 to $17.50. 21150 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; (818) 348-2020.

Outdoor Grill

Located next to the Handy J Car Wash, this spot gives carwash dining a good name. All of the cooking is done on a huge outdoor grill. Fans seem divided over what’s best: the tri-tip or the baby back ribs. We like the chicken. Standout sides such as mac and cheese and baked beans complete the picture. There’s another location -- alas, not at a carwash -- in Northridge.

* Tri-tip plate, $6.95; half rack ribs, $10.95. 12630 1/2 Washington Place, Culver City; (310) 636-4745.

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-- Leslee Komaiko