Westfield Century City is smokin’, thanks to Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer.
The award-winning actors and barbeque enthusiasts have opened up their first brick-and-mortar restaurant, AC Barbeque, which is named after their BBQ lifestyle brand.
Their establishment is described as a “fast-casual” barbeque spot that “introduces a premium experience that blends authentic, robust flavors with southern hospitality on the West Coast.”
“It’s going to be great, really good food, fun, tasty flavors. Me and Anthony been a part of this for we’ve been developing this idea for almost three years now,” Cedric explained to KTLA 5’s Christine Samra.
The menu includes pork sandwiches, baked beans, mac and cheese, ribs, chicken, coleslaw and brisket. There are seven barbecue sauces patrons can choose from, including a ketchup-based sauce and a Carolina-style mustard-based sauce.
The pair’s barbeque brand is rooted deep within their love for grilling and its rich cultural history.
It draws from Anderson’s hometown of Compton, California, and Cedric’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. They showcase their hometown love in their BBQ sauces, however, Cedric’s may surprise some.
“I’m from Compton. My dad’s from Little Rock, Arkansas. So it’s always been a ketchup-based sauce for me. So mine is the All Day, Every Day (sauce), which has a little bit of spice and a kick to it. It wakes up your flavor palette,” Anderson explained. “They’re not going to like him in St Louis with this one.”
“I’m from St Louis, but in developing the profiles, I really started to love the Carolina-based wine barbecue sauce and mustard base. It’s got a little mustard, a little molasses, a little sweetness to it, but really beautiful. Fun for the palate,” Cedric said. “We created two extra sauces, three more for the restaurant.”
Of course, a smoker was a significant part of the setup.
“We pulled the smoker out up in here,” “The Neighborhood” actor said proudly. “That’s what took us a lot of time. It took us a minute because we had to get that smoker off up in here.”
Before opening up to the public on May 7, the duo hosted a star-studded pre-party at the location, which was reminiscent of a family cookout.
Don Cheadle, Martin Lawrence, Sugar Ray Leonard, Gabriel Iglesias, Marlon Wayans, Wilmer Valderrama, Johnny Gil, Touré Roberts, Orlando Jones, Marcel Spears, Glynn Turman, Eriq La Salle and more snacked on some of the menu items while dancing to music being spun by DJ D-Nice.
Sugar Ray and Gil immediately tore up the dance floor once The Maze’s “Before I Let Go” hit the speakers.
AC Barbeque is open daily from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and is located on level 2 of the Dining Terrace with indoor and outdoor seating.
