Home of the Live Wood Fire
Family Owned and Operated since 1949
Texas-Style BBQ in Southern California
Texas-Style BBQ in Southern California
The Founder
Chris Pelonis
March 12, 1922-May 21, 2018
The year was 1940. Chris Pelonis had a dream to open a restaurant and serve the best BAR-B-Q in the world. On a wing and a prayer, and a loan of $2,000 from his father, a Greek immigrant, he began his search for a good location. In a defunct dry cleaning shop on Tweedy Boulevard in Lynwood , Chris' & Pitt's™ Bar-B-Q Restaurant was born. There was sawdust on the floors, wood benches, and the customers flocked in. Chris spent his days at his restaurant and his nights in his own kitchen experimenting with recipe after recipe until each one was perfect. Fast forward to today. Chris Pelonis oversaw the Chris & Pitts restaurant chain up to his last days, and now his kids and grandkids carry on his legacy. Chris & Pitts is the home of the live wood fire, and customers, returning time and time again, still say the food is "The best bar-b-q in the world."
Chris pictured with his wife, Nikki Pelonis.
The Recipes
Original sauce recipes made in the Pelonis' home kitchen include the Bbq sauce, Hawaiian Chicken sauce, French Dressing, Ranch and Blue Cheese Dressing, to name a few! Chris Pelonis found his recipe inspiration from his travels. Several of our dressings and sauces in jars are available to purchase at our restaurants.
Chris Pelonis pictured with his daughter, Debbie at the 2013 BBQ Bash event.