Freddy Smalls Bar and Kitchen

Bar · Sawtelle

Freddy Smalls Bar and Kitchen

Bar · Sawtelle

11520 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Highlights

Retro-feel tavern luring locals with unusual cocktails, small plates & Saturday night prime rib.

11520 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Get directions

$$ · Menu

@infatuation

"We all know things in West LA (particularly near the intersection of the 405 and Pico) can get confusing. You never know exactly where to park, every block looks the same, and what do you mean the Liquid Kitty is a bar and not a strip club? Don Antonio’s? Isn’t that where Spencer Pratt used to bring Heidi before they were Speidi? This is bizarre territory. You pretty much only come here when you’re meeting someone from Weho (and you live by the beach) and they suggest somewhere “in the middle.” You know full well this area is way closer to you (and so do they), but the 405 is right there, so you get away with it. Now where do you go for said meet-up? That would be Freddy Smalls. While this isn’t the place you bring your parents on a weekend (it gets loud on Friday and Saturday nights), this upscale cocktail bar is the perfect spot for that dinner/drinks you scheduled a month ago with an old colleague/work acquaintance you intended on canceling but never did so now you’re f*cked and have to go. But don’t worry. Freddy Small’s casual nature caters far more to a light bite and drinks situation. Nobody’s getting trapped in a sit-down booth for two hours here. And unless you (or the annoying acquaintance/colleague you’re meeting) are picky eaters, you’ll find something to eat as well. The menu isn’t large but has everything from big Italian sandwiches to the obvious fried brussel sprouts. And those cocktails? Excellent. So if you’re trying to impress with fancy drinks (who isn’t?), this is your spot. All in all, Freddy Smalls isn’t a place you go out of your way for, but it’s a good middleground and your special spot to finally start scratching off those lingering business meetings. And there shouldn’t anything confusing about that in this town. Food Rundown Chicken Parmesan Pretty generic chicken parmesan but decent nonetheless. Slow-Roasted Steak Sandwich This was our favorite item on the menu. We suggest asking for extra horseradish if you need those sinuses good and cleared. Brussel Sprouts If we hear “their brussel sprouts are so amazing” about anywhere again, we’re going to lose it. Yes, these are good, mainly because they’re fried and served with goat cheese. Do they basically taste like every other place in LA that serves brussel sprouts? Yes. Fried Fingerling Potatoes Ugh. We actually hated these and didn’t realize it was possible to hate any sort of fried potato. Bland and rock-like. Skip these and get yourself an extra order of the brussels." - Amanda Williamson

Freddy Smalls Review - West LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

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@eater

"West LA hangout Freddy Smalls has closed its doors for the final time. The once-popular restaurant and bar was for years a casual fixture on the Pico Boulevard stretch near the 405, offering pub staples like burgers, salads, and cocktails, plus weekday happy hour, sports on TV, and the usual vibes of a local drinking hangout. The place first opened back in 2011 under owner Jeff Weinstein, who also founded The Counter." - Farley Elliott

Seven-Year West LA Pub Freddy Smalls Closes Along Pico Boulevard - Eater LA

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J. SMc

Google

Ambiance- pretty cool. it's dark inside. It has that clean and dark subway vibe. They also have patio seats. I'm in love with their Fried Brussels Sprouts with smoked goat cheese, apple cider glaze. oh Yes!! It's a good and healthy side next to your liquor. Thumbs up. Parking- metered in front. Service- 4/5. We were in and out and pretty fast. Our food arrived at a decent wait time as well as our drinks.

andrea k

Google

I met a friend here for dinner and drinks, on the early side of the evening. We sat at the bar, and the bartenders were friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our drinks, and I really liked the ambiance of the place--until they turned on two large TVs that had been hidden from view above the bar. The food was good--my friend had heard great things about the brussels sprouts, so we ordered those but were both a bit disappointed with them (they were a bit soggier than I like them to be). The smoky roasted fingerling potatoes, however, were amazing and I would drive across town just to eat them again! We also enjoyed the steak sandwich and the beet & smoked fish salad.

J Metcalfe

Google

Months of wondering what's going on behind that mellow/hip/cool exterior are over. My husband and I stopped in on a whim at around 9 pm on a Friday. The hostess was quick to inform us that they prefer reservations as they're extremely busy (obviously), but was able to seat us immediately. The food was amazing, which was great because the drinks took FOREVER to arrive. My drink was incorrect and the waitress was very apologetic and offered to replace it on the house, but as we were finished with our meals, I declined. She comp'ed my husband's drink instead. Outstanding service - friendly, and swift. We'll most definitely be back. With friends.

Cynthia Johnson

Google

I really like this place. The food is great and they have an awesome drinks menu. If you are like me, then you have to have the buffalo cup! It's such a great bourbon drink, but be careful. After one of those I am done for the night. The only reason I took off star is for the service. The bar service is amazing, but the table service is really bad. If you go with just two people I highly recommend sitting at the bar and not a table if you can.

Tom Chi

Google

Amazing fried brussels sprouts...perfectly charred and seasoned! Maybe the best I've had. We always put in at least two orders cuz in the past the first plate was gone in a few minutes. They used to have a ridiculously yummy and fattening meat plate called Reuben's Gluttony, but I haven't seen it on their menu recently. My friends and I first discovered this place when it wasn't as popular. Now it's always crowded but I'd say it's still worth the wait.

Stanzi McWang

Google

Good beer always on tap. Meatball appetizer is fantastic, so are the brussel sprouts. Friendly service and great ambiance. Very easy-going place. Accustic is also nice as it never really got too loud on a week night.

James Munroe

Google

This place really let me down. I had high hopes because the location was so beautiful but was let down. My party of three ordered fried brussel sprouts which were very tasty. We then proceeded to order. I got the chicken parmigiana and the other two in my party got the steak sandwich. When our food came, there was no pasta on my plate which is strange considering that every single time I've ever ordered chicken parmigiana it has come with pasta. My friends were impressed by the size of their sandwiches but we're disappointed when the steak was cold. Finally, when we asked for the bill to be split the waitress came back with the bill but it wasn't split. I honestly don't think this is a bad restaurant but rather an unfortunate set of circumstances. However, I don't think I'd spend my money there again in the future.

Charissa Chan

Google

Get the fried brussel sprouts and the jar of pickles. I tried the red tea hi cocktail which was a variation of their Gin and Tea punch and I loved it. Great service, a few TVs for sports and tables to sit at as well as the bar area. I was there early - 7pm so not sure how crowded this place gets, but I'm told it can be pretty busy weekend nights.