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Barbecue joint established by famous personalities in Westfield Century City unexpectedly shuts down.

Weekly closure of AC Barbeque in Century City due to unfinished permit procedures.

,   and  ASMedia
4 min read
Century City's beloved AC Barbeque halted operations recently, owing to inadequate permit approval.
Century City's beloved AC Barbeque halted operations recently, owing to inadequate permit approval.

Barbecue joint established by famous personalities in Westfield Century City unexpectedly shuts down.

Rewritten Article:

A Dazzling Debut, a Sudden Shutdown: Inside the Temporary Closure of AC Barbeque

The much-anticipated opening of AC Barbeque, the latest venture from comedy stars Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer, unfolded just last week at Century City's Westfield mall. However, mere days later, the restaurant found itself compelled to vacate its premises due to an unforeseen issue — an incomplete permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Your friendly neighborhood barbecue spot, AC Barbeque, has been cooking up mouthwatering honey-glazed pork ribs drenched in gold sauce and smoky brisket sandwiches with pickles and onions. But alas, it was only a six-day affair before the grand banquet was brought to an abrupt halt.

The health department's discreet representative shared the disheartening news with The Times via email, confirmingthat AC Barbeque had been serving without proper approval or permit.

A representative for the restaurant assured The Times that they had managed to secure the city of Los Angeles' approval before the opening date. A county health official, who dropped by during AC Barbeque's debut, uncovered the incomplete permitting application, subsequently ordering the closure of the establishment.

Undeterred by this setback, the dedicated AC Barbeque team has already resubmitted the paperwork, in the hopes of resuming operations by the end of this weekend.

The delicious duo's new eatery marks the first physical extension of their long-standing friendship and shared passion for barbecue — a tradition they've been exploring through their popular A&E show, "Kings of BBQ." Comedy legend Cedric the Entertainer, born Cedric Antonio Kyles, has graced our screens in shows like "The Neighborhood" and movies such as "The Original Kings of Comedy" and "Barbershop." Meanwhile, Anderson's list of credits includes "Blackish," "Law & Order," and "We Are Family." Retaining their commitment to celebrating Black culture, the pair plans to incorporate elements of the community's rich contributions to barbecue within Century City's AC Barbeque.

As they envision their restaurant, they anticipate hosting special events featuring guest pitmasters and offering their unique take on classics such as sandwiches smothered in slow-cooked smoked chicken, brisket, or pork. Additionally, they are set to offer smoked-and-fried wings, barbecue ranch, variety platters, St. Louis-style ribs, brisket and pulled pork by the pound, banana pudding, and a variety of sides like cornbread, mac and cheese, and brisket-baked beans.

Garnering high demand from guests, the restaurant regularly sold out of its offerings; even with smokers running 24/7, it's a struggle to keep pace with the demand for their mouthwatering low-and-slow-cooked barbecue. Upon entering, happiness seekers could hardly miss the bold "Welcome to the Cookout" sign. Television screens showcased their diverse menu items, alongside photos of Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer. Behind the counter, customers could find house spice rubs and various barbecue sauces to take home as souvenirs.

Located at the Westfield Century City's Dining Terrace, on the second level of the shopping center at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, AC Barbeque is set to reopen, with daily hours of operation running from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.[3][4]

Beyond the Plate: Cedric the Entertainer on Laughter, Legacy, and L.A.

In a sit-down with The Times, Cedric discussed his recent endeavors like Dodgers Comedy Night with Will Smith, his forthcoming stand-up directorial debut, and his heartfelt tribute to comedy legend Sinbad. [More][5]

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L.A.'s Here's Looking at You to Shut Down After Years in Business

[1] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-11/l-a-county-health-department-orders-celebrity-restaurant-ac-barbeque-to-shut-down

[2] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-13/ac-barbeque-cedric-the-entertainer-anthony-anderson-restaurant-century-city

[3] https://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/ac-barbeque-by-cedric-the-entertainer-and-anthony-anderson-opens-may-7-in-century-city-8884049

[4] https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/restaurants/ac-barbeque- by-cedric-the-entertainer-and-anthony-anderson-opens-may-7-in-century-city-476027

[5] https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-05-16/cedric-the-entertainer-dodgers-comedy-night-stand-up-debut-sinbad- interview

Enrichment Data:

  • Economic Impact: The temporary closure could potentially disrupt the revenue stream of the restaurant, causing loss for the team and their investors.
  • Regulatory Compliance: The incident highlights the importance of ensuring all necessary permits are in order before opening a business, to avoid potential legal issues and temporary closures.
  • Community Impact: Already gaining popularity and selling out of items regularly, AC Barbeque was well-received by the community in Century City, raising anticipation for its rescheduled reopening.
  • Growth and Expansion: Although the abrupt closure was an unforeseen setback, the duo's plans for hosting special events featuring guest pitmasters and expanding their brand indicates their commitment to AC Barbeque's continued growth and success.
  1. Due to an incomplete permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the latest business venture of comedy stars Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer, AC Barbeque, was compelled to temporarily close in Los Angeles' Century City's Westfield mall, just several days after its dazzling debut.
  2. In a city known for its vibrant entertainment scene, glamorous celebrities, and rich pop-culture, the sudden shutdown of AC Barbeque serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to legal laws and regulations in business, such as obtaining proper permits.
  3. The closure of AC Barbeque is not only a setback for the entertainment industry but also for the culture and community in Los Angeles, with many residents and fans disappointed by the temporary closure of the popular eatery.
  4. In addition to the bustling business and entertainment landscape of Los Angeles, the city is home to important cultural institutions and celebrated figures in law, healthcare, and other fields.
  5. Undeterred by the setback, the dedicated team behind AC Barbeque has already resubmitted their permit paperwork, with hopes of reopening the restaurant by the end of this weekend, continuing to serve mouth-watering barbecue to a hungry public and upholding the city's reputation as a cultural melting pot.

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