Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer Open AC Barbeque in Los Angeles

Two of LA’s most prominent Black comedians and actors — Anthony Anderson (Blackish) and Cedric the Entertainer (real name Cedric Antonio Kyles; The Neighborhood, Barber Shop) — opened food court restaurant AC Barbeque on May 7 inside the Westfield Century City. The restaurant’s smoked meats incorporate flavors and styles from their upbringings in Compton and St. Louis, respectively. AC Barbecue occupies a prime slot toward the front of the mall’s rooftop food court deck.

The restaurant is inspired by Anderson and Kyles’ A&E show, King of BBQ, which chronicles their passion for barbecue in the U.S. Before debuting at Westfield Century City, the pair previously opened a campus kitchen at Jackson State University and a food truck at Howard University in Washington D.C. in 2024. At the restaurant’s launch party on May 6, a celebrity crowd that included Don Cheadle, Martin Lawrence, and Marlon Wayans was in attendance, vibing to dance music on the patio in between bits of pulled pork, brisket, and St. Louis rib sliders.

At the Century City location, Anderson and Kyles have brought on seasoned barbecue pitmaster Burt Bakman (Slab Barbecue, Trudy’s Underground Barbecue) to develop a menu of St. Louis ribs, smoked chicken, chopped brisket, chicken wings, and pulled pork. Half or full plates are available with sides like coleslaw, fries, sweet potato fries, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and corn bread, plus pickles, pickled onions, and sauce. Sandwiches are served on Martin’s potato buns; among the options smoked shredded chicken doused with Comeback sauce is a standout. To drink, lemonade, sweet tea, and Arnold Palmer are available, plus fountain drinks. A banana pudding with Nilla wafers is the only dessert. Across the menu, Anderson and Kyles employ their branded rubs and sauces, which are available to purchase online for home barbecue enthusiasts to employ.

AC Barbeque joins the recently opened Cafe Knotted on the other side of the Westfield Century City, serving cream-stuffed Korean-style doughnuts and coffee drinks, which continue to sell out daily. In late April, China’s most popular tea shop Chagee opened to long lines. Later this year, Casa Dani and Katsuya are scheduled to open, as well as David Chang’s Momofuku-backed Super Peach, adding even more compelling restaurants to one of LA’s best malls.

AC Barbeque is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located at the dining deck of the Westfield Century City.