By Jonathan Ruiz
The Brentwood Country Mart has fed Westsiders since 1948, and its open-air courtyard still offers some of the best restaurants today. Between a decades-old rotisserie chicken stand and a scratch-made ice cream shop, this small collection of food stalls punches well above its size.
Key Takeaways
- Reddi Chick BBQ has served its signature rotisserie chicken basket since 1950, making it the Mart's longest-standing food institution.
- Farmshop functions as both a full-service restaurant and an artisanal market, serving everything from brunch to a prime beef calotte steak salad.
- Sweet Rose Creamery, founded in 2010 by Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan, makes its ice cream from scratch using organic dairy and seasonal California ingredients.
- The Mart itself opened in November 1948, designed by architect Rowland Crawford to resemble a traditional American country market.
Reddi Chick BBQ: The Mart's Oldest Institution
No visit to the Brentwood Country Mart feels complete without a stop at Reddi Chick, a simple walk-up counter that's been feeding this neighborhood since 1950. Generations of Westsiders have grown up on its signature chicken basket.
Why This Stand Has Lasted So Long
- The rotisserie chicken basket, served with a generous helping of fries and barbecue dipping sauce, remains the stand's defining order
- The counter sits in the Mart's open-air central courtyard, where guests can eat at classic outdoor tables near a central fire pit
- Its history includes decades as a favorite among the Westside's Hollywood residents, adding genuine local lore to every visit
- Lines can form during peak hours, but they move quickly, and the payoff is consistently worth the short wait
For anyone wanting a true taste of Brentwood history, Reddi Chick remains the single most essential stop in the entire Mart.
Farmshop: Part Restaurant, Part Artisanal Market
Farmshop brings a different energy to the Mart, blending a genuine sit-down restaurant with a curated market stocked with high-end pantry goods. It's one of the larger, more versatile draws in the entire complex.
What Makes This Spot Worth the Visit
- Brunch leans into unique egg dishes and classic American plates with potatoes and bacon, while lunch and dinner bring heartier options like a prime beef calotte steak salad and herb-roasted Jidori chicken
- The attached market sells artisanal cheese, chocolates, wine, and beer for anyone who wants to bring a bit of the experience home
- The cozy, inviting dining room makes it an easy choice whether you're stopping in for a quick bite or settling in for a full meal
- Its dual identity as restaurant and market gives visitors more reasons to linger than a typical single-purpose eatery
Whether you're there for brunch or picking up dinner ingredients, Farmshop offers real range within one stop.
Sweet Rose Creamery: Scratch-Made Ice Cream Since 2010
No trip to the Mart is complete without dessert, and Sweet Rose Creamery has become one of Los Angeles's most beloved ice cream destinations since opening here in 2010. Its scratch-made approach sets it apart from a typical ice cream shop.
What Sets This Creamery Apart
- Founded by Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan, the shop makes every batch from scratch using organic dairy and seasonal California ingredients
- A patio overlooking 26th Street gives guests a front-row seat to the Mart's foot traffic while they enjoy their order
- Guittard chocolate-dipped bananas, bon bons, fudge pops, and banana splits round out a menu built for genuine indulgence
- Flavors rotate seasonally, giving repeat visitors a reason to come back throughout the year
Ending a Mart visit here has become something of a tradition for longtime Westside families.
Rounding Out the Mart: Coffee, Tacos, and More
Beyond these three anchors, the Mart's food court includes a handful of other stops worth knowing. Together, they round out a genuinely complete afternoon of eating and browsing.
What Else Is Worth Trying
- Caffe Luxxe serves expertly crafted espresso drinks, cappuccinos, and pastries, with outdoor tables perfect for people-watching
- Frida and Barney's round out the food court with tacos and burgers, respectively, both frequently cited among the Mart's standout quick bites
- The Mart itself opened in November 1948, designed by architect Rowland Crawford to resemble a traditional country market, and has hosted Hollywood regulars for decades
- Original details, including the barber shop and post office, still operate in their original locations, giving the entire complex genuine historic character
Spending an afternoon working through even a few of these spots gives a real sense of why this small shopping village has remained a Westside institution for more than 75 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reddi Chick worth the wait during busy hours?
Yes. Lines move quickly, and it remains one of the most iconic, longest-running food stands in the entire Mart.
Can I buy groceries or gourmet items at Farmshop, or is it only a restaurant?
Both. Farmshop operates as a full-service restaurant alongside an artisanal market selling cheese, chocolate, wine, and beer.
When did the Brentwood Country Mart first open?
It opened in November 1948 and was designed by architect Rowland Crawford to resemble a traditional American country market.
Find Your Place Near Brentwood's Favorite Gathering Spot
Born and raised in Los Angeles, where I graduated from Harvard-Westlake School and UCLA, I bring genuine local expertise from years spent representing clients from the Eastside to the coastline. My work has since expanded well beyond LA, recently helping clients buy and sell homes in Ojai, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Even as my business continues to grow year over year, I remain focused on providing every client with white-glove service, enthusiastically guiding them through the process while prioritizing their needs at every step. If Brentwood's charm has you thinking about calling this neighborhood home, I would love to help.
Connect with Jonathan Ruiz today.
Even as my business continues to grow year over year, I remain focused on providing every client with white-glove service, enthusiastically guiding them through the process while prioritizing their needs at every step. If Brentwood's charm has you thinking about calling this neighborhood home, I would love to help.
Connect with Jonathan Ruiz today.
