Reynolds

The first rule of going to a new BBQ joint: Call ahead and make sure they're open. Steve & I violated that rule Wednesday and after last week's run-around, this made my third try to eat here. I'm glad I did.

Man! This is some blissful BBQ.

What do I mean? Let me tell you what I look for in rib tips:

First, the meat. Is it cooked done enough? Is it too dry? Or, as Goldilocks says, 'Just Right'? This was just right - fall-off-the-bone tender but not dried out.

Second, the smoke. Is the cook in a hurry - just throw some meat in sauce and call it BBQ? Not here, you can tell this meat had been smoking for a while, the smokiness permeated every single bite.

Finally, the sauce. Reynolds' sauce had flavor, tang, and a little bit of heat. It was mild enough not to fight with the meat (too much and you can't taste the smoke), but grew into a bold aftertaste of its own when the meat was gone. I'd have been eating the left-over sauce with a spoon if they hadn't thrown in two slices of bread.

On Natural Bridge between Keinlien/Jennings Station and Lucas & Hunt with plenty of parking, service is at one of about a dozen bar-stools. The price for the rib tip dinner which included two sides (Potato Salad, Slaw, or Baked Beans) was $8.50. Service was fast and friendly. Bring cash and be aware they are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only.

C&K

OK. My sense of direction isn't that good - I was looking for Reynolds (maybe next week), missed the turn onto Natural Bridge and wound up here.

C&K is carry-out only (and they mean it) just south of I-70 at 4390 Jennings Station Rd (at Stratford). The phone number is 385.8100. Call ahead if you want, but the wait is short.

I had the strangest rib tips. Though they warn you in writing at the counter that rib tips 'contain meat, gristle, and bone' mine were all meat (a little on the tough side, but all meat). The sauce was thin and not too sweet, but no heat to it either. The price was right - $7.00 with potato salad and beans, $5.00 without - and the beans were excellect, but all and all nothing to write home about.

New BBQ Coming to CWE

Hey, I may have scooped Sauce Magazine on this one.

Last week I was driving down Delmar and saw a 'Coming Soon' sign that cause me to make a U-turn and check it out. After speaking with one of the owners who was there remodelling the place, I found out that Sir B Que will be opening next month at the corner of Delmar and Hamilton - between Skinker and DeBalivere.

I'm looking forward to trying it out and I'll let you know how it is.

Wills

At the corner of Bellefontaine and Parker, Wills is out to duke it out with Smokeez North for the extreme North County BBQ patron.

This is a big place, extremely clean, and helpful, if taciturn, staff. There was no line, but one other customer came in while I waited on my rib tips. I hope they do a good catering business because, frankly, I don't see how both these strip mall-based eateries get enough custom to stay afloat.

OK. To the food: The saucy was tangy - not too hot, not too sweet - and very tasty but I didn't feel like I had to sop up every drop like some places. The meat could have smoked a bit longer - not stringy, but I'm getting spoiled by some fall-of-the-bone joints we've visited.

The price was moderate, $7 something, reflective of the rent no doubt, and portions were generous, but no sides for that price. Try both, but if you had to pick one of these North County spots, I'd go with Smokeez.

Wills address and phone are:

12117 Bellefontaine -
741.5227

De's Best Q4U

Stunning.

Got the rib tips. Falling off the bone tender. Smoky. And some of the tastiest sweet BBQ sauce I've run into yet. This place is giving Red's a run for Best in Show so far. I didn't even try the sides - I was too busy savoring the tips.

The joint is at the corner of Union & MLK and it's small if you want to eat there - about 4-5 booths, but there's lots of parking. You are warned when you walk in that your order may take 15-20 minutes. Believe it, but it's worth the wait. The other thing to be aware of is that the sauce is very much on the sweet side - you can taste the molasses - with no bite at all, but I was sopping it up and I usually favor the spicy sauces.

The price was decent and the place is open 11-10 every day. Enjoy!