Barbecue Heaven on North Lake

Its times like these that I wish computers came equipped with scratch and sniff  — maybe a special F-Key that emitted a puff of scent. Because I want you to enjoy that moment you walk into Bonnie B’s Smokin Barbecue Heaven. It’s the smell that gets you first. Rich wood smoke: think a campfire filled with oak logs, now add slabs of ribs cooking — you get the idea.

Bonnie Henderson with her partner Betty Henderson have created a bit of barbecue heaven on North Lake Avenue. Using their Uncle’s super secret recipe for barbecue sauce (all that Bonnie would divulge was that it was cooked for 23 hours and contained “lots of love”) the pair has brought a little bit of Oklahoma-style barbecue to Pasadena.

All their meats are marinated overnight, slow-smoked, and served with a dash of love on the side. (Seriously “the love” plays heavily into all that Bonnie and Betty do.) They’re truly nice, gracious people.

“Anybody that walks through that door, we want to give them TLC. We have a profound love for people,” says Bonnie.

And the food? “Bonnie puts her FOOT in the food,” smiles Betty. I don’t know about her foot, but her heart is sure in it.

I asked Bonnie what was different about Oklahoma-style barbecue. “We chop the brisket, we don’t slice it, so every bite is good. We use oak and slow smoke our meats,” she said. And of course there’s that super secret barbecue sauce. It comes in mild, medium and hot to “kick it right off” laughs Betty.

I tasted all three sauces and I’ve got to say they all had great concentrated flavors from the slow cooking. The hot did “kick it” but did so with flavor and didn’t take your tooth enamel with it.

We enjoyed plates of assorted meat including the ribs, brisket, hot links and chicken. The ribs are spare ribs, not sissified baby back ribs. They’re meaty and fall-off-the-bone bone tender. The smoke permeates the meat and needs no adornment, but I do suggest you add a dash of the barbecue sauce because it’s too good to be missed.

The BBQ chicken breast was moist and tender, not dried out. And the beef brisket, yum, every bite was a delight. The chopping did make a big difference, just like Bonnie said it would.

If you like Louisiana-style hot links you’re going to love Bonnie B’s. They’re hot that’s for sure, but not so hot that the lovely smoke and other spices are overpowered. Try these with some of the mild sauce; they were made for each other!

I would be remiss if I did not mention the sides. As any barbecue aficionado knows, the sides add to the overall experience and Bonnie’s got some outstanding ones. Vegetarians take note: all of her vegetables are cooked sans meat. No worry about cross contamination, so you too can enjoy a great barbecue experience.

Collard greens with a bit of smoke, baked beans, potato salad and candied yams all vied for my attention. And I gave it to them, bite after delicious bite. Also on the sides list are black eyed peas, okra and tomatoes over rice, and field greens salad. Your choice of two comes with the dinner plate, and one with the lunch plate.

Don’t forget the cornbread, Bonnie B’s didn’t. Theirs is actually a corn muffin, sweet and studded with fresh corn and jalapeno peppers. A bit of sweet, a dash of savory, and just a touch of heat make these corn muffins unique.

Bonnie B’s Smokin Barbecue Heaven is located at 1280 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena. They are open Wednesday – Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. They offer dine in, take out and catering. Call (626) 794-0132 or log onto www.bonniebssmokin.com for more information.