For those of you willing to trade the glitz and glam of the Westside for the tree-lined streets and Craftsman charm of the Eastside, here's a reason to get your bad selves over to South Pasadena: Gus's Barbeque, where comfort food is at its best.

Gus's has been a landmark for 60 plus years, and for many a local, was the one and only place in town where you could get an order of juicy fried chicken in a red plastic basket, shoot a game of pool, and have a couple drinks with some friends.  (There are only 3 restaurants with full bars in South Pasadena; Gus's is the best.) 

When new owners Chris and John Bicos closed the doors last October, it was crying time in South Pas.  Our beloved multi-generational hang out was gone... But alas, the new and improved Gus's re-opened in April, and while we miss the pool table, the best remains:  the grub that made Gus's great.  The new décor is downright SWANKY, and we don't mind that a bit.

Gus's BBQ Sliders ($8.95) and spicy smothered hot wings ($7.95) are crowd pleasing classics from the appetizer menu - and could be a meal in themselves.  The tortilla soup is good, not fabulous, but flavorful and filling if you're looking for something on the cheaps ($4.75/ $6.25).

Gus's BBQ specialties are special, and no matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to replicate the spices or take the 10 to 12 hours that Gus's does to soak, smoke and BBQ.  Eating here is a treat, but NOT a splurge, the prices are family friendly and the servings are generous enough to split, unless you really need a lot of comfort and want to eat yourself into oblivion. 

Specialties include Memphis-style baby backs ($23.95 for a full rack) and St. Louis spare ribs ($23.95).  Carolina Style pulled pork is out-of-this-world tender and juicy ($14.95).  All specials are served with a choice of two sides; I like the pecan rice, sautéed southern greens, creamy red skin potato salad, the creamed corn, and the sweet potato fries.

Gone is the red plastic basket that used to cradle the fried chicken, but so are the bones.  Now you get half of a Southern fried chicken ($14.95), crisp, flavorful and juicy and you don't have to wonder where to put your empties.  They've done it for you...

Burgers, salads and sandwiches round out the menu, and if you've got room to spare, the red velvet cake is like taking a trip down South: you may end up talking with a drawl...

The bar is beautiful, and the sometimes bartender Carrie is even more so.  She's sweet, but her drinks are sassy.  Try Boss Bob's Lemonade - homemade lemonade with Jack Daniels, Cointreau and mint.  Uncle Mike's Bloody Mary can get you into trouble, or be the best hair of the dog you've ever had on a Sunday morning...depending on how much of the Boss's Lemonade you drank the night before.  Gus's serves eight beers on draught and boasts a pretty decent wine menu, so while you may miss the pool table, you're still bound to find comfort if you decide to skip the BBQ and belly up instead.

THE DETAILS: Gus's BBQ
808 Fair Oaks Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030
626.799.3251
www.gussbbq.com

Open Sunday - Thursday 11AM - 10PM
Friday - Saturday 11AM - 12PM

Story by Kat Kittredge.
Photo's courtesy of Gus's BBQ.