Philadelphia's Italian Market now has a barbecue place.  Mighty authentic barbecue at that.  Owner Mark Coates who hails from all over the South named the place for his grandmother Bebe Chadwick.  Only fair.  He is using her recipes and doing them proud.

It's a barbecue joint, so I've got to talk about the barbecue.  The pulled pork is juicy, full of flavor and comes with plenty of browns (charred ends).  The ribs - good smoke to them cooked til they're tender but the meat stays on the bone.  Every juke joint in Mississippi serves tamales.  So does Bebe's.

Got that out of the way.  Now I can talk about the sides and the banana pudding.  Banana pudding first.  Best I recollect ever having.  So good.

Sides are fantastic too.  Boiled cabbage with plenty of butter and a kick.   Au gratin potatoes, collard greens, mac and cheese.  Hard not to order a meat 'n five platter.  And cornbread.

Things move slow at Bebe's.  Lot's of talking, lot's of love in the cooking.  Everything has to be just right.  If not Bebe Chadwick just might show up and take Mark out back for a lickin'.  Not to worry.  He's doing her recipes juist right.

June 2009