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Joanna Currier

Joined 8 years ago

Little Rock, Ark.-style BBQ goes over big in Oakland.. Former bandmates, married owners Carolyn and Alex Alexander are now the precious frontmen to this old-school barbecue joint near the Oakland-Berkeley border. Frilly curtains, faux flowers and a couple of dainty tables belie a strong heart and soul that no one, especially sweet potato pie lovers, aim would want to blow down. Carolyn's great-uncle Richard from Little Rock pioneered her family's secret recipe, a sweet, tangy, Southern-style sauce with a slow burn. Specialties include ribs, brisket and the eponymous Brick Pig--a beef link wrapped in a flour tortilla with cheese and a splash of sauce--known from Carolyn's Oakland childhood as a chihuahua dog, and recession-ready at $2.50 per. Combo dinners cost a bit more, but come with heaping sides (salads, corn, beans, cornbread), drink and dessert. Did we mention they have sweet potato pie?