mmm-yoso is the blog about food and Cathy is still doing the blogging because, you know, she is the Temp, and Kirk is in Peru, eating and taking pictures of a lot of interesting stuff to tell you about soon.
Hello. I’m back with another interesting meal. I asked The Mister to pick up something for dinner the other night and he had heard the the former owners of Bekker’s Barbecue had started a new business on Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa. We always liked Bekker’s and were sad when it closed, leaving us not much choice for slow smoked(Texas Style BBQ) meats in East County.
The new location is still pretty close to our place in Santee in the shopping center that has the Ross Dress for Less in La Mesa. For some reason the photo of the front will not load, but it is where the Russian Restaurant used to be.
There is a walk up window for take out, some tables outside and inside table also.
The Mister got there about 8 p.m. . Closing was at 8:30 and it was still crowded.
He ordered the Family dinner of pulled pork-
One pound of pork, 3 dinner rolls, 2 pints of sides. $15.99.
This easily was two pounds of pulled pork. (Editor’s Note: pulled pork is very slow cooked shoulder, so tender it can be pulled from the bones and does not have to be cut) I have one of those 3 pound packages of Kirkland Signature extra lean ham from Costco in the fridge, still sealed (two packages are sold together) and I cut it along the center and the single ham package weighed a lot loss that this box of pulled pork, which was smoky, tender, delicious. The bread was chewy and crust not crispy. It was not what I would call great bread, but I would not call it bad, either.
The barbecue sauce came on the side and was sweet and tangy with just enough, if maybe too little vinegar. It went well with the meat.
The Mister chose the cole slaw and baked beans as the sides. The beans had a different sweet sauce, not the same as the BBQ sauce and some meat in them and were definitely made there, not canned; not mushy. The cole slaw was good. Crispy and dressing was light. Good and fresh, not tasting flat or old.
Other sides he could have ordered were: corn, chili, potato salad, fries, baked potato (which The Mister said was huge-he saw one served to someone inside) tossed green salad and Cesar salad.
All in all, a lot of good food. It was quite good. I know someone will pipe up with their favorite BBQ place, but this one deserves a try. Bekker’s was great and also catered. The catering prices are a pretty good deal and I think worth it for this quality of food. website
West Coast Barbecue and Catering 6126 Lake Murray Boulevard La Mesa 91942 Tuesday-Sunday 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m. To Go phone (619) GO2FOOD (462-3663) Catering office hours M-F 9-5 Catering available anytime.
Hey Cathy,
I hope Kirk wasn’t vacating near Lake Titicaca in Peru, that “mystery illness” was solved: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/perus-meteor-illness-explained-invitation-extended/?hp
Miss. Temp….”pulled pork”….what’s that??
Hi Trent. I think Kirk is indeed a pod person, but not to worry; he gave me his password for the blog… heh heh…
Ron- pulled pork…it is usually from the shoulder and cooked so long that it does not have to be sliced, just pulled from the bone. Very tender. I guess it is more of a southern continental US thing. Sorry to not explain. I may edit the post. I crave pulled pork sandwiches- piled high on a large burger bun, some BBQ sauce and cole slaw and all ready to eat.
Yum and what a deal. Not easy to find yummy smoke BBQ here in OC for a reasonable price.
The two pound dinner is $29 and comes with 4 sides, Bill, but I don’t know if they use a different box. The Mister and I can eat a lot, but even we had leftovers from this meal…and made carnitas over the weekend.
P.S. Kirk is alive!
Cathy, thanks for the post. Now that Phil’s has moved way the heck and gone to Pt. Loma, I’m gonna give this a try. Its not close to North Park, but I’m in La Mesa frequently and will have to try it. If the BBQ beef is as good as that pork, I’ll be a happy camper.
Thanks, Stephen. Happy to do the post. Did not want to mention any other places, but I do think this one is good and in a way better than Phil’s. We used to go to Bekker’s long ago when it was the only place in town, at least to us in East County. I wasn’t thrilled with the bread is the worst I can say about it. none of us does BBQ for the bread aspect, do we?
thank you Cathy for the great post on this place. I have driven by it a few times and now I have to make a date to get in there after reading your post.
yummeee looking stuff…..
You just have to go for it- everywhere for food, Michael. I am not afraid to try anything (and document it fairly anonymously here online) or just stop when I see a sign about food (A long time ago in National City, I saw a sign that said “Max’s, The House That Fried Chicken Built” on the side of a building. I never had popped a U in the middle of the street before, but I did that time and loved it there). I did know that thsee were the old Bekker’s people though and was eagar to try it again. I suppose a salad would make a healthier meal, but beans and slaw are what I like, especially since we were eating at home…