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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, January 25, 2025


ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown 


SMOKEHOUSE SOCIAL: A BBQ REVIVAL 
IN PASADENA 

 Barbecue in Los Angeles lately has been a gamble. 
Too many places promise authentic BBQ but 
leave you with dry meat, cloyingly sweet sauces, 
or—worst of all—a faint whiff of lighter fluid. 
True BBQ doesn’t need smoke and mirrors; it 
needs time, patience, and a pitmaster who knows 
how to let the meat do the talking.

 Enter Smokehouse Social, a humble but ambitious 
BBQ joint that’s taken over the old Dickey’s 
space in Pasadena. With its cozy beer bar, a 
handful of TVs showing the big game, and a laid-back vibe, it’s clear this spot is about keeping 
things simple while delivering the goods.

First Impressions

Walking into Smokehouse Social, you can’t help but feel like the owner has big dreams. The 
space is small but inviting, with a neighborhood charm that makes you want to linger. Families 
share plates, friends catch up over beers, and solo diners happily dig into a rack of ribs. 
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in with friends, it feels like a place built for 
good times and great food.

The Meat of the Matter

Now, let’s talk about the food. The owner insists he loves every dish on the menu, but as a reviewer, 
I can’t pull a David Copperfield and walk you through each one. Instead, I’ll highlight 
the standouts from the feast I was served: pulled pork, brisket, sausage, pork ribs, chicken, 
and blue masa cornbread.

• Pork Ribs: These are the heart and soul of Smokehouse Social. Tender, smoky, and 
with a bark that will make BBQ purists smile, the ribs are an absolute must-order.

• Pulled Pork: Juicy, flavorful, and perfect on its own or piled high on a sandwich, this 
dish is a crowd-pleaser.

• Chicken: Moist and packed with smoky flavor, it’s a strong contender for the most 
underrated item on the menu.

The blue masa cornbread is a creative twist that adds a touch of sweetness to balance the 
smoky meats. While I enjoyed it, I was too focused on the ribs to fully appreciate its nuances.

Beer, Wine, and BBQ Dreams

No BBQ joint is complete without a great drink menu, and Smokehouse Social doesn’t disappoint. 
The beer list is a standout, offering something for everyone—from light lagers to rich 
ambers and everything in between. Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or just looking for 
a cold one to wash down those ribs, you’ll find a brew to suit your taste. Wine drinkers aren’t 
left out either, with a solid selection to pair with the smoky, hearty dishes.

As I savored the meal, I couldn’t help but wonder about the smoking process. The flavors 
spoke for themselves, but the lack of a smoky aroma left me curious. Even the servers’ spotless 
aprons hinted at a cleaner operation than the BBQ joints of old—but maybe that’s part 
of the charm.

And then there’s the promise of beef ribs—an ambitious move in a city where few dare to 
serve them. If Smokehouse Social can master this BBQ holy grail, they’ll cement their place 
among LA’s best.

Final Thoughts

Smokehouse Social isn’t just another BBQ joint—it’s a refreshing addition to Pasadena’s dining 
landscape. The pork ribs alone are worth the visit, but the welcoming atmosphere, diverse 
drink menu, and ambitious plans make it a spot to watch.

Is it perfect? Not yet. But with a little more smoke in the air (both literally and figuratively), 
this place could truly cement its place in LA BBQ history. Until then, I’ll be back for another 
plate of ribs and maybe a pint—or two.

Rating: Highly recommended for BBQ lovers and beer enthusiasts alike. Bring your appetite, 
and keep an eye on what’s to come.

Address: Sierra Madre and Colorado

Other details: Tune into my radio Show every Saturday evening at 7 PM on AM 870 KRLA

THE RAINY DAY 

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary; 

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,

And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.


EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON, 
WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL, DEBUTS JANUARY 
25 AND 26 AT LINEAGE PERFORMING 
ARTS CENTER

 

Recent fire events have necessitated changes in our opening date and performance 
times, which are noted below, in bold.

 

WHAT: East of the Sun and West of the Moon. World Premiere engagement 
of a new musical.

WHO: Book and lyrics by Kai Cofer. Music by Larry Evans. Directed by Jon 
Peterson. Presented by Evans Live Musicals in association with P3 
Theatre Company.

WHERE: Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena, CA 
91104.

WHEN: Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.& Sunday, 
January 26 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: $32. Children, $22.

ONLINE TICKETING: our.show/eastofsun

CONSUMER ADVISORY: 

 For ages six to adult. The show may be too advanced for very small children.

 

Performances on January 18 and 19 
have been canceled. Patrons who have 
already purchased tickets for January 
18 and 19 can have them transferred 
to the following weekend by emailing 
larry.music5194@gmail.com

 

East of the Sun and West of the Moon 
is based on a Norwegian folk tale.

Karen, a young woman, is offered the 
chance to rescue her impoverished 
family from its dire straits if she agrees 
to become the companion of an enchanted bear for a year. Within the body of the 
bear resides a handsome prince destined to become Karen’s true love, but the Evil 
Queen of the Trolls has hatched a scheme to thwart Karen and dominate the bear for 
the queen’s own purposes. Can love prevail?

 

The cast includes Kristin Cortines (Karen), Christy Mauro-Cohen (Evil Queen), E.L. 
Losada (Bear/Prince), Christopher Allport, Aleta Braxton, Jim Raycroft, and Jini 
Scoville.

 

Kai Cofer has written the book and lyrics. Originally from the Washington, D.C. 
area, he is a graduate of Indiana University. He is a writer, director, actor and designer. 
Kai has written over 150 shows, including R.U.R, Cabaret and The Experiment 
with Larry Evans.

 

For East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Larry Evans has composed the music, 
and is also the show’s producer and musical director. A pianist and performer, his 
accomplishments include creating his own themed shows (Porter, Gershwin, Broadway, 
etc.) and releasing a piano CD, Magnificent Movie Love Themes. He received a 
degree in Music Education from Michigan State.

 

Jon Peterson directs. The Founder and Executive Artistic Director of P3 Theatre 
Company in Long Beach, he brings three decades of experience directing, musical 
directing, stage managing, and producing. He is also an accomplished musical theatre 
performer and recently debuted a World Premiere cabaret show The Theatre Is 
a Lady.

 

East of the Sun and West of the Moon is a story of magic, challenge, enchantment, 
wonder, danger, love and romance sung by performers with magnificent voices.

 

Are you ready to start 2025 with a happily-ever-after?

Credit: Todd Felderstein 


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