If you have to do ‘Q in Pasadena venture north to Robins in the Lower Hastings Ranch Area at 395 N Rosemead Ave (About 3 blocks north of Foothill). Similar kitchy atmosphere, shells on the floor and better service. Much better sauce. Hell they even named a sandwich after blogger and former mayoral candidate Aaron Proctor.

BUT hands down, kick everyone else in the dirt better is Jakes Road House in Old Town Monrovia, smallish, nice side walk and even better back patio dining with the best ‘Q in the SGV. Really. Never had a bad meal since the day it opened.

Strange story: The first time we went, it was me, two other black women and my husband (white guy) and one of my kids. The place was packed with people who looked like they had trekked in from the Delta. We walked in and the place fell dead silent. We sat next to a table that had four 300+ lb. men sharing about 13 teeth among them and they just stared. And stared. In fact, everyone was staring. We found out later, they were trying to figure out who the kid belonged to (my kids look like my friend) and how the white guy figured into the equation. (And yes, we got our drinks fast, but it took 30 min. to get our food and we had to actually move toward the door to get the check.)