B B's Lawnside Bar-B-Que   

Barbecue, beer and live blues -- what could be better? Add a casual atmosphere and a friendly crowd, and you've got the recipe for a fine evening out. BB's slow-smokes meat over a hickory fire and serves it with special-recipe sauce, so dinner tastes as good as it sounds. The restaurant features live blues bands nightly and posts its schedule on the Web, but you don't need to check the calendar to be assured of a good time. The band of the day is always willing to provide a soundtrack for BB's friendly, fun-loving customers. And the barbecue pit provides the fuel. BB's pit was built in 1950 of granite stones. The granite holds an even heat over a hickory wood fire, so meat is slowly smoked to tender deliciousness. Should you need even more fuel than a plate of ribs can provide, you can supplement your meat with a cold beer or two, or give one of BB's made-from-scratch desserts a try. -- Anna Foote