’TIS THE SEASON TO EXPLORE BARBECUE

There’s joy in barbecuing. Yet, if you’re not in the mood to pull out the grill and tongs, local restaurants help keep the summer barbecue season tradition going without missing a beat.

Grill or smoke, dry rub or sauce, there’s a flavor for all, whether it’s Texas-style, Memphis, Carolina or Korean.

Ribs, meats, veggies and the “shrimp on the barbie” are the usual suspects. However, don’t overlook the love of barbecue that finds its way into everyday food from salads to pizza.

BBQ BIBS ON—DIG IN HERITAGE BARBECUE

31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. heritagecraftbbq.com.

The Downtown San Juan, Texas-style eatery offers picnic tables for dining or to-go (order online) options.

When driving by Heritage, across from the Mission San Juan Capistrano, you’ll notice long lines waiting for barbecue

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favorites. For to-go for four to five people, try the tri-tip pack of smoked whole tri-tip, mac and cheese and brisket chili beans.

It’s an extensive menu featuring ribs to sandwiches, pulled pork to sausage, and more.

“OFF THE GRILL” IDEAS

SALT CREEK GRILLE

32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point. 949.661.7799. saltcreekgrille.com/dana-point/.

Savory greens and wood-fired chicken salad are dressed with barbecue ranch dressing to set off the veggies, cilantro, avocado, corn and gorgonzola.

Also among the restaurant’s barbecue items is a Caesar over Mesquite (mesquite-grilled romaine).

PIZZA PORT

301 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.940.0005. pizzaport.com/brewpubs/san-clemente.

A BBQ mesquite-grilled chicken pizza features a tangy barbecue sauce along with light mozzarella, red onion and cilantro.

DRIFT DISTILLERY & SMOKEHOUSE

940 Calle Amanecer, Suite K, San Clemente. 949.388.0700. driftdistillery.com.

In addition to the restaurant’s handcrafted spirits and barbecue offerings of baby back ribs, brisket and pulled pork, this eatery adds an “off the grill” idea: a BBQ quesadilla.

It comes with a choice of brisket, pulled pork or chicken topped with homemade pickled jalapenos, jack and cheddar cheese, sour cream and green onions.

HAPA J’S

2016 S. El Camino Real., San Clemente. 949.276.6657. hapajs.com.

Try a Korean-style barbecue rib. Taste buds welcome new flavors.

Go for Grilled Kalbi Short Rib plate served with kimchi and sides.

Bad To The Bone

31738 Rancho Viejo Rd., San Juan Capistrano. 949.218.0227. badtothebonebbq.com.

Among specialties is the Cowboy Ribeye Steak with two sides.

The barbecue menu includes St. Louis Ribs, Carolina Pulled Pork, and Pulled

Pecan Smoked Chicken. Dine in or take out available.

THE RIB JOINT ROADHOUSE

34294 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point. 949.661.9500. ribjointdanapoint.com.

This roadhouse keeps a 40-plus-year barbecue run going with its Memphis-style barbecue.

Located near the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Del Obispo, its historic vibe and family-owned background offers giant beef ribs, pork spareribs, pork baby back and Cajun shrimp.

A la carte or barbecue dinners and combo plates or to-go options provide opportunity to sample. One option to taste a variety is the Family Feast for two to four.

Cheryl Pruett is an award-winning journalist and editor, having covered Orange County city and county topics to the food scene for Orange County Register, Patch.com and local magazines. She has called Dana Point/Capistrano Beach home for more than 30 years. DP

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com.

Four-month-old Jimmy Pesto is an adorable bundle of energy. He enjoys spending his days running around and wrestling with his brothers, usually followed by a well-earned nap in the sun. An outgoing and affectionate kitten, Jimmy Pesto loves meeting new people and is always ready for fun. Could this little guy be your new best friend?

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BY MYLES MELLOR

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

Courtesy of the Dana Point Historical Society

This 1970s photo shows the remains of the Dana Point Inn between Violet Lantern and Amber Lantern, with the harbor in background. This photo is available for viewing and purchase at danapointhistorical.org

Every week, the Dana Point Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult.

Sudoku- medium- by Myles Mellor 67 1 8 9 8 4 3 84 12 5 4 5 1 31 2 87 3