Holy Smokez won me over the second I walked in and was smacked in the face with a thick wall of smoke. It's an honest, no frills take-away counter with only half a dozen or so stools, that's serving up fingerlicking Southern Carolina and Texas style barbeque that's done on site over chunks of hickory wood.

Owners, Rick and Robin McAllister opened this retail space to realize a 'bucket-list' dream after years of compliments on their home-smoked meats. The signature flavours perfected over years of informal testing. Rick calls customers 'Boss' and has my dad's sense of humour. When asked about the name, he tells me that most people react after a first bite with a "holy smokes that's good..." and it just kinda stuck.

When asked which sandwich is the star, the couple disagrees; for Rick, it's the Pulled Pork N' Slaw ($7.75), for Robin, it's the Cheese Steak ($7.99). The dry rub seasoning and signature BBQ sauce is the same on each beast, but the low and slow cooking draws out different natural flavours and infuses heavy doses of hickory scented smoke.

The pork comes topped in crunchy slaw; and, the cheese steak (actually, tender beef brisket) is doused in cheese sauce and sweet peppers. For those struggling to decide, the menu also boasts a double stacked, Evil Twin ($10.99) topped with a choice of any two meats (there's smoked sausage and chicken to choose from too).

Also available; a half rack of Spare Ribs ($7.99) meat falling of the bone, painted with sauce; and a full range of home style sides like, Baked Mac N' Cheese ($3.99) or loaves of sweet, jalapeno studded Cornbread ($2.50). Don't bother asking for fries -- because if it can't be BBQ'd, they don't do it here. But do, go ahead and add a couple strips of house smoked bacon to any sandwich for $1.

I sample pretty much everything above, but can't finish even one thing. I especially like the brisket, but would next time skip the cheese and load it with peppers and sauteed onions ($0.50) instead. Luckily, everything is already packaged to go. The only thing I'm left wanting? Wet-Naps!!!

Takeout orders are accept by phone or in person every day (except Sunday) from 11am until 8pm (9pm on weekends).

Photos by Morris Lum