Hungry for ribs, brisket, and desserts? You will have to go to Clifton's Gourmet BBQ in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- This Friday, we're going to Clifton's Gourmet Barbecue.

I'm taking you to Clifton's Gourmet BBQ and Cobbler Factory. You can smell the barbecue and baked desserts from a block away.

It's a small restaurant tucked off Colorado Blvd in Pasadena.

"Here we are 23 years later, we're still in business right here in this spot," co-owner Clifton Powell said.

After more than 30 years of working at Disney and a lifetime eating his mother and sisters good cooking, Clifton Powell says, he was first called to make cobblers.

"I made cobblers, and made cobblers until I perfected them."

His daughter, Sherice Powell, encouraged him to open a business and over time the menu expanded to include BBQ.

And customers say Clifton makes the best brisket around. It's the best seller and smokes for 13 hours.

They serve chicken, hot links, bowls of baked beans, greens, macaroni and cheese, and a mean seafood gumbo that was Clifton's mother's recipe.

It all started here with the peach cobbler that was made with fresh fruit only and handmade dough. Clifton's sweet potato and pecan pies are now just as popular.

The best part, this family loves their community and says there is no place they'd rather be in business.

"We know the community well," Sherice said. We grew up in Altadena on Fair Oaks, you know, which everybody from Altadena and Pasadena knows. It's a small community, so I mean, we're pretty tight."

As a result of the devastating Eaton fire, many of their customers were forced to move away but they remain hopeful and optimistic their community will continue to rebuild.

We've always had the community support," Sherice said. "They always get very excited that we have lasted this long. And we've lasted because of their support."

*Important note: Today, May 15th, Clifton's will be closed as Clifton attends his granddaughter's graduation from USC.

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Clifton's Gourmet Barbeque is at 33 North Catalina Ave., in Pasadena.

Thank you, Ricardo Rios, for the submission.

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