Savor the flavor of Smokin' Sam's BBQ in EastLake

Great news for EastLake residents - you now have a terrific barbecue restaurant where you'll be lickin' your fingers and smackin' your lips over plates of delicious ribs, chicken and many other tasty items. You'll also be using plenty of napkins at this wonderful, casual restaurant, owned and operated by seasoned restaurateur Sam Faibish. He realized the EastLake area - home to quite a few folks from Texas and the South, where barbecue is a staple - could use a quality, family, barbecue restaurant. He's come up with another winner in Smokin' Sam's BBQ, conveniently located in the EastLake Village Center.

The motif here is Western, almost barn-like, with farm equipment and memorabilia on the walls and a barn-door wall mural.

Since opening in July, business has grown considerably, and many patrons have already become repeat customers! I can see why - the food is great, the portions are big and the prices are very affordable. Clip today's coupon and save a few extra bucks. For his finger-licking fare, Sam rubs the meat with a seasoning, then adds a layer of tangy, sweet sauce and then slowcooks the meat over red-hot hickory wood.

Most entrées come with two sides, which happen to be among the highlights here. Choose from creamy coleslaw, mac and cheese (made with American, sharp cheddar and parmesan cheeses), sweet potato fries, corn-on-the-cob, barbecue beans, terrific potato salad or a green leaf salad. To begin your meal, there's a basket of fresh, warm corn bread muffins and then you could always go for an appetizer of chicken nuggets, Buffalo wings, or smoking Sam's potato skins (loaded with all kinds of good stuff). Then there are the ribs. Tender, fall off the bone, baby back pork ribs available as a full, half or quarter rack. You can also go oneless and try the pulled pork dinner - absolutely fabulous, the top seller here! Then, for bigness' sake, there are the beef ribs (giant, meaty andavailable in a five-bone plate, a three-bone plate or a two-bone plate). Speaking of beef, the boneless, sliced, beef brisket dinner smothered in sauce also rates a big favorite here.

Then there's chicken (half or quarter) and even Southern catfish served with Cajun remoulade. Needless to say, one good way to go here is to order a combo. They have plenty to choose from. I enjoyed the No. 3 (pork ribs with chicken and brisket and two sides) for just $14.99! Smokin' Sam's BBQ has several good salads as well. Try the Chipotle (greens, chipotle dressing, jicama, tomatoes, carrots, corn, black beans, nions, cilantro and tortilla chips), or the barbecue salad with your choice of meat added on. For dessert (if you have room left), the apple or each cobbler, served warm and topped with ice cream makes for a grand finale! You'll find tasty sandwiches like the beef brisket or the fried atfish po' boy and a couple of good half-pound burgers as well. This spot also offers full-service catering and take-out party buckets to go! smokin' Sam's BBQ is at 2260 Otay Lakes Road in EastLake; call (619) 216-3900.

An innovative way to find new employees

Looking to fill jobs at your restaurant? The San Diego Union-Tribune is hosting a new Interactive Job Fair, perfect for illing any of your open positions, including any staffing needs you may have in restaurants, hotels and casinos. The first fair will launch on Sept. 21. You can be among the first to showcase your job opportunities or to educate prospective employees about your business online, on ignOnSanDiego.com. The innovative and exciting features on the Interactive Job Fair will include: a wide variety of positions; interactive chats between recruiters and jobseekers; "meet the recruiter" videos; company profiles; speaker podcasts; maps; online resumé critiques; "ask an expert" guidance; quick facts and more. For employers, the benefits also include strong company branding, convenience and one-on-one interaction.

Various ad packages, which feature both an online component and an ad in the special print section to be published on Sunday, Sept. 21 are available. For complete information regarding the Interactive Job Fair and our new Hospitality Job Directory, please call (866) 411-4140.