Published 9/28/07

Mo's Best BBQ "takes you home" with authentic comfort food

by Beckye Randall

9515 State Ave.

Marysville

(360) 651-0800

www.mosbestbbq.net

Hours:

Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Leonard Gales speaks fondly of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, where he grew up enveloped by the tantalizing aromas coming from his grandmother’s kitchen. Perched on her hip, he gazed into those big cooking pots as his grandmother stirred and tasted and perfected the food she put on the family table.

Today, Leonard and his wife Monique proudly dish up tasty southern style barbecue made from those old family recipes at Mo’s Best BBQ, Ribs, Chicken & More at 9515 State Ave. in Marysville. “The sauce recipe we use is over 100 years old,” Leonard, 65, said with a grin, “and most of our other dishes are older than me.”

Family is an important part of the Gales’ life, both at home and at work. Their son “little” Len, standing around 6’3”, works in the kitchen, while nephew Jermaine takes care of the customers out front. Leonard and wife Monique (the business’ namesake) run the business and take turns cooking, serving and dishing up their trademark southern hospitality.

Mo’s Best BBQ opened in Everett five years ago in a small storefront on Hewitt Avenue, and built a loyal customer base by providing consistently great food and friendly service. Their restaurant business has been steadily building since they moved to the more spacious location in Marysville. The larger kitchen facility has also allowed them to expand their catering operation.

Of course, much of the cooking takes place outside, in two massive smokers that sit behind the restaurant. Since all the food at Mo’s is prepared fresh, the smokers are going daily. Leonard smokes the meat raw, then once the smoky flavor is sealed inside the juicy cuts of beef, pork and chicken, it’s transferred to the ovens inside for the finishing touches.

The family has suffered several business setbacks over the past few years. While preparing to close down the Everett location, Leonard’s commercial smokers were stolen. A generous customer offered to replace the smokers for the Gales, for which Leonard says he still owes a debt of gratitude.

Then, while moving into the current location next to a busy gas station, a bank bag containing more than $10,000 was either misplaced or stolen.

The family’s positive attitude helps them cope. Said “little” Len, “You’ve just gotta have faith, keep one foot in front of the other, keep on steppin’.”

Mo’s Best BBQ features a full menu for lunch and dinner, from sandwiches, salads and po’boys to heaping dinner plates of beef brisket, ribs and chicken. Homestyle side dishes include collard greens, fried okra, hush puppies and candied yams. Family-style meals are also available, and everything can be packaged for take-out.

Beginning in October, Mo’s will add all-you-can-eat ribs to the menu, and will also start serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays.

The comforting aromas of Mo’s will make even native northwesterners think they’ve been transported to the deep south. As the sign on the wall says, “We’ll take you home but you can’t stay the night.”