Picking up where we left off a couple weeks ago, I direct your attention to the header for the Examples section. (And no, you’re not just imagining a drastic shift if you looked at it soon after the redesign. I did change the background of the page from dark to light.) The original photo for this header image was taken during a recent trip down to San Diego, where good friends, Jason and Megan, took me to one of the best barbecue spots in the country… Phil’s BBQ:
This entry should pull a few of San Diego readers out of the woodwork. If you’ve been to Phil’s, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Sometimes up to an hour and half wait, but worth every minute of it. This is the type of place that could almost convert vegetarians into carnivores, at least temporarily. The barbecue sauce alone is enough to make the mouth water uncontrollably.
I love to study the type of signage on retail establishments and in public places. So I frequently carry a camera with me so I can capture typography that intrigues me. This photo was taken with an intent to focus on the neon signage above the front entrance. But the action below at the entrance and front window of Phil’s is what grabbed my interest, and became the inpiration for the Examples header. The relationship between barbecue and these public examples? If I gave one, it would be made up — there is none. This is just about friends, fun, and mouth-watering, finger-lickin’ grub.
23 comments (Comments closed)
SD resident #1 checking in. I’m actually typing this comment only about 1/2 mile from Phil’s at this moment.
Phil’s was almost shut down two years ago when some local Mission Hills snobs gathered their city council might to fine their establishment for “air pollution” (the smell of BBQ). Luckily, they were able to gather community support, and after a 6-month renovation project (more or less - it always seems a bit longer when you can’t get your BBQ fix) they were able to reopen.
Wonderful BBQ, wonderful photo, wonderful design!
The next time I’m in San Diego, I’ll have to try Phil’s BBQ. My all-time favorite BBQ is Dr. Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ in Van Nuys, CA
Not from SD so I can’t say anything about the restaurant but I can say that I love this series. It’s always fun and intersting to get a perspective into another designers mind and work. :p
I like to have meaning behind everything I do but sometimes I use things cuz they work and for no other reason. That would seem to be the case in the “Examples” header.
hey Doug, how do you get an image thumbnail (220px wide) to display on your index page, and the full image (465px) on the post page?
I was thinking you’d use some CSS like:
.entry p img {width: 100%}but you use two separate images.. i’m intrigued as to how you get MT to work this magic.
Andrew (#1):
Interesting back story. I don’t think I’d complain about that kind of “air pollution”. Though I kind of know what they’re getting at. A Quiznos just opened up a few months ago in the bottom floor of our office building on Market Street, and the smell of toasty subs always carries into the elevator, and sometimes up to us on the sixth floor. Sometimes it makes me hungry… other times it’s sickening.
Adam (#4):
One of my comments (#6) from the first in this series, The Drive-By, will answer your question.
For those on the opposite side of the US, you can’t beat Curtis’ BBQ(summertime only, whimsical hours).
One more woot woot for Phil’s. That place rocks, best BBQ I’ve had. I’ve admit I haven’t been to Texas (except for a flight transfer) or KC, but as far as west coast goes… the best by far. Great site redesign btw, really pro.
Um… barbeque in Southern California? Vermont?!? Sorry, but that ain’t right. Kinda like bragging about the Mexican food in Minnesota. ;)
(I keed… I keeed)
The best barbecue in Milwaukee, WI is Brew City BBQ. Awesomely piled pork sandwiches. You need extra buns for the crazy amount that’s put on the one bun. Great stuff.
All this talk about BBQ and Quiznos is making me very hungry, and it’s only 11:00 am here.
Very cool photo! I like your work on csszengarden as well =). I think I should try out moveable type…
This is a fascinating and fun series of log entries, Doug. (And it resuming seems to indicate that you’re feeling less under the weather which is great. Hope the trend continues.)
You should really try some BBQ from the South. There are lots of varieties out here and they’re all good. For some reason BBQ is just different here.
mmmmmmmm….Barbeque…….First time i’ve heard of a BBQ restaurant - not too common in the wild windy rainy and cold wastes of Scotland…I can’t think why???? does anyone know of a BBQ restaurant anywhere in the UK? Preferably Bristol or Edinburgh
How are they done in general? is it like mongolian restaurants where you scrap a pile of meat into a bowl and then they cook it up for you?
If you are ever remotely near Sallisaw, OK, I highly recommend Wild Horse BBQ. I sometimes travel an hour one way to get this stuff. It’s unbelievable. And the only good thing I’ve found yet in Oklahoma.
Hi Doug,
Been reading this a while. I wanted to know how you actually did the whol “author based” comment highlighting on your website. Could you tell us how to do it.
Thanks in advance
:)
Chad, you haven’t been looking very hard… :)
Chad, have you had Eskimo Joe’s cheese fries? (Stillwater, OK)
Doug really owes me a debt of gratitude for introducing him to Phil’s barbeque. Not only did this fine purveyor of flame-broiled goodness provide a visual design anchor for his site, it also offered him momentary sustenance to fuel his craft.
My role in Doug’s redesign is not unlike the visionary tour guide that first showed Michelangelo the marble quarry from whence he would form his legendary ‘David.” Well, more or less anyway. You’re welcome, Doug.
Great, Jason, just great. Now I’m picturing Doug hewing websites out of marble while covered in BBQ sauce. Damn this allergy medicine; the hallucinations are so weird.
EAW..no, haven’t been to Eskimo Joe’s….will have to look for that next time around (which won’t be soon enough).
Man this post is making me hungry.
I am one of the operators of Phil’s BBQ. Thank you for taking an interst in posting the photo. Thank you all for the kind words and support. It means the world to us. GREAT PHOTO! Keep up the good work. We are flattered that you chose our location for your work.
come to North Carolina and eat some REAL BBQ!
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