Hello! hello, cupcake

hello, cupcake, the much anticipated cupcake shop between BKB & Company gallery and South Sound Running in downtown Tacoma will have a pre-opening event Thursday, Aug. 30, followed by a grand opening celebration this weekend.

Julie Bennett, owner of neighboring urbanXchange, was lucky enough to sample their delicious lemon, chocolate espresso, key lime and coconut cupcakes.

“They’re absolutely gorgeous, too,” says Bennett. — Suzy Stump

[hello, cupcake, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1740 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, www.hello-cupcake.com]

Finger licking

JT’s Original Bar-B-Q, located at the far end of Sixth Avenue, is small, comfortable and minimally decorated. The popular dining room offers house specialties with choice of two sides. Moist corn bread, lightly coated with butter, soaked up runaway juice from The Porker platter. The full pound of tender pork ribs disappeared quickly. Scoring the last serving of collard greens was a bonus. We went with mildly spiced baked beans with minced bacon and homemade coleslaw that acted as a palate cleanser between bites of catfish that was rolled in corn bread crumbs and then deep-fried and juicy pork. Sprinkled liberally with hot sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice, the catfish tenders were delightfully light and flaky. Real sweet tea was perfect to accompany the array of authentic Southern flavors. Regrettably, we didn’t save room for their highly recommended dessert of creamy sweet potato pie. — Jennifer Johnson

[JT’s Original Louisiana Bar-B-Q, 7102 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.4587]