TIE: Super Cocina D’ Paulina & Fat Fish

            BBQ ribs are a funny thing: everyone’s got their favorite, period. The Mazzie voting yielded two definite winners: Cocina D’ Paulina in Centro and Fat Fish in the Gold Zone.

            Chef Francisco and wife Paulina Perales Sanchez, at Paulina’s, are justifiably proud of his ribs. Previously chef at the Purple Onion, Casa Country and the Fiesta Holiday Inn, Chef Francisco knows his way around a rack o’ ribs: in fact, he has a standing invitation to everyone to see if they aren’t just the best in town. Well, lots of you agree: your votes were loud and clear that the ribs at Paulina’s are winning stuff. The little cocina economica is tucked away in Centro, on Calle Venus just around the corner from Sixto Osuna, and ribs are only available from 5:30pm on. And hey, they deliver, too! (Call 668-2393.)

            We’d heard about the lines snaking down the sidewalk every night (sometimes in both directions) at the Fat Fish in the GZ, but weren’t really prepared for the reality. Not only were there lines, but on a recent evening, both dining rooms, inside and out, were full of people happily enjoying big platters – not plates, mind you! – of barbecued ribs, baked potato and cole slaw. As the cook tossed rack after rack on the big grill in one corner of the patio, and then slathered them with a “secret sauce,” smoke billowed around the diners, adding to the atmosphere and anticipation of those of us waiting (ahem) in line. We think you owe it to yourselves to taste both our 2010 Mazzie Best Ribs winners. -JB