Soul food is food cooked with love. And at P&P BBQ, there's plenty of love to go around. This family-owned business in Humboldt Park serves up some good, old-fashioned down home cooking, courtesy of owner Patricia Ann Parker, her family and childhood friends — P&P servers, cooks and management all grew up together.

And if the kitchen is the heart of the home, what better way to enter a restaurant than to be greeted with the simmering pots on the stoves and the large glass, aquarium-like smoke pit where all the cooking is done? With only four tables, the dining area is small, but they’re the best seats in the house. Diners sit along the kitchen, getting the chance to watch the masters of the pit work on their orders. There is also a back area with extra seating just in case the place is packed.

The menu is full of Southern delights like catfish ($6.25-$8.85) and dinner dishes ($8) that includes homemade meatloaf and rib tips drenched with the house “secret” sweet BBQ sauce. Every dinner plate is served with two side dishes. You can pick from the list: mashed potatoes, yams, corn and string beans and potatoes. Then wash it all down with a nice glass of Kool-Aid ($1.25).

But don’t limit yourself to just dinner. P&P also serves a breakfast meal ($4.99) that includes eggs with your choice of hash browns or grits. At lunch, you can order the hot links ($3.75-$6.75) or a half of jerk chicken ($5.99).

Since opening in June 2008, the restaurant has already established a following. Its servers greet regulars as if they were long-time friends. So, if you’re ready for some good, old-fashioned down home cooking, just be ready to lick your fingers clean at P&P.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kimber Solana