Have you tried the beets at Lil’ Barbecue? You really should. Smoked, fried, then tossed in jammy barbecue sauce, each little piece has the baggy looseness of baked apples, with a vanishing crispness that dissolves into earthbound sweetness on the tongue. These “beet ends” — the name hinting at Kansas City’s famed caramelized brisket tips — might seem like an odd place to start a barbecue review. But the beets are among the best things to eat at @ lil_barbecue and a good gateway for a restaurant that could end up lifting the local barbecue scene to new heights. Read more of what our dining critic Michael Russell has to say at the link in our bio. 📸: Michael Russell #portland #pdxeats #bbq