For the longest time, no one knew what to do with that empty space on the side of the market at the Trancas shopping center. It was a coffee spot, then it was a news stand, then it was a coffee spot and a news stand. Nothing worked. So what did Malibu want? Barbeque, apparently. Hot sizzling coals topped by tender, roasting meat. Ever since the guys at HOWS Market set up this grill and started cooking up fragrant tritip, carne asada and jumbo hot dogs, it's been standing room only. Pass the napkins, please.

* Thank you to the alert reader who caught me on a typo I always make about HOWS (not Howe's) Market. I couldn't explain the name better myself, so here are his words: "It is actually an acronym for the last names of the four owners, beginning with Roger Hughes, former owner of Hughes Markets, along with Mark Oerum, Dave Wolff, and Steve Stricker, all of whom used to also work at Hughes back in the pre-Ralphs acquisition."