STOCKTON — It’s the same barbecue place along Stockton’s Miracle Mile.

The name recently changed, going from Kinder’s Meats-Deli-BBQ to Grumpy’s Smokehouse.

Yet the food remains the same.

I decided to stop by this meat market / deli this past week expecting big changes.

While the outside of 1740 Pacific Ave. may read “Grumpy’s Smokehouse,” it was every bit Kinder’s, home of the world famous Ball Tip Sandwich (more on that).

The meat counter was equipped with hand-cut steaks (USDA choice Angus beef), chicken, and pork, to name a few. At no additional charge, Grumpy’s will marinate or throw seasoning on any of the cuts.

Along with sandwiches – try Kinder’s BBQ beef, rib eye steak, grilled chicken breast, Louisiana-style hot link, pulled pork, or a hamburger and cheeseburger – the deli offered array of side orders, from potato and pasta salads, to macaroni, barbecue beans and fresh fruit.

The Ball Tip Sandwich continues to be the rave of this place.

“(It’s) done just like Grandpa did it 60 years ago,” said Justin Kinder, who is a third-generation business operator.

Grandpa is John Kinder, who started the business in 1946 in the Bay Area community of San Pablo. It wasn’t until he relocated to Concord in 1985 that Kinder’s became a popular neighborhood meat market featuring the deli and catering.

From there, the legend of the Ball Tip Sandwich began to take shape.

What’s the secret?

“First, we take the Ball Tip and marinate it,” Justin Kinder explained.

In this process, Kinder’s Original Marinade is applied on the beef. The meat is then slowly cooked to a tender every morning in the smoker consisting of apple wood.

“We slice it and put it on a fresh roll with our own barbecue sauce,” said Kinder.

The sandwich also includes mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. But the real flavoring may come from the barbecue sauce – Kinder’s offers it in mild, hot, and extra hot – as I was quick to discover.

Eating barbecue should always make for a messy scene.

I found this sandwich not only be one tasty but not as messy of a situation. Plenty of napkins were still necessary.

For more information, call Grumpy’s Smokehouse at 209-466-2333 or log on to www.kindersstockton.com.