In the backyard of a west-end home, Alex carefully tends to his smoker, cooking ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken. Then he waits for the meat to become succulent — and for customers to arrive.“They love it,” Alex says. “People from the neighbourhood say it’s great ... It’s been all positive. I’ve had nothing negative from anybody, either in terms of what I’m doing or the quality of the food.”The 63-year-old is illegally selling barbecued meat — “We’re taking donations to cover costs” — from his backyard on weekends because he wants to know if he’s got the culinary chops needed to participate at rib fests. “I just wanted to find out how good I am,” says Alex, who’s been gaining attention on social media with foodies posting about the mysterious location. “Word is getting out like crazy.” Flyers are posted on lamp posts around the his west-end neighbourhood, promoting the backyard joint — Alex says his prices are cheaper than what you’d pay at a smokehouse — such as $35 for a three-pound rack of back ribs, $15 for a pound of pulled pork, for example. And on weekends a chalkboard sign on the veranda beckons “Smoked Ribs!” and urges passersby to “Come on in the Backyard.”He just recently learned from reporters that what he’s doing is illegal and asked the Star to withhold his last name. Still, he explains that he’s not really running a business — it’s more like a practice run for rib fest. Plus, he says he’s providing a service for neighbours, who will patiently wait in line, even in sweltering heat.Alex has never worked in a restaurant, but has long enjoyed barbecuing for friends and family. He’s the kind of guy who passes platefuls of meat over the fence to salivating neighbours. His career was spent in management at an automotive parts company and then with human ...
|
