Icons of Ybor: Al Reynolds (Al’s Bar-B-Que)
READ BELOWQ: WHAT YEAR DID YOU START YOUR BUSINESS, AND WHY YBOR?
Al: Ybor makes you feel like you are a part of something, it’s not just a job. I started out in a concession stand on Kingsway and 60 at a BP Station 18 years ago. I came to Ybor in 2009. It hasn’t been an overnight success, you have to do the groundwork. We now have a following and we are thankful for the folks who enjoy our food. We also opened Al’s Soul Food on 7th avenue in 2018.
Q: What makes Ybor, Ybor — why is it unique?
Al: Ybor is Ybor because it has a unique blend of people, food, entertainment, businesses, and smells. It transforms into a vibrant city at night. It has that old nostalgic feeling and charm.
You feel like more of a family in this community. I’m proud to be here, and I couldn’t find a better place to be.
Q: What would you like people to know about you or your business?
Al: All of our soulful sides are made from scratch and love every day. Our meat is smoked the old fashioned way in outdoor smokers with hickory, citrus, pecan, oak, or something of that nature — it gives it a unique flavor. I pre-season the meat with our 14-ingredient rub to create a flavor I’m trying to define.
The hot and spicy greens was an accident — one day, somebody put too much pepper in the greens. In reality, it ended up being a good accident. It started selling so, it has a big demand now. Why fix something that’s not broke?
Al’s Soul Food Restaurant is the food I grew up on. It was passed down from my mother and my mother’s mother. It’s meat that is baked, stewed, fried, and served with our soulful sides. We have Ox tail on Sunday.
And yes, our food is indeed Finger Licking Good!
Q: What’s your fondest memory of Ybor?
Al: The day Al’s Bar-B-Que came to Ybor was a time when they were preparing to play the Super Bowl. And man, we pulled up in here, and we couldn’t have enough BBQ. We were well accepted by the community. We enjoyed participating in the Best of Ybor food samples and the Annual Event Sponsored by the Italian Club.
NEXT UP:
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