Ode to The Ribman

I’ve always been a massive fan of street food. Back in Preston when I was younger there were two potato vendors in the town square that only did about four toppings but never-the-less had queues every day and I loved going, having a brief chat and eating potatoes on a nearby bench (If you ever go I think the one nearer the museum is better!) 

It might have been this, or maybe just the fact that I like eating that has made me love street food but I’m always on the hunt for something bigger and better. London has a great array of vendors whether you’re in Central London (bagel man on Berwick Street, Soho) or the streets of Peckham (pickled herring at Franks) there’s loads to choose from but there’s a certain man that’s getting a lot of attention right now and his name is Mark Gevaux a.k.a. The Ribman.

I’d been meaning to go and taste the alleged ‘best ribs’ in London for ages and one day last week found myself hungry and with the time to visit him. Along to Eat Street Market I trotted hungry for meat and a break from hunger. I didn’t for one minute realise how much of a treat I was in for and how great it was going to be. I’ll start with the meat – WO – so tender and juicy and succulent and soft…[for the record I’m starting to drool remenising about this] and then there’s the sauce – made by and titled by the man himself Holy F**k Sauce is bloody awesome! Made with scotch bonnets with a few naga chillis thrown in for good measure it’s not for the faint hearted but is actually a really great balanced and flavoured sauce which is great to cut through the sweet taste of the ribs. His ribs aren’t called the best for no reason and I get the feeling he truly prides himself on this. 

The only thing that annoys me is that I can’t go this week and it’s going to be at least a week and a half until I can have them again! Keep a watch out for Rib-Off 2012, I know I will...