Hanmer business smokin’

Jeff Lavallee moved out of his parents’ house when he was 18, and found out home-cooked meals don’t magically appear out of a microwave oven. This realization changed his life, and put him on the road to owning his own restaurant.

“I was warming up food in the microwave and I got tired of it. It was no good,” he said. “I started getting recipes from my mother and other people and began cooking at home. I found out I really liked it.”

Jeff Lavallee has cleared a major hurdle in owning his own restaurant — Smokin Jeff’s BBQ House in Hanmer has been open for one year. Lavallee said he plans on enlarging the restaurant to incorporate a sports bar. Photo by Scott Haddow.

After a while, Lavallee’s mother suggested if he liked it so much, maybe he should try going to school to become a chef. Lavallee took up his mother’s advice and went to Cambrian College. From there, he worked at Deerhurst Resort for two years before moving on to Kingston and working for a variety of business as a fine dining chef. He was also a restaurant consultant and helped business lower costs and improve food quality.

Lavallee wasn’t satisfied. Just as he became tired of microwaved food, Lavallee became tired of working for other people. He believed he could run his own restaurant, and set out to do it more than two years ago.

For five months, Lavallee researched the industry and food. After careful consideration, Lavallee decided he wanted to bring an authentic southern BBQ smoked meat restaurant to Greater Sudbury.

Not only did Lavallee do his homework, he rolled up his sleeves and sought out expert training before launching Smokin Jeff’s BBQ House in Hanmer one year ago.

“I went to the southern United States and stayed with a friend and had real BBQ,” Lavallee said. “When most people here think about BBQ, it’s steak on the grill. Not down there. BBQ is smoked meat like ribs and brisket. I looked around Sudbury and no one was doing it. I knew I had to do it.”

And do it he did. Lavallee convinced a top professional, Earl Whyte from Vaughn, who is famous for smoked meat, to show him the ropes of the smoking business. Whyte agreed and taught Lavallee almost everything he knows. Lavallee opened last August and serves up smoked meats as he main draw. There is smoked ribs, wings, turkey - every kind of meat available is smoked. Lavallee buys local, getting meat from B&D Quality Meats and veggies such as potatoes from Valley Growers.

Above all else, one item dominates the menu and has customers rushing the doors for more.

“My No. 1 item is pulled pork sandwiches,” Lavallee said. “Ribs and wings are big sellers, too, but the pulled pork stands out. My classic burger goes fast, too because it is made fresh. Nobody smokes meat like I do. I keep my menu small so there is less to worry about. I’m a place for blue collar workers who can take their family out and not spend a fortune.”

Lavallee’s meat smoker is the vital element. Lavallee was coy about sharing actual details about his smoking process - he wants to keep his secrets.

“All my food is cooked low and slow,” he said. “I marinate the meat overnight and then smoke it ... pork for nine hours, wings for four hours, brisket for 14 hours and ribs for eight hours. It takes time, but that is what makes the meat so special. My sauces and rubs are homemade from scratch.”

Smokin Jeff’s will be licensed in October. Lavallee plans on enlarging the restaurant to incorporate a small sports bar within Smokin Jeff’s. He also plans on getting a chip wagon style truck to bring his food and style on the road to local events. He also planning on extending his catering service.

“I couldn’t have done this without my mom and dad, Ellen and Donald. They help me make this happen,” Lavallee said. “It means a lot to do this. I knew I could do it. I’ve done it for a year and that was a big step in this business. It means people are still out there for the small businesses.”

Smokin Jeff’s BBQ House is located at 6160 Hwy. 69 North in Hanmer. It is open seven days a week. 

- Posted by Jenny Jelen