"A SAN FRANCISCO INSTITUTION" declares Sid Goldstein in his book 'The Spirit Of Cooking'.  

After 34 years, Leon has become a vital part of the City's restaurant scene.  A true local character who hails from Oklahoma and started his first restaurant across from the San Francisco Zoo in 1963, he continues to dominate the BBQ business with yearly awards.  In 1988 Leon won the Focus Magazine "Best Award" for BBQ and was on KPIX's "People are Talking" on the 4th Of July, competing with four other well-known Bay Area BBQ restaurants unanimously winning First Place by a panel of guest chefs.  His products can be found in over 500 markets in Northern California.  Candid and unpretentious in his philosophy of cooking, Leon feels, "if you enjoy cooking, the long hours don't seem to matter.  Seeing people enjoy your food is what really counts.  No matter how hot it gets in the kitchen or how tired I am, it still makes me feel good when I see people munching on a plate of ribs with big smiles on their faces, then l know l've done my job".    A family man who will be celebrating 43 years of marriage this year comments, "My greatest partner both in business and at home is Vernetta, my wife".