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Business & Tech

Boffo: It Means "Sensational"

Each week we'll feature a vendor (or two!) from Albany's farmers market.

Albany Patch takes a look at the people behind the Albany farmers market. This week, meet Rhasaan Fernandez, 33, the man behind the grill at Boffo Cart. His booth takes a minimalist approach to signage, with just a large piece of butcher paper listing the day's menu items scrawled in black marker. But do not be deceived. The goods he has cooking on the grill are nothing less than sensational.

What does "boffo" mean anyway?

It’s '40s vernacular, like Hollywood-era vernacular for "sensational," like sensational box office sales. A long time ago in Hollywood, if someone was doing real well at the box office, they would say they’re having "boffo sales." That’s where it comes from, and our cart is just a small-wheeled vehicle.

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So the idea is to aspire to the name? 

Yeah, the idea is to make the food as sensational as possible.

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What’s usually on the menu when you come to the Albany farmers market? 

It varies. We have chicken, grilled sausages that we hand-make, a lot of vegetarian fare. Just really well-executed, well thought-out vegetarian paninis and calzones.

What’s the big seller, what do people really love? 

Anything I bring out, generally. People know me for the calzones. They love the calzones, they ask for the calzones. They’re made on the grill, they’re made right here to order, they’re all organic and the fillings are sensational.

How did you get connected with the Albany farmers market?

Actually told me that they were having a farmers market here in Albany and that they were going to have a about it. I went to that meeting and found out some more information about it. I’d been doing farmers markets at the time, and got more involved with it and with this area after we moved into . We also do farmers markets in Kensington and occasionally in Emeryville.

How’s it going so far at the Albany farmers market? 

It’s good, no complaints. The people are amazing. I mean, I love this community. It’s a really good community.

What are your prices?

Nothing too steep. We try to keep everything very reasonable so, I mean, you can get free range organic pork sausages for $8 and sandwiches that are as big as your foot for $6. And then the calzones for $6 as well.

Do you ever find people saying the prices are too high?

You pay for what you get. So I think the crowd here knows what they’re paying for. It seems to not be an issue with the people who shop here.

If you miss him at the farmers market, you can also find Fernandez at his other business, , on San Pablo Avenue. Want to learn more? Read about Rhasaan's approach in his own words on Edible East Bay.

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