When chef Rodney Bowers opened Hey Meatball on College Street in 2011, expectations were high. Bowers, after all, had made a name for himself at such high-end restaurants as The Rosebud and The Citizen. But then came the mixed reviews, the dwindling crowds and finally, closure last month.

Taking over the spot is mother-son duo Alexei and Kristen Van Peteghem, the entrepreneurs behind the Burgatory food truck. Their hope is that the neighbourhood does, in fact, crave ground meat on bread — just a different form of it.

“The area is kind of crying out for a burger joint,” Alexei says.

Alexei, who is 26, launched the food truck with his mother in 2014. The truck was able turn a profit — despite Toronto’s intense food truck regulations — so he and his mother decided to expand with a full-fledged restaurant.

The Burgatory’s menu centers around seven burgers, each named after one of the seven deadly sins. Patties are made with brisket, short rib and shoulder from Cumbrae’s. No extra seasoning or flavours are added, save salt and pepper just before the patties hit the grill.

Alexei was formerly a kitchen manager at The Dakota Tavern, where he made a lot of burgers. He also just likes them.

“I’ve always been a burger fan. It’s always been a top three food of mine,” he says.

The new restaurant will be an extension of the food truck, Alexei says, offering the same burgers but with an expanded menu. He plans to continue operating the food truck as well. 

Taking over the place from Bowers was great, Alexei says, as the chef provided advice and mentorship.

“He was an awesome transitional owner,” Alexei says.

If all goes according to plan, Burgatory will open by late April — the start of food truck season. As for Bowers, his last remaining Hey Meatball is still open in Leslieville.