Zany grad starts local BBQ joint

When Michael Berman graduated from the Penn Law School in 1997, wearing a chicken suit was not a part of his future job description.

However, eight years and one life-changing road trip later, Berman, or "The Bermanator," is the owner of a Center City barbecue restaurant, the Smoked Joint: A Barbecue Experience.

While Berman had no experience in the restaurant industry prior to this endeavor, his love of food was certainly an incentive.

"I was a professional eater while I was a lawyer practicing in New York City," Berman said. He placed second in a statewide matzah ball-eating contest, earning his now-trademarked nickname, the Bermanator. He made a professional-eating comeback at this year's Wing Bowl, appearing in his famous chicken suit.

"He'll dress as a chicken for anything," said Ali Waks, a spokeswoman for the Smoked Joint. "I came in one day and saw him looking at pig and cow costumes."

Berman's energy and zaniness make him well-liked by those who work with him -- many of whom have known him since childhood.

"We're all Jews from Long Island," Waks said.

In fact, it was on the road trip with current co-owner Keith Gertler that the idea for the Smoked Joint was born.

"All I knew of barbecue were ribs in a Chinese restaurant in Long Island," Berman said. "We stopped at places like Texas and Memphis, and I couldn't believe my mouth."

With this inspiration in mind, Gertler and Berman needed a name and a location.

Berman said that he "literally had an epiphany."

"I pulled the car over to the side of the road and said 'Philadelphia! Philadelphians love to eat!'"

In addition to his love for good eating, Berman's undergraduate degree from Wharton made him more than prepared to handle the business side of the restaurant.

He excels in "networking, public relations and media," said Jon-athan Baer, manager of the Smoked Joint and one of the original five founders.

The restaurant is "like the off-campus house that has all the better parties," Waks said of the close-knit group of friends running the restaurant.

Berman is a familiar face at the Smoked Joint. Baer said that Berman might "buy you a drink, buy you a cornbread -- he's that kind of guy."

Berman also revels in Tuesday night karaoke at the Smoked Joint, delighting crowds with his renditions of everything from "Boy George to Bob Dylan."

"Being a Long Island boy at heart, I'm known for quoting Billy Joel," he said.

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