BEAR Steak Sandwiches didn’t start in a restaurant kitchen. It started in a backyard during lockdown.
In this episode of the Table 6ix Podcast, hosts Tiana Jayatunga and Dana Duncanson sit down with founders Aki Erenberg and Ricky Barrientos to unpack how a small backyard pop-up turned into one of Toronto’s most talked-about sandwich brands.
What began as 90 sandwiches quickly became 300 a day. Community support, social media momentum, and relentless hustle pushed them forward. Today, BEAR is a staple in Little Italy, with a second location at The Well.
In this conversation, Aki and Ricky open up about the chaos and grind behind their early growth, the realities of building a food business from scratch, how their multicultural backgrounds shape the brand, and why documenting their journey through The Backyard Boys matters. It’s honest, inspiring, and a reminder that success rarely looks polished at the start.
Listen now at yourexperienceawaits.ca/podcast or follow us on Instagram at @table6ixpodcast.