I know there is some people in this thread with restaurant experience, I would like to run an idea by you. There is an extremely busy lake here in Iowa with just a few restaurants on the lake that are all sit down places to eat. My idea is to do a very simple menu of Pulled pork and Brisket sandwiches in a Grab and Go concept. Basically all the sandwiches are already made, and we have a dock with wait staff manning it just like a gas dock would be (help grab ropes, tie up etc) customer boats up wants 3 pulled pork, 3 brisket they take their money, the sandwiches are ready to go in Chick fil a style foil bags in a warming cabinet and the customer is on there way, maybe with a couple different bbq sauces to choose from. Quick, Fast, Service. Am I crazy to think this concept may work? You could have a very small building, the only issue up here is the weather.
I know nothing, but my first question is how long is the boating season around there, and how do the other restaurants survive the offseasons
Think that’s why he is going for non-sit restaurant. A lot less overhead, almost like a part-time food cart. The idea could work for extra cash if it’s a 3 month thing. Boating season in that area of the country is nuts.
Btw Jt272929 I really like the idea, just wondering if the lack of other restaurants is due to slow times
Most of them are only open Memorial Day - Labor Day. As would be the plan with this. Thinking a building just a little bigger than a Tropical snow stand with obviously the smoker outside.
There's a chick around Charleston with a couple of jet skis and a warming box that will bring you burritos and similarly related Mexican items
I wonder if you could move to a part time lease the rest of the year selling out in front of a convenience store or something
Thats a great idea, the only thing is the concept is I want people to be able to go up to a dock to get there food, there is other restaurants in town, I really want to cater towards the people on their boats / not wanting to get off their boats.
Maybe a food truck parked somewhere folks can float up very near to it? Then during the slow season you could either put the truck in storage or move to another, busier seasonal location(s).
"Mother F'ing BBQ on a Mother F'ing Boat." https://austin.eater.com/2011/10/10/6645157/doubletrouble-bbq-austins-1st-amphibious-food-trailer
Thought about this as well, but i'm imagining that having a working kitchen on a boat is a pain in the ass.
Instead of a permanent front I’d look into a movable cart. If the area would work with you for a permit, you can work with areas to access the best spots to park depending on the day of the week (although, I assume, you find a spot that works and hunker down most of the time). I’d also recommend carrying items that are often forgot but are quickly realized are needed once out on a boat. (More ice, sunscreen, if you are able to swing it, and depending on local code, beer) Wouldn’t need to carry a lot of it, but the upcharges you can make on those are pretty nuts.
Could you do a customized towable trailer with the smoker and ordering window and just pay to park it to minimize overhead further?
I just feel like for a seasonal set up it’d be tough to beat. Especially if you cooked the brisket and pork off site, wrapped them and tossed them in a warmer and pulled/sliced them to order on site.
Favorite pork belly techniques/recipes/etc? I've had one in my freezer for a couple months...going to get 'er done this weekend. Leaning towards pork belly burnt ends, but am open to other suggestions. (except making bacon) Will also be smoking a brisket and some pig shots, so not putting all of my $ on the belly. Looking forward to reading the haters saying to put it back in the freezer and other hardy har har-ness.
At the lake I go to in the summer, some kids got an old pontoon and put a grill on it. They cruise out to the spots where people anchor their boats and just sort of drift around selling burgers and hotdogs. They hang some big banners off the side with a link to their menu and a number to text with your order. At one point they had a little zodiac that would deliver the food to your boat. They seem to be busy during peak days, but there's only like 10-15 of those a year in this spot. Not to mention they are almost certainly operating without any sort of license or whatever.
Odd question. I do not have a Costco card but my folks do, They look like the best deal to get meat for Sunday, are they at all flexible? Looking to get Tomahawk steaks and crab legs and probably something for the smoker. I messed up and didn't go to our Farmers market today for the meat.
Can I get into Costco without a card? (I would have one but it would be my mom's) Trying to spring this for my dad. I just know a lot of you guys do costco and I have never been there.
My Costco is cool with anyone using my card but they have to pay cash. The only time there has been an issue is when the name on the membership doesn't match the credit card
No you have to be on an account. They can add you to their account for a fee, or maybe even free depending on which account they have Or you can take your mom with you
I've seen this when you're with the person yeah. I've gotten shit if they think the person wasn't fhere, like when me or my dad went to the bathroom during checkout
It has been a while since anyone has used my card but several people have in the past, but they paid with cash
She hates going there because she hates driving 25 minutes (it's weird) But I would be using her credit card so that may work out. This is basically her and my kid's gift's to me and my dad. I just have to do the leg wok.
I've had people look at the picture of my dad on the card and say "that's not you" Uh yeah man I'm aware the man in the picture thats 29 years older than me isn't me
I put the inlaws on as a household member a few months ago and it was easy. I just said "add them" to membership services and gave them my member number and that was it.
I don't feel like they look at the picture on mine. My sister and mom have used my wife's and they have absolutely no resemblance
Yep. You have I believe one of these free and then you can pay a small fee for them Unless you have a higher level account then you get more
inbetween jobs so thats a no for now, but yeah, it's coming. I just know people here really like their steak selection.