Trying to live the dream......

wnkt · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

Its pretty cool that your closest competitor comes and eats at YOUR place. It could so easily become someone who badmouths you at every turn because of jealousy.

Many Congrats on the success! Very Happy

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Electricity can be dangerous. My nephew tried to stick a penny into a plug. Whoever said a penny doesn't go far didn't see him shoot across that floor. I told him he was grounded. - Tim Allen

BBQnIL · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

She came in last night with her waitresses and all ate and had nothing but positve comments. I eat in her place all the time. I told her today I was out of butter for my honey butter for cornbread and she tossed me a couple lbs. I asked her what I owed her and she said nothing. She stated I may come running over when I need something. She has also offered to split cases of stuff with me if we both use it but don't need a case. She is a neat older woman. She is the one who told me about her vendors and had them stop by. Also she is willing to pick up stuff for me at sams when she goes. She is happy I am here because it brings more people to our small town and for that she sees how we benefit each other and the town. Win win all around.

Todd
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Main Street BBQ
Wyanet, IL
http://mainstreetbbq.biz
http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetbbq
http://www.twitter.com/mainstreetbbq
If you BBQ it.... They will come!

BBQMAN · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

Great that things are going so well for you Todd! Very Happy

Yupp, I eat other's food when I am out and about as well. Pretty much tired of seeing our food! Wink

It is also fantastic that you have developed the relationship with the gal across the street.

The bar thing sounds good as well. They will probably be the ones to help keep things moving along this winter.
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"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Smoke on the Horizon · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

Looking at your pictures and seeing the RED PLASTIC BOATS as we used to call them brought back memories of when I was a kid and would go to a get a sandwich at the local diner and it would come out in one of those.

I was in Frisco, Colorado a year ago and went to a bar/grill called the MooseJaw I order of all things a cesar salad with chicken, it came out in one of those red boats with waxed paper. The wife and I laughed so hard and everyone just looked at us like we were crazy. First time for a cesar salad on waxed paper for me.

Hope only the best for you and your family, it sounds like you have worked hard and it will pay off for you.

Don

Big Mike · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

BBQnIL · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

Yeppers!! I put extra pulled pork and brisket in the beans now. I have been talking to some of the other restaurant owners in the area and they all say to freeze what you don't use and in time you will use it. The brunswick stew is a great idea. We have been talking about soups and chili this winter. So that is where all the extras of that stuff will go.

Todd
_________________
Main Street BBQ
Wyanet, IL
http://mainstreetbbq.biz
http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetbbq
http://www.twitter.com/mainstreetbbq
If you BBQ it.... They will come!

texbbqpits · Posted: Sep 04 2007 Post subject:

Sure hope all continues. I am really impressed with your start and once again, I thank you for your posting of this thread. I have really enjoyed it. Pictures are great too. tom r
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BBQnIL · Posted: Sep 07 2007 Post subject:

Good Morning,

Yesterday a front page article came out about the restaurant in a local paper. It is distributed to 5000 homes and some local business's. Customers from 30 miles away came in to eat and just bathed me in praise. I am very happy about that. The reporter had eaten in the restaurant and gave me very good reviews on all that he ate. I am thinking tonight and tomorrow night are going to be very busy for sure. And of course wouldn't ya know. My son who does most of the plating with me has guard this weekend. So my wife is going to step in after she gets off work and help in the kitchen. I had a woman come in yesterday and give me an order for tonight for 6 pm as she and her girlfriends wanted to make sure they got ribs! I love it.

Todd
_________________
Main Street BBQ
Wyanet, IL
http://mainstreetbbq.biz
http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetbbq
http://www.twitter.com/mainstreetbbq
If you BBQ it.... They will come!

Boomer · Posted: Sep 07 2007 Post subject: Living the Dream

BBQnIL

I think that maybe I am a prophet maybe I should play the lottery tonight
I remember a certrain somebody telling you the following

"but when the customers are out the door and around the block and you see allot of out-of-state licence plates in the parking lot, you will know that all the hard work and problems were well worth it. "

BOOMER
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Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.

JONESEY · BBQ Fan Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 181 Location: UK

So ... when do we get a live webcam to see the restaurant in real time?.
Glad to hear business is booming!.

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 08 2007 Post subject:

God Job man,

Instead of a brunswick stew, I think a close version of the famous "Burgoo" (without the roadkill) might be in order instead.

I almost schitt when I actually found the stuff at a place in kentucky my last time through. and damn it was good.

So, what wasn't liked about your cornbread? was it too dry and crumbly?

by adding some small-curd cottage cheese to that it will not affect flavor, but it will moisten it up without it getting tough. Creamed corn is also a nice moistener and it adds a little sweetness to it too.

I hope to see you this winter when I make my trip south, you are only 31 miles off my planned route so I can make it happen easily enough.
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Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!

todo · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Mississippi Delta

Congrats on the venture . . . since the southern style catfish is a hit why not make southern corn bread? It doesnt need no cottage cheese, thats for sure.

BBQnIL · Posted: Sep 08 2007 Post subject:

Just wanted to answer some questions and tell what happened tonight. It was insane. It is so humid here that my corn bread was coming out very dense and weighed like a brick. I went to a commercial cake like corn bread and the patrons love it. I handled the lunch crowd solo today. 36 dinners on the plate and to the diners. I waited, cooked and cleared. I was running like a maniac. I started prepping for dinner. At 3:30 people started showing up for dinner. I never left the kitchen until 8:15!!!!! I am physically drained. The line was out the door and 50 feet up the side walk for over an hour and 15 mins. I can only seat 25. I ran out of food at 7:30. People did not care... they ordered any thing I may have had. When I would run out of that item they would switch to what ever was left. It was insane. I left the restaurant at 11:00 after cleaning and putting on brisket and butts. I have to call my supplier in the morning and hope he can get me some food. Out of fries both sweet and regular. Out of catfish and ribeyes. And the list goes on......

I gave hime some samples on monday and he was just stunned with what I was serving. Loved the pulled pork and the sauce. He was also in the restaurant tonight with his wife and just grinning and chowing on brisket. Then he calls me over to the window and shows me the crowd out the door and up the sidewalk. Talk about panic setting in. I thought I was gonna have a coronary.

Good night you guys. I need some sleep!!!

Todd
_________________
Main Street BBQ
Wyanet, IL
http://mainstreetbbq.biz
http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetbbq
http://www.twitter.com/mainstreetbbq
If you BBQ it.... They will come!

Boomer · Posted: Sep 08 2007 Post subject: Living the Dream

Todd

I want to make a suggestion, if you reamain busy like you are and need help I would go to your local vo-tech school and see if they have a
culinary program and see if you could get a student to help out. I substitute teach in all the classes at the school here and I have recommended allot of students that have been successful in the workplace. The teacher will tell you his best student for the job. You get the help you need at a reasonable rate and the student gets experience and the school looks good in the deal also. Everyone is a winner just a suggestion if it gets to that point.

boomer
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Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.

saltforkchubs · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 11 Location: No. Illinios

Todd--

So cool. I'm only a couple of hours away from you. Will definately be down there to eat! I spend alot of time down around Utica. What's another hour more for some good Q. Like to see those prices also at Fox River Foods. I work about 5 minutes from the place. They have a will call window. $1/lbs butts sounds good to me.

Will see you soon.

Doc1680 · Posted: Sep 09 2007 Post subject:

Congrats. Sounds like you got a winner Todd.

I agree with Boomer. Get some low priced help. The vo-tech idea was spot on. And don't stress too much about running out of certain things right now. Not really knowing what to expect and all. It's gonna take a while to figure out your inventory.
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Love the voodoo that Q do.

Doc

ipls3355 · Posted: Sep 09 2007 Post subject:

Maybe we need to plan a meet at Main Street BBQ in Wyanet. When you headed south Harry?
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Chris
Crankin out Q on an ECB since 2005

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 09 2007 Post subject:

1ribmaster · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Eureka Il

Hey Todd, Are you open on Sundays...what are your hours for the rest of the week? will have to make a road trip...Terry Very Happy

StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385