SHOTGUN PETE'S BBQ SHACK

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Mar 16 2011 Post subject:

Congrats Phil!

You beat the odds that up to 60% of new places are unable to accomplish.
keep up the good work!
_________________
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!

ecocks · Posted: Mar 17 2011 Post subject:

Grats!

Shotgun Petes · Posted: Mar 17 2011 Post subject:

Yesterday was my dad's 75th Birthday!!! I'm sure happy he made it to another one! Very Happy

_________________
Reverse flow smoker made by my dad "Shotgun Pete" Peters over 30 years ago!

"If you can't BBQ with the Big Dogs, back away from the Pit!"

SHOTGUN PETE'S BBQ SHACK
28 N Ninth St
COLUMBIA, MO
(Downtown across from The Blue Note)

Shotgun Petes · Posted: Mar 17 2011 Post subject:

Thanks! ...and oh also yesterday was my dad's 75th Birthday!!! I'm sure glad he managed to still be here for it! The family had a big fish fry for him! I sure wish I could have been there. He was happy with the food and everyone getting together! We used to have BBQs & fish frys all the time when I was a kid in Florida. I sure do miss it.
_________________
Reverse flow smoker made by my dad "Shotgun Pete" Peters over 30 years ago!

"If you can't BBQ with the Big Dogs, back away from the Pit!"

SHOTGUN PETE'S BBQ SHACK
28 N Ninth St
COLUMBIA, MO
(Downtown across from The Blue Note)

JAllen · Posted: Mar 17 2011 Post subject:

Phil, congrats on the anniversary. Sorry you missed the fish fry.
_________________
Reverse flow Sterno can
Upright Zippo (modified)
200w horizontal GE bulb
blowtorch
Paul Mitchell hair dryer (swiped)
unashamed foam user

dogroach · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

Hi Phil, new to SM, have read all 33 pages and understand the shoestring budget. I owned a commercial printing company that my wife and I started 23 years ago with no money and $18,000 loan for the equipment. So I often think outside the box about how to make something work. My two cents is this - I assume that there are more than one grocery store in Columbia, how about offering to smoke ribs and other popular items for there deli. They supply you with the meat and you supply the smoker, this way you are only supplying the labor. This might also force the guy in your mall to get rid of his SP smoker if his competitors have world famous Shotgun Pete's BBQ meats and sauce. You wouldn't have to extend your hours, smoke during the day while open, with the stores either picking up or you delivering after you close or in the morning before you open. You could include a sheet or small card explaining how to reheat the ribs or pulled pork with your name and number on the sheet. Anyway, I know that you are working hard and I want to see you continue in business, maybe this will spark some other thoughts from other great members like Harry, Geronimo, ecocks, etal

SoEzzy · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

If you are supplying for resale, it's my understanding you need an inspector onsite to make sure you comply with the regulations!
_________________
Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

Geronimo · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

Soapm · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

Looks like you have a great vision. I wish you luck and hope I can patronize your business some day.

dogroach · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

OK so if that won't work what other ways could he sell time on the smoker without adding to his costs or extending his time at the shack.Lets go - how about some brainstorming. All ideas welcome that are positive, creative, something you have done in the past or have seen done. I noticed in a couple of pixs that Phil has an enclosed utility trailer any ideas? How about airbrushed sign on each side promoting the shack and catering?

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

I have smoked meat for hunters on the down low.
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Tim_Abrahamson · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject: Stopped by

My wife and I were on our way home to St Louis when we decided to swing by and give your place a try (I'm the guy in the cowboy hat that came around 2 on Monday)

My wife raved about the BBQ sunday all the way home, especially the potato salad on top of the pulled pork. I thought the BBQ brisket sandwich was very good as well! I can see why you are still doing well. Happy one year anniversary! Keep up the great work!
_________________
BBQ is like sex...
Even when its bad its still pretty good!
...besides, when is the last time you turned down BBQ?

Oklahoma Joe Longhorn
Big Green Egg
Former Pitmaster Gates and Sons BBQ (KC)

ecocks · Posted: Mar 23 2011 Post subject:

Find groups that want to do fund-raising by selling sandwiches at school/church/club events. This can be done anywhere you might have ever seen a bake sale. Think outside the box. A park which is thronged with soccer teams all day Saturday, Friday night HS FB games, the Special Olympics Games in your area, special events, etc. Many of these events have affiliated organizations which are looking for funding sources that they can draw on other than levying fees. Think coaches, teams, parent groups and such.

Sell them bulk meat/buns and suggest they get a picnic table and setup near their event. They can get permission easier than you can and are less subject to restrictions and oversight. Two of my employees are planning on taking a folding table, a Cambro full of meat, chafing dishes, some buns and sauce to the gun range on Saturdays during shooting events and selling sandwiches for a dollar more than I do at the restaurant. They are being entrepreneurial and I am not paying them OT for their assistance in selling my product.

Shotgun Petes · Posted: Mar 24 2011 Post subject:

Hey everyone,
Just a bit of happy news! My dad was in the hospital the past few days...to get fluid out of his lungs and elsewhere. (3 Gallons!) Shocked

While he was there they decided he was in good enough condition to have a pacemaker installed.
He has wanted it for a while, because he knew it would upgrade his quality of life. He was at 20 % heart function prior to the operation.
He had a terrible time trying to sleep all the time, due to breathing troubles and coughing a lot. The pacemaker shoud increase his heart function anywhere from 50 to 75%!
It should also cut down on fluid build up and coughing!

He came through the operation fine and is now back home. Very Happy

I was numb when they called me and let me talk to him minutes before he went in the operation room. With all of his health issues I was really worried it could be the last time I get to talk to him. It's a pretty simple operation (3 or 4 hours though), but thankfully he made it through pretty good.

He is happy to be home!

All he was worried about the whole time was that he was missing his weekend at the RACETRACK! Shocked

He's a pretty stuborn old guy, but that's what keeps him going I'm sure.

BBQ:
The BBQ was pretty busy again today. I'm almost selling out of ribs every day and my burgers are selling pretty fast now as well.

I used to use the pre-made frozen Angus beef patties from Sam's Club for my burgers, but I changed gears a few weeks ago.
I wanted to stand out from other places around here that sell burgers!

I now buy raw fresh not frozen Angus ground beef from Sam's and season and hand pat the burgers.
I make half-pound burgers (on average) and they are thick!
They hang over the bun at least a half inch all the way around!

My customers are tearing them up and word is gettin out I think because sales on them are increasing!
I offer 2 types of cheese for them....American or Pepper Jack
plus the usual suspects...Lettuce, Tomato, Vidallia Onion, Jalepenos, pickles, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, BBQ Sauce....whatever combo of these toppings they want...
$6.50 for however they want it. I shoulda brought one home for dinner! Laughing

_________________
Reverse flow smoker made by my dad "Shotgun Pete" Peters over 30 years ago!

"If you can't BBQ with the Big Dogs, back away from the Pit!"

SHOTGUN PETE'S BBQ SHACK
28 N Ninth St
COLUMBIA, MO
(Downtown across from The Blue Note)

ecocks · Posted: Mar 24 2011 Post subject:

Grats on your Dad and Way to go on the BBQ front Phil!

rubbbq · Posted: Mar 24 2011 Post subject: variation on burgers

As your burger business increases, maybe consider variations. We sell what we call a "BBQ Burger" 1/3 pound Angus burger topped with pulled pork and smoked bacon cheddar cheese. I sometimes sell 30 of these in a night, and we're a small bbq place, not a burger joint (we don't sell normal burgers, and don't stock lettuce, tomato, etc. - we just sell the bbq burger).

We also use the Angus Patties from Sam's, I've considered switching - but the burger with pulled pork works well with these patties.

feldon30 · Posted: Mar 28 2011 Post subject:

Shotgun Petes · Posted: Mar 28 2011 Post subject:

@Feldon30,
Thank you for the info and concern for my dad. Wink

HE actually lives with my sister down in Pensacola, Fl and I'm up in Columbia, MO.
I have forwarded you input to my sister. She has already been on him about salt intake and the nurses did tell him of the effects of too much salt.
Hopefully he will listen.
Thanks again!
_________________
Reverse flow smoker made by my dad "Shotgun Pete" Peters over 30 years ago!

"If you can't BBQ with the Big Dogs, back away from the Pit!"

SHOTGUN PETE'S BBQ SHACK
28 N Ninth St
COLUMBIA, MO
(Downtown across from The Blue Note)

BBQMAN · Posted: Mar 28 2011 Post subject:

Congrats again on your 1st year Phil! Cool

Nice to hear that your dad is doing better as well.
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

shotgunpetes#4 · Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Posts: 8