Should be fun! Updated!

4LittlePigs · Posted: May 07 2011 Post subject: Should be fun! Updated!

We are looking forward to this event. If you're close come and join us.

http://www.lakecumberlandbluesfest.com/

The menu on the website is temporary. They had to get the website up before I could send them my menu. It should be correct on Monday.
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Sam Diggity's BBQ
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Home of "Sam Diggity's Ribs & Sauce"

Virginiasmoke · Posted: May 08 2011 Post subject:

That does look like fun... I wish I were closer.

daddywoofdawg · Posted: May 10 2011 Post subject:

So how did you get to be the only food vendor?I was looking at your menu and I charge 12.00 for a half with no sides,and 20.00 no sides.
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Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

4LittlePigs · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

I will have to post pics in a day or two. I figured I would post an update on our vending gig last weekend. What a fantastic event it was. The weather was perfect other than it being one of the hottest days of the year so far. Also, having to unload and haul all of our equipment, smokers, fridges and all, across the dock to our serving area was murder!

Little did I know what was in store for us the rest of the day and night. I was also told that we would be the only bbq vendor there. The guy that leases the dock grill decided he would forego the traditional burgers, dogs, and chicken tenders, and copy my menu and sell bbq and set up a canopy right next to where I was going to put mine. Now I believe in friendly competition but this guys was a real sneak and an idiot to boot! I told my folks we would just do our thing and let the crowd decide.

My wife started getting an ulcer! Especially since this was a first time for us at this event. I didn�t think we would have many issues since he didn�t really have much of a smoker. It was an oversized propane grill. Really looked like a large pig cooker.

He kept watching us bring our equipment over and start setting up. He told my dad that it looked like we were doing a lot of work for one day of business. Dad was just listening to him and letting him brag about his catering biz and food.

Once the bands started at noon the people started eating! Not too heavy at first but as the afternoon went on we just kept picking up. The best was an older couple that went to the grill window. They paid and then walked the few feet over to us and thought they were supposed to come to us to pick up their food. I politely told them that they we were a different vendor. They went to the canopy of the grill and there was nobody there AND they had no food out and ready! They told the girl that came out to them that they wanted their money back and they then came over to us and got food and was happy as could be!! After that I knew we would be fine.

To make a long story short we sold out of ribs at 7:00p.m. (50 racks), brisket (50 lbs), pulled pork (110 lbs)slaw(40 lbs) by 9:00p.m. We only brought back 2 boxes of chips and a few cases of soft drinks. Most people already had their beverages of choice by the time they came in from the lake!

We made some great contacts too. A few people came into the dock in half million dollar cigar boats and ordered a large amount of food at one time. I ran some food over to one that had to stay with his boat and he was very impressed with our food and my attention to him and his family that he came back later that night to talk to me. He and a partner own 4 restaurants in golf courses and country clubs and he wants to do some business with us. When he came over to me we were in the weeds waiting on other customers but I was polite and took care of him.

We had some ribs that were taking longer than expected so I had people actually pre-ordering. We got so many compliments all night long from customers and then the next day one of the owners of the dock made it a point to let me know to plan on coming back next year. I�m calling this event a success!!
_________________
Sam Diggity's BBQ
MEAT, FIRE, GOOD!!!!!
Home of "Sam Diggity's Ribs & Sauce"

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

I hate that when another vendor decides to be a me too.they would have a cow if you were selling hot dogs!I bet next year the other guy has a smoker.I run into vendors selling crockpot pulled pork,but I can't sell tube steaks!
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Jarhead · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

4LittlePigs, at 1 a.m., just woke up, and trying to read your post with no carriage returns, gives me a headache.
Checking temps and going back to bed.
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Gunny 3073/4044/8411

Jarhead's World Blog
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BBQMAN · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

David that is a great story and congrats on getting it done! Cool

Those events are GREAT for future catering events, and I'm glad you did well even with the "scab" pulling a fast one.

I have to agree with Gunny though- some content/paragraph separation makes reading longer posts easier.

But most of us are unlikely to be English majors. Mr. Green

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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

4LittlePigs · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Sorry guys. It took so long to write it out. I did it in Word and copy and pasted. I had carriage returns but I guess they said bye bye when I pasted. I will see if I can fix it. I will post some more later as well as some pics. My head was numb.
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Sam Diggity's BBQ
MEAT, FIRE, GOOD!!!!!
Home of "Sam Diggity's Ribs & Sauce"

feldon30 · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Thanks for the great story David.

People think they can just copy the best for cheap and it might work for some things but you only get out of BBQ what you put into it and shortcuts really stand out in the finished product. Way to go!
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22" Weber Smokey Mountain + Weber Spirit