Moonie's Texas Barbecue.. here we go!

Jarhead · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

I know, our Sam's don't carry much either. Crying or Very sad

Ours is like a Glorified Super Center. I didn't come here for a big screen TV or a basketball goal. Mad

The only thing I get from them is Ketchup, Mustard, Clam Shells, Cups, foil pans, etc.
I buy meat from a local, employee owned grocery store. Good prices and they store it for me for free, until I need it. (5 miles away and sitting on a cart with a total due)
If I need canned, #10 size, case items, then I order from Springfield Grocer Co for a will call.
My weekly trip to Springfield will hit Sam's and SGC and on the way home hit the grocery store.
All items are pre-ordered and waiting on me to pick up. Takes about 4 hours to make my rounds and 1-1/2 hours is driving. And I usually stop at the bar for a couple cold ones.
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Geronimo · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Restaurant Depot will (should) have everything you need and then some. More so than any of the others mentioned.

Are Sysco, FSA or other wholesale grocers not available to you?

Jarhead Although your advice is sound (IMO) about the FEC's, I think his decision has already been made and the other smokers ordered....little late to change mind now. Shocked

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Poppa's PTL Club · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Speaking from personal experience in your area; drop the trips to Costco and BJ's and just stock up on regular trips to the RD.
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Jarhead · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Geronimo, yes we have Sysco, Packer's, Banta Foods and Springfield Grocer Co.

My neighbor works for SGC and he will pick up whatever I need, mid-week. Total cost is a couple beers + product. Saves a trip to town. (35 miles each way)

No RD, Costco (thank you Sam's for buying up the lot for the future Costco) or the others.

I know he made his decision on the smokers, but I just threw that out for somebody else's info in case.
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MooniesBBQ · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

pitmaster t · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Moonie, I apolgize if I missed something. Are you just not going to use a wholesaler such as Sysco, PFG and such for some of your stuff. We are open 3 days a week and in the beginning I thought running around and shopping would save money. In the end the time and hassel wasn't worth the few dollars saved. If you get a good rep they are worth they're weight in gold. Especially at start up. Is there still a PFG warehouse in Oakwood?
Just curious.
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MooniesBBQ · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

pitmaster t · Posted: Jun 07 2011 Post subject:

Yeah, the Milton foods part is right. PFG bought them out several years ago. I used to live and work in the Gainesville area. They were located just off of Hwy 53. Best part for you is they have a "will-call" if you get in a bind.

Let me give you a quick rep story. I used Sysco at 1 time. I was not happy with my rep. I switched to another company. Well low and behold about a year later here comes a new Sysco rep. At first I thought "nope not going down this road again" but then I found out she had managed a large BBQ chain store for a long time. Her experience has sped up my learning curve a whole bunch. Like I said "worth their weight in gold". You, as I, are in a pretty good situation when it comes to food service companies. You will find there are many in the Metro area and once you know what you need and have a few numbers to throw out there you will be surprised at the money you can save on inventory. I receive prices from 5 different companies on Friday and place my orders on Sunday for delivery on Monday. It has probably saved me 7-10% across the board.

By the way. I am a "log burner" thru and thru. I'm even going to p/u a brand new reverse flow Friday, but I also have a Superior Smoker (like a stump, pitvault and so on). I got it to do a couple of comps a year with the grandkids but when I couldn't keep up it quickly became something I used everyday (with a Guru). I build a fire in it on Wed and it don't get shut down till Sat. I have had it 1 year this week and found a hole in the charcoal/wood chute in it while cleaning it up today. No opinion here. Not complaining, just explaining. Going to have it repaired and put back in service. It cooks the heck out of chicken. Just sharing my experience.

I'm about 50 miles south of you. Been open about 2 years and looking at a second location. If I can help you avoid some of the pitfalls don't hesitate to hit me up.

Hey, if that trucks to much for ya' I might could take it off your hands. Laughing

Oh yeah, favorite Bible verse. Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, lest you be judged". Whew!!! Man have I had to pull that one out a few times over the years. Wink

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Due to recent cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off!!!

Mr.T · Newbie Joined: 14 Oct 2009 Posts: 84 Location: Taiwan

Sounds like you are making great headway and have enjoyed reading your posts. I have a word of advice about going around and picking up your own supplies. Don't do it. This comes from personal mistakes I made long ago. You won't have time. Everything must be delivered to your doorstep. You will run yourself ragged. Spend your time figuring out how to make your business better and let your reps tell you the prices. Have all your menu and pricing set way before you open your doors. 4 hours a week for 52 weeks is a lot of hours. Not trying to be a jackass just trying to help you be efficient.

MooniesBBQ · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

pitmaster t Thanks for the background and story. I agree with you and Mr T about needing deliveries. I've contacted PFG, but haven't heard from them yet. I don't mind picking up the meat for the week because it's only 4 blocks up the road, but the rest of the stuff I'd like to not have to deal with Sam's or anyone else. I'll update this post once I hear back from them.

I did find a local vendor that carries a soda line called Ale-8. Has anyone here ever tried that line of soda? I'm going to be carrying the off the wall brands, if people want french fries and a 44oz diet coke they can go to McDonalds. If they want good bbq and a non typical soda/beer they can come see me Very Happy

I'm going to run to tractor supply tonight and pickup a 2x1x6ft stock tank for drinks. I was going to go with the Texas Icer, but those are $800 delivered for two and I can get a stock tank for $100. I've been testing a galvanized tub here at the house with bottled soda and ice and there is condensation on the outside, but not enough to drip off.

Moonie
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Geronimo · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

MooniesBBQ · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

Mr.T · Newbie Joined: 14 Oct 2009 Posts: 84 Location: Taiwan

I think the tanks look great. Before I saw the pic I was thinking 6' in diameter which seemed way to big. I decorated a restaurant with a very old fashioned design in mind. It seemed that the more improvised something was made the more people appreciated its uniqueness. You're on the right track.

MooniesBBQ · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

Texman · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

Moonie,
Expanding urethane foam is what is used in refrigerators, water heaters, etc. Everything is sealed airtight. So there is no chance of anything getting funky between the two metal vessels.
I will also have an insulated lid so when we close for the night I can save some ice.

I have a customer who does home insulation with expanding foam. The name of the stuff is icenyne http://www.icynene.com/ the stuff is pretty damn neat.

Think of that canned stuff called "Great Stuff" but on a commercial level sprayed from a heated plural mixed at the nozzle commercial sprayer.
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Geronimo · Posted: Jun 08 2011 Post subject:

See if you can find out who made those and ask if they can make a couple to your specs.

But I think a couple (buy one and see how it works) of these (your picture) would work well, I mean really how many are you going to be selling per day to warrant a huge trough??

If you keep the extras refrigerated, all you would need to do is slip some in when the cooler gets low. Being already chilled they won't melt the ice too fast.
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