Take out BBQ business

[Barry Bubba]

Need info or suggestions on a BBQ take out business ; will specialize in ribs; chicken , brisket. Type of smoker/grill; can this type of operation work without having a sitdown type operation ? Thanks

[Bob In Fla.]

Buy a food truck

[Bosko]

For sure if you want take away only, go the food truck route!

[bbquzz]

Welcome to The Forum Barry, food truck does sound like the way, keep us in the loop on your endeavor.

[bigwheel]

Hey Barry. Welcome. Have seen quite a few take out type businesses over the years which seemed to do ok. Know one old guy who made a good living for quite a few years peddling bbq sandwiches from a quasi shack near a light industrial area. He cooked beef knuckles on a big log burning offset..sliced it paper thin with a commercial slicer and throwed it in a roaster with the cheapest sauce he could find..then piled it high and deep on the cheapest buns he could find. An old black guy named Smitty down in the Robstown had a shack on the parking lot of a big Mom n Pop grocery store. He cooked up whatever meat which was turning brown from the store and sold it by the pound. Person liable to get round steak or chuck roast etc. He always had link sausage. Never did catch him with a brisket. He had a huge cinder block pit which took up nearly his whole space. He was always griping that he could make more money if they let him sell complete plates with tater salad and beans etc. as opposed to just the meat. Due to Obummer..the drought..blizzards etc. They say beef is headed out the roof on prices. Big article in the paper on that yesterday. They say the bbq joints are going to hurt bad because of it. Any type of retail food business is a real hard way to make a living and survive..with bbq being no exception. With most food trucks your still going to need a base of operations..or commercial commisary as the health goons call it up here. As far as pits..Southern Prides and Ole Hickorys is what most of the big boys use around here. Few Oylers. Keeps us posted. Thanks.

[boozer]

I agree that a food truck is is way to go, If you want to sell bbq to go. The lower overhead, compared to a brick and mortar storefront will keep costs competitive. If you're going to do it, just be sure it's 100% for sure what you want to do. It's not easy. Research the hell out of it first. And be prepared to work 16 hour days. But when someone comes back and tells you it was the best pulled pork they've ever had, it's pretty gratifying. Maybe it gets easier after a while I'm just starting out too. But if I had to do it over, I'd do it just the same!

[bigwheel]

Ok..now are we going to to cook all this stuff in the truck? Its time for a reality check..unless yall live in a real backwards hick town without any health nazis on duty in your area. Woud not work in Foat Wuth.

[boozer]

Mine passed Nebraska state health inspection. And I live in Omaha, a city of 1 million+ souls. I wouldn't exactly call it backwoods. I don't really do any cooking in the truck. Just keep it warm in the steam tables and serve it. But to pass inspection you must prove that you can cook food in the truck ( 40 to 165 in 30 min) and have nsf stainless steel work surfaces. And have a 3 compartment dish sink, plus a separate hand wash sink. Refrigeration units must be below 45 degrees and be equipped with a thermometer to prove it. A ventilation hood is required and in most cities, be equipped with a fire safe ANSA system. (Omaha is thankfully not one of these, they cost a small fortune.)Waste water tank must be 15% bigger than freshwater tank, and water heater has to be able to reach 110 degrees. There's a bunch more, the health department is no joke. I'm not mad at them though, it's their job to keep people safe from foodbourne illness. I'd rather play by their rules than give someone botulism!

[Barry Bubba]

I own a building 1 block off of a busy Highway; was thinking of putting the pit on the side of building and doing take out only; with access to interior for other kitchen needs; storage; bathroom ; which would leave about 500 sf for other space.
Thanks

[boozer]

Originally Posted by Barry Bubba

I own a building 1 block off of a busy Highway; was thinking of putting the pit on the side of building and doing take out only; with access to interior for other kitchen needs; storage; bathroom ; which would leave about 500 sf for other space.
Thanks

Well if you already own the building, that's a different story! Does the building already have a commercial kitchen?

[Bosko]

Originally Posted by Barry Bubba

I own a building 1 block off of a busy Highway; was thinking of putting the pit on the side of building and doing take out only; with access to interior for other kitchen needs; storage; bathroom ; which would leave about 500 sf for other space.
Thanks

I think your thread would have been received a bit better if you would have said this from the beginning......

None the less go for it if you own the building already

[bigwheel]

If the rules are similar in your area..the pit will need to be enclosed in some type structure with a roof and at least screened in sides. The grates need to be SS.

[boozer]

Heck yeah! Put a sign on the highway that says " real pit bbq! ^ this way!" A couple picnic tables outside. .. I could see potential in that. Hell, if I was driving by I would stop and check it out.

[boozer]

Originally Posted by bigwheel

If the rules are similar in your area..the pit will need to be enclosed in some type structure with a roof and at least screened in sides. The grates need to be SS.

What? Ft Worth really does have health department nazis! SS grates yes, but a porch around the pit..I can't even imagine the purpose of that. Sometimes it's good to be a yankee I guess

[bigwheel]

Yankees seem to have developed a tendency to attribute quotes to folk who do make the statement in question and then other yankees see it and start double quoting. Did I say anything about a Porch? Now I can see why Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee stayed pissed off at yall so much. It can happen to anybody apparently. The health goon guy say to have a roof to keep the birds from pooing on it..and the screen wire it supposed to help keep out the flies. Yall are fixing to drive me crazy. No porch..no porch.

[boozer]

Originally Posted by bigwheel

Yankees seem to have developed a tendency to attribute quotes to folk who do make the statement in question and then other yankees see it and start double quoting. Did I say anything about a Porch? Now I can see why Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee stayed pissed off at yall so much. It can happen to anybody apparently. The health goon guy say to have a roof to keep the birds from pooing on it..and the screen wire it supposed to help keep out the flies. Yall are fixing to drive me crazy. No porch..no porch.

A roof with screens? That sounds like a damn porch to me!

[Bob In Fla.]

Since it changes with each state, city, municipality, etc. you really should call and talk to your own local health department, building department and any other government licensing agency that might be involved.

For example, 'round here, if a food truck was built to certain specifications and passes the yearly inspections, it does NOT require a brick-and-mortar commissary. This is a fairly new rule for the STATE, but local "authorities having jurisdiction" can change this.

[bbquzz]

Not to sound political, if there is a, township, county, state or federal agency who can get some money out of you they will invent a tax or permit to make your life miserable. Can you tell I was in the retail business for 40 years?

[Bosko]

Originally Posted by bbquzz

Not to sound political, if there is a, township, county, state or federal agency who can get some money out of you they will invent a tax or permit to make your life miserable. Can you tell I was in the retail business for 40 years?

Best words spoken in this thread...........

[bigwheel]

Yes yes..dont call anybody let alone the health goons. Try to stay under the radar so to speak. A person who can keep a closed mouth can survive for decades..then when and if the health goons close in..promise you go buy a permit Monday morning. This sounds a bit Elementary Dear Watson.