View Full Version : BBQ Chop Shop
RealJimbo 06-03-2010, 02:47 PM Monday I went by the Chop Shop for lunch. Asked Erin what she recommended. She says "Grand Theft Potato topped with rib meat". So I went for it. Oh...my...gosh!!!! That was out of this world! Nice big potato, baked perfectly, split, buttered, shredded cheese added, then a GENEROUS portion of rib meat added to the top. Added sauce to taste at the table and chowed down. Wow, that was good! If you've never tried one of these, you have no idea how good a baked potato can be.
Go today and try one. Tell them JIMBO sent you.
RealJimbo 06-11-2010, 10:27 AM It's the threshold of the weekend, so plan on a trip to BBQ Chop Shop. In fact, go, eat, then vote for them as your favorite BBQ joint in the Gazette survey. My recommendation: Ribs, beans, cream e corn, hot sauce, strawberry soda pop cake. Wash it down with a big glass of iced tea.
Oh, and tell Chad and Erin hi!
RealJimbo 06-17-2010, 01:23 PM Just got back from Chop Shop. I had another Grand Theft Baked Potato. That is a great meal all by itself but I had to add Cream E Corn too...now I want a nap.
TheTravellers 06-21-2010, 12:34 PM Called them on Sat at 2:00 PM to see if they could hold any cake for us since they've been out of it when we've went before and that's just about the main reason we go. They told my wife "We can hold it, but we may not be open because we may run out of food". WTF, really? Sat afternoon and you're going to run out of food? Pathetic. So we get there at 5:30 PM and sure enough, they're closed (we had to try, it was an early take-dad-out-for-Father's-Day meal and he wanted to eat there, so we gave them a chance). Not going there again if they can't run it right. We've been there 3 times and each time, they've been out of something, so I don't think I'll give them any of my money again if they can't get their s*** together...
So we go to OK Station (father picked them because it was his Father's Day celebration meal) and they're out of pulled pork. Again, WTF?!?! Places did *not* used to run out of food and the sheeple just accept it. Sadly, we did have to accept it since the parents did not want to try to find another restaurant that was hopefully more professionally run than these 2 (I was ready to leave and tried to get them to, but they just ate pork tenderloin instead). Not me, not anymore, I'm walking out of places that run out of food, getting tired of getting half-a**ed service...
:dontgetit: :doh: :icon_evil
RealJimbo 06-22-2010, 10:31 AM Called them on Sat at 2:00 PM to see if they could hold any cake for us since they've been out of it when we've went before and that's just about the main reason we go. They told my wife "We can hold it, but we may not be open because we may run out of food". WTF, really? Sat afternoon and you're going to run out of food? Pathetic. So we get there at 5:30 PM and sure enough, they're closed (we had to try, it was an early take-dad-out-for-Father's-Day meal and he wanted to eat there, so we gave them a chance). Not going there again if they can't run it right. We've been there 3 times and each time, they've been out of something, so I don't think I'll give them any of my money again if they can't get their s*** together...
So we go to OK Station (father picked them because it was his Father's Day celebration meal) and they're out of pulled pork. Again, WTF?!?! Places did *not* used to run out of food and the sheeple just accept it. Sadly, we did have to accept it since the parents did not want to try to find another restaurant that was hopefully more professionally run than these 2 (I was ready to leave and tried to get them to, but they just ate pork tenderloin instead). Not me, not anymore, I'm walking out of places that run out of food, getting tired of getting half-a**ed service...
:dontgetit: :doh: :icon_evil
Luckily they obviously have enough business they can get by without one crank.
XtraStout 06-22-2010, 10:53 AM Called them on Sat at 2:00 PM to see if they could hold any cake for us since they've been out of it when we've went before and that's just about the main reason we go. They told my wife "We can hold it, but we may not be open because we may run out of food". WTF, really? Sat afternoon and you're going to run out of food? Pathetic. So we get there at 5:30 PM and sure enough, they're closed (we had to try, it was an early take-dad-out-for-Father's-Day meal and he wanted to eat there, so we gave them a chance). Not going there again if they can't run it right. We've been there 3 times and each time, they've been out of something, so I don't think I'll give them any of my money again if they can't get their s*** together...
So we go to OK Station (father picked them because it was his Father's Day celebration meal) and they're out of pulled pork. Again, WTF?!?! Places did *not* used to run out of food and the sheeple just accept it. Sadly, we did have to accept it since the parents did not want to try to find another restaurant that was hopefully more professionally run than these 2 (I was ready to leave and tried to get them to, but they just ate pork tenderloin instead). Not me, not anymore, I'm walking out of places that run out of food, getting tired of getting half-a**ed service...
:dontgetit: :doh: :icon_evil
Well I generally look at it as something that must be good and try to get in before its sold out...Halfa**ed or done right, you tell me tho.
RealJimbo 06-22-2010, 03:13 PM Well I generally look at it as something that must be good and try to get in before its sold out...Halfa**ed or done right, you tell me tho.
In my opinion, they do it right and that is why they sell out sometimes. They are a one-off mom and pop place, btw. Can't afford to throw out a fortune in meat every night to make sure they don't run out.
TheTravellers 06-22-2010, 04:27 PM Oh please, I've been to hundreds of one-off single proprietor restaurants all over the country and very, very, very few have ever run out of food and closed early, especially early on a Saturday evening. I gave them 3 chances, they struck out.
So is this the new normal that's acceptable? Restaurants that close at seemingly random times due to a multitude of reasons? How many times do you whack your head against a brick wall before you stop (or go back to the same restaurant that is closed or somehow f-ed up every time you go)? I hope not, but fear it is...
I notice nobody jumped to the defense of OK Station. :-)
And I don't think their BBQ is really all that special, so it's not making me sad I'm not going back (their creamed corn and cake *was* very good, though), and y'all are probably right, they don't give half a **** if I go back or not, but at least I'll be at peace in my mind that I'm not giving money to people who can't run a restaurant properly. I have yet to find a new place that has as good BBQ as Mr. Spriggs and Piggy's (Piggies?), among other places I used to frequent but can't remember the names of, used to have. Haven't been to Mr. Spriggs in over 15 years, so I hope they haven't changed (for the worse).
BTW, I happen to know they don't throw out their meat each night, they give it away. Yeah, it's still the same result on their end - they don't make money from it, but at least they don't throw it out.
TheTravellers 06-22-2010, 06:13 PM Luckily they obviously have enough business they can get by without one crank.
Going to a restaurant, expecting them to be open when they say they will be open, expecting them to have all the items on their menu available, and not getting those expectations met all 3 times you go to that restaurant makes one a crank?
:dontgetit
bradzilla 06-22-2010, 09:23 PM I gave them 3 chances, they struck out.
Go eat at chili's, you wont be missed.
On that same note i love places like this. Specialty places that always have fresh hot food that you know they made that day. I also enjoy places that are only open at special hours (breakfast and lunch only, or dinner only and no weekends, etc,etc). Half of the fun is getting in there and getting some of it before they run out or close for the day.
If you cant be inconvenienced to get off the couch and go before 5pm to pick up some food then i dont feel sorry for you. Would you like to stay at work on the weekend just in case someone who hasn't shown up all day decides to grace you with their presence?
Plenty of big chain restaurants out there that will gladly nuke some precooked, vacuumed sealed, bathed in bbq sauce to cover the gray meat ribs for you.
MsDarkstar 06-23-2010, 10:20 AM There's always going to be days where there's an unexpected rush. You can look at past daily averages to forecast for the future, but every now and again there's going to be a day when someone comes in with a party of 20 or something, that makes the food go faster. This is a place that slow cooks their meat, so it's not like they can say oh if you'll hang on a sec, we'll have something out to ya in ten minutes. I'd much prefer them to close because they're out of FRESH food, than to make a whole lot of extra that is just gonna sit & dry out just in case someone shows up later. The way I see it, closing keeps them from compromising their standard of quality. Oh and as far as the cake goes - they make that homemade. They're not a big bakery, they don't have commercial size bakery capabilities so they're making these just like you would at home in a 9x13 pan. When it's gone, it's gone...that's just how it goes.
For the record, I've been to chain restaurants too that have run out of food. Chili's has run out of mashed potatoes, Charleston's out of cole slaw, and Olive Garden has even run out of soup. Running out of food isn't unheard of, it's just not as common at large chains because they deal in processed bulk. Go to small mom & pop type places and you'll see it much more frequently. Bella Vista is a great example of that...they make only so much of everything per day & if it's gone, it's gone. Same way with N D Foods, Oma's Pantry, The Stuffed Olive, and Cafe Bella.
TheTravellers 06-23-2010, 10:23 AM Go eat at chili's, you wont be missed.
On that same note i love places like this. Specialty places that always have fresh hot food that you know they made that day. I also enjoy places that are only open at special hours (breakfast and lunch only, or dinner only and no weekends, etc,etc). Half of the fun is getting in there and getting some of it before they run out or close for the day.
If you cant be inconvenienced to get off the couch and go before 5pm to pick up some food then i dont feel sorry for you. Would you like to stay at work on the weekend just in case someone who hasn't shown up all day decides to grace you with their presence?
Plenty of big chain restaurants out there that will gladly nuke some precooked, vacuumed sealed, bathed in bbq sauce to cover the gray meat ribs for you.
Dude, you have no idea what or where I like to eat, so you should just shut the hell up, but it's too late for that - you have fallen into the standard forum trap of thinking you know about me by what I post. I try *never* to eat at chain restaurants (I've eaten at Chili's twice in the past year and only because it was someone else's choice, *not* mine), shop at the standard big-box stores, etc. I go local as often as I can. Most of your points are moot, but I'll refute them anyway just because I'm an ass...
:fighting4
I eat at places that are only open certain parts of the day too, so that's not an issue - the issue was that they were not open at the hours they're supposed to be.
As for getting there at 5 PM, that was when we were all going to meet (6 of us), so what would be the point of getting there hours beforehand if none of the rest of the party would be there? :doh:
As for staying at work on the weekend until 5 PM on a Saturday just so someone will grace them with their presence (to paraphrase you), that's their job, they opened a restaurant, they decided on the hours they will be open and they should be there during those hours (even if there are no customers), that's the way restaurants, retail shops, and most business operate. They should be glad people do grace them with their presence since that's what they're in business for - to serve customers and take their money.
As I said in an earlier post, I stop banging my head against a brick wall (a metaphor for going to a restaurant and not getting satisfactory service, just in case someone thinks I really bang my head against a brick wall) after a few times because it's painful and I learn from the pain not to do that again. What's so hard to understand about that?
RealJimbo 06-23-2010, 11:31 AM Going to a restaurant, expecting them to be open when they say they will be open, expecting them to have all the items on their menu available, and not getting those expectations met all 3 times you go to that restaurant makes one a crank?
:dontgetit
Sorry, just messing with you. The owners happen to be personal friends. They are very small operators on a very tight budget who can't afford to keep an overstock. Try any other of the small operators when it comes to restaurants that specialize in meat dishes. Tom's on NE 10th, for example. It has been known for years that they only stay open until the meat is gone. That is true for a lot of BBQ restaurants and small stands.
RealJimbo 06-23-2010, 11:36 AM There's always going to be days where there's an unexpected rush. You can look at past daily averages to forecast for the future, but every now and again there's going to be a day when someone comes in with a party of 20 or something, that makes the food go faster. This is a place that slow cooks their meat, so it's not like they can say oh if you'll hang on a sec, we'll have something out to ya in ten minutes. I'd much prefer them to close because they're out of FRESH food, than to make a whole lot of extra that is just gonna sit & dry out just in case someone shows up later. The way I see it, closing keeps them from compromising their standard of quality. Oh and as far as the cake goes - they make that homemade. They're not a big bakery, they don't have commercial size bakery capabilities so they're making these just like you would at home in a 9x13 pan. When it's gone, it's gone...that's just how it goes.
For the record, I've been to chain restaurants too that have run out of food. Chili's has run out of mashed potatoes, Charleston's out of cole slaw, and Olive Garden has even run out of soup. Running out of food isn't unheard of, it's just not as common at large chains because they deal in processed bulk. Go to small mom & pop type places and you'll see it much more frequently. Bella Vista is a great example of that...they make only so much of everything per day & if it's gone, it's gone. Same way with N D Foods, Oma's Pantry, The Stuffed Olive, and Cafe Bella.
Don't get me started on Olive Garden. I like their food but the last visit we made was a disaster. Terrible service. No, it was worse than that. Watched a "supervisor" stand and look down a customer's dress while his wait staff was running in circles, not refilling soup or salad bowls or tea glasses, falling over each other, dropping dishes and food on the floor. I wouldn't have been there in the first place except someone gave me a gift card for Christmas. If that happens again it will get "re-gifted".
RealJimbo 06-23-2010, 11:51 AM Dude, you have no idea what or where I like to eat, so you should just shut the hell up, but it's too late for that - you have fallen into the standard forum trap of thinking you know about me by what I post. I try *never* to eat at chain restaurants (I've eaten at Chili's twice in the past year and only because it was someone else's choice, *not* mine), shop at the standard big-box stores, etc. I go local as often as I can. Most of your points are moot, but I'll refute them anyway just because I'm an ass...
:fighting4
I eat at places that are only open certain parts of the day too, so that's not an issue - the issue was that they were not open at the hours they're supposed to be.
As for getting there at 5 PM, that was when we were all going to meet (6 of us), so what would be the point of getting there hours beforehand if none of the rest of the party would be there? :doh:
As for staying at work on the weekend until 5 PM on a Saturday just so someone will grace them with their presence (to paraphrase you), that's their job, they opened a restaurant, they decided on the hours they will be open and they should be there during those hours (even if there are no customers), that's the way restaurants, retail shops, and most business operate. They should be glad people do grace them with their presence since that's what they're in business for - to serve customers and take their money.
As I said in an earlier post, I stop banging my head against a brick wall (a metaphor for going to a restaurant and not getting satisfactory service, just in case someone thinks I really bang my head against a brick wall) after a few times because it's painful and I learn from the pain not to do that again. What's so hard to understand about that?
One point you may have missed; it is their business to operate as they want. Now you know what the deal is and you don't have to go there, but don't criticize them for running the business the way they want. Go open your own business and see how you end up running it.
gen70 06-23-2010, 11:54 AM I did some electrical work at an Olive Garden in OKC back in about 1991 and I will never go back.
pickles 06-23-2010, 04:07 PM Sorry, just messing with you. The owners happen to be personal friends. They are very small operators on a very tight budget who can't afford to keep an overstock. Try any other of the small operators when it comes to restaurants that specialize in meat dishes. Tom's on NE 10th, for example. It has been known for years that they only stay open until the meat is gone. That is true for a lot of BBQ restaurants and small stands.
This is true for many bbq stands and joints throughout the south, and that's what this place is, essentially.
Additionally, this is the only bbq place in town where I don't feel like I'm getting ripped off or buying something I could easily beat in my backyard.
rcjunkie 06-24-2010, 05:34 AM Called them on Sat at 2:00 PM to see if they could hold any cake for us since they've been out of it when we've went before and that's just about the main reason we go. They told my wife "We can hold it, but we may not be open because we may run out of food". WTF, really? Sat afternoon and you're going to run out of food? Pathetic. So we get there at 5:30 PM and sure enough, they're closed (we had to try, it was an early take-dad-out-for-Father's-Day meal and he wanted to eat there, so we gave them a chance). Not going there again if they can't run it right. We've been there 3 times and each time, they've been out of something, so I don't think I'll give them any of my money again if they can't get their s*** together...
So we go to OK Station (father picked them because it was his Father's Day celebration meal) and they're out of pulled pork. Again, WTF?!?! Places did *not* used to run out of food and the sheeple just accept it. Sadly, we did have to accept it since the parents did not want to try to find another restaurant that was hopefully more professionally run than these 2 (I was ready to leave and tried to get them to, but they just ate pork tenderloin instead). Not me, not anymore, I'm walking out of places that run out of food, getting tired of getting half-a**ed service...
:dontgetit: :doh: :icon_evil
It's obvious that your not self employed and have never worked in the food business.
Bigrayok 06-24-2010, 04:02 PM It is common for world famous restaurants to run out of food or only serve a certain number of plates of a meal in an evening. I have seen this occur in New Orleans more than once. Some restaurants close early when they sell out of certain foods. When the first City Bites opened in Bethany they ran out of stuff a lot at first. Running out of food is not unique to BBQ Chop Shop.
Bigray in Ok
TheTravellers 06-25-2010, 08:41 AM It's obvious that your not self employed and have never worked in the food business.
Apparently it's not that obvious since you're wrong.
TheTravellers 06-25-2010, 08:43 AM It is common for world famous restaurants to run out of food or only serve a certain number of plates of a meal in an evening. I have seen this occur in New Orleans more than once. Some restaurants close early when they sell out of certain foods. When the first City Bites opened in Bethany they ran out of stuff a lot at first. Running out of food is not unique to BBQ Chop Shop.
Bigray in Ok
Interesting, since we've been to NOLA many times and have never been to any restaurant that has run out of food (and we've eaten at all levels there - $$$$ to $). Even a month after Katrina, the restaurants that were open didn't run out of food and close early - they were open limited hours on a limited menu, but none of them ran out of food and closed earlier than their stated hours.
TheTravellers 06-25-2010, 08:46 AM One point you may have missed; it is their business to operate as they want. Now you know what the deal is and you don't have to go there, but don't criticize them for running the business the way they want. Go open your own business and see how you end up running it.
Sorry, but if they open a business that depends on the public coming in and buying their goods, they have a certain responsibility to that same public... Yes, they can operate it as they want, and if people don't like that, then they don't go there - simple as that.
bradzilla 06-26-2010, 08:17 AM Sorry, but if they open a business that depends on the public coming in and buying their goods, they have a certain responsibility to that same public...
I'm not sure what happened in your life that makes you have a mental breakdown over a restaurant closing early, but....
Let.it.go.
Just think, if they wouldn't of closed early then you wouldn't have anything new to work through with your shrink this month.
TheTravellers 06-26-2010, 11:06 AM I'm not sure what happened in your life that makes you have a mental breakdown over a restaurant closing early, but....
Let.it.go.
Just think, if they wouldn't of closed early then you wouldn't have anything new to work through with your shrink this month.
You're still an idiot. I let it go a long time ago, I just had to answer all of BBQ Chop Shop's friends and apologists that keep trying to convince me they're running the restaurant the right way and to dispel things people make up about me. Like this post - there was no mental breakdown, no shrink, nothing except being pissed off about it for a few hours and then deciding never to go there again. BTW, your spelling and grammer suck in both your posts (yep, resorting to lame grammar flames, like I said, I'm an ass), pick up Strunk and White sometime and read it...
bradzilla 06-26-2010, 12:38 PM nothing except being pissed off about it for a few hours
I'm not sure what happened in your life that makes you have a mental breakdown over a restaurant closing early, but....
Let.it.go.
You misspelled grammar, btw.
Sorry, but if they open a business that depends on the public coming in and buying their goods, they have a certain responsibility to that same public... Yes, they can operate it as they want, and if people don't like that, then they don't go there - simple as that.
you are correct; to an extent.
they depend on selling their product in order to make money. the product they have chosen to sell is hand made from fresh ingredients and smoking meat takes hours and days. could they make enough to satisfy more business that they could reasonably expect? sure, easily. but what happens when they don't sell it all? yup, they lose money.
i am not sure if you are aware of the tax burden on small business. or the number of years it takes to actually start making money. or that most small business people work for pennies an hour. in order for a small business to survive and be around long enough to even consider making money, they have to watch every dime.
planning to have enough product to satisfy the need is both an art and a science (with a little bit of intuition thrown in). sometimes you make the right call, but most times you either have too much or too little. correctly prognosticating the daily and hourly ebbs and flows of demand is ridiculously hard.
go easy on your neighborhood merchants, be forgiving. every day is a learning experience. provide positive and constructive criticism to help them in their process. we want our neighbors to do well and sustainable local business are good for everyone.
I got an idea when they run out of BBQ,they could make T-BONE steaks or fry some catfish,until the BBQ IS ready..
okyeah 06-28-2010, 03:31 PM wanted to try this place for lunch but it was closed today. Apparently there are carpet problems..What's the deal Jimbo? When's it going to be open again
RealJimbo 06-28-2010, 04:21 PM wanted to try this place for lunch but it was closed today. Apparently there are carpet problems..What's the deal Jimbo? When's it going to be open again
Sorry, but I have not heard. I'll try to find out.
bluedogok 06-28-2010, 11:34 PM This is true for many bbq stands and joints throughout the south, and that's what this place is, essentially.
Additionally, this is the only bbq place in town where I don't feel like I'm getting ripped off or buying something I could easily beat in my backyard.
A bunch of the lengendary BBQ places here in Central Texas are that way and have been for many, many years. There is one place (Snow's in Lexington) is only open Saturday mornings and runs out of meat about 11AM, if you want some from there you get there early.
I got an idea when they run out of BBQ,they could make T-BONE steaks or fry some catfish,until the BBQ IS ready..
The minimum time to smoke most meats varies from a few hours (sausage) to 8 or more hours for brisket, if you cook it quicker you probably wouldn't like it much.
TheTravellers 07-09-2010, 03:19 PM You misspelled grammar, btw.
Ha, busted. Only once, though, got it right the other time. That post was dashed off in a hurry, obviously.
TheTravellers 07-09-2010, 03:25 PM you are correct; to an extent.
they depend on selling their product in order to make money. the product they have chosen to sell is hand made from fresh ingredients and smoking meat takes hours and days. could they make enough to satisfy more business that they could reasonably expect? sure, easily. but what happens when they don't sell it all? yup, they lose money.
i am not sure if you are aware of the tax burden on small business. or the number of years it takes to actually start making money. or that most small business people work for pennies an hour. in order for a small business to survive and be around long enough to even consider making money, they have to watch every dime.
planning to have enough product to satisfy the need is both an art and a science (with a little bit of intuition thrown in). sometimes you make the right call, but most times you either have too much or too little. correctly prognosticating the daily and hourly ebbs and flows of demand is ridiculously hard.
go easy on your neighborhood merchants, be forgiving. every day is a learning experience. provide positive and constructive criticism to help them in their process. we want our neighbors to do well and sustainable local business are good for everyone.
I'm aware of all the potholes, trips, traps, etc. that are lying in wait for all small business owners, especially start-ups. Most are lucky to survive a year or two. So how do all the other single-owner restaurants handle it? Most seem to do a fairly good job at it, maybe BBQ Chop Shop owners should see what magical algorithm other places use and try that... I'm all for small locally-owned businesses, but if they're unreliable, unstable, whatever, I'm just not going to go there because there is most likely another place that occupies their niche that I can go to that will be open, have whatever I want in stock, etc.
Someone else I know tried to go there last Sat night (7/3) and they were closed again. If they keep doing that, people will stop going by because they're not sure they're going to be open, and their business might just trickle away as a result. I'd like them to stay open, but won't be surprised if they fold.
TheTravellers 07-09-2010, 03:29 PM A bunch of the lengendary BBQ places here in Central Texas are that way and have been for many, many years. There is one place (Snow's in Lexington) is only open Saturday mornings and runs out of meat about 11AM, if you want some from there you get there early.
The minimum time to smoke most meats varies from a few hours (sausage) to 8 or more hours for brisket, if you cook it quicker you probably wouldn't like it much.
Difference between Snow's and BBQ Chop Shop is they're established, people know that about them, and it's probably every Sat morning at about 11 AM they run out of meat. BBQ Chop Shop has no such regular schedule of when they run out, it's semi-random times (although Sat afternoon appears to be a regular thing now), so it's just chance that they'll be open when you get there. That's frustrating.
rcjunkie 07-09-2010, 04:50 PM Novel Idea, BBQ Chop Shop, Phone Number 842-CHOP. Ring Ring--Hey do have any_______left and what time will you be closing.
SoonerQueen 07-10-2010, 03:31 AM I like the food at the Chop Shop. This is not directed at them, but if you set certain hours of business, you stay open till closing time every night, and you make enough food during the day so that it lasts. You lose the trust of customers when they make a special trip to eat at your restaurant and find it not open. The Sonic by my house sometimes closes a little early. It makes me mad to make the effort to get there by closing and they close early.
rcjunkie 07-10-2010, 06:20 AM I like the food at the Chop Shop. This is not directed at them, but if you set certain hours of business, you stay open till closing time every night, and you make enough food during the day so that it lasts. You lose the trust of customers when they make a special trip to eat at your restaurant and find it not open. The Sonic by my house sometimes closes a little early. It makes me mad to make the effort to get there by closing and they close early.
Again, someone with no retail or restaurant experience as an owner. My mom owned and operated restaurants for almost 45 years, it's next to impossible to know what items are going to sell, so you can't always make or cook enough of a said item to make sure you don't run out.
bradzilla 07-11-2010, 10:24 AM Again, someone with no retail or restaurant experience as an owner. My mom owned and operated restaurants for almost 45 years, it's next to impossible to know what items are going to sell, so you can't always make or cook enough of a said item to make sure you don't run out.
The travellers guy is a lost cause; he doesn't understand LIFE.
rcjunkie 07-11-2010, 10:59 AM The travellers guy is a lost cause; he doesn't understand LIFE.
True, I guess I would feel the same as he if I didn't mind a BBQ Joint the smoked tons of meat on Monday and kept re-heating it the rest of the week.
kevinpate 07-11-2010, 04:27 PM Rumbles and grumbles aside ... how's the brisket at this place?
rcjunkie 07-11-2010, 05:49 PM Rumbles and grumbles aside ... how's the brisket at this place?
IMO, a little dry and chewey for my taste. If your ever in the area and looking for BBQ to go, try GFF Foods at 12th and Santa Fe in Moore, excellent flavor, always tender and moist.
SoonerQueen 07-11-2010, 10:33 PM I admit, I have never worked at a restaurant, but I have worked retail. It might be hard to know day by day how much to make of all items, but you know the ones that usually sell the best and have those things in stock . If you run out of food, the least you can do is stay till closing time to explain to people that do come to the restaurant why you can't serve them. Maybe give them a coupon for a free meal, or buy one get one free kinda deal. At least let them know you appreciate them coming to do business with you. A little public relations works wonders.
bradzilla 07-13-2010, 01:46 PM I admit, I have never worked at a restaurant, but I have worked retail. It might be hard to know day by day how much to make of all items, but you know the ones that usually sell the best and have those things in stock . If you run out of food, the least you can do is stay till closing time to explain to people that do come to the restaurant why you can't serve them. Maybe give them a coupon for a free meal, or buy one get one free kinda deal.
I think we found the female equivalent to travellers...
So many things i could say, but i know that it would be wasted on you because you still wouldn't understand.
If you run out of food, the least you can do is stay till closing time to explain to people that do come to the restaurant why you can't serve them. Maybe give them a coupon for a free meal, or buy one get one free kinda deal. At least let them know you appreciate them coming to do business with you. A little public relations works wonders.
Yeah, screw that. I want the restaurants to contact ME whenever they run out of something. I don't care if it's by Facebook, by Twitter, by text message. . . Hell, it could be by carrier pigeon for all I care. Anything that will save me the trouble of picking up the phone. Just do me the courtesy of letting me know when you're out of ribs, is all I ask.
TheTravellers 07-23-2010, 03:43 PM The travellers guy is a lost cause; he doesn't understand LIFE.
Oh, you are so naive. Do you know *anything* about me? Do you have any idea how old I am, how many places I've lived and traveled to, how many restaurants I've eaten at, what I've cooked, what I've read, what I've learned, what jobs I've had, how I think, ad infinitum? Yeah, didn't think so..... Why TF can't people like you refrain from posting complete BS like that? :doh:
TheTravellers 07-23-2010, 03:47 PM I think we found the female equivalent to travellers...
So many things i could say, but i know that it would be wasted on you because you still wouldn't understand.
So please tell me exactly what's wrong with posting this sign:
"Sorry, we're closed, we ran out of food because we only make a certain amount every day and due to our commitment to quality, we do not keep any meat overnight, please come visit us tomorrow"
instead of this sign:
"Sorry, closed"
The latter sign is just one of many of the kinds of half-assedness that keeps OK and OKC from being a big-time state/city (and no, having an NBA team doesn't automatically make you a big-time city), but that's a whole other thread and topic (if not many other threads/topics)
bradzilla 07-23-2010, 06:07 PM Stop thinking that the world owes you something and that everything has to be beaten to death for YOU to understand.
You said earlier in the thread that you called, they said that they might be closed, then you showed up later and they were closed.
Called them on Sat at 2:00 PM to see if they could hold any cake for us since they've been out of it when we've went before and that's just about the main reason we go. They told my wife "We can hold it, but we may not be open because we may run out of food".
So we get there at 5:30 PM and sure enough, they're closed
I dont see how they could dumb down the message anymore.....
kevinpate 07-23-2010, 07:26 PM They, indeed any other establishment, could post a long winded version of Sorry, Closed.
Sure as they did though, someone would hit an internet board or send a tewwt along the lines of
"I call BS, they just don't ....
(a) care about customers
(b) stay open because they wanna see the new Pixlar offering
(c) avoid closing when an old friend comes to town
(d) insert your own special rant here
Sorry, but hey - Sorry, Closed fully covers it.
All the more so when they tell the call-ins of that possibility.
Easy180 07-23-2010, 08:15 PM So please tell me exactly what's wrong with posting this sign:
"Sorry, we're closed, we ran out of food because we only make a certain amount every day and due to our commitment to quality, we do not keep any meat overnight, please come visit us tomorrow"
Someone must be fun at parties
RealJimbo 07-24-2010, 10:56 PM Someone must be fun at parties
I love this website. I'm soooooooo glad it got back online. Thank you, Pete!!!!
TheTravellers 07-26-2010, 09:33 AM Someone must be fun at parties
Wow, you're an idiot just like bradzilla, knowing absolutely nothing about me, yet professing to know exactly what I'm like at parties. Dumbf***...
TheTravellers 07-26-2010, 09:43 AM Stop thinking that the world owes you something and that everything has to be beaten to death for YOU to understand.
You said earlier in the thread that you called, they said that they might be closed, then you showed up later and they were closed.
I dont see how they could dumb down the message anymore.....
It's not about that any longer (and if you'll remember, we *could not* go there any earlier, we were part of a larger party that was on a schedule), it's about the owners being professional instead of half-assed. Why is it so hard for some people here to behave professionally if they're in a business that handles customers and the public? Similar to when we called a pet-sitting business, they answered brusquely "Hello?!", we asked if they could come out to our place, and when she heard our address, said "We don't go that far!" and then just about hung up. How hard is to answer the phone with the name of your business and be pleasant if you have public contact? Yeah, bad day, busy, whatever, it's part of your job to be professional if you give half a sh*t about your customers (present *and* future). That goes for BBQ Chop Shop owners too. Personally, as I've said, I don't think their food is good enough (except the cream corn) to bother with even calling to see if they're open, much less driving there, so I don't really care if they fail or succeed, I'd just like to see business owners behave professionally.
Payitforward 07-27-2010, 04:26 AM For today only, you can get "$10 for $20 Worth of Barbecue and More at BBQ Chop Shop" through Groupon. Here's the link: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu1524490
BBatesokc 07-27-2010, 07:10 AM For today only, you can get "$10 for $20 Worth of Barbecue and More at BBQ Chop Shop" through Groupon. Here's the link: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu1524490
Just bought the wife and I one of those! Can't wait to try it out.
As for the discussion regarding closing early.... While you don't see that much in OKC - probably because many people's idea of BBQ is some chain restaurant - we go to Austin on a regular basis and its very common there and in surrounding communities that have great family owned BBQ places that are small but the best BBQ you've ever had.
We went to one outside of Austin that is only open two days a week and virtually all their orders are to-go orders. You have to get your order in and in line around 10am if you want to insure you're gonna get ribs, sides and cake. Some people drive over an hour just to find out they are 'sold out.' Nobody complains, its just part of the adventure.
On our last visit in downtown Austin a really popular place was out of ribs because they only make so many and that's it. Had that also happen to me at Leo's once, but we also showed up right before closing time.
TheTravellers 08-02-2010, 12:20 PM Just bought the wife and I one of those! Can't wait to try it out.
As for the discussion regarding closing early.... While you don't see that much in OKC - probably because many people's idea of BBQ is some chain restaurant - we go to Austin on a regular basis and its very common there and in surrounding communities that have great family owned BBQ places that are small but the best BBQ you've ever had.
We went to one outside of Austin that is only open two days a week and virtually all their orders are to-go orders. You have to get your order in and in line around 10am if you want to insure you're gonna get ribs, sides and cake. Some people drive over an hour just to find out they are 'sold out.' Nobody complains, its just part of the adventure.
On our last visit in downtown Austin a really popular place was out of ribs because they only make so many and that's it. Had that also happen to me at Leo's once, but we also showed up right before closing time.
Sigh... As I've said before earlier in the thread, I (and most people) accept a restaurant closing early in that type of situation (above-referenced place that's only open 2 days/week) - you're an established business and people know about the early-closing situation because they've been doing that for a while (and it might even be posted in their restaurant, some places do tell you that), and you have food that people will line up out the door for (or drive for "an hour" for). Neither of those apply to BBQ Chop Shop - they're new, so nobody knows their "schedule" (they close on random days at random times) and (IMHO) their food isn't worth waiting much more than about 5 minutes in line for, since there are better BBQ places around...
Props to the BBQ Chop Shop owners for trying to make a new place successful, but I don't believe they have the magic they need to do it long-haul...
And sadly, I have no idea why the people of OKC keeps choosing Earl's as the best BBQ in the city because it isn't (not just in my opinion, but I know lots of other folks who don't think that Earl's is the best BBQ in OKC).
metro 08-02-2010, 01:55 PM I agree, Earl's is farrrrrrrr from being even in the top 10 in the City IMO, but alas people in this town and most of America vote on name recognition alone and the chains win the day. At least this one is a local chain though.
kellyc 08-31-2010, 07:51 AM I was going to try out the BBQ Chop Shop for lunch on Saturday but they were not open. I am not sure how to put this in a kind way but it looked like the tax man closed them down. Their web site doesn't seem to be online anymore either. Does anyone know whether or not they are going to reopen at any point or are they gone for good? I love trying out the places people fight about on OKCTalk.com.
BBatesokc 08-31-2010, 08:46 AM I was going to try out the BBQ Chop Shop for lunch on Saturday but they were not open. I am not sure how to put this in a kind way but it looked like the tax man closed them down. Their web site doesn't seem to be online anymore either. Does anyone know whether or not they are going to reopen at any point or are they gone for good? I love trying out the places people fight about on OKCTalk.com.
UrbanSpoon.com has them listed as (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1454239/restaurant/Nichols-Hills-Lakeside/BBQ-Chop-Shop-Oklahoma-City) 'Sorry, but BBQ Chop Shop is no longer open.' I guess I better call Groupon and figure out how to get my money back. Too bad, I like a good BBQ joint.
soonergolfer 08-31-2010, 11:55 AM I ate there last week and it was open. I actually thought the food was really good. We also used a groupon.
JerzeeGrlinOKC 09-01-2010, 09:34 PM UrbanSpoon.com has them listed as (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1454239/restaurant/Nichols-Hills-Lakeside/BBQ-Chop-Shop-Oklahoma-City) 'Sorry, but BBQ Chop Shop is no longer open.' I guess I better call Groupon and figure out how to get my money back. Too bad, I like a good BBQ joint.
Boo!!! So how does one get their money back from Groupon when a vendor closes?
BBatesokc 09-01-2010, 10:06 PM Boo!!! So how does one get their money back from Groupon when a vendor closes?
I just sent an email to Groupon and they promptly replied that the credit to my card should appear within a few days.
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