25 replies to this topic

[tjrob]

Introducing my Girl Friends enterprise AND my attempt to introduce GOOD Texas BBQ in TJ / Hipodromo !!!

Business location: Calle Alba Roja next to Sushi Rollo / north of Oxxo.

My GF started this small "Negocio," with her AWSOME cooking talents Guadalhara style AND I'm cooking on the grill; Hamburgers, Chicken and Baby Back Ribs!!

She operaqtes DAILY and I'm cooking on the weekends Fri., Sat & Sun.

She cooks all the traditional items, her Menudo and Posole are to die for. ( I still can't bring myself to eat gut soup, but, the Posole is very good IMO)

I'm cooking the BBQ with a homemade sauce Texas style, a little spicy. The hamburgers are the BEST guarenteed.

COME SUPPORT a joint Mexican / American venture !! LOOK FOR THE LARGE YELLOW BANNER AND THE GRINGO ON THE STREET BBQing!!! LOL

My prices are;
Hamburgers & FF 55p
Chicken Plate 85p Plate include FF or Potatoe salad and Veggies Normandy
Ribs 1/2 Plate 150p

Her prices are mostly below 50p per plate / bowl, ect.

CALL 864-3926 Nidia / Robert

Kind of a fun thing to do. Everyone LOVES my BBQ and I think it's NOT to be found in TJ.

CALL ahead for Ribs, they are pricy and I think I can only cook to order.

Will see if it can work for the BBQ. In the mean time it's fun to be with the 'ol lady and work together in TJ !!!

[otayBill]

Business location: Calle Alba Roja next to Sushi Rollo / north of Oxxo.

I was in the area today but could not find the restaurant. Passed the Sushi Rollo cart on Alba Roja but did not see any Texas BBQ.

[George Costanza]

Good luck on your venture. Is this an outdoor gig or do you have a restaurant? Most places like this start out like a small taco cart then move up if it is very popular. Don't hesitate to post some photos!

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

Good luck on your venture. Is this an outdoor gig or do you have a restaurant? Most places like this start out like a small taco cart then move up if it is very popular. Don't hesitate to post some photos!

I am down for this... Good Texas style BBQ is hard to come by in SD and is virtually unheard of in TJ.

Best place in San Diego is Abbys on Clairemont.

Are y'all throwing down smoked sausages and brisket?

[tjrob]

Well............ Maybe I'm not giving this much of a chance, or putting enough effort into this BUT, it's a BUST.

NO BODY wants ribs or chicken. The COST and unfimiluarity are the biggest issues I'm guessing.

Gave out free samples a couple of day's and everyone spoke highly BUT, when the rubber hit's the road!!!

Still going to do burgers and let her (GF) handle that. They truly are the best burger's I've eaten and they are selling.

The cost of "carbon," alone is restrictive. I wanted a gas grill and was talked out of it from my GF. Boy I wish I had stuck to my guns. SOOOOO much cheaper to operate and I can not tell the diffrence in taste.

So come bye for Burgers and Fries. Burgers include everything! (Avo, Bacon and good Chedder Cheese.

[Keyno]

Well............ Maybe I'm not giving this much of a chance, or putting enough effort into this BUT, it's a BUST.

NO BODY wants ribs or chicken. The COST and unfimiluarity are the biggest issues I'm guessing.

Gave out free samples a couple of day's and everyone spoke highly BUT, when the rubber hit's the road!!!

Still going to do burgers and let her (GF) handle that. They truly are the best burger's I've eaten and they are selling.

The cost of "carbon," alone is restrictive. I wanted a gas grill and was talked out of it from my GF. Boy I wish I had stuck to my guns. SOOOOO much cheaper to operate and I can not tell the diffrence in taste.

So come bye for Burgers and Fries. Burgers include everything! (Avo, Bacon and good Chedder Cheese.

Yes, people want Ribs and Chicken, it takes 1 year, yes one year (average)to make a profit or lets say a successful restaurant. A couple of months or weeks and you quit? ....too bad. If it's still your dream, do it! Make it happen! And make sure location is working for you, yeah location location.

side note, you are starting a business in a rough economic times, what did you expect? Fight for your dreams!

good luck

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

Yes, people want Ribs and Chicken, it takes 1 year, yes one year (average)to make a profit or lets say a successful restaurant. A couple of months or weeks and you quit? ....too bad. If it's still your dream, do it! Make it happen! And make sure location is working for you, yeah location location.

side note, you are starting a business in a rough economic times, what did you expect? Fight for your dreams!

good luck

Although fliers make a mess on the streets, they are highly effective marketing tool with me. Print up some and leave them in mailboxes.
Not on windshields though, people ignore them and let them fall to the ground.

Also, if people here couldn't find the location you must not have a sign out front, a sign is a must.

[Buen Amigo]

BBQ Ribbs. heck yeah, i am up for it. will be looking for the place this weekend. The burgers, we will try as well. But dont give up man. Don't expect to get off to a great start right away. It takes time. Let word of mouth spread. Make fliers. People will come.

If we call and place our order for the BQ Ribbs will you still make them? Ask your wife to give propane a try. Show her the difference in price when you buy charcole(sp) and compared to propane/gas. Maybe that will help change her mind.

It would also help if you posted pitcures.......Pictures are always a +

[sugarpaws]

BBQ Ribbs. heck yeah, i am up for it. will be looking for the place this weekend. The burgers, we will try as well. But dont give up man. Don't expect to get off to a great start right away. It takes time. Let word of mouth spread. Make fliers. People will come.

If we call and place our order for the BQ Ribbs will you still make them? Ask your wife to give propane a try. Show her the difference in price when you buy charcole(sp) and compared to propane/gas. Maybe that will help change her mind.

It would also help if you posted pitcures.......Pictures are always a +

I absolutly agree with all the excellent advice by ALL the previous posters!
Location and Advertising are huge, also tenacity! If you are nervous about cost or about buying alot and then not selling it , I have a suggestion..
Offer a 2 day a week, every week, advertised special! Put up a sign actually AT your business ( and on Flyers, signs, word of mouth etc.) that says that on say..Friday and Saturday you will be having mouthwatering authentic , BBQ Ribs and Chicken. Talk it up! and tell people when they order their burgers that they should also come back on such and such a day for your Ribs and Chicken!
People love a "Special" and you can also give it a chance to get the product out to the public without as much cost, effort and dissapointment. It will also let you really Focus on doing a great job making that food for those 2 days. Make sure that you really HAVE it on the days that you say youy will so people can expect it and come just for it. Make it super tasty , different than other places around, consistant, and authentic to start...throw in your own twists along the way once you get the hang of it.
Sometimes if we feel that we are getting a limited time/amount item it makes us want it more, and we think that we are getting a better more specialized product!

I know alot of people here love Ribs and Chicken and I feel that most of the locals do too. It is a matter of getting the word out and giving them a good product! Just make sure to have it on the day that you say or that is a quick way to kill business, but, It is okay to say that you will offer it that day while supplies last... ( have a good amount ) that just makes people want it more, seems fresher and more sought after!

Just my advice...Please do not give up too soon, these things take time especially on the laid back " Mexico Time ".

[tjrob]

Ahhhhhh, shucks, thanks for all the words of encouragment.

I'll post a pic of the joint. It is right next to the ROLLO Sushi cart. He has a red awning and my GF has a big yellow sign hanging overhead of her "hole in the wall," joint.

Give her a call to order the ribs. I really don't want to cook these to sit around and get eaten by, well....ME

This is just an idea I had as everyone I've cooked for (my GF friends and Fam.) has raved about this NEW (to them) food.

To clarify the sauce, it's more a KC style with a kick. Because it has the kick I'm calling it Texas and I think the locals would reconize that word more than Kansas City.

The sauce is home made with some odd 15 ingreadents.

The bitch is, all this stuff costs allot of dough.

If my contracting biz in S.D. had even partial legs I wouldn't have time for this.

Thanks again for your words of encouragment. We shall see.........

[Buen Amigo]

Ingredient wise you can probably buy in bulk. Like Costco or Sams right? The meat, now yes that is the expensive part. But start small and go from there.

Sugarpaws had a great suggestion. Making the ribs only on certain days. Like many places in TJ serve menudo or pozole only and saturdays and sundays. Because really i think those are the only days that families go out together to eat. So that's an idea.

[sugarpaws]

Ingredient wise you can probably buy in bulk. Like Costco or Sams right? The meat, now yes that is the expensive part. But start small and go from there.

Sugarpaws had a great suggestion. Making the ribs only on certain days. Like many places in TJ serve menudo or pozole only and saturdays and sundays. Because really i think those are the only days that families go out together to eat. So that's an idea.

Thanks...I also have another suggestion....
I am not sure if you are offering Beef or Pork Ribs but most people I know like the Pork including myself. I also think that that would sell better to the Mexican Public plus it is generally less money per lb so it would be more cost conscious.

My suggestion it to get one of your relatives ( maybe a younger one, or better yet a beautiful Senorita ) that has a little time to spare pass out tiny bite samples for a couple of the days that you are the busiest at the stall. One of the best ways to sell a product is to offer a taste especially since this is a bit of a new product to some people. Some people buy it for that reason only! You can buy Pork Country Ribs, which are the big meaty and much less expensive ones, and cook them and cut them in bite-size pieces, put them on toothpicks and pass them out in person from a plate at your Girlfriends business while people pass by. The meat is good and the Country Style will " showcase " your sauce!
I always find these on sale at Food Bowl in San Diego, and many other places, especially places similar to that kind of store , for less than a dollar a lb, usually at 89 cents.
Not too costly.

[George Costanza]

Thanks now all this food talk is going to make me gain even more weight

Great suggestion guys and girls!

For some reason a see locals give up way to soon on their restaurants.
One guy opened a very nice hamburger joint down the street from me. He had constructed a nice little Hawaiian looking hut but only opened for a few weeks before closing down. His special was Hawaiian hamburgers and I never got the opportunity to enjoy one of them.

There was a nice little pizza place that spent 3 months preparing and renovating inside a plaza only to close 2 months later.

We had a Tamale shop that was part of a franchise and they only stayed open for 3 months.

Don't give up and I think the ribs for one day a week is a good deal. There are too many cheap rotisserie chicken places that you have to compete with so many locals may not want to pay the premium for a nice barbecued chicken.

I have to work this weekend but may be abler to come down next weekend to enjoy the Kansas city BBQ!!!


P.S. I will bring my carpet down so we can take photos of the food chillin on my carpet

[tjrob]

UPDATE !!!!!

No go on this gig. Hope to bail Mexico soon, very soon.

Tired of supporting a not so good GF and her 3 kids.

Cheers, to you all!

[bombero]

UPDATE !!!!!

No go on this gig. Hope to bail Mexico soon, very soon.

Tired of supporting a not so good GF and her 3 kids.

Cheers, to you all!

Too funny! You should open a bbq place in San Diego. I never thought American style bbq would do good in Mexico. Our sauces are to sweet or vinegary for there taste. San Diego is in big need of bbq, few places do it right.

[Keyno]

UPDATE !!!!!

No go on this gig. Hope to bail Mexico soon, very soon.

Tired of supporting a not so good GF and her 3 kids.

Cheers, to you all!

sorry to hear that, take care.....

[sugarpaws]

Too funny! You should open a bbq place in San Diego. I never thought American style bbq would do good in Mexico. Our sauces are to sweet or vinegary for there taste. San Diego is in big need of bbq, few places do it right.

See, I do not agree with you about our sauces! Too sweet or vinegary, are you kidding? Those flavors are very happily accepted in the Mexican diet. It is a complex mixture that really includes sweet, spicy, sour, etc. Look at the huge use of lemons/limes and chilies and the love of sugar /honey etc.
I was raised on many different styles of BBq and I feel that with enough stick -to- itness, this could be a corner on the market.
The sweet and sour of it is the exact flavor that I think that the public would love!
To the previous BBQ King,
Good Luck, and I am sorry that you are having trouble with your Girlfriend and her 3 kids.
I have gotten involved in someone in the past that just wanted more than they portrayed themselves as.
So sorry.

[bombero]

See, I do not agree with you about our sauces! Too sweet or vinegary, are you kidding? Those flavors are very happily accepted in the Mexican diet. It is a complex mixture that really includes sweet, spicy, sour, etc. Look at the huge use of lemons/limes and chilies and the love of sugar /honey etc.
I was raised on many different styles of BBq and I feel that with enough stick -to- itness, this could be a corner on the market.
The sweet and sour of it is the exact flavor that I think that the public would love!
To the previous BBQ King,
Good Luck, and I am sorry that you are having trouble with your Girlfriend and her 3 kids.
I have gotten involved in someone in the past that just wanted more than they portrayed themselves as.
So sorry.

A friend of mine from ensenada gave me some pulled pork bbq that he made. When he said bbq I was expecting a bbq taste like what we have here in the states, wow, the taste was completely different, caught me off guard. Hard to describe the flavors, I believe he used dried chiles to make it. Hotter with little to no sweetness.
When catchup becomes a staple of every mexican household then I'll believe there ready for our sauces.

[C-Lo]

See, I do not agree with you about our sauces! Too sweet or vinegary, are you kidding? Those flavors are very happily accepted in the Mexican diet. It is a complex mixture that really includes sweet, spicy, sour, etc. Look at the huge use of lemons/limes and chilies and the love of sugar /honey etc.
I was raised on many different styles of BBq and I feel that with enough stick -to- itness, this could be a corner on the market.
The sweet and sour of it is the exact flavor that I think that the public would love!
To the previous BBQ King,
Good Luck, and I am sorry that you are having trouble with your Girlfriend and her 3 kids.
I have gotten involved in someone in the past that just wanted more than they portrayed themselves as.
So sorry.

I agree Sugarpaws. I have seen my husband and his friends put away enough BBQ ribs and chicken and there were no complaints either. Same with hot wings, they were huge consumers. Also, on the catsup thing, I would say it is close to a staple, they just use it for different things than we do. For example...pizza. I find this strange, but it is very common and it was always in my in-laws house. My husband just made ribs yesterday and they sold like crazy. However, he didn't sell by rack or lb, it was a few as a guizo and it came with rice and beans for $40 pesos.

Sorry to here you venture is ending so soon.

[bombero]

Are there any american style bbq restaurants in Tijuana? If so I would like to try them.