Getting keys today (lease technically doesn't start until October, but landlord is cool).Just got off phone to get power turned on.Headed downtown to get my water & sewage set up.Final plans from architect still not here...but coming soon and then we turn it over to building contractor.Tonight I will drink a beer and break part of a wall in the place as a symbolic first step.Update?![]()
Getting keys today (lease technically doesn't start until October, but landlord is cool).Just got off phone to get power turned on.Headed downtown to get my water & sewage set up.Final plans from architect still not here...but coming soon and then we turn it over to building contractor.Tonight I will drink a beer and break part of a wall in the place as a symbolic first step.Update?![]()
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Getting keys today (lease technically doesn't start until October, but landlord is cool).Just got off phone to get power turned on.Headed downtown to get my water & sewage set up.Final plans from architect still not here...but coming soon and then we turn it over to building contractor.Tonight I will drink a beer and break part of a wall in the place as a symbolic first step.Update?![]()
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 No way. I'm at least 3 months out.Any chance you'll be open for business Oct. 13-17? I have a good friend that will be in town for a conference, and I've been hyping you for a while here in BMore.
  
  
 Construction permits applied for...gutting begins Monday. Contractor tells me 8 to 10 weeks....![]()
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Friggin AWESOMEConstruction permits applied for...gutting begins Monday. Contractor tells me 8 to 10 weeks....![]()
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Construction permits applied for...gutting begins Monday. Contractor tells me 8 to 10 weeks....![]()
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Congrats Tipsy!Construction permits applied for...gutting begins Monday. Contractor tells me 8 to 10 weeks....![]()
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Getting keys today (lease technically doesn't start until October, but landlord is cool).Just got off phone to get power turned on.Headed downtown to get my water & sewage set up.Final plans from architect still not here...but coming soon and then we turn it over to building contractor.Tonight I will drink a beer and break part of a wall in the place as a symbolic first step.Update?![]()

  
 
 Probably a blessing - BBQ "cred" goes up when no one can find a seat because you are so packed. They never have to know that you have enough food for 5x as many people - just let them think "man, this must be the place to be...look at how full it is!"I love it but it is smaller than I hoped for
What kind of seating you going to have? Plans to optimize the seating capacity?Will you sell "To go counter" style so folks can just walk in and grab some chow and head out as well? Any options for outside seating?I love it but it is smaller than I hoped for
What kind of seating you going to have? Plans to optimize the seating capacity?I love it but it is smaller than I hoped for
Also, consider a carry-out counter for call ahead orders as well as walk-up.   
Probably a blessing - BBQ "cred" goes up when no one can find a seat because you are so packed. They never have to know that you have enough food for 5x as many people - just let them think "man, this must be the place to be...look at how full it is!"I love it but it is smaller than I hoped for

I think my wife will be at that conference.Our big healthcare conference (HIMSS) is March 3-7 in Nawlins. Tipsey, should give you time to be machine-like in turning out world class Q. If so, I'll bring my team out and take over the joint! Look forward to seeing you again.

Will you do catering?The counter will handle all orders.....I'm either wrapping it up in butcher paper to go for everyone with a school lunch tray to carry that on if u stay in house. Sidewalk area will be home to a couple of tables, but out back has the smoker , a 200+ year old oak tree, and maybe room for a four top. Inside will be decided on soon after we move some tables around in the now open area.(always different than blueprints). I agree with it giving cred, but id rather my food do the talking and have more room to sell it from....but that can come next. I like the balance of low overhead on very buzy street.Ate at my closest competitor today. Good lord it was terrible
Not unlike most of the BBQ Joints in Memphis, eh?Ate at my closest competitor today. Good lord it was terrible
  At this point I won't give my money to anyone but Central. Catering will be a great 2ndary cash boost...  I'd also look at pushing for party/office orders with deals like:  20 Person BBQ Pack : 5lbs of pork, 2 Slabs Ribs, 2lbs Beans, 1lb Slaw, 1 Quart Sauce of choice, 20 Buns : $75.00 I'd make sure you had a sign visible with pre-fab bulk orders like that to trigger the "#### I'll get one of those for the tailgate" or "Let's get a 20pack for the office for lunch today" etc... Is there a local food delivery place that will deliver from other restaurants that don't normally deliver (ie a delivery middle man)? They are popular in a lot of cities... getting in good with them could be beneficial.It's nothing ground breaking, but I think removing the barrier of "how many of what do I need?" and opening it up to an impulse buy will help trigger those big orders. A lot of places sell stuff by the pound and I think that's good for people who know BBQ... but most folks don't know that you need 4oz pork per person...etc. Prefab "Party Kits" require no additional work on your part iMO.Catering for sure. Possible even offer delivery since we don't havea company like u speak of and there are 20K college students nearby. Love the big order idea Icon
agree completelyIt's nothing ground breaking, but I think removing the barrier of "how many of what do I need?" and opening it up to an impulse buy will help trigger those big orders. A lot of places sell stuff by the pound and I think that's good for people who know BBQ... but most folks don't know that you need 4oz pork per person...etc. Prefab "Party Kits" require no additional work on your part iMO.Catering for sure. Possible even offer delivery since we don't havea company like u speak of and there are 20K college students nearby. Love the big order idea Icon
that's a good ideaCatering will be a great 2ndary cash boost... I'd also look at pushing for party/office orders with deals like: 20 Person BBQ Pack : 5lbs of pork, 2 Slabs Ribs, 2lbs Beans, 1lb Slaw, 1 Quart Sauce of choice, 20 Buns : $75.00 I'd make sure you had a sign visible with pre-fab bulk orders like that to trigger the "#### I'll get one of those for the tailgate" or "Let's get a 20pack for the office for lunch today" etc...
Looking forward to it.Our big healthcare conference (HIMSS) is March 3-7 in Nawlins. Tipsey, should give you time to be machine-like in turning out world class Q. If so, I'll bring my team out and take over the joint! Look forward to seeing you again.
Ribs as you know couldn't be more expensive. Bbq joints cannot mark up too much or customers will balk. Not using them when leftover is like a kick to the nads. That's why my rib sammich will be used for as well as my beans. But reheated ribs are not as good by a long shot and a place as busy as they are should just donate them and move on...no excuseHit Central BBQ for some 'que on Sunday afternoon. Shoulder was solid... ribs tasted like they had been "held over" from the night before (despite crowds out the door).
 Just got an "IN" with BB Kings/Itta Bena's Executive Chef (dude has lost a ton of weight since this pic). Didn't realize I had been partying at his house all summer. Cool guy. Said he can score me cases of loin backs for ~$90/case on average for 13-14 slabs. No problem at all.. will just invoice me separately. Very nice since my "second degree" Corky's connection (STL Trimmed Spares for $5/slab) has dried up. Doing to definitely be doing some big smokes this Spring.Ribs as you know couldn't be more expensive. Bbq joints cannot mark up too much or customers will balk. Not using them when leftover is like a kick to the nads. That's why my rib sammich will be used for as well as my beans. But reheated ribs are not as good by a long shot and a place as busy as they are should just donate them and move on...no excuseHit Central BBQ for some 'que on Sunday afternoon. Shoulder was solid... ribs tasted like they had been "held over" from the night before (despite crowds out the door).
  
 
 it would be a new years miracle...ill let you know...remind me as it gets closer.Making plans to visit New Orleans for New Years weekend...will it be open?
No pics yet...its still a shell with no walls inside. Electrical done...HVAC done...plumbing started today. Started ordering all the equipment. Already booking parties for the upcoming year after we open. I have approx 10 catering orders already lined up..unheard of for a new place...the pop up concept really paying off. I start playing with new food this week. I gotta learn how to do beef ribs correctly. And lamb, and a sausage recipe. Also tweaking a couple of the recipes and sauces.Pics?

Change of plans, going to Rome instead. At least I'll know you'll be open when we do make it down there.it would be a new years miracle...ill let you know...remind me as it gets closer.Making plans to visit New Orleans for New Years weekend...will it be open?