The Next Great Restaurant

[SanJoaquinSooner]

The judges, Bobby Flay, Curtis Stone, Lorena Garcia, Stever Ells, put up their own money to fund the next great fast food restaurant with three locations. (premiered last night on NBC).

[Hey, ladies, do your nipples become erect over Curtis Stone?]

Ten contestants are competing. I found their ideas underwhelming. I wouldn't invest in any of them based on the initial episode. I swear I have a better idea than any of these.

Their ideas:


1. Heaven and Hell diner: the menu is half healthy food and half over-the-top indulgent food.

2. Meatballs and sauce

3. upscale grilled cheese

4. Sports wraps

5. Like Chipotles, but with Indian (Asian) food, mostly vegetarian

6. Fixed calorie meals. three course meal with modest portions.

7. tacos, tapa style

8. redneck comfort food, tapa style

9. Chicken wings and waffles. yeah, that's right.

10. Like Chipotles, but Wok-style healthy asian food.

[NormanPride]

It depends on the execution, but I like the ideas of 5 through 10. A good quality dosa joint would be epic.

[ouleaf]

I wonder how much of their "own" money they judges are going to invest? Seems like the show would front the investment money, and it's basically just extra exposure for the judges own restaurants/product line/etc.

I wasn't very blown away by the concepts that were pitched either, but you have to keep in mind the show is based around restaurants that would compete in the fast-food/casual style of restaurants. They weren't accepting pitches for fine dining restaurants.

Of the 10 finalists that I think have the most potential.....The indian themed concept, the fixed calorie concept, the chicken and waffles concept, and the Asian Wok concept.

I thought the Healthy vs. Indulgent concept was interesting, but may be better suited to a full on fine dining concept. Just don't think it will be successful in this arena. Dark horse might be the Red Neck/Comfort Food restaurant.

[Mississippi Sooner]

Chicken and waffles would work in the Deep South, for sure. There are already a lot of mom and pop type places around here that have that has part of their regular fare. I even saw a sign this past weekend in front of some greasy spoon urging folks to come on in and try their chicken and waffles. Washed down with a thick, syrupy glass of sweet tea, no doubt.

[OULenexaman]

Nothing on this show interested me at all....it was fail. My idea blows all of this away...

[NormanPride]

What is your idea?

[picasso]

My idea blows all of this away...

I told my wife a great idea would be all of these dishes with a phallic like shape.
The place could be called Fellatios.

[OULenexaman]

close to my idea...very close.

[yermom]

an Indian chain could be interesting

i've really had a taste for Indian food lately :D

the fixed calorie thing is kinda interesting too. have you seen calorie counts on things at places like Chipotle, Chili's or PF Changs??

the problem is that they are shooting at lowest common denominator/mass appeal kinda thing. another chain like Chili's or Applebees or something, right?

i tend to avoid most of them anyway, with the exception of Chipotle. it's a bit different though.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

I wonder how much of their "own" money they judges are going to invest? Seems like the show would front the investment money, and it's basically just extra exposure for the judges own restaurants/product line/etc.

This is what Curtis Stone said about that:


Normally, when NBC comes to you and wants you to do a show, you're like, "Woo hoo! I just landed a new show!" But this was different because they wanted us to get our checkbooks out. Normally when you walk into a meeting with network executives, you kiss their asses, but this time, I had a bunch of questions.

I haven't read how much -- I'd guess a slice of their compensation for being on the show. But it makes it intriguing if the judges have a vested interest in the outcome.

[ouleaf]

the problem is that they are shooting at lowest common denominator/mass appeal kinda thing. another chain like Chili's or Applebees or something, right?


I don't think they are going for any place that has waiters/waitresses. They are looking for a real fast/casual place where you order your food, have it prepared and in your hand in about 2 minutes or less.

[Chuck Bao]

an Indian chain could be interesting

i've really had a taste for Indian food lately :D

the fixed calorie thing is kinda interesting too. have you seen calorie counts on things at places like Chipotle, Chili's or PF Changs??

the problem is that they are shooting at lowest common denominator/mass appeal kinda thing. another chain like Chili's or Applebees or something, right?

i tend to avoid most of them anyway, with the exception of Chipotle. it's a bit different though.

I have thought that there is a niche market in the US for fast food Indian (red dot not red feather) food. Well, think about it: freshly baked nan wrap with Chicken Tiki (maybe westernized with ranch dressing). My own creation would be double samosas with one half curry and the other half yoghurt (raita). Oh, and there can be fried okra which the red dot indians call lady fingers. Or, there could be spinach and goat cheese that is just to die for but probably not suited for fast food.

[Chuck Bao]

I told my wife a great idea would be all of these dishes with a phallic like shape.
The place could be called Fellatios.

Oh, very excellent idea. Baked mushroom poppers with cream cheese on top would be just fab.

[picasso]

Oh, very excellent idea. Baked mushroom poppers with cream cheese on top would be just fab.

You can get an LPGA player to pose in a promo photo kissing said dish!

[Chuck Bao]

You can get an LPGA player to pose in a promo photo kissing said dish!

You are such a mean guy. You know that I don't like the sport of golf.

[jkjsooner]

an Indian chain could be interesting


I agree about the need for Indian chain restaurants. I think they may have them out west but here on the east coast we have tons of Indians and no real Indian fast food.

I would say we need Thai fast food as well but I think it may not translate to fast food as Thai is generally higher quality / fresh food.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

On the Asian wok concept, it reminds me of the Mongolian Barbeque restaurants at which I've been, where you load up your plate with super thin slices of meat, a variety of vegetables, and sauces -- then hand the plate to the cook who quick-cooks it on a huge high-heat circular griddle for just a few minutes, not unlike wok cooking. It seems satisfying (and healthy) but it always seemed to taste the same no matter what I chose to load on my plate.

[SoonerJack]

On the Asian wok concept, it reminds me of the Mongolian Barbeque restaurants at which I've been, where you load up your plate with super thin slices of meat, a variety of vegetables, and sauces -- then stand in a long line waiting for a cooking spot to free up, hand the plate to the cook who's sporting a tap-out tatoo and drives a tricked out Civic quick-cooks it one a huge high-heat circular griddle for just a few minutes while trying to get your date's number, not unlike wok cooking. It seems satisfying (and healthy) but it always seemed to taste the same no matter what I chose to load on my plate.

FIFY:D

[SanJoaquinSooner]

Chicken and waffles would work in the Deep South, for sure. There are already a lot of mom and pop type places around here that have that has part of their regular fare. I even saw a sign this past weekend in front of some greasy spoon urging folks to come on in and try their chicken and waffles. Washed down with a thick, syrupy glass of sweet tea, no doubt.

For fast food place, I think it helps if take-out can carry a significant load.

The advantage of sandwiches, wraps, burritos, pizza, and chinese, is that they are so conducive to take-out. Chicken wings yes, but I'm not sure about waffles. In my opinion, waffles have to stay crispy and hot enough to melt butter.

Just the thought of waffles with sweet tea raised my blood sugar a notch.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

It depends on the execution, but I like the ideas of 5 through 10. A good quality dosa joint would be epic.

No doubt execution is the most important factor, more so than originality. For example, there are a gazillion hamburger and pizza joints -- but one more of them can always be successful if the food is great at a reasonable price with good service.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

I used to enjoy watching Curtis Stone on Take Home Chef. It was a low budget reality show, where Curtis hits on a stressed out female at the supermarket who lacked cooking skills. He offers to create a fine dining experience for her and her husband/boy friend* and his expense. It's set up to be a surprise for the husband/boyfriend when he gets home from work.

Curtis Stone's good looks and charming Aussie accent, in addition to his cooking skills, were a major draw. For such a young guy, he always seemed to say the right thing to make the young lady feel good about herself and the situation.

It was funny, though, while many of the husbands/boy friends really appreciated the surprise dinner, a few seemed intimidated by Stone. They couldn't handle coming home a finding a good-looking stranger with his wife in the kitchen.

I'm not sure if Curtis Stone as a judge works as well. He'll have to be critical at times, whereas he was the master of diplomacy and tact on Take Home Chef.



*saw one episode where it was a lesbian couple.

[saucysoonergal]

Pizza in a cup!

"Oh, this is the best pizza in a cup ever. This guy is unbelievable. He ran the old Cup 'o Pizza guy out of business. People come from all over to eat this."

[NormanPride]

Curtis was good on Celebrity Apprentice from what little I saw. He's too nice to really make it in business, though.

[Chuck Bao]

Pizza in a cup!

"Oh, this is the best pizza in a cup ever. This guy is unbelievable. He ran the old Cup 'o Pizza guy out of business. People come from all over to eat this."

That is pretty funny, but maybe not as funny as my Thai friends who bought into the pizza in an edible cone franchise idea. Well, I do like to curl my pizza slice so it goes into my mouth. I like to do that myself, though.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

Well, that's a wrap.


The fact that the judges are the investors appeared to influence their decision to send wrap lady home.

I would have sent the tator tot hicks couple home in a heart beat.

[StoopTroup]

I forgot to record it.

[ouleaf]

Well, that's a wrap.


The fact that the judges are the investors appeared to influence their decision to send wrap lady home.

I would have sent the tator tot hicks couple home in a heart beat.

Yeah, i didn't much care for the wrap lady....probably started with the whole WNBA background thing and her showing the stupid championship ring....I was glad to see her go. It was also a bad concept as well.

Think the Grilled Cheese guy took a big step forward this week. I thought he'd hang around for 1 or 2 episodes before getting the boot, but the fact that he was the crowd favorite probably goes a long way in the eyes of the judges.

Surprised the Wok lady did so poorly. Couldn't believe the Redneck couple served that slop. Was amazed that the wings and waffles guy served gumbo. Still think the Indian Food guy and the Calorie Controlled girl have a good chance of winning it all though.

[OULenexaman]

that wrap bitch stole my fish...

[sooner59]

So is the waiter the only difference between the Wok idea and Genghis Grill? It sounds good but so does GG. I guess it doesn't matter if you have an original idea, just make it a little different....like Chipotle, Qdoba, Freebirds, etc.

[StoopTroup]

I'm starving now

[ouleaf]

Anyone else still into this? This show has lost a lot of it's steam. It is a great concept, but I'm thinking they just have not done a good job of selecting the right contestants. Its just becoming more and more apparent each week that many of them don't have the first clue about opening/running/operating a restaurant. I'm certainly not an expert either, but I thought they would have at least had more polished concepts and business models going into all of this.

If I had to pull for anyone right now I'd think it would be the Indian Food guy. His concept is the most original and also has the most potential. I am tired of the walking stereotype Italian guy. I was really hoping he would have been gone by now. I'm glad the dooshbag taco guy finally got the axe. Confidence is one thing, but this guy was just plain cocky.

I'm completely over the stupid couple from LA trying to pull off the southern grill/redneck/bbq concept. There is nothing even remotely southern about them, so I'm not really sure why they are focused on that concept. They don't know the first thing about barbeque and it makes me want to punch them both in the face.

[NormanPride]

Then stop watching...?

[SanJoaquinSooner]

http://thefeministkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/blood-bones-butter_201.jpg

Gotta get this book. Here's part of a review by Anthony Bourdain:


I finally got my hands on an advance copy and eagerly devoured it. It was of course brilliant. I expected it to be. But I wasn't prepared for exactly how goddamn brilliant the thing was, or how enchanted, difficult, strange, rich, inspiring and just plain hard her life and career--her long road to Prune--had been. I was unprepared for page after page of such sharp, carefully-crafted, ballistically-precise sentences. I was, frankly, devastated. I put this amazing memoir down and wanted to crawl under the bed, retroactively withdraw every book, every page I'd ever written. And burn them.

Blood, Bones, and Butter is, quite simply, the far-and-away best chef or food-genre memoir...ever. EVER. It certainly kicked the hell out of my Kitchen Confidential, which suddenly, in a second, felt shallow, sophomoric and ultimately lightweight next to this...this monster of a book, this--at times--truly hardscrabble life…Blood, Bones, and Butter is deeper, better written, more hardcore, more fully fleshed-out; a more well-rounded story than every sunflower-and-saffron account of soft-core food porn in France. It's as bull**** and pretense-free as AJ Leibling--and at least as well written, but more poignant, romantic--even thrilling.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

RIP Saucy Balls

[SanJoaquinSooner]

Welcome Brooklyn Balls

[hawaii 5-0]

Sorta like has already been mentioned........


Meat of your choice stir fried with vegetables and poured over a bowl of rice or french fries.

Shoyu, Ketchup or Hot Sauce to flavor.

5-0



Trump/ Mr. Green Jeans 2012

[sooner59]

I hope the Soul Daddy place wins. I think a soul food place would be cool. I am interested in the Indian place as well. The grillbilly place is a yawn for me. Harvest Sol, i'll pass on. Not excited about the meatball place.

[Leroy Lizard]

Soul food is so 1970s. Passe.

[hawaii 5-0]

Soul food is so 1970s. Passe.



The only good Soul Food place in Hawaii closed about 5 years ago. I'd die for a good pulled pork sammich or some fried okra.




5-0





Trump/Stossel 2012

[sooner59]

Soul food is so 1970s. Passe.

Which is your pick? I am rooting for the ones that I think would be viable and I would like. Its an opinion. I actually like the idea of Harvest Sol and Grillbillies, but I don't see them lasting. I don't see the meatball place working at all. The other two sound like they might catch on.

And this isn't the 1970s. That was 40 years ago. It doesn't matter if it was done back then. It isn't being done in a fast casual chain restaurant now. If the market goes for it, then its a winner. The more I think about it, though, I am actually more interested in the Indian food place. That is a market that hasn't been tapped.

[Leroy Lizard]

The only good Soul Food place in Hawaii closed about 5 years ago. I'd die for a good pulled pork sammich or some fried okra.

Who told you that was soul food?

[Leroy Lizard]

Which is your pick? I am rooting for the ones that I think would be viable and I would like. Its an opinion. I actually like the idea of Harvest Sol and Grillbillies, but I don't see them lasting. I don't see the meatball place working at all. The other two sound like they might catch on.

And this isn't the 1970s. That was 40 years ago. It doesn't matter if it was done back then. It isn't being done in a fast casual chain restaurant now. If the market goes for it, then its a winner. The more I think about it, though, I am actually more interested in the Indian food place. That is a market that hasn't been tapped.

People associate soul food with greasy scraps. I doubt even Blacks want to eat soul food anymore.

Assuming that there is any interest in soul food is a novelty that will wear off quickly. Go with the Indian restaurant. Much bigger market that is growing.

[hawaii 5-0]

Who told you that was soul food?



If you saw the cook you'd know. It's on the food line with the collard greens, grits and red beans/rice. There's no market for pigs knuckles so she doesn't serve them


You got a meat and 3 sides for $10.



I work with a Chinese gal who loves chicken feet.


5-0




Trump/Troup 2012

[Leroy Lizard]

If you saw the cook you'd know. It's on the food line with the collard greens, grits and red beans/rice. There's no market for pigs knuckles so she doesn't serve them


You got a meat and 3 sides for $10.

So when did the Grandy's close?

[hawaii 5-0]

So when did the Grandy's close?




LOL ! Never been a Grandy's on Oahu. I actually ate at the Grandys on Flood and Main a coupla times when it first opened. What a mistake!

This gal ran a hole in the wall place. She was taught to cook by here Daddy who was in the Army.

She closed her carry out place but you can buy her Bar-B-Que sauce in WalMarts here and she'll cater meals.

Deb's favorite line for her employees, "If you're leanin', you're cleanin'."



5-0




Trump/ Mustafa 2012

[Leroy Lizard]

LOL ! Never been a Grandy's on Oahu. I actually ate at the Grandys on Flood and Main a coupla times when it first opened. What a mistake!

Are you kidding me? Their all-you-can-eat chicken fried steak meal was awesome. Grandy's was probably my favorite fast-food restaurant in Norman, except for Braum's.


This gal ran a hole in the wall place. She was taught to cook by here Daddy who was in the Army.

She closed her carry out place but you can buy her Bar-B-Que sauce in WalMarts here and she'll cater meals.

Deb's favorite line for her employees, "If you're leanin', you're cleanin'.

Well shuck my corn!

[hawaii 5-0]

IMO Grandy's Chicken Fry was marginal. Maybe it got better.



There's a good one in old downtown Plano. aTm sports bar. Kelly's, I think.


5-0



Trump/ Mookie 2012

[Leroy Lizard]

I take it back: Schlotzky's was the best. I loved those monster pastrami sandwiches. Mmmmmmm...

[ouleaf]

Which is your pick? I am rooting for the ones that I think would be viable and I would like. Its an opinion. I actually like the idea of Harvest Sol and Grillbillies, but I don't see them lasting. I don't see the meatball place working at all. The other two sound like they might catch on.

And this isn't the 1970s. That was 40 years ago. It doesn't matter if it was done back then. It isn't being done in a fast casual chain restaurant now. If the market goes for it, then its a winner. The more I think about it, though, I am actually more interested in the Indian food place. That is a market that hasn't been tapped.

I'm really hoping the Indian Food guy wins. I think it has the most potential to grow into a real business. And I think the guy has enough smarts and business saavy to run successful restaurants.

The Harvest Sol girl is nice and all, but I just can't imagine her being in charge of a restaurant. The Grillbillies are just stupid. I think they've lucked their way into where they are right now. They have a really good chef is about all they have going for them right now.

The walking stereotype that is Saucy Balls/Brooklyn Meatball Company is not going to make it as a restaurant. I do however think he could do very well if he just straight opened a company that produces and sells frozen or refrigerated meatballs to supermarkets/restaurants/specialty stores. By all accounts and comments fromt he judges, he does make great tasting meatballs. I just don't think it'll work for him as a restaurant concept.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

And how did the winner do?


Well, two of the three Soul Daddy restaurants are shutting down. The New York and LA locations are closing with only the Minneapolis Mall of America location remaining open.

I'm not surprised after a moment's glance at the menu.

http://www.souldaddyrestaurant.com/

Only one sandwich. Fried Chicken and waffles, which was originally his signature dish, not on the menu. No fried anything. The salads sound uninspired.

Except for the singular pulled pork sandwich, too expensive for minimum wage earners' lunch in my opinion.


The meatball guy or the Indian guy would have done better, I believe.

[sooner59]

Sounds like Flay, Stone, and the Chipotle dip**** ran in into the ground by making him change his menu/prices. If he put 20 of thos south of the Mason-dixon line from Oklahoma to Georgia, and make exactly what he originally wanted to and priced it fair, it would be a huge hit. Instead they screw up the menu, jack up the prices and put them in high end locations. I never understood why they didn't wait until they found the winner and then decided the locations. It's common sense.

[ouleaf]

I don't think the prices are too bad, the menu does not sound very appealing. Feel bad for the guy though. Seemed like an all around good guy.

Agree that the Indian guy would have done better. Do not think the Meatball guy would have done much better.

[texaspokieokie]

wonder where Leroy is ????

[SanJoaquinSooner]

wonder where Leroy is ????

I've wondered myself. Thought about researching the obits in Arizona. anyone know which city he's in?

[yermom]

you think someone took him out?

[StoopTroup]

His last post.

I think he finally decided to listen to me. :D

http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3206967&postcount=17

[yermom]

i'm still not convinced he wasn't Osama

[StoopTroup]

i'm still not convinced he wasn't Osama

I'm convinced he was in prison in Fresno and they pulled his plug.

[SanJoaquinSooner]

I'm convinced he was in prison in Fresno and they pulled his plug.

Pretty sure he once lived in california but was long gone. Somehow I remember Arizona but i don't recall the city.

[StoopTroup]

His Parents finally kicked his *** to the curb....

[diverdog]

I'm really hoping the Indian Food guy wins. I think it has the most potential to grow into a real business. And I think the guy has enough smarts and business saavy to run successful restaurants.

The Harvest Sol girl is nice and all, but I just can't imagine her being in charge of a restaurant. The Grillbillies are just stupid. I think they've lucked their way into where they are right now. They have a really good chef is about all they have going for them right now.

The walking stereotype that is Saucy Balls/Brooklyn Meatball Company is not going to make it as a restaurant. I do however think he could do very well if he just straight opened a company that produces and sells frozen or refrigerated meatballs to supermarkets/restaurants/specialty stores. By all accounts and comments fromt he judges, he does make great tasting meatballs. I just don't think it'll work for him as a restaurant concept.


We have an Indian guy up here in Dover DE that opened a quasi Indian fast food joint with very limited seating. His hottest selling item and it is delicious is kaboobs......beef, lamb, chicken. It is served on nan.

[yermom]

there was a place kinda like that on Campus Corner for a while. it was really good but apparently didn't catch on.

[Lott's Bandana]

The only good Soul Food place in Hawaii closed about 5 years ago. I'd die for a good pulled pork sammich or some fried okra.




5-0





Trump/Stossel 2012


There is/was a local chain on O'ahu called Yummy's. Really grand Korean fast food in a very clean environment.

I always thought they'd do well on the west coast in bedroom communities. Something very different, yet incredible flavors.

For the Kama'aina: I like L&L Drive In, but Yummy's is a better biz model.