Sayonara to the land of desk jobs, I'm opening a restaurant

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
12/05/2016 at 14:36 • Filed to: Fit guy in a little kitchen

Nobody I know who works in a kitchen wears a watch like this in a kitchen

I’m a huge food nerd who has been working in IT staffing for the past almost-11 years. It was never something I particularly enjoyed, and I’ve wanted to open a restaurant for a long time, but refused to take on a bunch of debt to do it. Well, the funding has fallen into place, so it’s restaurant time!

Since this is the very early stages of the process, I’m holding the concept a little close to the vest, but needless to say it will be sufficiently hippie-friendly in its sourcing of ingredients and making everything from scratch. I’m meeting this week with a lawyer, and after that, I’m meeting a commercial real estate broker to check out a possible location. There are other assorted meetings and such but I can say that my full time job is now doing all the legwork to get this place opened.

Right now I’m on my way to the cutlery store to have some knives sharpened (been meaning to for a while but was too occupied being an office drone) and talking to a couple purveyors about ingredients.

Once things are a bit closer to happening I’ll be setting up the usual facebook, instagram, etc. type pages and may post an occasional update here but I’ll be sure to not be spammy.

In the immortal words of Justin Wilson, my favorite TV chef when I was a kid,

DAT GON BE GOOD, I GAH-RAWN-TEE!

DISCUSSION (65)

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:38

so when are you inviting all of us to eat?

Party-vi > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:39

Fuckin neato.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:39

Secret OPPO discount?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:40

Location?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:41

Congrats man, I wish you every success with it.

random001 > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:41

Kickass!

Seat Safety Switch > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:43

Nice. Make us proud.

Jcarr > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:43

Nice. I pass through Madison at least once a year and my sister and her husband like to take a trip up there occasionally. We’ll make sure to patronize.

HammerheadFistpunch > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:43

Congratulations man! So liberating to even hear of people shuffling out of their office jobs to do what they want. here’s hoping for the best!

ttyymmnn > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:44

Good luck. I’m sure you are well aware of the amount of work involved. Bit I’ve always thought it would be neat to run your own place. Just be sure to serve good beer.

BobintheMtns > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:44

Good luck man! As one entrepreneur to another, heard this a few weeks back:

“ Entrepreneur: Someone willing to 80 hours a week, because they didn’t want to work 40 ".

My citroen won't start > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:45

Huh, most Chef’s I know (personally, on Munchies, media, etc) are wearing Submariners.

Best of luck! Opening a restaurant is a dream of mine.

Textured Soy Protein > ttyymmnn
12/05/2016 at 14:47

We’ll see about the beer part. Alcohol licensing here in Madison is...complicated. For this type of place it’d be a beer/wine license. It’s easier to get a license if you take over a location that was already licensed but those are hard to find. The place I’m looking at was already built out as a restaurant and would take some redoing to do what I want but I’m not sure it had any kind of alcohol license. Otherwise I may open it at first without the alcohol and work on going through the process of applying for a new license.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:49

Oppo meet at Atlas place!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:49

Wow - congrats! If you’re in need of a designer to help you out with a logo, I’d be happy to give you the “friends & family” discount.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:51

Good luck and awesome that you’re following your passion.

I have a friend who has been successful in 4 restaurants now (after being less-than-successful in 2).

They are in SF so in every case they took over a place that already had a liquor license, which is apparently one of the most complicated issues here.

Where is it going to be?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:51

RIP your social life, and days off. My boss open a 2nd location of where I work, it open in August & he as taken 1 day off. You being the owner, will spend 90% of your time dealing with suppliers and paper work. The other 10% being in the kitchen will be showing your cooks how to do it your way, & giving people shit.

$kaycog > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:52

That is wonderful! I hope everything works out for you! Best of luck!

MrDakka > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
12/05/2016 at 14:54

Seconded!

Textured Soy Protein > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/05/2016 at 14:55

My goal is to eventually have someone handle the administrative stuff but that’s obviously not going to be at the beginning.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:56

Bugging out of office job, opening restaurant (WITH booze), and your favorite TV chef is Justin Wilson? /endorsed.

Textured Soy Protein > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/05/2016 at 14:57

I may well take you up on that.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:57

Your in what city, I do have almost 2 years of restaurant experience in BOH.

Funktheduck > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:57

I’m not sure how it is where you are but there are some weird local alcohol laws around. To skirt them, several places are BYOB. They charge $2-5/person with valid ID. One restaurant is right next to a gas station. The station went from a small selection of crappy beers to a big selection of all sorts. Mutually beneficial.

Funktheduck > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 14:58

Congrats and good luck. Watch your cash flow and make sure you have enough capital to withstand the first year or so. Most failed businesses I see (especially restaurants) didn’t have enough cash to weather the storm after the new hipness wore off.

S65 > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:00

Kinja'd!!!

Yes! Follow your dreams! Get out that cramped cubicle so I can live vicirously through you! We’ll be rooting for you from here!

fhrblig > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:03

Three words: artisanal corn dogs.

Seriously, congratulations!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:05

Shoot me a note at d c l a n g e at the Google mail place and I’ll send you the link to my online portfolio.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:11

Congrats man! Here’s hoping that it all works out, reading everyone else’s comments go with BYOB and maybe have suggestions on your website about what wine/beer goes well with what dish.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:12

What city?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:13

Congrats! Always pay your employment taxes.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
12/05/2016 at 15:13

Becoming a teacher was that liberation for me, believe it or not.

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:14

Given the header, I’m guessing Japanese.

PontiacAttack > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:15

Best of luck!

HammerheadFistpunch > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
12/05/2016 at 15:17

I’ve thought about it allot. My wife taught and we could both be happy teaching I think

Frenchlicker > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:19

Congratulations, what city/town are you going to be in?

Jonathan Harper > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:21

Cool! If it’s in NY or LA I can donate some photography :)

PartyPooper2012 > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:23

Where is this place? I need me some IT food

Jonathan Harper > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/05/2016 at 15:25

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > Funktheduck
12/05/2016 at 15:38

That’s exactly why I’ve waited this long to open it. Want to make sure it has enough of a chance to grow. The funding situation, without going into detail, is really solid.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
12/05/2016 at 15:39

You’ve gotta be cut out for it. And emotionally, it has been a heavy lift. It has also provided growth opportunities in many areas, emotional and spiritual.

Textured Soy Protein > Funktheduck
12/05/2016 at 15:39

Not sure if BYO is allowed here. There is a gas station across the street from the location I’m scouting though.

nermal > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:41

Good luck!

Kinja'd!!!

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 15:46

Questions:

What style of food

Price

Aimed at hipsters Y or N

Aimed at working class (don’t over complicate things e.g. handcrafted sriracha mayo or some fancy BS) Y or N

Demographics of the area.

Tourist area

These are valid questions to help you with your restaurants.

Also, here’s a fun one, will you host Cars and Coffee events?

Textured Soy Protein > Steve in Manhattan
12/05/2016 at 15:50

Nah, I just wanted a more complicated way to say goodbye.

Textured Soy Protein > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
12/05/2016 at 16:03

Without completely giving away the concept, it’s a chefified premium but not hipster take on a fast casual concept that there really aren’t any other of in the area. Demographics are suburban office workers in the crunchy granola town of Madison, WI who appreciate such things. Price in the $8-15/person range.

Toby F., Manager > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 16:08

Godspeed with your endeavors! I feel like you’re a representation with where I plan to head in 10 years (currently pursuing HR with the intention to jump ship and start my own business/restaurant). At 22 I’ve helped start and run a catering business - which has experienced growth, and while fun and relatively successful, I am ready to move on and focus on my HR career. I also have joined a group of fellow students in a food and beverage/hospitality endeavor that started as a project, and though we’ve developed, pitched, and continue to move on, I don’t currently see myself continuing on with an active role in the business.

Funktheduck > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 16:18

Sweet. Good luck.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 17:19

What’s the theme (don’t give me the name) and cuisine style? Canadian (i.e. POUTINE)? Cheese? BEER?

Textured Soy Protein > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/05/2016 at 17:31

Madison, WI

Textured Soy Protein > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
12/05/2016 at 17:33

Well, let’s put it this way: it’s going to do one thing and do it well. It’s a thing I’ve been cooking for friends over the years and to the point where because I have a small townhouse, I’ll cook at someone else’s house and everyone who attends kicks in for the groceries. But there’s no real way to tell you the one thing without telling you the one thing. ;)

As for Cars & Coffee, it’s not really the right sort of location for that kind of gathering.

Textured Soy Protein > BobintheMtns
12/05/2016 at 17:34

Kinda, in my case I was sick of working 40 doing stuff I didn’t give a shit about for people I didn’t like. Not that I actively disliked them but they were just not my style of people and I didn’t feel like trying to climb that ladder.

Textured Soy Protein > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/05/2016 at 17:36

I’m in Madison, WI and alcohol licensing is a similarly thorny issue. At most I would be doing beer/wine and it’s not going to make or break the place if I don’t immediately have it. The location I’m looking at may or may not have an existing license. Pretty sure it doesn’t.

Textured Soy Protein > Jonathan Harper
12/05/2016 at 17:38

Well if by NY or LA you mean Madison, WI then sure!

I’m halfway decent with a camera and have suitable lenses for making blurry background food porn shots to post online.

Textured Soy Protein > My citroen won't start
12/05/2016 at 17:39

In the US most chefs are making well under $50k a year unless they’re working somewhere particularly fancy or own the place.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 17:43

Will your place host car gatherings.

Also, I’ll probably nevr come to your place:( I live in Fl and I’m a college student.

Textured Soy Protein > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
12/05/2016 at 17:50

Parking at the location I’m eyeing is shared with several other businesses so it’s kinda doubtful I’d be able to take over the parking lot. I’m just keeping a lid on the concept for now out of slight paranoia over the info being out there in the open. I’ve shared it with friends & family and that’s about it. Like I said, I’ll post about it when it’s a bit further along.

BJ > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 20:32

That’s awesome! I wish you luck.

QCGoose > Textured Soy Protein
12/05/2016 at 21:12

Very cool! I live in Davenport, IA but some of my buddies and I make our way up to Madison every now and then as it’s only a little over two hours away. When everything is up and running, we’ll be sure to stop in!

Also, good luck to you and congratulations on pursuing your passion!

RacinBob > Textured Soy Protein
12/06/2016 at 08:12

Let us know what it is when it is open. We are doing Madison this weekend for our preholiday splurge. We will stop by whenever.

Textured Soy Protein > RacinBob
12/06/2016 at 11:34

Cool, yeah I will certainly post updates. In the meantime if you want some ideas for where to go this weekend, check out:

Hipster/American: Heritage Tavern, A Pig in a Fur Coat, Forequarter, Oliver’s Public House

Steak: Tornado Club

Old School Wisco Supper Clubs/Bars: Toby’s Supper Club, Dexter’s Pub

Italian/Pizza: Salvatore’s Tomato Pies, Lombardino’s, Pizza Brutta, Osteria Papavero

Asian: Red Sushi, Double 10 Mini Hot Pot, Saigon Noodle

Townie Burgers: The Village Green in Middleton, and Oliver’s chef-y burger is one of my favorites in town

Lunch Buffets: Swad Indian, David’s Jamaican

Dessert: ahhhmaaaazzzzing Mexican ice cream at La Michoacana. Except it’s cold and I dunno if you want ice cream. But it’s good.

Don’t go to The Old Fashioned on the square. That place irks me. It’s trying too hard to be a chef-y play on an authentic Wisconsin something-or-other but just comes off as fake, and their menu is way too sandwich-heavy. Every hotel sends their tourists there and to me it’s just Meh with a capital M.

bubblestheturtle > Textured Soy Protein
12/06/2016 at 19:07

Was just talking to some folks about opening one this weekend. Good luck!

RacinBob > Textured Soy Protein
12/06/2016 at 19:31

Thanks, we’ve been doing this weekend in madison nearly 30 years. Appreciate the suggestions. It’s Fresco for us on Sat. See you next year!

Jonathan Harper > Textured Soy Protein
12/06/2016 at 20:34

Can’t wait to see your creations.

Chasaboo > Textured Soy Protein
12/11/2016 at 20:53

I’ve known several people who have had restaurants, one of them was voted as best restaurant by Time magazine. All of them said the biggest pain was keeping the staff from stealing from the restaurant in either money, or goods. Best of luck to you.