Comfortable sturdy barstools are a must for any drinking establishment. Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies offers a great deal on Club style barstools with oversized seats. The chrome frame barstools are stocked with black vinyl upholstery, and other colors are available as well.

These barstools have been a bestselling product at Superior for years. Many customers buy them for the bars in their homes, and they are a very popular style found in many bars, restaurants, and drinking establishments. Replacement parts for these stools area also available on our website.

Club style stools have seats that are 2” wider and 1” deeper than standard barstool seats. This allows for more room and comfort for your patrons. They are easy to clean and durable. The warranty is one year against manufacturer defects. Available at a great current price of $55.99 each, these are a fantastic value for those in need of new barstools. Complement your purchase with a selection from our large collection of restaurant chairs and tables.

The Club style barstools with black seats are in-stock and ready to ship out within one business day of your order, generally arriving within 5 business days. Our 4 nationwide restaurant supply warehouses ship hundreds of orders daily, and we pride ourselves on fast delivery. Hurry and order now- the sale price on this quality product is for a limited time only!   

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies offers two exclusive brands of products. Our Superior private label can be found on large kitchen equipment such as refrigeration, and cooking and bar equipment. Our Next Day Gourmet private line of smallwares includes kitchen utensils, scales, china, flatware, and many other foodservice supplies.

Our Superior line includes reach-in refrigerators, slicers, commercial ranges, and industrial dishwashers. Back bar coolers and direct draw dispensers also can be found in the Superior family of equipment. Our Superior private label items are manufactured by such industry giants as True, APW Wyott, Star, Bakers Pride, and Jackson.

There are over 1500 Next Day Gourmet exclusive brand products on www.SuperProd.com. China patterns include Amsterdam, Cancun, Duchess, Jive, Newport, White White, and many more. Our selection of flatware patterns includes Baguette, Dominion, Palm, Pebbles, Marissa, Radianz, and Union Square, as well as many others. Choose from cutlery, coffee cups, ramekins, soup service products, salad bowls, aprons, thermometers and tongs. These are just a small selection of smallwares products we offer under the Next Day Gourmet brand name.

In addition to our private labeled exclusive brand products, we have close to 12,000 total products available on our website. Many of these are in stock and ready to ship within one business day from our 4 national distribution centers. We pride ourselves on having a great product selection, great prices, and great customer service. In business for over 75 years, we are recognized as an industry leader in the foodservice equipment and supplies business.

Welcome back to Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies three part series on the history of restaurants. Previously we explored the early history of foodservice establishments and the evolution of eateries into the American dining landscape today. While our country is still relatively young, new technologies, expanded culinary exposure, and creativity have all been key components in the shaping of our modern day cornucopia of foodservice dining options.

This article will focus on the types of eating establishments available to consumers today in the United States. We will attempt to cover the more prominent and popular types of eateries, although some are sure to be left out as there are so many to choose from. We’ll also throw in some menu fare and recommended foodservice equipment and supply items that might work well with this type of venue. So here we go…

Restaurant is a generic term referring to any establishment that serves food to customers. High end restaurants offer cuts of quality meats and seafood dishes, often adorned with sauces and seasonings that delight the palate. Many of the world’s top chefs are in charge of these kitchens where dishes are created with some of the finest and freshest ingredients to be found- all for a price! Fast food restaurants and coffee shops have menu items that will cost you less than one dollar.

Pizzerias specialize in pizza, pasta, and Italian dishes. Delicatessens tend to cater more to the soup, sandwich, and side order crowd, often serving quality specialized sliced meats, while cafeterias offer these items as well as a variety of hot entrees and sides. Superior offers restaurant kitchen equipment such as sandwich and pizza prep units to help the kitchen staff prepare their meals. Restaurant meat slicers  and pizza supplies are also available on our website.

Diners, grills, and drive-ins offer casual dining fare, usually available for dining in, or for taking out. In recent years, casual dining chains have sprung up offering a variety of ethnic favorites and American favorites such as hamburgers and sub sandwiches. These restaurants are generally higher priced than fast food restaurants but not as expensive as “dining in sit-down” restaurants. With our recent economic woes, many Americans are frequenting these establishments more often than higher priced restaurants when they are dining out.
 

Bistros, cantinas, and cafés have varietal menus, sometimes specializing in a specific type of food or food theme. They are less formal than more expensive restaurants, offering a more relaxed casual atmosphere where people gather to eat and drink, sometimes choosing lighter fare to eat. Many of these eateries offer specialty cocktails and with a large selection of restaurant glasses, we have you covered whether you need specialized or classic styles of glassware.

Concession stands, donut shops, chophouses, oyster bars…the list goes on and on. We have so many options to choose from today when it comes to eating that it is mind boggling. Whether you want to indulge in animal brains, insects, flowers, or refreshing treats such as garlic ice cream, just do a little research. You probably don’t have to go too far to find the meal of your choice. Of course, a burger, fries and milkshake are still on the menu somewhere too!

And if you own and operate one of the aforementioned restaurants, you will need quality restaurant equipment and foodservice supply to be successful. With over 11,500 products sitewide and many ready to ship out within one business day, Superior Products is the company you need for fast quality service and a wide selection of products.

Ever wonder how restaurants got started? Humans have to eat to sustain their lives, so the idea of serving up food in a centralized location came about many moons ago. Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies begins a three part series today on restaurants, their history and evolution. You can follow eating establishments from their very earliest days to today’s cornucopia of places to eat.

Today’s post will focus on the early history of restaurants worldwide, while our second installation will review early American dining places. The third and final post of our series will take a look at modern day restaurants, diners, cafeterias, bistros, and other eateries we have available as dining options today. Most of the information contained in this article came from Wikipedia.com and their attributed sources.

So, way back when…

Restaurants are believed to have originated in ancient day Pompeii, Rome. Many small restaurant/bars sprung up and served as a social outlet for the citizens. Many homes were without kitchens, and these thermopolia usually had L-shaped buffet type setups, offering hot and cold prepared food to those who might have trouble finding it otherwise. 158 such thermopolia have been found throughout ancient Pompeii, many of them located in busy public areas.

During China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the hospitality and catering industry took off in Kaifeng, the northern capital of China in the 11^th century. The industry expanded from the taverns and teahouses that had been set up for individuals travelling through an area to new restaurants catering to the local community. Kaifeng had paper currency and had a population in excess of 1 million people. In addition to locals, visitors from other parts of China also visited these new “restaurants”.

Individual restaurants offered specialized menus to its patrons based on different types of cuisine, and socio-economic and religious considerations. Many of the families who ran restaurants in Kaifeng moved to Hangzhou, the capital city during the 12^th and 13^th centuries, after the Jurchen invasion.

Cafes began in Constantinople during the 16^th century when the first coffee house was born. They were popular gathering spots where the educated class would gather for hours sharing ideas, and indulging in drinks and snacks. The concept spread to Europe in the 17^th century, when the first modern-day café was opened in 1696, the Café Procope. This café in France offered wine, brandy, and liqueurs, as well as coffee.

During the 18^th century, the French government oversaw highly regulated establishments that served food for the purpose of restoring one’s strength or to help the sick and ailing recover. The French word restaurer means “to restore” and this is the origin of the word restaurant. The French Revolution was when restaurants as we think of them today were born. Laws were lifted on restricted foods that now allowed anyone who could afford the food to buy it. Many chefs capitalized and created menus with cooked-to-order food for the public to enjoy.

Can you imagine cornering the foodservice equipment and supplies market early on? Being a supplier of wholesale coffee cups and restaurant glasses could have quite the lucrative business back then. Today, you need look no further than Superior Products to find all of the equipment and supply needs for your foodservice establishment.

Stay with us this week as we continue our “History of Restaurants” series. Remember as you retrace the origins of restaurants, cafes, and catering establishments, that if you are in the foodservice business now, you need look no further than our website for quality kitchen cooking equipment, catering supplies, bar equipment and much, much more!

On Monday, May 23, Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies will unveil our Memorial Day Sale. The special savings will be available for two weeks and will run from May 23, 2011 to June 5, 2011. We want to commence the “unofficial” start of the Summer season with bargains on quality foodservice equipment and supplies.

Choose from products with reduced pricing such as catering supplies, bar supplies, and food prep products. The savings will be great and will only last for 2 weeks, so don't let this opportunity pass you by! Kick off Summer by investing in a variety of products for your establishment.

Superior Products features more than 11,500 products sitewide, and the majority of these are in-stock. These in-stock products ship out quickly, usually arriving at your business or home within 3 to 4 business days. Choose from leading industry manufacturers such as Manitowoc, Libbey, Cambro, and Vollrath. Furniture choices include a variety of barstools and chairs from such suppliers as Holsag, Waymar, and MTS Seating.

Shop now and save at Superior’s Memorial Day Sale. Spring into Summer and save now!
Sneak a peak at our product selection (sale prices won't display until Monday). For special savings enter source code OLC422 in shopping basket to receive an extra 5% off your order.

Friday the 13th is a myth that originated sometime after the 19th century seemingly as a combination of two long standing myths that suggest that both the 6th day of the week Friday, and the number 13, are unlucky. Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies wants to dispel the myth and present you with:

TOP 10 REASONS THAT FRIDAY THE 13th is NOT UNLUCKY:

 9) We wouldn’t have Colgate Day without it! Every Friday the 13th, this day is celebrated nationwide in honor of Colgate University's history: thirteen men founded it in 1819 with only thirteen dollars and thirteen prayers between them.

8) Great events such as the Opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games happened on Friday the 13^th- in August 2004. Imagine the revenue from food and beverage sales at that event!

7) When you cross two negatives (fear of 13 and fear of Friday), they cancel out and become a positive! So, celebrate and spend money at your local restaurant or bar!

6) It is a great day to plan a midmonth 3 day weekend, including a visit to your favorite foodservice establishment!

5) We have enough real stresses in our daily lives. Who needs imaginary phobias to stress them out even more? Have a drink and relax at your favorite watering hole!

4) Most anything in life is going to happen when it happens on any given day- so just get over it! It’s just another day on the calendar!

3) It adds a weekend night out for scheduling Valentine’s Day celebrations at restaurants when it occurs in February.

2) It never falls on a Monday (a notoriously slow day in the restaurant world).

And last but not least:

1) The word  paraskevidekatriaphobia is just too hard to pronounce or spell! (In case you were wondering, it means an irrational fear of Friday the 13th).

So, celebrate this lucky day and stock up on all of your kitchen cooking equipment and bar supplies at Superior Products now! Happy Friday the 13th!

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies is offering values on select products until the end of the month. Get yer Irish up and order now to receive super savings. View the selection of products here.

Green is the color of the day and you can save some green on these great deals. Over the land, beer will be flowing liberally on this day throughout bars and restaurants, so make sure you’re prepared! Make sure you’re stocked up on beer glasses, pitchers, and bar equipment.

In business for over 75 years, Superior is a name you can trust in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. We strive on speedy delivery and great customer service. Our user friendly website offers a worry free online experience for our customers with a great selection of over 11,500 products.



We also offer a variety of energy efficient Energy Star rated equipment products. Many of our refrigerators, ranges and food prep equipment have this rating. Eco friendly products are also available, such as our carryout containers and hot beverage holders. So with green in mind today, you can buy green, save green, and celebrate green! Happy St Patricks Day!

Too Much Chocolate Cake

Submitted by Kimberly M.

1 18.25 oz pkg devil’s food cake mix
1 5.9 oz pkg instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350º F (175º C).

In a large bowl, mix cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, beaten eggs and water.

Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until the top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate if desired; dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Recommended Restaurant Equipment and supplies:

• Measuring Cup Set
• Revolving Cake Stand
• Wood Rim Sieve

Dining traffic showed positive growth signs in the fourth quarter of 2010 and has restaurant owners hopeful for the rest of this year. There were declines in 2009 over 2008 in restaurant guest traffic, but traffic was flat in 2010 when compared to 2009. This is optimistic news for the industry, as the steady decline that was happening seems to have turned around in 2010. 



Spending at restaurants also increased, according to the NPD group market research company. An article in the Nation's Restaurant News details the results of their study.

This is also good news for the restaurant equipment and supplies industry. Superior Products prides itself on being an industry leader for over 75 years, offering over 11,500 products on our website. Choose from restaurant glasses, bar equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, and much, much more!

Our 4 nationwide distribution centers stock many of these products, so they are ready to ship out right away. Once your order is placed, in-stock products will ship out by the next business day, and you should receive product in 4 to 6 business days. Now is the time to order and take advantage of our free shipping offer on in-stock merchandise totalling $250 or more for orders shipping within the continental 48 states (offer excludes furniture and premium shipping services such as liftgate and inside delivery).

Our Superior Products March flyer was mailed out recently, and it features two new lines of furniture. We have replaced our popular chrome and black bar stools with new ones from a new vendor. They have improved construction, but at a lower price! Demand for these stools has been consistent over the years, and now we can offer an even superior product with a reduction in cost. As before, these stools are stocked in our restaurant supply warehouses, ready to ship within one business day after ordering.



In addition to our barstools, we have added a variety of outdoor furniture. Tabletops, bases, chairs, barstools and umbrellas are all now available from Plantation Patterns. In future months, we will be offering more patterns and styles. Check out the great selection now and save on select products. Many of these products are available in different colors, so these personalized items ship directly from the manufacturer, and lead times will vary.

Our March flyer has a furniture emphasis, but many more products are being introduced this month. Our newest additions can be viewed on our Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies website. With over 11,500 products sitewide, we have you covered when it comes to your foodservice industry needs.

Choosing which glass to serve your cocktails in will only enhance the presentation of the product. At Superior Products, we have a large selection of glassware, designed especially for serving and merchandising specific drinks. Our selection of beer glassware includes mugs, pilsner glasses, beer coolers (pint glasses) and glass pitchers. Plastic pitchers are also available. Wine glasses are available in a variety of patterns for white wine, red wine, and champagne.

If you serve specialty frozen drinks, we have margarita glasses, hurricane glasses, and super sized glassware. Cocktail glasses are available in different sizes, shapes, and colors for your specialty martinis, cosmos, and gimlets. Choose from a variety of rocks glasses, shot glasses, and cordial glasses for serving your cordials, after dinner drinks, and shots. If you serve Irish Coffee or other hot libations, you can select the perfect glass from our selection.

Our restaurant glass selection includes hi-ball glasses, old-fashioned glasses, and tumblers. Water glasses and goblets are also available in a variety of patterns and sizes. For your entire bar equipment and supply collection, choose Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies as your source; we have been a leader in the industry for over 75 years. Most of our glassware is stocked in our restaurant supply warehouses, and are shipped out within one business day after placing your order. Your shipment generally arrives within 4 to 6 business days.

The annual Superior Products Winter Equipment Sale is now going on. Choose from a variety of commercial foodservice equipment from your restaurant equipper for over 75 years. We’ve got you covered with all of your restaurant equipment and supply needs.

Choose from refrigeration and ice products for the kitchen: sandwich and pizza prep units, stainless steel fridges and commercial ice machines. Bar equipment on sale this season include direct draw dispensers and back bar refrigeration units.

Take the chill out of winter with great savings on commercial kitchen equipment such as restaurant ranges, fryers and griddles. Concession equipment on sale ranges from popcorn poppers to hot dog rollers to frozen pizza ovens. Chill, heat, serve….all of the equipment you need this winter is available at Superior Products!

Amana is a leader in the microwave cooking industry, and has been so since it first introduced the Radarange oven, marketed in 1967 for domestic use. Prior to that, microwaves were first produced for commercial use in 1954, but they were as large and heavy as refrigerators, and were very expensive.

It took a few years for the microwave market to take off, but by the early 1970s, they had become an affordable piece of kitchen equipment in both homes and businesses alike. Today, it would see unfathomable to not see a microwave in a home kitchen, workplace break room, cafeteria/deli or foodservice kitchen. Amana still leads the way and Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies is proud to now feature Amana’s RCS and RMS Series microwaves among the plethora of kitchen cooking equipment we offer.

The RCS Series are 1000 watt microwaves designed for medium volume applications. They feature a Grab and Go door handle, see through door and lighted interior. Choose from touch screen or dial models. The RCS10TS is great for pizza restaurants, delis, clubs, and casual dining establishments, while the RCS10DS is designed for use in coffee shops, concession and dessert stations, and ethnic restaurants. Both carry a 3 year warranty on Magnetron, and meet NSF and UL commercial standards, as do the RMS Series microwaves.

The RMS Series ovens are foodservice equipment designed for low volume use. They are 1000 watt and compact. They have the same handle, door, and lighting features as the RCS Series ovens, and are available in three models. Amana’s RMS10T and RMS10TS have touch screens, and are ideal for break rooms, vending area, and espresso bars. The RMS10D has a 6 minute light up dial and a white powder coated interior.

These commercial kitchen equipment musts are in stock and ready for fast shipping from our 4 nationwide restaurant supply warehouses. After placing your order, you should receive your microwaves in 4 to 6 business days. For more information regarding these models, please see below.

MORE INFO:

RCS10TS

RCS10DS

RMS10T

RMS10TS
 

RMS10D

The store has since relocated, and has been at its current location since June of 2006. The Charlotte Superior Outlet Center offers a wide variety of foodservice equipment and supply products, including commercial kitchen equipment, bar equipment, and catering supplies. Having the advantage of being located very near the Charlotte restaurant supply warehouse, the store is able to easily accommodate orders for our entire in-stock inventory of restaurant equipment and supplies.

Charlotte’s manager is Karen Peralta, who has worked for Superior Products for 13 years, 9 of those in Charlotte. Prior to that, Karen worked as manager of our former Fort Worth, Texas location. She began her tenure with Superior Products working in the Call Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Karen’s staff includes three long-tenured Superior Products employees.

The Charlotte outlet center’s assistant manger is Jason Nahooikaika, who has also worked in Charlotte for 9 years. Jason worked for a year in our former Atlanta location prior to that. Brian Harvey and Michael Jordan have both worked in Charlotte for 10 years. Michael worked in the distribution center for 4 years prior to moving to the outlet center, where he has worked for the last 6 years.

EXCITING NEWSFLASH:
SUPERIOR OUTLET CENTERS are now
US FOODS CULINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OUTLET CENTERS...
We'll have a fresh look and a new product catalog in early 2012!

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies has had a presence in Southern California for many years. We currently have an outlet center in Anaheim, California. The original Anaheim SuperStore opened in 1989 and has been at its current location since February 2007.

The Anaheim Superior Outlet Center caters to several foodservice clients in the Anaheim area, including Slater’s 50/50, who were just featured on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food series. You can find bar equipment, catering supplies and restaurant glasses there, along with many more of your foodservice equipment and supply needs.

The staff really enjoys serving the local foodservice community. According to Juan Armenta, Anaheim Outlet Center Manager, “It’s exciting when you get a chance to work with a customer setting up a new business or expanding its current location. It’s also rewarding when that customer invites us to their grand opening. Other people may be enjoying the food. Me? I get a rush seeing the equipment purchased from us in operation.”

Armenta started in Anaheim in 1998, and transferred to Superior’s former San Diego, California location, in 2003 as store manager. In 2005, he transferred back to Anaheim and in 2007, he accepted the position of Anaheim Outlet Center Manager. Juan works with three other staff members. Doug Best has been with Superior since 1996, Rico Gonzalez started in 2007, and Victor Martinez joined the team in 2008.

Juan recalls a situation that took place a few years ago in the Anaheim store. One of their customers was at the checkout counter, and when Juan asked him for the name of his business, his heavily-accented response was the French equivalent of “If You Please” (pronounced “sill-vu-play”). Juan tried relying on his high school French class knowledge to spell the name of the restaurant. He then confessed to customer that he did not know how to spell the name of his business. The customer spelled it out for him by writing SEA FOOD PLACE, which turned out to be anything but French. Juan came to the conclusion that a little knowledge can get you into more trouble than no knowledge at all!

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies began in 1933 as an aluminum and brass foundry in the Northeast section of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prohibition was ending and local breweries requested that Superior make beer parts for them. The demand and business grew, as did the Superior Products name. 1937 marked the first publishing of a catalog that featured beer parts. In ensuing years, the catalog product selection expanded to include flatware, toasters, walk-in coolers, and other products.

Distribution centers were set up in Orlando, Florida, Charlotte, North Carolina, Hartford, Connecticut, Columbus, Ohio, and Dallas, Texas between 1976 and 1986. In 1989, showrooms in Santa Ana, California, and St Paul, Minnesota were replaced by SuperStores, with Santa Ana relocating to Anaheim, California. In that year, the catalog and sales flyer mailing lists expanded to include prospect customers, and Superior Products became the industry leader in catalog sales for such products as catering supplies, bar equipment, and commercial kitchen equipment for cooking.

Superior Products expanded to include more SuperStores, totaling over 20 at one time. Distribution centers emerged in Reno, Nevada, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and they service Superior customers today, along with our St Paul location (now located in suburb of Plymouth, MN) and Charlotte Distribution Center. Due to tough economic times, the number of SuperStores (now referred to as Superior Outlet Centers by Next Day Gourmet) has been downsized to six locations.

In our upcoming featured outlet center blog posts, we will share with you information about our six outlet center locations, where you can purchase your foodservice equipment and supply needs locally. We will have new posts each Tuesdays and Fridays, beginning on Friday, December 17, with our first post featuring our Alexandria, Virginia location. Posts about our other locations, Anaheim, Charlotte, Orlando, Reno and St Paul, will follow. Stay tuned to Superior Connections for our upcoming informative posts!