Catering Supply

Food trucks have been gaining popularity in recent years as consumers search for bargains while our current strained economy has a firm grip on our wallets. Six food trucks were featured at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago this year, and they were the topic of several discussions at the show. There are currently over 4000 food trucks licensed in Los Angeles County, and they are popular in other metropolitan areas as well.

In the Twin Cities, Food Truck Court has been created. Each Wednesday throughout the Summer in downtown St. Paul, MN, a variety of food trucks assemble on Food Truck Court. They’re offering up culinary creations to consumers for a digestible price. Instead of greasy spoon type meals, there will be healthier alternatives offered. This is quite a far cry from the concessions you’re used to being served at food trucks, and you don’t have to be attending an event to indulge.

New York City has established the New York City Food Truck Association (NYCFTA), which is a collection of small businesses that own and operate food trucks. They oversee quality issues, ethical issues, and legal issues surrounding food trucks and their selling techniques. The association currently has over 20 members.

Earlier this month, Pera Turkish Taco Truck, which is parked in Central Park near the old Tavern on the Green, acquired a license to sell beer, wine and liquor. Other vendors that occupy permanent spaces in Central Park are also seeking liquor licenses. Any truck granted a license must ensure that their customers drink within the seating confines of the Tavern on the Green Food Truck Terrace.

So, as consumers battle against an unstable economy, food trucks have found a way to serve quality food at a palatable price. Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies offers a variety of catering and small equipment products to help these culinary creators continue their creative process. With over 11,000 products on our website, we’ve got the foodservice supplies they need!

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies offers a variety of dinnerware choices. You can choose from multiple shapes, styles, brands, colors, and patterns. The first two things that you need to decide when purchasing dinnerware are which shape and which style is right for your establishment.


Shapes

• Wide rim plates- highlight smaller portions but take up more space on tabletop
• Medium rim plates- versatile and offer smaller center for presentation
• Narrow rim plates- allow for maximum serving sizes and elicit image of value
• Coupe shaped plates- contemporary look and feel with no rims 

• Plain rim plates- allow more focus on the food
• Sculptured rim plates- provide design and visual interest and can be coordinated with flatware patterns and tabletop accessories

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.

Social media is helping build new business and potentially increase check averages. This is according to an article appearing on Nation’s Restaurant News website (www.nrn.com) by Alan Snel. The article references a webinar about online ordering. The webinar was sponsored by social media provider Exit41 and presented by Nation’s Restaurant News.

As noted in the article, this type of program must include a dedicated and well planned marketing campaign and must be constantly monitored. However, the benefits that can be reaped include additional P.R. and increase revenues. For more details, read article.

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies would like to help you build and increase your foodservice business as well. With over 11,500 products sitewide, we have all that you need to get started and to keep running a successful foodservice operation. Many of our products including restaurant glasses and catering supplies are stocked in our 4 national distribution centers and ready to ship to you within one business 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

Awesome Baked Beans

Submitted by Kathy S.

1 ½ lbs hamburger
1 lb bacon
1 chopped up onion
2 large cans Bush’s original baked beans
2 cans dark red kidney beans
2 cans butter beans
½ cup vinegar
1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1 ½ tsp dry mustard
1 tbsp salt

Brown cut up bacon and drain. Brown hamburger and onion together and drain.

In a large crock pot combine hamburger, bacon, all beans and the rest of the ingredients. (Add the juice from the kidney beans but not the butter beans, or all juice as desired.)

Cook on low for 3-5 hours and enjoy!

Can be made up ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen.

Recommended Restaurant Equipment and supplies:

• Cutting Board
• Can Opener
• Mixing Spoon

January is here and it’s time to stock up on smallwares and other restaurant equipment and supplies at Superior Products. View a variety of products including refrigeration equipment, catering supplies, and food prep tools, many at discounted prices. Now is the time to check your supply inventory and stock up for your upcoming 2011 business.

Featured products include airpots, oven mitts, scales and salad spinners. With over 11,500 products sitewide, Superior offers products to meet all of your foodservice equipment and supply needs. Many of these are stocked in our distribution centers located throughout various regions in the country, covering the Southern, Eastern, Midwestern and Western U.S.

 All the tools you need to create culinary delights can be stocked up on now. Keep your kitchen running efficiently and safely with such products as dunnage racks, equipment stands and cutting boards. Start off the New Year right and stock up!

The year is coming to an end and it’s the time to highlight our best selling restaurant equipment and supplies from 2010. These products will be featured on www.SuperProd.com tomorrow but we are giving you a sneak preview on Superior Connections today.

With a variety of products ranging from commercial refrigerators and ice machines to glassware and china, Superior Products offers over 11,500 foodservice equipment and supply products on our website. Choose from a variety of commercial kitchen equipment and catering supplies.

Be sure to check out the seasonal savings that run through the end of the week. We would like to thank you for your purchases in 2010; we look forward to offering a great selection and great deals to you in 2011. Superior has been a leader in the foodservice industry for over 75 years, and many of our products are stocked in our four distribution centers, ready to ship out to you within one business day.

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!

Week 3 of our month of Seasonal Savings continues this week with blowout pricing on restaurant equipment and supply. We are offering our lowest prices of the year on select products such as catering supplies and restaurant cooking supplies. Save on blenders, cutlery sets, chafing dishes and more!

Weeks 1 and 2 of our Seasonal Savings showcased sale priced items and products featured in our Buy One Get One Free Sale. These offers as well as our blowout pricing and next week's final Seasonal Savings specials are good through the end of the month. Act now and get your in-stock product ordered in time for the holidays. For extra savings, order $250 of in-stock products and receive free standard shipping (excluding furniture and orders shipping out of continental U.S.). 


  




Specially priced knife sets by Wusthof are now available as well. This cutlery is made for commercial use, but make great gifts for the home. Another extra value this week not advertised elsewhere is our natural heavy duty high chair. Now priced at $31.99, it's a great buy for your business or home.





Shop now and save at Superior Products restaurant equipment and supplies.

Green is the way to go these days, and we are happy to announce the arrival of new environmentally friendly green foodservice supply products. Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies has recently added the ECO-Takeout™ line of reusable food containers manufactured by G.E.T. Enterprises.







These containers are made of 100% BPA free polypropylene, and are the perfect alternative to styrofoam, which becomes non-biodegradable waste when disposed of. Eco-Takeouts™ are the perfect catering supply product for colleges, hotel room service, and “brown bag” luncheon banquets.  

FEATURES:

• Commercial dishwasher safe on any “peg” style dish rack
   
• Made from recyclable material
   
• Microwave safe for re-heating
   
• Stackable for easy storage

Carlisle Foodservice Products is offering limited time pricing on select plastic dinnerware catering supply products. Superior Products is excited to offer these products on our website with pricing good through December 23, 2010.




Choose from platters in the Terra dinnerware line or from products by Carlisle newly added to Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies website. This selection of new items includes flared square bowls, and scalloped trays. The scalloped trays are available in square or rectangular patterns.





These new addition trays and bowls are great for deli, tabletop or display presentations and are made from heavy and durable melamine. All are NSF listed and safe for temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. These products are available in black or white, and have about a two week lead time, shipping directly from Carlisle's distribution centers (As always, if timing is crucial, please call for specific lead time).





Enjoy the savings and order now! Remember that your order must be placed by December 23 to take advantage of this incredible pricing. Visit our website and see all the holiday savings going on now at Superior Products!