American food in Thailand

**toslti** · 15-08-2010, 11:43 AM

Starlite Diner Food Menu

I was in Moscow when this place opened. Amazing success. Good food, good drinks and safe. I'm not saying that the menu is all do-able in Thailand but maybe there are some suggestions here.

**The Fresh Prince** · 15-08-2010, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by chitown

I might have a source fo you HB. Oscar Meyer and all beef hot dogs. Let me do some digging.

I'd also be interested in that too Chitown.

And HB, how did you forget the Buffalo Wings with Franks Hot Sauce? Thats one of our biggest sellers.

**aging one** · 15-08-2010, 11:55 AM

If ya cant find those dogs, the best I have found are the 5 inch smokies at Foodland. Not bad at all.

**dirtydog** · 15-08-2010, 11:55 AM

^^Wonder how that translates into Thai

**hillbilly** · 15-08-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by chitown

Also your prices are too low. You are running a resort and need to make some on your sales.

Thanks for digging! Also our resort is located outside of town, our restaurant is located in town. The wife and I have been arguing about prices almost on a daily basis. I think they are too low. However, she is concerned if we make them to high, customers will not come back...

**The Fresh Prince** · 15-08-2010, 12:20 PM

Just agree on a percentage and then mark everything at that from what you buy it at.

**Jet Gorgon** · 15-08-2010, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

As a card-carrying hillbilly, I'm sure you already know this, but cornbread is kind of required with ham hock soup.

Oh Yaaaa.

**hillbilly** · 15-08-2010, 03:46 PM

One of the main problems is educating the chef/cooks. I made a mistake a few weeks and allowed the wife to use one of her Philippino friends (who knew how to cook cheaply) to show our chef how to cook a few falang dishes. Needless to say it all had to be dumped.

While cheap Thai hot dogs (instead of beef or pork) in lasagna might work for some it does not work for me.

Basically, I have said prepare the American food my way. Why did I even open up my mouth and say 'Why not sell 'falang' food?"

**aging one** · 15-08-2010, 04:17 PM

I know how you feel. A couple of things I would suggest that I think the Thai's would go for as they do when I cook it. Make a nice stew, but use pork instead of beef. A pork chicken fried steak is a big hit here, with mash and cream gravy. Thais seem to like garlic mash.

With the price of cheese my lasagna would be fairly expensive. So I would go with spaghetti. As I think of things i will post them.

**Jet Gorgon** · 15-08-2010, 05:11 PM

I just read that an equal portion of lean ham has half the calories of a lean steak.
Anyhoo, I'd like a BLT now, please.

**El Gibbon** · 15-08-2010, 05:51 PM

Start slow only a dozen or less "menue" items. Add specials etc as you see fit. Eventually you will hit on the winners and then add them to the fixed menu.

Key to making money is to keep spoilage to a bare minimum. This takes a chef that understands how to maximize product and can think ahead of what to do with potential spoilage. Soup of the day is always a winner and leftovers make it.

Good percentage is 33% food costs, the rest is labor, handling and profit. DO NOT go cheap, even for Thais, good customers understand value for money. If its all cheap Charlies your in trouble. (The Best restaurant in Nong Khai is the most expensive by far. It caters to a customer base that is 90%+ Thai.)

good luck

E. G.

**Jet Gorgon** · 15-08-2010, 06:22 PM

^ Agree, mak mak.

**Rascal** · 15-08-2010, 07:30 PM

there is a business that delivers that has beef hotdogs, have not tried but will soon.

**ossierob** · 16-08-2010, 06:13 AM

Prices look ok Hillbilly...I agree that the menu is too long.....I also agree that soup is good but not the canned stuff....Only want a few sandwich choices and of the rest just pick 6 of the ones you think would suit your clientele and then add or alter from there....good luck with it

**dirtydog** · 16-08-2010, 06:22 AM

What about a weekly road kill bbq? But Thai inspired, instead of normal road kill Soi dogs will do just fine

**hillbilly** · 16-08-2010, 05:44 PM

Actually, we have been debating the weekly road kill specials. Maybe grilled prawns on Friday and BBQ ribs on Saturday. Would sure cut down on the waste.

I vetoed the grilled rats special.

Yea, I know that they are Rice field rats and not the regular rats but still...

**patsycat** · 16-08-2010, 06:13 PM

Don't forget your famous deep fried turkey!!

**Davis Knowlton** · 16-08-2010, 06:28 PM

Man would I love a turkey sandwich right now. Wheat bread, white meat, salt, pepper, and real Hellman's mayo. Ain't gonna happen, but it's a great dream.

**Jet Gorgon** · 16-08-2010, 09:32 PM

^ I'll eat one of those and think of you.

Gotta be Hellman's or home-made. With a bit of cranberry sauce.

**Deris** · 16-08-2010, 11:13 PM

Chicken fried steak or pork with a nice gravy over it and splashed over the mashed potato's sounds good. You can use the gravy for bisciuts and gravy in the morning too.

Okay I don't think the Thai's would go for that but I could. I think hot wings would sell though. My wife and daughter eat enough of them and they are easy to make. Just make sure they are super hot or the locals will think they are warm wings

**Mrwizard** · 17-08-2010, 12:06 AM

make real lasagne not the spinach one.......and where are the real hamburgers ? not the McD stuff..American pizza. like pizza hawaii. American coleslaw..

**Jet Gorgon** · 17-08-2010, 12:43 AM

Meh, a bunch of chilis on the side will make the Thais happy.

**Deris** · 17-08-2010, 12:58 AM

I wonder how a traditional meat lasagna would taste with thai chilis? I'd more than likely die but my wilfe might like it.

**ShilohJim** · 17-08-2010, 02:23 AM

Hillbilly: "Actually, we have been debating the weekly road kill specials. Maybe grilled prawns on Friday and BBQ ribs on Saturday. Would sure cut down on the waste."
As one card carrying redneck to another, sounds like you've hit another long ball, greens to you. Not knowing your clientèle, veggie Lasagna sounds iffy. I know you'd starve to death around here if that was all that was offered..... As others have mentioned maybe the "menu" is a little long. How about breaking it into lunch and dinner? That way the PB&J and Grilled cheeses could be lunch items. Just remember American foods are not all spicy like most Thai dishes.

Best of Luck,
Shiloh Jim

**Chuckycheese** · 17-08-2010, 03:57 AM

That's a nice menu; something for everybody. How's about a tuna melt and onion rings?

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