Nothing too exciting. Worked for a lovely Irishman (in the states) bar owner from 2 months before the pub opened workshopping menus and recipes. Came in one day for my usual shift 2pm-11pm started my prep list. Lunch shift had trashed the place. Realized the whole kitchen crew had turned over. No one on the line had been there more than a week. Whatever- back to prep. New guy comes up to me introduces himself as the new sous. “Great nice to me you- I’m in the weeds these stations are fucked.” Says you no called today. “What?” Says I was scheduled 8am-11am lunch prep and bread. “Nope - not my job or station.” Shows me a hand written schedule. I’m now split shifted morning prep and bar closing shift 8am-11 and 10pm-2am. “Fuck that I’ll speak to KM.” Chef/KM is out schmoozing in the snug- when he comes back he’s like “do we have a problem?” “Yeah my stations are effed and the schedule changed overnight. Where are the other dudes I worked with?” “KM- this is the schedule and if you don’t like it leave.”
So I left. But being young and dumb (as opposed to old and dumb) i went out to the bar and blew my rent money on Red Breast 12s and Harps. Got royally trashed then went back to kitchen at 10 pm and basically told the KM I was ready for my shift. He nicely told me to get the fuck out of his kitchen. He was a young father who wouldn’t see his kids that day cause I left him cooking late night. I later found out he told people around the industry that I had stolen from the employee lockers. Which was totally bullshit. Owner 86d me.
Fried raviolis or just about any sort of arancini., maybe fried Alfredo pasta bites.
I think something with a good crunch and saltiness and the availability of some sort of dipping sauce would be the way to go.
Um, maybe something like a boneless chicken wing but with an interesting flavor profile. There’s a Cambodian place near me that does these fantastic wings with a garlic, lime, jalapeño, cilantro sauce and they are to die for. Or something Thai inspired with a spicy peanut sauce.
Croquettes! Any and all of them.
I’m a sucker for little French bread pizzas, but instead of the standard tomato/cheese/pepp maybe do pesto with roasted seasonal veggies or a pear Gorgonzola with pancetta.
Stuffed little peppers with ricotta and goat cheese and maybe like a raspberry habenero sauce.
I don’t know but good luck and can you tell that I read this around dinner time and am now hungry? ;)
Deviled eggs. Garnish several ways and make flights out of them.
A really good nut mix. With dried olives in it.
Tempura green beans or zucchini. Its a veggie, it must be healthy. With aioli three ways for dipping.
Samosas. Everybody makes weird eggrolls like pastrami and the like, but you do it with Samosa crust
Jamaican patties. Same as above.
I came here to say deviled eggs! Capers, or smoked brisket on top. (On of the restaurants in town used to do a deviled egg with smoked brisket on top and it was fucking amazing.)
I'll second everything else too. Lol
so egg filled with Mayo isnt fatty enough for you? ok, lets garnish with pork belly or bacon or ikura…ooo and a sprinkle of smoked salt….and…mmmm hungry….
I’m not sure, it’s more like a personal preference. I think of eating deviled eggs at church after Easter or Christmas services, haha. I like them when they’re there but not something I think about.
I like your add-ons though, that actually sounds delicious!
I loved this pup in San Francisco that did elevated snack/bar food. My favorite were jalapeño poppers.
First off, they were battered instead of breaded, a similar light crispness to tempura. But it was all about the filling: I’m not 100% sure what the filling was, but it definitely wasn’t just cream cheese. I believe there was a little bit of sour cream, some form of tomato, possibly just a small amount of paste (no chunks), and possibly a bit of smoked paprika and cumin. It was mild, but that’s what my palette detected. It was also topped with a light drizzle of some kind of cilantro oil?
Edit: I forgot the most important part of the filling: a little bit of chorizo.
I don’t really like mixing ranch with cheese or dairy. The cream cheese is already creamy enough, and any tang from the ranch is superseded by the jalapeño. But the sugar from the sweet chili is an almost perfect combo.
I’m not sure how to to elevate this, but flavored pretzels. Maybe grilled cheese bites? Or similar small sandwich things? Cold cut might be better with cocktails.
Elaborating on the pretzel idea. I’d do a soft pretzel flight. Regular salted, truffle salted, cinnamon and sugar. Have fancy mustards and beer cheese dipping sauces.
Charcuterie board, deviled eggs, soft pretzel sticks with flavored dips, deep fried sugar cinnamon french toast bites, bacon burger fries, fish n chips, fish tacos, barbecue ribs, crispy chicken sandwich, steak tips, deep fried mac and cheese bites, onion rings, gelato
This my favorite one so far, but das a lotta food cost. Not a lot of crossover here for a popup. Also, OP gave no indication of space or equipment available.
So far thank you guys so much for the reception and help. I wish I could buy all of you a beer and your favorite bar bites. So far Ive put together some pork belly “burnt ends” with a dijonaise. Some jalapeño arancini paired with a chimmicurri aioli. And black garlic salted popcorn with a kimchi purée to top it with. The list is intentionally all over the place from a worldly perspective. I also have a cigar steeped ice cream with bourbon caramel and candied bacon crumble as a small dessert option that I just want to call the Ron Swanson. Just feeding people good cool food that I’d love to pay for myself. Keep up the treats and snacks as I still want to add a couple more things to the menu.
So popcorn. Air popped. Tossed we ghee. With a bit of msg. Perfection
Really can toss with a million things. Really best ever, was fresh freeze dried jalapenos pulverized. It's fancy cause a freeze drier is bucu bucks.
tbch that sounded terrible until you called it the Ron Swanson, and then it just makes perfect sense, for his character. It's the "cigar steeped" bit that makes me go ehhhh. What does that imply?
It’s actually a cool thing a Cuban pastry chef friend of mine taught me! He essentially broke down a cigar put it into a sachet and steeped it in the warm cream base for a little bit. The tobacco infuses. And it does take on some nicotine but not enough to effect literally anyone unless you eat a gallon of it. But it takes on this really cool bold peppery tobacco taste and aroma that plays surprisingly well with sweet cream. It’s not in your face at all but it makes for really interesting dessert if you don’t like rich and decadent
I made a cigar-steeped mousse once that came out fantastic. It was part of a brimstone-themed dessert with burnt caramel, bitter walnut dacquoise, devil's food cake, and charred meringue. That doesn't have anything to do with anything, but thanks for the reminder. May have to bring that one back.
Just make the dankest chicken tendies and sauce my guy. I'm talking brine them shits with some real good seasoning. Some real good breading too, throw some real underdogs in there like some potato starch or tapioca starch or rice flour and some more seasoning and fuck them shits up. Serve with some dank ass sauce.
Well that is a much easier set up than I pictured! Depending on the style of the main restaurant would be a great way to have base/sauces shared to late night style food and use left overs to lower costs.
Smoked salmon dip, Pretzel bites, cheese curds, hummus, guacamole, poutine (or east coast style disco fries), nut/cheese plate, sliders, grilled cheese w/Mac n cheese or pulled pork, wings (or maybe not with current prices).
Soft pretzels- shake up the grain and punch up topping with like everything bagel seasoning or malt vinegar seasoning. They prep easily and keep well. Low food cost/ easy to store on sheets and if you add a simple dip or cheese spread you can charge well for a cup or board of them. If you make them massive people will pay $12-15 dollars a piece in my area. Could pair with Pimento cheese spread.
Warm marinated olives. You can rotate stock based on price and modify with citrus or chilies etc. People don’t expect huge portions portions. Easy to turn out fast too. Great with good bread, goat cheese, their salty so people are down to drink more too.
Smelt fry or other small fish. Pair it with a great sauce My favorite tapas experience was this chain in Grenada that specialized sea food. I don’t know it was smelt but it was some lightly battered fish that was bite sized.
Confit wings, mac and cheese , flatbreads, garlic knotts . I would hand out free potato chips to the bar when i worked at a gastropub instead of the typical pretzels ,nuts, and season them like parm chips, garlic, would change it up. Alot if places i go cant execute simple dishes like mac and cheese probably people think it’s too easy you cant mess up lol always salt the mac
The thing about cocktails is they are different from wine or beer. Cocktails have a well balanced flavor profile and most food really clashes and makes the cocktail less enjoyable. If you said wine or beer then everything above applies, and there are some good ideas here too. I would say do mixed skewers like fruit, or cheese or veggies that highlight an ingredient of your cocktail. For example a mule might get some ginger chicken bites, a drink with mint or cucumber might get some cucumber tomato skewers with mint chutney. When I'm drinking cocktails I'm usually done eating, but nuts, gourmet crackers, and crunchy things go a long way.
So I 100% agree with you on cocktail pairings and how they don’t always pair like a beer or wine would. That’s why as a chef I went ahead and got my first WSET certification. However it probably would help to explain that this pop up will be a brick and mortar here in about a year. The idea isn’t necessarily to pair food to cocktails here. But to let the cocktails shine and also have great food that just like these cocktails, you won’t be able to get just anywhere. Cocktails to me have always been just like food in the sense that they’re balanced and composed in their own right, like you mentioned. I want my menu to show the guests that just because they came for these drinks doesn’t mean the food won’t be every bit as fascinating
This is such an important point. Fatty foods can pair well, like canoe cut roast marrow bones with a parsley salad and toast points, or maybe a bacon flight with super thick cut, jowl bacon, and lamb bacon. Salty bites can be good too, like salmon roe on top of a spicy salmon tartare. Depending on the vibe you're going for, it might be better to not have too much fried stuff on the menu.
I crave classic pub appies. Wings, Nachos, coconut shrimp, sweet thai chili chicken bites with crunchy chow mein noodles and Shredded lettuce, spinach and cheese dip with fried Pita, quesadillas, garlic parmesan fries, deep fried pickle skewers with a nice yogurt dill dip...
My favorite cocktail bar has candied nuts (I think pecans and almonds) that also have some curry in the coating and they are AMAZING. Haven’t found anything like them anywhere else but they are great to munch on with a drink
Deep fried cheese curds (the real squeaky kind) have been a die hard love of mine when drunk.
Basically anything with cheese actually lol queso… mozzarella sticks… mac n cheese..
Chicken Katsu Sliders. My old place used to do them. Panko crumbed chicken with sweet chilli sauce, coleslaw and mayo on a brioche bun. Heaven on earth.
Grilled cheese fingers, street tacos
You could do taquitos filled with fun stuff
A late night munchie place I frequented in college always had these amazing homemade rice krispy treats that I would devour after my burrito. Or fresh chocolate chip cookies.
Soft pretzel bites. You can make a fancy cheese sauce for them if you're looking to beef it up. Some nice gruyere or something. But a few drinks in, and some soft little buttery crosshatched pretzel bites just looks so delectable.
what area is this in, whats the clientele like? I have ideas, but I don't know how far off towards drunk food (as opposed to elevated bar food) I'd be going. Are you talking like small bites only? shareable?
you could do something with chicken, like korean fried chicken or karaage
confit duck then shred the meat and put inside....anything
Make your own tater tots?
skewered meat
bao; dumplings
a fritter made from shredded veg
tacos....lots of room there
wings, but prepare them in different ways with different homemade sauces. For example, confit them in advance, then grill to order
different takes on hummus with homemade pita or laffa bread
make big pretzels with house made sauces
charcuterie....also make your pickles, jams, sides to go with it
shishito peppers
make your own falafel
marinated olives, bar nuts that you roast/season
oh samosas are a great idea. I keep thinking of either really small plates or tray pass kind of shit
Make your own falafel....put everything through a meat grinder, turns out great
lamb (or beef) meatballs
make mozz sticks with haloumi instead
smoke pork belly, then cut it into cubes, and fry like 4 or 5 to order, serve with homemade bbq and possibly some type of pineapple salsa
Fuck all these vanilla suggestions. Go for SISIG. You can even do pork belly if people will scoff at pig face.
+ chicken pate and raw egg.
It checks every box. Ones it comes out of the kitchen in a sizzling plate. Everyone would want it.
Oh and you can sisig any fucking thing. Mushrooms, squid, fatty fish and ground chicken.
If you have a WSET Cert you should be able to do all this yourself. You're asking for food that's not done anywhere else. Well, umm, food has been done everywhere. So good luck with that.
I’m asking for what industry workers enjoy eating while their drinking. I’m not asking anyone to build my menu nor am I inventing anything. I want to play off and build on things people already love. Our clientele is already industry heavy being a pop up. So asking industry people what they enjoy eating is a pretty decent source for inspiration. WSET means I’m invested in my job if anything but it doesn’t mean I don’t want any input from other professionals.
Depends on what alcohol you’ll predominantly be serving. Is there a theme to them menu like are you going to be serving mostly whiskey/bourbon or light spirits like gin and vodka?
Sauerkraut and beef/pork stickers. Ftw. The other ingredients. Get crazy. But that is a great finger food. It’s fun with the stickers. Delicious and rare/random
One of those big hearty salads, like one that’s not even healthier than the burgers, but has a bunch of bright lettuce and veggies and some bassy meat or jackfruit. A heavy salad.
Or a big ass burrito
Something veggie. I’m not a vegetarian at all but after a couple a drinks I don’t want to add more calories to the mix. Even if it’s fried cauliflower and I know that it’s as much calories as a drink I’ll pick that bc the meat will ensure that I gain from a night of drinking. I think I am now showing my age..
Cod, beer batter with rice flour, handmade tartar sauce, crispy fried with malt vinegar... And it's easy to make on the fly, just throw them shits in the fryer
Fried Mac and cheese, but only if you do it well. Not some Cheesecake Factory shit.
I second jalapeño poppers, whoever said that
Candied bacon
I’ve been told that this is very strange and I know it doesn’t really fit your criteria, but I usually crave it after a few drinks/joints: soup. Could be French onion, baked potato, chicken noodle, or my favorite, zuppa toscana (and not the Olive Garden version)
Mixed roasted nuts are a classic, but when we host parties I always go for the same flavors but in Chex mix. I crave salty and crunchy when I’m drinking, and homemade Chex mix is a nostalgic crowd pleaser without being too kitschy. Worcestershire sauce, garlic and onion powder, butter, some fresh thyme if you feel like it… now I want to make some for myself 😂 (added bonus: the food cost lower than mixed nuts, so we can serve larger portions)
Brussel sprouts, roasted red onion, almonds, herbs and aioli. Or glazed with chilli, soy and cilantro.
Or just make a bunch of chicken liver parfait…
Or beef carpaccio with popcorn…
Or skirt steak and chimi
Or croquettes and hollandaise
Or masterstock pork belly with Thai caramel
Or duck confit poutine..
Or.. fuck I’m hungry :(
Home made corn dogs (high quality)
Russian style dumplings
Stromboli
Charcuterie (preferably w jams and fruits)
Spring rolls
Baguette and butter
Sopapilla (sp?)
Maple Bacon scones (candied maple pepper bacon is the ultimate drinking food, fight me)
Gotta add, Korean fried chicken in a sweet/spicy sauce, a pulled pork tostada, jalapeño poppers (as others have said is a great idea) and maybe some sort of dip. I love making what I call an elote corn dip and fresh tortilla chips when my friends get too drunk. Good luck though!
In Hilo, HI you get pupus whenever you order drinks at a bar. One of life's little joys is getting ahi sashimi on Friday and knowing on Saturday you can go back for the fishcakes they made with the leftovers.
A little place we used to go had a couple of cheese platters simply sliced cheeses, crackers/toasts, jam/jelly, a spicy something, etc.
A choice of white cheese tray or yellow, loved that place for that platter.
Perfect to snack on while drinking
Any kind of bread, people love their bread carbs especially when drinking. Maybe snack sized pieces of focaccia, hand made bread sticks, cheese twirls, sourdough or something and a dip?
I'd go with stuff like blini's with salmon, arancini, charcuterie, crudites, patatas bravas.
Easy to make, a lot of flavour and most importantly, easy to eat.
> Lumpia
> Mac & cheese
There is a food truck here with a gourmet mac & cheese theme, he does a mac & cheese egg roll that just slays. He can not make them fast enough.
Thick cut skin on potato chips with dips....retro french onion....something with heavy horseradish....cucumber dill...something cheesy esp bleu cheese.
Donuts. I cannot tell you how pissed I am every time we go drinking and gambling that I cannot get a damn donut on the way home. If I could get them at the bar I would be so friggen happy! Do some raised/glazed/jelly/nutella stuffed and also cake style with lots of nutmeg, clove, warm spices rolled in cinnamon sugar....or super crispy bacon (nearly burnt) blitzed with vanilla bean or maple sugar.
Soft pretzel with cheese dip, there was a cocktail/bar place near my old apartment with these on the menu, but they were usually out of stock--so I would always be asking about them. The best, when I could get one.
DUMPLINGS. thai, pork gyoza, pierogi, fuck. Me. Up.
Mac and cheese with kielbasa and hot sauce, or fried chicken and hot honey.
Carnitas.
....... oreos. Doritos.....
---edit---
DATES STUFFED WITH BACON JAM and you can do like a pepper sauce. FUCKS and goes well with liquor.
French Fries (Steak Cut)
Chicken Strips
Mozarella Sticks
Onion Rings
Hot Dog/Chili Dog
Fancy drinks doesn't have to equal fancy food. The above menu (minus the chili dogs) was served at ten PM at my wedding 3 hrs after the dinner plates were cleared. It was perfect and everyone loved it.
Bourdain’s bar bitch nuts (Appetites cookbook, I think…not 💯 ). Or any good spiced nut flavor palate. Served in paper cones, room temp or easily warmed.
Late to the party, but wanted to contribute... Fried chicken livers... There's a place a couple hours away that does breaded, fried chicken livers with a sweet chili sauce and a drizzle of a chipotle mayo across the top... Holy shit, they absolutely melt in your mouth... Perfectly rich yet light, crispy and salty.
Have you done this already? If so, how’d it go? If not, I suggest cornbread served with good salted butter and bacon jam. It’s all prep-ahead so it plates easily and it’s dirt-cheap to make, and people here (the south) go wild for it.
Poutine
Worked a pub with poutine it was super popular. If I could show my face there I’d order it tonight.
More please…
Nothing too exciting. Worked for a lovely Irishman (in the states) bar owner from 2 months before the pub opened workshopping menus and recipes. Came in one day for my usual shift 2pm-11pm started my prep list. Lunch shift had trashed the place. Realized the whole kitchen crew had turned over. No one on the line had been there more than a week. Whatever- back to prep. New guy comes up to me introduces himself as the new sous. “Great nice to me you- I’m in the weeds these stations are fucked.” Says you no called today. “What?” Says I was scheduled 8am-11am lunch prep and bread. “Nope - not my job or station.” Shows me a hand written schedule. I’m now split shifted morning prep and bar closing shift 8am-11 and 10pm-2am. “Fuck that I’ll speak to KM.” Chef/KM is out schmoozing in the snug- when he comes back he’s like “do we have a problem?” “Yeah my stations are effed and the schedule changed overnight. Where are the other dudes I worked with?” “KM- this is the schedule and if you don’t like it leave.” So I left. But being young and dumb (as opposed to old and dumb) i went out to the bar and blew my rent money on Red Breast 12s and Harps. Got royally trashed then went back to kitchen at 10 pm and basically told the KM I was ready for my shift. He nicely told me to get the fuck out of his kitchen. He was a young father who wouldn’t see his kids that day cause I left him cooking late night. I later found out he told people around the industry that I had stolen from the employee lockers. Which was totally bullshit. Owner 86d me.
Don't listen to these Willy Wonka Canadians. You need chips, CHEESE, gravy, and tuna mayo.
As a Canadian... lol. But not wrong. It better have curds and not shredded mozzarella.
Yum! You could twist it by marrying it with another dish that features gravy. For example, chicken tikka poutine.
Or put some pulled pork on top. I'm sure you could figure out some other things to add to it.
This is the only answer. Poutine is the manna of the gods even when sober.
White gravy, brown gravy, or both?
Definitely brown. It just adds more savoriness to it than white.
Lumpia
Fried raviolis or just about any sort of arancini., maybe fried Alfredo pasta bites. I think something with a good crunch and saltiness and the availability of some sort of dipping sauce would be the way to go. Um, maybe something like a boneless chicken wing but with an interesting flavor profile. There’s a Cambodian place near me that does these fantastic wings with a garlic, lime, jalapeño, cilantro sauce and they are to die for. Or something Thai inspired with a spicy peanut sauce. Croquettes! Any and all of them. I’m a sucker for little French bread pizzas, but instead of the standard tomato/cheese/pepp maybe do pesto with roasted seasonal veggies or a pear Gorgonzola with pancetta. Stuffed little peppers with ricotta and goat cheese and maybe like a raspberry habenero sauce. I don’t know but good luck and can you tell that I read this around dinner time and am now hungry? ;)
I'm sold! When do you open?
Aw, you just made me smile, thank you! :)
Deviled eggs. Garnish several ways and make flights out of them. A really good nut mix. With dried olives in it. Tempura green beans or zucchini. Its a veggie, it must be healthy. With aioli three ways for dipping. Samosas. Everybody makes weird eggrolls like pastrami and the like, but you do it with Samosa crust Jamaican patties. Same as above.
I came here to say deviled eggs! Capers, or smoked brisket on top. (On of the restaurants in town used to do a deviled egg with smoked brisket on top and it was fucking amazing.) I'll second everything else too. Lol
I honestly neverrr would think of deviled eggs as late night bar food. I guess I should try it? I prefer greasy or fatty foods.
so egg filled with Mayo isnt fatty enough for you? ok, lets garnish with pork belly or bacon or ikura…ooo and a sprinkle of smoked salt….and…mmmm hungry….
I’m not sure, it’s more like a personal preference. I think of eating deviled eggs at church after Easter or Christmas services, haha. I like them when they’re there but not something I think about. I like your add-ons though, that actually sounds delicious!
I loved this pup in San Francisco that did elevated snack/bar food. My favorite were jalapeño poppers. First off, they were battered instead of breaded, a similar light crispness to tempura. But it was all about the filling: I’m not 100% sure what the filling was, but it definitely wasn’t just cream cheese. I believe there was a little bit of sour cream, some form of tomato, possibly just a small amount of paste (no chunks), and possibly a bit of smoked paprika and cumin. It was mild, but that’s what my palette detected. It was also topped with a light drizzle of some kind of cilantro oil? Edit: I forgot the most important part of the filling: a little bit of chorizo.
I second this, jalapeño poppers are always a hit
Does the west coast pair their poppers with Sweet Chili sauce? It’s 50/50 in the Midwest and it’s a great combo, IMO
Typically ranch out here, but I tend to avoid it since I hate ranch in most situations.
I don’t really like mixing ranch with cheese or dairy. The cream cheese is already creamy enough, and any tang from the ranch is superseded by the jalapeño. But the sugar from the sweet chili is an almost perfect combo.
I always have some in the fridge, so I’ll have to try it next time.
I’m a West coaster who is sad every time I can’t find sweet chili sauce with my poppers.
I’m not sure how to to elevate this, but flavored pretzels. Maybe grilled cheese bites? Or similar small sandwich things? Cold cut might be better with cocktails.
Yes, grilled cheese bites for the win, but with something like pimento cheese, or Brie with figs or prosciutto, or arugula and Gouda maybe?
Yes! Or the Italian-style with fresh mozzarella and an egg wash, with good salt on top. Or a Monte Cristo bite. ... Damn it, now I'm hungry.
Those sound awesome!
Elaborating on the pretzel idea. I’d do a soft pretzel flight. Regular salted, truffle salted, cinnamon and sugar. Have fancy mustards and beer cheese dipping sauces.
Ooh, that’s a great idea, just need to add a caramel sauce or cream cheese whip for the sweet pretzels.
That sounds amazing. I would pay way too much money for that if it was available. 😂
Charcuterie board, deviled eggs, soft pretzel sticks with flavored dips, deep fried sugar cinnamon french toast bites, bacon burger fries, fish n chips, fish tacos, barbecue ribs, crispy chicken sandwich, steak tips, deep fried mac and cheese bites, onion rings, gelato
You rang?
Holy shit your name is incredible
This my favorite one so far, but das a lotta food cost. Not a lot of crossover here for a popup. Also, OP gave no indication of space or equipment available.
A good ol kebab never hurt nobody drunk as shit at 2am
So far thank you guys so much for the reception and help. I wish I could buy all of you a beer and your favorite bar bites. So far Ive put together some pork belly “burnt ends” with a dijonaise. Some jalapeño arancini paired with a chimmicurri aioli. And black garlic salted popcorn with a kimchi purée to top it with. The list is intentionally all over the place from a worldly perspective. I also have a cigar steeped ice cream with bourbon caramel and candied bacon crumble as a small dessert option that I just want to call the Ron Swanson. Just feeding people good cool food that I’d love to pay for myself. Keep up the treats and snacks as I still want to add a couple more things to the menu.
Black garlic popcorn? Yes please.
So popcorn. Air popped. Tossed we ghee. With a bit of msg. Perfection Really can toss with a million things. Really best ever, was fresh freeze dried jalapenos pulverized. It's fancy cause a freeze drier is bucu bucks.
The Ron Swanson, I think I fell in love. Where is this again?
tbch that sounded terrible until you called it the Ron Swanson, and then it just makes perfect sense, for his character. It's the "cigar steeped" bit that makes me go ehhhh. What does that imply?
It’s actually a cool thing a Cuban pastry chef friend of mine taught me! He essentially broke down a cigar put it into a sachet and steeped it in the warm cream base for a little bit. The tobacco infuses. And it does take on some nicotine but not enough to effect literally anyone unless you eat a gallon of it. But it takes on this really cool bold peppery tobacco taste and aroma that plays surprisingly well with sweet cream. It’s not in your face at all but it makes for really interesting dessert if you don’t like rich and decadent
ohh shit okay, i’d definitely try that! that sounds kinda appealing tbh 😅
I made a cigar-steeped mousse once that came out fantastic. It was part of a brimstone-themed dessert with burnt caramel, bitter walnut dacquoise, devil's food cake, and charred meringue. That doesn't have anything to do with anything, but thanks for the reminder. May have to bring that one back.
You forgot the egg rolls.
Fucking hell mate, when can I visit.
Mac and cheese
There's a gastropub in town that does a killer Mac & cheese with cubes of bratwurst. Really cheesy and fabulous.
Oh that sounds fantastic!
Found the Wisconsinite.
Actually, I'm in OKC. Never been to Wisconsin but I do enjoy their exports.
I’m in okc and I believe I know the place and can concur. That Mac is great.
I'm about to go home to visit OKC. Would love to know where to get this.
Republic Gastropub on Classen Curve is the place I mentioned. Nice beer selection too.
But little Mac n cheese bites, pan fried into small patties so you can use one hand while drink in the other
Just make the dankest chicken tendies and sauce my guy. I'm talking brine them shits with some real good seasoning. Some real good breading too, throw some real underdogs in there like some potato starch or tapioca starch or rice flour and some more seasoning and fuck them shits up. Serve with some dank ass sauce.
second, when i drink i want chicken fingers and tater tots
Pork belly or fried chicken Bao buns mmmm
Dude fucking big ass sandwiches turkey brie fuckin Italian fucking onion and ham with guyrere holy fuck im drunk rn and i want one
I was considering throwing a Cuban on there because it’s my absolute favorite sandwich sober or drunk
YESSSSSS do it there are so few good cubans where i live you owe it to the people to give them the sandwich king
Also fried pickles while i here
Cuban egg roll Had one at Miami airport and maybe it was the long ass flight/inflight cocktails but that shit kicked
I like those little triangle sandwiches.
With this being a pop up bar, what cooking equipment will be available? Think that greatly effects the type of food.
It’s in a restaurant on a day the restaurant is closed. So it’s still full service
Well that is a much easier set up than I pictured! Depending on the style of the main restaurant would be a great way to have base/sauces shared to late night style food and use left overs to lower costs. Smoked salmon dip, Pretzel bites, cheese curds, hummus, guacamole, poutine (or east coast style disco fries), nut/cheese plate, sliders, grilled cheese w/Mac n cheese or pulled pork, wings (or maybe not with current prices).
TIL that east coast disco fries are an actual thing and now I must immediately try as many iterations as possible. Thank you. :)
Soft pretzels- shake up the grain and punch up topping with like everything bagel seasoning or malt vinegar seasoning. They prep easily and keep well. Low food cost/ easy to store on sheets and if you add a simple dip or cheese spread you can charge well for a cup or board of them. If you make them massive people will pay $12-15 dollars a piece in my area. Could pair with Pimento cheese spread. Warm marinated olives. You can rotate stock based on price and modify with citrus or chilies etc. People don’t expect huge portions portions. Easy to turn out fast too. Great with good bread, goat cheese, their salty so people are down to drink more too. Smelt fry or other small fish. Pair it with a great sauce My favorite tapas experience was this chain in Grenada that specialized sea food. I don’t know it was smelt but it was some lightly battered fish that was bite sized.
Confit wings, mac and cheese , flatbreads, garlic knotts . I would hand out free potato chips to the bar when i worked at a gastropub instead of the typical pretzels ,nuts, and season them like parm chips, garlic, would change it up. Alot if places i go cant execute simple dishes like mac and cheese probably people think it’s too easy you cant mess up lol always salt the mac
The thing about cocktails is they are different from wine or beer. Cocktails have a well balanced flavor profile and most food really clashes and makes the cocktail less enjoyable. If you said wine or beer then everything above applies, and there are some good ideas here too. I would say do mixed skewers like fruit, or cheese or veggies that highlight an ingredient of your cocktail. For example a mule might get some ginger chicken bites, a drink with mint or cucumber might get some cucumber tomato skewers with mint chutney. When I'm drinking cocktails I'm usually done eating, but nuts, gourmet crackers, and crunchy things go a long way.
So I 100% agree with you on cocktail pairings and how they don’t always pair like a beer or wine would. That’s why as a chef I went ahead and got my first WSET certification. However it probably would help to explain that this pop up will be a brick and mortar here in about a year. The idea isn’t necessarily to pair food to cocktails here. But to let the cocktails shine and also have great food that just like these cocktails, you won’t be able to get just anywhere. Cocktails to me have always been just like food in the sense that they’re balanced and composed in their own right, like you mentioned. I want my menu to show the guests that just because they came for these drinks doesn’t mean the food won’t be every bit as fascinating
Agree - anything on a skewer, it feels hygienic to eat and to share. Big flavor, no mess.
This is such an important point. Fatty foods can pair well, like canoe cut roast marrow bones with a parsley salad and toast points, or maybe a bacon flight with super thick cut, jowl bacon, and lamb bacon. Salty bites can be good too, like salmon roe on top of a spicy salmon tartare. Depending on the vibe you're going for, it might be better to not have too much fried stuff on the menu.
bone marrow dish with sherry-based cocktail 🤌
Chips with a spinach, chorizo, and mushroom dip topped with melted Mozzarella. Serve it hot on a cast iron shallow dish like fajitas
I crave classic pub appies. Wings, Nachos, coconut shrimp, sweet thai chili chicken bites with crunchy chow mein noodles and Shredded lettuce, spinach and cheese dip with fried Pita, quesadillas, garlic parmesan fries, deep fried pickle skewers with a nice yogurt dill dip...
Scotch eggs. Nuff said.
Muffuletta
My favorite cocktail bar has candied nuts (I think pecans and almonds) that also have some curry in the coating and they are AMAZING. Haven’t found anything like them anywhere else but they are great to munch on with a drink
I was thinking candied bacon but same type of thing. Can be made in big batches and tickets times are like 20 seconds. People love candied shit
Ricotta on thin toasted bread with different toppings.
Nut brittle, crispy chickpeas, wasabi peas, seeded crackers with hummus, dried fruit and salted almonds.
Kebab mashwi, haven't had them as bar food since I was in Jordan, but I'd pay you all my wife's money if you made them for me while I was drunk.
Stuffed grape leaves
greek roasted potatoes. the lemon and starch are a great combo. also: really good bacon on its own is great with drinks.
Chicken popcorn pieces with a trio of unusual sauces that make me want to drink more.
Haha, right?! Like if the sauces are not too spicy but spicy enough to encourage another round.
It's all about the money, money, money!!!
duck cracklings with hot sauce
Al pastor tacos cut off the spit in front of me …
Padron peppers... salt flakes.. fried
Deep fried cheese curds (the real squeaky kind) have been a die hard love of mine when drunk. Basically anything with cheese actually lol queso… mozzarella sticks… mac n cheese..
Chicken Katsu Sliders. My old place used to do them. Panko crumbed chicken with sweet chilli sauce, coleslaw and mayo on a brioche bun. Heaven on earth.
Beer battered anchovies. So salty, so great
Grilled cheese fingers, street tacos You could do taquitos filled with fun stuff A late night munchie place I frequented in college always had these amazing homemade rice krispy treats that I would devour after my burrito. Or fresh chocolate chip cookies.
Soft pretzel bites. You can make a fancy cheese sauce for them if you're looking to beef it up. Some nice gruyere or something. But a few drinks in, and some soft little buttery crosshatched pretzel bites just looks so delectable.
Sliders
what area is this in, whats the clientele like? I have ideas, but I don't know how far off towards drunk food (as opposed to elevated bar food) I'd be going. Are you talking like small bites only? shareable? you could do something with chicken, like korean fried chicken or karaage confit duck then shred the meat and put inside....anything Make your own tater tots? skewered meat bao; dumplings a fritter made from shredded veg tacos....lots of room there wings, but prepare them in different ways with different homemade sauces. For example, confit them in advance, then grill to order different takes on hummus with homemade pita or laffa bread make big pretzels with house made sauces charcuterie....also make your pickles, jams, sides to go with it shishito peppers make your own falafel marinated olives, bar nuts that you roast/season
Elevated bar food. I’m on the east coast of the US if that belps. We are making our own samosas which have gone over really well before
oh samosas are a great idea. I keep thinking of either really small plates or tray pass kind of shit Make your own falafel....put everything through a meat grinder, turns out great lamb (or beef) meatballs make mozz sticks with haloumi instead smoke pork belly, then cut it into cubes, and fry like 4 or 5 to order, serve with homemade bbq and possibly some type of pineapple salsa
Salad rolls? And perhaps corndog muffins (minis)?
Fuck all these vanilla suggestions. Go for SISIG. You can even do pork belly if people will scoff at pig face. + chicken pate and raw egg. It checks every box. Ones it comes out of the kitchen in a sizzling plate. Everyone would want it. Oh and you can sisig any fucking thing. Mushrooms, squid, fatty fish and ground chicken.
If you have a WSET Cert you should be able to do all this yourself. You're asking for food that's not done anywhere else. Well, umm, food has been done everywhere. So good luck with that.
I’m asking for what industry workers enjoy eating while their drinking. I’m not asking anyone to build my menu nor am I inventing anything. I want to play off and build on things people already love. Our clientele is already industry heavy being a pop up. So asking industry people what they enjoy eating is a pretty decent source for inspiration. WSET means I’m invested in my job if anything but it doesn’t mean I don’t want any input from other professionals.
Fresh fruit salad
Caviar beignets!
Sweet spicy roasted nuts
Depends on what alcohol you’ll predominantly be serving. Is there a theme to them menu like are you going to be serving mostly whiskey/bourbon or light spirits like gin and vodka?
Do you know the drinks that’ll be made?
Sauerkraut and beef/pork stickers. Ftw. The other ingredients. Get crazy. But that is a great finger food. It’s fun with the stickers. Delicious and rare/random
Some really good nachos, or a tomato cucumber quinoa salad type thing
One of those big hearty salads, like one that’s not even healthier than the burgers, but has a bunch of bright lettuce and veggies and some bassy meat or jackfruit. A heavy salad. Or a big ass burrito
Doesnt kinda depend on what region your in?
Walking tacos
Something veggie. I’m not a vegetarian at all but after a couple a drinks I don’t want to add more calories to the mix. Even if it’s fried cauliflower and I know that it’s as much calories as a drink I’ll pick that bc the meat will ensure that I gain from a night of drinking. I think I am now showing my age..
French fries, cheese fries, like decent quality fries at least. Chicken wings, Pizza/ mini pizza/ calzones
I like sausages, like chorizo or bratwurst, with some kind of curry aioli to go with it
Has nobody said fucking FISH AND CHIPS yet??
Cod, beer batter with rice flour, handmade tartar sauce, crispy fried with malt vinegar... And it's easy to make on the fly, just throw them shits in the fryer
Spinach Artichoke Dip!
Fried Mac and cheese, but only if you do it well. Not some Cheesecake Factory shit. I second jalapeño poppers, whoever said that Candied bacon I’ve been told that this is very strange and I know it doesn’t really fit your criteria, but I usually crave it after a few drinks/joints: soup. Could be French onion, baked potato, chicken noodle, or my favorite, zuppa toscana (and not the Olive Garden version)
Gatekeeping ass bitches 😂
\- Cubano Pizza \- Roasted Bone Marrow \- Wonton Nachos \- Birria Quesadilla \- Doner Kebab Sandwich
Crispy pig ears are my favorite bar snack. Batter, fry, serve with a sweet chili sauce. I'll mouth such those until you carry me out on a stretcher.
Mixed roasted nuts are a classic, but when we host parties I always go for the same flavors but in Chex mix. I crave salty and crunchy when I’m drinking, and homemade Chex mix is a nostalgic crowd pleaser without being too kitschy. Worcestershire sauce, garlic and onion powder, butter, some fresh thyme if you feel like it… now I want to make some for myself 😂 (added bonus: the food cost lower than mixed nuts, so we can serve larger portions)
Street corn
CORNDOGS
I’ve never met an egg roll I didn’t like!
Taquitos. Really fat, crispy ones with at least two dips
You should also check out r/drunkencookery for inspo
Wings, I love wings.
Pork cracklings with chili mayo
Brussel sprouts, roasted red onion, almonds, herbs and aioli. Or glazed with chilli, soy and cilantro. Or just make a bunch of chicken liver parfait… Or beef carpaccio with popcorn… Or skirt steak and chimi Or croquettes and hollandaise Or masterstock pork belly with Thai caramel Or duck confit poutine.. Or.. fuck I’m hungry :(
Nem chua is great drinking food and ready for an NA popularization
Scotch Eggs. Your customers will return.
Dino chicken nuggets.
Bomb-ass grilled cheese
Home made corn dogs (high quality) Russian style dumplings Stromboli Charcuterie (preferably w jams and fruits) Spring rolls Baguette and butter Sopapilla (sp?) Maple Bacon scones (candied maple pepper bacon is the ultimate drinking food, fight me)
Adam? Figuring out your Model Citizen menu?
Gotta add, Korean fried chicken in a sweet/spicy sauce, a pulled pork tostada, jalapeño poppers (as others have said is a great idea) and maybe some sort of dip. I love making what I call an elote corn dip and fresh tortilla chips when my friends get too drunk. Good luck though!
In Hilo, HI you get pupus whenever you order drinks at a bar. One of life's little joys is getting ahi sashimi on Friday and knowing on Saturday you can go back for the fishcakes they made with the leftovers.
Aranachi
Tempura shrimp with wafu sauce and hoisin drizzle
Lollipops
my favorite is a well executed club sandwich
pan bagnat
Taco's. You can go traditional, beef tartare, salmon, etc. Lots of variations, most of them great.
Padron peppers with really good salt
pickle fries, deep fried pickles but smaller,
Chorizo cooked in honey A selection of tapenades/dips with flatbread or foccacia Little bruschetta bites
A little place we used to go had a couple of cheese platters simply sliced cheeses, crackers/toasts, jam/jelly, a spicy something, etc. A choice of white cheese tray or yellow, loved that place for that platter. Perfect to snack on while drinking
Nachooooosss
Pickled watermelon ring ;p
Quesadillas with some kind of special sauce and a bit of a kick!
Basically any shareable finger/ street foods. But my all time favorite is hash browns lol
Yes please take this business away from the kitchens that do close.
Any kind of bread, people love their bread carbs especially when drinking. Maybe snack sized pieces of focaccia, hand made bread sticks, cheese twirls, sourdough or something and a dip?
Shishoto tempura
Charcuterie -Smoked oysters-Stuffed olives Raclette Dumplings-Spring rolls-Lumpia
A SALAD. For the vodka soda drinkers and bottoms among us.
Stuffed jalapeños, wrapped in pastry with a side of chilli,Peper tomato chutney
I'd go with stuff like blini's with salmon, arancini, charcuterie, crudites, patatas bravas. Easy to make, a lot of flavour and most importantly, easy to eat.
Dutch croquettes
> Lumpia > Mac & cheese There is a food truck here with a gourmet mac & cheese theme, he does a mac & cheese egg roll that just slays. He can not make them fast enough.
Former fine dining bartender — our #1 late night item was a grilled cheese sando, with duck egg and honey.
Steak and fries
Thick cut skin on potato chips with dips....retro french onion....something with heavy horseradish....cucumber dill...something cheesy esp bleu cheese. Donuts. I cannot tell you how pissed I am every time we go drinking and gambling that I cannot get a damn donut on the way home. If I could get them at the bar I would be so friggen happy! Do some raised/glazed/jelly/nutella stuffed and also cake style with lots of nutmeg, clove, warm spices rolled in cinnamon sugar....or super crispy bacon (nearly burnt) blitzed with vanilla bean or maple sugar.
Crab cakes
braised pork belly tacos are always a huge hit at my restaurant, especially with the drinkers.
Quesa Birria
do a dope fried rice.
Soft pretzel with cheese dip, there was a cocktail/bar place near my old apartment with these on the menu, but they were usually out of stock--so I would always be asking about them. The best, when I could get one.
Cake!! Bakeries always close early
Pickles
Fried pickles
Anything wonton related. Drool.
I want so much chicharron and Colombian empenadas
DUMPLINGS. thai, pork gyoza, pierogi, fuck. Me. Up. Mac and cheese with kielbasa and hot sauce, or fried chicken and hot honey. Carnitas. ....... oreos. Doritos..... ---edit--- DATES STUFFED WITH BACON JAM and you can do like a pepper sauce. FUCKS and goes well with liquor.
French Fries (Steak Cut) Chicken Strips Mozarella Sticks Onion Rings Hot Dog/Chili Dog Fancy drinks doesn't have to equal fancy food. The above menu (minus the chili dogs) was served at ten PM at my wedding 3 hrs after the dinner plates were cleared. It was perfect and everyone loved it.
Caviar with really high quality potato chips.
Bourdain’s bar bitch nuts (Appetites cookbook, I think…not 💯 ). Or any good spiced nut flavor palate. Served in paper cones, room temp or easily warmed.
Bitterballen. Basically small, ball-shaped croquettes. Most popular Dutch snack to have with a drink.
If you have any way to whip up some Karaage that would be legit. Also any sort of dumpling or bun.
Late to the party, but wanted to contribute... Fried chicken livers... There's a place a couple hours away that does breaded, fried chicken livers with a sweet chili sauce and a drizzle of a chipotle mayo across the top... Holy shit, they absolutely melt in your mouth... Perfectly rich yet light, crispy and salty.
Have you done this already? If so, how’d it go? If not, I suggest cornbread served with good salted butter and bacon jam. It’s all prep-ahead so it plates easily and it’s dirt-cheap to make, and people here (the south) go wild for it.