Grilla Ray's

Snow Go...

2011-02-21T13:32:00.000-06:00

Today I had to settle on a bet. It was just February 6th when we were buried under 20+ inches of snow with single digit temperatures. It was a series of record breaking weather events. I'm not sure what came over me, but I made a $10 bet with my wife that all of the snow would be gone in 2 weeks.

At the time it sounded like a pretty foolish statement at the very least, much less to risk a sawbuck over it. For a while there, things were looking really good for me with the rebounding temperatures. My wife became depressed as she watched the snow disappear right before her eyes along her commute to work, and I thought I had it in the bag.

Well Debby wouldn't give up, and my tenacious wife drove through the highways and by ways to find this dirty snowball she photographed with her iPhone.
Congratulations Debby!

And the Made In The Shade T-shirt Goes To...

2010-08-19T23:10:00.006-05:00

Congratulations go out to Malea Roundtree for winning the latest free Made In The Shade T-shirt Giveaway.

While most of us were hiding out in the comfort of our air conditioning, Malea braved the triple digit temperatures to stop by Grilla Ray's at 41st Street Plaza.

Malea says, "I like to go to Grilla Ray's because it keeps me out of the Rod Blagojevich jury pool!"

Stop by Grilla Ray's this weekend and enter for your chance to win your own Made In The Shade T-shirt.

Right Then, Right There I Feel This Burning Pain...

2010-08-19T22:31:00.000-05:00

This has been a summer for the record books. For the past few months the National Weather Service has issued repeated excessive heat warnings with seemingly no end in sight. Can these triple digit heat indexes continue through into September? Send in your best guess for the last triple digit day in Tulsa this summer and I'll enter your name in a drawing for a Free Grilla Ray's T-shirt.

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS IN EFFECT...
HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
- HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS ARE RETURNING TO THE REGION AND WILL PERSIST THROUGH MUCH OF NEXT WEEK. AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 110 TO 115 DEGREES WILL BE COMMON. WARM OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES...ESPECIALLY IN THE LARGER URBAN AREAS WILL PROVIDE LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE INTENSIFYING HEAT. THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THIS HEAT WARNING TO BE EXTENDED IN TIME WITH
LATER FORECASTS.
IMPACTS...
- THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
- DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

The Grilla Days of Summer...

2010-07-27T23:23:00.002-05:00

As the story goes, the Dog Days of Summer were popularly believed to be an evil time "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies."

I would say that sure rings true over these past few weeks down along the river here at 41st Street Plaza. It seems the only ones not affected by these triple digit heat indexes are the frisbee golfers. Last week the Crow Throw disc golf tournament filled the parking lot with these hard core competitors.

One of the first place finishers in the tournament also won last weeks Made in the Shade T-shirt Giveaway. Congratulations go out to Phil Grandstaff winning first place in his division at The Crow Throw Competition. Grilla Ray's would like to think we played some part in giving Phil that winning edge… uh yeah, right! Even so, Phil says, "I like to go to Grilla Ray's because here they don't check my immigration status!"

A Tropical Heat Wave...

2010-07-18T23:58:00.008-05:00

It's been a brutal weekend here in Tulsa and the weather reports say it's not over yet. Reasonable people are staying indoors, but the excessive heat warnings do not deter the hardcore sports crowd.

I was selling plenty of hotdogs, sport drinks and water to the runners, bikers, and frisbee golfers. Saturday and Sunday there must have been close to a hundred disc golfers playing in the Riverside Glide Tournament. The triple-digit heat indexes do not phase these obsessive athletes.

Congratulations go out to Sarah Slane for winning this weeks Free T-shirt Giveaway. Sarah says, "I like to go to Grilla Ray's because I don't have to check my gear bag at the door!"

Stop by Grilla Ray's next weekend and enter for your chance to win your own Made In The Shade T-shirt.

A Soggy Holiday Weekend?

2010-07-09T20:27:00.009-05:00

It seems Grilla Ray's has been busy ducking the rainfall that has kicked off our 4th of July weekend. It has actually carried through Friday the 9th?! There has got to be a record there somewhere. Do you think? Maybe Saturday and Sunday will have sunny skies.

News flash! Grilla Ray's has replaced a new sausage from Siegi's on our menu. For the garlic lovers out there, the Polish is back by popular demand! My friend Frank here is excited about the new addition, and has received the honor of ordering the last spicy chicken sausage. Don't worry, we still have the famous pork bratwurst. Come by and let me build you a Polish to order with your favorite toppings.

June is Busting Out All Over...

2010-06-07T23:48:00.002-05:00

With the winds and rain of April/May behind us, June is showing more predictable weather patterns. You can now count on Grilla Ray's being there for you at 41st Street Plaza every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Stop by and say hello. Don't forget to enter my Free Weekly T-shirt Giveaway. It's easy. John McGinnis is soon to be rockin' his new Grilla Tee and says, "I like going to Grilla Ray's because I get free valet parking for my bike."

Let's Be Friends...

2010-04-22T22:34:00.018-05:00

Grilla Ray's is proud to participate in the River Parks Friends program. Memberships help fund capital improvements, add or improve park amenities, and support programs that make River Parks the kind of place you'll want to visit often with your family and friends.

Private donations are a vital part of the River Parks' recreational and entertainment benefits that are available year-round. Benches, drinking fountains, sculptures, hundreds of trees, concerts, fireworks, restroom buildings, playgrounds, flag poles, and the floating stage are just a few of the assets and events that park users enjoy because of private donations.

Your membership in River Parks Friends keeps this tradition strong, assuring quality recreation and entertainment now and in the future.

Stop by my cart at 41st Street and Riverside to pick up an application, or click on the Park logo for more information.

Six Days a Week Is Not Enough To Show I Care...

2010-04-22T00:47:00.006-05:00

Great News. May is right around the corner, and we are seeing more and more sunny days filled with nothing but blue skies. With that in mind, we will be seeing Grilla Ray's around the hood a lot more regularly.

What we are going to do is be serving at 41st Street Plaza as often as six days a week. Look for us around 11:00 for lunch, and we'll be staying late past 5:00 on Tuesdays for the Disc Golf Tourney. The only day we will not be down there is Wednesdays, for the time being.

May also marks the beginning of festival season in Tulsa. Stay tuned for more announcements of Grilla Ray's travels and participation at some of these events.

A Story Book House...

2010-04-19T00:16:00.006-05:00

This has been a soggy weekend for Grilla Ray's just as I was starting to get my legs for the season.

But I guess if we don't get those April showers that bring May flowers, as the saying goes, we won't get to see those marvelous Azaleas that are in full bloom this week.

A friend of mine was working in his yard yesterday when a neighborhood kid shouted out, "Hey mister, you live in a story book house!" I guess I shouldn't belly ache about a little rain now and then.

Grilla Ray's is Rockin' a New iPhone Case...

2010-04-14T23:52:00.004-05:00

Over the past year I have been admittedly somewhat obsessed with finding the perfect case for my iPhone. In that time, I have come across some great cases. Some of my favorites include the SwitchEasy Rebel Menace, the Speck CandyShell, and the Incase Slider not necessarily in that order.

Then I ran across an uncommon case provider. Whoa! They actually set you up to work with your own images. The printing technology they have in these cases rock. Well, I couldn't resist since I have this great artwork for the Grilla Ray's brand. Check out this video below for Uncommon and then visit their website at www.GetUncommon.com

This Is Uncommon from Scott Wilson on Vimeo.

Blue Skies Smiling at Me...

2010-04-13T14:38:00.004-05:00

Nothing but blue skies do I see. The weatherman says the coast is clear for the days ahead and Grilla Ray's is going to take full advantage of it.

Frank Turner will be down at 41st Street Plaza on Wednesday and Thursday. I'll be there the rest of the weekend.

Tell your friends and come by for your favorite sausage. Don't forget about my Free Weekly T-shirt Giveaway. No purchase necessary. Just stop by to fill out the entry form.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack...

2010-04-12T15:45:00.003-05:00

While Frank Turner and his bodyguard Chessie were holding down the fort at 41st Street Plaza, I had the chance to go to the park. The ballpark, that is. OneOk Field... the new home to the Tulsa Drillers.

This awesome ballpark is located off Greenwood and Archer and one of the nicest I've seen including some in the majors.

There is literally something for everyone here. The seating ranges from indoor and outdoor private suites, to sunny or covered field and dugout sections. There are also some outfield sections where you just bring your picnic blankets along.

And then there is the Kid Zone which is available to entertain those junior baseball fans with short attention spans.

I've got a good feeling that this year has a great season ahead to be outdoors for Tulsans. Stay tuned for more news on events and festivals in the area.

A New Addition Brings More For Everyone...

2010-04-10T21:05:00.005-05:00

I am very happy to announce a new addition to the Grilla Ray's family. My friend Frank Turner has joined me in a strategic alliance that will increase Grilla Ray's presence at our 41st Street Plaza location.

Frank and I will now be able to bring Grilla Cheer to you more days out of the week, and also participate in more of Tulsa's local events and festivals at the same time.

Karrie and Lilly are already excited about Grilla Ray's new developments - and came by to celebrate with a tasty hotdog saying, "We like coming to Grilla Ray's because it's better than doing laundry!"

It's That Time of Year Again...

2010-04-09T15:18:00.003-05:00

Which Time? Yes, Tax Time! Soon everyone will have all of their tax returns filed. What a relief to have that behind us. So, why not celebrate with an All American Grilla down at 41st Street Plaza?

Grilla Ray's will be down there through most of the week and weekends as the weather permits.

Come by and enter into my Weekly T-shirt Giveaway.

And don't forget Rhythm on the River will return this summer for more live music events on Friday nights coming very soon. Stay tuned for more details and news.

Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains...

2010-04-06T22:52:00.005-05:00

Well, it almost seems these cows are celebrating the fact that Grilla Ray's is forced on the sidelines right now.

The seasonal winds have wrought havoc on my umbrella, and the health department requires the food prep and serving areas be covered.

So, hold on to your hat. It will be sometime next week before I can get a replacement umbrella with some reinforcement modifications.

In other news, I'm getting my hands on a second cart which will allow Grilla Ray's to increase its presence down at the river. Stay tuned for further developments.

Who's trippin' down the streets of the city...

2010-04-01T01:34:00.002-05:00

I knew I was taking a chance today but I thought I could dodge the worst part of the forecasted winds for the day. This is the 2nd umbrella I've broken in the past 4 months.

If Tulsa were a coastal town, the meteorologists would be calling these Gale Force winds. It was probably the 40mph gust that did me in.

In a flash the umbrella snapped at its weakest link. I'm just happy it didn't hit anyone in the process.

My next umbrella will have to take on some custom modifications to handle these prairie winds. Maybe I'll give Paul Teutal a call.

Kicking Off the 2010 Season

2010-03-25T21:35:00.006-05:00

Grilla Ray's is starting out the new 2010 season at Tulsa RiverParks at 41st Street Plaza. Look for me on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the beginning as weather permits. We'll be adding extra days as warmer afternoons become more regular.

To celebrate, I'm kicking things off with a Free Weekly Grilla Ray's T-shirt Giveaway. No purchase necessary. All you have to do is stop by and submit your email address. Of course, there's nothing wrong with bringing your appetite along.

Obey the Kitty

2009-12-16T23:38:00.008-06:00

Want to join efforts in animal rescue? It's easy and fun. Join the Chairman Meow Sticker Project. Please put propaganda stickers somewhere legal, and in public view so that others may be inspired to join the great revolutionary mass movement.

Chairman Meow asks that you please document where the sticker was placed by recording the address and/or taking a digital photo. The photos will be plotted on an interactive map on The Chairman Meow Blog that will document Chairman Meow’s growing global influence, and the rise of the kitteh.

For each documented sticker location, $1.00 will be donated to animal rescue to help the imprisoned and oppressed.

Long live Chairman Meow!

A Thousand Thanks...

2009-05-28T16:26:00.015-05:00

I just want to take a few moments to post my heartfelt thanks to everyone that helped me at the Blue Dome Arts Festival this year.

Many thanks go out to Frank Campbell for getting me into the festival in the first place. To my wife Debby for all of her support, and the enlistment of her friends Lesley and JoJo to take care of the customers.

My deep gratitude goes out to The Cowgirls that can keep it together with one hand tied behind their backs. Thanks for keeping me out of the weeds!

We all had a blast and met some wonderful people. There was Professor B. Looney who put a smile on the face of everyone that crossed his path. The Art Car parade was very cool, and don’t forget Jascha, the Prankster of Percussion. Man, Jascha has got the beat!

Thanks again to everyone that made 2009 the best Blue Dome Arts Festival yet. I hope to do it all again next year.

What Happened to May...

2009-05-28T15:33:00.004-05:00

It’s not even officially summer yet and things are heating up fast… literally and figuratively. No sooner did I catch my breath after the Blue Dome Arts Festival (and by the way, Mille Grazie to all my new Blue Dome friends) now I’ve completed negotiations with Tulsa River Parks to participate full time at the new 41st Street Plaza off Riverside Drive.

Wait, there’s more. This Sunday the 31st, I’ll be at Houston Street and Riverside Drive for the Tulsa Tough Cycling Festival. Come down and have lunch with me. I'll be there till 4 O'clock or so.

I will have more news soon about upcoming events around River Parks. Stay tuned.

Grilla Ray's at Blue Dome Arts Festival...

2009-05-15T00:42:00.010-05:00

I am very excited to be a part of the 6th Annual Blue Dome Arts Festival this weekend. It will be my first time down there as a Hotdog Vendor and I don't have any idea what it will be like. All of my friends have been very supportive, and some of them are plannning to help me out in case it gets crazy busy.

I've decided to keep it as simple as possible, so I will only be offering the American Grilla featuring Nathan's all beef 1/4 Lb. frankfurter, Lay's Potato Chips, ice-cold Coke & Diet Coke, ice-cold Green Tea, and some Hostess Cakes.

I'll also have some great Grilla T-Shirts on hand too. Call me if you want me to put one on hold for you before we sell out - 809-7778.

Come on down this weekend. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Lucky Cat...

2009-05-11T14:55:00.006-05:00

Today we have the Japanese Maneki Neko celebrating our first contest on Grilla Ray's blog.

Our winner is John Graham for correctly identifying Tom Brown's elbow pictured in our last post. Congratulations John, you will receive a coupon for a FREE Hot Dog of your choice at any Grilla Ray's location.

Now I know that many of you may feel that was a trick question. Certainly, you would have had to be there on Friday night to know the correct answer. So to make it up to all of those that missed out, I will try a trivia question to level the play.

The first person to call and tell me what was the biggest selling toy in 1957 will win a coupon for a FREE Hot Dog of your choice at any Grilla Ray's location. Call me now at 918-809-7778 with your answer.

Steaming It Up...

2009-05-08T14:51:00.006-05:00

By 3pm the weather looked stable, and in spite of the threatening looking clouds I went down to 41st Street Plaza for the party. I had my fingers crossed and the weather held up with just one passing squall. I was steaming it up with my Hot Dogs, while others were serving Shaved Ice, and Live Music. It was a decent turnout, and a number of my friends came down to lend a hand.

My new River Parks Authority friends were talking about how much they would like to see live music and Hot Dogs at 41st Street Plaza as a regular thing throughout the summer. Sounds like a good thing to me. I'll let you know what they decide.

So, here is this weeks contest. The first person to call me and identify who is connected to that elbow shown in the picture will win a FREE Hot Dog on their next visit. Who belongs to that elbow? Call now at 809-7778.

Global Weirding...

2009-05-04T22:15:00.005-05:00

This week doesn't look too good for selling hotdogs on the street. I'm sure we have broken some records on rainfall here in the past few weeks, and it's not over yet. The funny thing is, sometime in July everyone will probably be praying for rain again. Happy median? Where can we find one?

If I Had A Boat...

2009-05-01T16:25:00.005-05:00

The grand opening for River Parks new 41st Street Plaza has been rescheduled for next Friday May 8th. The park’s new design includes modern climbing and water features for the kids. Hopefully the weather will be nicer and everyone can enjoy live music and hot dogs.The rain was just too much for everyone today. A gully washer that brings to mind one of my favorite Lyle Lovett songs.

Mark your calendar for next Friday May 8 at 5:30. See you there at 41st Street and Riverside.

River Parks Party...

2009-04-29T12:22:00.003-05:00

Mark your calendar for Friday evening after 5:30. The newly designed facility at 41st Street and Riverside will be officially opened. There will be music and other activities planned. And of course, Grilla Ray's will be there too.

Storm Chasers...

2009-04-28T02:19:00.002-05:00

This week the weather man said we would be inundated with thunderstorms. So naturally, after the wind had shut me down on Friday, I thought it would be wise to take the day off.

Well, downtown didn't see any severe weather all day, and I missed a good lunch crowd. My friend, Leonard at the cigar store said if I shut down every time the weather man went Boo, I would be out of business before I could say peppers and onions.

I think he's right, so Tuesday I'll take a chance and see how the weather plays out. Will I see you there? 6th & Main.

Not A Contact Sport…

2009-04-25T09:17:00.005-05:00

My first week felt like a 12 round boxing match. I’m still standing, but I should have hired a Cutman with all of the cuts, burns, bruises, and scrapes I acquired. In my efforts to be fast and efficient, the cart got the better of me while cooking and cleaning up at the end of the day.

All things considered, I was very well received on my little corner at 6th & Main. The wind shut me down on Friday before I could really get started. When it comes to the wind in downtown Tulsa, there’s no escape. Some more HDRD is in order to develop a Plan B on windy days.

First Day Jitters...

2009-04-20T23:30:00.004-05:00

Today was my first day on the street. Before I could get started though, I had to make a trip to the bakery and buy hot dog buns. Then I had to buy ice for the cooler. Next, stop at the bank to get bills and quarters to make change. Now chop onions and peppers, and prepare Grilla Ray's Famous Tropical Jalapeno Salsa. Click on the picture for a map to the location.

Needless to say I was in a hurry to get downtown and set up. Oops! I left all my tongs and utensils in the dishwasher. Luckily my friend Roy Howdy was close by and came to my rescue. All things considered it was a pretty good day, and my friend Joe came over to buy the first Famous Grilla. My wife says she will frame that first dollar for good luck. I'm sure my luck will get a lot better once I get the logistics sorted out.

Taking The Plunge...

2009-04-19T22:34:00.007-05:00

This Monday Grilla Ray's takes the plunge and will start selling hot dogs at 6th and Main Street.
When I was in high school, my friends and I would frequently drive up to Lake Tenkiller. We must have thought we were Greek Gods, and we would spend the day taunting each other (and sometimes complete strangers) into jumping off the 40 and 50 foot cliffs into the crystal clear waters below. Those were the days I believed I was bullet proof and knew no fear.

The New Bartlett Square and Centennial Green…

2009-04-04T11:21:00.019-05:00

Have you been downtown to the new Bartlett Square? It now allows vehicle traffic along Main Street in both directions. Some people like it, some don’t. It wasn’t always the Pedestrian Mall.

I’ve seen downtown go through many changes over the years, and remember the area when my father would take me with him to his office downtown. I remember running through the connecting tunnels, movies at the Rialto and Orpheum theaters, chicken fried steak at Nelson’s, ice-cream milk shakes at Vandever’s grill, and of course coneys at Jim’s. Those days were always filled with adventure.

I would love to see downtown recapture that spirit, and maybe the new Centennial Green at 6th and Main can play a part. It has a couple of fountains that bookend a nice swath of green space. I haven’t seen any park benches, but I don't think it's been officially opened to the public yet. I hope the city will encourage regular outdoor activities throughout the week. Maybe I'll see you there.

If It Were Easy, Everyone Would Be Doing It…

2009-04-03T21:56:00.005-05:00

I keep all of the required documentation I might need in a 3-ring binder. It filled up fast - containing the latest Health Department inspection report, my Food Service Manager certificate, Oklahoma sales tax permit, my Oklahoma State Health permit, IRS Employer ID number, Insurance Coverage certificate, Trade Name report, DMV Title & Trailer registration, and my Commissary Agreement.

Anytime a health department inspector, or an official from the fire department or city hall happens to stop by unexpectedly, I will have everything I need in one place.

Today the last official document arrived in the mail. My Business License issued by the City of Tulsa. Hooray! Hmmm, what’s this notice on the back? Important Zoning and Peddling Restrictions? Let’s see now… it says, “The central pedestrian mall from 1st street to 7th street between Detroit and Cheyenne is a restricted peddling area, and only permissible with a Temporary Mall Concession Permit obtained from (the organization known as) Downtown Tulsa Unlimited.”

I put a call into DTU and the person I need to speak with won’t be available till next Wednesday. Okay, so I guess it will be just a little while longer before I can legally hit the streets over by Bartlett Square. Stay tuned.

Lights Out...

2009-03-28T20:13:00.004-05:00

Grilla Ray’s is going dark in the next 10 minutes for one hour. Let’s see how easy that is…

Earth Hour invites one billion people in more than 2800 cities representing 83 countries to turn off their lights for one hour – tonight, Saturday, March 28 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm in their local time zone. On this day, cities around the world, including Paris, Sydney, London, Cairo, New York, Los Angeles and Cape Town, will join together to demonstrate their commitment to energy conservation and sustainability.

Click the light switch on the left to see how you can participate.

Stop The Presses...

2009-03-27T00:34:00.007-05:00

News Flash. Grilla Ray’s is happy to announce the Tulsa Health Department has inspected and fully accredited our little hot-dog stand.

In addition, we have entered into an agreement with a commercially certified kitchen for the servicing of Grilla Ray’s operational needs and requirements.

What this means is the wheels are turning very quickly towards the grand opening of Grilla Ray’s Hot Dog Oasis.

Because I am working only on verbal agreements at this time, I cannot announce a specific location just yet.

However, what I can tell you is the downtown lunch crowd will soon have another reason to enjoy the blue skies and sunny days around Bartlett Square and the new Centennial Green.

Hornsby’s new digs…

2009-03-26T13:31:00.005-05:00

The Tulsa Drillers have been in the news this week. The final designs for OneOk Field have been approved, and the construction for the ballpark is well under way.

Hope, Unity and Peace are the featured themes reflecting the history of Tulsa and the Greenwood District.

The art deco style ballpark will use materials incorporating 3 shades of brick and 2 types of zinc.

There are some nice watercolor illustrations of the finalized drawings, and a very cool interactive web camera trained on the construction site. Check it out. That first pitch is just a year away.

Deep Dish Heaven...

2009-03-15T21:24:00.016-05:00

Last Saturday night some friends took my wife and me to Savastano’s new location off Memorial and 105th, across from the new Spirit Bank Event Center. The wait for a table in the dining room was almost 45 minutes, so we went downstairs to the bar. It’s a great little place with a pool table, a shuffleboard table, and TV monitors tuned into the latest sporting event. They still offer their full service menu downstairs, and we ordered the 14-inch Deep Dish Hancock Building for the four of us.

Now, I’m no stranger to Chicago. I lived in downtown Chicago with my Aunt Betty back in the early 60’s during summer vacations, and I’m no stranger to Chicago style deep-dish pizza either. This Savastano’s pizza has a sweet Italian sausage, and a fresh homemade sauce that you dream about later. I was in Deep Dish Heaven, and still we got to take home half of that pie. These pizzas should be measured in pounds rather than inches! Click on the pie for a close-up and you'll see what I mean.

I have to say Savastano’s sees the pure white light. Not only with the excellent recipes and fresh ingredients, but with unsurpassed customer service. Like I said, it was Saturday night and the place was full throttle. Still our server Natalie, and no less than 3 other wait staff, took excellent care of us. Even Jennifer the operations manager took time to make sure we had everything we wanted.

A smart lesson was reinforced with me that night. Make sure that each and every customer wants to come back soon... and often. I know that I’ll be back to Savastano’s very soon to try out their authentic Chicago style red-hot with the neon green relish. Yummy!

Retro Rebound…

2009-03-12T14:40:00.011-05:00

I was at the supermarket the other day and ran across a Lámpara Movimiento. You remember, the lava lamp? It was only 15 dollars, so I easily talked myself into taking it home with me.

OMG! This lamp is fantastic. I am totally mesmerized by the constant rising and falling of those green globules in the blue liquid. I don’t think I could be much more excited than the way Fred Armisen and John Malkovich were over the calculator they got for Xmas on SNL.

Could it be I’m coming down with a case of Retrophilia? One idea supports this diagnosis when I bought a tie-dye tee shirt last summer. Now I wear it all the time with my PJ’s at bedtime. And my wife Debby knew I had a problem when I gave her some tie-dye socks for her birthday. It took a really nice dinner at the Palace Café to make up for that mistake.

So how do lava lamps have anything to do with hot dogs? I Dunno... they both just make me very happy. Click this link to see more art and illustration of Doug Fraser.

Real or Rumor...

2009-03-04T13:00:00.005-06:00

The buzz on the street is that Grilla Ray’s is very close to securing an agreement with their first commissary partner. It’s true. The permitting process is close to complete and Grilla Ray’s will hit the streets soon.

What’s a commissary partner? Basically, it’s a licensed kitchen that is subject to health department regulations and inspections. The Tulsa Health Department’s temporary food establishment requirements state, “Pushcarts preparing frankfurters shall operate from a commissary or other licensed fixed food service establishment and shall report at least daily to such location for cleaning and servicing operations.”

Everyone should feel confident the foods they are buying from street vendors are prepared and controlled under the supervision of the health department. Grilla Ray’s is professionally operated and holds all required state, local, and health permits, including certified food service management designations. We are fully behind these types of restrictions and we continually strive to safeguard public health through safe food handling practices. Simply put, Grilla Ray’s takes food safety seriously so you don’t have to.

Hot-Dogs made from salmon… What?

2009-02-26T16:29:00.005-06:00

That’s right. We’ve all seen and heard of the franks made from chicken, pork, and even turkey. The soybean fans also have had their Tofu dogs for a long time now. So, why stop there?

Today you can get wild harvested Alaska salmon processed into the perfect shape we enjoy with our favorite bun and toppings. These salmon dogs are usually no more than 90 calories, and contain no nitrites or trans fats. It gets better. These salmon dogs are high in those great Omega-3 Fatty Acids that everyone is raving about these days.

I have not tasted a salmon dog yet, because no one seems to carry them here in Tulsa. I have to admit I won’t go through the trouble to order any online, either. I prefer to eat my salmon in the form of a fillet. Still, I am happy for those folks who can’t bring themselves to eat a traditional sausage, that there are options available to them with these alternative franks.

Party on Wayne. Party on Garth. It’s Mardi Gras!

2009-02-24T15:12:00.007-06:00

Today is your last chance to kick it, for tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. If I had the lunch wagon out today, I would probably work up a special Jambalaya Dog or a Sausage Etouffee to honor the celebrations.

Grilla Ray’s still has to get a couple more permits before we can hit the streets, but I have been working on some of our offerings. Check out this preview of coming attractions:

Original Grilla
All beef Jumbo Frank, crisp Bacon slice, yellow Mustard, loaded with Grilla Ray’s original Mango Jalapeno Salsa on a fresh baked soft steamed Poppyseed bun.

New York Grilla
All beef Jumbo Frank, yellow Mustard, loaded with chopped Onion Relish, Sauerkraut on a fresh baked soft steamed Poppyseed bun.

Chicago Grilla
All beef Jumbo Frank, yellow Mustard, loaded with sweet Neon-green Relish, chopped Onions, Tomato wedges, Cucumber slice, Dill pickle spear, sport Peppers, and celery salt on a fresh baked soft steamed Poppyseed bun.

Appalachia Grilla
All beef Jumbo Frank, crisp Bacon slice, yellow Mustard, loaded with Coleslaw, and Jalapenos on a fresh baked soft steamed Poppyseed bun.

Mediterranean Grilla
All beef Jumbo Frank, yellow Mustard, loaded with Tabouli salad on a fresh baked soft steamed Poppyseed bun.

Polska Grilla
All pork Smoked Kielbasa, yellow Mustard, loaded with Grilled onion & Bell pepper slices, Sauerkraut, and Dill pickle on a fresh baked Hoagie roll.

Sheboygan Grilla (It's just fun to say Sheboygan.)
All pork Bratwurst, yellow Mustard, loaded with Grilled onion & Bell pepper slices, Sauerkraut, and Dill pickle on a fresh baked Hoagie roll.

The Grilla Ray's test kitchen is always ready to try something new and fun. If you have an idea that you would like to see us bring to the streets, just drop us a line. We love hearing from you.

Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor, and Nathan Handwerker walk into a bar…

2009-02-07T20:06:00.018-06:00

I had some of my very good friends over to the house last night to take a look at the hot-dog cart. Rowdy and The Cowgirls are either currently working or at one time been in the food service industry, so I knew I could get some valuable feedback on the GrillaRay’s project.

Originally I thought I would just give everyone the 50-cent tour, and then pop the tops off a few beers. A funny thing happens when those beers are Samuel Adams Boston Lagers – a freakin’ party erupted!

Someone lit the burners on the hot-dog cart’s grill. Fresh buns started steaming. Sliced onions were sizzling. Franks, brats, and sausages were flying. Rowdy whipped up a batch of his secret tomato onion horseradish sauce he's been perfecting. I think it can definitely compete with Sabrett’s New York onion sauce.

We all had a great time trying out the different dogs and condiment combinations. Before the night was over, many of us had to loosen a belt notch or two. Everyone agreed that a tropical fruit salsa would be a perfect thematic fit, and a great hot-dog for the Grilla Ray’s original. The jury is still out on some of the details, but I think we’re on the right track. There’s more HDRD in the Grilla Ray’s Test Kitchen ahead.

Click on the picture of the mango salsa for a close-up view.

PS - Legend has it that Cantor and Durante encouraged Handwerker to open his own hot-dog stand in 1916 where Nathan's Famous still stands today in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Coney Island.

If you can’t stand the heat…

2009-02-06T01:03:00.005-06:00

This week I spent a few days in the Grilla Ray’s Test Kitchen. It sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? Let me warn you, if you ever get invited to see what goes on behind the doors of a test kitchen, make sure you get it in writing that you can leave whenever you choose. Anytime you combine measuring cups, mixing bowls, and whisks together …not to mention fire and knives… a recipe for madness is close at hand.

HDRD (Hot Dog Research & Development) is something we take very seriously here at Grilla Ray’s. I’ve been kicking around a few ideas for the menu, and more importantly, the signature hot-dog that will make Grilla Ray’s unique.

I can’t officially release a statement what that taste experience consists of yet. However, you can count on it to be a tropical guilty pleasure.

Other Dog Tales…

2009-02-02T23:04:00.008-06:00

I was recently browsing through a blog of one of my favorite web sites managed by Kevin McCormick called Obey The Pure Breed. Kevin writes social and political commentary and combines it, in a very clever way, with his passion for his pets and propaganda style art. He has a great little thing going there that helps support his family.

We are a nation of animal lovers after all, and we devote a great deal of ourselves to our pets. Just look at the interest generated over finding out which type of dog will join the Obamas in the White House. Did you know there is actually a museum focused solely around the pets of our presidents?

Here in Tulsa and Northeastern Oklahoma, we don’t have a museum like that but we are fortunate to have two great organizations working diligently to help make us better humans. The Animal Rescue Foundation has been rescuing dogs and cats from area shelters since 1988.

Another organization is Homeward Bound Pug Rescue dedicated specifically to the Pug breed. Their mission is to place abandoned and rescued Pugs into loving and caring homes. Both organizations are non-profit, operated by volunteers that need our help and support. Check out their web sites and spread the word, “Canis lupis familiaris.”

Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat…

2009-01-30T12:56:00.014-06:00

Nearly everyone my age has memories of those great cartoon characters like Yogi Bear, Woody Woodpecker, Heckle and Jeckle, Mighty Mouse, Felix the Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, and Rocky and Bullwinkle, just to name a few.
Hot-dogs also evoke fun memories, so naturally I wanted to create a brand that would easily fit into a business serving food outdoors and at festivals and parties. My friend, Bud had told me many times of a character he had in mind, and his ideas seemed to fit perfectly with the hot-dog project.
Along the way to a Northern New Mexico camping trip, Bud and I stopped in Enid Oklahoma to meet Curtis Tucker, also known as That Sneaker Wearing Entrepreneurial Cartoonist Internet Guy. Curtis is the owner of Shaggy Duck Studios and a very gifted artist and designer. I knew immediately he was the cartoon logo designer for me, after seeing his web sites and blog. I am most impressed about how Curtis embraces every moment he has with his family. The best example of his spirit clearly shows through when you visit his own personal blog and browse some of his posts and videos of watching over his girls, and the antics of being a stay-at-home dadpreneur.

We told Curtis about these ideas; a name for the business, and how we envisioned a fun and fashionably hip gorilla, wearing cool shades and a Hawaiian shirt.
Curtis went back to his drafting table at Shaggy Duck Studios, and with a few minor tweaks... he nailed it.

Here is the artwork for the banner signage that fits into a stainless steel frame at the front of the cart.

And here is what Curtis did for the business card layout.

In just a few more weeks the rest of the business plan and health department permits will be in place, and the adventure of hawking hot-dogs on Tulsa’s city streets will begin.

Like Bringing Home a New Puppy...

2009-01-24T15:22:00.036-06:00

I picked up the little hot-dog cart and towed it back from Texas with my Subaru Forrester. It was like bringing home a new puppy. A few weeks before, I had a big garage sale to make a space to store the cart. My style of garage sale is where you bring out your stuff without tagging a price on any of it. That way you know someone has an interest in an item when they ask you, “How much?” From there, the name of the game is making sure they take the item home with them. As it turned out I was able to make enough space, not only for the hot-dog cart, but my wife’s car too. Garage sales should be a regularly scheduled event.

Now that I’ve got possession of the cart, let me give you a little tour. The original owner named his business after his father-in-law’s name Darby. I’ve got a different idea in mind with a name and new cartoon character I envisioned. I’ll have the signage changed as soon as I get the artwork from Curtis. The cart had been in storage for about a year and a good scrubbing has knocked off the dust and cobwebs.

Here is the shiny 36” griddle after I put some elbow grease to it. There is plenty of workspace in front and to the left of the grill. Stainless steel is everywhere.

The steam table to the right of the grill can manage different tray configurations, and the 3 cold condiment trays hover over the ice chest. Behind the sliding red doors is a great place for storing extra buns and supplies.

The grease trap and gas flame control knobs are nicely positioned out of the way under the grill workspace.

Lifting out the steam tray you can see the burner, and by sliding away the condiment tray, you can see the large capacity ice chest for cold drinks. The ice chest compartment is encased with two inches of insulation foam. When you open the stainless steel door behind the grill, there is easy access to the propane tank.

There is also a quick-connect coupler right there at the door so you can recharge the battery with out having to remove the signage to get to the battery posts.

When you slide the 22” x 73” inch sign out from its frame you can see some more of the inner workings.

The ten-gallon fresh water compartment sits behind the sign and the propane tank cradle. And in another compartment, there is a high capacity marine battery.

This battery powers a water pump that pressurizes the water lines. The water lines split off; One line runs through the insulation of the ice chest for cold water, and the other line runs along the gas burners to make hot water. The battery also powers a 1000-watt inverter that can be used to operate lights, cash registers, or other electrical appliances.

At the leading end of the cart there are 4 stainless steel sinks for washing hands and cleaning utensils.

Each one of the sinks and the ice chest drain water into a holding compartment mounted under the trailer where it can be easily drained and serviced.

And the entire contraption can be towed from one location to the next using the standard towing package.

I ordered a bright red 9 foot diameter umbrella to replace the old brown one. In the next post, I'll have all of the new signage and cartoon character logo in place for the new Grilla Ray's.

The Best of Our Camping Tours

2009-01-18T02:25:00.010-06:00

Each year, my friend Bud and I would go on week long camping trips into the wilderness of northern New Mexico. Sometimes we would bring along our friend Rusty from Boston. During these road trips, we would always include a stop-over at Ghost Ranch north of Abiquiu New Mexico. There we visit our dear departed friend George, who is laid to rest under a beautiful setting of the big sky vistas in the Land of Enchantment. Each year we bring George a fresh bottle of Dewars and toast to wonderful memories of years past. So, sit back and enjoy the Best of Our Camping Tours.
To see more pictures that are in the entire album, just click on the slideshow.

That Sneaker Wearing Entrepreneurial Cartoonist Internet Guy

2009-01-16T23:24:00.011-06:00

Every year, my friend Bud and I go on a camping trip to New Mexico. This time I thought I could combine it with my plan to look over the hot-dog cart. The owner of the cart had it garaged in a small town northeast of Dallas, so I thought I could take a slight detour on my way back from New Mexico.

But first, I wanted to meet That Sneaker Wearing Entrepreneurial Cartoonist Internet Guy, also known as Curtis Tucker. I found Curtis, of course, on the Internet. He is the owner of Shaggy Duck Studios based out of Enid Oklahoma. I immediately liked him after seeing how he presented himself on his web sites and blog. This guy is not only a very gifted artist and designer, his skills and knowledge of the Internet are pretty impressive too.

I think the thing I most enjoy about Curtis is the way he embraces every moment he has with his family. He has even trademarked “Make Life Happy” with one of his web sites. The best example of his spirit clearly shows through when you visit his own personal blog at curtistucker.com and browse some of his posts and videos of watching over his girls, and the antics of being a stay-at-home dadpreneur.

Curtis agreed to meet me at the Starbucks in Enid on our way out to New Mexico. I wanted to tell him about this idea I have of a cartoon character (probably a gorilla) that is fashionably hip and knows how to have fun. I had a pretty good feeling That Sneaker Wearing Entrepreneurial Cartoonist Internet Guy knew just what I was looking for.

SWM looking for a HSHDC (Hot & Sexy Hot-Dog Cart.)

2009-01-15T00:11:00.013-06:00

This summer I actually ran across a hot-dog vendor here in Tulsa using a Top Dog Cart. He had it setup in the parking lot of the big Lowe’s on 15th and Yale. I wanted more information about Top Dog Carts, besides what I found on their web site. So, I started searching the Internet and reading posts on discussion boards like Roadfood.com which had tons of information and great things to say about Top Dog.

In 1995, Craig Newmark started Craigslist.com as an email list for friends about events going on in the San Francisco Bay Area. That little side project in Craig's living room has since grown into one of the busiest sites on the Internet, helping people with basic day-to-day needs such as finding a job or an apartment… and a hot-dog cart for Grilla Ray’s.

And there she was. Right there on Craigslist. The Top Dog model MF36-SS-4SK. The original owner said he had only taken her to the party once, and he had to let her go because there wasn't enough room for her with his new and growing family.
She featured a 36 inch propane powered 3-burner flat Cecilware griddle, a steam table with (3) 6”x12”x6” pans, 4 stainless steel sinks, a 10 gallon fresh water tank, 17 gallon waste water holding tank, pressurized hot and cold running water, a 1000 watt inverter that runs off of a 12-volt marine battery, high capacity ice bin, and easy access storage area. All polished mirrored stainless steel on a DOT approved chassis. Sure, she was a little rusty, but that wasn't anything a good scubbing and a new dress wouldn't take care of. I was feeling a little giddy, and for a minute there I thought I was on one of those online dating services.

My Hot-Dog Cart Centerfold…

2009-01-14T00:15:00.012-06:00

If you Google “hot dog cart” you’ll get about 154,000 results. The information and web sites and news groups forums on the hot dog vending business is staggering. Would it be an understatement to say Americans love hot dogs?

When it comes to hot-dog cart design, it seemed to me there was more emphasis on function and less aesthetic sensibilities. Most of the carts I found looked more like stainless steel space probes not really sure which side was front or back.

And then I stumbled upon Top Dog Carts out of Orlando Florida. It was love at first sight, like the first time saw the new Ford Mustang when it came out in 1964.

Very well designed layout and schematics…

The low profile makes for a very sexy cart!

Great Place for signage and the snap-on skirt really dresses it up…

It was clear that Top Dog put some thought into their design. Now that I had found it, I only had one question. “Where can I find a used one?”

Trudging through the permit process

2009-01-13T01:58:00.002-06:00

Where does a street vendor go to get started? I figured the best folks to ask is where they control the streets, so I went down to the city permit office on Greenwood Avenue. Surprisingly, they sent me to the city-county health department over by Driller Stadium where they have combined the city permitting process with the food & health requirements.
I spoke with a friendly sanitarian with the Consumer Protection Division, and she sent me home with a stack of booklets containing procedures, guidelines, codes, and requirements to meet before the health department will grant a license for the little hot-dog cart. These general and operational requirements included:
· Temporary and Mobile Food Establishment requirements.
· Equipment design and maintenance.
· A licensed commissary base of operations.
· A 2-day course for Certified Manager and Food Handlers permits.
· A 1-day workshop at the state Small Business Development Center.
· State tax permits.
I won’t torture you with the details of how I managed through all of that, and will save the next post for shopping for a sexy hot-dog cart.

A Street Vendor Wannabe...

2009-01-11T16:02:00.008-06:00

Well alright. At this point, I'm just a Hot-Dog Street Vendor Wannabe. But the adventure is on, and before too long I'll be hawking hot dogs, chips and sodas on the streets of Tulsa.
For years, my best friend Bud and I would have brainstorm sessions about starting a restaurant or bar. Naturally, these fantasies tended to lose their focus between beers over a plate of nachos. It all started to gel this past summer when I realized that starting small with a pushcart or trailer was a doable project with limited risk.
And so, Grilla Ray's was born. Where did the name for Grilla Ray's come up for a name? I'll have to leave that for a future post.