My lastest television interest (although I have only watched the 2 episodes avaiable on the Discovery+ streaming site) is the FoodNetwork show, Me or the Menu. This show is a lot. A lot of funny moments, a lot of sweet ones, and of course, a lot of highly edited- for-reality tv-moments. However, the “behind the scenes” aspect of the restaurant, food truck, and business start up process is so interesting to me and makes for a pretty entertaining tv show (if you watch a lot of Food Network content already-you’ll most likely enjoy this).
Each couple on the show is in a different stage of the restaurant business. One has been operating a successful restaurant in Brooklyn for about a year.
Next up is Jessica & James, who run Bocadilla Market in Chicago, I believe their restaurant is very new, but James has worked as a chef for many years.
The other two couples are at the very beginning stages of their restaurant-owning journey; one is operating a food truck that they want to convert to a brick and mortar location ( @thesaucykat ) and one is about to do their first ever pop up event to test out their vegetarian/vegan menu ( @GreeniosEats ).
I really enjoy this show because I sort of day dream about being sort of like the people on the show one day. Obviously, without the reality tv aspect, the problematic treatment of one’s partner, the yelling, accusations of laziness, and money issues. I would love to have a food truck bar (that is a thing!), or a booth at a vintage and thrift pop up event, or an actual retail space or even an online space where I sell used books.
O N E D A Y O N E D A Y O N E D A Y O N E D A Y O N E D A Y O N E D A Y
It is inspiring and somewhat educational to see some of the scenarios play out on Me or the Menu. Will each couple survive or will they walk away from each other as disgruntled business partners? I hope they all make it and achieve most, if not all of their big dreams.
HAHA! No, I am not opening a bar with my boyfriend. While watching Me or the Menu, he said, “I swear I will never open a restaurant with you.” I replied, “What about Bookstore-Thriftstore-Bar?” “Of course” he said. So a bar is a possibility in our future but a co-owned and operated restaurant is not. I can totally live with that! Would you ever open a food/drinks business with your partner or sister or friend?
On the one hand, I know the age-old advice, Don’t mix business with pleasure or family, but……….
Who else can you rely on and trust more than your partner or sister or best friend?