Botak jones

[LoverofCar]

The once popular Botak Jone is making a come back after going out of business some time ago. Do you bite? Any fans here?

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/big-bern-starting-over-again-094536952.html

 

At the height of their business, with up to 13 outlets, they were living their dream. Their tills were ringing in decent 6 figures sales each month and life was exciting and fun. Their customers could not get enough of their hard core no-frills American chow. They went from Bernie’s to Botak Jones and consulted for a few outlets with similar concepts…there was no stopping them.

 

 

Then, it all fell apart, “it was a series of bad business decisions and partnership woes” and I could see the pain in the business hardened eyes of Bernie Utchenik as he said so. When Bernie and his wife Zee moved on from their last Botak Jones outlet (they sold it) in Balestier, they were still staring at a “staggering” 6 figure debt, the same they used to make monthly back then. Now at age 63, when he should be reaping the rewards and enjoying the soft sunset years ahead, they are starting all over again. “No choice. We got some good years left ahead and we got debts to clear”. But have willpower and skills, will travel, I say.

They now roost here in Toa Payoh (Bernie has this thing for quaint and industrial spots) and their comforting and lovable American menu is up again. Plus, Bernie and Zee are up at it personally at the stall each day. He suffers from personal anxiety disorders but calms it with his fighting spirit and some medication. Despite all that, he spends at least 3 hours a day in the kitchen. Slowly and surely, the debt is clearing and nothing is stopping them. He spoke nothing of his woes and gushed only about his kitchen craft. I had to dig and scratch it out of him.

 

FOOD
His menu is bold, loud, brave and big, just like the man. The range is wide- from steaks, chicken chops, thick soups, Louisiana Po Boy sandwiches and the good ol’ fish and chips. His Cajun Chicken is a class act. A thick cut of breast meat is marinated in Cajun spices and seared, with cheese melted over and then slathered in their signature chilli dressing. It felt dry and intensely flavoured outside but was nicely moist inside. The salad, which came with my choice of honey mustard dressing, played no second fiddle to the chicken. Crunchy, cold, fresh and moreish with the Cajun spiced potato fries. This is their best seller.

 

I am not a fan of salmon- too bland and blah for me. But I note how well chefs do this. They took a wild caught salmon (the texture and flavour is bolder) and seared it very well and was not the usual dry piece of fish I usually get at dressed down western eateries like this. Their own made tartar sauce was a bonus to the show. The lovely potato cake completed the show.

The Po-Boys sandwich did not floor me the first time I tried it. The bread used felt like a stack of cardboard but they recently changed it to what felt a whole lot more authentic- it was softer and gummier inside and crunchy but not crispy. The battered soft shell crabs lumps had its natural flavour but would’ve preferred it with more marinate. The greens and the chiili sauce lifted it.

Bernie is very practical… “sell good food, treat the customers well and git myself back on my feet”. He will get there and be up for air very soon, I know.

[Dankoo]

Didn't even know they went bust...when they got too good, everything went downhill...especially food quality and service...hope they can start slow and maintain the quality this time...

[Jman888]

  On 7/15/2015 at 3:22 AM, LoverofCar said:

The once popular Botak Jone is making a come back after going out of business some time ago. Do you bite? Any fans here?

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/big-bern-starting-over-again-094536952.html

 

At the height of their business, with up to 13 outlets, they were living their dream. Their tills were ringing in decent 6 figures sales each month and life was exciting and fun. Their customers could not get enough of their hard core no-frills American chow. They went from Bernie’s to Botak Jones and consulted for a few outlets with similar concepts…there was no stopping them.

 

 

Then, it all fell apart, “it was a series of bad business decisions and partnership woes” and I could see the pain in the business hardened eyes of Bernie Utchenik as he said so. When Bernie and his wife Zee moved on from their last Botak Jones outlet (they sold it) in Balestier, they were still staring at a “staggering” 6 figure debt, the same they used to make monthly back then. Now at age 63, when he should be reaping the rewards and enjoying the soft sunset years ahead, they are starting all over again. “No choice. We got some good years left ahead and we got debts to clear”. But have willpower and skills, will travel, I say.

They now roost here in Toa Payoh (Bernie has this thing for quaint and industrial spots) and their comforting and lovable American menu is up again. Plus, Bernie and Zee are up at it personally at the stall each day. He suffers from personal anxiety disorders but calms it with his fighting spirit and some medication. Despite all that, he spends at least 3 hours a day in the kitchen. Slowly and surely, the debt is clearing and nothing is stopping them. He spoke nothing of his woes and gushed only about his kitchen craft. I had to dig and scratch it out of him.

 

FOOD

His menu is bold, loud, brave and big, just like the man. The range is wide- from steaks, chicken chops, thick soups, Louisiana Po Boy sandwiches and the good ol’ fish and chips. His Cajun Chicken is a class act. A thick cut of breast meat is marinated in Cajun spices and seared, with cheese melted over and then slathered in their signature chilli dressing. It felt dry and intensely flavoured outside but was nicely moist inside. The salad, which came with my choice of honey mustard dressing, played no second fiddle to the chicken. Crunchy, cold, fresh and moreish with the Cajun spiced potato fries. This is their best seller.

 

I am not a fan of salmon- too bland and blah for me. But I note how well chefs do this. They took a wild caught salmon (the texture and flavour is bolder) and seared it very well and was not the usual dry piece of fish I usually get at dressed down western eateries like this. Their own made tartar sauce was a bonus to the show. The lovely potato cake completed the show.

The Po-Boys sandwich did not floor me the first time I tried it. The bread used felt like a stack of cardboard but they recently changed it to what felt a whole lot more authentic- it was softer and gummier inside and crunchy but not crispy. The battered soft shell crabs lumps had its natural flavour but would’ve preferred it with more marinate. The greens and the chiili sauce lifted it.

Bernie is very practical… “sell good food, treat the customers well and git myself back on my feet”. He will get there and be up for air very soon, I know.

 

 

did Bernie has some kind of illness previously? thought i read he has cancer before.

[Mustank]

  On 7/15/2015 at 3:30 AM, Dankoo said:

Didn't even know they went bust...when they got too good, everything went downhill...especially food quality and service...hope they can start slow and maintain the quality this time...

 

like mrt?

[Mockngbrd]

  On 7/15/2015 at 3:30 AM, Dankoo said:

Didn't even know they went bust...when they got too good, everything went downhill...especially food quality and service...hope they can start slow and maintain the quality this time...

 

agree.... it was bad

[LoverofCar]

  On 7/15/2015 at 3:32 AM, Jman888 said:

 

 

did Bernie has some kind of illness previously? thought i read he has cancer before.

 

In the article, it states that he suffers from personal anxiety disorders and need medication.

 

[Darryn]

  On 7/15/2015 at 3:44 AM, LoverofCar said:

 

In the article, it states that he suffers from personal anxiety disorders and need medication.

 

If I recall he had a heart attack (touch wood if I am wrong!!)

 

Anyway -

I am 100% going to eat there -

I love his food

I love his attitude

We should support

[Mrmilktooth]

i used to have lunch at the clementi kpt outlet..

 

so it closed down? ..

 

only 1 left at toa payoh?

 

the food was nice and price ok..

[Shull]

Hur?

 

I just ate at the Clementi Branch last week...

[LoverofCar]

Botak Jone's brand name is history

 

 

The new outlet name and address:

 

Big Bern’s American Grill
978 Toa Payoh North , #02-01
+65 6710 7362
1130am to 9pm daily

  On 7/15/2015 at 4:11 AM, Shull said:

Hur?

 

I just ate at the Clementi Branch last week...

 

Not sure man...the article said that they moved out from the last outlet at Balestier. So the one in Clementi still operating and belong to them? Strange...anyone can verify?

[Othello]

  On 7/15/2015 at 4:11 AM, Shull said:

Hur?

 

I just ate at the Clementi Branch last week...

 

sold off

  On 7/15/2015 at 4:14 AM, LoverofCar said:

Botak Jone's brand name is history

 

 

The new outlet name and address:

 

Big Bern’s American Grill

978 Toa Payoh North , #02-01

+65 6710 7362

1130am to 9pm daily

 

Not sure man...the article said that they moved out from the last outlet at Balestier. So the one in Clementi still operating and belong to them? Strange...anyone can verify?

 

 

that industrial canteen is where botak jones first started, tio bo ?

I used to go to Bernie's at Changi North, just realised its closed

[LoverofCar]

  On 7/15/2015 at 4:16 AM, Othello said:

 

sold off

 

that industrial canteen is where botak jones first started, tio bo ?

 

I'm not sure....I was thinking they started first in Woodland..

[Lala81]

I kinda like their fries. Though it's been 6 years since i last ate it so can't remember much.

Their burgers/steaks were only ok.

Aston did a better steak for roughtly the same price.

[Toothiewabbit]

Used to patronise the outlet at AMK Ave 5. Not bad then.

[serenade]

Botak Jones chain has been sold off. I have been eating at Clementi branch before and after the sale of the chain. After sale, the prices went up, portions shrank and taste became worse. They have lost me as a regular customer.

 

Now my regular is Collin's chain of shops for affordable western meat grills. Big meat portions for the price. There is one in Clementi.

 

But my all time favorite budget western grill stall is Wow Wow West at ABC Hawker Centre. Awesome taste and servings at a very reasonable price. Besides, the owner helps in social causes by hiring ex-offenders. Downside is not open on Sundays and Mondays. And sometimes close for days at a stretch when the family and extended family take a break.

[Dieselord]

When it's at its peak, hv to q as least 1hr for table, another 30min for e food..

 

Fries give alot n alot of ppl can't finish.. Price was cheaper as compare with restaurants..

[Hosaybo]

He sold off the name and a couple of branches to an investor. They actually have a central kitchen in defu lane preparing all the stuff and send it to their outlets. Some of the outlets were offered to franchisee who were given the right to use the trade name as well as required to get their supply from them.

[Mrmilktooth]

ok, maybe got chance go jalan jalan toa payoh then..