Show 420, April 10, 2021: Chef Isaias Hernandez and Josh Bentrem, Smoke & Fire Social Eatery Part One

Josh Bentrem of Smoke and Fire Social Eatery

Isaias Hernandez and Josh Bentrem (the co-founders of Smoke & Fire Social Eatery with locations in La Habra and Paramount) began their journey as hospitality associates for top dining institutions. Ranging from local eateries to billion-dollar restaurant groups, the partners specialize in all thing’s food and beverage. With almost two decades of experience in operations and senior leadership, Isaias and Josh had the privilege of opening restaurant concepts across the United States before venturing off on their own with Smoke & Fire.”

“Smoke and Fire is a prime example that when a business operates correctly, you don’t create a company, you start a family. We are a family turned restaurant group that provides the ultimate food experience in a quick-service format. The goal is to produce full-service standards in a quick service capacity.”

Menu specialties include a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (with the guest’s choice of heat,) a Smash Burger (double patty with cheese,) Brisket Grilled Cheese, Brisket Tacos and a Brisket Quesadilla. The appealing selection of Loaded Fries are generous portions of battered waffle fries with proteins (Nashville Hot Chicken, Smash Burger, and Texas Style Brisket) added in.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much. At Smoke and Fire Social Eatery, we understand that it takes a village to raise a child so we honor all of those hardworking mentors, teachers and community servants with discounted meals and sponsorships.”

New Smoke & Fire Social Eatery locations are set to open in the coming months in Pomona and Bellflower.

Proprietors Chef Isaias Hernandez and Josh Bentrem join us with spatula in hand.

Show 420, April 10, 2021: Chef Isaias Hernandez and Josh Bentrem, Smoke & Fire Social Eatery Part Two

Josh Bentrem of Smoke and Fire Social Eatery

Isaias Hernandez and Josh Bentrem (the co-founders of Smoke & Fire Social Eatery with locations in La Habra and Paramount) began their journey as hospitality associates for top dining institutions. Ranging from local eateries to billion-dollar restaurant groups, the partners specialize in all thing’s food and beverage. With almost two decades of experience in operations and senior leadership, Isaias and Josh had the privilege of opening restaurant concepts across the United States before venturing off on their own with Smoke & Fire.”

“Smoke and Fire is a prime example that when a business operates correctly, you don’t create a company, you start a family. We are a family turned restaurant group that provides the ultimate food experience in a quick-service format. The goal is to produce full-service standards in a quick service capacity.”

Menu specialties include a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (with the guest’s choice of heat,) a Smash Burger (double patty with cheese,) Brisket Grilled Cheese, Brisket Tacos and a Brisket Quesadilla. The appealing selection of Loaded Fries are generous portions of battered waffle fries with proteins (Nashville Hot Chicken, Smash Burger, and Texas Style Brisket) added in.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much. At Smoke and Fire Social Eatery, we understand that it takes a village to raise a child so we honor all of those hardworking mentors, teachers and community servants with discounted meals and sponsorships.”

New Smoke & Fire Social Eatery locations are set to open in the coming months in Pomona and Bellflower.

Proprietors Isaias Hernandez and Josh Bentrem continue with us with spatulas in hand.

Show 275, May 26, 2018: Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Fifth Anniversary of the SoCal Restaurant ShowChef Andrew Gruel the founder of The Slapfish Restaurant Group joins us with another installment of Ask the Chef.”

When you’ve at your favorite fast casual or quick service restaurant are you faced with the dilemma of way too many choices as the line lengthens in back of you? Does it take 4 complicated steps to customize a simple salad? Are there dozens of possible adds? Is this a matter of having choices or utter confusion?

This discussion is inspired by Wall Street Journal’s Julie Jargon from her May 11th Page One piece, “Today’s Special: Way Too Many Options for One Sandwich – Restaurants are driving patrons down a rapid assembly line of possibilities.”

We’ll get Chef Andrew’s informed thoughts

 

Show 257, January 20, 2018: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group

Andy Harris and Andrew Gruel at the Fifth Anniversary of the SoCal Restaurant ShowOur always informed Co-Host, Chef Andrew Gruel, shares (and explains) in his continuing series hospitality business trends he sees for 2018.

Here’s a real hot button issue…One of the major credit card companies, in a test, is incentivizing restaurants to use credit cards exclusively for payment. No cash accepted sat all…

Is a cashless restaurant really good hospitality? Is there any difference in acceptance of this policy ranging from a quick service spot to a fine dining establishment?

Chef Andrew has had recent experience with this in the fast-casual sphere and shares his first-hand observations. He listened to his guests and then responded accordingly.

Show 25, April 13, 2013: Linda Burum, Food Journalist. Contributes to L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine, Los Angeles Times and other prominent publications (Continued…)

Linda continued her commentary on her recent visits to Little India in Artesia along Pioneer Blvd. Little India offers lots of vegetarian options, too.

She recommends Surati Farsan Mart for their variety of Gujarat-style Indian snacks.

Pickles Indian Cuisine in ArtesiaPickles Indian Cuisine is a fine dining spot with the adjacent quick service Dosa Lite with a menu of more than 20 dosa (Indian crepe) options. Some you will not see elsewhere. Pickles offers both traditional and modern Indian cuisine. Linda really likes their goat and lamb dishes. They also offer an ample selection of byriani.

Another favorite of Linda’s for Indian snacks is Mumbai Ki Galliyon Se on Pioneer Blvd. They have unusual sandwiches.