January 14, 2016
Contributed Art/GoFundMe
Mike Strauss shared a picture of BBQ ribs he recently grilled in Brooklyn.
Michael Strauss, the man behind the popular Taproom on 19th gastropub in South Philadelphia, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to bring a new BBQ restaurant to the neighborhood.
In an interview late last month with Food Junkets, Strauss discussed his passion for barbecuing over the past 20 years as he meticulously honed his technique to achieve the perfect results. The more he's integrated barbecue into the menu at Taproom on 19th, the more Strauss developed an itch to open up a standalone restaurant for that specific purpose.
On his GoFundMe page, created earlier this week with a goal of $7,500, Strauss talked about what he plans to do if his BBQ dream comes true.
What will I be smoking, and what makes it different? I'll be smoking pork ribs, pork shoulder, and brisket primarily. However, I will mix in chicken, fatties, and beef ribs. My goal is to smoke daily and serve daily, meaning I will limit the quantities smoked so as to avoid leftovers since BBQ tastes the best the day it's smoked. Each day I will highlight only a few meats, which will make the end product much better. Leftovers will be turned into chili or something similar. My BBQ preference is more South Carolina style; however, I generally mix it up, and I follow no real rules!
Funds collected through the campaign will be used to purchase a Lang stick smoker, a storefront and associated business costs such as rent, renovations and staffing. The high-end stick smoker alone could cost up to $8,000, so Strauss is hoping a crowdfunding approach will give residents and supporters a chance to bring the concept to life.
Strauss says he has not yet identified a location for the restaurant but is actively hunting for a space.
To make a donation, head over to "Mike's BBQ Dream" at GoFundMe.
