quote:Originally posted by tastysavant Come to think of it, I think you've hit the nail on the head. Not everyone's idea of perfection is the same, and the fact that all three options are variations onto themselves makes having all three a no brainer.
Alright, its decided,
all three it is. Now its time for me to do some happy experimenting to get what I think is best for each
.
And yes, vanilla and malts are a must!
Tasty, you seem like a guy who is sincere about putting out a quality product. Now I'm no retail expert, but I am a small businessman with a food product on the market(previously discussed in other forums), so I think I can speak with just a
little authority here.
If you go into this venture trying to please all palates at all times, especially with a plan to serve
three different regional types of milk shakes, you're setting yourself up for confusion and disaster(IMHO). I respect your wanting to get this thing right, but, you're making things
way too complicated for yourself and your new business. Start by pleasing your own palate and then make only necessary changes to suit your market.
Example: I recently described an experience at a place called Relish in a thread called "Christmas in KC". The owner of Relish has a concept wherein he sells nothing but hot dogs, prepared in traditional regional styles (i.e. Chicago style dogs, slaw dogs, chili dogs, etc.). My wife and I, being from Chicago, decided to give him the challenge and ordered a Chicago style dog. The owner had obviously done his homework, travelling to Chicago and checking out numerous places in order to get a fuller understanding of the traditional Chicago hot dog. All the right pieces were in place; Vienna Beef Dog, mustard, onion, neon green relish, tomato, celery salt, sport peppers, and a big old pickle. But he made some subtle changes to please his own palate and to suit the tastes of his Kansas City audience. First, because
he wanted a sharper, more distinct mustard flavor, he substituted a slightly brown, grained mustard for the traditional yellow that is common (and some think required) back here. Second, instead of a boiled or steamed dog, he went with a grilled dog. Not heresy, but not the overwhelmingly traditional Chicago method either. He explained that while he would have preferred to serve a boiled hot dog, his
KC customers would reject it.
Now if you were opening up a store that sold nothing but milk shakes, as Relish does hot dogs, I would say go for the three way shake menu. In fact why stop there? There must be other regional differences, even international differences that could be identified. For you though, the shake is just one part of a bigger picture.
Make
yourself happy. Please
your palate. Make
minimal, necessary adjustments to please your customers. As long as you are serving a quality product, it will shine through.
Hope this was helpful. Good luck and best wishes,
Buddy