Randy Reich has joined Curtis Restaurant Supply as showroom sales representative. Mr. Reich comes to Curtis with eighteen years of experience in restaurant management, including ten years with Taco Bueno Restaurants and five years with Panera Bread®. Mr. Reich was most recently the beverage and culinary manager for Romano’s Macaroni Grill®.

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Owners Carlos and Elisha Atilano chose the Plaza del Sol Shopping Center at 101st and Mingo Road for their new restaurant because of the Mediterranean architecture. “The tile roof and stucco exterior accents the interior design of the restaurant,” says Mrs. Atilano. “We also enjoy the peaceful outdoor patio. The large water fountain creates a soothing, tropical backdrop for the outside dining area. On weekends, customers have a front-seat view of live entertainment on the outdoor stage. In cooler weather, the outdoor fireplace creates a romantic space, just perfect for huddling by the fire.”

Carlos and Elisha Atilano opened their first Seῆor Tequila in 1999 at 51st Street and Harvard Avenue in Tulsa. The Atilanos own four Seῆor Tequila restaurants and plan to open more locations in the near future, possibly in Jenks, OK. The Atilanos credit their success to providing food made of only the finest meats and freshest vegetables, which come straight from the farmer’s market. The food is prepared with the purest ingredients to bring out the true flavors of authentic Mexican cooking. Most notable is their friendly, efficient staff always available to make your dining experience pleasurable.

Over the years, the Atilanos have excelled in business by taking any challenges in stride, and adjusting to changes. However, the one thing that hasn’t changed is their relationship with Curtis Restaurant Supply. “Curtis has been with us from the very beginning, since our first restaurant in 1999,” said Mrs. Atilano. “Our account representative, Bill Shea, is very hard working. He’s easy going, and very considerate. He’s a phenomenal account executive.”

The Atilanos value quality, and installed the finest cooking equipment. The kitchen is completely stainless steel. “Stainless steel is the best material for foodservice,” said Mr. Atilano. “We installed stainless steel because of its value, and ease of maintenance. From the walls to the equipment, we wanted stainless steel because of its long-lasting life, and ease of cleaning.”

There were several logistical concerns because the restaurant was a new construction project. Curtis Restaurant Supply owner, Jay Gulick, explains, “Kitchen and bar projects are always very complicated as they require a very tight coordination between the architect, the plumbers, electricians, and millwork contractors. It is especially important when changes are made late in the process. This project went pretty smooth because there was a good deal of communication and cooperation with all involved parties, and the result is a great restaurant that is bound to be very successful.” Bill Shea, Curtis account representative adds, “We have worked hard over the years to earn the Atilanos’ trust, and will do whatever it takes to help them with their success.”

Seῆor Tequila seats 140 patrons plus additional seating on the patio. Mrs. Atilano did all the interior design to create a modern, fresh look. The restaurant has a new logo, branding, and an exciting expanded menu with an abundant choice of grilled seafood and steak entrees. One exciting addition to the restaurant is the tortilla studio. Fresh, hand-made tortillas are made by Seῆor Tequila chefs in a glassed-in studio facing the main dining area. Mrs. Atlilano comments, “We have a spectacular salsa bar with 5 different salsas. If you want to feel alive, and spicy hot, check out the salsa bar!”

In addition, Seῆor Tequila has a large bar with plenty of seating, two large screen TVs, and an easy-to-clean, counter top margarita machine that can produce 28 gallons of frozen drinks an hour. Parking is plentiful, and is easy to reach from 101st and Memorial, and the Creek Expressway.

Locations
Plaza del Sol Shopping Center
9999 South Mingo, Suite K
Tulsa, OK

Brookside Area
3348 South Peoria Avenue
Tulsa, OK

The Mill Shopping Center
6973 East 71st Street South
Tulsa, OK

Oak Brook Shopping Center
200 South Santa Fe Ave
Edmond, OK

Hours of Operation
Sunday – Thursday
11:00am – 10:00pm

Friday – Saturday
11:00am – 10:30pm

www.senortequilaok.com

Vanessa Wonders, purchasing, Jay Gulick, owner, mascot Hornsby, Erik Davidson, project mgr., David Hillin, owner

Oneok Field is definitely going big as far as its foodservice offering. The stadium includes three large concession areas, outfield concessions, specialty food carts, main kitchen, and the exclusive Tycoon Stadium Club bar. Jason Wilson, food and beverage director comments, “The large concession stand on the first-base side will probably have more points of sale than the old ballpark had altogether.”

Curtis Restaurant Supply furnished and installed the equipment, and smallwares, and provided design services for the permanent concession areas, main kitchen, as well as the Tycoon Stadium Club bar servicing the 23 upper-level private suites.

After the bidding process “Manhattan Construction turned to us to help furnish a superior food service operation,” said Curtis project manager, Erik Davidson. The Design/Build process allowed us to work closely with Manhattan Construction and their team to finish the project on-time and on-budget. Davidson feels the reason the project was so successful was the ability to work with the general and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) contractors to facilitate a plan to move ahead with minimal revisions.

Davidson says, “We remained 100% flexible as far as project conditions, and were able to change directions based on the customer’s need, and even the weather. We were able to anticipate any situations coming up and went to the general and MEP contractors for immediate resolution. They were able to resolve the issue in one to two days, rather than one to two weeks. This saved the project valuable time and money on unnecessary change orders. This was the major differentiation between finishing a project in one year, rather than two or more years.”

David Hillin, Curtis vice-president, adds, “With the public-private cooperation and funding setting the tone for construction, it was also important to use as many local subcontractors as possible, keeping the money in the Tulsa area. We are especially proud to be a contributor to this project.”

Oneok Field
201 N Elgin Ave
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120
www.oneokfield.com

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]]> http://www.curtisequipment.com/news/curtis-scores-a-home-run-with-oneok-field/feed 0 http://www.curtisequipment.com/news/school-foodservice-equipment-grants http://www.curtisequipment.com/news/school-foodservice-equipment-grants#comments Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:49:24 +0000 staff http://www.curtisequipment.com/?p=803 On January 14, 2010, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the availability of $25 million in grants to help school nutrition programs replace outdated equipment with new energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and other foodservice-related equipment. This funding is a one-time fiscal year 2010 appropriation.

These grants will be awarded to school districts that operate the National School Lunch Program and did not receive equipment grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus bill). Any district may apply, but priority will be given to school districts where 50 percent or more students are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

School foodservice professionals are frustrated with outdated and difficult to operate equipment. Equipment should be easy to use, simple to maintain and repair, and easy to clean. In addition, undependable and aged cooking equipment and refrigeration can be a safety issue.

Curtis Restaurant Supply can assist you in determining the efficiency of your existing equipment, and preparing documentation for your grant application. We also understand the challenge of updating an existing kitchen space. We can help you choose equipment with a small footprint to maximize space constraints for your kitchen, and determine if the item makes the best use of space for worker productivity.

Oklahoma has been allotted $372,503 in grants. Please do your part to keep this money in Oklahoma. Curtis Restaurant Supply is locally owned and operated. Headquartered in Tulsa, and with a sales office in Oklahoma City, Curtis Restaurant Supply has provided superior products and services to foodservice professionals for over 60 years. In 2008, Curtis was recognized by a national trade publication as having the second highest growth rate among the top 100 foodservice equipment dealers in the U.S.

For more information about the 2010 school foodservice equipment grant, please contact your sales representative, or call Curtis Restaurant Supply, toll-free at (800) 766-2878.

Additional Resources

January 14, 2010 – USDA Press Release

January 14, 2010 – USDA Policy Memo

National Food Service Management Institute
Equipment Purchasing and Facility Design for School Nutrition Programs (280 pages)

USDA Foodservice Equipment Guide

Across the nation so many small businesses are closing. According to the Tulsa Area Independent Business Alliance, $45 of every $100 spent at a locally owned establishment stays in the local economy. Cinda Baxter, founder of the 3/50 Project, said if half of the employed U.S. population spends $50 a month in small, independent businesses, they would generate $42.6 billion in a year. And out of every $100 spent at independent retailers, Baxter said $68 returns to that local economy through employees’ salaries, various taxes and local bank transactions.

Money spent in Oklahoma stays in Oklahoma. Keeping money at home and patronizing local restaurants lowers unemployment and the need for increased taxes and inflated government programs. On January 13th, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett encouraged everyone at a meeting at the Tulsa Convention Center to buy locally to keep sales tax revenues in Tulsa to support the Police and Fire departments. In the meantime, he’s scrambling to come up with an alternative agreement which would rescind the 147 layoff notices to firefighters issued last week by the city.

Buying locally will prevent more independent restaurants from closing. Curtis Restaurant Supply owners Jay Gulick and David Hillin support the home team. Mr. Gulick comments, “Supporting our local economy is one of the biggest things we can do to make an immediate economic impact.” Mr. Hillin adds, “Local companies want, and need your business. Many companies offer incentives for buying local. Curtis offers free local delivery for many of our customers.”

So the next time you order supplies for your kitchen from a non-local source, think of what is best for your business, your customers and your local economy.

About Curtis Restaurant Supply
Headquartered in Tulsa, and with a sales office in Oklahoma City, Curtis Restaurant Supply provides superior products and services to foodservice professionals with independently owned and national chain restaurants, hospitals, casinos, churches, schools, military and healthcare facilities. In 2008, Curtis was recognized as having the second highest growth rate among the top 100 foodservice equipment dealers in the U.S. by a national trade publication. The Tulsa area showroom is open to the public 6 days a week. For more information about Curtis Restaurant Supply, contact Mr. David Hillin at 918-622-7390 or visit www.curtisequipment.com.

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John Miller, Taco Bueno President, Rick Millspaugh, Curtis National Chain Accounts Representative, Ramon Torres, Taco Bueno Vice President, Tom Veale, Taco Bueno Vice President of Purchasing, and Philip Parsons, Chief Financial Officer.

Most notable is the overwhelming reaction from the Taco Bueno store managers. A substantial number of nomination ballots named Curtis as the first choice. Many of the ballots also included compliments on how quickly the company responds to requests. Co-owner David Hillin comments, “This is a huge award for Curtis. We take customer service very seriously, and to be recognized for something we strive to do every day for our customers is especially rewarding.”

About Curtis Restaurant Supply
Headquartered in Tulsa, and with a sales office in Oklahoma City, Curtis Restaurant Supply provides superior products and services to foodservice professionals with independently owned and national chain restaurants, hospitals, casinos, churches, schools, military and healthcare facilities. In 2008, Curtis was recognized as having the second highest growth rate among the top 100 foodservice equipment dealers in the U.S. by a national trade publication. The Tulsa area showroom is open to the public 6 days a week. For more information about Curtis Restaurant Supply, contact Mr. David Hillin at 918-622-7390 or visit www.curtisequipment.com.

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Click Here to see the latest construction progress via Oneok Field web cam.

Curtis employees celebrate with Hornsby, the Driller's mascot

For more information about The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa please visit their website at http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org
About Curtis Restaurant Supply

For over 60 years, Curtis Restaurant Supply has provided superior products and services to foodservice professionals from independently owned and national chain restaurants to hospitals, casinos, churches, schools, military and healthcare facilities. For more information about Curtis Restaurant Supply, contact Mr. David Hillin at 918-622-7390 or visit www.curtisequipment.com.