5 minute read
TALK OF THE TOWN BLAKE’S KITCHEN & KOCKTAILZ
TALK OF THE TOWN
MADE IN COLUMBUS, TEXAS Room to Grow with a Vision
BLAKE AND KALLI SCHULTE OF BLAKE’S KITCHEN & KOCKTAILZ TALK LOCATION AND MENU CHANGES BY EMILY HENDERSON
Living their lives as strip center sports bar owners for over six years, Blake and Kalli decided it was time for a change. “There just wasn’t any room to grow – we couldn’t really modify and we were kind of maxed out as far as space,” stated Blake. “We had the decision to either update where we were, which was a lease that needed to be upgraded, or start fresh somewhere else.”
“We decided that starting fresh was the better option, and we kind of swung for the fences and took a took a big bite,” Blake remarked. “Hopefully it pays off down the road.”
Purchasing part of the old Don Morrison Ford Dealership, they are now sitting at 2035 Milam in Columbus, just a parking lot over from their old location. The building itself was basically an empty shell, full of potential. Blake and Kalli got to work making it their own, while also keeping some of the original features of the building and incorporating nods to the local community in their design.
“The columns supporting the front entrance are actually the car lifts that were here – they are the cylinders from the old original body shop that were used to lift the cars up. The barheight countertop on the patio is wood reclaimed from the Bastrop fires. The high-top tables that we have inside the restaurant are all recycled material from local items like grades from the highway construction company. There are rice grain augers on those tables, as well. So, it’s got some unique flare from the community,” Blake boasted.
It wasn’t just their location that received an identity change, but their business focus and menu experienced an overhaul as well.
“At our old location we were more of a bar and grill, but moving here we wanted to transition to restaurant and bar,” explained Blake. “At some point I feel like we were mislabeled as a bar, and we wanted to totally break away from that identity and create our own identity here … where everyone felt no doubt that they could come in at dinner and not worry about being at a bar, because it’s not like that here. We have three kids and were ready for that change.”
Above, We promise you’ve never had chicken and waffles like this – drizzled with hot chili honey! Left, Cheers! Kalli and Blake toast to success at their new entrance with the old car lift cylinders visibly supporting their sign.
Order up! Their burgers don’t disappoint, and don’t miss out on their mouthwatering hand-cut fries.
Achieving that transition can be difficult, but Blake and Kalli pulled it off. Focused on balancing the family and social vibe, walking into Blake’s Kitchen & Kocktailz naturally feels like a place where you can enjoy a meal with loved ones, or unwind with friends.
“We wanted to take on a new challenge, so we brought in a mixologist who helped us to incorporate craft cocktails into our menu, doing away with selling shots. We felt like this would elevate the experience here, and offer something Columbus didn’t really have.”
In addition to changing their drink menu, their restaurant menu received a major upgrade with the help of a chef, as well as some of their own unique ideas. Moving away from simple bar food while still offering standard staples like chicken fried steak and burgers, they also offer options like ahi tuna wonchos, fried Brussels sprouts with hot chili honey, and a chicken and waffle sandwich, to name a few.
It’s clear Blake and Kalli had a vision of creating a great dinner scene that was complimented by its social atmosphere. Opening the doors at their new location just this past March, the sky is the limit as far as the growth they are sure to experience in the months and years to come.
For more information, visit them on Facebook or their website: www. blakeskitchenandkocktailz.com. At some point I feel like we were mislabeled as a bar, and we wanted to totally break away from that identity and create our own identity here.
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