Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Goad.
Hi Jason, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2017 we noticed all of our favorite places to eat were closing down for various reasons. My family and I decided we wanted to offer a new place locals could go to get quality food at a reasonable price. We wanted to offer fresh ingredients, house made sauces, organic veggies, and responsibly raised meats; which is something that seems to lacking at many spots.
When we first started I was making a wide variety of options, trying to cover as many bases as possible without sacrificing quality. Through the years we have adapted to what customers seem to be drawn to.
We started at a local food park and were there for 3 years. After that we moved to a new location to help establish a new food park. Unfortunately the business owner was not able to provide everything we needed and we decided to pivot.
We moved to a bar in south Austin and soon realized the clientele there really liked burgers and small bites so we again pivoted. Business was great for a few years but then the bar was sold so we had to move again.
We tried a few locations but nothing seemed to gain traction. We were eventually given the opportunity to move to a brand new bar called Back Wood which is our current home. Though the economy is not strong, we are hanging in there and still trying to do our best to get great food to great people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been easy. For the first few years I worked every shift, mostly alone. It was hard because my wife has a neuromuscular disease called SMA and we are raising a young boy. I would go back and forth from work to the house or school to take care of responsibilities and then head back to the food truck.
Finding good employees is also difficult as some of them are passionate and great workers and some people are just looking to get paid and don’t seem to care about how the business as a whole does.
Covid was a big thorn in our side, as I am sure it was for everyone. We shut down for two months and then reopened once we figured out contactless services. This was a major problem as all of our employees had to move and I again, worked every shift.
I had a three year plan that quickly turned into a complete rebuild leading to a five year plan.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Family owned food truck in south Austin specializing in gourmet burgers and sandwiches. All ingredients are organic and responsibly raised.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like Austin because it has it’s own identity and history. “Keep Austin Weird” and the like. “Hi how are you?” etc… I love the art and music scene. There are tons of talented artists all over the city and thankfully the city provides outlets for them. The city also seems very nonjudgmental. You can go anywhere on any given day of the week and see, listen, and/or experience someone or a group of people expressing themselves in their own way and the audience or spectator takes it in and accepts it. Again, acceptance, people in Austin are nonjudgmental (unless they are new to the scene or visiting from elsewhere) yikes.
It’s this reason that makes me think of what I don’t care for these days in Austin. It’s the homogenization of so many fantastic places. Southpark Meadows hasn’t always been big box stores and retail spots. Downtown wasn’t always high rises and filled with ultra tech and professionals doing professional things. I understand that these things can help the economy, but I feel that a lot of what made Austin a shining light on the hill has evaporated for money. I don’t think at this point Austin is still “all right, all right, all right.”
Again, this gets back to why I started my food truck in the first place. Tons of the local spots are gone. Loads of identity lost for the ages. I know change is inevitable, but gosh dang it, I wish it didn’t have to be at the cost with which we have all seen.
Pricing:
- I keep everything below industry standard. My percentages are more than fair.
- Sliders $5
- 1/3 lb Prime Brisket burgers $12
- Apps from $6-8
- Happy hour 20% off total order. Anything on the menu.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theperfectbiteatx.com
- Instagram: theperfectbiteatx
- Facebook: theperfectbiteatx
Image Credits
Patti Justice
