We've started a brand called "Brick & Mortar Pop-ups" that hosts different chefs and restaurants monthly. I think it's a great way to expand the culinary scene outside of our city and expose Cleveland to other restaurants and cuisines that aren't readily available here. We've hosted dinners with Lee Anne Wong, Jeff Michaud, Jason Roberts, and more. It's a lot of fun and not only is it much more affordable to eat at a Jason Roberts pop-up than fly to Australia to dine at his restaurant, but it's a great way to foster creativity and build relationships with other chefs and peers.

i keep joking about doing a pop-up that is a lumberjack themed chinese steak house called "chop chop"... i might end up doing it. just for the fuck of it.

I'm in but I think it's best for young start up guys trying to break through or secure funding... We have 2 great ones here in KC.. Port Fonda a food truck ad Vagabond a pop up!

Truthfully I’m on the fence about it but I would like to see the city lower the barriers for entry to the dining marketplace. This can be done by supporting rather than harassing operations like Kitchen Chicago and Logan Square Kitchen that would allow rogue restaurants a kitchen and venue to go legit and pay their fair share of taxes. That said, given access to these types of venues, there is no legitimacy in continuing to operate underground. It hurts us all when there is commerce that is not taxed fairly, and while for many diners there may be a certain charm in supporting an underground dinner house, the novelty is just that and they need to get a grip on the fact that all businesses have to pay sales and payroll taxes so that we can roads and schools and medicare.
Paul Fehribach, Executive Chef and Owner - Big Jones
5347 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-5725
paul@bigjoneschicago.com @bigjones