Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, September 30, 2009
Chow Skillet: The Drama Continues
Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Skillet, Skillet, Skillet. The food's so good.
But so much drama!
In 2007 came the first temporary closure by the health department (then, unrelated, the trailer broke).
In March 2008, Skillet reported its truck stolen, then realized the truck had been towed. Because it was parked in a tow-away zone. (A Slog commenter suggested Skillet try "putting down the bong.")
This June, one of Skillet's trailers was temporarily shut down again for "Operating without valid food business permit or plan approval / Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperatures / Inadequate facilities to control temperatures of potentially hazardous foods / Handwashing facility not working / No available hot water." At that time, owner Josh Henderson said the regular trailer had some problems, and a new one didn't have a fridge or the proper permits. Because of a contract with the Mariners, he said, "we had to roll the dice. Unfortunately we rolled the dice on the wrong night. We made a choice, we made the wrong one."
And now, yesterday, this:
An unapproved trailer located at 1250 S. 1st St, Seattle serving food by the establishment "Skillet" was closed by a Public Health food inspector on September 29, 2009, 5:45 pm for operating without a valid food business permit. The trailer will be reopened when the person in charge of the establishment completes all of the requirements for a legal mobile food establishment...
By phone, Henderson said Skillet was back up and running as of this morning. According to him, this is "stupid health-department shit. Our health department [permit] lapsed and we basically forgot to pay it in time. I’m just tired of the health department—there’s no collaboration, it’s just more of a police force... I thought I was communicating with them and being on the up and up, but that move last night... It was discouraging to say the least. I don’t really care, they can shut us down 10 times in a row and I’m just gonna keep going."
2
I love Skillet and eat there at least twice a month, but just cannot get bent about the Health Department shutting them down for a lapsed permit.
Most restaurants across the city manage to keep their permits current. It just isn't that big of a deal, and it isn't particularly draconian of the health department to require a current license.
Most restaurants across the city manage to keep their permits current. It just isn't that big of a deal, and it isn't particularly draconian of the health department to require a current license.
4
Wait, so the Health department is supposed to "collaborate" with Henderson on paying his fees on time?
Sounds like you don't really have your act together, Josh. It also sounds like you've done enough wrong to earn a place in their crosshairs, so the idea that you would expect them to be your friend at this point is kind of astonishing. You're a nuisance to them, you're making *their* lives difficult. Start paying your goddamn bills on time, be a good citizen, and eventually they won't feel the need to watch you closely.
Sounds like you don't really have your act together, Josh. It also sounds like you've done enough wrong to earn a place in their crosshairs, so the idea that you would expect them to be your friend at this point is kind of astonishing. You're a nuisance to them, you're making *their* lives difficult. Start paying your goddamn bills on time, be a good citizen, and eventually they won't feel the need to watch you closely.
5
Henderson comes across as pretty darn arrogant.
The health Dept has the job of making sure people are being safe and following the law. And if Henderson can't do what most of the food service industry is capable of doing; then maybe he should look at getting into another line of work.
The health Dept has the job of making sure people are being safe and following the law. And if Henderson can't do what most of the food service industry is capable of doing; then maybe he should look at getting into another line of work.
6
sounds like #4 and #5 are seasoned keyboard jockeys who need to leave their mothers basement and get a life.
7
... who are these creeps? ... and you eat the food? .... wonder if they remember to clean things up and refrigerate and cook to temp ... and so on ... oh, god damn, we forgot they say, as you get dick and puke ...
I would not touch their stuff ever.
My dog would.
Course the Stranger folks get free food ... yes, that is how it works ...
I would not touch their stuff ever.
My dog would.
Course the Stranger folks get free food ... yes, that is how it works ...
8
Ya know, I'm so tired of reading these stories of foodservice business owners that can't seem to operate within the parameters of the system (like so many others do everyday.)
I know their type, dude - you want to play, make great food, be the cool kid - but when it comes to the real hard work - you fold.
Being in the restaurant business means that the owner is responsible for EVERYTHING. So unless you have a business manager, cause you're the cook. Or a chef, if you're the B.M. (get it - b.m. - cause you have to deal with all the "shit" of operations!) You're it.
You have to pay your excise taxes, your L.I., you have to make sure your permits are up to date.
Grow up Josh Henderson. Stop whining. Put on your big boy pants and run your business like properly.
I know their type, dude - you want to play, make great food, be the cool kid - but when it comes to the real hard work - you fold.
Being in the restaurant business means that the owner is responsible for EVERYTHING. So unless you have a business manager, cause you're the cook. Or a chef, if you're the B.M. (get it - b.m. - cause you have to deal with all the "shit" of operations!) You're it.
You have to pay your excise taxes, your L.I., you have to make sure your permits are up to date.
Grow up Josh Henderson. Stop whining. Put on your big boy pants and run your business like properly.
9
I haven't had much luck with Skillet. The first time I went there, they ran out of burgers at 12:05, as I was standing in line. The second time I got there earlier so I wouldn't miss out. I actually ordered a burger, but while I was waiting for it to cook, they had a "fire suppression system malfunction," which ruined my burger and closed them down for that day. I never went a third time. I really wonder how these guys stay in business.
10
My god, I hope they didn't listen to a word I said. I'm just a figment of your Internet connection; everything I say is nonsense.
Pick the bong back up, Skillet! The bong is the only reason you've made it this far. The bong is your portal to magic that makes the bullets all curve around you and never hit you! Like those Sioux warriors whose magical Ghost Dance saved them all at Wounded Knee? Pot works just the same for Skillet.
Pick the bong back up, Skillet! The bong is the only reason you've made it this far. The bong is your portal to magic that makes the bullets all curve around you and never hit you! Like those Sioux warriors whose magical Ghost Dance saved them all at Wounded Knee? Pot works just the same for Skillet.
12
The health department does a reasonably good job in communication and education for food service workers and the business owners; it's not actually in their best interest to just shut places down because they feel like it.
Henderson thinks they're 'more of a police force' because he puts them in the position of policing him. It's like he's bitching about getting a speeding ticket after he was caught speeding on radar.
Or he could try sharing the bong with the next health inspector who stops by. All those unpaid furloughs and pay freezes have to be cutting into the pot budgets of county employees.
Henderson thinks they're 'more of a police force' because he puts them in the position of policing him. It's like he's bitching about getting a speeding ticket after he was caught speeding on radar.
Or he could try sharing the bong with the next health inspector who stops by. All those unpaid furloughs and pay freezes have to be cutting into the pot budgets of county employees.
13
Wasn't Henderson's original story about the June shutdown a bit different? Something like the Health Dept. inspected an older trailer that wasn't being used? If so, that was a bit of a lie.
Yeah, I'd trust my stomach to these guys...
Yeah, I'd trust my stomach to these guys...
14
lark,
you aren't missing much. i've been twice (the second to see if it was a fluke) and i've yet to be impressed. christ, i'd rather drive for 30 minutes to a real food truck then deal with the crap we have in fremont (flair taco, skillet and marination - all three horribly shitty)
you aren't missing much. i've been twice (the second to see if it was a fluke) and i've yet to be impressed. christ, i'd rather drive for 30 minutes to a real food truck then deal with the crap we have in fremont (flair taco, skillet and marination - all three horribly shitty)
15
Last time I ate Skillet, I ordered the over-priced burger with bacon jam. After I paid and was waiting for my food, someone came out from inside the trailer and wiped bacon jam off the menu. Instead serving me a plain burger, light on garnishment for $9. A cream cheese hot dog would have been better. Skillet's amateur faux gourmet in a parking lot.
16
@6: It sounds like you are defending Josh Henderson from points that would be made by any person who possesses basic common sense.
17
Fuck their food - beef beef beef beef duck beef. Drive your van back to marysville, please. The novelty of serving your disgusting redneck crap out of a van can only last so long.
18
Yeesh, what's with the Skillet hating? OK, the owner needs to put on big-boy pants and take care of his stuff -- I'll grant you that. But the comments about their food seem a little out of left field to me. I've been there several times (Fremont, SLU, and Queen Anne) and had great food every time. The burger is always great, and the couple of other entrees I've had have been great.
Oh, and I bought jars of bacon jam from them before, and it is one of the tastiest things ever. I had one batch that seemed to go bad on me pretty quickly, and they happily replaced it for free, and reassured me that they have had it tested by a food scientist for fridge stability. Seems to me like they have most of their shit together...
Oh, and I bought jars of bacon jam from them before, and it is one of the tastiest things ever. I had one batch that seemed to go bad on me pretty quickly, and they happily replaced it for free, and reassured me that they have had it tested by a food scientist for fridge stability. Seems to me like they have most of their shit together...
19
Skillet: I like the food and miss the brick and mortar short-lived storefront in the ID (I work nearby.)
Sounds like they need a business manager.
Still, better food than anything else within a mile's radius.
Sounds like they need a business manager.
Still, better food than anything else within a mile's radius.
20
They're just biding their time for I-1033 to pass and Hutchison to get elected. Then Public Health Seattle-King County will be eliminated, meaning no more health inspectors.
Skillet: Now with hepatitis A!
Skillet: Now with hepatitis A!
21
Fuck all you whiny little titty-babies. You can't handle a little invasive bacteria in yer food, yer pro'lly not genetically predisposed to live longer than about 35 years anyway.
Do the rest of us a favor: die already and get the fuck out of line. You're taking up valuable space an' breathin' all our precious oxygen.
Do the rest of us a favor: die already and get the fuck out of line. You're taking up valuable space an' breathin' all our precious oxygen.
22
16 - no Lee, i can't stand him either but worse is your aimless comments in here that almost rival king shithead Fnarf. Go practice your guitar.
23
"we basically forgot to pay it in time"..."I’m just tired of the health department"
I just love people that don't take responsibility for their actions. This isn't f-ing Mexico; it's for our safety jackass.
You too @21.
"foodborne diseases cause approximately 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. "
5,000 f-ing whiny little titty-babies. You want us to get a fridge? sucker!
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol5no5/me…
I just love people that don't take responsibility for their actions. This isn't f-ing Mexico; it's for our safety jackass.
You too @21.
"foodborne diseases cause approximately 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. "
5,000 f-ing whiny little titty-babies. You want us to get a fridge? sucker!
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol5no5/me…
24
"we had to roll the dice. Unfortunately we rolled the dice on the wrong night. We made a choice, we made the wrong one."
In other words, "sorry we got caught".
In other words, "sorry we got caught".
25
wow. passionate responses - what gives?
i've never eaten at skillet, but i can't wait to try. i also am interested in creating a food truck business (not to compete but a different type of food) and i'm interested in all things food truck!!
josh, good luck, and get someone to do the things you don't want to do - like this crap, for example. like someone else said, it sounds like you've pissed them off. so suck it up and deal, you're not going to get out of it.
i've never eaten at skillet, but i can't wait to try. i also am interested in creating a food truck business (not to compete but a different type of food) and i'm interested in all things food truck!!
josh, good luck, and get someone to do the things you don't want to do - like this crap, for example. like someone else said, it sounds like you've pissed them off. so suck it up and deal, you're not going to get out of it.
26
What's not to like about a functioning health department and safety codes for vendors?
You know all the people who go travelling somewhere with cheap food and no regulation? And how they always complain about having the shits for half their vacation?
Skillet: glad they exist, but OVERRATED.
You know all the people who go travelling somewhere with cheap food and no regulation? And how they always complain about having the shits for half their vacation?
Skillet: glad they exist, but OVERRATED.
27
"stupid health-department shit"? Sounds like stupid Skillet calendar shit. Keeping your permission to run your business is pretty important. How do you let that slide?
28
Yeah, the Health Dept. is a police force, just like Obama is a Communist Hitler.
Don't touch those dice ... you don't know where they've been.
Don't touch those dice ... you don't know where they've been.
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