Beachside BBQ stands?

How do you go about obtaining or leasing a beachfront spot to do business?

Probably by bribing a couple of government officials or taking along a couple bottles of rum. In Russia, they use vodka.

What ever happened to those mobile barbeque trucks that used to show up on the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie? Those guys made a killing and the food was GOOD and not to outrageously expensive, and they had a line half a block long.

Have you thought about something like that? You'd be amazed at the people that came out of the woodwork when they brought their truck around!

Hello,

ExResident... I think you are referring to the Texas BBQ Pit. They started with one spot and then were in three spots... not sure how many locations they have now. Delicious ribs, potato salad.... 🙂

Kendra - Thinking by island for food van popularity... on St. John I can think of one BBQ point; its in Coral Bay. On St. Croix there are a few food van type set ups but I think they do more local fare, pates, chicken, fish, jonny cakes, dumb bread and also hot dogs, cold drinks type thing... didn't see any on beaches... usually close to big employment sites - government buildings, schools ect. On St. Thomas food vans are pretty popular; there are a couple down by Brewers Bay which cater mostly to locals and during the UVI school year students; they sell pates and chicken ect. There are the ones that pull up on the Waterfront at night like the BBQ Pit, also in Tutu and Red Hook there are a few but again usually local foods and of course at Coki Beach, a popular tourist and local beach. When there are big construction projects food vans tend to pop up as well nearby.

All beaches are public, however many on St. Thomas have resorts on them and the resorts usually have a restaurant and beach bar. On St. John you have the National Park protecting many of the beaches and a couple with resorts. At Salt Pond Bay there is a lady with a food/drink set up but nothing big. On St. Croix again resorts and many quiet beaches. Location would be key; but it would seem Coki Beach on St. Thomas, if you could get in there - there are numerous vendors already operating, that would be a good spot. If you could talk to the folks at Magens Bay Concession about how to operate where they would make a cut that would be a great spot too but they have their own food/drink service so I don't know how welcoming they would be to the idea. Downtown at Vendors Plaza is another spot with two or three food vans/carts... again local fare, ice-cream, drinks type of menus. Another spot is the look out at Skyline Drive. The places I mentioned already have folks operating so take that into consideration... I mention them so that on your pre-move trip you can check them out!!

I love BBQ... so pick a good spot and let us know where it is!!! All the best.

Just thought of two other options... the places mentioned so far are food van, no sitting type set ups for the most part. You said you are planning for a few years down the road and if you want a small but sit down type set up you might consider the following; presently the Yacht Haven Marina project is going on; when they open up that will be waterfront, with rental space and the market of tourist, boaties and locals. Also the Port Authority has a project down at the Crown Bay dock which would bring the same sort of clientele - cruise ship folks, boaties, locals with a shopping/commercial center set up by the water.

Good Luck.

--Islander

Wow, Islander! Great information- thank you so much! I can't wait! Tomorrow I am doing a chef's special at work grileed (maybe smokesd chicken with a kind of jerk sauce. I have tested it and it is awesome! You betcha I will let you know where will will be doing business! Hey, I recieved the Settler's Handbook today, and it really is a wealth of information. Thanks again to you and the others who share their knowledge & experience!

Kendra