The First Chicago Restaurant to Accept Bitcoin

[kjlimo]

Update: I'm planning on doing the blitzkrieg on Chicagoland restaurants in about two weeks. At that time, I'm delivering a load of reclaimed lumber to special client and re-meeting up with Rashid, the Chicago Cabbie, to present to him his custom leather wallet. I'm planning on dedicating no less than two full days on this endeavor.

~Bruno~

I've already reached out to Cleveland food delivery services over the phone and e-mail the past couple days.

Do you have any recommended list of restaurants for me to start screening / cold calling?

I tried Portillo's, but don't want to start faxing or mailing a flyer to their headquarters only to be thrown away unless Bit-pay.com recommends this approach (no one has responded to my earlier post yet).

If people want to suggest more restaurants, I can be sure to make first contact.

We're looking for smaller chains who want to be on the leading edge of technology or wish to reduce their operational costs associated with payment methods.

I can probably start calling Sunday afternoon or next week, so start brainstorming a list now people.  Otherwise, I will be left to "googling" restaurants in Chicago and firing at will.

[1714055848]

1714055848

[bb113]

There is a manager at a place called "The South Loop Club"  at Balbo and State (in Chicago) who may be interested. He would probably at least informally accept bitcoins. I haven't talked to him for awhile (and suck at names) so I can't remember his name right now.

[kjlimo]

There is a manager at a place called "The South Loop Club"  at Balbo and State (in Chicago) who may be interested. He would probably at least informally accept bitcoins. I haven't talked to him for awhile (and suck at names) so I can't remember his name right now.

Bruno, want me to screen him to get a name & ask if he wants to set up an appointment?

Or we could just say you'll drop in.  I can get his schedule.  Just PM me your specific dates you'll be in Chicago.

[bb113]

Being so tactical about it is kind of weird... I would just drop by.

[adamstgBit]

Being so tactical about it is kind of weird... I would just drop by.

+1 "just dropping by" might be a good way to get to know the owner of a small biz.

maybe a quick phone call "hi,  I'd like to talk to the owner about ______, when is it a good time to drop by? say 3:00 after the rush?"

bring the laptop and try and convince him to let you pay for your meal in bitcoin ... give him 100% more bits then its worth if he agrees to let you set him up with bitcoin





do a little bit of marketing (go write a review on www.thebitcoinreview.com   )

go back and fill a large order so you can live off there AMAZING FOOD for the weekend  

go back the next week and talk to the owners again. order a coffee to go!

give your friends and family bitcoin so they can go spend them there.... (just pay for... your sisters b-day party   mothers day! )

profit  

did anyone loss...

yup that's major profits alright.

[bb113]

Hmm, this might nerd him out. Maybe I should do it. Once again, what is the best app to use for this.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Do you have any recommended list of restaurants for me to start screening / cold calling?

kjlimo, you mentioned that you'll be in Lincoln park come St. Patrick's Day. Perhaps take a look at this http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/article/new-on-the-scene/163270/content and seek out new establishments centered around that area.

Or we could just say you'll drop in.

Keeping it as informal as possible would be MY best approach. Once I walk into an establishment, I'm able to look around and take in the surroundings, pulling something out of what I see, then directing the conversation around that and, at the same time, injecting how Biticoin would be a perfect fit. I may even visit the restaurant first without talking to anybody to formulate a conversation in my mind. On the surface, this approach may seem a little weird, but trust that it works for me.

I'm aware of most of the disadvantages and advantages to approaching new establishments. But, I'm going to concentrate on something along the following lines.

We are new. Your restaurant is new. We just starting producing this Amish Cheese Cake from a recipe thought lost forever, but recently rediscovered. We feel it'll be the perfect desert for you restaurant complementing your already fine entrees. Try a bite. Ain't that shit delicious? We deliver fresh, daily.

I probably wouldn't take the time to try to sell to established restaurants, in this regard, for they may not be too keen on changes. Whereby a new establishment doesn't want to fail straight out of the gate. I'll be offering up Bitcoin to them without any risk on their part.

Basically, that's my thinking on approaching new businesses, but will certainly approach renown restaurants in the tourist sections of town. I'm able to work both ends against the middle.

~Bruno~

[Phinnaeus Gage]

I found the following: http://www.changinggears.info/2011/08/22/amid-economic-uncertainty-one-chicago-restaurant-gains-ground-by-bartering-for-goods-and-services/

By Googling: https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=barter+restaurants+chicago

I suggest doing the same with your respective market (of course, change the name of the city). The list generated should keep you busy for a while.

~Bruno~

[bb113]

Well I warned him folks with laptops may descend. Go to south loop club when Anthony is working.

[kjlimo]

Well I warned him folks with laptops may descend. Go to south loop club when Anthony is working.

rock on!  Bruno, do you want to add a list of restaurants to the original post?

You can add Portillos with strikethrough.

And then add South Loop Club.

That is on the south side of Chicago.  I'll let you know if I contact any Lincoln Park places that are willing to talk.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Well I warned him folks with laptops may descend. Go to south loop club when Anthony is working.

rock on!  Bruno, do you want to add a list of restaurants to the original post?

You can add Portillos with strikethrough.

And then add South Loop Club.

That is on the south side of Chicago.  I'll let you know if I contact any Lincoln Park places that are willing to talk.

Done! Thanks, kjlimo. There's a lot of gems in here: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/article/new-on-the-scene/163270/content
Perhaps other cities have a similar site dedicated to new restaurants.

http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/theme.cfm/theme/11/NewRestaurants
http://www.urbanspoon.com/new-restaurants/67/Montreal.html
http://www.urbanspoon.com/new-restaurants/26/Orlando.html

Look what I just found: Urban Spoon http://www.urbanspoon.com/choose

[bg002h]

Great time to use your Casascius coins....or bitbills...

[kjlimo]

Great time to use your Casascius coins....or bitbills...

?? How so?  I recommend NOT spending Casascius coins at stores.  We don't want to treat them like currency.  There's also too many trust factors with the physical coins.  Just keep them as a store of value.

I recommend using a mobile app payment system.

same trust issues with bitbills, yes?

[kjlimo]

The bad news is my St. Patricks day trip has been cancelled.  I will try to reschedule to visit my friend in April.

The good news is I finally started reaching out to these Chicago restaurants as I mentioned I would:

1) Wellfleet - Call & E-mail
2) Amoremia Cucina Italiana - Facebook message
3) Osteria di Pizza Metro - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/osteriadepizzametro

4) Acadia - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Acadia/279917168698151?sk=wall&filter=12

5) Bar Toma - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/BarTomaChicago?sk=wall&filter=12

6) Pizza Persona - E-mail
7) Ombra - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ombra/218712351494266

Cyrano’s Farm & Kitchen - Call & E-mail

All, please go on Facebook and Like my comments

For Wellfleet & Cyrano's Farm & Kitchen, please stop by and ask if they are accepting bitcoins yet.

Bruno, Cyrano's Farm & Kitchen said it was fine for you to set up a time to discuss bitcoin (and bit-pay.com?) when you visit Chicago later this month.

The person I reached at Wellfleet had heard of bitcoin "Oh that's related to money laundering, right?".... to which I responded just as much as USD or Euros have been used for money laundering.

However, he said to e-mail the owner with details and they could discuss it.  I cc'd your e-mail listed in your profile on my communications.

Let me know if you would like me to do anything differently going forward or if this is helpful!

[Phinnaeus Gage]

The bad news is my St. Patricks day trip has been cancelled.  I will try to reschedule to visit my friend in April.

The good news is I finally started reaching out to these Chicago restaurants as I mentioned I would:

1) Wellfleet - Call & E-mail
2) Amoremia Cucina Italiana - Facebook message
3) Osteria di Pizza Metro - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/osteriadepizzametro

4) Acadia - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Acadia/279917168698151?sk=wall&filter=12

5) Bar Toma - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/BarTomaChicago?sk=wall&filter=12

6) Pizza Persona - E-mail
7) Ombra - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ombra/218712351494266

Cyrano’s Farm & Kitchen - Call & E-mail

All, please go on Facebook and Like my comments

For Wellfleet & Cyrano's Farm & Kitchen, please stop by and ask if they are accepting bitcoins yet.

Bruno, Cyrano's Farm & Kitchen said it was fine for you to set up a time to discuss bitcoin (and bit-pay.com?) when you visit Chicago later this month.

The person I reached at Wellfleet had heard of bitcoin "Oh that's related to money laundering, right?".... to which I responded just as much as USD or Euros have been used for money laundering.

However, he said to e-mail the owner with details and they could discuss it.  I cc'd your e-mail listed in your profile on my communications.

Let me know if you would like me to do anything differently going forward or if this is helpful!

Great job, kjlimo! It looks like it will be toward the end of the month before I conduct my blitzkrieg on Chicago.

~Bruno~

[RodeoX]

I will be meeting a friend from L.A. in Chicago next weekend. He also is a bitcoin peer and we would definitely eat at any restaurant that accepts bitcoin. I visit Chicago regularly. Two weeks ago I went to the symphony to see Bolez conduct Stravinsky, for example. Because of this I keep Rashid's number in my phone. If I need a cab, he is my first choice. 

[kjlimo]

I will be meeting a friend from L.A. in Chicago next weekend. He also is a bitcoin peer and we would definitely eat at any restaurant that accepts bitcoin. I visit Chicago regularly. Two weeks ago I went to the symphony to see Bolez conduct Stravinsky, for example. Because of this I keep Rashid's number in my phone. If I need a cab, he is my first choice. 

I appreciate your enthusiasm for bitcoins!  At this point, the best thing you can do is go to the Facebook links I provided and comment on my posts that you'll "be there next weekend and would visit their restaurant if they accepted bitcoin."

[RodeoX]

I will be meeting a friend from L.A. in Chicago next weekend. He also is a bitcoin peer and we would definitely eat at any restaurant that accepts bitcoin. I visit Chicago regularly. Two weeks ago I went to the symphony to see Bolez conduct Stravinsky, for example. Because of this I keep Rashid's number in my phone. If I need a cab, he is my first choice. 

I appreciate your enthusiasm for bitcoins!  At this point, the best thing you can do is go to the Facebook links I provided and comment on my posts that you'll "be there next weekend and would visit their restaurant if they accepted bitcoin."

Will do. I have to use my wife's FB account. I don't have one.

[kjlimo]

Bruno,

When is your trip to Chicago scheduled?  I haven't had time to recruit any additional meetings for you yet. 

Have you followed up with the two stores that I e-mailed?

I've only received one "like" on Facebook...

I have a very busy week this week before my vacation next week, so unfortunately future efforts will have to wait until April.

I haven't heard of any new stores accepting bitcoin other than many weeks ago with St. Louis's GrubGo.

Keep asking your stores if they accept bitcoin.  That's the only way that stores will start to investigate how they can accept it.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Bruno,

When is your trip to Chicago scheduled?  I haven't had time to recruit any additional meetings for you yet.  

Have you followed up with the two stores that I e-mailed?

I've only received one "like" on Facebook...

I have a very busy week this week before my vacation next week, so unfortunately future efforts will have to wait until April.

I haven't heard of any new stores accepting bitcoin other than many weeks ago with St. Louis's GrubGo.

Keep asking your stores if they accept bitcoin.  That's the only way that stores will start to investigate how they can accept it.

It'll be another week before I head back to Chicago. I was there last week, but had to get in and out quickly, therefore knew beforehand I wouldn't have time to better serve any commitments if I made any prior. I will make contact a couple days prior to heading out, though. I have 3 restaurants/bars in mind, myself, for I've provided barn wood for their decor. All 3 are owned by the same group and I have build a nice repertoire with them. At the same time I'll be recontacting Chicago Cabbie, for I have the hand tooled leather wallet readied and need to present to him as a gift, as promised, for joining BitcoinTalk, regardless if he has changed his mind. But I'm pretty sure that once he views the secret weapon, he won't hesitate to start officially accepting Bitcoin. One way or another, by the end of April I've have Chicago Cabbie and a few Chicago restaurants/bars accepting Bitcoin.

~Bruno~