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I’m aware that part of the URL title include the words barbecue catering, this wasn’t done to deceive or other wise get you to point to this page. This was the home page for Popa Cart Bar B. Que Catering. Popa Lee retired from catering year before last and is writing a book about his experiences that began years ago.
Over the years Popa’s friends and dinner guest encouraged him to open a restaurant because his food was just that good. When the compliments continued Popa’s started to believe his dinner guest. Not thoroughly convinced Popa continued to give large dinner parties but this time he bought ribs and other items from local noted barbecue restaurant. Without alerting his guest he added some of these dishes to the table along with his own and casually observed the reaction. Each time the bought dishes were rejected in favor of Popa’s food. Some guest asked Popa had he changed his recipes, if so, they liked the old one best. The practice was discontinued and he prepared to open his first restaurant. This was in 1981.
Popa Lee’s BBQ opened in 1982 in Santa Clara Ca. This operation didn’t last very long for the reasons many small business fail the first time out. Over staffed, under financed, no written business plan to name a few. The only positive side of that venture was the food, the customers loved the food but the company couldn’t hold out. The doors were closed shortly afterward.
Popa Cart Barbecue opened in 1985. This consisted of a large two wheeled cart made of red wood and mahogany. This was to ensure it wouldn’t be compared to the many hot dog carts that permeated the San Jose area. The area chosen was ideal for the lunch especially on sunny days because people were out looking for something different and fast that they could eat on the fly. Popa sold a no drip barbecue sandwich with potato chips and sodas. The menu gradually grew to include ribs and cobblers. The menu could not grow very much more because all the food had to be pre-wrapped and kept warm in the container on the cart. A lot of customer came from large companies in Silicon Valley and express interest in catering for their company’s annual picnic. Popa Cart Barbeque Catering was opened in 1989 and served company picnics and private homes until 1998. A whopping thank you to those of you that visited Popa’s cart in mountain view and the thousands that he had the pleasure to serve at the caters that followed. I can’t leave this page without thanking Centigram and Dianna Bernal (Precious), Metricom, Ashtech and Herb Maeder from Web TV for believing a small business can do a big job.
While the book is being written Popa will part with some of the recipes that will be included in the book. They can be found on the menu page. The title page for menu wasn’t changed because along with the recipes on that page some suggested side dishes will be included (sometimes). However Popa’s version of the side dish recipe will not be included with the main dish until some time later. This will be included when it is the featured recipe for that page. Only one recipe will be posted at a time, they all will be included in the book. Please no e-mail request for menus, Popa just don’t have the time and he might not have the one you want. The recipes in the book and the ones on the menu page are from meals prepared by Popa for caters or dinner parties, tried and tested.
popalee@aol.com
Updated:23 December 2000