Big Pete answers a lot of questions and appreciates all of the suggestions. Really. So we thought we'd put the ones that have already been thought of in one easily referenced place.
When we opened, Van was short for our last name, Van Lierop. In summer of 2003 it also became the name of Todd and Erica's newborn son. The big guy at the window is not Van.
Why aren't you open more?
Big Pete jokes that it's because Erica is from the generation that wants to work all the time. The official reason is because of the rate of family discontent and business burnout from trying to be open so much before the customer base is there. We will grow as the business grows and as our son gains independence and/or a profound love for the burger business.
What's your special sauce?
It's a 1000-island type sauce. If you'd prefer, we would be happy to replace the sauce with your choice of condiments.
What kinds of payment do you accept?Cash, local checks, Visa and Mastercard. Our check policy is as follows:"For NSF checks there is no huge fee but we'll post them right here for your neighbors to see. Mistakes sometimes happen and we'll give it some time but imagine next week when you see your name on our sign."
Do you really put people's name on the sign if they write NSF checks?
Yes. It wouldn't be fair to our check writing patrons if we stopped accepting them. Of course we try to contact the person to find out if there has been an oversight of some kind. Fortunately, this is usually the case and the situation is corrected quickly.
If there's no response, we'll post it on the window in hopes that somebody who knows them can bring their attention to the error. If there is still no response, we'll post it on the readerboard sign visible to the heavy traffic flow on the Yelm Hwy.
We've done it twice and each time the response has been quite speedy. Apparently it's quite aggravating when we put it on the sign on Saturday before leaving for a few days.
Is that legal?Writing a bad check? Absolutely not.
Why can't I phone in my order?
It doesn't work for our setup. The whole explanation is wordy and complicated so you're just going to have to trust us. Placing your order when you pass the speaker like everybody else ensures the freshest and fairest dining experience for all of our patrons.
I want to stop but there's always a lineup.
When there is a lineup we are operating at our freshest, fastest best. Actually the first or only car's order takes the longest. We make every effort to make sure the wait is no longer than 2-3 minutes a car. Granted, huge orders happen. But typically a 3-4 car lineup is only a 6-11 minute wait for you.
Should I pull forward after paying at the window?
No, please don't. Our food is cooked to order which means yours is the next to come off the grill. Pulling forward only takes Big Pete or Erica away from their stations while they run the food out to you 30 seconds after you park.
What do you have for vegetarians to eat?
The "vegetarians" that don't like red meat love our BLT. Others make a meal out of our fantastic shakes and onion rings. We also offer an Old Fashioned Veggie Burger, which comes with all of the fixings but none of the meat. We don't have it on our menu because it caused a lot of confusion even after we stressed that it didn't come with a Gardenburger (or other) patty. It does come with sauce, chopped onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and cheese. We're old fashioned, which means our vegetarians have to be, too!
You close at 7 but there's a lineup! And by the time I get up to the window it will be after 7! Will you be mad?
Pull on in and relax. As long as there are customers to be served, we will do so happily and gratefully. And on those nights when everybody has something else to do we won't be standing around the deep fryer singing kum-bah-yah until a late closing time.