Griffin Martin, Liam Macleod and Andrew Scardina have taken delivery to the next level with an emphasis on quality and a hometown favorite, The Baldwin Saloon. The three recent graduates of Oregon State University did not let the virus sideline their ambition. The fraternity brothers of Delta Chi are testing their entrepreneurial spirit in the rapidly expanding division of food delivery.
By Tom Peterson
Customers put final touches on the freshest food
Freshness and flavor are at the center of a new twist on restaurant delivery food as three recent Oregon State grads are taking the Uber concept over the top in The Dalles.
In the midst of a national explosion of food delivery services, Griffin Martin, 22, Liam Macleod, 22, and Andrew Scardina, 24, believe they are bringing something revolutionary to the game as they put an emphasis on quality.
The men have become one with organization as they prepare bags of deliciousness at the Baldwin Saloon, recently reopened under the direction of Sunshine Mill’s James and Molli Martin.
Essentially the Baldwin entrees, salads and soups are 90 percent prepared when delivered.
“It’s delivered and the customer does the final two steps in preparing it,” said Griffin Martin, son to Molli and James.
Table of elements - all the ingredients necessary to make a Baldwin meal sing.
The bags are properly packed with all the ingredients. For example, roast salmon is delivered cooked to the stage of rare. Customers then use the provided extra virgin olive oil and butter to heat and finish cooking the salmon. It takes just a few minutes but delivers big on flavor.
It might also impress on date night.
“This allows the customer to have the freshest restaurant food,” said Scardina, 22.
“And control of when they want to eat it,” added Macleod, noting meals can keep for two to three days before being prepared. Macleod’s emphasis in school was on supply and logistics.
Packing bags and taking notes - Griffin Martin and Andrew Scardina work on preparing deliveries at the Baldwin Saloon. Customers can order days ahead at Entreez.com, their new domain that is linked to the Baldwin Saloon website.
The three young men purchased the domain name Entreez.com, and it is now automatically linked to the Baldwin Saloon website. The menu lets you choose the day of delivery, the food items and also has cooking instructions. And you better pair it with a nice wine. The drink selection ranges from a 2016 bottle of Quenet Merlot to a 12 pack of Pulpoloco Crisp White. The list also carries a few ciders and brews.
Meals are delivered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Special Meals for Christmas and New Years’ are also on the menu for Dec. 23 and Dec. 31.
It might not be surprising that the idea bubbled forth from Griffin, Liam and Andrew.
James and Molli Martin seem to invite revolutionary thinking.
They have had a string of winners through this especially rough downturn for eating and drinking establishments. The family came up with the Drive-Up Movie Theater and At Home Wine Tastings, gaining much public attention statewide. And COPA di VINO - wine sold by the glass nationally with a freshness seal- eliminating the unwieldy bottle - led to skyrocketing success after James Martin put the word out with a wild ride on ABC’s Shark Tank.
And now their son, Scardina and MacLeod are making their own run at a unique idea.
It might never have happened if the coronavirus had not cropped up.
Martin, MacLeod and Scardina, who all studied in Business, had planned on traveling after graduation last spring. Scardina was to cross the US, while MacLeod and Martin had their eyes set on Europe.
Oh well.
There is a process and order to everything, such as getting the fresh bacon bits in your Baldwin Saloon clam chowder.
The three men now find themselves living together in The Dalles and helping prep the kitchen at the Baldwin - creating their own little incubator for refining the delivery process.
“It’s a great way to get our system going while helping the Baldwin,” Griffin said.
They are boiling down their efficiency- taking orders days before delivery, setting up the most effective delivery routes and attempting to contain the inevitably variable food costs.
Sometimes, this means that items will be sold out as they are working hard to strike the right balance between supply and demand. And remember, if you don’t get your Clam Chowder this week - there is always next week. Clams spring eternal.
The three intend to develop an online delivery service that is easily transferable to other restaurants looking to deliver an upscale meal. They imagine a family being able to order Thai, American and Indian food from three different restaurants ahead of time and then having it delivered for a perfect finished-at-home meal that deeply satisfies all in three different cuisines.
Delta Chi
The three men forged their relationship at the fraternity of Delta Chi at Oregon State University. They all held positions within the house. Scardina was the social chair, recruiter and treasurer. MacLeod was the house manager and Griffin Martin had the chore of ensuring his brothers completed their community service.
None of it easy.
Don’t forget the French Onion soup.
They said the jobs forced a lot of social interaction and organization as well as made them sharpen their pencils on budgets. The experiences prepared them for this latest challenge, they said.
“We’ve been through so much,” Griffin Martin said. “It’s still enjoyable being together.”
It’s also fun being back at the Baldwin.
“It’s my personal favorite restaurant in The Dalles, plus we get to test this idea out,” he said.
