Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Dorweiler.
Hi Jason, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out wanting to do something with my art background while in school. I didn’t have a solid plan on art school because tuition was expensive, so I joined the Marines while simultaneously working as cook in many different kitchens. It wasn’t until ramen became a trending food item all over the US that I started taking cooking serious. My thought was that if I can make money cooking my favorite childhood food then Im all in! I got out of the Marine Corps, took some entrepreneurial classes, honed in training, and opened the first ramen shop in St. Paul.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road is full of potholes. Some you avoid, some you take on. My biggest struggle was finding the capital I needed to open my first shop. I placed ads, talked with several potential investors and found one that wanted to be hands off. That allowed me the creative freedom, and drive to scale my own business under my terms.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tori Ramen & Golden Chow Mein?
Ive owned Tori Ramen for the past 10 years. It has moved from its original location off Selby, to its final home on West 7th Street in St. Paul. The opportunity to purchase Golden Chow Mein came about and my business partner and I acquired it in July of this year. The goal was to keep the historic name, and modernize the food and service. It took a month, but we finally found our footing through trials and tribulations. At both locations I make food that you cant find anywhere else, and I apply my art to the final plate. I actively work on the kitchen lines at both spots, and we are chef driven.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Every person who has worked with me deserves a mention, though the list would be too long. My current list would be Taylor Nielsen, head chef at Tori. She has been able to step into my shoes while I opened Golden Chow Mein. Nick Maiers is my current business partner at Golden, but was one of my long time coworkers at Tori Ramen. Both of these people are talented restaurant workers in general and can fill in at any position. They have both been a huge addition in the creative aspects of what restaurants need to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: toriramen.square.site and goldenchowmein.square.site
- Instagram: @toristpaul @goldenchowmein
