Thread: Former Denver Broncos' star to open a restaurant in Grand Junction

Vance Johnson, one of the Broncos' "Three Amigos" alongside Mark Jackson and Ricky Nattiel, is set to open Vance's Epicurious near First and Grand in Grand Junction in Smashburger's former location. He also owns VJ's Outlaw Ribbs in Parachute.

Johnson came to the Western Slope in 2001. He decided to move to the Grand Valley after witnessing the Downtown Farmers' Market while in town for a kids football camp. "I did not want to leave Grand Junction," Johnson, 49, said. "I called up home and told them to pack my stuff ... It was Mayberry for me."

Vance's Epicurious will boast a diverse menu, with East Coast-style pizza, fish tacos from the West Coast, barbecue from the Midwest (including items from his Parachute restaurant), Hawaiian dishes, and of course, burgers. The burger menu will include sandwiches for every team in the AFC West, such as the Bronco and Raider Burgers. The restaurant will have a full bar, and breakfast will be served on weekends.

rest - http://business-news.thestreet.com/d...and-junction/1

One of the big mistakes I see over and over again is when someone opens a restaurant in the boonies with a "diverse menu" or an exotic specialty only to find out the locals are basically meat and potatoes folks who thinks burgers and fries out is a big night.

Originally Posted by OrangeHoof

One of the big mistakes I see over and over again is when someone opens a restaurant in the boonies with a "diverse menu" or an exotic specialty only to find out the locals are basically meat and potatoes folks who thinks burgers and fries out is a big night.

Grand Junction is a beautiful mountain town http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/cm...k_getaways.php

I've met him in parachute. Pretty good food. He even gave me an autographed shot glass that my roommate put in the dishwasher and ruined

He makes his pancakes shaped like footballs, slathers them in butter and personally throws them at you. When you drop the slimy cakeballs (they are uncatchable), he barks "that's what it's like to catch an Elway pass".

But if I was picked in the second round, they'd be throwing me a football instead of a freakin' pancake.

I always hated that group of Wr's, so overrated.....

Originally Posted by dacoats

I always hated that group of Wr's, so overrated.....

Who ever said they were anything special? See, to use the word "overrated" you have to first know the meaning of the word. For example, from my understanding of the word I'm fairly certain that you're an idiot.......

Originally Posted by Jaded

Who ever said they were anything special? See, to use the word "overrated" you have to first know the meaning of the word. For example, from my understanding of the word I'm fairly certain that you're an idiot.......

I don't understand?

so much hate, so little pancake syrup.
the raider burger wont sell and propably tastes like shit

can't wait for TC!

Originally Posted by dacoats

I always hated that group of Wr's, so overrated.....

overrated by who???????

Originally Posted by dacoats

I always hated that group of Wr's, so overrated.....

I enjoyed watching Vance play. I bought his autobiography and gained great insight on his career while a Bronco. He was a great route runner--deep threat and had great speed. Vance did have injury issues and had problems staying healthy at times; and had off the field issues with alcohol. But hey it was the 80's and 90's it came with the territory.

The Three Amigos were pathetic. How many balls did they drop?

Restaurants have a very slim profit margin.....and yet pro athletes seem to think they are immune to this....

the best operating restaurants return a 20% profit, and these are the tightest ships in the industry with a hefty liquor sales in the mix! MOST are lucky to return a 10 % profit margin at the end of the month!
these days, investors wanting to off-set profits in OTHER investments are the few willing to open a restaurant and open and run at a loss for the first few years!
they off-set the profits from their other companies, and enjoy the prestige and bennys of being restauranteurs !
managing a restaurant is a no glam, long hours, unappreciated job, I know i did it for 20 years !
if VJ is opening a second location, he must be doing well, however, that is no guarantee that his new concept will be a success.
especially trying to seel a raider burger !
he shouls instead offer a "raider cake' and when guests ask about it refer them to the urinal !