Meet Alan Larimer, Owner of Big Shot Bob’s in Cranberry Township, PA

Dave Jackley
Dave Jackley here and welcome to another edition of ExactlyAtHome North of Pittsburgh. And today I have the pleasure of talking to Alan Larimer, owner of Big Shot Bob’s right here in the center of Cranberry Township. And you’ve got to stay tuned to see what makes the wings here, the best you’ll ever have. Hi, Alan, thanks for taking the time to talk to me. Tell me a little bit about Big Shot Bob’s. How did it get started? And how did you end up here in Cranberry Township?

Alan Larimer
The first restaurant was opened in 2007 in the Avalon area of Pittsburgh.

Dave Jackley
Oh, really? So you’re a Pittsburgh native company?

Alan Larimer
Yes, absolutely. There are now restaurants in Ohio, West Virginia, one in Dover, Delaware. One that’s definitely opened in Florida. With a few more coming. We’re looking at some other states as well.

Dave Jackley
Wow. So Floridians like wings as much as Pittsburghers? What do you like being here in Cranberry? I mean, it seems like you’re in a fantastic location.

Alan Larimer
It is a booming area. I remember coming through here many, many moons ago, when it was all farmland and it just keeps growing. So it’s a great opportunity for any business around here.

Dave Jackley
So tell me what’s the what’s the secret behind the best wings ever?

Alan Larimer
The secret is fresh and crispy. Our wings are not frozen. They’re cooked fresh. We don’t store them under heat lamps or pre cook them and then reheat them. They are always fresh.

Dave Jackley
And you have like dozens and dozens of flavors. I mean, it takes a while to read through them on the menu. It can be overwhelming. But 150 really? Wow. Well, you could like have 150 people with different tastes all at the same party and cover of all the bases.

Alan Larimer
So I tell people they may be overwhelmed but we’ll help you find the right flavor. There’s something you’re going to like well and you can do it like a progressive dinner to like you can move through the flavors .

There’s a bunch of ways here to work with somebody to make an interesting meal. It’s about doing that.

Dave Jackley
Now are wings the only thing you have here or do you offer other things?

Alan Larimer
We’re known for the wings, but we have some delicious half pound burgers and subs, hoagies, sandwiches, fresh salads, all kinds of goodies.

Dave Jackley
Yeah, so if there’s some person in the family or the group that doesn’t want wings, they got they got other things they can we have as options.

Alan Larimer
Yes, you are right.

Dave Jackley
That’s really cool. Well, I’m sure you get all kinds of orders and customer requests. Have you ever had any weird customer requests?

Unknown Speaker
I don’t think I’d classify anything as weird, but some of the flavors do come from the customers. For example, we have flaming Flamingo with Witches Ranch with our Spicy Asian Chili Garlic. And someone said, “I’m not a ranch guy, but I’m blue cheese guy.” . I understand the blue cheese guy too. So he said, “Can we do that with blue cheese instead of Ranch?” So we said, “Absolutely!”

Dave Jackley
Isn’t there’some sort of custom where you’ve got yo ahae celery with it or you have blue cheese and celery or whenever?

Alan Larimer
We do offers blue cheese ranch and celery on the side. Sorry, no carrots. You have to ask for that.

Dave Jackley
Is there anything behind the buffalo wing? I hear about buffalo wings but is that is that just in Buffalo New York?

Alan Larimer
Well that sauce was born in Buffalo Valley. And, yes, most places do offer buffalo sauce as well. We do mild, medium, and hot.

Dave Jackley
So what is your vision for the store or you know, for Big Shot Bob’s? As far as getting out in the community, do you cater?

Alan Larimer
We we don’t cater in the traditional sense of coming in and setting it up and what not. But we do large orders for companies a lot of times several 100 wings or a couple dozen hoagies.

Dave Jackley
Wow. I mean, that’s catering.

Alan Larimer
Yes, we just don’t bring the chafing dishes and what not. But we’ll provide everything you need for a great gathering.

Dave Jackley
Do you live in the Cranberry area?

Alan Larimer
I live in the Beaver County area.

Dave Jackley
Okay, well, that’s close enough to here: right next door. What do you like to do outside of work?

Alan Larimer
I’m a drummer. So music is a big part of my life. So I do a lot of that. I’m also involved with a charity organization that involves music as well. So that’s fantastic. Another shop owner has provided wings donation to help feed the staff with a charity events.

Dave Jackley
That’s fantastic. Well you get the you get the drumsticks going both ways?,

Alan Larimer
And we do offer [chicken] drumsticks now.

Dave Jackley
That’s great. All right. Well, I appreciate you telling us about the business. You folks reading or listening really need to check this out and get some of the 150 different flavors of possible wings. Make your own combo. You can work through them over a long period of time, believe me. So anyway, thanks for joining us and we’ll see you again next time on ExactlyAtHome North of Pittsburgh