Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Abell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Erica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ever since I could remember I was always in the kitchen. In my teen years, I was a rebellious punk rocker who crafted everything— from my clothes to my patches, cutting and dying my own hair, I just all around crafted hard. Which I believe is what inspired me to get crafty with food. Growing up, I was left to my own devices most of the time. I learned how to take care of myself, and most importantly how to smang together random ingredients from the pantry.
I graduated high school not really knowing what to do, so the obvious choice was to work at a record shop! From there I saved up some loot to go to Kitchen Academy Hollywood. It was a quick intro to “professional cooking”. After culinary school, I quickly learned working in a kitchen was a totally different world. It’s hot, greasy, fast and very hard to be a small, tattooed, pink-haired gal.
I bounced from being a prep cook at The Inn of the Seventh Ray, a few local bakeries, mom and pop pizza places, Roys Hawaiian Fusion and then made a home as the executive chef at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks. After running the back end of Boneyard for seven years, where I met my husband and other business partners, we opened up The Burbank Pub in Burbank, Ca.
Ever the punk rocker at heart, opening the Pub was a DIY project. We are a pirate bar serving up English pub fare with a twist.
Has it been a smooth road?
A smooth path would have been too easy! I love as well as hated the challenge. Being a woman commanding men in the kitchen battlefield took a lot of time and hard work. You have to prove to everyone you deserve the respect. Leaving Boneyard was one of the hardest things because I made a family with everyone there, I met my husband and most of the people closest to me.
Getting The Burbank Pub was an almost two-year process! Getting an SBA loan was painful but we rocked it and now here we are!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Burbank Pub is a full-service restaurant and bar with a pirate theme. We specialize in English pub fare with flair! We have traditional items like Fish n’ Chips, Bangers n’ Mash, and Shepherd’s Pie. On the flip side, most of our aiolis and sauces are vegan and made in house. We are trying to cater to everyone.
What makes us excited and proud is building a community with all of our patrons. We have only been open for a few months but have become friends and instant family with most who enter.
What sets us apart is our main goal is to have fun! Our goal is to give a friendly light-hearted experience once you set foot into our pirate ship. The Burbank Pub is a place for large parties, for families, for dates, for watching sports— we are here for everyone. Our grub and grog can please vegans to carnivores!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The ability to roll with the punches. Do not let anyone or anything stop you! Life is long and hard, you need to stop…. breathe, and go for it. When I made that jump it was only then that I felt like I have been able to be truly happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.theburbankpub.com
- Phone: 818-588-3013
- Email: erica@theburbankpub.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/the_burbank_pub/
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/theburbankpub/
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