http://www.idgoback.com
Big Mike's has been serving the Bakersfield and surrounding area since 2005 and aim to provide the same convenient, quality service that has made us a leader in the barbecuing industry.
No Party is Too Big or Too Small...........Formal or Informal.
WE CATER:
Graduations Club Meetings
Weddings Luncheon Meetings
Retirement Parties Family Reunions
Tailgate Parties Sporting Events
Company Picnics Corporate Meetings
Birthday Parties Anniversaries
Holiday Parties Open Houses
Banquets
We believe in good, old-fashioned family values and our company is built on the principles of providing good food and reliable service, whatever your needs.
Our basic menu continues to grow by improving upon our standard menu items and listening to our customers.
Our dependability and professionalism has established our place in the local catering market. We strive to continue providing the Bakersfield area with the best catering fare, whether it be a small, backyard family gathering, wedding reception or company picnic.
Can you smell what Big Mike is cooking?
If you can, you're at a function being catered by Mike Ariey, owner of Big
Mike's Ragin' BBQ in Bakersfield. Ariey is becoming known around the area for his
food and service, a change from a time when everyone knew him as an offensive
tackle with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.
He's as confident today as he was when he was getting paid to bash heads in the
National Football League.
"I know I'm going to make it," he said.
Recent customers have nothing but praise for Ariey and his crew. Check out
some of the scouting reports from events he catered:
* "Loved his chicken. The marinade was outstanding. I think I had about six pieces of the chicken by itself."
-- Ralph Fruguglietti,owner of Frugatti's Italian Eatery and founder of annual charity event Brews in
the Village.
* "He's unbelievable. I couldn't say enough good about the man. The food is great, everything is great. Wonderful."
-- Kelly Story,food chairman of the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Walk to Cure Diabetes fundraiser.
* "It went great. Everybody was saying how good everything was. We were very pleased."
-- Mike Dewar, co-owner of Dewar's Candy Shop
Ariey, 42, experienced what every pro football player knows: NFL careers are usually brief.
So after a few bruising years in the league, the Garces High School and San Diego State standout came home and got into business in 1991, co-owning a retail athletic store with his mother, Lucine, and a brother, Randy.
When the store closed about six years later, Ariey started selling fresh produce. That got him a little closer to his true passion -- cooking -- but wasn't quite right.
"I decided that selling food wasn't something I wanted to be doing," he said.
His calling came when he catered the wedding reception of another brother, Jon, in 2003. Ariey served honey-glazed chicken, ranch beans and more. It was such a hit, he knew it was time to do it for a living.
"It's not work, to me," he said. "To me, it's enjoyment."
Today, Ariey retains three cooks full time and six helpers as needed. He tows a custom barbecue rig to each event, whipping up dinner on the spot for groups of 25 to 2,000.
His menu features familiar barbecue fare -- tri-tip, chicken, pork ribs, beans, potato salad and the like, and he makes his own cuts of meat, marinades, rubs and sauces. But he'll take a stab at special requests.
"I've done everything from soul food to seafood," he said.
Ariey has a 13-year-old daughter, Taylor, and also works as a foreman for his father's pool construction and maintenance company, Ed Ariey Pools.
Looking ahead, Ariey is thinking about establishing a kitchen to augment the mobile operation. He's even toying with the idea of opening a restaurant.
Because Ariey is an expert in barbecuing, he has a definite answer to the age-old question: charcoal or wood?
"We've found that charcoal is the best," he said.
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Hey Mike you should start a Facebook page for your business. Just a thought...
moniluvnotu 1 year ago
This big ol Dude can bbq; just don't take something without asking!
8321346 2 years ago
Yo Mike, Bakersfield is near and dear to my heart - I'll be dropping by with my guitar and ukulele sometime in the near future - ribs and blues! Sounds good . . . Johnny Pal
MangoDaVille 2 years ago
He should come and cater over here! Hope he can do vegetarian! Nice vid.
tuktukskagal 2 years ago