Interview with Dennis Law, founder
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: For decades, I believed that Chinese food has not been properly represented in the United States. Hong Kong now represents the most sophisticated level of Chinese, Asian and international dining, and even more so, it is not ideally represented in the U.S. I got involved in this restaurant because I really want both to test the market and re-educate the market in the authentic Hong Kong-style Chinese food. I started a restaurant in Hong Kong over a year ago to test and perfect the recipes that I wanted to introduce to America, and Uncle Joe’s, a Hong Kong Bistro, is the first venture in the United States to provide the customer with authentic Chinese cuisine in a fast-casual atmosphere and pricing.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: I believe our menu passes the test for truly authentic Hong Kong-style Chinese foods. We are not a full-menu Chinese restaurant and our décor is much more upscale than most Chinese restaurants, following the trend in Asia over the last two decades. The more common décor one sees in the U.S. in Chinese restaurants is not what restaurants look like in Asia. Therefore, we are unique not only by introducing a more unique menu, we are also introducing a new atmosphere in which this menu is served.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: I like it most when customers are satisfied that I have truly delivered on my promise of providing a new kind of Chinese cuisine in an unparalleled atmosphere.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: To staff the kitchen adequately to ensure that American workers can adapt to cooking this menu efficiently and promptly. Although the menu is not huge, making authentic food of this nature is much more labor-intensive and requires more attention to detail than serving hamburgers, pizza or sandwiches.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Our menu combined with the décor is not available anywhere in the United States as far as I know. This may well be a first for us in Denver.
Profile
Business: Uncle Joe’s a Hong Kong Bistro
Address: 891 14th Street Set 100
Hours: Sunday thru Thursday 11am – 10pm and Friday & Saturday 11am – midnight
Founded: 2014
Contact: 720-330-8487,
Employees: 30
