In this inspiring episode, we're joined by Sage Houser, the creative force behind Portland's Grey Horse Saloon and the acclaimed Third Coast Dogs. Sage takes us on a deeply personal journey, from his roots as an eighth-generation Texan growing up in New York to overcoming significant adversity and finding his calling as a celebrated food entrepreneur. He shares how early experiences with food insecurity shaped his profound connection to food as a source of comfort and security, sparking a lifelong passion for culinary...
In this inspiring episode, we're joined by Sage Houser, the creative force behind Portland's Grey Horse Saloon and the acclaimed Third Coast Dogs. Sage takes us on a deeply personal journey, from his roots as an eighth-generation Texan growing up in New York to overcoming significant adversity and finding his calling as a celebrated food entrepreneur. He shares how early experiences with food insecurity shaped his profound connection to food as a source of comfort and security, sparking a lifelong passion for culinary creativity.
Dive into Sage's story as he recounts the challenges of his youth in San Antonio, navigating a difficult environment, and finding stability and purpose in the kitchen. After a series of setbacks, a pivotal move to Portland, Oregon, marked a turning point, saving his life and setting the stage for his entrepreneurial dreams. The real catalyst, however, came after a serious motorcycle accident left him bedridden for months. It was during this forced hiatus that he fully committed to developing his long-held concept for a unique hot dog venture.
Discover the mission at the heart of Third Coast Dogs: to deliver accessible, innovative, and deeply satisfying culinary experiences. Sage explains his unique "Texas-style" hot dog concept, which is not about a single regional style, but a reflection of the diverse cultural melting pot of his home state. Each hot dog is a chapter of his story, named after a Texas city and inspired by its flavors, from the best-selling "El Paso" with green salsa and cilantro ranch to the "San Antonio," featuring black mole and crushed Takis. Learn how he masterfully combines nostalgia with novel flavor profiles, creating memorable and "bizarre" toppings that encourage customers to step out of their comfort zones.
Sage also details his commitment to inclusivity and quality, designing a menu where every item can be made vegan without sacrificing the experience, and strategically partnering with suppliers to keep his gourmet creations affordable. He shares the incredible story of how his pop-up gained instant notoriety after a visit from food influencer and "The Simpsons" writer, Bill Oakley, and how a viral video later transformed his business overnight, creating lines down the block.
Whether you're a food enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, Sage Houser's journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, the importance of community, and the unifying magic of comfort food. His story is a compelling example of how passion, hard work, and a clear vision can turn a pop-up in a motorcycle garage into a culinary destination.
IG: @greyhorsesaloon
IG: @thirdcoastdogspdx
Location: 2227 SE 7th Ave, Portland, Oregon.
Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast
Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME )
Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe.
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