I know that in the north and eastern part of the US, many people do not drink sweet tea...mainly because they have never tasted it. I have the chance to actually move to Hawaii.....what do you think the chances are of a simple "Southern Burger and Sweet Tea" joint succeeding in Hawaii? Just your thoughts.

It's different. If most people in the continental US do not drink sweet tea why do you believe that people in Hawaii will?

The southern burger sounds interersting, the sweet tea sounds interesting too, but I don't see a reason why just those two things will see lots of customers unless there's more you haven't told us.

I live near a couple military bases. There's a Korean restaurant in the area, and over half of their clientele is military, formerly stationed in Korea. They want authentic Korean, just like when they were stationed there, and they get it. Which is why they keep coming back over and over.

If you go to Hawaii, and can get somewhere near a military base, I'd imagine you'd get enough southerners that are stationed there, to come in and support the place. Then you'd build up from people that have never had it, and like it.

We have quite a few northerners that have migrated, or stationed here. I've even met quite a few that had never had sweet tea, and they drink it by the gallons now.

Good luck!

What is sweet tea Captain? Does anyone bottle it?

I think it's an interesting idea. My husband and I are from California and never had sweet tea before living in Nashville during college. We were always having to specify that we wanted unsweet tea in restaraunts. Now we both like it sweet too!

Have you been to Hawaii? I strongly suggest doing your research as you should before any big venture. In particular, a customer and competitor analysis will help to determine whether there would be any demand for sweet tea and burgers. It would seem like you couldn't go wrong with burgers, but what would make your burgers distinctive from the rest?

Awesome reply you all. Keep the help coming. I think Im getting closer to doing this. Its just a matter of going there and finding a decent place to rent and create into a place. I am also thinking of serving "Chicken N Dumplings" and also serve "Country Fried Steak"....which is VERY good and I know would do well in any state, or country for that matter.

I live near Sacramento, CA, and have a colleague who is from Oklahoma - a total Southern man, misses his mama's great cooking. It is hard to find GOOD southern cooking here...we talk a lot about southern food, soul food, because I'm a southern CA girl and have never been exposed to it, and I'm interested in it. I went to Lake Tahoe and stopped at Womack's, a hole in the wall with no atmosphere, but great food. There, I had my first sweet tea, and I am hooked! (not good for my diabetes, I'm sure, but it is a rare treat!).

Long story short, I think regional food - outside of its region - if it is done well - will attract people of that region AND foodies. I certainly eat at Womack's every time I go to Tahoe, and that is quite often.

I still, however, have yet to find any thick fried bologna - my friend said he misses that!!

Nick I see no reason why the idea can't work, but like machine I see no reason why the idea will automatically work either. I'm originally from New York and have never had a southern burger and sweet tea. I might very well like both (and assume I would), but since I've never had either before there's nothing to automatically draw me. If I saw a place serving southern burgers and sweet tea it wouln't get me to come in unless I was in the mood for a burger in general. The hard part might be getting people in for the first time.

That doesn't mean it can't be succesful. You mention having the opportunity to move to Hawii. I would decide whether or not you want to go first and this idea shouldn't be part of the decision. Assuming you go I would simply make the burgers and tea and see if the people you meet like them. If they do I'd say you can make the business work. If they don't seem particularly interested then it might not go over so well.

Now I'm really curious... what is sweet tea?

I'll google, wiki and yahoo it... that'll get me some answers.
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Ok... found it. It doesn't sound very special. It's just tea made with sugared water.

The southern burger could be good though... why don't you give it a try somewhere?