Skinny Legs: chips, no fries
You rarely read a complaint about Skinny Legs, but every now and then someone gripes about not getting fries with their burger.
Instead, you get potato chips.
Doug Bean, who took over ownership of Skinny Legs last year after working there for 12 years, dispels the rumor it’s because they don’t have room for a frier.
“We’ve got plenty of room for a frier. A frier is only this big (12 inch gesture),” Doug tells us.
“What we don’t have room for is the freezer storage space we’d need for all the french fries we’d go through.”
Doug says when it’s busy, they serve as many as 300 lunches a day.
Doug came to St. John from Oregon in 1999 with $1,000 in his pocket and planned to stay for just a year.
“I’d never even heard of St. John until the day before I bought the ticket,” he says.
February 28th, 2013 07:05
It’s amazing what people complain about. Be happy with what you have! After lunch you can charter a sailboat to take you to a private snorkel cove. You could go on Tuesday mornings to Sloop Jones’ art workshop and then have lunch at Skinny Legs. You can eat a huge lunch, then go to Josephine’s for organic greens to have for dinner. Hike Rams Head in time for sunrise, swim, then eat lunch.
For goodness sake — who needs French fries?
February 28th, 2013 08:14
cheeseburger, cheeseburger
chips, chip
coke – no coke
who can finish this?
February 28th, 2013 08:33
why buy them frozen then? buy bags of potatoes and sell fresh cut fries, talk about an opportunity. to every problem there is a solution.
st john business is not like “regular” businesses though, once you’ve become successful on stj there is no incentive to improve. if customers will flock to you anyway, what’s the point?
February 28th, 2013 08:37
I also noticed that they don’t have room for blenders either.
-Bert
February 28th, 2013 08:46
I am 100% ok with chips. Not only would freezer space be an issue, but can you imagine the cost of fresh potatoes with all the freight to get them to STJ? Your fries would cost more than the burger. Also, to do fresh fries correctly you have to double fry them with a rest and drain between cookings. Stick with chips…if you want to improve something I’d suggest restroom upgrades and better airflow for those hot days.
February 28th, 2013 09:39
On top of the cost of importing spuds, think of the WAPA bill to run those freezers! YEEOUCH! French fries have been the reason my legs haven’t been skinny for quite some time. Bert…you need to start looking for the blenders BEFORE you start drinking…they’re much easier to find that way!
February 28th, 2013 10:18
There isn’t anything to complain about while you are on St. John …
February 28th, 2013 10:20
LOL…yeah, you’re right, SteveV……frozen margaritas are way over rated anyway, and I never order a Bush Whacker at Skinny’s!! I gotta admit…the best Black and Blu burger i ever had came from Skinnys!
February 28th, 2013 10:47
What a cool story!!! Goes for a year on a whim with a G and now owns one of the Best Places on earth!! Killer! One of my favorite memories from my Honey Moon was watching Sunday Night Cartoons at Skinny Legs after it closed down. The wife and I where the only ones in there other than the Staff and a Local named Tom. We all just sat there laughing our asses off drinking till late in to the night!! LONG LIVE SKINNY LEGS!!
February 28th, 2013 11:56
You’re right Kevin!! I can’t imagine having anything to complain about while at Skinny Legs or anywhere else on St John!
February 28th, 2013 13:39
WHY can’t I get any french fries?
WHY is that water so blue?
WHY is this drink so tasty? spit..spit…
WHY is the weather so nice?
WHY does time stand still here?
WHY? WHY? WHY?
February 28th, 2013 21:34
Do they still have the sign on the surfboard that proclaims, “Same Day Service”? Hey, you’re in Coral Bay, what’d you expect??
February 28th, 2013 23:20
I would never even consider eating at Skinny Legs if it were stateside. What SL has going for it is location and vibe and energy. The potato chips they serve are cheap gov’t or school cafeteria from the 1980′s grade. Why people flock here is beyond me. It sure would be nice if they stepped up their game and started offering better food. Donkey Diner, Aqua Bistro and Oasis have much better food at the same price. Don’t accept subpar food; visit St. Bart’s and you’ll find good food everywhere.
March 1st, 2013 09:09
I guess your “M” key sticks, huh? You spelled your name wrong!
March 1st, 2013 12:10
I just returned home last night from STJ…..and it is so sad how negative people can be when they need to be relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the island. You don’t need french fries, blenders, fast service or the internet. Take a deep breath, look around and thank God you are able to visit one of his beautiful creations.
March 1st, 2013 13:35
Good one, oops! Glad there is one less person to compete for my barstool.
March 2nd, 2013 07:51
Doug Bean was once hitchhiking in Alaska, standing on the side of the road with his thumb out, and wound up catching a ride on an airplane. It’s one of my favorite stories ever. I agree with the earlier comment about what a cool story this is. I don’t believe this as a story about chips, or freezers, or fryers. This is a story about an exceptional person and the exceptional place he calls home. A place that can be so special sometimes because we do do things a little bit different. I do not dismiss the critical comments, I just don’t think the take away from this story should be the pros and cons of STJ dining. Doug’s great, Skinny’s is great, and that so many people care about STJ and take the time to share their ideas and comments is really great. -c
March 2nd, 2013 19:24
Thanks Cheryl, get to the heart of the matter
March 4th, 2013 07:53
Doug’s is a great story. I first met hi when he had just come back from an extended vacation with his lady. They had sailed to Grenada, and back. Then he got cancer, things looked grim, but the Coral Bay community raised a bunch of dough with the Skinny Leg sponsored “Beanefits” fund raisers to help him out. Now, as fate would have it, he owns the place. Doug Sica would be happy.
March 4th, 2013 07:56
Doug’s is a great story. I first met hi when he had just come back from an extended vacation with his lady. They had sailed to Grenada, and back. Then he got cancer, things looked grim, but the Coral Bay community raised a bunch of dough with the Skinny Leg sponsored “Beanefits” fund raisers to help him out. Now, as fate would have it, he owns the place. Doug Sica would be happy.Peace,harmony, and prosperity, Doug!
March 5th, 2013 12:58
Amen! Smurph.
March 9th, 2013 07:22
We love Skinny Legs just the way it is!! Always a must have lunch when on island. Keeping doing what you’re doing!