Aprons

Aprons give your staff extra pockets to carry around everything from guest checks and pens to thermometers and timers. Use waist aprons for front of the house applications such as waiters, waitresses and bus boys. Full bib aprons can be used in the front of the house by waiters and waitresses, but are mostly used by bus boys and kitchen staff to keep their clothes from getting super dirty. Our cloth aprons come in a variety of patterns and solid colors. You will definitely find something you like. We also offer heavy duty vinyl and naugahyde bib aprons for dishwashers.

Bakeware

Serv-U sells bakeware made of aluminum or aluminized steel. Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. Many manufacturers therefore use aluminum or aluminized steel to make sure heat is evenly distributed and to reduce cold spots on the bakeware. Below are a variety of pans commonly found in many restaurants:

Sheet Pans - These are your “everything” pan. Use them to bake cookies or use pan extenders for sheet cakes. Sheet pans work well in convection and combination ovens as well proofing and holding cabinets. When baking with your stove-top pans or pots, place a sheet pan underneath the pot or pan to catch any spills. Choose from full, 3/4, and half size pans.

Springform Pans & Cheesecake Pans - These types of bakeware are a must for cooking anything sticky such as flourless cakes and cheesecakes. Springform pans and cheesecake pans come in a variety of diameters.

Round Cake Pans – Purchase a round cake pans with a 1 1/2” or 2” depth. Choose from sizes ranging from 6" up to 14" round. Make sure to get multiples of each size so you can make multi layered cakes!

Muffin & Cupcake Pans - We have every type of muffin pan, from mini muffin pans, regular size muffin pans and cupcake pans. The special glaze in our aluminized steel pans allow for easy release of your muffins or cupcakes.

Loaf, Bread, Baguette and French Bread Pans – Choose a loaf pan with a non stick surface for easier removal of product. Pans with a darker surface will darken the bread more. Most bread pans are made of aluminized steel and have a special glaze so that when the bread is finished, it will come out easily. Use the Baguette and French Bread Pan to cook long breads or biscotti.

Baskets

Serv-U sells several varieties of plastic baskets and woven wood baskets. Use plastic baskets for lunch menu items such as burger and fries. Choose side order baskets for smaller serving portions or appetizers. Woven wood baskets are perfect for serving breads and rolls tableside. Woven baskets provide an upscale appearance and can easily be used for serving or display purposes.

Buffet Supplies

Serv-U offers you a variety of iron display stands, bread baskets and plate stands that will all display your delicious food the proper way. Purchase a 3-tiered round display stand with a mirrored finish to display appetizers, desserts, and finger foods. Add some pizzazz to your buffet line with display mirrors. Display mirrors add a little something special to each and every buffet line.

Use portable stoves and rangettes for brunch buffets with omelets. Beverage bins neatly display bottled or canned beverages. Choose from a wide selection of buffetware and serving pieces. Choose from stainless steel serving pieces such as tongs, solid spoons, slotted spoons, ladles, cake servers, perforated turners, meat forks, buffet forks and gravy spoons.  

Serv-U offers a nice heavy duty stainless steel punch bowl or a beautiful etched glass punch bowl set. Both will compliment any buffet very nicely. Create a beautiful centerpiece on your buffet table with an ice sculpture. Purchase an ice sculpture mold in the shape of a Bride and Groom, Cornucopia, Basket, Grecian Bowl, Eagle, Swan, Dolphin, Fish, Mermaid, Clam Shell or Heart Sculpture. Simply fill the ice sculpture mold with water and let freeze, unmold and use as desired!

Bus Carts

Choose a bus cart that is heavy duty. Serv-U sells a variety of bus carts made form a wide range of materials. Choose a bus cart with easy to clean seamless construction. Raised edges on bus cart shelves prevent bus tubs, flatware, glassware, and dinnerware from sliding off the bus cart as it moves. Non-marking swivel casters allow the bus carts to be steered from either side. Accessory items are available for bus carts, such as flatware bins and trash bins. These accessory items can easily be attached and removed from the ends of the bus cart.

Can Openers

Serv-U sells a variety of can openers. Sanitary NSF certified manual can openers open most shapes and sizes of cans up to 14”. Manual can openers are stainless steel, rust proof, dishwasher safe, and come apart for easy cleaning. Electric can openers feature effortless electric operation. Try a portable electric can opener for the flexibility to open cans of various heights. Purchase a can opener cleaning tool, recommended for maintaining proper sanitation on all can openers.

Cast Iron Skillet

There are several reasons to choose cast-iron cookware. Besides an ideal heat conductor, cast iron heats evenly and consistently. Cast iron is inexpensive and with proper care will last a lifetime. When well seasoned, a cast-iron pan will be stick resistant and require no additional oil. The benefits of cast-iron pans are endless: food glides in and out of the pan unlike any hard coated, non-stick pan; a cast iron skillet may be used in the oven or on top of the stove; no special cooking utensils are required; a cast-iron skillet will never warp and cleanup is a cinch.

Professional chefs consider cast-iron pans to be precision cooking tools, as these dependable pans enable precise control of cooking temperatures. Their heat retention qualities allow for even cooking temperature without hot spots. Cast-iron pans can be used on top of the stove or in the oven (as long as there is not a wood handle).

Q. What do I do when I first purchase my cast iron skillet?

A. When you purchase new cast iron cookware, they are medium gray in color, but after using them, they start turning darker until they are very black. This is normal and should be expected. You should avoid buying cast iron pans or skillets with wooden handles, as they should not be used in the oven or over open flame.

Cast iron skillets usually come with a coat of oil on the pan to prevent rusting. Before you use the pan for the first time, wipe off all of the oil and clean the pan using hot, soapy water. Dry your Cast Iron Skillet immediately after washing to prevent rusting. You need to clean and season the pan occasionally. After a thorough cleaning to remove any stickiness, and a good drying, you should season your pan. (look below for directions on how to season). You may need to season a couple of times to make sure you have a good coating.

Q. Why does my food always stick to my cast iron cookware?

A. The most common reason for people to dislike cast iron is their food stick to the cookware. If food sticks to your cast-iron pan, your pan is not seasoned right and you need to re-season it. Cast iron is a natural non-stick surface and if your pan is seasoned correctly it WILL NOT stick.

Q. What is the correct way to season cast iron cookware?

A. Your food will never stick to the bottom of the skillet or pot if it is properly seasoned, and the cast iron skillet will clean up easily too. If the pan was not seasoned properly or a portion of the seasoning wore off and food sticks to the surface, or there is rust, then it should be properly cleaned and re-seasoned.

Seasoning a cast iron pan is a natural way of creating non-stick cookware. Just like cooking and cleaning with your special non-stick coated pans, you need to make sure that you do not scratch or remove the seasoning in your cast iron skillets.

When seasoning,

1. Use an unsalted cooking oil or shortening to prevent oxidation. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to spread a thin coating around the whole pan.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place skillet UPSIDE DOWN on top oven rack.

3. Place foil on a cookie sheet or a sheet pan and place on bottom rack of oven. This will catch the drippings from the skillet.

4. Bake in oven for one hour.

5. Turn oven off. DO NOT OPEN. Allow skillet to cool down in oven for several hours. Gently wipe off any excess oil in the pan and if you are reseasoning or seasoning for the first time, then repeat the process a couple more times.

If you have a wooden handle:

Put the cookware on the burner for 5-10 minutes, or until smoke or heat waves appear. When the oil or shortening turns a deep amber color, turn the burner off and allow to cool. Pour out the oil/shortening and wipe out the the rest with paper towels. The pan will turn a dark color after repeated seasoning.

Q. How should I clean my cast iron cookware?

A. Clean the cookware while it is still hot by rinsing with hot water and scraping when necessary (remember no cold water!!!). Do not use a scouring pad or soap unless you absolutely have to. They will break down the pan's seasoning, and you will have to reseason them.  Dry your pans then immediately to prevent rust. You can either dry them by hand or put them back on a warm burner. Before you put them away you might want to lightly put some oil on the pan to prevent rust. This in not necessary to do every time, but it would be a good habit to get into. If you stack your pans on top of each other, place a couple paper towels in between the skillets to keep your other pans from getting oily, and to soak up and water condensation that might occur in the pans.

Q. My food tastes like metal, or my food turned black. What did I do wrong?

A. If your food gets a metallic taste, or turns "black", it means one of two things. Either your pot has not been sufficiently seasoned, or you are leaving the food in the pot after it has been cooked. You never store food in the cast iron pan as the acid in the food will breakdown the seasoning and take on a metallic flavor. Iron being a reactive metal, has disadvantages in that salt solutions, acidic product like tomatoes, disinfectants and bleaches can corrode cookware. Never store these product in your cookware and avoid prolonged exposure.

Q. What do I do if my cast iron cookware rusts?

A. If your cast iron pans get light rust spots, scour the rusty areas with steel wool, until all traces of rust are gone. Wash, dry, and repeat the seasoning process. An alternative method to scrubbing your pan is to put your cast iron skillet in a Coca-Cola bath. Let the pan soak for 1-2 hours. After a good soaking, use a scouring pad to get the rust off and it should come off easily. Then clean and season your pan and you're ready to cook!

Chafer Accessories

Serv-u sells a wide variety of accessories for your chafers. Choose from several different styles of chafer covers, roll-top covers, chafer windscreens, divided food pans, wrought iron chafer frames and universal electric chafer heaters. Use clear, polycarbonate chafer covers to display the chafer’s contents and provide easy access while protecting the food. Flip-open or roll-top lids help to prevent temperature loss from frequent removal of lids. We also have stainless steel divided food pans specially designed for use with chafers. Divided food pans allow you to provide up to three different product in one chafer. Serv-U offers both a stackable stainless steel rack and a wrought iron frame rack, which fit most rectangular, full size chafers. Purchase a universal electric chafer heater to maintain proper serving temperature with the open flame. The electric chafer heater fits standard fuel cup openings and the spring-loaded element maintains full contact with the water pan for efficient heat transfer. Use a chafer windscreen to prevent the wind form blowing out chafer fuel or reducing the heat. Chafer windscreens are perfect for outdoor buffets or catering events.

Chafers

Select a chafer from Serv-U to keep the food on you buffet table warm. All chafers are made of durable stainless steel. Choose from standard chafers, chafers with gold-plated handles or chafers with decorative accents. Whether you choose an economical chafer or a sculptured chafer, all chafers come with food pan(s) and riveted frame and fuel holder(s).

Check-Out Counters, Convenience Store Counters and Coffee Bars

Serv-u sells basic and affordable modular counter fixtures that are flexible and allow for almost any configuration. Choose from check-out counter fixtures such as cash stands, showcases, solid front check-out counters and corner units. Choose convenience store counters such as storage counters, fountain units, condiment stations and waste receptacles. All check-out counters and convenience store counters are constructed of durable 3/4” melamine with your choice of color laminate. The display cases and showcases have tempered glass tops with optional ratchet bar locks and fluorescent lighting.

Serv-u sells a free standing portable coffee bar that provides easy access from both sides. This coffee bar features heavy duty casters for easy mobility. Use the built-in compartments to hold coffee accompaniments such as sugar, sweeteners, creamers and coffee stirs. The handle built-in waste receptacle is accessible from both sides of the coffee bar. The two swing doors provide access to a lower storage compartment with one adjustable shelf.

Coat Racks

We have coat racks in all shapes and sizes! Our wall mount coat racks come in either chrome plated steel, brushed aluminum, Light Oak or Dark Cherry finish. Choose from coat racks with hooks or hangers. We also sell free-standing coat racks and coat trees.

Commercial TV Mounts and Speaker Mounts

Serv-U sells commercial TV mounts made of high-quality, scratch-proof coated steel for virtually any size television. Commercial TV mounts will hold small, medium or large televisions (up to 132 lbs.). Each commercial TV mount features a pivot, swivel and tilt feature to position the TV in just the right position. All mounting materials, anti skid materials and an easy-to-read instruction manual are included with your purchase of a commercial TV mount. Choose from wall or ceiling mounted commercial TV mounts. The optional VCR / DVD player mounts underneath the commercial TV mount.

Speaker mounts allow you to mount your speakers to the wall and are specially designed for minimal vibration transfer to the walls.

Condiment Dispensers

Condiment Dispensers are handy tools for any bar, snack bars or any other high traffic areas. Use them to keep fresh lemons, limes, cherries, etc. nearby and cool when preparing drinks, or use as garnish stations in the kitchen. Each condiment dispenser has a notched or solid lid to protect the condiments from contaminants. Use the notched lids when you want to keep a small spoon or pair of tongs in the dispenser for quick retrieval of condiments.

For self-service condiment stations Serv-U has a variety of food prep centers, with both condiment dispensers and pumps. Use the pumps to dispense sauces, condiments, dressings and toppings. Each pump lets out one ounce portions. Serv-U also sells heated pumps for serving nacho cheese and hot fudge.

Cookware

Refer to the following list for a guide of materials typically used I the construction of professional cookware:

CAST IRON - Cast iron generally conducts, distributes and holds heat well. However, it will rust if not kept dry.

STAINLESS STEEL - Stainless steel is generally a poor heat conductor, and cookware made from stainless is prone to hot spots and scorching. However, this is often remedied with bottoms made of aluminum or copper, both of which conduct heat well. Some of our stainless steel pans use induction to evenly heat the pan. Induction is when they sandwich a good heat conductor (usually aluminum) between two pieces of stainless steel. Some advantages of stainless steel cookware are its durability; it does not react with acidic foods and will not alter the flavor of food.

ALUMINUM - Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor and cookware made from aluminum is lightweight and reasonably durable. However, after prolonged use, aluminum may react to highly acidic foods.

NON-STICK – Cookware with a non-stick coating has a non-metallic finish that is chemically bonded to the metal to create a hard, durable surface. Utensils made from anything other than wood, rubber or plastic can scratch and damage non-stick coating.  In general, uncoated pans are recommended for most forms of stove-top cooking.

When you first get your pots and pans you should:

- Remove all labels and wash in hot soapy water to remove any manufacturing lubricants or sticky residue from the label. If there still is stickiness from the label after the washing, use WD-40 to remove it from the cookware and then rewash the pot or pan.

Tips on prolonging the life of your cookware:

- NEVER leave cookware on a heat source without food or water inside!

- Direct contact with salt can corrode the pan causing pitting. Dissolve the salt in boiling water.

- Salt solutions, acidic product like tomatoes, disinfectants and bleaches can corrode cookware. Never store these product in your cookware and avoid prolonged exposure.

- To make your cookware last longer and still look like new, wash it by hand with hot soapy water. Always scrub in the direction of the material grain. Rinse thoroughly then allow to air dry (NOTE: Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Pans need to be dried by hand immediately to prevent rust.).

- Use plastic, rubber or wooden utensils so you don't scratch up your pan.

- If you stack pans when storing them, place liners in between the pans to prevent scratching.

How to clean and season your pans:

Non-Stick Pans - Allow your non stick pan to cool before cleaning. Hand wash in hot soapy water and dry immediately to preserve appearance. To remove burnt on food, avoid using abrasive cleaners, metal scouring pads and strong solvents. Use a non-woven scouring pad instead. You do not need to season a non-stick pan.

Aluminum and Stainless Steel Pans - You should season these types of cookware before their first use. First clean and dry your cookware to remove any stickiness from the labels or factory lubricants. Then spray the pan lightly with vegetable oil, olive oil or shortening. Place cookware on the burner for 5-10 minutes, or until smoke or heat waves appear. When the oil or shortening turns a deep amber color, turn the burner off and allow the cookware to cool. Pour out the oil/shortening and wipe out the rest with paper towels. From this point on, you can clean the pan with mild soap solution after each use and it will not affect the seasoning of the pan. You can re-season the pan as much as you would like, and it will not damage the cookware. To remove discoloration from your aluminum cookware, boil a solution of two tablespoons of cream of tartar per quart of water in each pan for ten minutes.

Carbon Steel Cookware - Carbon Steel Cookware is shipped with a coat of mineral oil on the pan. Before you use the pan for the first time, wipe off all of the oil and clean the pan using hot, soapy water. Dry your Carbon Steel Cookware immediately after washing to prevent rusting. You need to clean and season the pan after each use. When seasoning, use unsalted cooking oil or shortening to prevent oxidation. Put the cookware on the burner for 5-10 minutes or until smoke or heat waves appear. When the oil or shortening turns a deep amber color, turn the burner off and allow the cookware to cool. Pour out the oil/shortening and wipe out the rest with paper towels. The pan will turn a dark color after repeated seasoning.

Cup & Lid Dispensers

Cup dispensers come in a variety sizes and styles. Pull-type cup dispensers use a gravity-feed system and adjust easily to fit all sizes of foam, paper or plastic cups. Surface mount cup dispensers are designed to mount under counters or to a wall and allow for smooth and controlled dispensing of paper, foam or plastic cups. Counter top cup dispensers feature a one-size-fits-all cup dispensing rack.

Lid dispensers will typically accommodate multiple sizes of lids. Choose a rotating lid dispenser so customers can easily access different lid sizes. Wire lid dispensers are available with 2 compartments, 3 compartments or 4 compartments. Lid organizers feature three rows for lids, plus straws, stirrers and/or condiment packets. Customizable lid dispensers are available in two different sizes and fasten together with included hardware for a customized look.

Cutlery

From the smallest paring knife to the most finely balanced chef's knife, these tools are the most personal of the trade. Chefs have prized these instruments and carried their own cutlery with them for years, so choosing the right fit is important. There are several key factors to consider before purchasing a knife: balance, grip, blade strength, and sharpness.

Balance: Balance may well be the most important piece of engineering for a piece of cutlery. With a good knife, the weight is balanced between the handle and the blade. When the weight is not evenly distributed, the knife feels awkward and is difficult to use. The portion of the blade that extends through the knife handle is called the tang. On a well-balanced knife, the tang extends to the end of the handle.

Grip: All you want is a handle that provides a comfortable and secure grip so that your hand won't slip. Over the past few years, great strides have been made in ergonomic and non-slip handles for average kitchen use. These types of handles can greatly reduce injury and fatigue among your staff.

Blade strength: Most knives are manufactured one of two ways: they are either forged or stamped.

Forged blades are produced by placing a heated piece of steel under a drop hammer and compressing the steel under great pressure. The blade is then ground and honed into a finished product. Stamped blades are produced using dies or molds. Several blades are stamped from a single sheet of steel and then ground and honed into a finished product.

Forging is more expensive than stamping and many think it creates a sturdier and higher-quality knife.

Sharpness: The sharpness of a knife blade depends upon the material from which it's made. The higher the steel's carbon content, the sharper the edge. High-carbon, stainless steel alloy has become about the most common metal used in commercial cutlery. Combining the strength of carbon with the corrosion resistance of stainless, these blades tend to be razor-sharp and rust-free.

Granton Series Cutlery: The Granton design has ovals cut into both sides of the blade to create air pockets during slicing, dicing, or boning. The "Granton Series" of knives and slicers glide through meats, fish and vegetables to produce clean, thin, even slices every time. The ovals in the knife allow them to cut smoothly, without any sawing or tearing, and help keep food from sticking to the blade. The Granton Series blades are considered to be the perfect cutting edge.

Cutting Boards

Shop at Serv-U for cutting boards and cutting board accessories! Choose from a variety of cutting boards including resin cutting boards, heavy weight cutting boards, non-skid cutting boards, wood cutting boards, composite cutting boards and flexible cutting mats. Cut-N-Carry™ cutting boards feature a revolutionary hook design to promote sanitary transport of the cutting boards. Simply hang the cutting boards to dry, thus avoiding unsanitary stacking. Non-skid cutting boards feature super grip rubber feet to stabilize the cutting boards for safety. The feet also elevate the cutting board to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Heavy weight cutting boards last longer than regular cutting boards and resist warping and sliding. Wood cutting boards are made from solid hard rock maple, and are reversible for longer use.

Choose a cutting board rack to conveniently store cutting boards for drying and saving space. Serv-U sells a cutting board refinishing tool so you can remove bacteria harboring scratches from your worn cutting boards. Purchase Board-Mate™ to eliminate the slip-sliding of plastic cutting boards on counter surfaces. Board-Mate™ also eliminates the danger of bacteria absorption prevalent in the “wet-towel” method used to stabilize cutting boards.  

Decor

Count on Serv-U for restaurant signs and wall décor! Serv-U sells hundreds of custom wood signs, sports wood signs, tavern signs, Irish signs, functional wood signs, nostalgic metal signs, tin signs, nostalgic posters, movie posters, neon signs and outdoor signs. Choose wood signs with a humorous message or nostalgic metal signs with replicated images from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Custom wood signs and custom wood plaques allow you to add your name or the name of your restaurant or bar to create a unique sign or plaque. Neon signs are excellent to hang in windows or around the bar. Outdoor signs are an economical way to advertise special menu items or up-and-coming events at your restaurant or bar.

Dinnerware

Serv-U has a variety of china dinnerware, glass dinnerware and beverage mugs. Choose from narrow rim and wide rim china, glass dinnerware, patterned dinnerware and Fiesta® dinnerware, which comes in many bright unique colors. Glass dinnerware is ideal for salads, pasta and desserts. Warm beverage service and china accessories compliment our china dinnerware and glass dinnerware patterns.

Display Cases

Crystal clear acrylic display cases are available in several styles and sizes, and allow customers to see exactly what they are buying. Serv-U sells low profile display cases, slant front display cases, self serve display cases, full size display cases and Euro Style acrylic display cases, which features a sleek, curved front. Use Novus Polish to clean, polish and protect your acrylic display cases.

Display Trays, Serving Trays and Tray Stands

Do you need really nice catering trays for your catering business but do not want to break the bank? Do you need new cork trays for your bar, or possibly just some new cork for your bar trays? Are you tired of cork trays and want to try plastic, non-skid trays? Serv-U is THE place to find whatever type of bar tray or restaurant tray you need!

          Our mirrored-finished stainless steel display trays come with a solid stainless steel finish or with etched detailing. Many display trays and catering trays feature gold accents and handles. Display trays provide an elegant look to any buffet table.    

          Serv-U carries a variety of circular cork trays and oval cork trays. Cork trays are economical, lightweight and break-resistant. The cork lining on these bar trays grips glasses even when they are wet. Due to their superior stability, cork trays are recommended for bar use.

          Serv-U's non-slip polypropylene trays reduce costs associated with spills and breakage. The special non-skid surface on these restaurant trays and bar trays is bonded directly in to a polypropylene tray for secure handling. These non-slip trays are stain and odor resistant and dishwasher safe!

Serv-U offers a plethora of trays stands! Let your waiters and waitresses place their full trays on something other than an empty table. Serv-U has many different kinds of tray stands available in chrome-plated steel, cherry or walnut. Light weight and economically priced, trays stands are must haves for any bar or restaurant!

Disposable Items

Serv-U also has many disposables for the kitchen. Shop for disposable aprons, hairnets, plastic food service gloves and vinyl foodservice gloves. We also offer food trays and deli paper. The food trays are great for popcorn, nachos and sandwiches. Use deli papers to line plastic food baskets to prevent any small food items from falling out of the baskets. For pizza restaurants Serv-U offers pizza boxes, pizza bags and pizza savers for your pizzas. Use 1, 2 or 3 pizza savers per pizza to keep the cheese on the pizza and not on the box or bag. Serv-U also sells French fry and hot dog bags for concession stands and snack bars.

Serv-U has a great selection of disposable tableware. Shop for disposable tablecloths, plastic cutlery, disposable drinkware, paper napkins and towelettes. Plastic cutlery is economical yet durable, choose from teaspoons, forks, serrated knives, soup spoons or meal kits. Disposable dinkware is ideal for outdoor patios and beer gardesn. Choose from five different styles of disposable cups.

Fast Food Trays

Fast food trays are manufactured for durability and frequent use. Many fast food trays feature a textured design to hide scratches and provide an extra grip against slipping. Fiberglass trays are lightweight and feature metal reinforcement rods to resist impacts and prevent warping.

Flatware

Serv-U sells 18/0 stainless steel flatware. All of your flatware is 18% chrome! 18% Chrome stainless steel flatware has 38% more chromium than 13% chrome. Our heavy weight and medium weight quality patterns are machine finished for smooth, polished surfaces. Fork tines and spoon bowls are graded for added tensile strength and balance. All 18% chrome patterns are magnetic, protecting your flatware investment with the use of magnetic retrieval systems.

For the best care and handling of stainless steel flatware consider the following suggestions:

·    Do not leave in water with other metal objects.

·    Carefully clean after use.

·    Wash in hot water with non-abrasive, non-corrosive cleaning agent.

·    Avoid contact with acidic substances (ex. Lemon, vinegar).

·    Rinse in water at least 180F

·    A wetting agent or water softener may be required if using water with a high mineral content.

·    Avoid using cleaning solutions containing ammonia or lemon on flatware or holloware.

·    Avoid using any form of chlorine bleach which will discolor stainless steel.

·    Dry immediately.

Food Preparation Supplies

Your restaurant’s kitchen staff will save time when you purchase food preparation supplies from Serv-U. Purchase a food preparation tool that will dice, core or wedge fruits and vegetables. One stroke cuts quickly and cleanly without bruising and waste. Choose the Lettuce King to quickly chop lettuce heads into 1” uniform square pieces without bruising the lettuce. The citrus saber perfectly sections fruits and vegetables into 8 wedges.

Use food-grade PVC film and foodservice foil during food preparation to ensure safe preparation of food. A heat sealer is ideal for wrapping sandwiches, cheeses and deli meats. Choose a safety dispenser for plastic film and foil to eliminate unsafe, unsanitary, cardboard boxes.

Manual meat grinders are made from heavy duty cast iron to insure quality and durability. Choose a patty molder that ejects patty and paper all in one motion. The oyster king is safe and easy to use. Oysters and clams open with one stroke to reduce labor costs and increase volume. The lobster king is the safest and fastest way to cut lobster tails. Just one clan cut of the shell and your lobster tail is ready for preparation.

Juice extractors rapidly convert fruits and vegetables into rich, pulp-free juice. The floating action stainless steel blade speeds up juice flow with faster distribution of pulp. The Sunkist commercial juicer features a quiet, heavy duty motor and will extract between 10-20 gallons of juice per hour.

Guest Checks

Serv-U sells 13 different types of guest checks: single paper guest checks, single cardboard guest checks, two part duplicate paper guest checks and two or three part carbonless guest checks. Serv-U also sells three part carbonless delivery checks.

Purchase rotary check minders that can sit on the counter or mount into the ceiling. Wall mount check minders hold guest checks and allow the guest checks to be removed easily without tearing the guest check. Check minder shelves are a convenient alternative to ordinary wall shelves. The wall shelf serves as a storage area, with a check minder built right in. Check spindles and check caddies allow for easy storage and organization of your guest checks.

Use table numbers with card clips or number tents for banquets or special dinners where designated seating is required. Serv-U sells reservation books, gift certificate books and check presentation covers.

Holloware

Holloware stainless steel serve ware is useful for most any restaurant. Choose from hollowware items such as serving bowls, beverage servers, creamers, charger plates, teapots, au gratin dishes, gravy boats and sherbet dishes. The polished stainless steel finish on these serving pieces will compliment any table setting. Holloware pieces are available in a variety of sizes, so you are sure to find the perfect piece for any purpose.

Ice Cream Supplies

Serv-U is your ice cream supply headquarters! Shop for ice cream cone holders, ice cream topping dispensers, ice cream cone dispensers, ice cream savers, ice cream scoops and ice cream spades. Serv-U has acrylic cone holders that can hold as many as nine ice cream cones. Clear acrylic topping dispensers are perfect for small ice cream toppings such as sprinkles, nuts, cookie crumbles, small candies, etc. Serv-U sells several styles of ice cream cone holders and ice cream cone dispensers. Use a dipper well and faucet to keep your ice cream scoops clean. Ice cream savers fit 3 or 5 gallon ice cream containers and stop icing and oxidation of your ice cream. Topping bins made from clear acrylic hold larger quantities of ice cream toppings and candy, while allowing for easy viewing of product. Serv-U also carries a variety of ice cream scoops and ice cream spades. Choose an ice cream scoop with a defroster in the handle for quick load and fast release. Ice cream spades easily fit into square or round containers and is a must for packing containers of ice cream. Refer to the following table to choose the correct ice cream scoop for the amount of ice cream you wish to serve per scoop.

#10 - 4 Oz. Scoop

#12 - 3 Oz. Scoop

#16 - 2 1/2 Oz. Scoop

#20 - 2 Oz. Scoop

#24 - 1 1/2 Oz. Scoop

#30 - 1 Oz. Scoop

Ketchup Bottles and Squeeze Bottles

Serv-U carries a wide variety of squeeze dispensers in red, clear, yellow or brown. We carry classic solid color squeeze dispensers, wide mouth squeeze bottles, ribbed squeeze bottles and decorated squeeze dispensers. Serv-U recommends wide mouth squeeze bottles for easy filling, re-filling, cleaning and for faster pouring of condiments.

Purchase a ketchup station for your restaurant or bar! A ketchup station’s quick and efficient gravity fed system transfers ketchup out of or into almost empty bottle. The ketchup station is dishwasher safe and wall mountable.

Kitchen Brushes

Reduce the risk of cross-contamination in your restaurant kitchen by using Carlisle’s Spectrum® color coded kitchen brushes. These kitchen brushes are color coded so that kitchen staff can segregate brushes by task or work zone. These ergonomically shaped plastic handled brushes feature crimped polyester bristles that are rugged and will not absorb food oils or moisture.

When looking to buy a Pizza Oven Brush you have two choices in bristles, Carbon Steel or Brass. Both provide a high degree of abrasion, but they are both very different. Carbon Steel can rust over time, but is wear resistant and has a good bend recovery. You should use Carbon Steel brushes on grills and equipment that gets heavily soiled. Brass wire brushes will not rust, and are softer than carbon steel, meaning it is less likely to heavily scratch your equipment surfaces as carbon steel would. You should use Brass bristles on ovens, griddles and other equipment that cannot have heavy scratches on it. The primary drawback of brass bristles is that the brush will need to be replaced sooner than a brush made from carbon steel.

Pastry and Basting Brushes are available with Boar or Nylon bristles. Boar bristles are excellent for high heat basting. They withstand temperatures up to 500°F, that’s 150°F higher of a threshold than nylon brushes. Boar bristles also are naturally tapered and have split ends which allow them to hold more butter, glaze or sauce.

Use one of Serv-U's Coffee Decanter Brushes, to clean your decanters quickly. Made with Polyester bristles, a coffee decanter brush is chemical resistant and has great bend recovery and tear/break strength.

For griddle cleaning, Serv-U sells griddle bricks, griddle Screens and griddle Pads. To clean your griddle, use a griddle scraper to remove any excess food. Next, use a griddle brick to scrape off cooked-on food. (Apply a small amount of oil to the griddle to make this task easier.) Next, use a griddle screen on your griddle. When using a griddle screen, place a griddle pan on top of the griddle screen to leave the screen unclogged. Finally, use the griddle pad by itself to polish the griddle.

The following list defines the bristle-types of several kitchen brushes sold at Serv-U:

Palmyra - Medium stiff fibers that come from a palm tree. They are good for sweeping brushing woks and Japanese Electric Griddles.

Nylon- Chemical and abrasion resistant. Able to sustain temperatures of up to 350°F, brushes with these bristles would be a great for abrasive, rough use.

Teflon- Has excellent heat resistance (500°F), abrasion resistance and shear tear/breaking strength. Teflon has very good chemical resistance and bend recovery. Use a Teflon-bristled kitchen brush when cleaning equipment that is still hot.

Carbon Steel- Will rust over time, but is wear resistant and has a good bend recovery. You should use carbon steel brushes on grills and equipment that gets heavily soiled.

Stainless Steel- Has similar properties as those of carbon steel, but is rust proof. With excellent chemical resistance and bend recovery, on top of its high degree of abrasion and wear resistance, stainless steel brushes should be used for aggressive cleaning on grills and other heavily soiled equipment that can get scratched up.

Brass- Will not rust, and is softer than carbon steel, meaning it is less likely to heavily scratch your equipment surfaces as carbon steel would. You should use Brass bristles on ovens, griddles and other equipment that cannot have heavy scratches on it. The primary drawback of brass bristles is that the brush will need to be replaced sooner than a brush made from carbon steel.

Kitchen Mats

Anti-Fatigue Mats are often used to decrease foot weariness for workers who stand in one position for long periods. Fatigue-reducing mats can be made of various materials including rubber, carpeting materials, vinyl, and wood. However, providing a mat may not solve the entire problem. Discomfort, tiredness, and sore feet after long hours of standing are the combined effect of several factors, namely the design of the work, the workers' footwear, and the flooring material. According to scientific data, standing for long periods of time is particularly stressful and fatiguing. Regardless of the quality of shoes and quality of the floor covering, standing itself can cause tiredness after an entire working day. Make sure that when you buy your Anti-Fatigue Mats that you also consider placing chairs in the kitchen to let you chefs and kitchen staff sit and rest their feet when it isn't too busy.

Serv-U sells anti-fatigue mats that range from 3/8" thick to 3/4" thick. Purchase connector strips for your kitchen mats to create a custom sized kitchen mat. Many of our kitchen mats are slip resistant, and have beveled edges to prevent slipping. The holes in many of our anti-fatigue mats allow food and liquid spills to drain below the mat, so they may be cleaned up at a later point in time. Serv-U has many different styles of general purpose matting and grease proof matting. When hot grease spills onto a general purpose mat, it will cause the mat to break down over time. Grease proof anti-fatigue mats are made to handle the abuse the hot grease brings.

Kitchen Safety Apparel - Oven Mitts, Pot Holders and Dishwashing Gloves

Every restaurant kitchen should keep a supply of multiple oven mitts and pot holders. Serv-U offers a variety of kitchen safety apparel including: oven mitts, freezer mitts, pot holders, pan grabbers and arm protection sleeves. Serv-U has heavy duty oven mitts made from Kevlar®, a material that is flame retardant up to 900°F. Serv-U also sells terry oven mitts, terry cloth pot holders, silicon oven mitts, silicon freezer mitts, and heavy duty terry gloves. Use arm protection sleeves made from Kevlar or terry cloth to protect your arms while carrying hot plates or reaching into the oven.

Shop at Serv-U for dishwashing gloves! PVC pot and sink dishwashing gloves have a cotton interlock lining for additional protection and a “rough grip” outside for improved handling. Nitrile dishwashing gloves are unlined and made with super tough, flexible and extremely heat-resistant Nitrile rubber.

Menus

Serv-U sells menu jackets, menu covers, menu clips, table tents, menu stands, and menu racks. Sewn edge menu jackets provide durable protection for your menu with a double sewn vinyl edge. Menu stands provide an economical way to display your menu tableside. Two fold, vinyl, gold stamped menu covers add elegance to any menu.

Mopping Supplies

To determine the correct mop for the job, have a good understanding of all cleaning processes to choose the correct mop yarn, mop size and mop style to suit your needs.

Mops are used for a variety of cleaning jobs including damp mopping; wet mopping, floor stripping, floor finish application, disinfection, drying the floor, removing spills and flooding the floor. Different processes require different tools. When applying disinfectant, the floor should remain damp for 10 minutes to allow the disinfectant to have appropriate "kill time." Stripping your floors involves applying solution with the expectation that it will not dry immediately. Conversely, picking up spills calls for a dry floor surface upon completion of the task.

These jobs require different mop fibers. Mop yarns are comprised of a variety of fibers including cotton, polyester, rayon, string, acrylic and antimicrobial treated material. Yarns with greater amounts of twisting are better for rough surfaces. Acrylic and polyester fiber have high tensile strength, less linting and lower absorption. These are good choices for stripping floors, applying finish and general purpose applications. Cotton and rayon yarns offer maximum absorption and are preferred for floor drying and launder ability. Although cotton is the most economical fiber, it has natural oil, pectin, which must be rinsed out with warm, soapy water prior to achieving maximum absorption. This break-in period for your mp can be time consuming and costly. Rayon conversely achieves maximum absorption immediately. Today blended yarns are available that mix qualities of the different fiber types.

Choosing the style of mop -- either a looped end mop, cut end mop or tail banded mop -- may impact operator productivity. Tail banded mops offer a good spread for maximum floor coverage. Looped mops decrease linting and shedding. In many cases, launderable looped end mops are available. Cut end mops are the least expensive to purchase but have a shorter life expectancy and require a longer cleaning time.

Choose the mop that best meets your needs, realizing that the job task and labor costs should be influential factors in your final selection. Purchase a mop handle suitable for the type of mop you will be using. When purchasing a mop bucket choose one based up its capacity, and choose the mop wringer style that best suits your needs.

Napkin Dispensers and Straw Dispensers

Serv-U carries a vast array of napkin dispensers and straw dispensers to satisfy everyone's needs. Our napkin dispensers hold many different styles of paper napkins and come in polished stainless steel for that vintage look or a woodgrain vinyl exterior. Choose from counter top napkin dispensers and straw dispensers or built-in napkin dispensers and straw dispensers. Our straw dispensers are available with a woodgrain vinyl exterior, stainless steel exterior, or clear acrylic and hold 9" - 10" long straws. Order a napkin dispenser and straw dispenser for your restaurant or bar today!

Pizza Supplies

When using any type of pizza pan remember these steps to prolong the life of your pan:

When seasoning aluminum pizza pans wash and dry the pan thoroughly. Wipe oil on both sides of the aluminum pizza pan. Bake the aluminum pizza pan for its normal cooking time at the normal temperature. When done, gently wipe off any excess oil. Repeat the process as necessary (for hard coat and non-stick aluminum pizza pans you will most likely have to repeat).

When washing aluminum pizza pans avoid high alkaline or acidic detergents. Use detergents specifically made for aluminum to prolong the life of your pizza pan. Keep in mind that repeated use of scouring pads will thin and soften your pizza pan. When using hard coated pizza pans avoid using the dishwasher as it will take off the hard coat.

To season a tin pizza pan wash it in warm soapy water, and dry quickly. Brush oil on both sides and bake until golden or dark brown. Re-season one or two more times if necessary.

When washing tin pizza pans, never soak them in water, leave them in a refrigerator or leave them in damp environments as these circumstances will cause your tin pizza pan to rust. After washing tin pizza pans, dry quickly.

Need a way to make your pizzas have a crispier crust? Use one of Serv-U's perforated pizza pans or nibbed pizza pan and your problems are solved. A pizza pan with nibs allows the pizza to be raised off the pizza pan, producing results similar to using a pizza screen. Use a pizza screen for an evenly cooked, crispy crust.

Why use a pizza stone? Pizza stones are ideal for pizza parlors where hearth baking is not otherwise possible. Pizza stones should be placed on the lowest oven shelf and preheated with the oven. Once pre-heated, the pizza stone evenly transfers intense heat to the pizza, ensuring a particularly crisply baked crust. While some remove the pizza stone when the pizza is done, many use pizza peels so they can keep the pizza stone hot and ready for another pizza. The pizza stones are made of Cordierite, a lead-free fire brick material. When cleaning, DO NOT use soap as this will be absorbed by the stone, thus ruining it. If you must clean your pizza stone use warm, clear water and let the pizza stone soak.

Serv-U has your pizza supply needs covered, shop our selection of pizza dough boxes, pizza pans, pizza cutting guides, pizza rings, wood pizza peels and aluminum pizza peels, pizza cutters and pizza knives, pizza pan grippers, and pizza pan stands. If you need assistance locating pizza supplies start a Live Chat with a knowledgeable member of our sales team!

Platters and Skillets

Make your patrons’ mouths water! Display your steak on a steak platter from Serv-U or your fajitas on a fajita skillet. The fajita skillets and steak platters are easy to use on the range top, under the broiler or with a cheesemelter. Fajita skillets and steak platters can be preheated or pre-chilled. Nothing will make your customers hungrier than seeing food come out of the kitchen on a piping hot skillet, still sizzling. Serv-U recommends using wood underliners with your steak platters and cast iron skillets to prevent damage to your table.

Reference Materials

Shop Serv-u for reference materials on restaurant management and wait staff training. Our reference manual on bar management features more than just recipes, it will show you step-by-step how to set up, operate and manage a financially successful beverage operation. Our HACCP Food Safety Manual looks at food preparation step-by-step to identify the root causes of potential problems and to establish corrective or controlled measures.

Restroom Supplies

No one wants to shake your hand when it’s wet, so dry your hands with a hand dryer from Serv-U! Save on having to buy paper towel refills all the time and invest in push-button or hands-free hand dryers. With all of the towel dispensers Serv-U offers, you will surely find the best towel dispenser for your restaurant or bar.

Having your staff keep their hands clean is a very important in the restaurant and bar industry. Serv-U has a variety of soap dispensers in different sizes and shapes. Choose a soap dispenser with a plastic window or a translucent soap dispenser, so you can see when you are running low and need to refill. When you need to refill your soap, buy Dial hand soap from Serv-U! Dial hand soap prevents the spread of bacteria, keeping everything safe. And with quantity discounts, you should purchase as many as you can!

Is your toilet paper dispenser falling apart? Sounds like its time to buy a new one. Serv-U offers many different kinds of toilet paper dispensers, most holding 2 toilet paper rolls, reducing the frequency in which you would need to replace the rolls. And for those restaurants and bars with quick turn-around times, Serv-U offers a jumbo toilet paper dispenser which accommodates toilet paper rolls 9"-10" in diameter.

Purchase urinal screens to keep cigarette butts and unwanted waste from clogging your urinals. To combat that icky restroom odor, use deodorant blocks and toilet deodorizers, available in a variety of scents. Invest in a programmed air freshener system to keep your bathroom smelling fresh. Place Sani-Mats® under your urinals and toilets to protect the floors of your restroom. Use a restroom board to display a page from your local newspaper, post current or special menu items or featured local attractions. The possibilities are endless!

Serv-U offers changing tables, changing pad dispensers and baby seats to change and keep watch of your little ones. Serv-U also sells feminine napkin vending machines and condom vending machines for your restroom. For the toilet stalls, purchase a toilet seat dispenser and covers.

Restaurant Safety and Bar Safety

Nobody wants to think "If only..." after someone has been injured. To make sure you have done everything possible to prevent avoidable mishaps with your restaurant staff, a safety training class should be taken by every one of your employees, new and old, on a regular basis. Even veteran restaurant and bar workers can still get injured on the job. Serv-U suggests purchasing one of our reference books: Opening a Restaurant or The Encyclopedia of Restaurant Training to ensure you have everything covered in your safety training program. Display safety posters in the kitchen and bus stations to ensure your restaurant staff and bar staff will know what to do if someone gets burned, falls, is choking, etc. You can never be too safe. Make sure you keep all first aid kits stocked with necessary first-aid supplies, and that each member of your restaurant staff knows where to locate a first-aid kit in the case of a medical emergency.

It is a good idea to keep any exits or entrances that are not used regularly, locked from the exterior at all times to prevent illegal entries or exits. Make sure you do not have any illegal exits or entries by purchasing an exit door alarm and lock kit, or a panic exit device. Both of these devices will keep the door locked from the outside, and will alert you when someone uses it from the inside (via the alarm).

Do not panic at the thought of a power failure, instead invest in Serv-U's emergency lights and exit signs with battery backups. With all of the lights out, it not only halts your business, but becomes a prime time for theft. Prevent this by buying emergency lights for your establishments, allowing everyone to see and remain calm.

Salad Bar Supplies

Before buying a salad bar, you will need to determine what salad bar supplies to purchase. Before you make any purchases, create a list of all salad ingredients you would like to have in your salad bar, and keeping in mind any items you may only serve occasionally. After making your list, you now need to determine the size of crock, bowl or platter needed for each salad bar item. You do not want to use larger crocks for your fresh salad toppers. Using smaller crocks or containers for fresh ingredients will eliminate spoilage and waste. Serv-U is proud to offer an array of crocks, platters and bowls in different sizes and colors to accommodate everyone. Serv-u sells ice guards which will prevent ice from caving into the hole of a crock when it is removed to be replaced, allowing for quick removal and replacement of new product.

Do not forget the serving utensils for your salad bar! Serving utensils for a salad bar come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Choose from solid serving spoons, slotted serving spoons, plastic tongs, stainless steel tongs, salad spoons, and dressing ladles.

Salad Bars

A salad bar can be a valuable addition to your restaurant. Salad bars add variety to the menu and can even serve as a restaurant's visual focal point. A sparkling-clean salad bar featuring fresh product will appeal to any health conscious customer. Serv-U is proud to offer portable food bars with open or closed bases, along with many different kinds of tabletop food bars, available in a variety of colors.

Salt and Pepper Shakers and Cheese Shakers

With over 25 different varieties of salt shakers, pepper shakers, pepper mills and cheese shakers, Serv-U has your restaurant or bar covered! Our salt and pepper shakers range in size from 1/2 oz. to 3 oz. and many are available with gold-plated or chrome-plated tops. Our cheese and hot pepper shakers come with slotted lids or perforated lids, in the popular styles you see in many restaurants and bars today. Serv-U also carries traditional-looking cheese shakers. Use our salt and pepper fillers to re-fill your salt and pepper shakers in seconds!

Scales

Shop at Serv-U for portion control scales, kitchen scales, baker’s dough scales, hanging scales, receiving scales, digital scales, price computing scales and pizza scales. Portion scales provide a consistent reading you can depend on. Specialty platform scales feature flat platforms, taco / fry platforms, or ice cream overrun platforms. Choose the scale that is most practical for your application. Use a mechanical heavy duty receiving scale for better receiving control and to eliminate the chance of accepting less than you paid for. 

Scrap Blocks

Serv-U has a variety of scrap blocks to offer. A heavy duty rubber scrap block will fit standard worktable openings. A magnetic scrap block contains a powerful magnet to prevent flatware from falling into the drain and ruining your disposal. The Disposer saver scrap block magnetically attracts flatware to protect the grinding chamber from damage. All scrap blocks install easily due to their gravity fit design so no moving parts or bowl modifications are needed.

Security Safes

With restaurant burglaries and hold-ups all too common, owners need to keep their money safe! Serv-U carries a full line of security safes, cash drop boxes, in-floor safes, burglary safes, portable cash drawers and lockable key cabinets. Security safes are made form heavy gauge steel construction.

Serv-U sells currency straps, coin tubes, and coin storage trays. A portable bill counter saves time, labor and losses due to human error. Purchase a portable bill counter that features an ultraviolet light, magnetic detection and fluorescent light for watermark detection to verify currency. Use a money detector pen to check currency by means of coloration.

Smoking Urns

No one enjoys a restaurant or bar with cigarette butts littered among the landscaping or on the sidewalk. It makes an With the increasing number of city and state governments making it illegal to smoke inside any public facility, smokers must go outdoors to smoke. To help keep your restaurant or bar looking nice, Serv-U offers a wide variety of smoking urns. If you do not have a lot of space outside of your restaurant’s entrance, install a wall urn or smoking post. These urns might seem small, but indeed they are your solution to maintaining a waste-free exterior to your restaurant or bar. Serv-U also sells smoker's posts and the smoker's oasis. These low profile smoking urns will just be noticeable enough for your smoking patrons to extinguish their cigarettes before entering your restaurant or bar. Serv-U also has several smoking urns that can be placed indoors and outdoors. We have plastic smoker’s posts that come in a multitude of colors and classic floor sand urns with an optional trash can built into the smoking urn.

Steam Table Pans

Every restaurant needs metal steam table pans. Many restaurants have trouble with the pans jamming inside of other pans when they stack them. Serv-U has the answer once again! All of Serv-U's metal steam table pans are 22 gauge 18-8 stainless steel. All steam table pans have anti-jamming mechanisms, making it easy to lift and separate these metal food pans. Use our perforated pans inside of a solid steam table or spillage pan to steam vegetables. Purchase stainless steel adapter bars for your steam table to prevent steam from escaping and fogging up your sneeze guard.  

Syrup Dispensers and Sugar Dispensers

Serv-U has a drip-free way to store and serve syrup, honey, sugar, or cream. Banish that ugly, sticky syrup bottle, those troublesome sugar packets and those ugly disposable cream cups from the table. Syrup dispensers and sugar pourers let you pour just the right amount without making a mess, and you can see when you need to refill. Creamers add a touch of elegance to any presentation. These durable condiment servers are built to last and are dishwasher safe.

Table Linens

Serv-U's table linens provide simple elegance to any table. At Serv-U you can purchase coordinated tablecloths, napkins, and table runners. Purchase a table pad with an attractive White vinyl surface to reduce noise and breakage.

Table Skirting

How to pick out the perfect tablecloth for your restaurant or bar:

- Select a Pattern – Shop for the perfect tablecloth for your restaurant or bar at www.servu-online.com. Serv-U sells hundreds of tablecloths in a variety of patterns, colors and materials.

- Select a Color - Color sets the mood for your restaurant. Choose soft pastels for a quiet, relaxing setting, or bold colors to generate excitement. To get a better look at the tablecloth pattern and colors, call or email a Serv-U sales representative to request a tablecloth swatch sample.

- Select a Pleat Style - Our selection of pleats includes: Shirred Pleats, Box Pleats and Accordion Pleats. Pick the one that you think will go best with your chosen pattern and then the setting you are using it for.

- Determine the size you need - Measure the size you need by taking a tape measure and writing down the lengths for all sides of the table you want covered. Then add them up.

All of our skirting has a standard 29" drop (for 30"H tables) and attaches to the table using Velcro clips. There is a strip of Velcro on the back of the table skirt that will fasten itself to the clips. The clips will fit on tables 3/8" to 1" thick.

Table Tents and Table-Top Sign Holders

Table tents and sign holders are attractive ways to display daily menu specials, desserts, wines and specialty drinks. Using table tents and sign holders with images of your menu entrees, desserts, and specialty drinks will increase sales for these items. Use table tents and sign holders so the customer will not forget the daily specials or desserts when it comes time to order. Purchase a table tent with the same color vinyl edge as your menu jackets to give your restaurant or bar an overall coordinated look.

Tablecloths

How to pick out the perfect tablecloth for your restaurant or bar:

- Select a Pattern – Shop for the perfect tablecloth for your restaurant or bar at www.servu-online.com. Serv-U sells hundreds of tablecloths in a variety of patterns, colors and materials.

- Select a Color - Color sets the mood for your restaurant. Choose soft pastels for a quiet, relaxing setting, or bold colors to generate excitement. To get a better look at the tablecloth pattern and colors, call or email a Serv-U sales representative to request a tablecloth swatch sample.

- Determine what size tablecloth you need - Serv-U recommends an 8" drop on each side of your table. This means for square or rectangular tables, simply add 16" to the length and width of your table to find the correct tablecloth size. For circular tables, add 16" to the diameter of the table to find the size of the tablecloth you need. For booth tables, add 16" to the width and 8" to the length.

Many restaurants and bars purchase vinyl tablecloths from Serv-U because they are extremely easy to clean. Simply take a damp rag and wipe off the tablecloth. It will be as good as new!

Thermometers

Is your kitchen thermometer calibrated correctly?

          - Put your kitchen thermometer in a big glass of ice water. It should read 32°F.

          - Put your kitchen thermometer in a pot of boiling water. It should read 212°F.

If your kitchen thermometer does not read these temperatures correctly, then you should recalibrate it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to calibrate the kitchen thermometer.

You should calibrate your kitchen thermometer if:

          - The thermometer is dropped.

          - When the thermometer is used for extreme temperature differences.

          - On a regular schedule.

You should calibrate your thermometer on a regular basis just to make sure it reads the correct temperature all of the time. You should recalibrate your thermometer prior to each shift, each day or each week, depending on how much you use your kitchen thermometer.

How do I take the temperature of my food correctly?

Safe food handling is one of the most important fundamental principles a restaurant or bar owner should know. Temperatures should be taken from the core of the food you are preparing. To find the core for certain foods, follow these helpful guidelines:

          - Large Cuts of Meat: Insert the thermometer’s probe into the thickest part and         push down several inches to make sure you are at the meats center.

          - Poultry: Insert the thermometer’s probe into the inner thigh near the breast.

          - Thin foods, like hamburgers: insert the thermometer’s probe from the side so the probe does not come in contact with the pan.

          - Soups, Bisques, and other liquid based foods: stir the product prior to taking the      temperature, and make sure your thermometer’s probe is long enough to reach      the center of the pan.

**Also, make sure that the thermometer’s probe is not resting on fat, bone or gristle as these all heat up at different rates, and will cause inaccurate readings.

I just got an Infrared Thermometer. What should I know before I start using it?

          -Your infrared thermometer takes the surface temperature of food.

          -Avoid thermal shock!!! Allow the thermometer to adjust to extreme temperature        changes. Do not use it to measure frozen food, then boiling hot food right away. -Store at temperatures above freezing.

          -Close in on your target. Make sure you are getting the temperature of what you       want. The smaller the target, the closer you should be to it. Check the D:S chart on the side of your thermometer for the correct distance.

          -Watch out for reflectivity!!! Bare metal surfaces will skew the temperature     reading. Put non-stick cooking spray or masking tape on the surface first, and   then take the temperature of that area.

Timers

Have you ever had to ask yourself or your kitchen staff: “When will the Crème Brule done?”, “How long has my lobster bisque been cooking?” or "Oh no! I burned my spaghetti pie!"? If you answered yes, you need to purchase a kitchen timer from Serv-U!  Serv-U has dial timers and digital timers to keep you on track in the kitchen. Purchase a digital timer with a large LED readout that monitors cooking times for four different product at once. Having multiple kitchen timers in your restaurant kitchen will reduce costs associated with burnt and wasted food.

Tongs and Turners

Serv-U has tongs for every type of application. Purchase plastic tongs for salad bars, buffet tables, and delis. Serv-U has stainless steel tongs with a locking device for easy storage. Kool Touch® tongs are heat resistant up to 180°F so they are perfect for use on the grill.

The haddock is baked to sweet flaky perfection but you can't very well bring it to the table in a baking dish. And that's where the tricky part comes in. Getting a delicate piece of fish from pan to plate can be a test of coordination nerve and timing. Unless of course you have one of our fish turners which not only turns fragile fish neatly and safely but allows you to get it to a plate in one piece. We also have solid and slotted turners available in metal or plastic. Use one of Serv-U's slotted turners to allow excess juices to drain off the food, offering a neater dish presentation.

Tortilla Servers and Ramekins

Keep tortillas warm and fresh when you serve them in tortilla servers! Tortilla servers are economical, stackable, heat and scratch resistant and dishwasher safe. Available in a wide array of colors, our tortilla servers can withstand temperatures up to 190°F.

Shop Serv-U for ramekins, molcajetes, salsa dishes and sauce cups! For salsas or shrimp cocktails, our Molcajetes and Salsa Bowls will do the job. Our ramekins will give any plate that extra bit of flare. Choose from clear, solid color or even stainless steel ramekins. Ramekins are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose smooth, fluted, scalloped, sea shell-shaped or triangle-shaped ramekins.

Trash Cans and Recycle Bins

With a large variety of indoor trash receptacles and outdoor trashcans, Serv-U is your one-stop shop for waste receptacles!

Made of injection mold, high-density polyethylene, our outdoor trash cans can withstand severe weather and above average wear and tear. Our large selection of trash cans in a variety of sizes and shapes makes it easy to find the perfect trash receptacle for your restaurant or bar. Look for outdoor trashcans that feature a built-in lock, securing it from high winds and theft.

Recycling is very important to Serv-U. For the environmentally conscious restaurant or bar owner, we sell recycle containers, can receptacles and can crushers for commercial applications. Our blue recycling containers made of a special resin so the color does not fade, and the container will not chip, peel, scratch, dent or crack. We also have a corrugated recycling receptacle that allows for easy transporting, storage and disposal at outdoor events, special events or for temporary use. Our power can crusher has a steel frame so a recycle bin can be placed below the unit to catch the cans as they are crushed. The compact design of the power can crusher allows for installation under bars or counters.

Serv-U has many styles of restaurant waste receptacles to choose from. Look for specialty indoor trashcans such as wall huggers, step-on trash cans, rectangular waste baskets and trashcans that will fit into a corner. Don’t forget the lid! Choose from a normal flat-top lid, dome lids to prevent pests or odor problems, funnel lids for high volume applications, or swing and flip-top lids designed for hands free use. We also sell flatware retrievers, which use powerful magnets to prevent flatware from going into the trashcan.

Warewashing

There are 4 common questions asked by restaurant owners when purchasing dishwashing and ware washing supplies:

1) What needs to be washed, and how often?

          All pots, pans, utensils, silverware, plates, etc. need to be washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use.

2) Where do these items need to be washed?

          Employees need direction on whether to wash these items in a dishwashing sink or in an automatic dishwasher.

          With restaurants washing up to 55 racks of dishes per hour, you need good dish racks and glass racks. Serv-u is proud to offer over 30 different types or dish racks and glass racks. Our glass racks and dish racks range from those for extra tall glasses, regular glasses, flatware, and dishes. For easy, quick transport, put your dish racks and racks on our dish rack dollies. Our dishwasher rack dollies are made especially for our racks and when used, will cut down on the number of broken dishes and glasses you have. Serv-U also sells a wide variety of bus and flatware bins. Our bus bins come either as one big tub or with divided compartments. Our flatware bins and flatware holders allow for easy transport and storage of newly cleaned flatware.

          When using dishwashing sinks, follow these important steps: Scrape food from dishes into disposals or garbage; Wash everything in hot, soapy water; Rinse everything in hot, clear water; sanitize everything; Allow your restaurant supplies to air dry.

3) What chemicals are used for washing and sanitizing?

          Make sure an approved sanitizer is used. Approved chemical sanitizers usually contain chlorine, iodine or quartemary ammonium. Follow the directions on the label of particular sanitizer container that you use.

4) What are the set-up and washing procedures?

          Set-up and washing procedures will vary depending on how you clean your dishes and flatware. For automatic dishwashers follow the manufacturer's set-up and washing procedures which can be found in the owners manual. Dishwashers will sanitize using either hot water or a chemical spray during the final rinse.

Window Signs

Our letter board window signs meet your budget and are cheaper than neon signs. Window signs are simple to operate and maintain. Our window letter boards have large, easy to read faces with bright fade resistant colors that make the sign visible from long distances. The attractive window letter board offers flexibility for displaying business hours, schedules and special messages. Purchase our blinking window sign to draw greater attention to your restaurant or bar. Window signs grip to the window with suction cups, to provide a secure grip to any glass surface. Our static cling window letters will adhere to glass or any other polished surface and are perfect for indoors or outside. The static cling window letters stick on both sides and are completely reusable.

Write-On Boards

Light up your sales with our dynamic line of write-on boards! Stop searching for the letters that go with your traditional letter board sign, and purchase a marker board or write-on board. All write-on boards and dry-erase boards erase easily, so changing your message is a breeze! Bring the excitement of NEON to your messages and daily specials when you use the supplied fluorescent markers on one of our black write-on boards. All write-on boards are available in a variety of sizes and frame finishes. All write-on board signs can be wall-mounted or used with an easel. Easels are available in Black, Solid Oak, or Brass. Easels are sold separately. Also look for write-on signs with a pedestal base!