Denton restaurant owner fries fish, chips in converted bus

by Katherine Grivna of of North Texas Daily

There’s something fishy going on at the corner of Fry and Hickory streets.

Dave Wilson, owner of the Angry Friar restaurant, parks his green double-decker bus in front of the CopyPro Copy Center and starts frying up fish and potatoes.

“There is no other bus like this one,” he said.

Wilson said he has been working toward his dream of owning his own business for the past 10 years, and he finally got his chance three weeks ago when he officially started serving customers.

As the “typically English” business becomes more successful selling fish and chips, the menu will grow, he said, and will eventually sell hot tea.

“We want to be known for fish and chips,” he said.

Wilson said he has many goals for the business, especially showing people how important small and environmentally green businesses are to Denton.

The waste oil from the fryers is turned into biodiesel, and the generator which powers the fryers runs on diesel, he said, to be environmentally “green,” he said.

No plastic is used, he said. Even carry-out bags will be paper. Food is served in newspapers and recycle bins are available.

Wilson said he has the fish and chips market, as the Long John Silver’s on University Drive went out of business.

Businesses offering products for under $5 are thriving even though people don’t have as much money to spend, he said.

“The economy has made it the right time for me to start this business,” he said. “All that’s done to me is make me more determined.”

On the side of the bus, two slots allow patrons to donate their change to two charities, one to a local animal shelter, and another to families of fallen firefighters and police officers.

At the beginning of every month, he will write a check to the charities and post a copy of the checks on the window so patrons can see where their donations go.

Wilson said the individuality of his business makes it one of a kind.

“I get a kick out of being different,” he said.

So far, the Angry Friar has sold out every night.

“The word is out in Denton,” Wilson said. “We’re feeding the people that work in other restaurants.”

So far, the hardest part has been learning to deal with the public and making sure his own standards are met.

Wilson estimated he has invested between $50,000 and $75,000 in the business.

“I put my heart and soul into this, which I wouldn’t do working for somebody else,” he said.

Tim Raiet, owner of the Pita Pit, located at 105 ½ Ave. A, said he has seen people buy from the fish and chips restaurant, which has taken away some of his business, but for the most part business is the same as last year.

“Competition is always welcome,” Raiet said.

Trent Jacoba, an international studies senior, said he likes to eat fish and chips and has seen the bus.

While he didn’t know of any place that sold fish and chips before, Jacoba said he would be willing to go to the Angry Friar.

“I’d like to go there now,” he said.

Wilson parks the Angry Friar on the corner of Fry and Hickory Streets in front of the CopyPro Copy Center, with the owner’s consent, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

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