Meet Josh Wolkon | Restaurant Owner of Steuben’s and Ace Eat Serve.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Wolkon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph by Ryan Holiday. This was a book I turned to during one of the darker periods of the Pandemic. The Stoic philosophy practiced by so many previous leaders and successful people helped me reframe the situation so many of us were in as we navigated ways to overcome this immense obstacle. I have passed this book on to many friends and co-workers to use as a tool when they face adversity. Chapters are short stories that demonstrate successful use of this philosophy in overcoming challenges. It’s easy to pick up again and again and just read a chapter or two to help reframe your mindset.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have been in the restaurant business since opening my first restaurant, Vesta Dipping Grill, in Denver in 1997 at the age of 26. Ten years later we opened Steuben’s in 2006, followed by Ace Eat Serve in 2012 and Steuben’s Arvada in 2016. The Pandemic helped us “right size” and we now operate Steuben’s and Ace that are neighbors in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood. Our management company is Secret Sauce Food and Beverage, which is an ode to the 30 house made dipping sauces at Vesta as well as the “Secret Sauce” that is the vibe and hospitality we show our staff, our guests and our team members. The restaurant business is a challenging one that seems to have only gotten more challenging with time. The learning opportunities never end. As with most businesses I think it is important to always come back to your “Why?”. Reminding ourselves that our goal is to take care of others. When we focus on the “Why?” most of the other pieces fall into place. Secret Sauce has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from guests, to employees, to people in need, to celebrities. After 27 years we are now employing not only our own children, but the children born from couples who met working at one of our restaurants. It’s come full circle. We’ve also had the unexpected reward of watching some of our former employees take what they learned at Secret Sauce and open their own successful restaurants that incorporate many of the values we passed on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well of course they are going to get styled out at Steuben’s and Ace Eat Serve. We would probably do a brunch at Steuben’s and a Saturday afternoon on the patio at Ace with some live music followed by a Peking Duck for dinner and some later night Ping Pong. I always take visitors for a hike and tour of Red Rocks and if lucky, a show or Yoga on the Rocks. If it’s winter, a day in the back bowls of Vail is a must. Other restaurants to visit would include Temaki Den, El Taco de Mexico, Adelitas, White Pie and Cart Driver. You can’t go wrong with a stroll on the Peal Street Mall in Boulder and a hike in the nearby Flatirons. Lohi, Tennyson, and Rino are true Denver neighborhoods to bike, scooter or walk around. Regardless of season a drive up to the top of Loveland Pass is a must to experience how close our high altitude beauty is. All the mountain towns are incredible winter or summer. A stand up paddle on Lake Dillon, followed by a concert at Dillon Amphitheater, followed by a bike ride around the lake is on my own agenda this summer. Meow Wolf in Denver is a great experience for an indoor activity.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without question the love and support of my wife Jen and our boys, Zach and Ezra has been the foundation and motivation of my success. Beyond that, I have worked side by side with our C.O.O., Emily Biederman since 2006, when we opened the first Steuben’s location. Together we opened 3 restaurants, closed 2 restaurants, survived and succeeded during the Pandemic, and continue to operate two busy restaurants and employ more than 120 employees. She deserves more than a little credit in my story and the story of Secret Sauce. She has mentored, and continues to mentor, countless managers and Chefs, many whom have gone on to open their own restaurants. She has always put others first and we align perfectly with our passion for giving back to the community. Emily’s work ethic is unmatched and she has always been a role model for up and coming female professionals in our industry.

Website: Steubens.com. Aceeatserve.com

Instagram: @aceeatserve @steubensuptown