We had the good fortune of connecting with Tifani Wendt and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tifani, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind the success of The Buffalo Chip is my Father pouring a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this business. In combination with being very keen in business. We’ve become a brand thanks in large part to our amazing customers that we treat like family. We are a destination, we have something for everyone, bikers, cowboys, kids, families, newly 21 year olds, city go-ers, country folk, we have something that appeals to all types and we believe it takes all kinds.
What should our readers know about your business?
The Buffalo Chip Steakhouse and Saloon is the most iconic Bar and Restaurant in Arizona. We have live Bull Riding (Yes-real bulls) two nights a week, A live band 6 nights a week, and country DJ 3 nights a week, award winning BBQ, Sheep riding on Fridays, and the most fun atmosphere you can find anywhere. I am most proud of the hard work and dedication our Staff puts in on a weekly basis. Our staff are wonderful and always have a smile on their faces. We got to where we are today with a lot of hard work and slowly. My Father first added a kitchen, then a BBQ area, then an arena, then lots of picnic tables, then stands, it was a work in progress for many years, but we’ve withstood the test of time and even being burned to the ground in 2015. We rose from the ashes bigger and better and we’ve never looked back! There are so many lessons in business, but the most important lesson is to be worth knowing rather than well known. We want our customers to know us and love us as much as we love them, not just know “of” The Chip. I want the world to know that with hard work and tons of effort you can be successful. It’s hard, really hard and some days you’ll want to throw in the towel, but just keep at it, little by little and you’ll look back one day and be amazed at the progress and success!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Cave Creek, I’m biased, I know, but we really have it all here. I would definitely take them to Janey’s for breakfast, then out to one of the Lake’s for a pic nic lunch. We’d probably wrap up the night getting dinner at The Buffalo Chip and then bar hop to Roadhouse and Hideaway! There is also tons of great shopping in Cave Creek and an incredible little bakery (It’s a Divine Bakery). For a cookout or BBQ with friends head to Lil Butcher for the best meat! There is so much to do in Cave Creek from Horseback riding, to RZR rentals, to hikes, to bikes. We really do have it all!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Father, Larry, he built this business from a tiny little bar with no kitchen to what it is today. This business is a great success, because of him. While doing just that, unbeknownst to me, I was learning what it took to be a successful business person. There are a lot of sacrifices that come with owning a business, but in the end, there are a lot of incredible lessons too. I’m lucky to have gotten to receive those lessons on a daily basis watching my Father grow this business into the iconic place it is. I’m even more thankful my daughters and son get to learn those same lessons from me. I believe those invaluable lessons have prepared me in the best way possible to continue on in his legacy making The Chip even better!
Website: www.buffalochipsaloon.com
Instagram: @buffalochipaz
Facebook: Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse
Other: Tik Tok-TheBuffaloChipAZ
Image Credits
Kevin Donnelly Photography, Shelby Voss Photography