"Nothing but CRAZYGOOD food!"
Bob and Laurie Larsen have 3 fantastic kids.
The oldest is Gregg, married to Heidi and living
in northern Minnesota. Tyler is next oldest and
lives in Sioux Falls and is an underwriter. Their
youngest is Grace - currently finishing her nursing
degree in Minnesota.
When Bob was young, both of his parents worked and were not at home for the evening meal time. It was up to Bob and his younger sister Sherry to to make sure that there was food on the table for all 4 kids. He learned a great deal of his cooking skills from his mother “Rose”. She had been cooking in restaurants for years. His uncle owns a successful restaurant in Red Wing, MN called Liberty’s. Bob worked with and learned a great deal about restaurant food preparation and catering. Bob’s first real job was working as a dishwasher.
Laurie has been in Customer Service and Sales for a total of over 30 years. Promotional materials and Graphics have always been of interest. She takes photographs of actual food presentations, works the bridal shows and conducts most of the one on one consultations with the Bride to Be and her family. Her first real job was working as a waitress.
For this family - “Family” comes first. Family gatherings are some of the most memorable times. Children fighter cancer, loosing parents to health issues and struggling through opening a new business at one of the worst financial times (2004).
Their children worked in different capacities at the downtown Inwood business, including wait staff, bar tending and setting up to cater weddings.
When Bob and Laurie married, Bob was building homes and Laurie was in sales. Bob had always wanted to own his own restaurant. He has a passion for food preparation and flavor combinations. Trading an office for an apron and a potato peeler was NOT part of Laurie’s plan. (But she's very happy that she did !)
The first meal was served in Inwood, Iowa on February 14, 2004. They bought the old “Shed” bar and created the start of Crazy Bob’s Food “empire”. The MarketPlace Grille and Pub were born. We started catering weddings and events soon after opening. We started with 3 weddings the first year and grew to catering over 100 events annually. With growth and a remodle, "the Only Bar & Grill" were born. (Having very successfully established themselves in the market, MarketPlace Catering kept its name.)
In March of 2014, Bob and Laurie purchased the Railside Cafe in Alvord from Curt Nelson. Combining his own expertise with the new recipes, "Crazy Bob’s Bar B Que" was born. Smoked meats often seem to be traditionally very dry. What makes Crazy Bob's Foods stand out from the crowd is how amazingly moist each product is! Custom sauces add just the right touch. From Smokin' Berry to Crazy Bob's Mustard Masterpiece - mouthwatering add ons.
Bob and Laurie opened their 3rd location in late July, 2014 in Hartley Iowa. Purchasing “Pete’s Steak House” on Highway 18 and doing a complete remodel both inside and out. Giving it a BBQ themed look, the location is now known as Crazy Bob's Maximum Bar B Que.
In 2015, Bob and Laurie opened their 4th location in Petersen, Iowa. Moving quickly into January, 2016 will be the opening of their 5th location here in Sioux City, Iowa. Located at 1800 Pierce St. formerly known as the (Green Gables) which had been a landmark here in Sioux City, Crazy Bob Larsen drawn not only to the history of the building and location but, to the unique style and layout of the building that has been there since 1929.
