when a good local eatery loses it's flair.....

bell · bell's Garage

there is a local place here called "gasoline alley", been going there for years to enjoy the best sourkraut balls and their monster portabello mushroom burger.
today michelle and i went there for lunch and the large sandwich is no more......still on the menu, same description etc.....however the burger comes out and it's half the size as in the past and a few minimal mushrooms, the mushrooms used to also be monsters etc......
i asked....it's just how they are making them now.....so it wasn't a mistake.
to top it all off this burger used to cost about $7.....now it's $10......no fries included.

a sad day here in ohio.....have to find a new favorite eatery.......

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

bell..if this is the worst of your day i want your life..

gassy · 12-10-2006, 04:20 PM

I could do without saurkraut balls...

Elmhurst used to have a great German restaurant/deli called the Heidleburg--first floor was a great German deli--downstairs, a tiny German restaurant. Now it's an Irish pub. It was such a cool place.

austin552 · austin552's Garage

I can relate. Local joint, Cubbys has a famous burger with bacon, slaw and chili. Went a month ago and the food was not good. The service was lousy to boot. Maybe I will give them a second chance though.

Zeke · 12-10-2006, 05:13 PM

Usually a change of ownership. I say usually. It has happened scores of times to me. Few restaurants stay the long course.

the · 12-10-2006, 05:24 PM

I guess sometimes even restaurants need a new way forward.

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

Look on the bright side..........Troy Smith must be making the Buckeye State proud.....GO BUCKS.

Off to Glendale I go....(anyone have any ticket leads?)

dtw · 12-10-2006, 08:28 PM

Had the same with a local place - loved it so much I had my wedding reception there. Eventually burned. Miss it.

Hugh R · 12-10-2006, 08:48 PM

Tell the management why your going to go somewhere else.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Hey, at least your favorite bar didn't burn down like mine did. . .

Yea, most likely change of ownership or upper management. There's an awful lot of stupidity/incompetence/buffoonery in the restaurant industry - the few places that manage to insulate themselves from it usually are the shining stars out there, but unfortunately don't usually manage to stay that way for very long without direct and constant attention and active attempts to do so.

Sorry to hear it.

DavidI · 12-11-2006, 07:00 AM

I know how you feel....There was a restaurant in Old Town San Deigo called "Casa de Pico" that had the absolute best mexican food. I visited Sea World last summer with the family and ate at the place. It had been sold and the food was horrible.

I have driven to this place which is about 90 miles away just to eat. No more, David

asphaltgambler · 12-11-2006, 07:03 AM

Nothing like substantialy reducing the portions (while at the same time) substantialy increasing the price.

WOW...........do ya think the customers will notice?

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

How do you charge $10 for a burger in Ohio?

fingpilot · 12-11-2006, 07:53 AM

Once that happens, they ain't coming back.

Across the street from from my marina was a chain diner. Used to be the best food in town, manager gave a s***. Same employees for years.

Manager got a better offer somewhere else. Service went to hell, food supplier changed, you know the story.

Why do people always try to fix what ain't broke?

Can't fix stupid is the problem.

jkarolyi · 09:27 AM

Change of ownership for sure. I know an Indian family who has been cooking superb Indian food for years. Every two years or so they sell their old restaurant (always packed) for a handsome profit to another Indian family and open another restaurant across town. Each time the new family took over, the food quality turned to crap. Canned mushrooms instead of fresh, etc. The last time I ate at one of their former restaurants, I noticed frozen "vegetable medly" in some of the curry they served! I now have to drive about 40 minutes to get to their latest restaurant.

I get the feeling this kind of entreprenuership is very common in the restaurant industry.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Always try to talk to the owner and let them know (politely, of course) that the quality has dropped off and see what they say (and do). Sometimes, complacency sets in and the owners need some feedback from steady customers... that may help!

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

+1 on what art said. the owner may not know and truly needs the feedback, less he or she lose their business..
ryan