kellyf
enthusiast
Posts: 1691
Reg: 05-21-07
|
07-19-10 10:42 PM - Post#114912
Ok I have a rave and a rant. First the rant. Went to Nate's for dinner around 5:30 today. Place was empty except for 2 tables with 3 people at one and 2 at other. Inside dining area was closed except for bar area and patio. I was real excited about finally getting hubby to go for seafood. I wanted to go to Joe's for crab legs but he wanted to go closer to home. So Nate's it was. As I said 2 tables and maybe 5 at bar. We were seated at table that servers had to walk right next to to get to other tables. We are sitting and one server walks past and takes drinks to one table. Another server walks past with cup of gumbo for the other table. They both walk right past us and do not acknowledge us. They go to kitchen. Then one comes back through to check on their table, then other server looks right at us then picks up water pitcher and refills water at their table. Both walk past again and one heads to kitchen and other heads to hostess area. 10 minutes pass and finally I get up and hubby follows closely to make sure I don't go off on someone. They say " have a good day". Wow, if they are looking to stay open and compete with neighbors the management better start by working on customer service. I used to be much more patient but have recently encountered same type of treatment at Posada's on 121 in Frisco and Rockfish Grill in Mckinney. Had to beg hubby to go to both then we were ignored at both for at least 15 minutes and servers knew we were waiting. Granted Rockfish was pretty busy but Posada's had maybe 5 tables right by us. Ugh!! Now for my rave. Olive Garden at Villages of Allen have renewed my faith in good service and good food. As soon as we walk in we are made to feel welcome. Service is always with a smile and food is delicious! I usually do not like going to Olive Garden due to the fact that my family made me go for every single birthday and special occasion and for any reason when I lived in Houston but this one is indeed special.
Kelly
| The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget cuts. |
|
Aolain
enthusiast
Posts: 1188
Reg: 11-13-06
|
07-19-10 10:51 PM - Post#114913
In response to kellyf
Kelly:
I agree with both your points.
We went to Nate's in Allen a few months ago (we will NOT go back). The service was horrendous and the food marginal....we use to like the Nate's in Addison, btw.
Olive Garden? Wonderful place! Been there multiple times and love the service and the food.
I think Nate's might be in trouble unless they get a handle on service.
|
Joel
enthusiast
Posts: 329
Reg: 10-11-06
|
07-19-10 11:11 PM - Post#114915
In response to Aolain
Same experience with Nate's. Marginal food, slow service. We don't go any more.
| Instead of trying to convince the other side they are wrong, why don't we come together to fix the things we all agree are wrong. We waste too much time and energy arguing when we should be united. |
Edited by Joel on 07-19-10 11:12 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
|
hoofdpijn
enthusiast
Posts: 141
Loc: West Allen
Reg: 03-17-06
|
07-20-10 01:01 PM - Post#114936
In response to Joel
We made our final visit to Nates back before Christmas. Same story. They are dead to me.
|
Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
|
07-20-10 01:46 PM - Post#114940
In response to hoofdpijn
Been to Nates once. Meh.
But I do love Rock Fish. I'm surprised the OP got bad service there ... they've always seemed dependable to me.
|
Fred The Fisherman
enthusiast
Posts: 194
Reg: 09-11-06
|
07-20-10 04:45 PM - Post#114954
In response to kellyf
I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant and got good service.
|
zaphoid
enthusiast
Posts: 517
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-30-08
|
07-20-10 10:28 PM - Post#114969
In response to Fred The Fisherman
I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant and got good service.
Go to Ruth Ellen
|
Maringa
enthusiast
Posts: 329
Reg: 11-06-08
|
07-21-10 09:50 AM - Post#114975
In response to zaphoid
Prediction Time for Village at Allen & Fairview Restaurants:
First at Allen
1. Nates: Closed within 6 months.
2. Olive Garden: Will do ok - depends on parent company status. Name recongnition will keep place busy enough to stay afloat.
3. Dodies: Not sure...never been there. Dependent on Event Center Status which is hurting right now.
4. Mooyah: Seems to be doing well. Will survive.
5. Tacone Grill: Never been there, never see cars there - 12 months
6. Wich-Wich: May survive due to larger chain
7. Freebirds: Will surive, although better product available at Chipotle's.
8. Uncle Julios: Seems to be thriving...always packed.
9. BJ's: Seems to be doing OK..
10. Thai Box: Don't know
11. Cotton Patch: Will struggle - too small of store front compared to other Cotton Patches.
12. Chaucers and Braza Dancante: Unknown brands/concepts that may struggle if they put out an average product/price.
13. Paradise Bakery: similar concept at Watters Creek failed pretty quickly.
14. Cowboy Chicken: What???? Quick death..
Fairview:
1. Baileys: Business not up to par - 12-24 months will close.
2. Patrizio's: Depends a little on Bailey's (same owner). There are better Italian restaurants near by.
3. Gloria's: Will do well.
4. Cyclone Anaya: Don't know, too soon to tell.
5. Wyland's: To pricey to gain area market share - I think they will struggle and eventually close.
6. La Duni: Great food - will depend on increased walk by customers - not a familiar place to many. If shopping center struggles, so will this place.
7.Bistro Babusan - never see traffic in the area -
down and out in 12 months.
8.Purple Cow - Okay - will survive
9.Twisted Root - will do well - make a good product.
10. Guy Harvey Grill - if they produce a good product for reasonable price, may do well.
Kind of pessimistic overall. Will quickly change my tune if we start to see more store openings in the Fairview Mall section.
|
hollowel
enthusiast
Posts: 138
Reg: 01-29-07
|
07-21-10 10:50 AM - Post#114978
In response to Maringa
I can tell you have never been to a Cowboy Chicken. Anything but a quick death.
|
AllenFans
member
Posts: 66
Reg: 08-07-06
|
07-21-10 12:03 PM - Post#114982
In response to Maringa
Dependent on Event Center Status which is hurting right now...
...Unknown brands/concepts that may struggle if they put out an average product/price...
...if they produce a good product for reasonable price, may do well...
I might not be qualified to forcast success of a restaurant, but I would have to think these three are pretty standard pass/fail markers for any business. I'd hate to assume someone's failure.
We enjoy both villages very much & think they are great for both communities.
| Two $bucks$ from insanity... |
|
allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1873
Reg: 12-02-05
|
07-21-10 12:56 PM - Post#114987
In response to Maringa
2. Patrizio's: Depends a little on Bailey's (same owner). There are better Italian restaurants near by.
Such as?
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
|
Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
|
07-21-10 01:26 PM - Post#114990
In response to Maringa
Bistro Babusan - never see traffic in the area
Then maybe you should try going in. Every time I go, there are more and more folks dining there.
|
StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
|
07-21-10 01:33 PM - Post#114991
In response to Al C
Cowboy Chicken is really good. I know several people in Allen that are excited for that one. I think it will do fine.
|
mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3152
Reg: 09-25-09
|
07-21-10 02:31 PM - Post#114992
In response to StacyLynn624
Cotton Patch will represent a much needed breakfast option.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
Edited by mgrayar on 07-21-10 02:32 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
|
jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
|
07-21-10 03:06 PM - Post#114994
In response to mgrayar
I think you have Cotton Patch Cafe confused with some other restaurant. They don't serve breakfast or even have traditional breakfast foods on their menu.
|
Maringa
enthusiast
Posts: 329
Reg: 11-06-08
|
07-21-10 03:20 PM - Post#114995
In response to mgrayar
Apologies in advance in regards to commenting on places I never have been to...I was just trying to summarize what's out there, and from quick personal observations. Admittedly, I probably have suggested some unfair observations.
I just wanted to summarize all of the restaurants under one topic as a fun discussion to see if everyone else had a strong opinions or agreements to the to the potential success or failure of an individual restaurant.
Ultimately, I want restaurants/food concepts to do well at the Villages. Unfortunately, I think there will be examples of restaurants that are "good" and "well managed" that simply won't make it because of the dynamics of the community (too expensive, affinity of the community to only brand/recognized chain restaurants, regardless of quality, too many of the same type - market saturation, etc.).
Someone asked above about Italian restaurants: Olive Garden, Macaronni Grill (Legacy), Brio's., Italian Villa are some of the local/nearby restaurant. Hope Patrizio's does well - been at other locations before, but I don't remember outstanding food. Good, but not outstanding.
|
allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1873
Reg: 12-02-05
|
07-21-10 03:59 PM - Post#114996
In response to Maringa
Sorry, but your credibility suffers when you think Olive Garden and Italian Villa are better than Patrizio, as well as denigrating other places without ever having eaten there (Cowboy Chicken).
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
|
mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3152
Reg: 09-25-09
|
07-21-10 04:53 PM - Post#114998
In response to jogo
You passed the test. Your prize is in the mail.
Just kidding, my mistake.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
|
bsnelson
enthusiast
Posts: 753
Loc: Allen, TX 75013
Reg: 10-14-05
|
07-21-10 06:35 PM - Post#115003
In response to mgrayar
Interesting. Here's my list (though I'm far from an expert)
First at Allen
1. Nate's: Will do well if they can get service up; food is pretty good.
2. Olive Garden: Boring, canned/frozen food that people seem to love - will be around after rapture.
3. Dodie's: Despite spotty service, will survive because it just seems to be packed and people like to watch sports on the big screens.
4. Mooyah: May take a hit with Twisted Root and In-N-Out, but probably stays.
5. Tacone Grill: No knowledge, but I, too, never see much traffic there
6. Which-Wich: Gone within a year. Product is mediocre and there are plenty of other sandwich shops.
7. Freebirds: No knowledge.
8. Uncle Julio's: Will make it, fairly solid food and decent service
9. BJ's: Sure it's a chain, but above average food will keep them in business
10. Thai Box: Definitely makes it; incredibly good food without a lot of money
11. Cotton Patch: Will do fine, since there aren't really any other CPs or BEPs nearby
12. Chaucers and Braza Dancante: I'll go with the OP here: "Unknown brands/concepts that may struggle if they put out an average product/price."
13. Paradise Bakery: No knowledge
14. Cowboy Chicken: Will absolutely make it. Great product and good prices
Fairview:
1. Baileys: I'll let you know after we use that $50 off coupon :)
2. Patrizio's: If the food is as good as the Plano location, it'll do fine.
3. Gloria's: Definitely will do well if it's as good as their other locations. Fantastic food
4. Cyclone Anaya: As the OP said: "Don't know, too soon to tell."
5. Wyland's: The prices will be fine if the product is good.
6. La Duni: Not familiar with this one
7.Bistro Babusan - Will do fine. Quite good Asian fusion food, better than Pei Wei.
8.Purple Cow - Kids will probably keep this place alive
9.Twisted Root - Strong local brand, will do fine.
10. Guy Harvey Grill - Don't know anything about this one.
Who's collecting the bets? :)
Brad
|
StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
|
07-21-10 07:05 PM - Post#115004
In response to bsnelson
We had desserts at La Duni at Northpark last week. Wow! They were awesome!! I can't wait to go back to try the food next time!! I do know that the La Duni at NP took forever to open. It was slated to open for like 2 years, and it finally did. Hopefully the one up here doesn't follow a timeline like that one.
|
