Carlos O'Kellys is Closing!
- Thread starter cyrevkah
- Start date
I went to Cazador for lunch a month back.... Disgusting crap they serve there. I ordered a beef burrito with rice and beans. The burrito had a tomato type sauce on it very similar to spaghetti o sauce. Rice was extremely soggy and tasted like HyVee brand, and the beans weren't really heated up.
Yup that's great stuff there. The two others I had there for lunch thought the same thing.
Didn't realize Pita Pit closed until I walked all the way up to the door and yanked on it to find out it was locked. This was last week.
It seems that sit-down chains are really struggling nationally (with the exception of a few places), and I think a lot of it is a general trend that if people are going to go out for dinner, and sit down, and have that experience, they want something that's a little more interesting or unique to where they are.
I think fast-food chains are doing better than ever though, and I think again, it has to do with the mindset you take before going after one of those kinds of meals. When you want a meal quick, that you're probably taking to go, you want something where you know what you're getting, know it's going to be consistent (especially if travelling in a strange place), and will be made to a certain standard (which may not be that high, but will be consistent).
In summation, I'm not at all surprised that Carols O'Kellys is struggling. The food was never that good, and their theme is no longer unique or interesting.
I think fast-food chains are doing better than ever though, and I think again, it has to do with the mindset you take before going after one of those kinds of meals. When you want a meal quick, that you're probably taking to go, you want something where you know what you're getting, know it's going to be consistent (especially if travelling in a strange place), and will be made to a certain standard (which may not be that high, but will be consistent).
In summation, I'm not at all surprised that Carols O'Kellys is struggling. The food was never that good, and their theme is no longer unique or interesting.
I haven't been to El Azteca in years, but I always preferred La Fuente, by a considerable margin. I don't know how to describe it, but El Azteca seemed a little bland and indistinguishable from other Mexican restaurants. Just seemed like La Fuente just had better food.
Could be that I was always drunk by the time my meal showed up at La Fuente too.
Could be that I was always drunk by the time my meal showed up at La Fuente too.
Some good news is that it appears someone else is already interested in the building in WDM. WDM P&Z minutes show the owner wanting to be allowed to put a drive thru pick-up window onto the building for call ahead orders.
I think the economy slow down caused a lot of people to eat out less. When I moved back to the area 10 years ago, it seemed no matter what day of the week from 5 to 9 restaurants were packed. The last few years that isn't the case.
I think we're just finding better local options than chains like Carlos O Kelly's. Just take a look at the BBQ places in Des Moines. Places like Jethros and Smokey D's are always packed regardless of location.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
The Food Network and food shows from other channels probably play a big role in chain struggles,since they stress local business/small shops so abundantly.
When people see food on TV, the chain places aren't what they're seeing, and people are seeing some pretty amazing food choices out there.
When people see food on TV, the chain places aren't what they're seeing, and people are seeing some pretty amazing food choices out there.
