SA Restaurant Rumors (San Antonio, Temple, Bowie: sales, 2009, buying)

[GoTexan]

Originally Posted by CelesteDF

My friends in the food & beverage industry say business has been off for several months now... some just a little, and some are seeing drops as much as 60% from last year. Restaurants have some of the lowest margins of any type of business... factor in the current economy and increased saturation in San Antonio... and of course you'll see many empty parking lots and even a few restaurants closing their doors.

I have noticed this as well. Wed and Thursday nights are not as packed at the restuarants.

I always make a reservation whenever I have a dinner for business and lately, it has not been difficult to get a table for 7-12ppl at moments notice....

[SsnTktHldr]

Originally Posted by GoTexan

I've had better dining experiences at the other restaurants located nearby so it's an easy choice.

Service and food consistently did not meet our expectations (and have been there on several occasions). SO I'll take my clients to Ounce, Silo, Wildfish etc since they are nearby and everyone is happy and I know what to expect when I go.

I hope Kirbys does well, it's just not high on the option list.

I hope they ALL do well. Wildfish has been solid the couple of times we have been. Silo's food is always good, the service hit or miss, but I'll overlook it for that braised pork shank, mmmm. We had a less than memorable time at kirbys when they first opened, but on subsequent visits throughout the year they have really done an amazing job.

The only one I really have a problem with is Ounce. In three trips our steaks have never been cooked right and the service isn't just bad, the servers are clueless. They must have pooled from Chilis and Bennigans because they never know anything about the wine, the bar, or hardly the food. I'm going to give them 6 months to get it together before I go back.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by SAFD_Wife

The Tom's Ribs at Vance Jackson and 410 closed about two weeks ago. We were there on a Friday and the next week there was a lease sign hanging outside. It's not my fave BBQ, but it is sad to see long-timers shut their doors.

The last one on Stone Oak and 1604 will be closing its doors in January.

[Ripshin]

Ounce had stupid TV's in their bar/restaurant the time that I went. I'm not paying THAT kind of money, to sit in a sport's bar. Everybody is doing that, these days, and I refuse to tolerate it. I'll cook at home, invite friends, and have a great conversation, minus the noise pollution. The new Panchito's at The Quarry ALSO has a zillion TVs - went once, never again. And half the bartenders in this TOWN don't know what you mean, when you order a Gibson cocktail.

[SsnTktHldr]

Originally Posted by Ripshin

Ounce had stupid TV's in their bar/restaurant the time that I went. I'm not paying THAT kind of money, to sit in a sport's bar. Everybody is doing that, these days, and I refuse to tolerate it. I'll cook at home, invite friends, and have a great conversation, minus the noise pollution. The new Panchito's at The Quarry ALSO has a zillion TVs - went once, never again. And half the bartenders in this TOWN don't know what you mean, when you order a Gibson cocktail.

Oooh ooh! Cocktail onions!?!?

[crazedchef]

Originally Posted by SAFD_Wife

The Tom's Ribs at Vance Jackson and 410 closed about two weeks ago. We were there on a Friday and the next week there was a lease sign hanging outside. It's not my fave BBQ, but it is sad to see long-timers shut their doors.

A Good friend of mine is a waiter at one of the remaining Tom's Ribs and he overheard the manager not taking any more catering parties after the first of the year.

Looks like ALL of them are headed out to pasture

Too bad, decent Bar-B-Q.

crazedchef
eating TOO MUCH since coming home

[SabseH]

Since this thread seems to be all over town locationwise: 151 & Westover Hills, right across from Rudy's BBQ - they're building a Bill Miller's. In what universe does that make sense?

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by GWhopper

The last one on Stone Oak and 1604 will be closing its doors in January.

That's a shame. They've been around a long time.

[Paka]

Originally Posted by SabseH

Since this thread seems to be all over town locationwise: 151 & Westover Hills, right across from Rudy's BBQ - they're building a Bill Miller's. In what universe does that make sense?

Can you say "DUUUHHHHHH?????"

That is about the DUMBEST thing I have heard all week.

[pr57001]

Originally Posted by SabseH

Since this thread seems to be all over town locationwise: 151 & Westover Hills, right across from Rudy's BBQ - they're building a Bill Miller's. In what universe does that make sense?

I have to disagree. I eat at both Bill Miller's and Rudy's occasionally, and I am looking for VERY different things when I go to each.