Ruth's Chris Steak House in Wilkes-Barre? (Pittston, Penn: mortgage, credit, buy)

[Georgia to Northeast PA]

Originally Posted by SWB

My mother's perennials along our front sidewalk are just starting to peek up from the soil. Last year they did the same and then croaked when we had that freak mid-April snow storm. I'm hoping the same doesn't happen this season. As soon as the trees are leafy again I'll be heading out for more photo tours, so stay tuned! I have Jessup on my agenda for the first tour of 2008, since it was especially requested by another member.

OK no freak early snow storm in the first week of April because us southerners will be up for a visit to check out the area. We actually will be coming across the state from the Windy City. I am sure you all are fine with having no more snow for the season.

[skijmpr]

Originally Posted by SWB

To me eating at chains is a waste of money. Give me the Lincoln Inn in Dupont or the Glider Diner in Scranton anyday over Applebee's. I did enjoy Buca di Beppo though due to its funkyness.

Having a Buca di Beppo in Scranton would be a travesty to all the wonderful local Italian restaurants that the area already has I've been to one of those in D.C., and it really didn't impress me much. I'd take most of the places in Old Forge over it any day.

Every time I am in the area visiting my family I try (and usually fail) to convince them to venture out to a new local establishment for dinner. One thing I constantly point out though is the severe shortage of ethnic cuisine in NEPA. Such as Indian and real Japanese/quality sushi (i.e. not another Hibachi grill). Heck I can't even recall if there are any Polish restaurants around (weird how Polish and German food never caught on quite so well as Irish and Italian...).

[skijmpr]

The best steak I've had in NEPA was at Great Uncle Peter's Steakhouse, which I believe is in Newton or Ransom. Very pricey, but excellent steak nonetheless. The place is rather small though, the environment itself was uninspiring, and I seem to recall that they have a BYOB policy but they charge a small fee for doing that (someone correct me on that?).

[skijmpr]

Originally Posted by SWB

Unfortunately there is no Whole Foods (yet) in NEPA. Wegman's is the closest thing we have on a large scale, and besides that there are a few independent organic grocers like Everything Natural in Clarks Summit, and I believe there's on on Main Street in the town of Luzerne too.

I don't mean to sound negative, but I seriously doubt Whole Foods would do well in a place like NEPA. I live in a pretty weathy part of the country and a lot of people still gripe about how expensive things are there (there's a reason they sarcastically call it "Whole Paycheck"). I can only imagine how appalled the thrifty shoppers of NEPA would be the first time they set foot into a Whole Foods and saw orange juice that cost over $5 a carton (for the organic non-generic brand). My grandfather would be rolling in his grave...

I do shop at places like Whole Foods for some things, because I personally feel that anything I'm puting into my body is worth spending a few extra bucks on, but my own family would beg to differ. They don't see the point in things like "organic", "locally produced", "hormone free", "cage free", etc.

I will add that "organic" matters more with some things, and is negligible with others.

[EnyaGirl]

Originally Posted by skijmpr

The best steak I've had in NEPA was at Great Uncle Peter's Steakhouse, which I believe is in Newton or Ransom. Very pricey, but excellent steak nonetheless. The place is rather small though, the environment itself was uninspiring, and I seem to recall that they have a BYOB policy but they charge a small fee for doing that (someone correct me on that?).

Great Uncle Peter is actually another Peter Luger steakhouse, like the one in Brooklyn. I have never been there, but they are KNOWN for having the best steaks. I will definitely check it out!

[EnyaGirl]

Originally Posted by skijmpr

The best steak I've had in NEPA was at Great Uncle Peter's Steakhouse, which I believe is in Newton or Ransom. Very pricey, but excellent steak nonetheless. The place is rather small though, the environment itself was uninspiring, and I seem to recall that they have a BYOB policy but they charge a small fee for doing that (someone correct me on that?).

Oh, and according to their website greatunclepeterssteakhouse.com : GreatUnclePeters.com they now have their liquor license.

[Georgia to Northeast PA]

Originally Posted by skijmpr

I don't mean to sound negative, but I seriously doubt Whole Foods would do well in a place like NEPA. I live in a pretty weathy part of the country and a lot of people still gripe about how expensive things are there (there's a reason they sarcastically call it "Whole Paycheck"). I can only imagine how appalled the thrifty shoppers of NEPA would be the first time they set foot into a Whole Foods and saw orange juice that cost over $5 a carton (for the organic non-generic brand). My grandfather would be rolling in his grave...

I do shop at places like Whole Foods for some things, because I personally feel that anything I'm puting into my body is worth spending a few extra bucks on, but my own family would beg to differ. They don't see the point in things like "organic", "locally produced", "hormone free", "cage free", etc.

I will add that "organic" matters more with some things, and is negligible with others.

I am not sure because I really don't know the target market of Whole Foods I am sure that the median income needs to be high before they consider having a store in an area. Which is why once every 6 weeks or so, I travel 20 min. to the nearest Whole Foods but I was getting the impression that Wegman's does well (I have never been there) and they seem similar to Whole Foods. The debate is still going on with some that believe organic really doesn't matter, I believe it does but that is only my opinion. I don't mind traveling 1 hour 50 min. to the nearest Whole Foods once a month for the products that I can't get in the local area. Who knows I might not have to do that at all if can figure how to get what I need (the trick is just learning where things are). I would prefer to do my shopping with as little carbon emissions as possible. I think products like I use are becoming more mainstream. Will I die, if a Whole Foods never comes to the area, I don't think so. I want to spend the money I do have supporting causes that I believe in. I feel purchases are votes that consumers have to use to tell business what they want. So, I try to be as responsible as I can with the money that I do have so, I don't think your grandfather or mine would roll over in the grave on that note .

[MeatPuppet]

Originally Posted by SWB

Well they're not here yet, but apparently if they're now hiring for a location in Wilkes-Barre, then one must assume that they'll be opening one soon. I'd put my money on the Arena area, but it would certainly be nice if they had decided to go downtown instead and help out with the renewal a bit.

RUTH'S CHRIS is going in the Mohegan Suns new complex. Michael Jordans was supposed to be there but I guess they realized Wilkes Barre is not the location for a high end steak house. Ruth's Chris will learn the hard way. Wilkes Barre looks like a great location on paper from a corporate office hundreds of miles away. Statistically and logistally it's great until you get here. Ruth's Chris will last at MOST 2 years in Mohegan.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by MeatPuppet

RUTH'S CHRIS is going in the Mohegan Suns new complex. Michael Jordans was supposed to be there but I guess they realized Wilkes Barre is not the location for a high end steak house. Ruth's Chris will learn the hard way. Wilkes Barre looks like a great location on paper from a corporate office hundreds of miles away. Statistically and logistally it's great until you get here. Ruth's Chris will last at MOST 2 years in Mohegan.

Yeah its not like the "casino" at Mohegan Sun is like the Borgata in AC or something. Its a slots parlor....no table games.....and its filled mostly with old ladies feeding their social security checks into the slots and some down-and-out whinos losing their shirts to the slots. The main demographic at this casino is more likely to order from the dollar menu at McDonalds, rather than dropping a good chunk of change at a fancy steak house.

[W-B proud]

I don't know. People keep saying that people in NEPA don't have the money to spend in this area, but go up to by the arena on a Friday or Saturday night, and all those restaraunts parking lots are packed, some even have 30 to 40 minute waits! And this is every weekend. You'll be hard pressed to find any restaraunt up there that doesn't have a waiting list to get in on the weekends. Maybe the Mohegan Sun is trying to attract more "high end" gamblers, by landing a Ruth's Chris. I think it do well there. I can't wait to see the Mohegan sun when it's finally complete!