laundromat
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OUT OF BUSINESS
Steak and Ale/ Bennigans
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58limited
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Very sad. I love Steak & Ale.
Steak and Ale bit the dust a long time ago here in West Texas. Both the Lubbock and Amarillo restaurants went out in the 1990's. I've never been there, but I got the impression that it was a bit "old fashioned", and thus wasn't as attractive to the average diner.
Lubbock has more restaurants per capita than anywhere in the US (with the exception of Austin). We are kind of a "testing ground" for many restaurants. People eat out so much here that they expect mid-range prices and high food quality. I had always heard that Steak and Ale was kind of expensive. Perhaps it was better suited for a time when eating out was more of a "treat" or a special occasion, and not a part of daily life.
I've only been to Bennigan's a couple of times, as we have never had one here. We have it in neighboring cities. Based on my previous visits there when I lived in another city, I wasn't too impressed. It seems like it is along the lines of Chili's and Applebees, but can't seem to compete with those mega-chains.
Still you hate to see people go out of business.
Bryan
Lubbock has more restaurants per capita than anywhere in the US (with the exception of Austin). We are kind of a "testing ground" for many restaurants. People eat out so much here that they expect mid-range prices and high food quality. I had always heard that Steak and Ale was kind of expensive. Perhaps it was better suited for a time when eating out was more of a "treat" or a special occasion, and not a part of daily life.
I've only been to Bennigan's a couple of times, as we have never had one here. We have it in neighboring cities. Based on my previous visits there when I lived in another city, I wasn't too impressed. It seems like it is along the lines of Chili's and Applebees, but can't seem to compete with those mega-chains.
Still you hate to see people go out of business.
Bryan
Not everywhere.....
Bennigans is not closing everywhere. Only the O&Os are gone, the franchised locations are still open, at least in Michigan. The local Bennigan's said they might have to bring someone in just to answer the phones and tell people they are open.
I like Bennigan's, food is good at a reasonable price, though we were upset that they stopped serving their yeasty rolls with dinner. The time before last we complained and the waiter brought us some but said don't tell the manager...
Bennigans is not closing everywhere. Only the O&Os are gone, the franchised locations are still open, at least in Michigan. The local Bennigan's said they might have to bring someone in just to answer the phones and tell people they are open.
I like Bennigan's, food is good at a reasonable price, though we were upset that they stopped serving their yeasty rolls with dinner. The time before last we complained and the waiter brought us some but said don't tell the manager...
autowasherfreak
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- Jul 28, 2008
- Messages
- 3,637
Bennigans
I love Bennigans. Good food, nice portions for a decent price and I knew most of waiters from my club/performing days.
I love Bennigans. Good food, nice portions for a decent price and I knew most of waiters from my club/performing days.
Not Much of A Steak and Ale Sort Of Person
Now, Cracker Barrel is right up my street!
Great food, at good prices, and nice surroundings. Of course one has to stop in the "general store", indeed if one has children it is nearly impossible to get out of the place otherwise. *LOL*
L.
Now, Cracker Barrel is right up my street!
Great food, at good prices, and nice surroundings. Of course one has to stop in the "general store", indeed if one has children it is nearly impossible to get out of the place otherwise. *LOL*
L.
whirlcool
Well-known member
Steak & Ale was kinda nice. Not as expensive as most steak houses, but still offered pretty decent food at reasonable prices. I loved the way the places were decorated. Like a comfortable English lounge. I found them to be relaxing.
Bennigans always reminded me of the 1970's. Wasn't that when they first opened? I don't think they ever redecorated their restaurants since... We usually find them near our hotels and if it's lunch or dinnertime they are pretty good.
Anyone remember Victoria Station? I used to love those places. The restaurants were in train cars. There was one in Philadelphia somewhere that was a building shaped like a round house.
Bennigans always reminded me of the 1970's. Wasn't that when they first opened? I don't think they ever redecorated their restaurants since... We usually find them near our hotels and if it's lunch or dinnertime they are pretty good.
Anyone remember Victoria Station? I used to love those places. The restaurants were in train cars. There was one in Philadelphia somewhere that was a building shaped like a round house.
nmaineman36
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- Sep 25, 2004
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- 933
We have a Victoria Station in Salem Mass. Not a bad lace to eat but the service was lousy. Bennigans here bit the dust...not sad to see it go since the food was awful. Even Applebys has alot to be desired. The Chilis and fridays in Maine closed as well...sign of the times I guess.
laundromat
Well-known member
i used to go to Cracker Barrel untill I heard their views on gay people and refused to even consider bennifits for "companions".Their "Southern Baptist"attitude is unacceptable.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Cracker Barrel:
Changed its tune several years ago, after intense lobbying from gay and other liberal groups. The company now has an explicit mention of sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policies. Linkie is below. There are reports of scattered incidents where an individual store's managers violated the new policies by trying to do things the old way, but the company's official policies have changed.
Since the change, I've eaten at Cracker Barrel several times. I wasn't exactly impressed out of my mind by the food, and the clangor of a gazillion kids isn't my idea of ambience, but I felt it necessary to spend a little money with a company that had the balls to come out of the Dark Ages in one fell swoop. Discrimination isn't conducive to social progress, but neither is holding grudges when the discrimination has been addressed.
Re: Bennigan's: It has been years since I ate at one. Were the "Ultimate Nachos" still on the menu when they closed? In the early '80s, those were a fabulous treat.
Changed its tune several years ago, after intense lobbying from gay and other liberal groups. The company now has an explicit mention of sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policies. Linkie is below. There are reports of scattered incidents where an individual store's managers violated the new policies by trying to do things the old way, but the company's official policies have changed.
Since the change, I've eaten at Cracker Barrel several times. I wasn't exactly impressed out of my mind by the food, and the clangor of a gazillion kids isn't my idea of ambience, but I felt it necessary to spend a little money with a company that had the balls to come out of the Dark Ages in one fell swoop. Discrimination isn't conducive to social progress, but neither is holding grudges when the discrimination has been addressed.
Re: Bennigan's: It has been years since I ate at one. Were the "Ultimate Nachos" still on the menu when they closed? In the early '80s, those were a fabulous treat.
Cracker Barrel
is ok, but Waffle House has better sweet tea. At least around here.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
is ok, but Waffle House has better sweet tea. At least around here.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Cracker Barrel
Not to hijack someone's thread.
Probably is one of the best southern "home cooking" restaurants including chains out there. Here we have a few local places such as "Sylvia's" and I wouldn't give you three and six pence for it. Place is mostly for (and pardon me for saying) people who don't know what good Southern home cooking tastes like. Have had better at any Prayer Breakfast, or church dinner. Indeed can do better at my own home.
Cracker Barrel tired to open a branch in NYC, but the usual suspects got wind of it and shut the project down. Same with Denny's .
Olive Garden are pretty good as well, but not enough of them in NYC. The one in Manhattan is down in Chelesa and is always packed. Since they do not take reservations your entire party has to be there before one can be seated. Makes it hard to plan a dinner where friends and family are coming from different places.
L.
Not to hijack someone's thread.
Probably is one of the best southern "home cooking" restaurants including chains out there. Here we have a few local places such as "Sylvia's" and I wouldn't give you three and six pence for it. Place is mostly for (and pardon me for saying) people who don't know what good Southern home cooking tastes like. Have had better at any Prayer Breakfast, or church dinner. Indeed can do better at my own home.
Cracker Barrel tired to open a branch in NYC, but the usual suspects got wind of it and shut the project down. Same with Denny's .
Olive Garden are pretty good as well, but not enough of them in NYC. The one in Manhattan is down in Chelesa and is always packed. Since they do not take reservations your entire party has to be there before one can be seated. Makes it hard to plan a dinner where friends and family are coming from different places.
L.
Cracker Barrel and Bob Evens are at the VERY bottom of my dining list. Cracker Barrel seems very carb and fat heavy to me and I have never found anything on their dinner menu that appeals to me. Same with Bob Evens. If I want a big breakfast, OK, but that's about it for those two.
We seem to have gravitated to Olive Garden and Applebee's, eat there quite often. Portions are decent, variety is good, and prices are up just a little.
We seem to have gravitated to Olive Garden and Applebee's, eat there quite often. Portions are decent, variety is good, and prices are up just a little.
Cracker Barrel seems very carb and fat heavy
That's what Southern home cookin' is all about!! Now pass me them grits, collard greens, biscuits, and gravy please!! And when you're finished with the ham, I need that too!!!
Gyrafoam, whip some of yore tasty delights and show everyone what I'm talkin' about!!!
That's what Southern home cookin' is all about!! Now pass me them grits, collard greens, biscuits, and gravy please!! And when you're finished with the ham, I need that too!!!
Gyrafoam, whip some of yore tasty delights and show everyone what I'm talkin' about!!!
