Drago's is closing

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Originally Posted by ZoomZoom

I give The Chimes..at the gates of River Ranch..five years. Lafayette is a very fickled town when it comes to food and entertainment. Same thing with whatever they're building at the Randol's site. Top Golf, Dave and Buster's, all the same. There is only so much discretionary money to go around. Novelty and newness, then forgotten. WalkOns...ain't what it was at the beginning, had not been in a few years.

When that interchange at Ambassador and 90 is complete, there is your next hot zip code. Ask any local old timer...in a rough 50 years window, went from 70501 to '06 to '03 to '08.

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To me, Walk-ons has a run down feeling to it. Not saying it’s dirty, but it just feels like it’s run down in the dining room. Not impressed with it anymore.

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

Crabs have paws?

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They don't?

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Originally Posted by CajunJeaux

Man, how does one invest in remodeling someone else’s property without a long term agreement in place first?!?

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I know. I really felt bad for them but that's business 101.

I’m sure the leases have long term agreements in place, but those agreements come with contractual increases in rent. If your concept does not do as expected when you got into it, it won’t generate enough to cover the rate increases. At that point, if the landlord is not willing to agree to a rent which can be paid based upon the then business of the tenant, they choose to close the doors instead of committing to the next lease term.

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Originally Posted by CajunJeaux

To me, Walk-ons has a run down feeling to it. Not saying it’s dirty, but it just feels like it’s run down in the dining room. Not impressed with it anymore.

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Judice inn and olde tyme grocery would like a word with you. Just proves, if you have good food, it doesn't REALLY matter.

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Originally Posted by JamesTheJeweler

Judice inn and olde tyme grocery would like a word with you. Just proves, if you have good food, it doesn't REALLY matter.

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I think it proves they have a unique niche and people are willing to overlook dirty facilities and poor service because of their products. I'm not a fan of Judice Inn as others are, it seems to be another family tradition passed down like Pete's without any product that knocks your socks off. But it is a family-owned business that has been part of this community for many years and that goes a long way over franchises with no local ties.

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Originally Posted by Swamp

Superior Grill is gonna be one of the very few that actually makes it work. SG in Shreveport (original) is awesome. SG in BR is awesome. SG in Nola on St. Charles is unbeatable.

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Similar food genre as Lafonda.

Will it pull from that crowd? I doubt it but will probably affect Chuy's and the like

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Originally Posted by CajunT

I think it proves they have a unique niche and people are willing to overlook dirty facilities and poor service because of their products. I'm not a fan of Judice Inn as others are, it seems to be another family tradition passed down like Pete's without any product that knocks your socks off. But it is a family-owned business that has been part of this community for many years and that goes a long way over franchises with no local ties.

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Well and the building has probably been paid off for 70 years and you can run it with 3 employees,Similar to old Tyme. Walk ons probably needs over 20 employees to open the door

I imagine Bako’s had similar food menu as Lafonda.

Limited menu like Judice Inn and Old Tyme makes things a whole lot easier

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

That make sense because I have never gone there when it wasn’t packed. Seems like the owners would negotiate on a fair lease rather than have it sit empty.

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Same. Surprising because of the crowds that I typically see there. Will miss the oysters!

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Originally Posted by facelessjonmoon

Toucans> Booties > Serranos > Bako's > Mellow Mushroom > Drago's

Might be missing something in between

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Before all that... Shoe Town. lol

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Originally Posted by JamesTheJeweler

Judice inn and olde tyme grocery would like a word with you. Just proves, if you have good food, it doesn't REALLY matter.

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Schit, when you put it that way you have a good point haha.

But, Old Tyme and Judice Inn actually have character. Walk Ons is just tables and TVs. Kind of like BWW - just nasty dining rooms.

Same fate as Luna’s downtown. Great menu and atmosphere, then the lease rate tripled. So they closed, absolutely zero to do with service, food or atmosphere.

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Originally Posted by 60swerethebest

Went to Dragos in Metairie for over 25 years for their oysters. Lafayette location just as good. Lafayette supports chains and restaurants owned outside of Lafayette. Flock to latest opening. Locals getting hammered.
We’ll have to drive to other locales to eat.
OK. I’m ranting but I’ll miss my charbroiled oysters.

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Well, its mostly chains who are shutting down.

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Originally Posted by Cajunrunner

Dragos has great chargrilled oysters…but then that’s it.

Both Don’s and Chimes blow it out the water for other menu items, in my unprofessional opinion.

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Dons definitely. Neither place touches Dons for its food and consistency. Chimes is OK for a few dishes but they will see a dropoff like everyone else in the future.

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Originally Posted by ZoomZoom

I give The Chimes..at the gates of River Ranch..five years. Lafayette is a very fickled town when it comes to food and entertainment. Same thing with whatever they're building at the Randol's site. Top Golf, Dave and Buster's, all the same. There is only so much discretionary money to go around. Novelty and newness, then forgotten. WalkOns...ain't what it was at the beginning, had not been in a few years.

When that interchange at Ambassador and 90 is complete, there is your next hot zip code. Ask any local old timer...in a rough 50 years window, went from 70501 to '06 to '03 to '08.

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I give Superior a better chance. This town really likes mexican and they will be as good or better than just about anybody around. They have some of the best margaritas in town and they are probably going to do it up nice outside. It should be a fun place but I think they will be in it for the long haul. Chimes has such a financial hill to climb with their entry costs being sky high. Don't want to see anybody fail but they could be a good candidate.

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Originally Posted by BBOYD

Word has always been that you have to pay 3 LEASES..

1.) Land Lease ( 5K )
2.) Parking Lot Lease ( 5K )
3.) Buidling Lease ( 5K )

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Very likely. The Judice family owns all that land so it could be possible.

What makes you think Chimes entry price is higher than Superior Grill?

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Originally Posted by Swamp

Yea if I'm not mistaken, it went from Toucan's to Booties. There was prob another one between those two.

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It was also Bako's before Drago's. Gabe Bako who worked at LaFonda's for years opened it up there.

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Originally Posted by zephyr

I give Superior a better chance. This town really likes mexican and they will be as good or better than just about anybody around. They have some of the best margaritas in town and they are probably going to do it up nice outside. It should be a fun place but I think they will be in it for the long haul. Chimes has such a financial hill to climb with their entry costs being sky high. Don't want to see anybody fail but they could be a good candidate.

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Superior Grill has never been a disappointment in Baton Rouge for me. Once they open, you will be lucky to get in less than an hour.

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Originally Posted by CajunVic

What makes you think Chimes entry price is higher than Superior Grill?

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Well, for one they bought more than double the amount of hard corner land which was amongst the most expensive in town. Second, they are not only in it for the massive construction costs of their building but of the development, buildings and infrastructure of the surrounding parcels.

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Originally Posted by zephyr

It was also Bako's before Drago's. Gabe Bako who worked at LaFonda's for years opened it up there.

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Yea I meant between Toucans and Booties. Just that window.

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Originally Posted by CajunJeaux

Man, how does one invest in remodeling someone else’s property without a long term agreement in place first?!?

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I do not believe his explanation he got from someone was accurate. That lease, when they left, had a number of years left on it. However, I think that lease had escalations yearly and it just outpriced them for the amount of food they were selling.

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Originally Posted by HelmutVII

It was a service station a very long time ago. (Back when the drive in theater was still operating).Texaco I think. They tore it down and built a shoe town. Then the succession of bars and restaurants. Tucans was owned by Bobby Silor. A bar/restaurant owner that had establishments that would have "fires". The joke around town was "how much gasoline does it take to burn a restaurant down.....toucans".
All I have to say is the only thing in common with all the establishments that were there is the landlord.

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Ah, much like Boo-Boo’s and Chateau Rouge. Darnedest thing, they just happened to burn.

Maybe our CHSNI guys could confirm this, da berry lore had a famous local politician tell his son one afternoon not to leave his new bike too close to the house that night. Allegedly, the house burned and the namesake told his fb teammates at practice about it. Dogged the boy mercilessly.

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Originally Posted by facelessjonmoon

Similar food genre as Lafonda.

Will it pull from that crowd? I doubt it but will probably affect Chuy's and the like

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SG will have the parking lot in grid lock for first year, but she will long term earn very valuable, Lafayette market share.

Just pray they don't have some catastrophe grand opening like Burger Tyme.