Baja Sports Grill

[CajunT]

_ I disagree with this. Example: Chilis





igeaux.mobi _

That's one CZ1, but even Chillis has saturated their own market with additional stores. The Pinhook locations was the top store in the south in sales for many years, but now its nowhere close to it. I now avoid the one on Ambassador because service has been terrible my last two visits and the Pinhook store always seems to be dirty, even during slow periods.

There have been a many of restaurants that have come and gone in that area known as Restaurant row, but most that have survived sale's don't come close to they were in the first few years of operations.

[LFTCajun]

_ That's one CZ1, but even Chillis has saturated their own market with additional stores. The Pinhook locations was the top store in the south in sales for many years, but now its nowhere close to it. I now avoid the one on Ambassador because service has been terrible my last two visits and the Pinhook store always seems to be dirty, even during slow periods.

There have been a many of restaurants that have come and gone in that area known as Restaurant row, but most that have survived sale's don't come close to they were in the first few years of operations. _

Back when Red Lobster set up shop near Acadiana Mall way back when, it must have been clear to most locals that they were doomed to fail. Heck, they were asking the same price for "seafood" dishes as our well-known and award-winning mom-and-pop local establishments. NO CONTEST THERE!!

High priced marketing folks seriously need to know the market before entering!

I believe that national restaurant chains do serve a good purpose in any market, but only on the first night for any visitor. They just got off the plane or highway and want something familiar. It's the next day when they tend to venture out after reading hotel brochures.

But T, I've got to agree with CajunZ1 regarding Chili's. Dirty or not, all three Lafayette locations continue to see packed parking lots. They've got one heck of a business model and draw the locals in in droves.

Back to Baja. My one time there was outstanding. UL everything was pasted on the walls. Pictures of players I'd forgotten, but food that was simple and great.

I'll miss them and hope they consider reopening somewhere...

[LFTCajun]

And while I'm in the ranting mood, I find it funny that chains such as Long John Silver's will NOT enter this market. They somehow feel that they would compete with local mom-and-pops.

Are you kidding me??

You will be competing with Taco Bell and McDonald's, etc.!!!

[cajunhawk]

Its kinda nice that some of the big chains fail in this market. Good. The chain places are the worst for service, sanitation, nutrition. Good riddance. Not that I'm saying Olde Tyme is spic an span. I once was in line at Olde Tyme waiting for my whole shrimp with cheddar no tomatoes, and watched a roach crawl right underneath the ledge they put everyones orders on after they are done preparing. Did I get disgusted and walk out? ____ no, this is Olde Tyme were taking about! I got my poboy and enjoyed it. I would have done the same at Judice Inn, or Bro's Penny Savers. They are dirty places but the food just trumps any sanitation worries. At the chain places, i'm sorry you're food isnt good enough.

If anyone wants to spend a pretty penny, Mazen's in the old Catfish Shack is pretty good. Had a great, great after tax season meal over there last thursday night. I definetly recommend. And another thing while Im talking about places to eat. How in the hell can Southside Bakery win best burger? Its not even a burger its a loaf of bread with a patty in the middle. Judice Inn is the best burger in town. It aint the biggest but its the best. Times get it right next year. Im ranting up a storm tonight.

[Cajunbander]

_ I disagree with this. Example: Chilis





igeaux.mobi _

I see Chilis on its way out. I went there with some friends after a concert we were in at UL, it took us probably 15 - 20 minutes to order because there's no variety! There also not much to choose from! The only reason we went was for the margaritas, they still have that goin' for them. They used to have a lot of things on their menu, but over the years they've slowly chipped away from their menu to the point that there's not much to choose from!

I think it was funny that Krispy Kreme thought that it could open a store in Lafayette. It's not smart to compete with Meche's. Prime example of a national chain getting kicked out!

[duggie85]

_ And another thing while Im talking about places to eat. How in the hell can Southside Bakery win best burger? Its not even a burger its a loaf of bread with a patty in the middle. Judice Inn is the best burger in town. It aint the biggest but its the best. Times get it right next year. Im ranting up a storm tonight. _

Ummmm, the Times is a survey. How do you suppose they get it right???

[cajunhawk]

_ Ummmm, the Times is a survey. How do you suppose they get it right??? _

That doesnt make much sense but I was on a roll. Kinda.

[zephyr]

_ I see Chilis on its way out. I went there with some friends after a concert we were in at UL, it took us probably 15 - 20 minutes to order because there's no variety! There also not much to choose from! The only reason we went was for the margaritas, they still have that goin' for them. They used to have a lot of things on their menu, but over the years they've slowly chipped away from their menu to the point that there's not much to choose from!

I think it was funny that Krispy Kreme thought that it could open a store in Lafayette. It's not smart to compete with Meche's. Prime example of a national chain getting kicked out! _

Dude, Chili's has done little with their menu in years but continues to be one of the most profitable restaurant chains around. They are going nowhere.

[CajunNation]

That's one CZ1, but even Chillis has saturated their own market with additional stores. The Pinhook locations was the top store in the south in sales for many years, but now its nowhere close to it. I now avoid the one on Ambassador because service has been terrible my last two visits and the Pinhook store always seems to be dirty, even during slow periods.

There have been a many of restaurants that have come and gone in that area known as Restaurant row, but most that have survived sale's don't come close to they were in the first few years of operations.

Chains can survive and thrive in Lafayette. They just have to have great food, great service, and a little luck.

Coyote Blue, Olive Garden, Outback, Carino's, Carrabba's, Texas Roadhouse, etc. etc.

All of these have full houses and waiting lines EVERY DAY.

Chain restaurants have Lafayette in the crosshairs. They all take a shot here, and always will. We love to eat, and we love to drink. That will never change.

I would love to see Hop's come back. That was a pretty cool place. They were very successful, and would be again.

On the fast-food side, I would love to see Jack in the Box give us a couple of stores.

[CajunT]

_ Chains can survive and thrive in Lafayette. They just have to have great food, great service, and a little luck.

Coyote Blue, Olive Garden, Outback, Carino's, Carrabba's, Texas Roadhouse, etc. etc.

All of these have full houses and waiting lines EVERY DAY.

Chain restaurants have Lafayette in the crosshairs. They all take a shot here, and always will. We love to eat, and we love to drink. That will never change.

I would love to see Hop's come back. That was a pretty cool place. They were very successful, and would be again.

On the fast-food side, I would love to see Jack in the Box give us a couple of stores. _

If Hops was successful, they wouldn't have left Lafayette. Olive Garden is successful because it has an affordable menu for the working class. They are the bottom of the barrell when it comes to Itialian food chains, large portion of their menu is out of the can. Carrabba's and Bone Fish are located at River Ranch, they cater to certain income. If both those restaurants were located on Johnson St, they would be closed today. Carino's and Texas Road House sales are nowhere close to what they were the first two years in Lafayette. They went down before the economy started tanking. And OutBack is the only Steakhouse on that side of town, other then Ruth Chris. Most working families are not eating at Ruth Chris. Both OutBack and Chillis have made a killing off the Hotels in that area for years. And for those that hate driving on Ambassador or don't want to pay the price for an entree at Blue Dog, Ruth Chris or Vermilionville, those two chains are the prime restaurants on Pinhook.

In Lafayette, a good product and Location, Location, Location is the name of the game. Fast food chains will always be around, they offer an affordable menu for students, working class and the poor.

[CajunNation]

If Hops was successful, they wouldn't have left Lafayette.

Hop's closed weeks after Chili's opened across the street, and it made money right up until they shut down. I know because I went there almost every day, and it was always packed.

[ManAboutTown]

_ Hop's closed weeks after Chili's opened across the street, and it made money right up until they shut down. I know because I went there almost every day, and it was always packed. _

I liked that place. Was Hops a chain place?