Hey Toledo Talkers, what's with all the recent restaurant closures? Ones that have closed their doors include:
Rouge Bistro
Mezzmerize
Fazoli's
Diaggio's
San Francisco Oven
Saigon Bistro
Which other ones am I missing?
Restaurant Closings
Comments ... #
"what's with all the recent restaurant closures?"
Not sure. The economy is doing so well. I really don't understand.
Fazoli's did a "sauce" change about a year ago. We were regulars there unitl that. The new sauce was atrocious. But I'd still wager that the ecomony closed all those restaurants up.
The other night we stopped for a bite at the I Hop on Airport. We were the only one's in the place the entire time we ate. Their food isn't that great anyway. I'll bet they wont last either.
I usually eat in, but as soon as I get that $13.00 tax break on my check I'm gonna splurge & paint the town red.
The family will be splitting a couple of Happy Meals. If everyone in Toledo would do this, we would save .... hey wait a minute that won't work either. Maybe I'll just stick with the peanut butter ... oops. Um cheese thats it cheese, I'll stick with cheese sandwiches for now.
posted by AmericanPie on Feb 13, 2009 at 11:18:11 pm #
Why don't you fix yourself some home made Depression Stew?
INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 onion, chopped
6 cups shredded cabbage
4 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can pork and beans in tomato sauce
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in medium size saucepan. Add potatoes, celery, and onion, saute for 5 minutes.
Stir in cabbage, cover and cook over medium heat, until cabbage is tender.
Add broth, bay leaf, pepper and pork and beans. Heat until soup is hot and then remove bay leaf and serve.
I was at Chili's in December and could not believe how high their prices were..for lunch. And, the place was empty..wonder how long they will last.
I've lived in this west Toledo neighborhood for 18 yrs and have never eaten at The Mayflower on Sylvania until tonight. We had a good meal and they were doing a great take-out business while we were there.
Wow, RickReed, was that sarcasm? I honestly could not pick up on it at all.
Pardon me for asking a rhetoric question. I am new to Toledo and would have liked to sample a couple of the local eats (minus Fazoli's and SFO) that are no longer open.
Good food? Great service?
I have to again recommend El Sueno on Laskey, mexican food.
And South End Grille on Glendale almost at Reynolds in shopping/strip mall across from Olive garden. It is a sports bar type place but great food, and really nice inside.
And mostly empty any more when I go by. The place on Reynolds that used the model trains to deliver the food to your table is now defunct. I predicted that long ago-pretty cool concept, but once you'd taken the kids there several times, the thrill wore off. My Grandkids had long since lost interest, according to my Son.
The Waffle place (Waffle House?) on Reynolds and Heatherdowns is constantly empty, too, other than the oxygen tank and walker crowd after church on Sundays. Been that way for months. Another one not long for this world.
Yes PoshBug that was sarcasm. I couldn't help myself. If you would like a good Italian dinner I recommend La Scala on Airport Hwy near Reynolds. As far as I know they're still open.
I reccomend The Rib Cage Restaurant & Lounge 144 Chesterfield Ln, Maumee, OH Tel: (419) 893-6966
It's one of THE best independents in town.
Unfortunately the economy is killing restaurants that might (emphasis on might) have survived in better times. But just glancing at your list and having some insight into the industry, here are a few quick observations:
Rouge Bistro- Don't know anything about this one.
Mezzmerize- Started off way over construction budget. Took too long to build. Way overbuilt their interior. Built in a bad location.
Fazoli's-I don't know.
Diaggio's- Pretty good food, but very expensive for fast casual. If you're going to spend $25 on a meal for two people, most people would rather be waited on.
San Francisco Oven- Never significantly updated their menu the entire time they were open. It was also a hard location to access.
Saigon Bistro- Never heard of them.
Karen: What type of food do they serve at Mayflower?
Hockeyfan: Thanks for the heads-up on El Sueno. So far, the only good Mexican place I've checked out is Mi Hacienda on Glanzmann - highly recommend, btw!
Rickreed: I can definitely vouch for La Scola; it boasts a great atmosphere too.
Holland: I'll have to look into The Rib Cage - thanks!
Slowsol: Rouge Bistro offered a French twist to American dishes, so I was a tad disappointed that I didn't get the chance to try it before it closed. Saigon Bistro was the only Vietnamese restaurant in town and, truth be told, you really didn't miss out much.
Sounding the redundancy warning....
Eddie Lee'son Nantucket.
Best Prime Rib in town.
posted by angryconsumer on Feb 14, 2009 at 11:14:20 am #
If I could I would eat at Beirut, Poco Piattis and Ahmeds every day of the week.
The Rib Cage in Maumee is also one of our favorites.They have a nice variety of choices.Also,if you go there make sure you look at the specials board.They have some nice deals on the board.Make sure you say hi to Frank and his wife Marianne.Those two run and own(lease) the restaurant.Frank does a lot of the cooking and he also cuts his own meats.He used to be a butcher.I like supporting the locals as much as possible.
posted by buckeye278 on Feb 14, 2009 at 12:20:32 pm #
Here is our favorite places;
Rib Cage,H.J.'s Prime Cut on Heatherdowns(Best drinks in town),Any of the Mancy's,La Scola,Michaels(downtown),Andres,City hall on Reynolds(great burgers),Georgios(downtown),Doc Watson's,Beirut,Byblo's,Jing Chaun on Secor,Star diner for the scenery and breakfast,Rosies and the Navy Bistro.
posted by buckeye278 on Feb 14, 2009 at 12:30:56 pm #
Angryconsumer: I'll look into Eddie Lee's as well. Thanks!
Ryan: I haven't been to Beirut (yet), but I found Byblo's to be a-okay. As for Poco Piatti, it must be the Levis Commons location that delivered a sub-par experience since I've heard wonderful things about the Monroe location.
Buckeye278: The chain invasion is rather discouraging, but as a self-touted locavore, I try my best to support the local scene/eateries as well. In addition to Jing Chuan, I'd also have to recommend Hot Sizzling Wok (on Laskey) as one of the best Chinese restaurants in town!
As someone already mentioned Two Toots on Reynolds closed a while ago. I heard Stingy LuLu's is gone as well as the Boston Market on Conant. Rumor has it that Granite City at Fallen Timbers is on the way out too.
I have to agree, the Rib Cage is good and Jing Chuan has been one of my favorites for a long time. I hope that they stick around.
That suprises me about Granite city because every time we have gone there it has been very busy.Maybe the chain itself is having problems and not the location at Fallen Timbers.I hope it's not true because we like the food there.
posted by buckeye278 on Feb 14, 2009 at 02:19:08 pm #
Rib Cage is awesome! We drive across town to go there. We also like to get the Flaming Pot of Cheese at Tangos downtown. Can't hardly wait to get a big ol' pizza at Pizza Papalis downtown.
Honestly can't tell you the last time we went to eat at a chain. Support the local guys.
My favorites:
Pizza-Vito's (Pizza Papalis is excellent as well)
Italian- La Scola
Steak- Mancy's
Chinese- Tea Tree
Mexican- I can't find a good one. Everything I have been to in Toledo is almost exactly the same as the others (i.e. El Camino, Vaqueros, Loma Lindas, El Matadors)
Bar- Fusion
Honorable Mentions: Melting Pot, Poco Piatti's, Barry Bagels, Focaccias, The Original Sub Shop Deli, Nagoya, The Chop House.
Where is the Tea Tree? And are you talking about the fusion bar in downtown Toledo?
posted by buckeye278 on Feb 14, 2009 at 04:05:43 pm #
I agree with you on the Mexican restaurants in the Toledo area slowsol.They all taste the same to me also and I think that Loma Lindas is the most over rated of the bunch.Their Margs are good ,but the food is not so great.What happens is that I had to wait so long for a table that I was too trashed on margs to tell if the food was any good.They could have fed me dog meat with velveta cheese for all I know.Then there was the morning after!LOL!
posted by buckeye278 on Feb 14, 2009 at 04:13:24 pm #
Yeah, Buckeye and Maumeemom, I'm gonna be real sad if Granite City closes, what a cool place.
Everybody's bringing up all these expensive places! You want to support some local guys, how about all the smaller neighborhood places? Pete's Hot Dog in Oregon, Casa D'Oro on Navarre, the new Arlington Restaurant at Starr and Platt, Original Sub Shop, Glendale Gardens and Reynolds Gardens, there are many many more. We always search for the smallest places we can find and see what they're like. Even some of the bars have pretty good food and I love their homey atmospheres. We don't really have anything around here like yer gonna find on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives coz we really don't have a 'local' cuisine, but there are some good places with low prices, maybe some in your neighborhood. Think small.
Maumeemom: Stingy LuLu's and Two Toots are indeed closed.
Slowsol: I agree with most of the places on your list.
Buckeye278: Tea Tree is in Levis Commons. However, being Asian myself, I find the food to be highly Americanized. Jing Chuan or Hot Sizzling Wok are still your best bets for Chinese food.
Nana: Let's not forget Schmucker's!
Also, Sori Sushi and Koreana are both places I haven't seen mentioned yet on this thread. I get my sushi fix and my fave Korean dishes at the aforementioned places.
The Distillery on Heatherdowns has great food at great prices!
Tea Tree used to be the old Fuyi. They closed their restaurant on Airport and opened up Tea Tree Bistro. (The owners are very Asian!)
If you want to see Americanized Chinese food try PF Changs. It's the Chinese equivalent of Olive Garden.
I'm a huge Sori Sushi fan. They hit the trifecta: great food, great prices, and great service.
If you're looking for a good value (and like Middle Eastern), try Alladin's on Talmadge. It's tasty, healthy, and well priced.
Bogeylola: I pass by The Distillery everyday - good to know!
Slowsol: Or how El Vaquero = authentic Mexican
Postal: Aladdin's is tasty. Best Arayis pitza, imo!
Posh: oh, heck ya, I did forget Schmuckers!! Also, the Charlie's, Original Gino's, Red Wells, I second Doc Watson's, Family Affair in Point Place, which also reminds me of Rudy's Hot Dog, lol.
Family Affair & Kings Taste in the Point are closed... See what happens when you don't support the little man.
Capers pizza at heatherdowns and bryne has good food. They are also a small locally owned place. i believe its family owned...
Best Mexican food I've found in Toledo is on 795 (Puerto Valarta).
There hasn't been a single day I've driven by and not see the place packed. Which is amazing considering the economy.
But great service, great food (looots of food) at a good price == success.
posted by INeedCoffee on Feb 16, 2009 at 12:34:17 am #
MLS_723: It's good to know such a place exist amongst the 20some Marco's Pizza in town :).
INeedCoffee: That's always a good indication!
Capers on S. Detroit Ave. is family owned by a retired Toledo police officer.I also agree with MLS_723 on the food although somtimes the service is slow.My wife and I eat there quite often.
posted by buckeye278 on Feb 16, 2009 at 11:05:52 am #
Ferdo's on Bancroft is awsome as well. My favorite is the shish-kafta. Food is reasonably priced, the drinks are a liitle more expensive, but well worth it. And i did NOT know there was an H.J.s on heatherdowns, the one on alexis had the best sirloins! Im definatly going to have to go there. Is anyone else hungry right about now? 8-)
SJD - I heard Family Affair moved to Alexis and Telegraph.
Family Affair moved next to Platinum at Alexis and Telegraph. El Tipico is a good mexican rstaurant. Try Happy Pizza on Sylvania and Parakeet, goood carryout.
More favorite Toledo restaurants:
http://enjoyingtoledo.com/2008/09/your-favorites/
the chains are closing too - wendy's on Alexis, and the one in front of Bed Bath and beyond on Monroe, both closed.
Nobody'd heard of Rouge Bistro? It was a decent place, but WAY overpriced. You need to analyse your customer base and cater to it.
Oh, and I wouldnt blame Fazzoli's on the economy. If you put out a crappy product in the midst of competition, you'll fizzle. Or Fassole, as the case may be.
Same with that fast food fish place that opened and shut within months on Laskey rd.
Crappy food.
You mean Captian D's? I liked their fish. Crispy w/t the right amount of greeeeeeze.
Is the Big Apple Deli on Woodville still open? Great subs
Any opinions on the Seafood on Alexis? Like Elbo Room pizza, everyone in my neighborhood loves it.
I love The Seafood. It is old school and caters to an older crowd but has great food for the most part. Just don’t expect to be able to get sushi or anything else “trendy”. The menu is pretty standard fare.
Boy, that Big Apple Deli must be run by geniuses-they've been there since what-the 70s at least.
My Brother told me another fast food place closed down the street from it, though-think it was Wendy's or Burger King.
Always surprised Quiznos on Alexis is still open, so few customers.
Is that another of the Submarine sandwich places? The one close to us on Airport is the same way. I think they're starting to suffer from everybody and their brother getting subs on the menu now (almost all of the pizza places have 'em now, and Subways pop up like mushrooms. Did the BLIMPY'S in town make it? Never talked to anyone who tried one.
Blimpy's is probably the worst of the worst sub places; they make Subway seem like a gourmet sub shop.
BTW, is there a place called Shucker's on Airport? What type of food do they offer?
Yes, Shuckers is on airport Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay out to Swanton. It's a seafood place and is very good -
(hint, DO NOT go there on a friday night during the Lenten season)
Actually preferred Blimpies to Subway, the meat, cheese, and veggies were a cut above Subway, so to speak. Last one I remember was at Dorr and Byrne, sign is still up. Btw, try Penn Station.
Billy: Thanks for the heads-up. I've been on the lookout for good seafood places in T-town. So far, Bluewater Grille is good, but Real Seafood Company is meh.
Ronaldo: Penn Station is delicious, as is their fries :)
"Boy, that Big Apple Deli must be run by geniuses-they've been there since what-the 70s at least."
Tim Williams owns and operates the Big Apple. He was a football star at Northwood HS and Miami U. He is a high energy guy with an outgoing a fun personality that seems to draw folks in.
Dark, it was wendy's that closed on woodville.
I haven't been to the big apple in years. The last time i went the waitress/sandwich maker seemed bothered by my presence, we waited for about 10 minutes at the counter waiting to order but no one bothered to come over, and yes they knew we were there, not even a "be with you in a minute" we were just ignored, so we just left and never went back.
Not sure if this is old news but noticed Frisch's Big Boy on Summit, downtown was closed.
Angelo's Northwood Villa is another good locally owned place that I didn't see mentioned.
Its a stone's throw across the border - can find the address here if you're interested: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050714/ART12/507140313
We ate at Red Wells tonight. Great food, good prices. For those that don't know, it's cafeteria style. My husband and I were discussing whether or not to leave a couple dollars on the table for the young guy who was waiting to clean our table. And then we heard "I was so f****** p***** off at that guy at that party." No extra coupla dollars for the kid cleaning our table.
I'm probably going to call the place tomorrow, too.
Start the call with, "I was so f****** p***** off at that kid cleaning our table."
Oh, for God's sake, another 'my way or the highway' spoiled whiner. And , just my opinion, but Red Wells is a mere shadow of its former self. Absolute Garbage compared to what it used to be. All but one has gone under. I stopped eating there before the one by the Anderson's in Maumee folded. As with Packo's, lives solely on its former reputation.
Wait..I'm a spoiled whiner because I don't want to hear that kind of language while I'm eating a meal? Funny!
And, just my opinion, I like their food.
Yes, well, as they say, opinions are like assholes, we all have one LOL I was talking about going so far as to call the place and squeal on the kid. He might really need the job. It's something I could go without doing, even if I was offended a bit at the time it occurred.
If you can't afford Beirut, try the Grape Leaf diner on McCord and Angola. Huge portions, great food, family friendly, and they always have specials and a coupon online. And locally owned (unlike Aladdin's).
I got a gift certificate to Cake In A Cup for Christmas, and went there on Valentine's Day. Great little dessert place.
We also like Jo Jo's Pizza on Mondays and Wednesdays. 1/2 price pizza and it's goooood.
Save your pennies if you must to go to Beirut (even though it is not pricey). This is one restaurant that I literally have never had bad food or service. I almost feel like I am stepping back in time when I go there. Older décor sure, but it about the warm experience and friendliness of everyone that a lot of places just do not have anymore. One of my favorite things to get there is the raw beef kibbi with veggies and pita. Lasts me two meals.
We love Beirut and I hope they never change the old decor, just the moldy ceiling tiles!
We live closer to Poco which is fine but just not the same.
We like Red Wells - I hope the Maumee location survives, it is never very busy. How is the Ragtime Rick's is doing? We used to say the old place had the best deep fryer in town; I miss the Cedar Point Fries.
Karen, I would have said something to the busboy, especially if I had the kids with me. In the past, I have called a local grocery store because of the conversations between the cashier and bagger. There are just some things that young kids don't need to hear.
Red Wells by Anderson's is open again? When did that happen? I was closed for a long while a number of years ago, therefore I thought it was long gone. And it was dead businesswise before that happened.
Anniecski: You brought up two good places. Grape Leaf is delicious. As for Cake in a Cup, Toledo should thank its lucky stars for such a cupcakery :)
Another local eat I recently discovered is Yoko Japanese Restaurant over in Maumee - HIGHLY recommend!
Dark - Red Wells opened in the Old Plantation Inn on River Rd sometime last fall. The food is good and still served cafeteria style which really confused the people in front of me the last time I was in there.
Another Maumee restaurant that deserves a visit is Dino's. They serve a great chili mac!
If that confused them, send em to Linck's Cafeteria in the Colony.
Oh, ok, they changed locale, got it. Mashed potatos and watery tomato sauce/juice, ugh. that's basically all they are to me. for my money, Frisch's liver dinner is ten times better.
Thanks, glad I didn't send anyone to Mel's at Cherry and Delaware, eh?
Incidentally, I checked with the manager at another Frisch's last night when I went through the drive-thru...the Big Boy on Summit was a victim of the smoker ban, and they had virtually no business left. It dropped off considerably when the ban went in, and they never came back.. they cut back on help and hours for a while, but eventually had to hang it up. Damn. Place was there before I was born, I believe. I have heard that the High Level Cafe, which had closed before the Big Boy, has reopened with a different owner.
So everyone must be at home smoking and making their own Big Boys?
Merely conveying to you all there what I was told by a manager or assistant manager at another location. i would think someone who represents the Bennet Brothers would be in a postition to know better than anyone else.
The bennet bro's frisches, at least the one on alexis and the one on secor are filthy shit holes. they can blame it all on the smoking ban, but if the seating area is dirty, Im gonna assume the kitchen is too.
I wouldnt let my dog eat there.
Yea, it’s pretty bad when you can tell the quality has gone down by just going through the drive-thru. Too bad, I used to love me a Big Boy, make it wet! But then again, it’s a much more compelling story when iot can be blamed on the big bad smoking ban.
I personally no longer care how many places close, nor for what reason.
Taco Bell on Alexis between Douglas and Jackman has closed.
How about Inky's? Haven't been by there in a long time, they still there?
I have to agree about the Big Boys, they really suck now. Or maybe I just care more.
I believe Inky's is still open, Nana. It's funny you mentioned that because a friend was telling me about it the other day too :)
Drive-by Inkys daily, still open. Like your nuts freshly roasted, Hull Nuts on North Detroit has re-opened under a new name. Everytime a Taco Bell closes, roadkill gets its wings, eh?
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