Ask your Friends

[robfisher]

Doing a little research and need help. I really don't know what to expect. I know only a few people in the whole country will even read this but I am told you begin with your friends first. I'm going to ask about a few different restaurants that I particularly enjoy and wish to copy some of the elements into a possible new project.

If anyone has been to ANY of these places please let me know your impression.

City Market in Luling, TX

Dudes Steak House in Sidney, NE

The Big Texan in Amarillo, TX

Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House in Savannah, GA

Mulates in New Orleans

I know this board is a very small sampling of people. I would be delighted and surprised if I get any response at all but you're the only friends I have so I'm starting here. Please respond if you've eaten at any of these places.

It's a brand new year and I can't sit around looking back forever. It's time for a new fight!

[DrCrash]

The Big Texan in Amarillo, TX . We have been there a few times. Your basic tourist trap. The food is ok, prices are reasonable. The help was friendly.

Both times we were there we mid summer and mid week around 2pm. Hope this helps ya out.

[PanelDeland]

I lived in Amarillo most of my life.I've eaten at the "Big Texan" quite a few times.Less since the original owners descendants have taken over.There are better steak houses in Amarillo but none as famous.It is more of a tourist trap than a real steak house IMHO.
The original deal was the owner did not want working cowboys to walk away from his restuarant hungry.Amarillo had the largest working "western" style stockyards in the world then.That evolved into the 72 oz. steak.The current management has added a tourist trap of a motel(the rooms are decorated on the outside like the businesses in a western town)The big Texan does(or used to) serve a free Petite steak for people who go on their birthday.

[robfisher]

Thank you two who have replied. I figured the Big Texan would be the one with the most replies if I got any at all. If anybody is wondering where my list came from four out of the five of these are my top restaurants choices in America. The Big Texan is on the list simply because I do kinda see it as a tourist trap first and a fine place to eat second. It is fun, And it is famous. Every one of these places have been featured in at least one book or another. The Big Texan is in Michael Wallis' "Route 66 The Mother Road." Dudes Steak house shows up in Wallis' "The Lincoln Highway." The other three and maybe all five of them have a place in one of Jane and Michael Stern's "Road Food."

They all hold something in common as I see it and I am trying to put that common attribute into a concept resaurant idea I'm trying to fund. That thing in common is that they are all destinations. People who like them will go out of their way to go back. I've driven a 12 hours ride to make it to Dudes. I've gone out of my way hundreds of miles just for City Market and Mrs. Wilkes.

Of course, I'm not normal. But neither are the others who keep these places successful with their dedicated roadtrips.

Thanks for your inputs. I had a wild hope that I might get at least one response for each place but knew it was a long shot.

[oicu812]

I think [maybe] the one thing the destination restaurants have in common is good food and service.Word of mouth is the best advertisement that you can't buy.I've driven from Indpls. to Chicago to eat at Gino's East.There's a little restaurant on the Dam at lake Freeman,about 80 miles north of Indpls.I know two different families that drive up to get catfish dinner's then drive back.I ate at a little bar, Knop Hill,outside of Evansville about a year ago,best catfish I ever had,think about it once a week.Can't wait till I get back to have some more.
Good Food imho is how they start out,good luck Rob.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Good food starts with a good recipe...
I return to restaurants where the food has a unique taste.
What did they do to make it like nowhere else?

Ask people what's their favorite places to eat & why.
Here's a few of mine...
The Broiler Steak House, just North of Ukiah.
They feature an oak fired grill and their house salad dressing has a hint of horse radish in it.
The Steelhead Lodge in Klamath.
They have a wood fired outdoor grill and the portions are huge
Mike's Drive Up here in Eureka.
They've been famous for their garlic fries since the 1940's and I finally figured out their secret!!!
The Bon Boniere here in Eureka.
They have a treat called the brownie delight... It's an ice cream sandwich using brownies as the "bread" and it's dipped in chocolate.

Ask also, what would make them stop going to their favorite places.
I don't mind crowds or lackluster service, but when the good taste changes, that's a stop sign for me.
Outrageous prices... I don't mind spending a little extra for a nice atmosphere but there's a place in our neck of the woods Joanie & I haven't even tried because of their high prices and we're told the food is great.
Dinkie portions... Don't make me order twice to get my fill, it will be the last.

I say get your recipes developed and do something that will make you known for having something unique.
I've often thought of doing it, but haven't went for it...
Good Luck!!!... I'm sure you'll do well.

[honeask]

We have eaten at City Market in Luling, really good BBQ. Not a big town. We like BBQ from The Salt Lick just outside of Austin, really good food and has a great atmosphere. You can't beat hanging outside waiting for a table and listening to people that bring a guitar, listening to music with the summer night breezes......nice. And you can bring your own beers, wine or whatever. Fun and good.