Anyone been? Interesting concept. Will have to check out and report soon!

Cafe 7: a concept that might just make it | Oklahoma City Restaurants (http://www.eataroundokc.com/2009/cafe-7-a-concept-that-might-just-make-it/)

http://www.okctalk.com/food-court/14615-cafe-7-a.html

:)

It's pretty good and reasonably priced, although I think the method of ordering (writing it down on a form and giving it to the cashier) is a pain in the butt.

Yeah, that place is good and reasonably priced. It is packed at lunch.

Interesting. I hadn't heard of it. I'm impressed that it's local. Sounds like a chain concept.

Would be nice to see it take off and be the next Chipotle or something. Would be good for diversifying the local economy.

http://www.okctalk.com/food-court/14615-cafe-7-a.html

It's really good. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more locations in the future.

Did you guys see in Steve's article that they are opening a cafe in the First National Building downtown?

I am really excited about it! Great food! Great price!

Yes, I had posted that a couple of weeks ago in the First National thread.

I really like their concept and ate there for lunch on my last trip to OKC.

I wonder if they'll be open for lunch only?

It worries me a little bit that Cafe7 might not know what they are getting themselves into being in the FNC.
They have been extremely poor landlords to their tennents..

The flower shop didnt last long right there after Tim at the Buzz coffee shop got mad and moved to the underground.
I encourage you all to go get a cup of coffee there and talk to Tim about what aweful landlords they are.

With that said I am very excited to see Cafe7 downtown right across from my office.
I can see a line out the door everyday just like there is at CoolGreens and its a little more expensive.

Cafe 7 is awesome! Great food!

Cafe 7 is awesome! Great food!

Not really.

It worries me a little bit that Cafe7 might not know what they are getting themselves into being in the FNC.
They have been extremely poor landlords to their tennents..

The flower shop didnt last long right there after Tim at the Buzz coffee shop got mad and moved to the underground.
I encourage you all to go get a cup of coffee there and talk to Tim about what aweful landlords they are.

Nick - the landlord's days are numbered. In bankruptcy, under investigation, tenants starting investigations. A wise company would wait before signing a lease, no matter how attractive the terms are that are being offered.

Not really.

So you say.

I've always enjoyed my food there. Maybe I don't "get" fancy food, though, and this is too low-brow for you, metro? I've also always been envious of whatever my sister gets when we are there together.

So you say.

I've always enjoyed my food there. Maybe I don't "get" fancy food, though, and this is too low-brow for you, metro? I've also always been envious of whatever my sister gets when we are there together.
No, but can't we agree to disagree on their food? Not everyone has to agree with you.

No, but can't we agree to disagree on their food? Not everyone has to agree with you.

Metro, maybe it would have been better then for you to say "not in my opinion" instead of "not really". Saying "not really" suggests that MrBojangles is wrong.

No, but can't we agree to disagree on their food? Not everyone has to agree with you.

And in turn, not everyone has to agree with you.

I agree

Checked that out today, saw Steve Lackmeyer chatting with attractive brunette there. Food was around $7.00 (hence the name). The place was absolutely packed. I was really worried we wouldn't get a table, but there were still plenty open. It's a bit on the loud and crowded side. The decor is absolutely perfect for First National. Lots of art deco fixtures. I wish they'd have put a little more authenticity in the art deco look. It's still kind of plasticky, but otherwise good stuff.

It's been packed almost every day since they opened.

Checked that out today, saw Steve Lackmeyer chatting with attractive brunette there. Food was around $7.00 (hence the name). The place was absolutely packed. I was really worried we wouldn't get a table, but there were still plenty open. It's a bit on the loud and crowded side. The decor is absolutely perfect for First National. Lots of art deco fixtures. I wish they'd have put a little more authenticity in the art deco look. It's still kind of plasticky, but otherwise good stuff.

LOL. The "attractive brunette" was Bailey80 (my competitor Brianna Bailey), who was scrambling to explain to the building's owner that it was me, and not the owner, who she called "mf*er" on Twitter (which I think stands for "most famous star reporter")

Anybody know any details on where Cafe 7 (the one in FNC) is going to relocate to, or when? Wife will be most unhappy if they leave downtown...

Don't know anything about the plans for Cafe 7 but they would be a great candidate to move into the Parkside Building.

... (which I think stands for "most famous star reporter")


Would it be rude to wonder if you can find a second source for that? :)

http://www.okctalk.com/food-court/14615-cafe-7-a.html

:)

It's pretty good and reasonably priced, although I think the method of ordering (writing it down on a form and giving it to the cashier) is a pain in the butt.

In a way I like that idea because it would cut down on miscommunication from what you order and what they hear. I would have to print though because my cursive is bad.

http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=295-Cafe-7-leaving-First-National-Center-for-new-downtown-location

http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=295-Cafe-7-leaving-First-National-Center-for-new-downtown-location
Sad to see it leave that spot, but grateful they aren't moving too far... love that place.

So, since FNC is closing at the end of the week, does that mean Cafe 7 is closing too? When are they moving to the old Revolve space?

I don't think Cafe 7 is ready to move yet.

They can continue to operate through their direct access from the street without having to have the building open.

I just grabbed lunch at Cafe 7 and they said tomorrow is their last day. They were told they have to have everything out by Monday and that they'll be closed for un unknown amount of time while they setup the new space.

That sucks for them. It will probably take a minimum of 6 months to renovate the revolve space.

That sucks for them. It will probably take a minimum of 6 months to renovate the revolve space.

They are scheduled to reopen Aug 8

They are scheduled to reopen Aug 8

Thanks for the info.

It's probably why Revolve is now in a hurry to auction off the furniture and equipment that's in there.

Thanks for the info.

It's probably why Revolve is now in a hurry to auction off the furniture and equipment that's in there.

The auction was this morning. The buyers only have two days to get everything out. When i was there, there was already new equipment on site as far as some refrigeration prep table units

The auction was this morning. The buyers only have two days to get everything out. When i was there, there was already new equipment on site as far as some refrigeration prep table units

cafe 7 has a fairly simple kitchen and prep space so I would expect it will much effort to get it ready.

cafe 7 has a fairly simple kitchen and prep space so I would expect it will much effort to get it ready.

Cafe 7 employees are moving items between the locations today.

cafe 7 has a fairly simple kitchen and prep space so I would expect it will much effort to get it ready.

I would imagine not too much to open and server the same food, but the atmosphere, that's going to be missed. I loved how Cafe 7 looked inside.

Opens tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7AM in their new location in the Century Center.

Please use your power and influence to convince them to stay open dinner hours in their new location...

That would be amazing if they started staying open for dinner. We could really use some more quick options in the evenings.

I think if the Stage Center site had gone according to plan, night options in the CBD would have been feasible in 2-3 years. Too bad for that.

I do wonder, does anyone know how Mahogany's business is doing?

I think if the Stage Center site had gone according to plan, night options in the CBD would have been feasible in 2-3 years. Too bad for that.

I do wonder, does anyone know how Mahogany's business is doing?

We went last weekend and ate in the bar, which was packed. Our table faced Sheridan, and had a great "downtown" feel. The food, service and setting were all great.

Cafe 7 closing their downtown location effective immediately today they just posted

PPP money is running out.

I don't understand this one, even through the pandemic they have still been packed. Really sad to see them go, I've probably eaten here more than anywhere else in downtown over the last 5+ years that we've had an office down here.

I don't understand this one, even through the pandemic they have still been packed. Really sad to see them go, I've probably eaten here more than anywhere else in downtown over the last 5+ years that we've had an office down here.

I suspect that the space has high rent and with their limited hours they probably didn’t have a huge profit. COVID has reduced crowds somewhat for them and that probably puts them at a loss and they have gone as long as they can and can’t continue at a loss waiting for employers to bring employees back to the offices to get traffic back up

Very hard to survive in expensive space when you are only open for lunch 5 days a week.

Lunch and breakfast margins are low, especially with no alcohol.

Ah, that is very true. Well, I guess I know what I'll get for lunch today then.

RIP. I wonder how Mahogany is doing on the other side. I noticed they have a take-out special now for $49 three course steak meal on certain days of the week. This deal seems pretty good considering tipping for service is a large part of eating at expensive steakhouses.

RIP. I wonder how Mahogany is doing on the other side. I noticed they have a take-out special now for $49 three course steak meal on certain days of the week. This deal seems pretty good considering tipping for service is a large part of eating at expensive steakhouses.
I hope people are still tipping. Staff is still working and trying to earn a living.

Very hard to survive in expensive space when you are only open for lunch 5 days a week.

Lunch and breakfast margins are low, especially with no alcohol.

For the life of me I cannot understand how retail space owners are not freely negotiating reduced rent rate during these times. Perhaps some have reduced rent rates, idk. But it appears as though retail owners won't budge and feel having an empty retail space works in their favor. I don't get it?!?!

^

LOTS of landlords have made big concessions.

I keep saying this but people have no idea how horrible it is right now for small businesses. Even completely free rent isn't going to save you went your revenue is down more than half.

I hope people are still tipping. Staff is still working and trying to earn a living.

Genuinely curious, do people normally tip 20% for a takeout order such as this?

During the pandemic when everything was takeout only, I was tipping generously as if I was dining in. But now that things are open, I have resumed normal tipping on to-gos - which is usually not based on value and is only very generous on orders that are overly complicated or large.

For the life of me I cannot understand how retail space owners are not freely negotiating reduced rent rate during these times. Perhaps some have reduced rent rates, idk. But it appears as though retail owners won't budge and feel having an empty retail space works in their favor. I don't get it?!?!

i've said this about several places in norman, especially campus corner... the owners keep jacking up rent and things close or move out. and there are just empty buildings left. they can't be making more money with it empty than when something in it, can they?

Does OPUBCO own the building? Or are they just another tenant? I can't remember. If they are the landlord they may not be in the best spot to defer rent or make other concessions.

Does OPUBCO own the building? Or are they just another tenant? I can't remember. If they are the landlord they may not be in the best spot to defer rent or make other concessions.

They are a tenant.

And taxpayers gave them a ton of money for those new offices, a good chunk of which they are trying to sub-lease.

It's been my experience that some landlords have been good about negotiating with their tenants. Some will abate rent for a few months and some will defer rent to be paid back over the course of several months starting in 2021. Depends on each landlord's situation with their bank.

But as generous as that may seem at first, it STILL may not be enough. For those getting full abatement on rent for March through May, they would then go back to their full rent in June at a time when people are still reluctant to go out and shop and many restaurants have to have a reduced capacity. For the ones that pay back deferred rent in 2021, hopefully the health and economic conditions will be much improved by then, but you may see other businesses in recovery mode and not able to make it work.

Landlords still have to pay their bills, which usually include a massive loan installment plus all types of maintenace and utilities.

It's a huge mess and you can't take billions out of the GDP and not have it affect everyone, big and small.

That raises another point that most of the time, they're not abating or deferring any payments of Common Area Maintenance, property taxes, or property insurance that tenants have to pay as part of additional rent.

Genuinely curious, do people normally tip 20% for a takeout order such as this?

During the pandemic when everything was takeout only, I was tipping generously as if I was dining in. But now that things are open, I have resumed normal tipping on to-gos - which is usually not based on value and is only very generous on orders that are overly complicated or large.

I still tip 10-20% based on how it is done and size of order. Some places do an excellent job of ordering and paying online or are great helping on the phone, packaging, bringing the packaging to the vehicle, etc. Others just are difficult on the phone, throw stuff into Styrofoam & brown bag and make you come in and pay for it. Like any service, some do it better and I believe that takes investment on their part. Am glad to pay my share.

sad to hear but hopefully they can return downtown to a location they can afford and maybe can have later hours/serve alcohol to make it all work. ... would be nice if they could return to first national somehow once that building reopens but perhaps Midtown makes better sense.