"Gouging" ain't right.

I do think the special event up-charge menu was a bad idea, considering they are trying to establish themselves and are new to the area.

But, I will give them a try soon and post my review too.

I got that. And even posted a followup indicating a broader menu with lower prices. The menu from that night is simply evidence they took advantage of the special event. Some people probably have zero issue with that, I personally do. I also seriously doubt ANY of the surrounding restaurants raised their prices for that night.

Yeah, I don't think they got your point about the gouging for the special event. I agree it was a boneheaded move publicity wise. Are they going to charge more on Thunder game nights, Civic Center performance nights, Downtown in December, St. Patty's (another big celebration in MidTown)???????????

Yeah, I don't think they got your point about the gouging for the special event. I agree it was a boneheaded move publicity wise. Are they going to charge more on Thunder game nights, Civic Center performance nights, Downtown in December, St. Patty's (another big celebration in MidTown)???????????

I've seen that happen in bigger 'tourist cities' where it often isn't locals who will be in attendance. But to do that in OKC at a local event is absurd. If they had a mobile tent set up at the parade finale then I could justify increased costs, but just to do it "because we can" is terrible marketing. All it does is leave patrons feeling that next time there's an event you'll get screwed if you eat there so you might as well eat elsewhere. Hopefully the fact they didn't have a lot of business that night will keep them from doing it in the future.

And, like I said before, I'm going to give them another visit on a normal lunch or dinner.

If you want to summon someone from Good Egg to 'splain, you merely need type some of the following words:

Cheevers / Cheever's
Iron Star BBQ
Pops
Red Prime
C Market
Republic

Cheevers / Cheever's
Iron Star BBQ
Pops
Red Prime
C Market
Republic

Other than Pops, those are all my favorites! They are doing something right!

Brian, I still don't know what happened on parade night. I'm talking about their regular menu and I was going on memory of what was said in this increasingly long thread; you are right, you were not commenting about that the daily regular menu, and for that, I sincerely apologize. I still say the regular menu is no different than what one sees at the other downtown restaurants. And also to be fair, my "overly harsh" quip wasn't really directed at you. My nirvana, btw, is more associated with the soups at Kaisers.
I still say if they did charge special high prices on parade night, then yeah, that might not have been the best idea but it might be interesting to hear the owner's perspective on that.

If you want to summon someone from Good Egg to 'splain, you merely need type some of the following words:

Cheevers / Cheever's
Iron Star BBQ
Pops
Red Prime
C Market
Republic
They'd probably start the 'splainin by saying that they have nothing to do with Kaiser's American Bistro. :-)

Kaiser's is operated by the same folks who own Picasso's in Paseo. It is interesting how we have a lot of these local restaurant groups emerging....

They'd probably start the 'splainin by saying that they have nothing to do with Kaiser's American Bistro. :-)

They don't. Different people. Unless this is a sarcasm....

But I did run into Keith Paul at Red Prime during the parade. He was thrilled with the turn-out. Red Prime retained their appetizers at $3 and beer at $1.5. If you don't know about it, its the best deal in town. Crab Louie, chicken Satay, Beef Crostinis, Ceviche, and more for $3. And thy retained that kind of pricing during the parade. Pretty honorable.

They don't. Different people. Unless this is a sarcasm....

But I did run into Keith Paul at Red Prime during the parade. He was thrilled with the turn-out. Red Prime retained their appetizers at $3 and beer at $1.5. If you don't know about it, its the best deal in town. Crab Louie, chicken Satay, Beef Crostinis, Ceviche, and more for $3. And thy retained that kind of pricing during the parade. Pretty honorable.

Red Prime really does have one of the best kept secret happy hours I've ever had in OKC. Excellent food and great prices. I forget, does it go until 7pm or end earlier?

It is interesting how we have a lot of these local restaurant groups emerging....
Keep 'em coming, I say! I have always felt that we have a truly great selection of restaurants here in OKC, especially relative to our size.

PS: Curiosity, proximity, and hunger have gotten the best of me, so I'll be headed up to Kaiser's in a few for some din din. If anyone else couldn't stand the suspense and is headed there too, feel free to say hi - I'll be the one in the bright red sweater set eating & reading WWD.

They'd probably start the 'splainin by saying that they have nothing to do with Kaiser's American Bistro. :-)

Drat.. well thanks for that!

They don't. Different people. Unless this is a sarcasm....

But I did run into Keith Paul at Red Prime during the parade. He was thrilled with the turn-out. Red Prime retained their appetizers at $3 and beer at $1.5. If you don't know about it, its the best deal in town. Crab Louie, chicken Satay, Beef Crostinis, Ceviche, and more for $3. And thy retained that kind of pricing during the parade. Pretty honorable.

Red Prime needs to have some beers on tap. There are plenty of beers out there which complement red meat. I just don't think buck-fifty longnecks when I think of Red Prime.

Despite that, I go there on a semi-regular basis for happy hour, so it doesn't seem to hurt 'em too much with me.

I say let's get back to The Kaisers conversations. BTW, I have been a couple of times and really enjoyed everything. Great building, great owners...give them some time!

I say let's get back to The Kaisers conversations. BTW, I have been a couple of times and really enjoyed everything. Great building, great owners...give them some time!

Very classy. You're a good guy. Love your restaurants, too. (Huge Republic fan here.)

We tried Kaisers on Saturday. Cute place!
I had the Pollo Diablo chicken, Was very tender, slow cooked & pulled chicken on perfect foccacia bread. I wish it had been spicy. He had the bison burger - I tried a bite - delish! I'll have that next time. Sandwiches served with 1 side, we both chose sweet potato fries. Nice selection of beers, and I had to try something from the fountain so the AAA rootbeer was great! The concept of sitting with a menu, then ordering at the counter is lost to me -- it could take tips away from the servers (I added tip, but I think most people won't), and if you want something else to drink or dessert? you have to order & pay again. other than that, Nice experience and we will be back.

We tried Kaisers on Saturday. Cute place!
I had the Pollo Diablo chicken, Was very tender, slow cooked & pulled chicken on perfect foccacia bread. I wish it had been spicy. He had the bison burger - I tried a bite - delish! I'll have that next time. Sandwiches served with 1 side, we both chose sweet potato fries. ....

How were the sweet potato fries? If not done right, they end up being floppy and grease-soaked instead of crispy, and a lot of places don't know how to do them right, we've found. :-(

Sweet potato fries were good!
they were hot, crispy and had kosher salt.

Sweet potato fries were good!
they were hot, crispy and had kosher salt.

Cool, thanks, we'll put it on our list of places to try...

Any new updates or dining reviews with Kaisers?

I ask because last Sat night I went to Midtown McNellies. While driving around looking for a parking spot at McNellies I drove by all of the Midtown restaurants and noticed good to very good crowds at all of the Midtown restaurants (Irmas, Cafe Brasil, Stellas, 1492, McNellies).

One exceptions was Kaisers, nearly empty! There were two people dining at a table, but that is all. Since you can see directly inside the restaurant I looked over to Kaisers more than once, each time saw only the two people.

I have not been to Kaisers nor do I know anyone directly that has, but looking inside the restaurant looks awesome. Love the way the place looks at night with the windows and the view of the bar. I hope to see this place succeed and crowded next time I go to Midtown.

I've been to Kaiser's twice and it has been full both times. My husband thinks their Reuben is one of the best around so he prefers it to McNellie's. I think McNellie's patty melt is the best thing that's happened to hamburger, so we rotate. Our waiter talked us into getting ice cream the last time we were there and it was delicious. I had the chicken pot pie the second time I was there and was underwhelmed so will stick to the burger the next time we go, as it is quite good.

Rueben better than McNellies? Gotta try this place out then

I've seen good crowds at Kaiser's both on weekends and at night.

Rueben better than McNellies? Gotta try this place out then

Anyone can beat a Reuben at McNellies. Hobbies and Lunch Box come to mind.

We tried Kaisers a couple of weeks ago. My husband had the chicken fried steak, which he said was okay. Not the best he'd ever had, and certainly not Cheevers, (some of the best I've ever had) but decent. To me, it didn't look like what chicken fry is suppose to look like. I had the pot roast. Not so good. It was almost all big pieces of fat. Very little meat. What meat I did get was good but most of it was completely inedible. Since, however, I wasn't full, we did get dessert. That was a very good thing! I don't remember what it was called, but we shared this thing that was ice cream, caramel, a warm brownie and hot fudge. It was to die for. And it was a happy hour special, so it was half price for something like $4.

I'll go back, but next time I'm just opting for a burger.

They have always had the best ice cream in the city as far as I am concerned. I remember going there back in the 70s and it was just the best around....I assume it's still the same now but I haven't had it in a while.

You'd assume even though its changed management several times?

Anyone can beat a Reuben at McNellies. Hobbies and Lunch Box come to mind.

Yeah but can I pair it with my choice of 300 beers?

Any new updates or dining reviews with Kaisers?

I ask because last Sat night I went to Midtown McNellies. While driving around looking for a parking spot at McNellies I drove by all of the Midtown restaurants and noticed good to very good crowds at all of the Midtown restaurants (Irmas, Cafe Brasil, Stellas, 1492, McNellies).

One exceptions was Kaisers, nearly empty! There were two people dining at a table, but that is all. Since you can see directly inside the restaurant I looked over to Kaisers more than once, each time saw only the two people.

I have not been to Kaisers nor do I know anyone directly that has, but looking inside the restaurant looks awesome. Love the way the place looks at night with the windows and the view of the bar. I hope to see this place succeed and crowded next time I go to Midtown.

I was at McNellies this past Friday night and didn't see a large crowd Kaisers...Do they serve alcohol?

they have a nice selection of beers -- can't recall how many or if all imports. I got something wheat and my husband got something dark. we were both happy!

Gave them another try today for lunch. Some friends called and they were already there so they ordered for me - I think it was a club on a crescent - with sweet potato fries.

I got there at 12:30 and the place was pretty dead. Maybe 4 other tables with guests (looked to be St Anthony staff). The sandwich was okay. Nothing special. The fries were room temperature but good. Ate half the sandwich.

IMO the deli style sandwiches were better at Midtown Deli (no longer an option). This wasn't a bad experience, but certainly not a destination lunch spot for me.

Wife and I had dessert there for dinner after our anniversary the other night. We built our own sundae, a little overpriced, but very good. Place was pretty dead, about 3 other groups, but it was near closing time, so I'll give them that, it was also about 30 degrees outside and wind chill was probably in the 20's.

Is Kaiser's closed? I hauled my kids down there in the double stroller on Friday around 6:30 PM and they weren't open. Posted hours say they are open until 9PM Fridays. Chairs were all stacked up. No sign on the door or anything. Two very dissapointed children when they couldn't get their ice cream. Had to go to Louie's with them, sit in a loud-as-hell bar environment, and eat mediocre re-heated apple pie. If I hadn't walked I would have headed over to Braum's but oh well.

I was kind of pissed off.

Then yesterday I drove by there around 5 PM and they were, again, closed. No sign on the door or anything.

Anybody heard anything?

Due to the hospital construction they are only open 11-4 for the foreseeable future.

No sign? That is super weak...

No sign? That is super weak...

Agreed. Maybe update their web page as well while they're at it.

Agreed. Maybe update their web page as well while they're at it.

There is nothing more annoying than when people fail to communicate. A simple sign or a periodic post to their Facebook page is not too much to ask IMO.

They have Twitter and Facebook accounts that they barely touch.

Shows the importance of social media in running a restaurant these days.

Due to the hospital construction they are only open 11-4 for the foreseeable future.

Drove by there in the evening a few weeks ago around 6:00 pm and they were closed. Now I know why.

They have Twitter and Facebook accounts that they barely touch.

Shows the importance of social media in running a restaurant these days.


Honestly I will not be going back, on principle. Their food was only so-so anyway. Main thing they had going was location, but if I can't trust them to be open I won't go again.

I can get over not posting on Facebook/twitter. But you HAVE HAVE HAVE to put signs on your own front door. It's so insanely simple.

Surprised they aren't opening on evenings in good weather. That patio killed it last year.

Honestly I will not be going back, on principle. Their food was only so-so anyway. Main thing they had going was location, but if I can't trust them to be open I won't go again.

Also, if you don't take the time to put up a sign indicating changed hours or simply update your website and social media accounts occasionally, it makes you wonder where else they're cutting corners. Very disappointing because it's a good concept in a good location.

I don't understand how closing at 4 helps with the construction situation. Don't the construction workers go home by then anyway? You'd think they stay open later (to make up for business missed during construction hours) instead.

Never was too crazy with the "please get up and serve yourself" concept.

I loved this place when the Picasso's folks were running this-- the food was great, the staff was friendly, and they had a liquor license (OMG, the spiked milkshakes!). It was a complete mess the last time I was there, and they stopped serving alcohol (one of the staff told me it was a temporary thing until they could get a new license, since the ownership changed hands). This was about a year ago, but it was a shame since I talked up the place to people from out of town, only to have them witness an iconic place falling apart at the seams. The downward spiral of this place happend LONG before the St. Anthony's construction began.

I stopped eating there as well when the Picasso's folks left. They took all of the vegetarian options off the menu and I was left with very little I could eat.

Great ice cream , but so so food.

I am beginning to realize that I am a bit out of control in regards to my utter hatred of the current Kaiser's management. I rode my bike by there just now and saw four businessmen eating lunch outside and I was like, "what are you guys thinking eating here????" I know I am being irrational. All they did was not maintain a website, not put a sign on their door, not honor their posted hours. It is not like they killed my mom or something. Maybe someday I'll learn to forgive.

Nahh but seriously f*** Kaisers.

I am beginning to realize that I am a bit out of control in regards to my utter hatred of the current Kaiser's management. I rode my bike by there just now and saw four businessmen eating lunch outside and I was like, "what are you guys thinking eating here????" I know I am being irrational. All they did was not maintain a website, not put a sign on their door, not honor their posted hours. It is not like they killed my mom or something. Maybe someday I'll learn to forgive.

Nahh but seriously f*** Kaisers.

Haha, no doubt about it, you're pissed.

I am beginning to realize that I am a bit out of control in regards to my utter hatred of the current Kaiser's management. I rode my bike by there just now and saw four businessmen eating lunch outside and I was like, "what are you guys thinking eating here????" I know I am being irrational. All they did was not maintain a website, not put a sign on their door, not honor their posted hours. It is not like they killed my mom or something. Maybe someday I'll learn to forgive.

Nahh but seriously f*** Kaisers.

They are being bad caretakers of an important restaurant in terms of location, visibility and history.

Sounds like it's just a matter of time before someone else has to take over.

I loved this place when the Picasso's folks were running this-- the food was great, the staff was friendly, and they had a liquor license (OMG, the spiked milkshakes!). It was a complete mess the last time I was there, and they stopped serving alcohol (one of the staff told me it was a temporary thing until they could get a new license, since the ownership changed hands). This was about a year ago, but it was a shame since I talked up the place to people from out of town, only to have them witness an iconic place falling apart at the seams. The downward spiral of this place happend LONG before the St. Anthony's construction began.

I knew one of the original owner's wife. I always went there to support it but haven't gone back since it changed hands. After reading all these posts it looks like it has really taken a dive.

I've been pretty rough on Kaiser's both here and on other social media. I finally went there today at 11 with a big group of families and I gotta say it was definitely a positive experience. Staff was friendly and helpful and didn't seem put off in the slightest by the sudden onslaught my group brought or the crowd of loud children. Service was prompt and the milkshakes were really really good, like Tucker's milkshakes good.

That is all.

I haven't been since the change so can't speak to quality or service. I just wish they'd consider keeping evening and weekend hours. The patio is fantastic and rolling past regularly I would always see people hanging out on the patio and it made me want to be there (and in fact reeled me in a number of times).

Now it seems like anytime I go by - other than lunchtime on weekdays - it's closed. It really added a lot to the neighborhood and now it is a complete afterthought, for me at least.

Sounds like they are now completely closed.

Claiming structural damage due to neighboring Saint Anthony Expansion project.

Steve elaborates on this.

Oklahoma City's Kaiser's closes; historic building damaged | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-kaisers-closes-historic-building-damaged/article/5338520)

This is sad. Unfortunately its also the cost of progress especially whenever a neighborhood is going through complete transformation like Midtown is in the process of. There will always be some businesses negatively impacted by construction in the area that are unable to hang on until it is complete. I can imagine Project 180 has killed a significant amount of business.

It sounds like the hospital and the Kaiser's owners have had a good relationship through the process. I'm sure a lot of the employees eat at Kaisers. Without Saints, I doubt Mid-Town would have been reborn, in which case Kaisers wouldn't exist. I don't think many think of Saints as an organization that wouldn't make things right either. If it's determined that construction is the cause of the problem, then the owner of the building (not Kaisers) would decide if they would take the money for the building (maybe have Saints buy it out) or repair it. We may find ourselves with Saints building a new structure on the corner for them, who knows. It's just too early in the process and too many possibilities can come from this. I just hope they come back...them's good eatin'

Gotta say I would suspect that was more of an operator issue. GoGo Sushi is still PACKED every day. McNellie's, which also shares the same roundabout, still thriving. Brown's Bakery still plodding along, despite its own operator issues. Construction surrounds all of these, with constantly-changing lane closures.

As I noted above, Kaiser's was really spotty on hours even before the the construction began, and there had been a lot of criticism surrounding the place on social media and elsewhere since some operator changes last year.

I've witnessed a lot of places come and go in entertainment and urban districts over the years, and the common theme is usually some operator issues, often related to inability to adapt. Almost without exception they scapegoat on their way out the door (parking, construction, whatever). Even with the inconveniences related to construction, right now Midtown is providing more opportunities for entrepreneurs than it has in generations (at least). You can't tell me it is more difficult to operate in that location today than it was 5 or 10 or 15 years ago.

It's encouraging to hear that the building owner still retains the brand and intends to seek a new operator. Sounds to me like - despite the fact it is a bummer for the previous operator - it was for the best.