Sadly, I live in the neighborhood of the new Custino's and I never see any cars there. They can't be making any money. I bet they don't stay open very long.

Really? I am not too surprised, I just think it is in a horrible location

i am hearing rumors that Phill isn't paying his staff at all at his restaurant

Interesting, maybe because nobody comes to the restaurant, maybe Phil is not going to give the staff any money for doing nothing all day

Interesting, maybe because nobody comes to the restaurant, maybe Phil is not going to give the staff any money for doing nothing all day

Yeah, I'm sure that's completely cool and understandable to the employees. Not like they have bills to pay. Seriously? You're going to take your Phil-defending to THAT degree?

i am hearing rumors that Phill isn't paying his staff at all at his restaurant

After reading this entire thread and being a neutral observer, I'd like to take a stab at the response I predict you might get from your post...

"It's not Phil's staff, it's MY staff. I am the sole owner! ME! Just like I was the 50% owner and majority partner of the other place! Dad's just a consultant! Where are my retractions, people??"

How are there 13 pages about this place?

How are there 13 pages about this place?

Same reason everyone slows down to see the carnage after a wreck.

Yeah, I'm sure that's completely cool and understandable to the employees. Not like they have bills to pay. Seriously? You're going to take your Phil-defending to THAT degree?

Sure, why not?

Always interesting to see folks commenting in this thread trying to pose as if they don't have loyalties to the restaurant operators, or are partners themselves... here's a hint folks: the veteran members of this chat board aren't stupid. They can see through anonymous names and manipulations...

Always interesting to see folks commenting in this thread trying to pose as if they don't have loyalties to the restaurant operators, or are partners themselves... here's a hint folks: the veteran members of this chat board aren't stupid. They can see through anonymous names and manipulations...

Exactly. Steve, I wouldn't give this silliness in this thread another thought, you've got other things to worry about. You're right, it's so transparent.

After a pretty tough day, quite honestly, this is a cheap and easy distraction. I like a lot of you, and these online conversations are a good way to busy up my mind.

Always interesting to see folks commenting in this thread trying to pose as if they don't have loyalties to the restaurant operators, or are partners themselves... here's a hint folks: the veteran members of this chat board aren't stupid. They can see through anonymous names and manipulations...

As if this hasn't happened before ;)

Which Custinos has better food? Anyone been to both yet for a comparison?

Which Custinos has better food? Anyone been to both yet for a comparison?

The new one does but slightly

And I thought the era of the daytime soap opera had passed....

Like sands through the hourglass--and what's left on the plate of Scallop Scallopini--so are The Daze of Our Culinary Lives . . .
Brought to you by . . .
wSFIdYcClrs

Like sands through the hourglass--and what's left on the plate of Scallop Scallopini--so are The Daze of Our Culinary Lives . . .
Brought to you by . . .
wSFIdYcClrs

While that particular commercial predates me by about a decade, I surely have fond memories of Chef BoyArDee as a kid. I think he'd be more than a little perturbed to see what comes out under his name these days....

As for the rest of the thread..points...counterpoints...vested interests....man, you can just slice the awkward.

No dog in this fight either way, just hate to see the hatred and venom for whatever reason. Just want me some good lasagna :)

... Just want me some good lasagna :)

Bella Vista & Italiano's in OKC, Gabrerino's and Sergio's in Norman, And for truly lazy, gotta eat, care but only a bit where it originates days, Stouffer's and your spice rack.

Correction: Stouffer's (or that Braum's offering) with some sauteed Mushrooms/Garlic/Shallot/BabySpinach and maybe even one of those Johnsonville Italian Sausages (hot or mild, boiled, then broiled) on the side.

P.S. I was only a year old (or less) when that commerical was broadcast, but did you notice his pronunciation of "zippy" in regard to either the cheese or the tomato sauce? I'm thinkin' this was Larry (Lawrence) Welk trying to pick up a couple of extra bucks disguising himself as a canned/boxed Italian "chef" . . .

"One should always slice 'Awkward' against the grain" ~ Julia Chiles

Bella Vista & Italiano's in OKC, Gabrerino's and Sergio's in Norman, And for truly lazy, gotta eat, care but only a bit where it originates days, Stouffer's and your spice rack.

I realize this will make the purists cringe, and I understand that side completely, but sometimes, the Stouffer's lasagna is awfully good. Yeah, it could use some more meat, but for a busy family that rarely has the time to assemble a lasagna from scratch, it isn't a bad option. Throw together a quick salad, maybe some french bread, and you've got an awfully appealing hot family supper. Although given my recent diet efforts it isn't on my menu very often (alas), having a big family-size Stouffer's in the freezer has made for an inexpensive family Sunday lunch more than once.

At some point, I'm going to have to set aside a splurge/gorge day and build a big, filthy lasagna for my family. Just sounds wonderful. Its been a while since I built my own lasagna - it is INCREDIBLY fun - but it just takes so much time that just doesn't often exist with a busy family. Some of that time is mitigated with the "cook in the oven" noodles, however....

"Purists" . . ? =)
"I don't always eat lasagne . . . But when I do, I prefer the most expedient."

I realize this will make the purists cringe, and I understand that side completely, but sometimes, the Stouffer's lasagna is awfully good. Yeah, it could use some more meat, but for a busy family that rarely has the time to assemble a lasagna from scratch, it isn't a bad option. Throw together a quick salad, maybe some french bread, and you've got an awfully appealing hot family supper. Although given my recent diet efforts it isn't on my menu very often (alas), having a big family-size Stouffer's in the freezer has made for an inexpensive family Sunday lunch more than once.

At some point, I'm going to have to set aside a splurge/gorge day and build a big, filthy lasagna for my family. Just sounds wonderful. Its been a while since I built my own lasagna - it is INCREDIBLY fun - but it just takes so much time that just doesn't often exist with a busy family. Some of that time is mitigated with the "cook in the oven" noodles, however....

No problem here. Stouffer's macaroni and cheese is outstanding, particularly if you take the time to bake it in the oven instead of microwaving it.

.oO(I dinna name that specific brand by sheer accident)Oo.
:)

No problem here. Stouffer's macaroni and cheese is outstanding, particularly if you take the time to bake it in the oven instead of microwaving it.

Ohh YEAH!!! Before I was watching my lunchtime calorie intake, Stouffer's M&C was a staple of my lunches. It was outstanding. Didn't have the option to bake it, but 3-4 minutes in our pitiful little galley microwaves were just enough to get it hot. Really, really good.

What is the update on the new Custino restaurant? Dead? Busy?

I can't speak for "the new" Custino's but I can say that when I drove by "the other" Custino's on Britton Rd. city crews were out there digging a big hole in the adjacent pavement, thereby snarling traffic and causing momentary, passing distress. I'm not sure if they were doing the prep for sewer/burial repair or exhumation work . . .

I can't speak for "the new" Custino's but I can say that when I drove by "the other" Custino's on Britton Rd. city crews were out there digging a big hole in the adjacent pavement, thereby snarling traffic and causing momentary, passing distress. I'm not sure if they were doing the prep for sewer/burial repair or exhumation work . . .

Interesting

I can't speak for "the new" Custino's but I can say that when I drove by "the other" Custino's on Britton Rd. city crews were out there digging a big hole in the adjacent pavement, thereby snarling traffic and causing momentary, passing distress. I'm not sure if they were doing the prep for sewer/burial repair or exhumation work . . .

I heard they were looking for migrating Crossroads Mall zombies.

Drove by the Custinos on Britton this evening on the way to Sean Cummings Pub (for an excellent meal: Boxty w/Salmon) and my wife said something like, "Hey! There's a new Custino's!" I mumbled something like . . . "Nah, it's the other Custinos . . ." The "other Custinos" also looked closed at around 6:00 pm. Is it vampyres or zombies that don't like clocks or light or whatever?

How are there 13 pages about this place?

14.

Good grief, more drama.
It looks like they were forced to give up their name…
That had to cost them money.


Custino's Italian‏@custinositalian
The secret is out! We are now officially open as the Taste Bud's Diner! Thanks, @OKCFOX!

May have been a voluntary name change. There is nothing new listed on the court docket since last September. Either way, best of luck to both groups.
I rarely dine north of I-44 , but hey, the northsiders need their grub too.

How are there 13 pages about this place?


14.

Four.

May have been a voluntary name change. There is nothing new listed on the court docket since last September. Either way, best of luck to both groups.
I rarely dine north of I-44 , but hey, the northsiders need their grub too.

I would strongly suspect the name change is a direct result of the legal battle that has been occurring between the 2 entities.

Since these things cost money and at least on this issue, and until I hear otherwise, I am going to lean on the side that says the original owners lost the name battle.
Now who won the war I haven’t heard?
Has the court war even been decide yet?

Custinos on May Ave deleted they facebook page. Don't know what it means

How is the other restaurant, on Britton, doing? Still there? Anybody know?

the one on Britton is still open

There is a comment about the closure of the eatery on May Street over on the Bud Elder FB site for Custino's Italian Kitchen.


.. we say goodbye to the restaurant known as Custino's Restaurant and Bar, which leaves this market exactly as I said it would ...

Much like an old ginsu knife commercial ... there's more. View, or not, as one elects at https://www.facebook.com/Custinos

the one on Britton is still open

Yay!

Everytime I drive by the location on Britton Rd., west of May AVENUE =), there are exactly two pickup trucks in the parking lot. The same two trucks. They must like the food a lot. Well . . . Not the trucks but . . .

There is a comment about the closure of the eatery on May Street over on the Bud Elder FB site for Custino's Italian Kitchen.



Much like an old ginsu knife commercial ... there's more. View, or not, as one elects at https://www.facebook.com/Custinos

I knew it would not last long

Just a sordid, ugly mess all around.

Sorry to say this but the drama between the two restaurants keeps me from going to either one. I do live in the area of both and the location on N May says temporarily closed due to kitchen remodel. Seems like that is the same thing the previous owner said when they went out of business. Who knows.

And the same was said by the tenant before that. Maybe the building requires lots of remodeling?

And the same was said by the tenant before that. Maybe the building requires lots of remodeling?

Seems to me you remodel a place before you start business, rather than after you have already moved in and opened up. Maybe I just do things backwards. Just sayin...

Some consider Oklahoma & Okies as backwards, so there may be some truth in it..LOL

Some consider Oklahoma & Okies as backwards, so there may be some truth in it..LOL

This conversation will never occur at Custino's . . .
Vast maybe . . . But not Custino's.
It's an Okie Thang I reckon . . .

_m7Aeicon5Y

(does anyone know Brad Paisley's phone number?
he could probably write a song on the topic.
with someone other than LLCoolJ as the sidekick in the video =)

There is a comment about the closure of the eatery on May Street over on the Bud Elder FB site for Custino's Italian Kitchen.



Much like an old ginsu knife commercial ... there's more. View, or not, as one elects at https://www.facebook.com/Custinos

Felt like I needed to take a shower after reading that Facebook post. Whether or not Elder is right -- and that is for the court to determine -- it's not classy to stoop so low in calling out your nemesis as a "liar" in such a public forum.

A pretty good source tells me that the W. Britton Road Custino's Restaurant location will likely be closing...Don’t know when?
The newspaper gave this business plenty of free fanfare on their opening…. but it makes me think someone was doing someone favors by providing so much free publicity and now they won’t cover the ongoing details of the legal battle to any great extent. It’s like the favors have continued.

Objective jourilism would at some point provide closure to the events that surrounded this drama.

Objective jourilism would at some point provide closure to the events that surrounded this drama.

Objectionable journalism on the other hand . . . (j/k)

A pretty good source tells me that the W. Britton Road Custino's Restaurant location will likely be closing...Don’t know when?
The newspaper gave this business plenty of free fanfare on their opening…. but it makes me think someone was doing someone favors by providing so much free publicity and now they won’t cover the ongoing details of the legal battle to any great extent. It’s like the favors have continued.

Objective jourilism would at some point provide closure to the events that surrounded this drama.

Oh, whatever. I've got a story being written up. There were no favors - both sides hated having me write that story. And if you're going to take a pot shot at me, have the guts to go ahead and name names. Also, dictionaries are still wonderful resources.

Oh, whatever. I've got a story being written up. There were no favors - both sides hated having me write that story. And if you're going to take a pot shot at me, have the guts to go ahead and name names. Also, dictionaries are still wonderful resources.Are you the only journalist covering this story? I think not!
I believe I saw or heard about Custino's on TV several times!…..It was also covered in several publications! So no.

Objective journalism is a rare and wonderful thing when you can find it.
Oh, and writing has never been my profession.



PS: it’s good to hear that you have “a story being written up” any idea when it will be published?

This next week or so... waiting to see if Custino's on Britton closes....

This next week or so... waiting to see if Custino's on Britton closes....

Ok thanks….

I should have been more clear in that it wasn’t just the newspaper covering the restaurant with fanfare at its opining, it was several media sources who should be in a habit of practicing journalistic integrity.

It’s a small world and given the back ground of the owners contacts in the general media that are of public record it makes me wonder how much favoritism this business was given from the start over other less connected business. Given the lack of coverage it made me wonder about local journalistic fairness across the board.

Coming Soon . . .

From the ashes of Custino's on Britton, two previous BBQ joints--and something else before that--arises

Phoenix!
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll235/DRAGON_LUST/Some%20Mythological%20Beings/The-Fire-Phoenix.jpg
Specializing in Nuevo Southwestern Cuisine
Mostly Chicken

(an elder the younger project)

This next week or so... waiting to see if Custino's on Britton closes....

Thought I had heard or read somewhere they were going to rebrand as Taste Bud's (or something along those lines.) The FB page for the folks on Britton doesn't really read like someone got recent bad news. I don't know the players, so nuttin' but speculation on my end.

I know it's interesting for theater's sake because of the posts here, but is this whole name quibbling really that big of a news story? It's two restaurants fighting over the name of a restaurant that doesn't have nearly as much name value as they think, I wouldn't think it'd be more worth our time than any other routine civil suit

I know it's interesting for theater's sake because of the posts here, but is this whole name quibbling really that big of a news story? It's two restaurants fighting over the name of a restaurant that doesn't have nearly as much name value as they think, I wouldn't think it'd be more worth our time than any other routine civil suit

And yet, here we are, at fifteen pages. I don't get it either.

And yet, here we are, at fifteen pages. I don't get it either.

"W h a t H a t h C T W r o u g h t . . ."
http://www.reformation.org/en-first-telegraph-painting.jpg

(hint: ref. post #1)

Everyone has stories that they'd like covered in the media with greater depth, and usually leaning in the direction they prefer. So reading that someone is unhappy about the coverage of the Custino's saga isn't a surprise, but calling into question Steve's integrity or tenacity as a journalist is.

OKCTalk provides all of us with a soap box with very few restraints, unlike professional journalists who are limited by available column inches, an editor's decision to assign a reporter, the time required to cover a story, the public's appetite in reading it, and an obligation to correct errors. As pickles notes, we've got 15 pages here, but a few stories elsewhere in the media.

So run this thread to 150 pages if you'd like, but don't then use its comparative length as a metric to disparage journalists who aren't devoting similar attention to it.

Everyone has stories that they'd like covered in the media with greater depth, and usually leaning in the direction they prefer. So reading that someone is unhappy about the coverage of the Custino's saga isn't a surprise, but calling into question Steve's integrity or tenacity as a journalist is.

OKCTalk provides all of us with a soap box with very few restraints, unlike professional journalists who are limited by available column inches, an editor's decision to assign a reporter, the time required to cover a story, the public's appetite in reading it, and an obligation to correct errors. As pickles notes, we've got 15 pages here, but a few stories elsewhere in the media.

So run this thread to 150 pages if you'd like, but don't then use its comparative length as a metric to disparage journalists who aren't devoting similar attention to it.

I did not intend to directly challenge Steve’s journalistic integrity and attempted to clarify that in my most recent post. I apologies for any misunderstanding on that.

However, and in the interest of fairness, for those who won’t cover this story with the same attention as they did at the restaurants opening when the restaurant did receive lots of free publicity, those journalist and news sources should have their integrity questioned. What comes around should go around. If nothing else was available the TV folks could have given an update with a live report while standing in front of the restaurant.

As far as I know and to Steve and his newspapers credit they are the only news source that has offered any continuing coverage of this story that appears to be full of dysfunctional personalities.

One person was in the witness protection program, there were allegations of death threats and stealing and more. One of the key personalities made several post on this board. One person made many questionable commits in very public forms for all to see. These are not IMHO the actions of most normal business owner/ operators and that in its self is worth covering.

Yet for all the free publicity and legal actions we have seen there has been very little coverage from our local journal across the board on what has happened since the opening and that’s why IMHO there is at least the appearance of favoritism.