Goon,

Custino's Italian Kitchen: (April 2012 - July 2013)

April 2012 - June 2012:
ORIGINAL BUSINESS PARTNERS: Angelo Custino (50% Owner), BARBRA ELDER (25% Owner), Charles Elder AKA Bud Elder (25% Owner)

Problems:
1) too much media publicity and restaurant was not fully prepared and restaurant was still in "soft" opening
2) Both 25% owners stealing money three weeks into the business being open
3) False media publicity facts
4) Not enough money to pay distributors due to both 25% owners stealing money
5) Both 25% partners had been partnered with the custino's in earlier years with the first custino's back in the day
6) everyone in the restaurant never got along and constant fights happened
7) poorly trained staffed due to 25% partners choosing people who have never worked in restaurant in their life
8) 25% partners had never owned or been involved in restaurants before and had no clue how much it took to run a restaurant
9) Illegal change of locks on building when Angelo Custino seeked legal council for the stealing of money
10) Food being given out free to 25% partners friends, family and more
11) 25% partners trying to control the restaurant from day one because of how well they were connected with the media after both being involved in the governor's life
12) Lies, Lies, Lies in the media

Custino's Restaurant & Bar:
October 2012 - June 2012
Owner: Angelo Custino

Problems:
1) Custino's Italian Kitchen existing owners using the name
2) Custino's Italian Kitchen existing owners slandering Custino's R&B
3) Filing complaints with the health department and city against Custino's Restaurant & Bar
4) rediculous media war with false facts
5) Ghost writing from Custino's Italian Kitchen
6) Slander and Liable writing from Custino's Italian Kitchen
7) Money going out to door to defend ourselves against Custino's Italian Kitchen
8) no reason to stay open with a media war with everything stacked against us, etc.
9) Phil being the kitchen and getting mentally sick
10) falling out between angelo custino and phil custino
11) threats from multiple people and groups against angelo custino and myself
12) being accused of "wacking" aka killing bud elder - FALSE REPORT TO OKC PD
13) being accused of "wacking" aka killing people and drowning people in lake heftner - FALSE REPORT TO OKC PD
14) restaurant being attacked and windows being busted from things that were inside of Custino's Italian Kitchen but couldn't file charges
15) not enough money to stay open because custino's italian kitchen caused so much damage plus the media
16) Gas company doing maitnance and busting gas lines for 2 weeks and caused a minor shut down but was extremely hard to recover
17) water company doing maitnance and busting water lines causing another shut down that was extremely hard to recover from

I was involved in both full time from open to close, without me neither restaurant would of survived more then 3-6 weeks from opening, there is so many more facts that can go on for days

Jesus, can't say I'm unhappy this sad chapter had to end for either restaurant. It's hard to believe there was this much drama for such mediocre food.

Yes, it is unbelievable....as in, not to be believed. Trust me, there is another side to this story that is way different than this self serving late to the game account.

Let's get a couple of things straight here, I was the person who handled 95% of everything for both Custino's restaurants. There is a lot of missing facts that no one know's about that was not mentioned in paper or media. right now I no longer associate myself with the custino's, As during the time that everything was going on I was in a relationship with the youngest Custino. If there is anyone needing consultation for anything when it comes to restaurants, bars, websites, etc it would be best to come to me about questions, information and consultation because I know about a lot and I can answer lots of questions and get straight to the bottom of things. I am open to helping business people of oklahoma because small business needs to start booming again and take off and get to the point where a lot of corporate businesses are.

As I was the person who did the marketing, promotions, ad's, artwork, idea creations, IT management, Website Management and more for both restaurants. I am the person who was not only the main brains to both operations because without me both operations would of failed in very early stages. Both restaurants are lucky they stayed open as long as they did and I was involved with both from opening to closing of both. so if anyone has questions feel free to ask!

I have had to remain quiet through these last few months and have had to keep my identity pretty hidden as I have been involved with both restaurants and now that I am no longer involved with the custino's or either restaurant I am open for discussion :)

shouldn't that be "there are" or "there were"?

Jesus, can't say I'm unhappy this sad chapter had to end for either restaurant. It's hard to believe there was this much drama for such mediocre food.

"end" implies . . . well . . . end.
It ain't over 'till it's over.
And obviously it ain't over yet.

Why . . . Did We say it was over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Of course, I haven't asked Jesus about His opinion yet, so I can't respond to the question in a scientific manner.

Maybe someone needs to drive a steak through the heart of this restaurant?

Okcbigeater, with all due respect, if you handled "95% of everything for both restaurants", WTH happened?

The funny part is he's using this as a solicitation for his services, as if future clients would be interested in being drawn into this madness.

The funny part is he's using this as a solicitation for his services, as if future clients would be interested in being drawn into this madness.

I'd be doing everything I could to keep future clients from finding these threads. That whole drama is not exactly a portfolio that presents his services in the best of light.

I'd be doing everything I could to keep future clients from finding these threads. That whole drama is not exactly a portfolio that presents his services in the best of light.

Yeah . . . That occurred to me, too.
It's sort of like bragging about designing the Edsel or those original O-Rings on the Space Shuttle.
Or directing Battlefield Earth. . .

First of all, What happened was people got greedy and selfish when they saw the money and decided "let me just take the money for myself and leave the business with barely anything to operate on" with the first one, the second custino's was in survival mode the entire time because we were bashed so much by the first one in the media and on tv. Not only was the second one in survival mode but the Oklahoma Gas Company forced us to shut our doors with their two weeks of gas line work and busting pipes causing gas to be turned off for a lot of businesses because their workers busted the gas line when they were trying to update the gas line and on the last day of the repair they busted the water line as they finished up the repair for the gas line. After the gas line was fixed all the same businesses had no water for quite a few days and we were forced to be closed even longer because Oklahoma City Water Company took forever to repair their busted water line that the gas company broke.

I was the person who kept the first restaurant afloat with angelo custino as his business partners were literally destroying the business by stealing money and giving out free food to their friends. When we opened the second restaurant I had to keep the restaurant afloat as we were constantly being attacked in the papers and on tv by the first restaurant owners who refused to change the name when they said that they came up with the name which was false facts. The name was NEVER reserved by the Elders what so ever, Angelo Custino came up with the name of the first one and the Elders decided to have their friends do the artwork for the logo which I hate to say was basically a color copy of the whataburger logo but with the custino name on the building. I was in charge of all marketing, promotions, ad's (advertising), IT management, Website Management, POS Systems, Front of House, etc. Angelo Custino took charge of the Kitchen and I helped where I could with the kitchen when I had time to breath when I wasn't having to defend our second restaurant. We simply closed because there was no reason to stay open when the gas company and the water forced us to close along with the negative media publicity that the elders were causing because they had friends who worked for multiple newspaper and tv companies. I am not trying to advertise my specialties, But I have been asked by many to be a consultant for their businesses since we closed the second restaurant. let me make it clear myself and angelo were involved with Custino's Italian Kitchen from Opening until June of 2012, We then left that business together and opened the second location together in October 2012 and closed that location in June of 2013. After we closed the second location we moved to California and conducted business for six months and after doing that we both decided to move back to Oklahoma where we both are located now in the great town of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both of us will be moving back to Oklahoma City to conduct business along with continuing to conduct business in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

I will say if I was able to keep the Custino's Restaurant & Bar afloat with angelo custino to outlast the first one through all of the negative publicity then we would of stayed open but we both sat down together and had a meeting and made the best business decision that we could to close the doors and no longer try to compete with negative media publicity against both of us even though all the negative publicity was all false facts because there was lots of ghost writing was apparently going on because there is no way a reporter would of spun the story the way it was spun. If you don't know what ghost writing is it is where someone who is not associated with a newspaper company writes the story and then has someone else attach their name to it that works for the company to make it look like the newspaper company wrote the paper themselves. I will say with the Elders having political and media connections they used their connections to the best of their abilities.

Rover,

I was not a friend of the custino's. I worked for both of the eatery's and did just about everything that Angelo Custino did not have time to do. He did what he had to do to keep the eatery's open and I did what I had to do to help him keep the eatery's open. I was in the first restaurant from him from the moment we got into the first custino's italian kitchen as me and him were there everyday from 5AM - Midnight. We are the only two who kept that place going until we both parted with that place in June of 2012, Both of us were also the two who kept the second restaurant (Custino's Restaurant & Bar). Yes I will admit that we were both in a relationship together outside of work but in work we but our relationship aside and ran the restaurant together. there is no way I could of been a "friend" of custino's when I was 110% involved everyday in both the first one when I said me and angelo were at the first one and then the entire time of the second one.

1) How much do you suppose it cost the providers of "false facts" to pay the gas company to cut off the gas? (And right after that, to pay off the water company?)

2) Aren't "false facts" actually "lies"?

3) Is it a "true fact" that the food at the original location (except for right after opening) was sub-par and the cleanliness of the interior abysmal? Or is that a simple fact.

4) Didn't anyone realize they were opening a restaurant in a building that is notorious for being haunted by the ghosts of restaurants past?

xos2MnVxe-c

Radical Moderate,

1) it did not cost the elders anything for the media publicity they created for themselves to try to drawl in customers after myself and angelo left that location in june of 2012. The gas company was a completely separate problem that a lot of the restaurants on May Ave had to deal with, the gas company hired a private company to come out to May Ave to update the gas lines which the private company not only busted the line when they got started but then also busted the water line after they fixed and updated the gas line.

2) False Facts reported about the custino's were all LIES and yes they can all be considered LIES

3) the first restaurant (custino's italian kitchen) was completely remodeled when we got inside the building. I will tell you it was the NASTIEST restaurant I had ever seen when we got into the restaurant before opening it. the roof was caving in. the walls were caving in, the back of the restaurant was black and I mean BLACK AS CAN BE... (Ceiling, Walls, Floors, EVERYTHING) from the restaurant that was in their before us. After Angelo Custino, Myself and Phil Custino left that location in June of 2012 the restaurant just went to hell because I had friends who went in that one to see what the food was like and the food was extremely below serving quality and the cleanliness I know was not clean what so ever as the health department reported online because you can pull up any health department checks online and that restaurant was issued citations and warnings according to the online health department reports multiple times because the food had hair in it, hands were not being washed, bathrooms were not clean, equipment was not being used right. I will say that is the first restaurant is the restaurant that the elders had ever worked in, Let alone the person who was their "consultant" after we left in june also left them because they refused to listen and thought they could get away with anything because their consultant had made contact with us and told us everything that was going on when he was there and how it was when he left.

4) we had no idea what was in store for us when we opened the restaurant till all of the business capital went to repairing the roof and making it brand new again along with fixing the ENTIRE restaurant which was nothing but problems from the get go. I will say that we had someone come out and look at the water lines under the building that went behind the building underground and a "eyeball" was used to go through the pipelines and I will say we found some gross things left over from the previous restaurants that had been there before such as years of toilet paper clogging the lines, chicken bones, meat bones, etc. that location was a complete nightmare. The second location was much better and the food was beyond amazing as I ate it quite it a bit.

Propoganda. Someone loves their forum here and apparently has a bone to pick.

Rover,

Think what you would like, I don't really have a bone to pick. I though to myself "why don't i re-read through all 17 pages and see what hasn't been covered and make this topic arise from the dead since it is october"

Right. I'm sure halloween is the reason. Lol

Propoganda. Someone loves their forum here and apparently has a bone to pick.

Maybe diners having to pick bones out of their pizza, lasagna and spaghetti was one reason for the eatery's demise?

Here are a few suggestions on how to make the next incarnation of The Haunted Eatery on Britton Road work.
I'll bill you for the Consultant's Finder's Fee . . . just send me your address, a couple of credit card numbers and your SSN.

iEnCKEfSgUM

It's no "coincidence" that The Haunted Eatery on Britton Road is located in The City of The Village of the Darned . . .
(OR IS IT???? . . . [insert Theremin arpeggio of choice])

OK, I've stayed quiet. But I am seeing repeated insinuations by okcbigeater that the reporting done on this story was ghost written, etc., that it was all driven by Bud Elder, and much of the reporting was done by The Oklahoman.
First, let me state something: some people go around stating that everyone is their "good friend." Bud Elder is one of those guys. I have no complaint with him. He's a friendly enough guy. But my only dealings with him have been in reporting stories. We don't hang out together, we don't socialize, I did not know of him outside of my reporting.
Did Bud give away food? You bet. That happens in the restaurant industry - I try to pay in such instances, and if the other person refuses, I typically leave a tip for the wait staff similar to what my bill might have been.
Now, who solicited coverage?
Let's go back to this OKC Talk comment by Angelo Custino:

Steve,

You and Dave were the first ones we called and I can still remember the excitement in both of your voices that my dad was back in town. I tried to avoid the name question because to me it was just silly, but I didn't want to see my father have his own "birther" movement like President Obama so I had my mother mail his birth certificate to me in case their were any doubts. I'll bring you a slice of our new and improved lasagna to your office and show it to you.

Yes, it's true - Dave Cathy and I both had good memories of the old Custino's (free of the soap opera).

Now, again, I wasn't going to bring this up. I'm not looking to get into a fuss with okcbigeater, I don't wish him any ill will. But he's really raising honesty of our reporting as an issue. I stand by what we reported. As for OKCbigeater, I'll leave you with this quote from Oct. 4, 2012 (IN THIS THREAD!), which took place after several comments posted promoting the Custinos and trashing the Elders (I asked "OKCbigeater, aren't you involved with the new Custino's restaurant?"):


Steve,

I am just a big fan of Custino's. I joined OKCTalk a few months ago when I noticed people were starting to talk about them again so I could stay in the loop and voice my opinions. I'd like to know where most of your sources come from because a lot of it doesn't match what they are saying. I am not in communication with the Custino's but receive updates from them through their multiple media outlets.

So . . . Would the last quote, appearing above, in Post #439, be an example of one of those "false facts" alluded to, earlier, by the alleged quotee?
'R whut . . .? (btw: "r'whut" would be an example of "drawling them in" [from a previous post, by the "defendant"/"defender"] wouldn't it?)

Perhaps the NEXT failed restaurant, at this location, could be named: Der Kulinary KlusterFukke?
(Like, especially if they had Brats and German Potato Salad on the menu . . . or even on the plate?)

What was that line on Big Bang theory the other night.
Something like, ut oh, someone call the burn ward.

Someone got caught big time on here by Steve

#439 - Well then, that should just about wrap this thing up for good. I hope.

#439 - Well then, that should just about wrap this thing up for good. I hope.

"'Wrap this thing up for good'???!!!
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h402/3man09/Mummy-A.jpeg
"Say it ain't so . . ."

Post 439 by Steve pretty much nailed okcbigeater. If he would lie then, he would certainly lie to us in this thread today. Thanks, Steve, for shining a little light.

Rover,

Think what you would like, I don't really have a bone to pick. I though to myself "why don't i re-read through all 17 pages and see what hasn't been covered and make this topic arise from the dead since it is october"

Since you admittedly, and under un-official oath, don't have a bone to pick, is a nose a suitable alternative?
You don't have to answer that question, but you do realize that the failure to do so implies guilt. Right?
(The jury is instructed to disregard that question. Off with his head.)

Hey OKCBigEater, I think the Obamacare website is hiring!

OK, I've stayed quiet. But I am seeing repeated insinuations by okcbigeater that the reporting done on this story was ghost written, etc., that it was all driven by Bud Elder, and much of the reporting was done by The Oklahoman.
First, let me state something: some people go around stating that everyone is their "good friend." Bud Elder is one of those guys. I have no complaint with him. He's a friendly enough guy. But my only dealings with him have been in reporting stories. We don't hang out together, we don't socialize, I did not know of him outside of my reporting.
Did Bud give away food? You bet. That happens in the restaurant industry - I try to pay in such instances, and if the other person refuses, I typically leave a tip for the wait staff similar to what my bill might have been.
Now, who solicited coverage?
Let's go back to this OKC Talk comment by Angelo Custino:


Yes, it's true - Dave Cathy and I both had good memories of the old Custino's (free of the soap opera).

Now, again, I wasn't going to bring this up. I'm not looking to get into a fuss with okcbigeater, I don't wish him any ill will. But he's really raising honesty of our reporting as an issue. I stand by what we reported. As for OKCbigeater, I'll leave you with this quote from Oct. 4, 2012 (IN THIS THREAD!), which took place after several comments posted promoting the Custinos and trashing the Elders (I asked "OKCbigeater, aren't you involved with the new Custino's restaurant?"):



Steve,

LOL, I was not talking about your newspaper. I was talking about the many others that also reported on this that the elders had their hands tied into or at one point worked for the companies. we both know what companies those are and we both know how much impact that had on both restaurants. As we discussed on the phone you have known this account was me and we both laughed about it. Yes i kept my identity quiet when we opened the second one but now why not let my identity be known. yes i was involved, yes i was dating the owner and yeah I had beyond so much to do with both of them at different times. I will say that you and dave both did a great job at covering the story from both angles of the picture but there is about 3-4 other magazines out there which have bud's handprints all over it. We know bud has worked in radio and he has also worked in journalism lets not forget that he was terminated by Governor Mary Fallin! I think a lot of people have forgot that fact or that fact was covered up!

"Elder previously left employment with the state under a cloud which buzzed of abuse of state property and state time. Sources close to republican insiders indicate he was a ghost employee who was placed there for political connections. he had abused state cell phones and eventually had it and his car taken away. Sources familiar with the Department of Human Services indicate he was suspected of using state property for personal use."

Figured I would shine a little light on that just to show how connected with other media and political connections he has. Steve I am not by any means doubting you or Dave's work I am doubting the other few magazines and papers out there that the Elders have been involved with!

Steve,

LOL, I was not talking about your newspaper. I was talking about the many others that also reported on this that the elders had their hands tied into or at one point worked for the companies. we both know what companies those are and we both know how much impact that had on both restaurants. As we discussed on the phone you have known this account was me and we both laughed about it. Yes i kept my identity quiet when we opened the second one but now why not let my identity be known. yes i was involved, yes i was dating the owner and yeah I had beyond so much to do with both of them at different times. I will say that you and dave both did a great job at covering the story from both angles of the picture but there is about 3-4 other magazines out there which have bud's handprints all over it. We know bud has worked in radio and he has also worked in journalism lets not forget that he was terminated by Governor Mary Fallin! I think a lot of people have forgot that fact or that fact was covered up!

"Elder previously left employment with the state under a cloud which buzzed of abuse of state property and state time. Sources close to republican insiders indicate he was a ghost employee who was placed there for political connections. he had abused state cell phones and eventually had it and his car taken away. Sources familiar with the Department of Human Services indicate he was suspected of using state property for personal use."

Figured I would shine a little light on that just to show how connected with other media and political connections he has. Steve I am not by any means doubting you or Dave's work I am doubting the other few magazines and papers out there that the Elders have been involved with!

Which newspapers? The Gazzette? I don't know of too many other local newspapers around OKC.

Steve,

LOL, I was not talking about your newspaper. I was talking about the many others that also reported on this that the elders had their hands tied into or at one point worked for the companies. we both know what companies those are and we both know how much impact that had on both restaurants. As we discussed on the phone you have known this account was me and we both laughed about it. Yes i kept my identity quiet when we opened the second one but now why not let my identity be known. yes i was involved, yes i was dating the owner and yeah I had beyond so much to do with both of them at different times. I will say that you and dave both did a great job at covering the story from both angles of the picture but there is about 3-4 other magazines out there which have bud's handprints all over it. We know bud has worked in radio and he has also worked in journalism lets not forget that he was terminated by Governor Mary Fallin! I think a lot of people have forgot that fact or that fact was covered up!

"Elder previously left employment with the state under a cloud which buzzed of abuse of state property and state time. Sources close to republican insiders indicate he was a ghost employee who was placed there for political connections. he had abused state cell phones and eventually had it and his car taken away. Sources familiar with the Department of Human Services indicate he was suspected of using state property for personal use."

Figured I would shine a little light on that just to show how connected with other media and political connections he has. Steve I am not by any means doubting you or Dave's work I am doubting the other few magazines and papers out there that the Elders have been involved with!

You may be the sleaziest poster on this site with all the insinuations. If you are out to personally apply a hachet to Bud, please use your own real name and state what YOUR beef is. It isn't to bring any clarity and truth.

It looks like the Court has dropped the lawsuit that Mr.Custino had against Mr.Elder

It looks like the Court has dropped the lawsuit that Mr.Custino had against Mr.Elder

"What? I'm s'posed t' be surprised?
Dis is just one more example of prejudice against people wid names dat end in vowels."
http://i2.cdnds.net/12/48/618x442/screen-shot-2012-11-30-at-154239.jpg

It looks like the Court has dropped the lawsuit that Mr.Custino had against Mr.Elder

If you mean the protective order case, that was resolved by being denied back in summer of 2012.
The dissolution of partnership case (CJ-201-4883, OK CO DCT) appears to be ongoing. The most recent docket entry is from this time frame last month, sustaining a motion by defendant elder to compel compliance with an earlier filed discovery request.
A separate action brought against angelo custino and the elders, for possession of the britton rd property, was filed in may of last year and ended in a default judgment.

And that's all I know about that.

WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ANGELO CUSTINO? LOOK WHAT I FOUND ON TWITTER!

WE NEED A FOOD TRUCK LIKE THIS IN TULSA AND OKLAHOMA CITY? WOULD ANYONE ELSE AGREE?

CHECK THIS STORY OUT!

Food Truckers Aim to Feed the Needy One Suspended Meal at a Time
/Food Truckers Aim to Feed the Homeless, One Suspended Meal at a Time (http://www.welikela.com/suspenders-food-truck-los-angeles/)

The only thing good about "Custinos" is that they used to be next door to The Best Cigar Shop in The State of Oklahoma and right next to Johnnie's Hamburger Shack minus the Gelato Stand. What? No Pizza? Only a Luby's??? (with some Thai on the side . . . .)

The good news is that Dallas and Alecia just made it to Prime Time Late Night Television.
(I recon he's always gone by the name of "Dallas" . . . She used to be known as "Pink". =)

When Custino's reopens . . . they should have some live music and clean paper plates.
Capice? Non? =)

Did I forget to mention ND Foods? . . . ND reminds me of North Dakota.

Wow ! I know that it's an old thread but this has to be one of the most exciting stories that I have spent a few hours reading on this page.

Wow ! I know that it's an old thread but this has to be one of the most exciting stories that I have spent a few hours reading on this page.

Seriously! I just read it too. What a cluster....!

I can't believe its been 10 years since all of this went down!!!