It's not something I make a big deal about. I have a pretty intimate understanding of what CC chargers are to business owners and I don't have a lot of respect for those who don't just raise their prices by 3% so that customers don't have to find an ATM and pay ATM chargers ($2.50+ most times). It just doesn't make sense. Most of the time, the owners have some beef or chip on their shoulder and that's the reason why. In which case, I'm happy to "vote with my feet" if you will. If you're just wanting to make a point, I'll do the same. My time and convenience is worth something and in the service industry, there are some things you should provide.

Some concepts get away with being truly unique. I respect that. Like a taco stand with no chairs. Or an ice cream parlor that doesn't have anything healthy on the menu. But if you're a burger shack, I don't see how if your thing is "cash only" helps. I like a good burger and can walk or ride to tonos of places without haven't to pre-plan to get cash along the way. So for me, it's just a matter of preference and also, choosing to support places that I believe are doing a better job of serving their customers. Purely a personal decision. I hear great things about Nic's. If cash finds its way into my wallet one day and I'm in the area, I'll probably check it out.

There, now before someone calls me a troll, let's get back on topic. :D

On edit: I'll add to that in so many cases of cash only establishments, you'll see an on premise ATM. ISO's have saturated this market and they are making a killing off of those fees. A nice percentage of those fees goes to the establishment. So instead of just adding the 3.2% that Visa is going to charge them to your burger, they'll get usually $2 or more for every sucker that doesn't carry cash. It's a practice I refuse to support. Not saying that is what happens at Nic's but it happens a lot of cash only establishments.

nic is pretty much always 100% at capacity .. (even being on triple D didn't really help sales it just made the line longer) so why would he want to either A. charge his customers more .. or B lower his margins??

doesn't really effect me either way .. i always have cash .. even though i use a card most of the time.

So neither of you have ever been in a situation where a businesses credit card machine was not working?.

No, I haven't.


Similarly, I write about 1 check a year now.

Yet, I always seem to get behind the one person who has to wait until an order is totalled to even begin trying to fish for their checkbook, then takes forever filling it out, showing their ID and logging the transaction into their registry. There are often times where I have already paid and moved past them while they are still jacking around trying put everything away, find their keys, etc.

OR behind the person that has to find the exact change buried in their purse or pockets...


It's the electronic age, people! Swipe that card and move along. :)

No, I haven't.


Similarly, I write about 1 check a year now.

Yet, I always seem to get behind the one person who has to wait until an order is totalled to even begin trying to fish for their checkbook, then takes forever filling it out, showing their ID and logging the transaction into their registry. There are often times where I have already paid and moved past them while they are still jacking around trying put everything away, find their keys, etc.

OR behind the person that has to find the exact change buried in their purse or pockets...


It's the electronic age, people! Swipe that card and move along. :)

just want to say that paying with cash for a 8 dollar meal can be quicker than any card will ever be ..... drop the 10 get up and walk away ..

as for the checks i 100% agree

I know I'll still want to have the full Nic's experience even if the food at Ice House is very comparable.

Plus, I do want to try his breakfast and other items, not just the burger.

Maybe it is just on certain days and it is a coincidence, but I don't think he is open for breakfast any more...whenever I drive by on the way into work, the "Closed" sign is up (9:30ish)... I had heard nothing but great things about the breakfast and hope I am wrong.



nic is pretty much always 100% at capacity .. (even being on triple D didn't really help sales it just made the line longer) so why would he want to either A. charge his customers more .. or B lower his margins??

doesn't really effect me either way .. i always have cash .. even though i use a card most of the time.
Wouldn't longer lines indicate more customers which would mean more sales???

I may be a bit cynical, but when I hear about a business that only takes cash I assume they are probably cooking their books as well as their food and are under-reporting to the IRS.

I dislike cash only restraunts but always keep a broken 20 in my wallet for akward tip situations, parking fees, etc.

For example came in handy this weekend at day out with Thomas when my wife wanted to get a ballon animal for our 2 year old. Tips weren't mandatory but the clown made a much nicer animal than the other kids were getting and was working fairly hard to get everyone taken care of.

Maybe it is just on certain days and it is a coincidence, but I don't think he is open for breakfast any more...whenever I drive by on the way into work, the "Closed" sign is up (9:30ish)... I had heard nothing but great things about the breakfast and hope I am wrong.



Wouldn't longer lines indicate more customers which would mean more sales???

no it would mean that it takes longer to get inside ...

if he always had a 4 person line before triple D (which is not far off) and after he then has a 15 person line all the time ... it would mean that if the line never tapered .. he would get 11 extra customers at the end of the day ...

except the line does taper off as you move toward 2 so no he didn't get more sales (according to him) .. because the inside was always full before and after ..

I almost never carry cash anymore and therefore if I had actually found a time when Nic's was open when I was in the area, there is a pretty good chance I would have stood in line, experienced great anticipation and cravings, and then ultimately be denied because it would never have occurred to me that in this day and age any type of legitimate business wouldn't even take a debit card.

I honestly can't think of an experience in the last several years when I have not been able to use my debit card.

Atm machine next door at the quick mart

Maybe it is just on certain days and it is a coincidence, but I don't think he is open for breakfast any more...whenever I drive by on the way into work, the "Closed" sign is up (9:30ish)... I had heard nothing but great things about the breakfast and hope I am wrong.

See post #41

I may be a bit cynical, but when I hear about a business that only takes cash I assume they are probably cooking their books as well as their food and are under-reporting to the IRS.


This. It is too easy.

It is basically like meeting someone who was/is a server and actually reports their tips in entirety on their taxes. It happens, but I would bet the farm on it being extremely seldom.

Also I am against an owner/business that exposes their employees to extra risk of robbery/theft due to large amounts of cash being on premises.

I remember the first trip out to Eischen's in Okarche. Didn't realize it was cash only and of course had to pay the exorbitant fees to get cash. Just ridiculous. As Sid said, it was a nice mix of embarrassment and frustration.

And what the hell is a check? I kid, I kid! But seriously, I haven't written a check in years. It's unnecessary and a complete waste of paper and time.

This. It is too easy.

It is basically like meeting someone who was/is a server and actually reports their tips in entirety on their taxes. It happens, but I would bet the farm on it being extremely seldom.

Also I am against an owner/business that exposes their employees to extra risk of robbery/theft due to large amounts of cash being on premises.

I mean....they're open from 7 - 2. What percentage of victim-present robbery occurs during those hours? I'd bet it's less than .5%

I mean....they're open from 7 - 2. What percentage of victim-present robbery occurs during those hours? I'd bet it's less than .5%

also the owner is the only employee for breakfast ... and 1 of the 2 for lunch ..

So...anyways...is this place open yet?

Tomorrow, I believe.

I know it's off topic, but my two cents (in cash of course), I try to use cash for all purchases except gasoline. If the establishment takes a check without instant debit, I also write checks. No, I'm not old fashioned, I'm a retired IT professional, I love online banking and I'm not technically challenged. When I was traveling I did use a credit card but I also kept a good amount of cash in my billfold.
On topic, now, I'm ready to try the Ice House for a Nic's burger. I'm not healthy enough to stand in line for an extended period of time at his original place. I need a really good burger, I have been cooking my own for quite a few years and it's getting boring.
C. T.

also the owner is the only employee for breakfast ... and 1 of the 2 for lunch ..

Actually there are 3 for lunch.... There is a 3rd in the back washing dishes and prepping food.

I know it's off topic, but my two cents (in cash of course), I try to use cash for all purchases except gasoline. If the establishment takes a check without instant debit, I also write checks. No, I'm not old fashioned, I'm a retired IT professional, I love online banking and I'm not technically challenged. When I was traveling I did use a credit card but I also kept a good amount of cash in my billfold.
On topic, now, I'm ready to try the Ice House for a Nic's burger. I'm not healthy enough to stand in line for an extended period of time at his original place. I need a really good burger, I have been cooking my own for quite a few years and it's getting boring.
C. T.

If you go before 11:15/11:30 or some days after 1:15, there's usually not a line at the shack.

Can anybody compare the quality of the 2 venues for us?

Teo9969,
Thanks, I might try that next week. After 1:15 is ideal for me. Also, good idea about comparing the two.
Thanks,
C. T.
If you go before 11:15/11:30 or some days after 1:15, there's usually not a line at the shack.

Can anybody compare the quality of the 2 venues for us?

On topic, now, I'm ready to try the Ice House for a Nic's burger. I'm not healthy enough to stand in line for an extended period of time at his original place. I need a really good burger, I have been cooking my own for quite a few years and it's getting boring.
C. T.

There are two benches in the front of the building that you can sit on while you are waiting. Most people at Nic's are friendly enough that if they are already sitting on the bench and you let them know you can't stand for long periods that they will probably move to let you sit down.

It really is a strange phenomenon how much friendlier people seem to be at Nic's. I'm generally introverted and keep to myself but I've been involved in many a conversation with random strangers both in and outside of Nic's.

Nope and I can't say I've seen it happen to anyone else. Unless of course you mean "insufficient funds".

Well let me give you the best example..... May 20th, 2013... Tornado hits SW OKC and Moore..... Most of that area was cash only.... The Wal-Mart was cash only for weeks.... So I can say I've seen it happen to entire communities.

For real? So because of tornado's, we should just all go to cash.

We're off topic. I'm not changing my position and likely you aren't either. Let's call it a draw?

I was never trying to change your position. Only giving examples of times when plastic is not an option. All of which you derided as if I'm some sort of crazy person.

I was never trying to change your position. Only giving examples of times when plastic is not an option. All of which you derided as if I'm some sort of crazy person.

agree OK BBQ. . .it can and it does. . .happened to me at Crest on 23rd a few years back. . .storms knocked their credit card machines off line for a couple hours. . .it was cash only or check. . or they would hold your groceries in a cart until you could come back with the $. Luckily I had a checkbook with me. . .but now it's almost all card but carry a broken $20 for odd situations. Not often, but our wonderful systems do go down occasionally!

Cash only can also result in unlawful tax avoidance as well. Many retailers have hidden cash for a long time.

Cash only is a form of arrogance which can be exercised when you are popular. Most retailers understand that taking cards is a normal and legitimate form of exchange preferred by many people. As long as there is a line for the establishment they can get away with ignoring it. Some day they may need to take cards, but until then they can ignore that segment that prefers it.

Atm machine next door at the quick mart

If a business only accepts cash and there even isn't an ATM in the same building, don't expect me to cross street just to get a $20 bill with a $3 fee. I will take my business elsewhere... That might sound extreme but I think its crummy when a restaurant has their only "cash only" sign up at the register and you only realize it after you've waited in line for 30 minutes.

So are they planning on being open for lunch today?

Edit: apparently it will be a couple more days.

I primarily use my card, but always always always carry some form of cash on me. (usually $40). And I very rarely touch it...but have had to use it in unexpected situations. Car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, can always toss someone a $20 for a ride into town or for a jump. Or if the credit card machine goes down at the wrong time...which has happened to me several times in the past few years, can at least avoid the long wait of the establishment to manually take credit cards and roll them on the dinosaur slider.

Two $20's folded up and tucked into the corner of your billfold takes up very little space and can get you out of most situations. It's like driving with a small repair kit in the trunk, very rarely do I have a flat tire or car issue but I know that small repair kit and bottle of fix a flat can get me out of most situations.

Nope and I can't say I've seen it happen to anyone else. Unless of course you mean "insufficient funds".

it has happened to me at a few of the various fast food places (McDonald's & Burger King). I try to have a $20 on hand for that kind of ting but didn't have any cash on me at the moment so had to cancel the order and go someplace else that had a working system....usually across the street or next door

If you don't want to carry cash for whatever reason, I don't have any problem with that...just realize that not everyone accepts credit/debit or even checks.

If a business only accepts cash and there even isn't an ATM in the same building, don't expect me to cross street just to get a $20 bill with a $3 fee. I will take my business elsewhere... That might sound extreme but I think its crummy when a restaurant has their only "cash only" sign up at the register and you only realize it after you've waited in line for 30 minutes.
I agree with that point, if they only accept cash, it needs to be posted on the door etc before you ever enter the establishment...or if in a drive thru and their machine is down, put a note on the speaker or announce it at the beginning of every order instead of waiting until the car pulls around to the window. Especially if it is in one of those drive-thrus that are designed so you can't get out of line once you order.

Nope and I can't say I've seen it happen to anyone else. Unless of course you mean "insufficient funds".

I've had it at Deep Deuce Grill... power went out during lunch. They had a no check policy which they reluctantly waived when we paid.

I've had it at Deep Deuce Grill... power went out during lunch. They had a no check policy which they reluctantly waived when we paid.

Also, opening night of Empire....power went out and messed up their credit card processing computer r the rest of the night. Had no idea of this coming in, but it was no issue because I carry a small amount of cash for this very thing.

The Ice House needs to include little fried doughnut holes on the menu, or at least keep some available to pass out when they experience rude or impatient customers.
Sorry you are upset with the food/service/bad'tudeubrungwitcha.
Let us make it up to you with a free dessert item.
Here you are. Enjoy your freebie Icehole[s].

I know, I know. But I also know some folks really do earn their freebies.

Most places that take plastic have stickers on the window or door that say Visa, Master Card, etc. Ice House is supposed to open tomorow or Friday. Nic told me that after the ice skating season there will be a lot more tables with umbrellas and other decorative items that will make it a nice place to eat lunch outdoors. I think he was joking, but he mentioned even putting a large television on top of the building. He seems excited about the concept.

Bigray in Ok

Stopped by Ice House yesterday and was told they are still waiting for their final permits and hope to be open by Friday.

Looks like they are opening tomorrow (Thursday 10/10) according to their FB page:


It's TRUE! We will be open tomorrow 10:30am to 9pm. Come on in for a Nic's hamburger, fries and milk shake!

Hmn, I may stop by around noon today and check it out.

Did we ever get confirmation on whether they will be taking credit cards? I'd like to know before I show up without any cash.

Hmn, I may stop by around noon today and check it out.

Did we ever get confirmation on whether they will be taking credit cards? I'd like to know before I show up without any cash.

According to their Facebook they'll accept both!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ice-House-OKC/1399528936939357

According to their Facebook they'll accept both!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ice-House-OKC/1399528936939357

I'm guessing that's in response to the question asked by Michael Acker in the recent posts feed? With no Facebook account I cannot see the comment responding to him.

Edit: scratch that, figured out how to drill down to the answer (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1454263701465880&id=1399528936939357).

Their FB page restates they will be open from 10:30 to 9PM today.

Also, remember they have to close when the rink opens, which means they will only run until the end of the month then reopen in the spring.

I give up. Opened this thread to see it was open today, and walk down there for lunch since its a beautiful fall day. I see a line, and people eating burgers, but now the computer system is having problems and they weren't taking anymore orders. I needed a salad anyway...lol

Yep, I got there too late as well. Guess I'll try again tomorrow.

Just got back from here.

Got there right around 1pm on a Friday, there was zero line. Just a few people waiting for orders and some kids running around. Honestly it was difficult to tell this was even a restaraunt from the garden side. I think they will eventually have signage on that side. But for not it is just a sliding window with a menu sign out front.


>Got the cheeseburger combo meal so it was around 11 dollars.
>They give you buzzer things that look like tazers for your order call.
>We got our orders in about 10-12 minutes with it being not busy at all, so take into account longer waits for more prime times. (and as people discover it).
>Initial thought was the burger is amazing, very messy and juicy like it should be.
>Halfway through the burger my burger was raw. I would not have noticed and kept eating if it wasn't for someone else in our group to point it out on his first. The third person in our group had a fully cooked patty in his.
>We took our half eaten raw burgers up to the front and they handled it perfectly. We were not upset or anything, we just wanted another burger, we even would have settled for one correctly cooked burger that was cut in half since we both ate half our originals.
>Not only did they remake us burgers (and made them to-go) - but they refunded us the full meal price.

Chalked the undercooked meat up to day #2 of being open. Other than that slight hiccup it was amazing and worth the 11 bucks. It was also beautiful outside, so the extra waiting from inconvenience was not bad.

Will definitely be going back and bringing along more coworkers!

I went today as well and they came around and asked if all our burgers were cooked properly. I ate mine too fast to even notice. It was delicious. It isn't quite Nic's but I didn't expect it to be. I'm just excited to have a great burger so convenient to my office and with dinner hours.

Tried again today at lunch, and showing up at noon was a bit of a mistake. Stood in line for 30 minutes, then ran across the park to put more money on in the meter (well, bought another 30 minute sticker).

The burger was pretty tasty (not worth the trip and a 30 minute wait though). No half-cooked issues with mine.
The fries were decent, but not spectacular.
The vanilla shake was quite good.
The iPad based ordering system seemed gimicky and awkward, but maybe it'll work out as they get used to it.

Tried again today at lunch, and showing up at noon was a bit of a mistake. Stood in line for 30 minutes, then ran across the park to put more money on in the meter (well, bought another 30 minute sticker).

The burger was pretty tasty (not worth the trip and a 30 minute wait though). No half-cooked issues with mine.
The fries were decent, but not spectacular.
The vanilla shake was quite good.
The iPad based ordering system seemed gimicky and awkward, but maybe it'll work out as they get used to it.

I imagine not at all meant to be gimmicky...Seems to be the way businesses are heading. I've seen more and more of them around town, and OK is probably lagging a little in that area. I bet in NYC, LA, and CHI they're all over the place.

I imagine not at all meant to be gimmicky...Seems to be the way businesses are heading. I've seen more and more of them around town, and OK is probably lagging a little in that area. I bet in NYC, LA, and CHI they're all over the place.

'tis true.

I've seen a few places that actually have them attached to the tables/booths.

Partly I'm going off of the experience I watched happen to the people in line in front of me. They had some complicated request that apparently had to be typed in on the software keyboard, and it was just painful to watch. The process of taking my order was fairly smooth, but I already knew what I wanted and didn't make any requests other than yes and no to a few toppings, and the app just had big toggle buttons for that which worked fairly well.

The other thing was just the amazing slowness of the ordering process. The line I was in should not have been a 30 minute line given the number of people in it, but it was anyway. I was blaming the app/process, but it have just as easily been customers being unfamiliar with the menu, newness of the employees, etc. More likely it was a combination of the above.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an IT professional and am generally a big fan of technology when used appropriately. I'm just not 100% convinced it was in this instance.

I've heard that some restaurants have their waitstaff use pencil and paper
to take orders. Afterwards they send those ancient hieroglyphics to the
kitchen. Who knows what takes place behind the 'veil' but it seems to
be quite accurate and even if you only order Adam and Eve on a wrecked
raft.

Oy!

I went there today about 11:20. Long line. I think they were having problems at first because the line didn't move much (if at all). When it started moving I thought it moved pretty well for there being only one order taker. I think a second station for ordering might be a good idea if the business stays good. We got our food rather quickly. I would say they have burgers already cooking, no way they got put on and done in that amount of time.

Burgers not near as big as Nic's and more expensive, but that is what it is. I will say they were like baby Nic's burgers. Nice and juicy. I'm not an onion person so I can't attest to how caramelized the onions were, if they compared to Nics. They looked it though. No one complained about them in our group but I don't think any of them have eaten at Nics. Now the fries, I think they need to work on those fries. Was not impressed.

Was a nice lunch. Enjoyed it and will probably go there once in a while if I want a burger for lunch (when it is open, of course).

Ate here today and it was fantastic!

It beats Tucker's (sorry good egg), S&B, Irma's, and Meers. The fries were perfectly cooked. Not too thin and not to thick and were seasoned perfectly.

I'll have to give it a try tomorrow.

Nic's Expands brand, Tamazul shrinks its potential audience, and other nuggets heard on the line... | News OK (http://newsok.com/nics-expands-brand-tamazul-shrinks-its-potential-audience-and-other-nuggets-heard-on-the-line.../article/3894667)

One bite into a huge cheeseburger with grilled onions and jalapenos and I was thinking: I’m really glad I’m not a competing burger purveyor. The burger included the signature crusty surface and ultra-juicy interior Nic’s is known for. Now for the even better news: the fries were terrific, too. Oh, yeah, and then there’s the shakes.
…
Ice House will only be open through the end of October before going into hibernation until next spring. For now, you can check out the burgers from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and til 9 on weekends. The only seating is outdoors, so bundle up or take it to go. For more information, call 232-NICS.

The Ice House doesn't appear to have slowed the lines at Nic's Grill. Drove by there yesterday on my way to Taqueria Rafita's and there were about 12 people in line at about 11:45 AM.

I bet all the Ice House publicity and people raving about the burgers has only helped Nic's.

After all, the Penn location is the original and bigger and cheaper.

I did find it kind of funny that Krell had to be trained to cook a burger...


Krell, who endured a grueling griddling apprenticeship under Nicholas in recent months

Went for lunch today and well.....I think I need to go to Nic's and try the real thing. It was a good burger, but not any better than Tuckers. It seems that sometimes restaurants get rave reviews for being new and not necessarily for being that good. I remember my first time going to BTT, and I was very disappointed. Social media has bamboozled me into trying new “fantastic, best-ever, life-changing, worth punching an old lady for” restaurants that are good, but not necessarily living up to the description. I would describe Ice House as a good burger served in a cool location, or maybe as the best burger in the CBD, although Nebu make a pretty good burger too. I’m perplexed! It’s definitely a go, but with realistic expectations.

Went for lunch today and well.....I think I need to go to Nic's and try the real thing. It was a good burger, but not any better than Tuckers. It seems that sometimes restaurants get rave reviews for being new and not necessarily for being that good. I remember my first time going to BTT, and I was very disappointed. Social media has bamboozled me into trying new “fantastic, best-ever, life-changing, worth punching an old lady for” restaurants that are good, but not necessarily living up to the description. I would describe Ice House as a good burger served in a cool location, or maybe as the best burger in the CBD, although Nebu make a pretty good burger too. I’m perplexed! It’s definitely a go, but with realistic expectations.

I'd probably punch an old lady for a Nic's burger. I love them. :)

Went for lunch today and well.....I think I need to go to Nic's and try the real thing. It was a good burger, but not any better than Tuckers. It seems that sometimes restaurants get rave reviews for being new and not necessarily for being that good. I remember my first time going to BTT, and I was very disappointed. Social media has bamboozled me into trying new “fantastic, best-ever, life-changing, worth punching an old lady for” restaurants that are good, but not necessarily living up to the description. I would describe Ice House as a good burger served in a cool location, or maybe as the best burger in the CBD, although Nebu make a pretty good burger too. I’m perplexed! It’s definitely a go, but with realistic expectations.


Nics is way better.

It doesn't have to be the best ever for this to be successful. As long as it's at least "very good", the location will assure it's success.

Went for lunch today and well.....I think I need to go to Nic's and try the real thing. It was a good burger, but not any better than Tuckers. It seems that sometimes restaurants get rave reviews for being new and not necessarily for being that good. I remember my first time going to BTT, and I was very disappointed. Social media has bamboozled me into trying new “fantastic, best-ever, life-changing, worth punching an old lady for” restaurants that are good, but not necessarily living up to the description. I would describe Ice House as a good burger served in a cool location, or maybe as the best burger in the CBD, although Nebu make a pretty good burger too. I’m perplexed! It’s definitely a go, but with realistic expectations.

I go to Nic's 3-4 times a month so I'm pretty bias,With that being said I was extremely excited for all my family and friends to have a venue that they could finally try a Nic's burger. However this is not even close to the original that leaves you craving another the next day I would agree that there are better burgers downtown and that people that don't know better will think that is the same burger that Nic's serves. Do yourself a favor and a way to get the real thing.