Okay, maybe I've missed it somewhere...... but does this place have a REAL website? Depending on Facebook is a really bad idea. I found their Facebook page, but they've apparently made a bad idea worse by providing no phone number, no menu and no operating hours!

I see the menu in the photos, but this is not a patron friendly way of doing things.

After scrolling through posts I see that they are supposed to be open weekends. May give them a try.

They do have a website (icehouseokc.com) but it's just a placeholder for now. Remember, they are only open a few weeks as a test, then will be opening in earnest in the spring.

New restaurant opens at Myriad Gardens that has familiar taste (http://www.okcfox.com/story/23740805/new-restaurant-opens-at-myriad-gardens-that-has-familar-taste?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9435422)

http://kokh.images.worldnow.com/images/23740805_BG1.JPG


http://kokh.images.worldnow.com/images/23740805_BG2.JPG


http://kokh.images.worldnow.com/images/23740805_BG3.JPG

for me the placeholder page canna be reached using Chrome unless I leave off the www. part. Any site should be able to resolve with or without the www. on the front end. Silly, simple coding error, very 98'ish.


Oh, and while it is a placeholder site, since the placeholder says opening September 2013, it's also a bit '98ish.

Hopefully they'll fix it all over the winter.

They do have a website (Ice House (http://icehouseokc.com)) but it's just a placeholder for now. Remember, they are only open a few weeks as a test, then will be opening in earnest in the spring.

That's no excuse.

They obviously put some work into the placeholder - they could have included the opening hours and the "Open in Sept" considering its October just looks unprofessional. We're talking about simply taking 5 minutes of attention to an obvious detail.

Plus, I've tried several different Google searches and none produce a link to their website within the first page or two.

It may just be me, but when what you're serving is certainly not unique in any way, you'd better dot all your "i's" and cross all your "t's."

Well, I disagree that a restaurant must have a website. I think a well-filled Facebook Page works just fine since you can make them public and anyone (even those without a Facebook account) can see them.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get out there this week to try them. What should I order?

I think (or at least hope) most professional and successful business owners/advisors would disagree for a myriad of reasons.

Why leave your company's image and marketing at the whim of a 3rd party like Facebook? At any moment they could allow the competition to advertise on your only marketing effort. Not to mention they (Facebook) ultimately controls if you can even post and how your posts will look. Additionally, unless I specifically added "Facebook" to my Google search term, it didn't even find the page during a general google search to begin with.

Considering even a 9 year old can have an acceptable domain up and going within an hour for free or low cost makes it ludicrous to consider a Facebook only presence acceptable or professional - let alone customer oriented.

Well, not the thread but being someone who does this 'for a living', I fundamentally disagree. Coffee sometime and I'd be happy to share why I stand by my thoughts.

So, you're saying a company who obviously has the ability to utilize their own private domain - and thus control the content, the look, the execution, accessibility, etc. is just as well off from a marketing standpoint with a 3rd party Facebook page only?

Maybe for marketing that is 'just fine' but certainly not for a professional service oriented company that wants to stand out and be customer friendly.

I guess Good Egg and all the other reputable and successful restaurants out there should abandon their websites for Facebook pages only because that's all that's really needed.

Pull up a Good Egg domain and put it next to the Ice House Facebook page and you're telling me the effect is the same (with a straight face)?

You're right, we are off topic - but I did marketing for a living too for several very large Oklahoma companies. In a way I still do. But I don't for a second think that makes me an authority on the topic. But this just seems so obvious I can't resist the debate.

Just ate here yesterday. First thing, the food was seriously delicious. It's a good size and has the same taste as a Nic's burger which to me is still the best you can get here.

That being said, logistically this place is very disappointing. Almost no signage until you're right in front of the building. And the wait time is really difficult to understand. When you have a menu with essentially 2 items on your menu (burger and fries), you would think that they would easily meet the demand. I counted at least 6 people in the kitchen and still a 30-40 minute wait for two burgers and fries. Nic cooks everything by himself at 10-Penn and I can get in, eat, pay (less money by the way), and leave back for work in that amount of time.

I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, being a soft open and all. But when they're open in the summer, people aren't going to wait outside for an hour in Oklahoma heat for a burger and fries, no matter how good it is.

I'm sure they will be in much better shape when they re-open in the spring.

Well, I disagree that a restaurant must have a website. I think a well-filled Facebook Page works just fine since you can make them public and anyone (even those without a Facebook account) can see them.

Speaking as someone without a Facebook account, I could not disagree more. Facebook pages are very user unfriendly without an account as about every third thing you click prompts you to login. They are a pain to try to find any useful information on.

I've noticed a lot of OKC restaurants using crappy "web developers" lately that don't understand sales, marketing, UX or SEO. Many of them don't even have a mobile version of the website or a menu posted. Too many hobbyist "web designers" doing nice restaurant's websites. I've been trying to prospect some of these restaurants to let me firm redo them properly, but so far, no luck getting through to anyone.

I've noticed a lot of OKC restaurants using crappy "web developers" lately that don't understand sales, marketing, UX or SEO. Many of them don't even have a mobile version of the website or a menu posted. Too many hobbyist "web designers" doing nice restaurant's websites. I've been trying to prospect some of these restaurants to let me firm redo them properly, but so far, no luck getting through to anyone.

So long as they view it as an expense and not an asset, things are not all that likely to improve. Some offerings out there are downright horrid, or would be if only someone had devoted a wee but more time to get up to the level of horrid.

And I personally don't have an issue with a 'bare bones' websites - as long as it easily accessed has pertinent information. I can't imagine going to a restaurant's website for anything other than getting their location, business hours, to look at the menu or get a list of current specials/events.

Those types of sites can literally be had by someone with zero web development ability for very little money (less than $200).

It boggles the mind when restaurant owners don't get this concept.

http://kokh.images.worldnow.com/images/23740805_BG1.JPG
Looks great, except for the shredded lettuce. It's too overpowering to my taste.

Lettuce, onion and maters are salad ingredients. I'll never understand why some carnivores long ago bought into the ruse that salad belongs on hot meat and melted cheese.

Now swiss, bacon, or other chopped pig parts, that's a conversation I can have with most anyone.

Well Nic's is no longer cheaper than the Ice House.... He installed a new digital menu and the price is now $9.92 for the Cheeseburger Combo which comes out to $10.25 with tax.

Still not bad considering that's the first price increase Nic's has made in over 5 years.

Somebody should ask him about the possibility of a food truck...

That rumor has been floating around for a while.

Somebody should ask him about the possibility of a food truck...

That rumor has been floating around for a while.

He has an old taco truck parked behind his house that he bought about a year and a half ago. When I asked him about it he said he had plans to convert it and use it for catering.

Ice house is now closed for the season

Ice house is now closed for the season

What changed?

They had said they would be open through tomorrow (Wednesday).

What changed?

They had said they would be open through tomorrow (Wednesday).

I think the forecast rain for the entire day

Finally ate there yesterday with a group of downtown professionals.

Before going we engaged in the same conversation I think others will often have.....

Friend 1 - "Wanna try the new Nic's next to the Botanical Gardens?"

Friend 2 - "Mmmm, Nic's! Love the original."

Friend 3 - "Do you wanna walk or drive?"

Friend 1 - "I don't wanna walk, pretty far in a suit and I gotta get back to the office. But we may not be able to find a parking spot."

Friend 3 - "Do you wanna get a car out just to drive a couple of blocks and then spend 10 minutes looking for a parking spot?"

Friend 2 - "Mmmm, Nic's! Love the original." (he's a man of few words)

Me - "Lets just drive by, if we can park we'll go, if not we'll go somewhere else."

So we drove down to the Botanical Gardens, circled the block three times and found a parking spot and paid our $1 to the meter.

Gotta say, when you think you're 'going to Nic's' (and you've actually been to the original) the presentation of the new location is a bit of a let-down. Its not unique, not quaint, not reminiscent of an 'Ice House' and Nic isn't even behind the grill.

It was just after noon and there were people at four different tables and no line at the window.

We all ordered a onion cheeseburger meal - at $10.95 for an order at the window and eat outside kinda place, we thought it bordered on too high.

Two in our party were disappointed that the drink selection was water, soda or beer - no tea.

We took our seat and about 13 minutes later our food was ready.

The presentation of the food was good. Burger looked tasty and steaming hot. The fries were the thin and fairly crispy variety and it all came in a handy little open box.

The burger itself was good. Maybe even 'real good' if you forget for a minute you were expecting a 'Nic's Burger.'

However, we all agreed it indeed was not a 'Nic's Burger.' Maybe its because it appeared smaller. Maybe its because it wasn't cooked by Nic himself on the seasoned Nic's grill. Or maybe it was totally mental because the 'Nic's experience' was not duplicated at all. Regardless, we all agreed we liked it, but, like the building itself, was not unique.

The fries were fries. Not as hot as the burger and nothing special - but fine.

Sodas were from a fountain and free refills were offered.

The weather was great, so the whole outdoor dining thing was actually pretty pleasant.

That said, regardless of the facts, the whole thing seemed like a some investor had simply partnered with Nic to capitalize on the original Nic's reputation to draw people to what would otherwise simply be a concession stand setup for a good to better-than-average burger joint.

If I'm already at the Botanical Gardens, or in the immediate area, AND have already parked, AND the weather is not too hot, too cold or too windy, AND in the mood for a burger I wouldn't refuse to eat there, but I just can't see myself putting this place on my rotation.

But, truth be told, many people who swear by Nic's as 'the best and most favorite burger in OKC' in reality rarely ever eat there and eat far more burgers at places they hold in lesser regard.

Nic's, IMO, is iconic and would be difficult to replicate by anyone, anywhere. Like putting Cattleman's or Eischen's in a strip mall.

So, in short, the burger was good but the obstacles to dinning (location, parking, price, weather, concession stand feel) simply remind me there are as good or better choices with far fewer considerations.

^
Great review as always.

It also underscores what so commonly happens when a unique restaurant tries to expand: It loses the underlying essence and charm which is a big part of what makes it so special in the first place.

You just can't easily replicate those things -- or the people that are so integral -- and then the food just becomes food.

I disagree with Brian. Had a much better experience.

The burger was awesome
They do parmesean thin fries like the Skirvin used to!
The chocolate shake was well blended and a great chocolate consistency
My GF had the grilled cheese and thought it was pretty good

We went to pumpkinville and this was a perfect solution at a reasonable price. I do wish they had COOP beer but the Bud worked fine in a bind.

Its not Nics "to a T", but it is definitely above average in quality and a perfect food solution for the park.

I disagree with Brian. Had a much better experience.

The burger was awesome
They do parmesean thin fries like the Skirvin used to!
The chocolate shake was well blended and a great chocolate consistency
My GF had the grilled cheese and thought it was pretty good

We went to pumpkinville and this was a perfect solution at a reasonable price. I do wish they had COOP beer but the Bud worked fine in a bind.

Its not Nics "to a T", but it is definitely above average in quality and a perfect food solution for the park.

I'd agree its a very good solution for a park based dining option. Its niche IMO is in the park location and not the 'Nic's' in its name.

If I'm already at the Botanical Gardens, or in the immediate area, AND have already parked, AND the weather is not too hot, too cold or too windy, AND in the mood for a burger I wouldn't refuse to eat there, but I just can't see myself putting this place on my rotation.


So, in short, the burger was good but the obstacles to dinning (location, parking, price, weather, concession stand feel) simply remind me there are as good or better choices with far fewer considerations.

Your review seems a little whiny.

Your review seems a little whiny.

Its a review - hence an opinion based on one's experience.

Just because it isn't a cheerleading effort doesn't making it anything other than 'a review.'

You get the concept right?

I'd agree its a very good solution for a park based dining option. Its niche IMO is in the park location and not the 'Nic's' in its name.

Fair enough. Was really impressed with the extra effort in the fries. The presentation in the white paper and the box made me feel as though I was at a "park type" food stop. Liked it.

Fair enough. Was really impressed with the extra effort in the fries. The presentation in the white paper and the box made me feel as though I was at a "park type" food stop. Liked it.

Honestly, if it was just called 'Botanical Garden Burger Stand' I probably would have been more impressed. That may fall 100% on me - don't know - its just how we walked away feeling.

But it's not called Nic's right? It's called The Ice House. So unless you know it's a variation of Nic's, I don't see what the problem is you're mentioning is.

And I personally don't have an issue with a 'bare bones' websites - as long as it easily accessed has pertinent information. I can't imagine going to a restaurant's website for anything other than getting their location, business hours, to look at the menu or get a list of current specials/events.

Those types of sites can literally be had by someone with zero web development ability for very little money (less than $200).

It boggles the mind when restaurant owners don't get this concept.

You can list all of these things for a one-time $50 investment into a website. I travel quite a bit, and as much as I love OKC, the marketing here is incredibly lazy. In most major cities, restaurants actually invest in really impressive websites because they know that their website is 90% of their first impressions. Social media is increasingly just becoming major noise and I know more and more people that hate or are leaving it behind. I know that it may not be a big deal now but as big box and major chains start moving into our market, their aggressive marketing may blow Local out of the water.

But it's not called Nic's right? It's called The Ice House. So unless you know it's a variation of Nic's, I don't see what the problem is you're mentioning is.

The burgers are advertised as Nic's Burgers.

The burgers are advertised as Nic's Burgers.

10-4, thanks, I hadn't made it down there so I wasn't aware of this.

Its a review - hence an opinion based on one's experience.

Just because it isn't a cheerleading effort doesn't making it anything other than 'a review.'

You get the concept right?


Sure, hotshot. I get the concept. My review of your review is you're whiny. See how that works?

This review is about what I expected to read.

I've never for a minute thought this place would be a replication of Nic's, and that's an unfair standard to reach, IMO. How does is stack up to Shake Shack? I love the idea that I can get a really good burger and fries at Myriad Gardens. If I want to eat at Nic's, I'll go to Nic's (of course, Nic's is never open when I think about going there, so I hardly ever visit).

Perhaps the biggest mistake this purveyor made was creating expectations that this would be a satellite Nic's location. When I visit, and I haven't yet, I'm going to hold this place to its own standard and not drag Nic's into the equation.

Two in our party were disappointed that the drink selection was water, soda or beer - no tea.


Will the over 40 crowd ever stop imposing the tyranny of iced tea upon all Oklahoma City restaraunts, regardless of the type of cuisine?

Will the over 40 crowd ever stop imposing the tyranny of iced tea upon all Oklahoma City restaraunts, regardless of the type of cuisine?

It must be a 40's thing as I never drank much iced tea until the last few years. I credit it with trying to stay off soda as a healthier alternative and often not liking the taste or trusting the source of restaurant water (though obviously its going to be the main ingredient in most of their tea).

Perhaps the biggest mistake this purveyor made was creating expectations that this would be a satellite Nic's location. When I visit, and I haven't yet, I'm going to hold this place to its own standard and not drag Nic's into the equation.

Well, he is paying Nic to help and to license his name.

AND it's a huge draw. If it was just marketed as a burger place there wouldn't be 166 posts about it. :)

This review is about what I expected to read.

I've never for a minute thought this place would be a replication of Nic's, and that's an unfair standard to reach, IMO. How does is stack up to Shake Shack? I love the idea that I can get a really good burger and fries at Myriad Gardens. If I want to eat at Nic's, I'll go to Nic's (of course, Nic's is never open when I think about going there, so I hardly ever visit).

Perhaps the biggest mistake this purveyor made was creating expectations that this would be a satellite Nic's location. When I visit, and I haven't yet, I'm going to hold this place to its own standard and not drag Nic's into the equation.

Well as I mentioned earlier in this thread.... Even Nic, when asked about the Ice House, said it would be the second best burger in OKC. The best would still be served at Nic's Grill.

Looks great, except for the shredded lettuce. It's too overpowering to my taste.

Shredded iceberg(?) lettuce is too overpowering??? LOL

BTW those burgers look delish...too bad they are already closed before I got a chance to get over there...

Shredded iceberg(?) lettuce is too overpowering? LOL
I'm serious. I prefer just a piece of lettuce because the membrane
is exposed only where I bite. It's exposed on many parts when it's
shredded. That, to my taste, makes the lettuce to strong for a
burger.

And I personally don't have an issue with a 'bare bones' websites - as long as it easily accessed has pertinent information. I can't imagine going to a restaurant's website for anything other than getting their location, business hours, to look at the menu or get a list of current specials/events.

Those types of sites can literally be had by someone with zero web development ability for very little money (less than $200).

It boggles the mind when restaurant owners don't get this concept.It's called a short 10 minute Youtube tutorial lol. . . These days, there are websites you can go to, buy a domain, and they show you how build it. They have pre-designed layouts that you can choose from and all you have to do is type in letters to make words lol

It seems like a no brainer to me.

Looks like Ice Cube (little trailer by the Devon ice rink) is run by the Nic's people too...

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1456655_1484623041763279_1550214911_n.jpg

Confirmed on Ice House Facebook that this will reopen March. Hiring now.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/restaurants-bars/6762d1392841412-ice-house-icehouse011914.jpg

Ice House finally got it's (I think) permanent signage. Still waiting for Park House to do the same...

Now that the Devon Ice Rink has completely closed for the season, Ice House will re-open on March 15th.

Why wouldn't the Ice House be open with the ice rink? lol Sounds like they'd go good with each other.

Have you been down there both during skating season and when Ice House was last open? Doesn't SEEM like enough room for both operations in that tiny place.

It's used for other purposes not conducive to cooking when the rink is open.
(I think that's the reason. might be wrong. it happens.)

They have to use the building for skate rental when the rink is open.

New signage picture courtesy @myriadgardens.
6822

Edit: Just noticed the picture above. Carry on.

They opened a few days early. They are open today at 4pm. Then normal hours.

Excellent!

OMG, the burger pics accompanying this article by the Food Dude are amazing. Are they open at midnight? :wink:

http://newsok.com/myriad-gardens-brings-nics-burgers-to-downtown-oklahoma-city-with-ice-house/article/3953108

Nope, they used to be open until 9 but pulled back to 7:30 then 7. Had a recent twitter back and forth with them about the matter...

Nope, they used to be open until 9 but pulled back to 7:30 then 7. Had a recent twitter back and forth with them about the matter...

Well shucks. No burger for me tonight then. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

Nope, they used to be open until 9 but pulled back to 7:30 then 7. Had a recent twitter back and forth with them about the matter...

FAIL. I have attempted to eat here three times, and every time they were closed. I don't care enough to keep trying. They could be OKC's version of Shake Shack, but they don't care, so neither do I.

Unless you work downtown, how can you even get to the park in time for their rapidly receding closing times? By the time you hit traffic, go home, feed the dogs, pick up your family, and drive like a maniac to get downtown, they are closing!

I don't know the proprietors and have nothing against them but they don't get it. They should just have a food cart during lunch downtown, because they don't seem to be making any effort to take advantage of their unique location.

Also, their marketing is a non-existent joke. In the old days, businesses used to actually advertise their services to reach their market. This business doesn't even seem to care to reach out to potential customers. Note: an inside joke is not a marketing strategy (and who is in on this joke, because this "concept" (hate that word) is incredibly and utterly inaccessible?).

It's a shame.

My Twitter conversation on the matter...

7335



Hmm... why does it shrink it like that...

LOL are you talking about the screen cap or the business hours?

Once the weather is nicer in evenings, they will do better. The next couple months are a great atmosphere downtown. NBA playoffs, Arts festival, and awesome spring weather all at the same time.

I can totally see why they close early. Can you imagine keeping the thing staffed until 9pm just for a handful of orders? Bottomline, if it isn't 70+ degrees with them open, people are extremely less likely to go there. And once the sun has been going down, temps have been falling off rapidly. Evening weather should modify over the next 3 weeks and be prime.

Rule #1 - "CONSISTENCY" (in service, quality and HOURS OF OPERATION).

You don't want to be the "Do you think they are even open" restaurant.