Places like this, where you order at the front and then seat yourself, have to have an overall small rate of success in the restaurant world I'd imagine. The workers are not table side servers so they aren't getting tipped. Turnover has to be high, and when turnover is high, quality decreases and your business makes less money. When I ate here earlier this year, there were only two people working. One person taking orders at the front kiosk and one cooking. Not a good business model IMO.

They've been there quite a while, and Pei Wei is pretty successful, aren't they? I, personally, hate most places with that service model you describe. I would imagine it's got to be working for them on the larger scale, but I admit I have no idea how things are going for them on a national level.

Places like this, where you order at the front and then seat yourself, have to have an overall small rate of success in the restaurant world I'd imagine. The workers are not table side servers so they aren't getting tipped. Turnover has to be high, and when turnover is high, quality decreases and your business makes less money. When I ate here earlier this year, there were only two people working. One person taking orders at the front kiosk and one cooking. Not a good business model IMO.

Maybe but Pei Wei had been there close to 20 years, at least 15 years. Thats a good run. More and more eateries over the years have gone to this counter order model to be able to cut costs and stay competitive.

I dont mind it for lunch. But I almost never go to fast casual for dinner. I was disappointed trying the new Mexican Radio for dinner and found out it was counter order. Regardless, it always comes down to the quality of the operator.

The email from pei Wei teased new Oklahoma locations coming soon, so it may just be more of a problem with the location itself rather than the business.

I prefer counter service. I can pick where I sit, I don't have to wait to get a refill, I don't have to tip, and I don't have to wait around to pay when I'm done eating.

The lease expires at the end of the month and they decided not to renew. They are looking at other locations. Sales and the overall vibe at that area has decreased. There has been a big uptick with issues caused by the homeless and safety has become a concern.

We first tried Chicken Foot soon after it opened and I thought they did a pretty good Okarche imitation. The two or three times afterward, the chicken was pretty mid. And I know they added it later on, but what friend chicken place doesn't offer potatoes and gravy from Day One?

The lease expires at the end of the month and they decided not to renew. They are looking at other locations. Sales and the overall vibe at that area has decreased. There has been a big uptick with issues caused by the homeless and safety has become a concern.

Yeah as it turns out, over the last 20 years some restaurant spaces and districts have appeared that are a little better than the parking lot of a walmart.

(And now I do my yearly disappointing look back at what could have been for this area if they'd decided to build around the lake and belle isle power plant instead of bulldozing it all for a run of the mill strip mall).

The email from pei Wei teased new Oklahoma locations coming soon, so it may just be more of a problem with the location itself rather than the business.
The food at the Belle Isle location had become consistently bad. It was time for a change. The area didnt change, they just got worse during covid and never recovered.

Pei Wei in general has taken a dip in service and quality since being spun off from PF Chang’s.

Places like this, where you order at the front and then seat yourself, have to have an overall small rate of success in the restaurant world I'd imagine. The workers are not table side servers so they aren't getting tipped. Turnover has to be high, and when turnover is high, quality decreases and your business makes less money. When I ate here earlier this year, there were only two people working. One person taking orders at the front kiosk and one cooking. Not a good business model IMO.

i think this is by far the fastest growing segment of the restaurant world ..



the garage keeps expanding ...

i think this is by far the fastest growing segment of the restaurant world ..



the garage keeps expanding ...True. And Fuzzy's Tacos is very busy. The Norman Rudy's is pretty busy also.
The employees don't get tips but they don't make $2.13 an hour either.

Pei Wei in general has taken a dip in service and quality since being spun off from PF Chang’s.

they completely changed this menu at that time .. and it started going down hill from there

they completely changed this menu at that time .. and it started going down hill from there

exactly. i went in awhile back after not going since before covid, and i was shocked that literally nothing that i had ordered before was still on the menu

Pei Wei this morning (10/24/2024)19232
Append: The thumbnail appears upside-down, but if you embiggen the image it is correct.
Sign on front door: "Closed for maintenance"

I used to eat there about monthly but l haven't been back in a couple of years because the food simply wasn't very good - someone in their test kitchen must have thought making it super spicy hot made it better.

The Creamery in Edmond has closed, as of a week ago per Greg Horton.

The Creamery in Edmond has closed, as of a week ago per Greg Horton.

I was wondering if it'd make it. A fantastic setup there, though was a little more square footage than what I thought they needed. We tried a couple burgers there and they were just okay. They had a cool setup where you could look through a window into the kitchen. We watched them make the specialty burger patties by hand, but were surprised to see them throw those beautiful patties onto a George Forman grill. I tried a blueberry milkshake one time and it really had not much blueberry flavoring.

The guys there were super nice.

We watched them make the specialty burger patties by hand, but were surprised to see them throw those beautiful patties onto a George Forman grill.

No way

Strangely, the Del Taco at 6645 NW Expressway (right next to Johnnie's) is closed and the location has been removed from their website.

Strangely, the Del Taco at 6645 NW Expressway (right next to Johnnie's) is closed and the location has been removed from their website.It is a bit strange. They were always busy.

No way

Yep! It was a Forman-like grill press that was just big enough for one patty. So they served each burger separately as for them not to get cold waiting to all come out together.

Johnny’s Kitchen & Bar in Yukon closed it’s doors today.

Johnny’s Kitchen & Bar in Yukon closed it’s doors today.

Holy cow. For like the 4th time.

From their FB page:

Johnnie's Kitchen and Bar Yukon
· Yukon, OK ·
♥️We’re Grateful for the Memories, Yukon! ♥️
To our amazing Yukon customers, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for all the memories, meals, and moments we’ve shared with you. After many wonderful years, we’ll be closing our doors as we focus on our other restaurants.
✨This isn’t goodbye. We hope to keep serving you at our other locations. Thank you again for your support and loyalty, we have loved being a part of the Yukon community.

Hot Wings in Edmond apparently closed as well

Hot Wings in Edmond apparently closed as well

That's an Eddie's operation.

I suppose they have their hands full with the big new locations near Nichols Hills and Chisholm Creek.

Hot Wings in Edmond apparently closed as well

The Railyard has declined massively. Not sure if it's the rent charged or what, but it could be so much better. It was awesome when the space first opened.

From Hott Wings' FB page:

Hott Wings Edmond
· Edmond ·
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for the 6 years we got to serve you in downtown Edmond. So many memories, game days, and so many wings!
While this chapter of our journey comes to a close, we hope to see you and serve you at our other locations. @eatlocaleddies in Edmond, Chisholm Creek and Nichols Hills and @theloungeedmond �� And, yes, you can get our wings at those locations!
Thank you for supporting our family-owned business and other local restaurants and businesses this season and always. Appreciate you!

The Railyard has declined massively. Not sure if it's the rent charged or what, but it could be so much better. It was awesome when the space first opened.

It seems they are just experiencing turnover, as all these multiple kitchen places tend to do.

They tend to fill the vacancies with new businesses pretty quickly.

Currently they have listed:

Remix Ramen
Oak City Pizza
Lil' Brent's Cajun
Roxy's Ice Cream
Vignolas Italian
Railyard Pie Co.
Summer Moon Coffee

Hot Wings in Edmond apparently closed as well

from their IG

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for the 6 years we got to serve you in downtown Edmond. So many memories, game days, and so many wings!

While this chapter of our journey comes to a close, we hope to see you and serve you at our other locations. @eatlocaleddies in Edmond, Chisholm Creek and Nichols Hills and @theloungeedmond �� And, yes, you can get our wings at those locations!

Thank you for supporting our family-owned business and other local restaurants and businesses this season and always. Appreciate you!

#closed #edmondok

It seems they are just experiencing turnover, as all these multiple kitchen places tend to do.

They tend to fill the vacancies with new businesses pretty quickly.

Currently they have listed:

Remix Ramen
Oak City Pizza
Lil' Brent's Cajun
Roxy's Ice Cream
Vignolas Italian
Railyard Pie Co.
Summer Moon Coffee

Yes they do! But it's not ever anywhere near as crowded and lively as it used to be. That's what I'm referencing. Vignolas is incredible. We frequent Empire and the Mule downtown there.

Yes they do! But it's not ever anywhere near as crowded and lively as it used to be. That's what I'm referencing. Vignolas is incredible. We frequent Empire and the Mule downtown there.

It's no longer the new thing and as we all know, there are hundreds and hundreds of good options everywhere you turn.

At the same time, that area is becoming increasing dense so you would think the development will do okay in the longer run.

It seems they are just experiencing turnover, as all these multiple kitchen places tend to do.

They tend to fill the vacancies with new businesses pretty quickly.

Currently they have listed:

Remix Ramen
Oak City Pizza
Lil' Brent's Cajun
Roxy's Ice Cream
Vignolas Italian
Railyard Pie Co.
Summer Moon Coffee

Pretty sure Remix Ramen might still be closed temporarily. They posted on their Instagram "We're Closed, Stay Tuned on Instagram for Updates." It has been 18 weeks since they posted.

Pretty sure Remix Ramen might still be closed temporarily. They posted on their Instagram "We're Closed, Stay Tuned on Instagram for Updates." It has been 18 weeks since they posted.

Ah, didn't realize that.

Sounds like a permanent closure to me.

I wanted Remix to succeed, but their pricing was a bit high for the quantity of food and the atmosphere of the place... Oak City is the only remaining concept from the original opening group of restaurants now.

I would guess the Railyard is just holding on as best they can until the apartments are finished

I would guess the Railyard is just holding on as best they can until the apartments are finished

While the apartments will help they arent going to tip the scales. I suspect its because the Railyard is not that great of concept. The vibe really lacking, its nothing like the Parlor or Collective in downtown OKC. Also wonder if Edmond folks dont like going to places that might not have abundant and straight forward parking.

While the apartments will help they arent going to tip the scales. I suspect its because the Railyard is not that great of concept. The vibe really lacking, its nothing like the Parlor or Collective in downtown OKC. Also wonder if Edmond folks dont like going to places that might not have abundant and straight forward parking.

There's abundant parking on both sides of the building, parking isn't an issue whatsoever.

However you're spot on in that the vibe is lacking. When 1884 became non-family friendly, the vibe was lost. Customers were families. Parents would be able to get great drinks from 1884, eat foods from all the other places in there and visit with other parents for several hours, all-the-while their kids ran all over the place in the large fenced-in area that was full of outdoor kid stuff. 1884 stopped serving hot food, turned into a full bar with hors d'oeuvres, and kids weren't allowed inside as a result. On top of that, 1884 started hawking tables along side their windows not allowing people to sit there if they weren't drinking or eating their food. This soured many families, including mine, and folks stopped meeting up there on weekend nights. 1884 essentially suffocated themselves by changing their model and effected the Railyard as a whole. Not saying other places there aren't/weren't good. But the place is not anything like it was when it opened.

We will still go once in a blue moon to Empire, well because it's Empire. Vignolia's is really good, too.

There's abundant parking on both sides of the building, parking isn't an issue whatsoever.

However you're spot on in that the vibe is lacking. When 1884 became non-family friendly, the vibe was lost. Customers were families. Parents would be able to get great drinks from 1884, eat foods from all the other places in there and visit with other parents for several hours, all-the-while their kids ran all over the place in the large fenced-in area that was full of outdoor kid stuff. 1884 stopped serving hot food, turned into a full bar with hors d'oeuvres, and kids weren't allowed inside as a result. On top of that, 1884 started hawking tables along side their windows not allowing people to sit there if they weren't drinking or eating their food. This soured many families, including mine, and folks stopped meeting up there on weekend nights. 1884 essentially suffocated themselves by changing their model and effected the Railyard as a whole. Not saying other places there aren't/weren't good. But the place is not anything like it was when it opened.

We will still go once in a blue moon to Empire, well because it's Empire. Vignolia's is really good, too.

We go to America Solera a lot on the weekends and when the weather is nice, the courtyard of the Icehouse is packed with families with small children. The Railyard is almost a ghost town, at the same times.

There's abundant parking on both sides of the building, parking isn't an issue whatsoever.

However you're spot on in that the vibe is lacking. When 1884 became non-family friendly, the vibe was lost. Customers were families. Parents would be able to get great drinks from 1884, eat foods from all the other places in there and visit with other parents for several hours, all-the-while their kids ran all over the place in the large fenced-in area that was full of outdoor kid stuff. 1884 stopped serving hot food, turned into a full bar with hors d'oeuvres, and kids weren't allowed inside as a result. On top of that, 1884 started hawking tables along side their windows not allowing people to sit there if they weren't drinking or eating their food. This soured many families, including mine, and folks stopped meeting up there on weekend nights. 1884 essentially suffocated themselves by changing their model and effected the Railyard as a whole. Not saying other places there aren't/weren't good. But the place is not anything like it was when it opened.

We will still go once in a blue moon to Empire, well because it's Empire. Vignolia's is really good, too.

I think this speaks to the larger issue .. one of the reasons the collective works .. is that the entire place is one "bar" for purposes of liquor license and you can take your drink anywhere ..

We go to America Solera a lot on the weekends and when the weather is nice, the courtyard of the Icehouse is packed with families with small children. The Railyard is almost a ghost town, at the same times.

Yes! Solara is great! We frequent Woodward Pizza there often.

Johnnie's new concept restaurant in Yukon has permanently closed.

The cow caf hay downtown OKC has closed

It seems they are just experiencing turnover, as all these multiple kitchen places tend to do.

They tend to fill the vacancies with new businesses pretty quickly.

Currently they have listed:

Remix Ramen
Oak City Pizza
Lil' Brent's Cajun
Roxy's Ice Cream
Vignolas Italian
Railyard Pie Co.
Summer Moon Coffee

Apparently Oak City Pizza is closing

The cow caf hay downtown OKC has closedThis was owned by the same folks who own City Bites. They closed the Edmond store a couple years ago.

Apparently Oak City Pizza is closing

Oak City Pizza... is just the one in Edmond closing? Or is the one in Deer Creek also closing?

From their FB page:


Oak City Pizza Co.

·
�� The time has come, and we want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU! Our final day at the Edmond Railyard will be Saturday, November 16th, marking the end of an amazing journey that began with our very first brick-and-mortar here 5 years ago.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
While we say goodbye to this location, our �� Deer Creek spot remains OPEN, and our �� Food Truck will continue to roll around town year-round! To everyone who’s come through our doors, thank you for making it such a blast! We hope you will stop by Deer Creek and say hi in the days, weeks, or months ahead! - Oak City Pizza Team

Gabriella's Posted they are needing people to apply for open positions.

"Lip Smackers" never did reopen. Remember him?

From their FB page:

Thank you! That place is good, it just closes too early to get there very often.

The cow caf hay downtown OKC has closed

Their Mad Cow burger was the most underrated burger in the city. So many toppings you didn't even need fries to go with it. But looking at their most recent menu, they didn't even offer it anymore.

Drove by the former Abuelo’s on Memorial yesterday and they were starting to paint the building pink.

Another brewery bites the dust. Crossed Cannons announces their closure.
https://www.facebook.com/CrossedCannonsBrewery/

Another brewery bites the dust. Crossed Cannons announces their closure.
https://www.facebook.com/CrossedCannonsBrewery/

Dang. Great beer and great owners. I am guessing Campus Corner rent went up again!

Property is owned by the heirs of Harold Powell; they control about one-third of Campus Corner.

Another brewery bites the dust. Crossed Cannons announces their closure.
https://www.facebook.com/CrossedCannonsBrewery/

Awww! :-( We went there after a game this year. Loved the beer and the place itself

Dang. Great beer and great owners. I am guessing Campus Corner rent went up again!

I worked there for a little bit when I was in college when it was Dee's

Property is owned by the heirs of Harold Powell; they control about one-third of Campus Corner.

These are the people that keep screwing its redevelopment, right?

These are the people that keep screwing its redevelopment, right?

There are 3 big ownership groups on Campus Corner.

I don't really know if anything is still trying to happen there or not.

Per their Facebook page, 405 Pizza is closing their Edmond location on 12/21.