Hot rumor: Ruth Chris Steakhouse to Founder's Tower

[Pete]

I've heard this from a couple of different people now, so perhaps a deal is close or already done.

If true, they'll go in the old Queen Anne space.

I have to say that would be a homerun location and a great fit for what they are trying to do with that property.


Anybody else hear this?

[betts]

Supposedly there was a Ruth Chris' "coming soon" sign up once upon a time up near Quail Springs Mall. Then a realtor told me that they had bought land in the office complex where the new Pearl's is located, but that was probably nine months ago and there is no sign. So, there have been Ruth Chris' rumors floating around for awhile. I thought my realtor friend was pretty credible. It does seem like there's enough smoke that there may be fire.

[tuck]

There was a local group trying to bring this concept to the metro about 2 years ago...this deal fell through. I would think the current info that is going around is a rumor. If Ruth's Chris came to the area, I think they would need their own building. The Founders Tower / Queen Anne location doesn't have the visibility that these guys look for. If the rumor is true, it would most likely be a franchised unit.

[Midtowner]

Who cares about this? We don't need another chain.

If you want a fancy steak, go to Red Prime, the Boulevard Steakhouse, etc. We Oklahomans don't need a franchise to tell us how to do steak.

[BDP]

I agree, MT. And isn't Mohagany supposed to be good out there on Memorial?

Ruth's Chris is fine, but we have plenty of options in the steak department and if a chain is to come in, I'd rather it be a concept we don't have, rather than simply having a chain come in and compete against local business and take the profits out of state.

[Midtowner]

You know what would be a worthy project for OKCTalk? We ought to start a war on chains. I wonder if Pete would mind creating a directory for local restaurants? We could organize it by genre/location and exclude national chains altogether (I think Eateries restaurants deserve mention).

I do see how chains are a vote of confidence as to OKC's economic viability, but frankly, I don't need an Olive Garden to know my city is a worthy place to live. OKCTalkers -- your local restaurants are always as good or better than chains. Screw those national restaurant megachains. Support local businesses.

[metro]

I'm with Mid on this one. Have been thinking of this for a long time. Perhaps the idea even merits it's own seperate website.

[Midtowner]

Unfortunately, I don't have a lick of technical expertise when it comes to these things. I really do think that such a project could be profitable, however. I'd say giving local restaurants free listings would be fine.. I'd let them post their menus for free, I'd let folks write reviews for free, restaurant owners could respond for free.. Maybe charge for banner ads and news releases? There is a website which sort of attempts this -- Oklahomacitymenus.com.. it's a national chain thing though and it's woefully outdated.

I think something like this would need its own domain to be successful.

[Luke]

www.828togo.com is a local delivery site for various restaurants, most of which are local. Check it out.

[fsusurfer]

OpenTable lists restaurants city-by-city throughout the nation. They include both local and chains, and have pretty good dinning incentives.

[Kerry]

I love Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It is a favorite of business people around the country and I am sure it will do very well in OKC. I would like to see it downtown though.

[Midtowner]

We need a 4th steakhouse downtown?

[Pete]

I almost never eat at what most consider chain restaurants but there is not a clear line between 'local' and 'chain'.

Many chains have local franchisees. And some local restaurants have more than one location and frequently not all are in OKC or even Oklahoma. How would you classify them?

Most consider Hal Smith restaurants as local... But that group also operates several franchised On the Borders and has several Charlestons including one in Fort Worth.

And what about Ted's? They have several locations, too. And Eateries, Inc... The list goes on.


I see this much as the foreign vs. domestic car debate: Just buy the product that suits you best instead of getting caught up in labels that are often mis-applied anyway (GM products built in Mexico, Hondas and Toyotas built in the U.S., etc.)

[tuck]

I almost never eat at what most consider chain restaurants but there is not a clear line between 'local' and 'chain'.

Many chains have local franchisees. And some local restaurants have more than one location and frequently not all are in OKC or even Oklahoma. How would you classify them?

Most consider Hal Smith restaurants as local... But that group also operates several franchised On the Borders and has several Charlestons including one in Fort Worth.

And what about Ted's? They have several locations, too. And Eateries, Inc... The list goes on.


I see this much as the foreign vs. domestic car debate: Just buy the product that suits you best instead of getting caught up in labels that are often mis-applied anyway (GM products built in Mexico, Hondas and Toyotas built in the U.S., etc.)

The Hal Smith Group (HSRG) owns/operates Teds as well.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

Man, you guys sure have it in for chains. You act like they're out to steal Christmas or something.

I like Chili's...Being single and in my 30's, it's my McDonald's. I eat there when I don't feel like cooking. It's dependable, consistant, reasonably priced, and there are several of them around town. I can't say the same for local places for the most part. I'm not saying that the food is stellar or anything, but it's a convenient and predictable choice when I'm not in a foodie frame of mind. Which is most of the time. I can walk in, sit at the bar, get a meal that has been prepared well enough that I usually want to finish it, and be on my way in 20 minutes for $10 or so.

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY miss the food choices I had when I lived in SoCal. I've never been anywhere that had the quality and quantity of amazing places to eat that San Diego/San Juan Capistrano had. You couldn't swing a dead cat in a circle without hitting a dozen different mom-n-pop restaurants of a dozen different types. You could walk into any joint in a strip mall or on any corner and be reasonably sure that your food was going to taste good enough for you forget what you were talking about and pay attention to it. I was spoiled on great food for the better part of a decade out there, only to come home to severely limited choices. I've yet to find a GREAT Italian or Chinese place here. Good ones, sure. But not *WOW* great like a great many were out there. That doesn't mean that I despise Zio's because they're in 6 states. I like Zio's. They're A-OK in my book.

"War on chains"?

"Suburbanite minded"?

As a suburbanite that eats what he wants and not what some smarmy elitist thinks he should...I say...Kiss my grits.

[Luke]

I've yet to find a GREAT Italian or Chinese place here.

Have you tried Sophabellas on N. May just north of Grand?

Their Chicago style pizza is stellar. I've not tried anything else, but it sure looks good.

[dismayed]

I'd rather not see the really crappy chains succeed (like Olive Garden in my opinion) at the cost of good local businesses. But other than that, I don't have a problem with chains. Places like Panera and Outback I frequent all the time. Almost all of these restaurant franchises are locally owned and managed anyway. So you're only talking maybe 10% of the business' cash going out of state in the form of marketing and franchisee fees. It wouldn't surprise me if 'locally owned' restaurants had as much or more of their cash flowing out of state to pay back loans.

I think a lot of times when folks have a negative perception of chains, what they are really saying is they don't want a cookie-cutter dining experience that has been watered down to the lowest common denominator. Although this was the case 10 or 20 years ago, I really think the modern chains today are much more upscale, have better food, and are more flexible to fit in with their locales.

[bombermwc]

I wouldn't agree with the chain-is-bad idea. If you are going to wait around for local folks, you might as well give up. Look around at how busy a chain place is compared to a local. Not only are locals more expensive, but they usually don't attract the taste buds of the masses.

Now, I prefer local places most generally, but sometimes the chains make some good stuff. I don't think we should make it a plan to stop the chains from coming in though. They each have their market and place....which usually don't step on each others toes either.

[FritterGirl]

I wouldn't agree with the chain-is-bad idea. If you are going to wait around for local folks, you might as well give up. Look around at how busy a chain place is compared to a local. Not only are locals more expensive, but they usually don't attract the taste buds of the masses.

Which to me is an absolute shame.

Please tell me the benefit of going to an Olive Garden when I can get fabulous italian with freshly prepared ingredients at any number of locally-owned and operated restaurants: Flips, Bellinnis, Pepperoni Grill (Eateries), Vito's - to name a few.

I used to work at an Olive Garden. The desserts are flown in frozen from parts unknown. The sauces are "boil in a bag," also frozen and flown in. The quality is just not the same, no matter which way you slice it.

The same goes for Red Lobster and the ilk. Look at what happened to Smoky Bones. They tried competing with local BBQ and failed.

I suppose for some the issue is finding what is familiar and comfortable, but to me quality beats price and quantity any old day.

As for the Great Steak debate, here's where we stand:

Mickey Mantle's - first out of the box downtown. Great food. Pricey, but worth the experience. We've found sitting in the bar while listening to the jazz combo and sharing a meal a great - and more affordable - option!

The Ranch - despite having lived right around the corner for several years, I never stepped foot in the place. I've heard it's very nice, though, and the parking lot always full, which speaks for itself.

Mahogany - have eaten there once. A great find. A bit too pricey when you compare what you get here vs. Boulevard, for example, but a lovely meal and nice atmosphere.

Boulevard - Hands down in MY experience the best in town. You could have cut my filet (just seared on either side with plenty of pink) with a fork. It was like buttah! First class service and atmosphere all the way. Great place for a celebratory occasion.

Red Prime - haven't experienced it yet, but great location and neat concept.

Cattleman's - the perennial "working man's" steak place. Great lunches and tasty steaks. Plus, who can't pass up a helping of calf fries or lamb fries!!!

With all this, do we really need another steak place - and a chain at that???

I vote no, but those that know me know I pretty much avoid most chains when I can help it for the reasons discussed in this, and in others' earlier posts.

[Pete]

To further my point...

Mahogany is in fact a chain. Multiple locations including one in Omaha and more planned. Lots of investors and who knows where they all live.

Mickey Mantle's is affiliated with Kirby's with about a half-dozen locations in Texas. Doubt the ownership lives in Oklahoma City.

[FritterGirl]

I stand corrected, then.

I thought Mahogany was owned by Hal Smith or another local "group." While it might be a chain, the concepting group is still local to me (small nuance, I know).

I also thought Mickey Mantle's had at least a local partnership involved.

Edit: Regardless, I'd still rather fill the coffers of local owners than some giant corporate entity such as Dalton group, etc. That's not to say you will NEVER find me there (PeiWei/P.F. Changs, for example), but it is a rare occasion, indeed.

[Pete]

I only raise the points to illustrate that the chain v. local concept is far from black & white.

And just because there is only one or two locations doesn't necessarily mean the owners (part or all) are local.

[Kerry]

So many on here seem to have very very little knowledge of how restaurants work. Do you think the owners of "local" eateries are buying the supplies from Albertsons? No. They are buying them from food suppliers. Just look at all of CISCO trucks driving around. Most fruits and vegetables are bought from the exact same place no matter what restaurant it is prepared in.

Just because some place is part of a chain doesn't mean anything, almost all are locally owned. It is called franchising. Do you think Applebee's owns every store? Most chains own very few of their own locations. Here is a quote from Applebees for example:

"As of Dec. 31, 2006, there were 1,930 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants, of which 1,409 were operated by franchisees and 521 were operated by the company."

For those of you who can't do the math this means about 75% are locally owned.

[cityguy]

Do you think the owners of "local" eateries are buying the supplies from Albertsons?

No, because there ARE NO Albertsons left in Oklahoma City. Damn!

I agree with what you wrote about chains and franchising. I know more and more of the so-called "chain" restaurants are franchises, which many times (not all) are locally owned.

[tuck]

So many on here seem to have very very little knowledge of how restaurants work. Do you think the owners of "local" eateries are buying the supplies from Albertsons? No. They are buying them from food suppliers. Just look at all of CISCO trucks driving around. Most fruits and vegetables are bought from the exact same place no matter what restaurant it is prepared in.

Just because some place is part of a chain doesn't mean anything, almost all are locally owned. It is called franchising. Do you think Applebee's owns every store? Most chains own very few of their own locations. Here is a quote from Applebees for example:

"As of Dec. 31, 2006, there were 1,930 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants, of which 1,409 were operated by franchisees and 521 were operated by the company."

For those of you who can't do the math this means about 75% are locally owned.

Good thoughts, but a bit off. Even though a large number of chains or multi-unit restaurants are franchised, they still are not locally owned. Oklahoma does not have a local franchisee of Applebee's, Chilis, etc. We do have a franchisee of Johnny Carinos in town. This argument can go on forever. HSRG (Hal Smith Group) is a LOCAL group that has done well and has created demand for more units. I am an independent (3 restaurants) owner who 100% supports local operators.