West Restaurant

[jstanthrnme]

The long under constuction former Iguana location a 6714 N Western is appearantly named West. According to a banner out front, and a link through Johnnies website.
Can't find anything on when they will be opening..

http://www.johnniesok.com/

http://www.westbar.com/

[soonerguru]

I don't have high hopes. They should stick with Theta burgers.

[ljbab728]

I don't have high hopes. They should stick with Theta burgers.

Why is that?

[OKCTalker]

I don't have high hopes either. For decades Johnnie's offered consistently terrific burgers at a good price, but in the past few years they've started chasing other concepts, and with poor success. They look like a guy having a midlife crisis - he's married to a great gal who will go the distance with him, but he's bored, chasing floozies, making an ass out of himself, and running the risk of somebody taking his wife while he's distracted. If I was calling the shots at Irma's, I'd seize this opportunity while Johnnie's is focused on gelato, sushi and sports bars.

[OKCisOK4me]

"West Restaurant Oklahoma City's newest restaurant is opening featuring American Bistro cuisine and is having its Grand Opening the week of November 22, 2010. See you then." Per a friend's page, who is involved with the project, on Facebook.

[MustangGT]

I don't have high hopes either. For decades Johnnie's offered consistently terrific burgers at a good price, but in the past few years they've started chasing other concepts, and with poor success.

As to the other concepts I totally agree. However the original concept is alive and well/very profitable.

[metro]

Pretty good assessment of Johnnies, their portion sizes have become much smaller and prices much higher. Used to not be a fan, but as of late their burgers are pretty good, just overpriced. Keep in mind in the restaurant business is a tricky one.

[MustangGT]

Keep in mind in the restaurant business is a tricky one.

Customers are very fickle.

[onthestrip]

I don't have high hopes either. For decades Johnnie's offered consistently terrific burgers at a good price, but in the past few years they've started chasing other concepts, and with poor success. They look like a guy having a midlife crisis - he's married to a great gal who will go the distance with him, but he's bored, chasing floozies, making an ass out of himself, and running the risk of somebody taking his wife while he's distracted. If I was calling the shots at Irma's, I'd seize this opportunity while Johnnie's is focused on gelato, sushi and sports bars.

Weirdest assesment of a restaurant group Ive ever read. They have a very successful burger business and they are not allowed to go out and try new concepts? Id say Pachinko Parlor is doing well, if in fact Johnnies is ivolved with that. Also, its a blessing that they have remodeled this building that has sat empty for awhile.

[cooper]

Has anyone tried West yet? The sign out front says they opened today. I'd like to see a menu but their website isn't up yet.

[icemncmth]

Weirdest assesment of a restaurant group Ive ever read. They have a very successful burger business and they are not allowed to go out and try new concepts? Id say Pachinko Parlor is doing well, if in fact Johnnies is ivolved with that. Also, its a blessing that they have remodeled this building that has sat empty for awhile.

Actually they are renting the building...It is owned by the Records family..like a lot of buildings on Western.

[OKCTalker]

Weirdest assesment of a restaurant group Ive ever read. They have a very successful burger business and they are not allowed to go out and try new concepts? Id say Pachinko Parlor is doing well, if in fact Johnnies is ivolved with that. Also, its a blessing that they have remodeled this building that has sat empty for awhile.

Perhaps the analogy was lost on you, but the assessment was spot-on. Johnnies does burgers very well, but they haven't succeeded with other concepts. FWIW, they should direct their capital towards 1) expansion in the metro to gain local market share and rank; 2) geographic expansion (Hideaway) throughout the state and region; and 3) vertical expansion to secure raw materials and provide them to others (Braum's). Finally, IF Johnnies is involved with Pachinko? They OWN it, for crying out loud - go to their Web site.

[OKCTalker]

Has anyone tried West yet? The sign out front says they opened today. I'd like to see a menu but their website isn't up yet.

Had lunch there today. This is their soft opening week, chosen - we were told - because Thanksgiving would drive little business to them, and they can break in the staff during a quiet period. The exterior and landscaping are very nicely done. Parking is very tight, and I don't know how they received a building permit - they must have parking elsewhere, but I believe that the lot to the east is Hideaway's. The Houston architetct created an interior of black and brown woods, fabrics, textiles and light fixtures. A private dining room is to the north that can be closed off with a curtain; the east wall is of wine lockers and a big screen TV. The bar is along the east wall in the main dining room, and the bar back is covered in backlit bottles of all kinds. The staff was almost overly-attentive (what you want right after opening). The lunch menu offered appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and wine. My steak sandwich was prepared well done (they didn't ask), and the result was a dry, less-flavorful piece of meat than I expected, and the portion was very small. We found the prices to be high across the board, from appetizers to wine. There's a featured $34 steak on the lunch and dinner menus, and the cheapest wines by the glass were priced at $7 for white and $8 for red. Their price point is comparable along Western to Metro and Deep Fork. If they're targeting the Nichols Hills crowd, they may be right where they'll do well.

I'd be interested in reading others' opinions here and on Urbanspoon.

[onthestrip]

Perhaps the analogy was lost on you, but the assessment was spot-on. Johnnies does burgers very well, but they haven't succeeded with other concepts. FWIW, they should direct their capital towards 1) expansion in the metro to gain local market share and rank; 2) geographic expansion (Hideaway) throughout the state and region; and 3) vertical expansion to secure raw materials and provide them to others (Braum's). Finally, IF Johnnies is involved with Pachinko? They OWN it, for crying out loud - go to their Web site.

You're right, no way those johnnies should run their business the way they please, they should be taking over the burger world with your easy 3 step plan. Does that little gelato store really take all their attention? Has Pachinko not been a success so far? Does johnnies still not have a great burger albeit smaller than back in the day? You're entitled to your opinion but you make it sound as if their restaurants are awful failures.

[Easy180]

Perhaps the analogy was lost on you, but the assessment was spot-on. Johnnies does burgers very well, but they haven't succeeded with other concepts. FWIW, they should direct their capital towards 1) expansion in the metro to gain local market share and rank; 2) geographic expansion (Hideaway) throughout the state and region; and 3) vertical expansion to secure raw materials and provide them to others (Braum's). Finally, IF Johnnies is involved with Pachinko? They OWN it, for crying out loud - go to their Web site.

I'm sure they have considered all you listed but either it was not feasible or they just aren't interested...massive expansion isn't at the top of the list for all business owners

[heathercritter]

Has anyone been there yet (other than the one person above)? I can't believe I heard nothing about this place before I happened to drive by and see the building had been completely redone. I'd like to hear some other opinions. Thanks!

[Pete]

From Facebook:

Aaron Soward and Jeff Dixon, co-founders of Provision Concepts, the gentlemen behind Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse, Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar, Hatch OKC, Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar Chisholm Creek, and soon to be Hatch Chisholm Creek are proud to announce the acquisition of West Restaurant in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. This was an "easy" decision for us to make given the history and iconic status of Nichols Hills!

We look forward to serving OKC through our NEW traditional American comfort food menu in a sophisticated, yet casual, environment!

I was told they plan to gently rework the menu and bring their own take to what is already great space.

[pickles]

Good

[Pete]

Yeah, I agree this is a good thing.

West was okay, just unremarkable. These guys have a great touch and that spaces is already pretty wonderful. Good location, too.

[sooner88]

Yep, heard about this a few weeks ago. The Haynes brothers are going to focus on their Johnnies concepts exclusively for now, which is a smart move on their part. None of their other restaurants were very memorable.

[Pete]

Yep, heard about this a few weeks ago. The Haynes brothers are going to focus on their Johnnies concepts exclusively for now, which is a smart move on their part. None of their other restaurants were very memorable.

They still have Urban Johnnies as well.

[sooner88]

They still have Urban Johnnies as well.

Right, that falls under their Johnnies concepts for them although there is slightly different ownership. More specifically, going forward they will be focusing on Johnnies Express locations as their original concept takes up entirely too much SF.

[Pete]

http://www.405magazine.com/Wests-New-Direction/

[Colbafone]

Right, that falls under their Johnnies concepts for them although there is slightly different ownership. More specifically, going forward they will be focusing on Johnnies Express locations as their original concept takes up entirely too much SF.

Original concept as in the bigger original Johnnies? I absolutely love the Johnnies on Expressway, Britton and the one in Edmond on 33rd. I love their private rooms and how big the whole place is. One of my favorite "chill" restaurants.

[LakeEffect]

Yeah, I agree this is a good thing.

West was okay, just unremarkable. These guys have a great touch and that spaces is already pretty wonderful. Good location, too.

There are about two things that we absolutely loved (zucchini chips and the grilled cheese), and everything else just ended up "meh." I agree this is a good move.