Gaijin For Sale?

[BBatesokc]

Saw this on CraigsList today....

"Beautiful sushi bar in downtown OKC. Two doors from OKC Thunder apparel store. Does not include name, LLC or licences.
Contact Gil @ 990-8359."

Downtown SUSHI BAR

[metro]

Wow, that sucks, but not surprised, not the best location for a sushi place after 5pm with limited foot traffic in the CBD, now had they located in Bricktown before In The Raw, they probably could have made a decent run at it, or in their what was to be MidTown location probably would have been better.

[OKCMallen]

It seemed like a bad idea from the get-go, not to mention I feel the quality suffered at times.

[Steve]

I've heard this is a management, not a location or concept problem.

[BBatesokc]

I've heard this is a management, not a location or concept problem.

I think its a "no customers" problem. I've eaten there before and its okay but certainly there are much better options.

[Dave Cook]

Maybe if they didn't name it such an offensive term, it could succeed.

It's "Gaigokujin" now....not Gaijin. This is 2009, not 1981.

You don't see other places called "Dune Coon Indian Food" or "Wetback Willie's".

[BG918]

Maybe if they didn't name it such an offensive term, it could succeed.

It's "Gaigokujin" now....not Gaijin. This is 2009, not 1981.

You don't see other places called "Dune Coon Indian Food" or "Wetback Willie's".

I've always thought the same thing. Gaijin is considered politically incorrect and sometimes offensive. There is a Japanese restaurant in Tulsa called Ichiban which literally translates to Number One!, a much better name LOL.

[Stan Silliman]

Is Gaijin an offensive term? I thought it just meant either "White guy" or "Non-Japanese guy"

My nephew was a sushi chef @ the Norman store before taking an oilfield job to pay back his culinary school tuition.

[Dave Cook]

I'm obviously just being facetious, but it isn't 'politically correct' anymore to call someone 'gaijin'.

It translates to 'outsider'.

[mecarr]

I've heard that the management has tried restaurant ventures in the past only to have them fail. I have eaten at Gaijin once before and it was okay, but nothing great. I walk by there alot in the evenings and it is almost always empty. I think the flourescent lighting is terrible and really hurts any chance of nice ambiance.

With that said, I do feel bad for the owner. I had talked with him about a week before Gaijin opened and he clearly had high hopes and big dreams for the restaurant. He was thinking how neat it would be once the Devon tower was built and how that would probably attract a lot of customers. He definitely seemed confident that it would work.

Although I can understand why the restaurant doesn't do well in the evenings and nights, I have a hard time understanding why it doesn't do well at lunch. It is right in the heart of the business district and would seem like a nice alternative to your subways and quiznos.

[BBatesokc]

Although I can understand why the restaurant doesn't do well in the evenings and nights, I have a hard time understanding why it doesn't do well at lunch. It is right in the heart of the business district and would seem like a nice alternative to your subways and quiznos.

Agreed. I think the location for a lunch and small dinner crowd is very good. I just think the quality and atmosphere was lacking greatly.

I too was very excited when it first opened and took some friends almost immediately. They were less than impressed.

I personally like dinner options near, but not in, Bricktown when I have plans in the evening downtown. We eat often at Trattoria for that very reason.

I'd like to see the place vacated and turned into another eatery. Maybe a Starbucks, Jersey Mike's, small cafe or something.

[okclee]

I was always a big fan of the Gaijin in Norman and I still am a big fan. The Gaijin Okc has been very poor both times I have been there. Bad service and bad quality = bad restaurant.

It is nothing like the Gaijin Norman other than the name.

[okclee]

Jersey Mikes would be a huge hit at that location.

[mecarr]

Jersey Mikes would be a huge hit at that location.

Agreed, but don't we have enough sandwich places? How about a Sabarros or a souper salad.

[BDP]

Gaijin was probably the worst sushi I have ever had, so it doesn't really surprise me. I don't think they tried very hard. I liked the location though. Hopefully, they can get something more unique in there that gives people a reason to go downtown. I don't see the same old stuff, especially a mediocre effort at something that is readily available everywhere else, working there right now.

[jbrown84]

I'd love to have a Panera in that location, but it's too small.

[OKCMallen]

You know, I hate to say it, but a Starbucks would be perfect there.

[BDP]

Yeah, the formula for a financial/business district would be Starbucks, Jamba Juice, a deli, a burrito joint, pizza by the slice, or some semi-healthy, yet unsatisfying salad/sandwich place. Any of those are probably going to work from 11 to 3.

I think it would actually be cool to see some sort of diner/counter place downtown. Then they could pretty much take care of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as coffee and juices all in one place. I certainly think it would be beneficial to both workers and residents.

[OKCMallen]

Yeah, the formula for a financial/business district would be Starbucks, Jamba Juice, a deli, a burrito joint, pizza by the slice, or some semi-healthy, yet unsatisfying salad/sandwich place. Any of those are probably going to work from 11 to 3.

I think it would actually be cool to see some sort of diner/counter place downtown. Then they could pretty much take care of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as coffee and juices all in one place. I certainly think it would be beneficial to both workers and residents.

They do have the bar already set up on the east side of the restaurant. Something like wha tyou said could be unique- pay the bills a bit with your typical morning and afternoon fare, then possibly serve a little booze at night with minimal waitstaff?

[okclee]

The more I think about it I would like to see a bar/restaurant in that location. Downtown needs more of an after work bar with an awesome happy hour from 4-7.

Think of a downtown Louie's or a Charleston's with the bar being the focal point.


(http://www.louiesgrillandbar.com/)
http://www.charlestons.com/index.phpwith

[jbrown84]

Interurban fills that role pretty well.

I like the idea of a 24-hour diner, but something local with better food than IHOP. Hotel guests would sure appreciate it.

[BBatesokc]

Keep in mind the space is tiny.

That being said, I think someone should take a clue from the commonplace tiny full service deli's and lunch counters in places like NYC.

I am amazed how much restaurant they can pack into some of those businesses. The look is cool and they always seem clean, fresh and lively.

[BG918]

Jersey Mikes would be a huge hit at that location.

Would it ever. Jersey Mikes is my favorite chain sandwich place in OKC and its small size would fit perfectly in Gaijin's location. Panera somewhere in the CBD would be awesome as well.

[John]

Maybe if they didn't name it such an offensive term, it could succeed.

It's "Gaigokujin" now....not Gaijin. This is 2009, not 1981.

You don't see other places called "Dune Coon Indian Food" or "Wetback Willie's".

Gil Gentry (who owns Gaijin) received the nickname while in Japan doing a sushi apprenticeship, if I remember the story correctly.

[okclee]

Better yet, how about a Chik-fil-a in that spot??