Goodbye Nothing But Noodles
Bricktown noodle eatery changes concepts
By Ja'Rena Lunsford
The Oklahoman
New Mexican grill to open soon
Mark Costello peered through the plastic covered windows at Bricktown's Nothing But Noodles on Tuesday. The downtown businessman's early lunch plans were derailed by news that the noodle eatery was converting to a Mexican restaurant.
"I heard Nothing But Noodles was doing fantastic," Costello said, as he pondered why a restaurant with sometimes standing-room-only would close.
Brandon Bittle, owner of Nothing But Noodles, 208 Johnny Bench Drive, said the decision to convert his noodle franchise into Rio Del Fuego Mexican Grill was not about customer traffic -- it was about noodles. Bittle said although the restaurant received large lunch crowds, Nothing But Noodles didn't draw enough evening and event traffic, resulting in what he called a fantastic location housing the wrong concept.
"Noodles is not one of the things that comes to mind for dinner if you are from out of town," said Bittle, who opened the restaurant with his brother, Nic, in November 2004.
The brothers also own the Nothing But Noodles at 2410 W Memorial Road, which will remain open. Bittle said Rio Del Fuego Mexican Grill will open later this month or early February.
Rather than vacating Bricktown, Bittle said giving diners what they are familiar with made more sense.
"Mexican is safe, it's a good staple," Bittle said. Barbecue and burgers also were possible concepts, but with the Sonic Cafe next door and Earl's Rib Palace in shouting distance, Bittle opted for spicier flavors.
"Man, I don't want to compete with those guys," he said of the neighboring restaurants. "I don't want to hurt their businesses either."
A concept change may not always be the answer when it comes to steady traffic in Bricktown though. Jim Cowan, president of the Bricktown Association, said many people judge Bricktown based on the crowds during New Year's Eve and other events, but in reality the traffic is unpredictable, no matter what you are serving.
"It just goes to show that you can't open your doors in Bricktown and stand back and watch people run over you," Cowan said. "That's why Chili's, On the Border and all those other large chains aren't down here. It's hard."
Not everyone is excited about a new Mexican restaurant in the area. "I think Abuelo's and Chelino's have it covered," Costello said.
Bittle said he knows it will take a while for downtown patrons to put the new restaurant into their rotation, but he is confident it will happen
Originally Posted by HOT ROD
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