Memorial Rd Restaurants...

[okclee]

Johnny Carino's, locally based?

If so what city are they based out of?

[Patrick]

Last time I checked Johnny Carinos is a national chain.

[writerranger]

I used to love Olive Garden, but now I'm spoiled by Zio's and Bravo. I hate to say it, but locally-based chain Johnny Carino's is even worse than OG.

I agree with you about the sub-quality food at Carino's. Thankfully, it's not based anywhere near here. They are headquartered in Austin.

From Hoovers Online:

Italian cooking and casual dining are two things that excite this company. Fired Up operates and franchises nearly 140 Johnny Carino's Italian restaurants in about 25 states and the Middle East. The full-service eateries offer pizza and freshly prepared pasta along with beef, chicken and pork dishes inspired by the cuisine of Southern Italy. The company owns about half the restaurants and franchises the rest. A handful of Johnny Carino's units are located in Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates. Fired Up was founded in 1997 by partners and former Brinker International executives Norman Abdallah and Creed Ford. The company is backed by Rosewood Capital and U. S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray.

Fired Up, Inc.
7500 Rialto Blvd., Ste. 250
Austin, TX 78735

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[jbrown84]

My mistake. I was under the impression that Edmond-based KampCo Foods owned the entire chain, but they just own the franchises in OKC, Tulsa, Wichita, Norman, and Wichita Falls.

[Martin]

hmmm... i like carino's better than og. different strokes for different folks, i guess! -M

[escan]

I don't like any of them really.....try Caffe Pranzo. Yum!

[quailcreekgal]

Get on the turnpike if you want to reduce traffic on Memorial Road! Works like a charm for getting in and out of Walmart.

[TStheThird]

Italian food is funny. I used to be extremely particular. I was raised in a big Italian family and my grandpa makes many a dish. He thinks that his food is the only good Italian food on the planet. I used to think the same way, until I lived in Bologna, Italy for seven months. I couldn't find Granpa's food anywhere. You see, Grandpa Gino is from Napoli. He is a southern boy and his food is spicey. In the north, they do not use the spice as much. Fortunately, Bologna is one hell of a food city. I diversified my palet for Italian cuisine.

Debating about which Italian restaurant is funny... it is a mater of opinion. There is no winner to this debate. I do not think that any of the big chains are particularly good, but I have not sampled the entire menu. Who knows... they may have a great dish.

I ate horrible Italian food in Italy, at least that was my opinion.

If you want great Italian, call Grandpa Gino, but don't tell him I sent you and don't ask for the family recipe.

Ciao miei amici!

[John]

Looks like Swadley's BBQ is setting up shop in the former Grandy's location on Memorial Road by Quail Springs.

It'll be nice to have something filling that eyesore finally!

[scotplum]

I heard from my boss that Carabbas (sp?) on Memorial really sucks... Has anyone eaten there?

I went about a month ago and what I had wasn't really that great. Truthfully, I'd prefer Olive Garden to Carabbas. I'm sure I'd be in the minority on that though.

[scotplum]

Looks like Swadley's BBQ is setting up shop in the former Grandy's location on Memorial Road by Quail Springs.

It'll be nice to have something filling that eyesore finally!

Swadley's is pretty darn good stuff. Not quite as high on my list as Steve's Rib but pretty tasty. I can tell you I'd much prefer Swadley's to the other BBQ place on Memorial. For some reason, I can't think of the name right now.

[metro]

I'd rather have Swadley's any day over Steve's Rib. I saw that trailer at the old Grandy's too. No signs indicating a move but I bet the speculation is right. I'll try to call Brent Swadley today or tomorrow to get the official word.

[scotplum]

I'd rather have Swadley's any day over Steve's Rib. I saw that trailer at the old Grandy's too. No signs indicating a move but I bet the speculation is right. I'll try to call Brent Swadley today or tomorrow to get the official word.

Fortunately, for me, Steve's Rib is already on Hefner and Rockwell anyway.

You been to the Swadley's hamburger joint? I think it's by the Swadley's BBQ on NW 39th and Rockwell (or Macarthur, can't remember which).

[John]

I saw the trailer a few days ago, but recently saw a "financing by (if I remember right) BancFirst"

Smokey Bones is the name of the chain bbq joint on Memorial, scot.

I prefer Steve's, but I like Swadley's. You could have 10 bbq joints on Memorial and they'd all do well. Everyone has their own taste, and there's no 'best' barbeque.

[metro]

Looks like a stand alone Starbucks is going in next door (west) of Carraba's and (east) of Mahoghany Steakhouse. Another Hogan Project : (

[Patrick]

Hmmm. Hogan is getting more unique in his offerings.....a Starbucks. I'm stoked! I'm excited. I'm jumping up for joy!

[jbrown84]

Let's see. That's a Starbucks at Memorial and Penn, a Starbucks in Target just north of that intersection, a Starbucks at MacArthur and Memorial, and now a Starbucks between May and Portland on Memorial...

[Patrick]

Let's see. That's a Starbucks at Memorial and Penn, a Starbucks in Target just north of that intersection, a Starbucks at MacArthur and Memorial, and now a Starbucks between May and Portland on Memorial...

Me thinks we could use another Starbucks on Memorial between Penn and May, and another on Memorial and Meridian.

[jbrown84]

What is going in opposite TGI Fridays on the east side of the main entrance to the mall?

[Patrick]

What is going in opposite TGI Fridays on the east side of the main entrance to the mall?

Could it be a Starbucks? LOL!

[jbrown84]

that's it!

[writerranger]

'Ya know, I'll be honest. I'm glad there are people like Randy Hogan investing in Oklahoma City. I think the Hogan-bashing here at OKCTalk has become almost a parody of itself. This guy believes in OKC and is putting his money where his mouth (and heart) is. More than a lot of other people are doing with their money.

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[ultimatesooner]

Me thinks we could use another Starbucks on Memorial between Penn and May, and another on Memorial and Meridian.

I say we put starbucks in the medians @ the memorial/penn intersection so the homeless people have a builing to go inside and warm up

[Patrick]

writerranger, first off, thanks for expressing your opinion, and I do respect your opinion.

I will agree to disagree though my opinion is as follows: Hogan isn't investing money in Oklahoma City. He's sucking Oklahoma City for money, like a parasite. He's investing as little as he can, to get as big of a return as possible. I've talked to the guy. He could careless about Oklahoma City. All he cares about it dollar signs. That's obvious when talking to him.

If he was investing in Oklahoma City, he wouldn't have had to ask Oklahoma City for money to build Bass Pro after he promised in his proposal that he could "finance and build every square inch of the project."

[John]

This guy believes in OKC and is putting his EIFS where his mouth (and heart) is.

I wholeheartedly agree!