Ice House

[BBatesokc]

Well, not the thread but being someone who does this 'for a living', I fundamentally disagree. Coffee sometime and I'd be happy to share why I stand by my thoughts.

So, you're saying a company who obviously has the ability to utilize their own private domain - and thus control the content, the look, the execution, accessibility, etc. is just as well off from a marketing standpoint with a 3rd party Facebook page only?

Maybe for marketing that is 'just fine' but certainly not for a professional service oriented company that wants to stand out and be customer friendly.

I guess Good Egg and all the other reputable and successful restaurants out there should abandon their websites for Facebook pages only because that's all that's really needed.

Pull up a Good Egg domain and put it next to the Ice House Facebook page and you're telling me the effect is the same (with a straight face)?

You're right, we are off topic - but I did marketing for a living too for several very large Oklahoma companies. In a way I still do. But I don't for a second think that makes me an authority on the topic. But this just seems so obvious I can't resist the debate.

[Mike_M]

Just ate here yesterday. First thing, the food was seriously delicious. It's a good size and has the same taste as a Nic's burger which to me is still the best you can get here.

That being said, logistically this place is very disappointing. Almost no signage until you're right in front of the building. And the wait time is really difficult to understand. When you have a menu with essentially 2 items on your menu (burger and fries), you would think that they would easily meet the demand. I counted at least 6 people in the kitchen and still a 30-40 minute wait for two burgers and fries. Nic cooks everything by himself at 10-Penn and I can get in, eat, pay (less money by the way), and leave back for work in that amount of time.

I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, being a soft open and all. But when they're open in the summer, people aren't going to wait outside for an hour in Oklahoma heat for a burger and fries, no matter how good it is.

[Pete]

I'm sure they will be in much better shape when they re-open in the spring.

[David]

Well, I disagree that a restaurant must have a website. I think a well-filled Facebook Page works just fine since you can make them public and anyone (even those without a Facebook account) can see them.

Speaking as someone without a Facebook account, I could not disagree more. Facebook pages are very user unfriendly without an account as about every third thing you click prompts you to login. They are a pain to try to find any useful information on.

[metro]

I've noticed a lot of OKC restaurants using crappy "web developers" lately that don't understand sales, marketing, UX or SEO. Many of them don't even have a mobile version of the website or a menu posted. Too many hobbyist "web designers" doing nice restaurant's websites. I've been trying to prospect some of these restaurants to let me firm redo them properly, but so far, no luck getting through to anyone.

[kevinpate]

I've noticed a lot of OKC restaurants using crappy "web developers" lately that don't understand sales, marketing, UX or SEO. Many of them don't even have a mobile version of the website or a menu posted. Too many hobbyist "web designers" doing nice restaurant's websites. I've been trying to prospect some of these restaurants to let me firm redo them properly, but so far, no luck getting through to anyone.

So long as they view it as an expense and not an asset, things are not all that likely to improve. Some offerings out there are downright horrid, or would be if only someone had devoted a wee but more time to get up to the level of horrid.

[BBatesokc]

And I personally don't have an issue with a 'bare bones' websites - as long as it easily accessed has pertinent information. I can't imagine going to a restaurant's website for anything other than getting their location, business hours, to look at the menu or get a list of current specials/events.

Those types of sites can literally be had by someone with zero web development ability for very little money (less than $200).

It boggles the mind when restaurant owners don't get this concept.

[Prunepicker]

Looks great, except for the shredded lettuce. It's too overpowering to my taste.

[kevinpate]

Lettuce, onion and maters are salad ingredients. I'll never understand why some carnivores long ago bought into the ruse that salad belongs on hot meat and melted cheese.

Now swiss, bacon, or other chopped pig parts, that's a conversation I can have with most anyone.

[Roger S]

Well Nic's is no longer cheaper than the Ice House.... He installed a new digital menu and the price is now $9.92 for the Cheeseburger Combo which comes out to $10.25 with tax.

Still not bad considering that's the first price increase Nic's has made in over 5 years.

[Pete]

Somebody should ask him about the possibility of a food truck...

That rumor has been floating around for a while.

[Roger S]

Somebody should ask him about the possibility of a food truck...

That rumor has been floating around for a while.

He has an old taco truck parked behind his house that he bought about a year and a half ago. When I asked him about it he said he had plans to convert it and use it for catering.

[BoulderSooner]

Ice house is now closed for the season

[Pete]

Ice house is now closed for the season

What changed?

They had said they would be open through tomorrow (Wednesday).

[BoulderSooner]

What changed?

They had said they would be open through tomorrow (Wednesday).

I think the forecast rain for the entire day

[BBatesokc]

Finally ate there yesterday with a group of downtown professionals.

Before going we engaged in the same conversation I think others will often have.....

Friend 1 - "Wanna try the new Nic's next to the Botanical Gardens?"

Friend 2 - "Mmmm, Nic's! Love the original."

Friend 3 - "Do you wanna walk or drive?"

Friend 1 - "I don't wanna walk, pretty far in a suit and I gotta get back to the office. But we may not be able to find a parking spot."

Friend 3 - "Do you wanna get a car out just to drive a couple of blocks and then spend 10 minutes looking for a parking spot?"

Friend 2 - "Mmmm, Nic's! Love the original." (he's a man of few words)

Me - "Lets just drive by, if we can park we'll go, if not we'll go somewhere else."

So we drove down to the Botanical Gardens, circled the block three times and found a parking spot and paid our $1 to the meter.

Gotta say, when you think you're 'going to Nic's' (and you've actually been to the original) the presentation of the new location is a bit of a let-down. Its not unique, not quaint, not reminiscent of an 'Ice House' and Nic isn't even behind the grill.

It was just after noon and there were people at four different tables and no line at the window.

We all ordered a onion cheeseburger meal - at $10.95 for an order at the window and eat outside kinda place, we thought it bordered on too high.

Two in our party were disappointed that the drink selection was water, soda or beer - no tea.

We took our seat and about 13 minutes later our food was ready.

The presentation of the food was good. Burger looked tasty and steaming hot. The fries were the thin and fairly crispy variety and it all came in a handy little open box.

The burger itself was good. Maybe even 'real good' if you forget for a minute you were expecting a 'Nic's Burger.'

However, we all agreed it indeed was not a 'Nic's Burger.' Maybe its because it appeared smaller. Maybe its because it wasn't cooked by Nic himself on the seasoned Nic's grill. Or maybe it was totally mental because the 'Nic's experience' was not duplicated at all. Regardless, we all agreed we liked it, but, like the building itself, was not unique.

The fries were fries. Not as hot as the burger and nothing special - but fine.

Sodas were from a fountain and free refills were offered.

The weather was great, so the whole outdoor dining thing was actually pretty pleasant.

That said, regardless of the facts, the whole thing seemed like a some investor had simply partnered with Nic to capitalize on the original Nic's reputation to draw people to what would otherwise simply be a concession stand setup for a good to better-than-average burger joint.

If I'm already at the Botanical Gardens, or in the immediate area, AND have already parked, AND the weather is not too hot, too cold or too windy, AND in the mood for a burger I wouldn't refuse to eat there, but I just can't see myself putting this place on my rotation.

But, truth be told, many people who swear by Nic's as 'the best and most favorite burger in OKC' in reality rarely ever eat there and eat far more burgers at places they hold in lesser regard.

Nic's, IMO, is iconic and would be difficult to replicate by anyone, anywhere. Like putting Cattleman's or Eischen's in a strip mall.

So, in short, the burger was good but the obstacles to dinning (location, parking, price, weather, concession stand feel) simply remind me there are as good or better choices with far fewer considerations.

[Pete]

^
Great review as always.

It also underscores what so commonly happens when a unique restaurant tries to expand: It loses the underlying essence and charm which is a big part of what makes it so special in the first place.

You just can't easily replicate those things -- or the people that are so integral -- and then the food just becomes food.

[Urban Pioneer]

I disagree with Brian. Had a much better experience.

The burger was awesome
They do parmesean thin fries like the Skirvin used to!
The chocolate shake was well blended and a great chocolate consistency
My GF had the grilled cheese and thought it was pretty good

We went to pumpkinville and this was a perfect solution at a reasonable price. I do wish they had COOP beer but the Bud worked fine in a bind.

Its not Nics "to a T", but it is definitely above average in quality and a perfect food solution for the park.

[BBatesokc]

I disagree with Brian. Had a much better experience.

The burger was awesome
They do parmesean thin fries like the Skirvin used to!
The chocolate shake was well blended and a great chocolate consistency
My GF had the grilled cheese and thought it was pretty good

We went to pumpkinville and this was a perfect solution at a reasonable price. I do wish they had COOP beer but the Bud worked fine in a bind.

Its not Nics "to a T", but it is definitely above average in quality and a perfect food solution for the park.

I'd agree its a very good solution for a park based dining option. Its niche IMO is in the park location and not the 'Nic's' in its name.

[HangryHippo]

If I'm already at the Botanical Gardens, or in the immediate area, AND have already parked, AND the weather is not too hot, too cold or too windy, AND in the mood for a burger I wouldn't refuse to eat there, but I just can't see myself putting this place on my rotation.

So, in short, the burger was good but the obstacles to dinning (location, parking, price, weather, concession stand feel) simply remind me there are as good or better choices with far fewer considerations.

Your review seems a little whiny.

[BBatesokc]

Your review seems a little whiny.

Its a review - hence an opinion based on one's experience.

Just because it isn't a cheerleading effort doesn't making it anything other than 'a review.'

You get the concept right?

[Urban Pioneer]

I'd agree its a very good solution for a park based dining option. Its niche IMO is in the park location and not the 'Nic's' in its name.

Fair enough. Was really impressed with the extra effort in the fries. The presentation in the white paper and the box made me feel as though I was at a "park type" food stop. Liked it.

[BBatesokc]

Fair enough. Was really impressed with the extra effort in the fries. The presentation in the white paper and the box made me feel as though I was at a "park type" food stop. Liked it.

Honestly, if it was just called 'Botanical Garden Burger Stand' I probably would have been more impressed. That may fall 100% on me - don't know - its just how we walked away feeling.

[bradh]

But it's not called Nic's right? It's called The Ice House. So unless you know it's a variation of Nic's, I don't see what the problem is you're mentioning is.

[Mike_M]

And I personally don't have an issue with a 'bare bones' websites - as long as it easily accessed has pertinent information. I can't imagine going to a restaurant's website for anything other than getting their location, business hours, to look at the menu or get a list of current specials/events.

Those types of sites can literally be had by someone with zero web development ability for very little money (less than $200).

It boggles the mind when restaurant owners don't get this concept.

You can list all of these things for a one-time $50 investment into a website. I travel quite a bit, and as much as I love OKC, the marketing here is incredibly lazy. In most major cities, restaurants actually invest in really impressive websites because they know that their website is 90% of their first impressions. Social media is increasingly just becoming major noise and I know more and more people that hate or are leaving it behind. I know that it may not be a big deal now but as big box and major chains start moving into our market, their aggressive marketing may blow Local out of the water.