Penn Square Mall Update

[Pete]

The bar area is usually pretty happening and the atmosphere is definitely different than a Chili's.

Yes, it's a chain but it's different enough that I think people will enjoy it. They are pretty popular out here.

[BDP]

Good deal. I couldn't get a handle on the atmosphere from the website. I just felt like I was looking at a Chili's menu with maybe some more Soy or Teriyaki involved.

Have you eaten there? Is the food better than most chains or pretty par for that kind of deal?

[Pete]

For a chain, it's better than most.

I like their menu selections but that's just a personal preference.


It's a great place to go for happy hour and some of the locations pull a younger crowd.

[Decious]

Yeah, I've eaten at one the locations in the LA vicinity (can't remember the exact burb, but it's in the 310 ) and the food was great in my opinion. I've also eaten at the location in Vegas and just had one of their much touted exotic beverages. I wouldn't describe the food in terms of a Chili's, it's more like a Bahama Breeze/Chili's (Burger Menu)/Hooters-Buffalo Wild Wings.---Allow me to clarify that last part. The wait staff isn't built to make your waist happy, but the overall atmosphere was a little boisterous and lively while still being controlled. All 4 times I've been, there have been many people there my age (24) all having a good time as well as other younger people in their 20's and 30's and early 40's. I think it'll work out great in that spot. I'm glad they chose that area opposed to lumping in with all the others sprouting up on Memorial.

[mranderson]

I looked at the menu. Expensive, but looks good. When it opens, I will go with a date.

It would be a rare, special treat.

[Decious]

You'll have fun, it's a great atmosphere for a date. Even for a first date it's cool because of the fun ambiance. I'll be frequenting often too, whenever I'm home. I'll also bring a lady friend. Or find some while I'm there. Or both. YOU BETCHA!!!!

[jbrown84]

I think it's definetely way above Chili's. If you look at their locations, outside of the California this is a pretty exclusive place: St. Louis, KC area, Co. Springs, Denver, Tulsa, Phoenix, a few others and now here. Pretty good place to land if you ask me.

[fromdust]

I think it's definetely way above Chili's. If you look at their locations, outside of the California this is a pretty exclusive place: St. Louis, KC area, Co. Springs, Denver, Tulsa, Phoenix, a few others and now here. Pretty good place to land if you ask me.

tulsa has one already!!?

[Decious]

tulsa has one already!!?

Of course, Tulsa gets most eating establishments before we do because of population density. I bet the EB there is doing really well.

[Oil Capital]

Of course, Tulsa gets most eating establishments before we do because of population density.

????

[Decious]

My statement was based on CB Ellis market analysis and a quote from the general manager of Red Robin in Norman. The following is from an interview he had with the Journal Record a couple months back.




“Routinely, Tulsa ranks as one of the fastest growing cities for restaurants,” said Scott Allen, general manager of Red Robin in Norman off Lindsay and Ed Noble Parkway. “P.F. Changs went to Tulsa first and was there for a while before coming here. We were there first, too. I see that quite a bit.”

Allen said the deference to Tulsa has more to do with its population density and of it being confined to a smaller geographic area than anything else.

“The difference between Tulsa and Oklahoma City is that Tulsa is one big area whereas Oklahoma City is spread out into a lot of smaller areas,” he said.

[mranderson]

My statement was based on CB Ellis market analysis and a quote from the general manager of Red Robin in Norman. The following is from an interview he had with the Journal Record a couple months back.




“Routinely, Tulsa ranks as one of the fastest growing cities for restaurants,” said Scott Allen, general manager of Red Robin in Norman off Lindsay and Ed Noble Parkway. “P.F. Changs went to Tulsa first and was there for a while before coming here. We were there first, too. I see that quite a bit.”

Allen said the deference to Tulsa has more to do with its population density and of it being confined to a smaller geographic area than anything else.

“The difference between Tulsa and Oklahoma City is that Tulsa is one big area whereas Oklahoma City is spread out into a lot of smaller areas,” he said.

Why would the density of Oklahoma City vs. Tulsa make a difference? Los Angles-Orange County is actually as large as Oklahoma City, and population not withstanding, has no problem attracting places. The comparison makes no sense.

[Decious]

Why would the density of Oklahoma City vs. Tulsa make a difference? Los Angles-Orange County is actually as large as Oklahoma City, and population not withstanding, has no problem attracting places. The comparison makes no sense.

I live in LA half the time and can say that you're absolutely correct. However, LA-Long Beach is almost totally filled in opposed to OKC's sparse pop. density. My understanding is that the dining establishments have evidence that people will only travel so far to eat when there are so many other options. Therefore, placing a restaurant in Tulsa and drawing from an assumed square mileage is safer that that same proposition in OKC. This is especially true when talking about higher scale eateries as the price point further filters potential customers. Although I feel that this is a convoluted approach to expansion, it seems to be the going ideological stance that the industry has taken. I feel that we support new restaurants well and they seem to always find success here. Nevertheless, whereas people hesitate to travel inordinate distances to eat they will travel further to shop. Establishments such as the Cheesecake Factory etc. are increasingly locating inside of malls or in Town Centers. This allows them to catch some of the destination traffic that these venues can draw. It's no coincidence that our Elephant Bar will be located pratically in the parking lot of Penn Square. In LA, several EB's are free standing just like our Applebee's, Chili's, etc. There are a collective of mixed use, town center type projects in the works here(some large in scale) and as more of these come online, we'll see more mid to upscale eateries (and see them sooner). First we have to create the destination areas that meet the current model that the restaurants are looking for.

Even places such as Omaha, NB and Des Moines, IA get most eating establishments before OKC does and for the same reasons. Wichita had a P. F. Changs before we did, and for the same reason. Oddly enough this only seems to apply to eateries and that line of thought is turning around.

I can't wait until we get a California Pizza Kitchen. Very good stuff.

[poe]

i love cpk. i ate at the one in the beverly center.

[BDP]

Los Angles-Orange County is actually as large as Oklahoma City

That's exactly why. OKC is as large land wise, but only 1/10 the people. That what creates one of the lowest population densities in the US.