Winnipeg Restaurants

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

He needs to make up his mind...

"Khan says many are reporting a 20 to 30 per cent drop in business and he’s personally lost “six figures” since losing street parking across from his McDermot Avenue restaurant two years ago." - November 2019

source: https://globalnews.ca/news/6234378/e...t-in-the-area/

That's really funny because precisely ZERO parking spots were removed for the bike lane. The south side of that block was all loading (4-5 spots) before the bike lane. But Obby relies on foot traffic so I don't think his customers were using the loading zone.

[Danny D Oh]

Nobody has even eaten a shawarma on a bike.

Also if you want vehicle traffic don't open a restaurant in the Exchange. Many strip malls to choose from.

[esquire]

^ It is starting to seem like that might be the wrong location for him, isn't it?

[buzzg]

Interestingly there are more parking spots directly in front of the Exchange location than the Graham one, yet no complaints over there.

[oftheMoon]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Interestingly there are more parking spots directly in front of the Exchange location than the Graham one, yet no complaints over there.

The Graham location likely only relies on foot traffic...

[cllew]

I'm noticing as the restaurants open up they are reducing the incentives to use them.

Boston Pizza for example is reducing their take out discount from 15% to 10% starting on Monday. I figure in a few more weeks they will be back to the no discount like they were before the closures started if enough people start coming back to eat in.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by cllew

I'm noticing as the restaurants open up they are reducing the incentives to use them.

Boston Pizza for example is reducing their take out discount from 15% to 10% starting on Monday. I figure in a few more weeks they will be back to the no discount like they were before the closures started if enough people start coming back to eat in.

As they should. Find it kinda dumb they did that in the first place.

[drew]

Originally Posted by buzzg

As they should. Find it kinda dumb they did that in the first place.

It makes sense when if you want to encourage people to order directly from the restaurant and not use the delivery services. The restaurants take a huge hit with those delivery services (~40% clawed back from the price you pay for the food).

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by buzzg

As they should. Find it kinda dumb they did that in the first place.

I think they should always have a different take out price. Personally I can't justify ordering take-out from a place like BP that will charge $38 for a takeout pizza. I get it somewhat at the restaurant that we're paying for eating out (building, staff etc) but there's no way that premium is justified on takeout orders. The quality of the food isn't good enough to compete with places that charge half as much for similar quality takeout.

[buzzg]

Well BP is insanely overpriced for the crap you get. I don’t think takeout should be cheaper. Still have all the same overhead except a server, who’s there to upswell you with drinks, apps, and desserts when you dine in which covers that cost (and more). Then add tip.

[esquire]

^ With takeout you aren't occupying space at a table that someone needs to service and then clean up afterwards. Part of the cost of a restaurant meal is the actual dining experience (such as it is as Boston Pizza). A 10% off discount for takeout is pretty reasonable IMO.

[drew]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Well BP is insanely overpriced for the crap you get. I don’t think takeout should be cheaper. Still have all the same overhead except a server, who’s there to upswell you with drinks, apps, and desserts when you dine in which covers that cost (and more). Then add tip.

Just to repeat - cost/quality of BP food aside - this is mainly an incentive for people to NOT use a delivery service and to order directly from the restaurant.

BP isn't the only restaurant to have this policy - quite a few of them do right now, and even if they don't, if you ask - they will usually offer a similar discount.

[buzzg]

Oh how the times have changed... Bar Italia has become the model restaurant in COVID times lol. They have drastically reduced their outdoor seating, very strict about capacity (no pulling tables together, max 6 people, bouncer seats you), have tons of staff and bouncers working, separate entrance for washrooms that's fully closed off from the rest of the inside – you can't even walk through the patio to get there, must exit and go around. They've done an amazing job, and are still going to wait at least a week or two to open inside.

Meanwhile... Tommy's, Chaise (old Teo's), Arabian Nights, Arabesque, Ramallah, and Pony Corral GP were ALL shut down and fined up to $3500 Saturday for being over capacity. Chaise was absolutely packed, not distanced at all, and were letting people go to the bar and order drinks. Ramallah and Arabesque don't even have patios, they were serving indoors – insane.

---

In other news the owners of Sous Sol have started construction on a new restuarant in the old Hermano's/Blind Tiger in South Osborne. I think it might be a brunch place but don't quote me on that.

[buzzg]

The Ness and York Robins Donuts properties are for sale. I know for sure Ness and St. Mary’s (Norwood) Robins shut down, not sure about York. Is this finally the end for Robins?

[cllew]

We still have the Robin's open at City Place. It's been one of the two quick service restaurants still open to service the remaining city 311 and MPI staff that are required to be in the office building

[esquire]

^ What was the other one that remained open? If there were only two open over the past couple months, I'm surprised it wasn't McDonald's and Tim's as they are always the busiest food outlets in Cityplace.

[CoryB]

Former Robin's on Ness isn't "for sale", it already sold and is currently under renovation. It will be reopening as a place focused on German food.

[BigG]

There's a Robin's on Rte 90 near Eagle Dr.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by BigG

There's a Robin's on Rte 90 near Eagle Dr.

One on Selkirk @ route 62 as well. Did the one on McPhillips close? Personally find the donuts at Robins superior to Tims.

The Robins on Lag @ Grassie was converted to an independent donut shop but seems to pretty much be a Robins still. Same kind of donuts.

[bomberjet]

Doesn't Tim ship their product half baked from a central location in Ontario? I would doubt Robin's does that, but maybe.