Winnipeg | Restaurants

[zalf]

Devil May Care Brewing finally got their patio set up. I'll be checking it out this week!

[CoryB]

Here is some further insight into local food trucks. This past weekend I was at the Folklorama Kickoff. In years past there are quite a few food trucks as lots of them, in years past, had ties to their traditional cultural communities which are involved in Folklorama. This year only a single truck was at the event.

If the local food truck scene is truly on the down swing right now it could definitely set the stage for a resurgence. The concept worked well and some of the stories old operators shared they were making a reasonable income from it.

[CoryB]

It appears Osmow's on Regent (former Za Bistro, and Arbys before that) opened this past weekend.

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Here is some further insight into local food trucks. This past weekend I was at the Folklorama Kickoff. In years past there are quite a few food trucks as lots of them, in years past, had ties to their traditional cultural communities which are involved in Folklorama. This year only a single truck was at the event.

If the local food truck scene is truly on the down swing right now it could definitely set the stage for a resurgence. The concept worked well and some of the stories old operators shared they were making a reasonable income from it.

Would nice to see some old lots maybe turned into some pop up food truck pods like they have in other cities ie Portland,Bend. Even as few as 4 trucks adds some life and another reason for folks to venture DT. Now convincing city hall on policies that would make this attractive for operators is a whole other thing.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by SKYSTHELIMIT

Would nice to see some old lots maybe turned into some pop up food truck pods like they have in other cities ie Portland,Bend. Even as few as 4 trucks adds some life and another reason for folks to venture DT. Now convincing city hall on policies that would make this attractive for operators is a whole other thing.

I don't know if its just an EK thing but the FreshCo on Henderson has had different food trucks in there lot off and on for the last two years or so.

[dennis]

Originally Posted by CoryB

It appears Osmow's on Regent (former Za Bistro, and Arbys before that) opened this past weekend.

Za seems to have lost its lustre. When they first opened, the lines were long at most locations.

[bomberjet]

I was at Za City Place the other day. Ordered BBQ chicken, it was good. Didn't adjust any of the toppings.

But there was a guy ordering a pizza. And he kept asking for other toppings, and everything was extra cost. Not sure if it was just meat and cheese he was asking for. But the guy was like wtf isn't this like subway? Seemed very odd.

[kylbaz]

Originally Posted by dennis

Za seems to have lost its lustre. When they first opened, the lines were long at most locations.

I was just going to post the same thing. When it first opened it was amazing. Maybe their prices were too low which created this mess but it was so good. I've seen people posting insane prices now and and topping limits. The one in Sage Creek just uses a conveyor belt and not even the fire oven like they boasted about when they first started. Pizza Pizza, Dominoes, Santa Lucia and Za in the same area, sadly it's probably a matter of time before Za is gone.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by dennis

Za seems to have lost its lustre. When they first opened, the lines were long at most locations.

My impression of Za is they cloned a franchise concept for fast fired pizza that hadn't made its way to Winnipeg at the time and ran as fast as they could taking in new franchise fees and monthly shares of revenue. There seemed to be very little oversight on the quality of the owners that were given locations. I still recall seeing a younger woman, about university age, driving an expensive looking BMW sportsback style vehicle trying to transport supplies for the restaurant and carry them in while wearing seemingly designer clothes and high heels. Clearly her day to day life was definitely not working deep in the operations of the restaurant which is common for most franchise owners, at least for the first little bit.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by dennis

Za seems to have lost its lustre. When they first opened, the lines were long at most locations.

Well, because their meat has gone from barely edible to sub par. The cheap meats would give me a gout attack within a couple of hours. I personally only want 1 perhaps 2 meats & they put little on. The one on Elice never uses much sauce. The cheese never gets browned on top. The Prices are no a great deal. I moved on long agoi. I would much rather pay more, eat it less often and get better quality.

[OTA in Winnipeg]

I make my own at home.

[WinCitySparky]

More like NA Pizza, amirite

[esquire]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

More like NA Pizza, amirite

Sparky with the hot hot fyah!

[WinCitySparky]

Hehe someone gotta bring the silly

[Boreal]

Is there a more competitive industry in the world (or Winnipeg) than the pizza business? It must be the entrepreneurial equivalent of Gladiator.

[blueandgoldguy]

With Santa Lucia Pizza remaining the undisputed champion for 2 decades running.

[Doogie5]

Originally Posted by CoryB

It appears Osmow's on Regent (former Za Bistro, and Arbys before that) opened this past weekend.

Oh good I heard opening was Aug 12

[Glenn99]

Noticed all the signage gone from Lot 88 on Pembina. Tough location.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by Glenn99

Noticed all the signage gone from Lot 88 on Pembina. Tough location.

It's a weird location because it's increasingly surrounded by MFR housing, but the plaza is designed to make it very hostile if you're arriving any way but by car. Feels like it belongs on the outskirts of the city somewhere.

[WinCitySparky]

Should be demolished and replaced with mixed use high rise already.