Bill over at Peoria Pundit has an interesting thread. http://www.peoriapundit.com/mt/archives/2005/02/alert_the_media.html#comments
Peoria has umpteen Steak n’ Shake restaurants but not a single White Castle, Sonic, Boston Market, In & Out Burger, Fudruckers or Jack in the Box restaurant. I realize Steak n’ Shake is a valuable commodity to all those that have moved from Peoria. Heck, it’s a valuable commodity to anyone after a night of cocktails. We also have a Baker’s Square now, which is essentially Perkins, though not up to par in my opinion. I can’t believe The Outback closed. When it opened, it had the best team of servers, cooks and managers. Many were coming from O’Leary’s and they went through all the corporate training and learned all the ins and outs of the chain. Over the years, things started going downhill-but the place was always packed. As recently as three months ago, I had dinner there with my family and the wait was about 45 minutes. If The Outback can’t stay open, how is Lone Star Steakhouse staying open?
People tend to eat at chain restaurants because they know what they’re getting. Consistency is the key. Three times a year, when Rob goes to Knob Creek, KY-they eat at The Outback one or two nights a week. Damon’s on the Riverfront was another chain that had problems with their consistency. The Damon’s in Bloomington has always done well. The one here-closed within three or four years. Buffalo Wild Wings seems to be doing an outstanding job. They seem to always be busy and people love going there.
I wish Peoria had a Fudruckers. Whenever we go to Virginia to visit my brother, we stop at Fudruckers and make the best burgers. I guess you can’t miss what you’ve never tried.
I also wish Peoria still had O’Leary’s, Rosie’s, Brown’s Chicken, Mister Donut, Mellow Cream and Sigrids.
But, I am thankful that Peoria has Schooner’s, Leonardo’s, The Patio Inn, Firehouse Pizza and the Hoffbrau House-among many others.
Sonic. That’s all. And maybe a Whataburger.
A Hard Rock Café!
What Peoria has and I don’t find in AZ are real taverns–neighborhood places that are bars and usually serve food-like the now-defunct Walt’s did.
Sonic, my wife and I have been jonesing for one since we moved here 8 years ago. We get commercials for them, but no restaurant. Also a TGIF, Bloomington isn’t close enough.
Hastings or MediaPlay.
Consistency is one factor; I think location is another. And people always want to flock to the new place, at least for the first few months. But you’re right, it’s always surprising what doesn’t make it. And I completely agree: thank goodness for the Hofbrau.
I’m amazed (and delighted) that we have a FlatTop Grill here.
I would love a Boston Market and a Sonic in the area (although it could cause me to weigh 400 pounds).
Things I REALLY would love to see in Peoria: a single-screen moviehouse like the Normal Theater.
A restored and vibrant and well-programmed Madison Theater.
A Peoria-history-themed watering hole.
There are a lot of good things here already … but there’s always room for more.
Not that they’ll ever come this far east, but living in California gto me hooked on “Fatburger” and “In and Out”… great stuff when you’re talking fast food.
A drive-in theatre!
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