Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.

The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
another of their restaurants have closed.

http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3

I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.

Andy

On Wed 30 Jul 2008 04:24:50a, Andy told us...

> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
> another of their restaurants have closed.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>
> I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>
> Andy

I've only eaten at Bennigans once and we had very poor service. Can't
remember the food. I've eaten at Steak & Ale several times, and thought it
a notch above Bennigans. Too bad they're having trouble.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Wednesday, 07(VII)/30(XXX)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Pardon me, waiter. I like my water diluted.
-------------------------------------------

Andy <q> wrote:
> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak &
> Ale. another of their restaurants have closed.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>
> I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>
> Andy

Used to meet co-workers at Bennigan's after work from time to time. I only
ever had appetizers there but IIRC they were okay. That was 15 years ago.
I was told the week before I started work someone called in a bomb threat to
the office. People walked over to Bennigan's while the building was
searched. Then someone phoned a bomb threat to Bennigan's! There was a
phone booth (remember those?!) across the street from both buildings. I
imagine the perpetrator had a grand time watching both places being
evacuated.

Jill

jmcquown said...

> Andy <q> wrote:
>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>
>> The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak &
>> Ale. another of their restaurants have closed.
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>>
>> I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>>
>> Andy
>
> Used to meet co-workers at Bennigan's after work from time to time. I
> only ever had appetizers there but IIRC they were okay. That was 15
> years ago. I was told the week before I started work someone called in a
> bomb threat to the office. People walked over to Bennigan's while the
> building was searched. Then someone phoned a bomb threat to Bennigan's!
> There was a phone booth (remember those?!) across the street from both
> buildings. I imagine the perpetrator had a grand time watching both
> places being evacuated.
>
> Jill


Jill,

What a crazy thing to do but a tad humorous. I pictured your office
employees in single file racing in quick-step (?) animation over to
Bennigan's, then see everyone, including the office employees and diners
and cooks in the same quick-step (?) animation a few seconds later file
across the street into your office. With the bomb squad doing exactly the
opposite starting from Bennigan's.

I remember the phonebooths that had the separate nickel, dime and quarter
slots with the rotary dialing.

Best,

Andy

Andy wrote:
> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
> another of their restaurants have closed.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>
> I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>
> Andy
The one near here turns into a meat market in the late afternoon. Lots
of singles cruising for a pickup. Had dinner there once and it was fair
but never went back, too much noise from the bar area.

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>

It is about time!

cybercat said...

>
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>
>
> It is about time!


cybercat,

It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the employees
advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to get on a new
payroll somewhere else, FAST.

The BUMS!!!

Andy

Andy <q> wrote:
> jmcquown said...
>
> > Andy <q> wrote:
> > > Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
> > >
> > > The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak
> > > & Ale. another of their restaurants have closed.
> > >
> > > http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
> > >
> > > I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
> > >
> > > Andy
> >
> > Used to meet co-workers at Bennigan's after work from time to time.
> > I only ever had appetizers there but IIRC they were okay. That was
> > 15 years ago. I was told the week before I started work someone
> > called in a bomb threat to the office. People walked over to
> > Bennigan's while the building was searched. Then someone phoned a
> > bomb threat to Bennigan's! There was a phone booth (remember
> > those?!) across the street from both buildings. I imagine the
> > perpetrator had a grand time watching both places being evacuated.
> >
> What a crazy thing to do but a tad humorous. I pictured your office
> employees in single file racing in quick-step (?) animation over to
> Bennigan's, then see everyone, including the office employees and
> diners and cooks in the same quick-step (?) animation a few seconds
> later file across the street into your office. With the bomb squad
> doing exactly the opposite starting from Bennigan's.
>
> I remember the phonebooths that had the separate nickel, dime and
> quarter slots with the rotary dialing.
>

I would have loved to have been there to see it! It was late in the day so
(I'm told) no one had any intention of going back to work. They turned it
into happy hour instead. Then (the BUM!) disrupted their happy hour

This same employer later came up with a "Telephone Bomb Threat Checklist":
a list of questions to ask the would-be bomber when they called. Now *that*
was funny!

Jill

jmcquown said...

> This same employer later came up with a "Telephone Bomb Threat
> Checklist": a list of questions to ask the would-be bomber when they
> called. Now *that* was funny!
>
> Jill


Jill,

I'll bet!

"Excuse me sir, can we please have your co-operation? Let's see, OK, here
goes, #1... where exactly IS your bomb?"

I'd yank the fire alarm and be at Bennigan's already. I wouldn't care if
reasoning with whacko-s WAS in my job description.

Best,

Andy

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> cybercat said...
>
>>
>> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>>
>>
>> It is about time!
>
>
> cybercat,
>
> It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the employees
> advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to get on a new
> payroll somewhere else, FAST.
>
> The BUMS!!!
>


I did not read that far. That really is a shame. But is it not surprising,
particularly from one of the frontrunners of the "corporate restaurant
chain."

Andy wrote:
> cybercat said...
>
>> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>>
>> It is about time!
>
>
> cybercat,
>
> It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the employees
> advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to get on a new
> payroll somewhere else, FAST.
>
> The BUMS!!!
>
> Andy

Would you really expect any different from big box?

cybercat wrote:
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message
> ...
>> cybercat said...
>>
>>>
>>> "Andy" <q> wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>>>
>>>
>>> It is about time!
>>
>>
>> cybercat,
>>
>> It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the
>> employees advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to
>> get on a new payroll somewhere else, FAST.
>>
>> The BUMS!!!
>>
>
>
> I did not read that far. That really is a shame. But is it not
> surprising, particularly from one of the frontrunners of the
> "corporate restaurant chain."

I just read all about it (I heard it on the news this morning, but didn't
get the full details) only 150 of the corporate restaurants are closing; all
the franchises will stay open since they're individually owned. Yeah, the
sad thing is the employees got a phone call yesterday morning telling them
not to come in because the restaurant was closed. They closed 150
Bennigan's and Stake & Ale's overnight. It's being blamed on the poor
economy. It's nice to learn that you're out of a job at the end of the
month when rent is due, isn't it?

kili

kilikini said...

> cybercat wrote:
>> "Andy" <q> wrote in message
>> ...
>>> cybercat said...
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Andy" <q> wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It is about time!
>>>
>>>
>>> cybercat,
>>>
>>> It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the
>>> employees advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to
>>> get on a new payroll somewhere else, FAST.
>>>
>>> The BUMS!!!
>>>
>>
>>
>> I did not read that far. That really is a shame. But is it not
>> surprising, particularly from one of the frontrunners of the
>> "corporate restaurant chain."
>
> I just read all about it (I heard it on the news this morning, but
> didn't get the full details) only 150 of the corporate restaurants are
> closing; all the franchises will stay open since they're individually
> owned. Yeah, the sad thing is the employees got a phone call yesterday
> morning telling them not to come in because the restaurant was closed.
> They closed 150 Bennigan's and Stake & Ale's overnight. It's being
> blamed on the poor economy. It's nice to learn that you're out of a job
> at the end of the month when rent is due, isn't it?
>
> kili


kili,

Meanwhile for the past six months, the company's board has probably been
paying themselves handsomely and taken the money and run. A golden
parachute for them, lead balloons for the employees. Not the first time or
the last. Of course John Kluge certainly doesn't need the money.

Sure, when you're outlay exceeds your income, you close up shop and believe
you me the board knew that a year ago.

They did have a bankruptcy plan in place in June, whether the employees
knew that has not been stated.

Best,

Andy

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:24:50 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:

>Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
>The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
>another of their restaurants have closed.
>
>http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>
>I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>
I'm always suspicious when I don't see an obvious reason like bad food
or lack of customers.

1. Somebody cooked the books
2. If it is owned by a large corporation - big fish, little fish
3. If it's family owned, someone important died.



--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On 2008-07-30, Andy <q> wrote:
> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.

You mean they were still open!?

nb

said...

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:24:50 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:
>
>>Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>
>>The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
>>another of their restaurants have closed.
>>
>>http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>>
>>I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>>
> I'm always suspicious when I don't see an obvious reason like bad food
> or lack of customers.
>
> 1. Somebody cooked the books
> 2. If it is owned by a large corporation - big fish, little fish
> 3. If it's family owned, someone important died.


"The company is a subsidiary of Metromedia Restaurant Group and operates
and franchises Bennigan's and Steak & Ale restaurants. The companies fall
under the umbrella of billionaire John Kluge's privately held Metromedia
Co."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080729/...ankruptcy_dc_1

Andy

notbob said...

> On 2008-07-30, Andy <q> wrote:
>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> You mean they were still open!?
>
> nb


nb,

Yeah. I just found out this morning myself.

Best,

Andy

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
> another of their restaurants have closed.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>
> I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>
> Andy

Couldn't have happened to a 'nicer' place. All the derogatory comments
here, esp. the 'meat/meet market' one I'll second for around here (the
closest is in Allentown). Took the hoarde there once (hub, all four kids
and eldest's significant other - 7 in total). Waitress took order then
'forgot' to turn it in. Motioned to another waitress who got the manager
who hunted down the other waitress to retrieve the order. Eldest daughter
ordered a veggie burger, came out as a rare hamburger, original waitress
went 'my bad, but no problem, you'll eat it right?'......Wrong, toots, she
WON'T eat it, get us what she ordered. DIL wanted a swiss burger (she
loves mushrooms), her's came without mushrooms....HELLO! When asked about
mushrooms the same slack assed waitress went in the back, came back with a
can opener, a 4oz. can of mushrooms and a bowl, opened them, dumped them in
the bowl and told her there were her mushrooms....that was it. Hub wanted
the manager as did eldest son....manager again came over, apologizing, going
'we're short handed in the kitchen'......Eldest, who was trained in food
service said the front of the house's work ethic should not be blamed on a
shortage in kitchen staff and any reputable joint should be able to cover
most bases if need be by either managerment stepping in or calling in people
to cover on busy nights. Manager said they would 'comp' us dessert. Big
whoop. When we got the tab they added a 22% tip to it for 'big
parties'.....Then we did go ballistic.......Told the manager that we WOULD
tip the second waitress that came over when we were summarily ignored by the
first but not the ignorant cow who originally took the order.....manager
said adding tip 'guaranteed' all the waitresses got tipped. Begrudgingly we
paid the tab minus the tip and I contacted their corporate offices. Three
weeks later I get a call from some little girl (that's what it sounded like
on the phone) who asked 'so whaddaya want me to do about it?

This was over a year and a half ago and we haven't set foot in the place
since......if all the other people who were screwed, blewed and tattooed by
that place did the same, no wonder they are bankrupt.
-ginny

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:28:19 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:

> said...
>
>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:24:50 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:
>>
>>>Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>>
>>>The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
>>>another of their restaurants have closed.
>>>
>>>http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>>>
>>>I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>>>
>> I'm always suspicious when I don't see an obvious reason like bad food
>> or lack of customers.
>>
>> 1. Somebody cooked the books
>> 2. If it is owned by a large corporation - big fish, little fish
>> 3. If it's family owned, someone important died.
>
>
>"The company is a subsidiary of Metromedia Restaurant Group and operates
>and franchises Bennigan's and Steak & Ale restaurants. The companies fall
>under the umbrella of billionaire John Kluge's privately held Metromedia
>Co."
>
>http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080729/...ankruptcy_dc_1
>
TY, Andy. It's just a game of corporate chess in that case. Too bad
they didn't treat their employees with more respect.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On 2008-07-30, Virginia Tadrzynski > wrote:

> weeks later I get a call from some little girl (that's what it sounded like
> on the phone) who asked 'so whaddaya want me to do about it?

The primary problem with chains ...besides the lousy food. After they get
so big, customer feedback is just an annoyance to be ignored. I complained
to Carls Jr about day old burgers and got zero response. All you can do is
avoid them.

nb

said...

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:28:19 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:
>
>> said...
>>
>>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:24:50 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>>>
>>>>The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak &
Ale.
>>>>another of their restaurants have closed.
>>>>
>>>>http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>>>>
>>>>I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>>>>
>>> I'm always suspicious when I don't see an obvious reason like bad food
>>> or lack of customers.
>>>
>>> 1. Somebody cooked the books
>>> 2. If it is owned by a large corporation - big fish, little fish
>>> 3. If it's family owned, someone important died.
>>
>>
>>"The company is a subsidiary of Metromedia Restaurant Group and operates
>>and franchises Bennigan's and Steak & Ale restaurants. The companies fall
>>under the umbrella of billionaire John Kluge's privately held Metromedia
>>Co."
>>
>>http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080729/...ankruptcy_dc_1
>>
> TY, Andy. It's just a game of corporate chess in that case. Too bad
> they didn't treat their employees with more respect.


sf,

Welcome.

Andy

Virginia Tadrzynski said...

>
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>
>> The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak &
>> Ale. another of their restaurants have closed.
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>>
>> I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>>
>> Andy
>
> Couldn't have happened to a 'nicer' place. All the derogatory comments
> here, esp. the 'meat/meet market' one I'll second for around here (the
> closest is in Allentown). Took the hoarde there once (hub, all four
> kids and eldest's significant other - 7 in total). Waitress took order
> then 'forgot' to turn it in. Motioned to another waitress who got the
> manager who hunted down the other waitress to retrieve the order.
> Eldest daughter ordered a veggie burger, came out as a rare hamburger,
> original waitress went 'my bad, but no problem, you'll eat it
> right?'......Wrong, toots, she WON'T eat it, get us what she ordered.
> DIL wanted a swiss burger (she loves mushrooms), her's came without
> mushrooms....HELLO! When asked about mushrooms the same slack assed
> waitress went in the back, came back with a can opener, a 4oz. can of
> mushrooms and a bowl, opened them, dumped them in the bowl and told her
> there were her mushrooms....that was it. Hub wanted the manager as did
> eldest son....manager again came over, apologizing, going 'we're short
> handed in the kitchen'......Eldest, who was trained in food service said
> the front of the house's work ethic should not be blamed on a shortage
> in kitchen staff and any reputable joint should be able to cover most
> bases if need be by either managerment stepping in or calling in people
> to cover on busy nights. Manager said they would 'comp' us dessert.
> Big whoop. When we got the tab they added a 22% tip to it for 'big
> parties'.....Then we did go ballistic.......Told the manager that we
> WOULD tip the second waitress that came over when we were summarily
> ignored by the first but not the ignorant cow who originally took the
> order.....manager said adding tip 'guaranteed' all the waitresses got
> tipped. Begrudgingly we paid the tab minus the tip and I contacted
> their corporate offices. Three weeks later I get a call from some
> little girl (that's what it sounded like on the phone) who asked 'so
> whaddaya want me to do about it?
>
> This was over a year and a half ago and we haven't set foot in the place
> since......if all the other people who were screwed, blewed and tattooed
> by that place did the same, no wonder they are bankrupt.
> -ginny


ginny,

The one in Springfield, PA wasn't perfection either but it WASN'T
Allentown!!!

Best,

Andy

notbob wrote:

> On 2008-07-30, Andy <q> wrote:
> > Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> You mean they were still open!?


Their Chicago "flagship" store was on Michigan Ave., across from the Art
Institute and Grant Park, a very busy tourist area. If not for this
location, I wouldn't have even been aware that they existed...

Comentators have been saying that part of their problem was that they didn't
change with the times,.e.g. they were still stuck in a late 70's "fern bar"
mindset...

There's a lotta competition out there for the F+B dollar, you gotta have a
gimmick to keep 'em comin' in...


--
Best
Greg

notbob said...

> On 2008-07-30, Virginia Tadrzynski > wrote:
>
>> weeks later I get a call from some little girl (that's what it sounded
>> like on the phone) who asked 'so whaddaya want me to do about it?
>
> The primary problem with chains ...besides the lousy food. After they
> get so big, customer feedback is just an annoyance to be ignored. I
> complained to Carls Jr about day old burgers and got zero response. All
> you can do is avoid them.
>
> nb


nb,

Carls Jr. should be wiped off the planet. Their ancient Bacon Western
cheeseburger w/BBQ sauce, from 1983 (?), tasted like a bad chemistry
experiment. There was one at the end of my street in L.A. and it stunk
walking by, thankfully!!!

I can only look at a Carls Jr. with nothing less than disdain.

Andy

Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:

>
> This was over a year and a half ago and we haven't set foot in the place
> since......if all the other people who were screwed, blewed and tattooed by
> that place did the same, no wonder they are bankrupt.
> -ginny
>
>
I am not a big fan of big box restaurants and the only time I patronize
them is if I happen to be with others who bought into the marketing.
Every visit has been something similar to what you described with the
"manager" complaining about they are "short staffed" or "can't get help"
etc.

On Jul 30, 6:20*am, Andy <q> wrote:
> It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the employees
> advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to get on a new
> payroll somewhere else, FAST.
>
It's normal, afaik, for lawyers to tell management to keep news of a
planned bankruptcy filing confidential. Even more so when it's a part
of a publicly traded company. -aem

aem said...

> On Jul 30, 6:20*am, Andy <q> wrote:
>> It's just bothers me to no end that Bennigan's didn't give the employees
>> advanced notice. Now, overnight they have to scramble to get on a new
>> payroll somewhere else, FAST.
>>
> It's normal, afaik, for lawyers to tell management to keep news of a
> planned bankruptcy filing confidential. Even more so when it's a part
> of a publicly traded company. -aem


aem,

It's not a publicly traded company, so yeah, they're certainly free to keep
the numbers private.

Andy

"kilikini" > wrote in message
. com...

<snip>

> I just read all about it (I heard it on the news this morning, but didn't
> get the full details) only 150 of the corporate restaurants are closing;
> all the franchises will stay open since they're individually owned. Yeah,
> the sad thing is the employees got a phone call yesterday morning telling
> them not to come in because the restaurant was closed. They closed 150
> Bennigan's and Stake & Ale's overnight. It's being blamed on the poor
> economy. It's nice to learn that you're out of a job at the end of the
> month when rent is due, isn't it?
>
> kili


Poor economy my aunt Petunia - how about POOR MANAGEMENT & Marginal food at
best.

Over all the tough times in the restaurant business may in fact lead to a
revitalization of the industry as well as innovative menus and decent
service.

There is a natural cycle of overexpansion and then contraction.

I am reminded of an old friend from Texas who would have described
Bennigan's and a cockroach company.

It ain't what they eat, it's what they fall into and F**k-Up


;-)


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

Gregory Morrow wrote:

> Their Chicago "flagship" store was on Michigan Ave., across from the
> Art Institute and Grant Park, a very busy tourist area.

Did they serve breakfast? I swear I ate there once, right before
going to the museum.

nancy

Dimitri wrote:
> "kilikini" > wrote in message
> . com...
>
> <snip>
>
>> I just read all about it (I heard it on the news this morning, but
>> didn't get the full details) only 150 of the corporate restaurants
>> are closing; all the franchises will stay open since they're
>> individually owned. Yeah, the sad thing is the employees got a
>> phone call yesterday morning telling them not to come in because the
>> restaurant was closed. They closed 150 Bennigan's and Stake & Ale's
>> overnight. It's being blamed on the poor economy. It's nice to
>> learn that you're out of a job at the end of the month when rent is
>> due, isn't it? kili
>
>
> Poor economy my aunt Petunia - how about POOR MANAGEMENT & Marginal
> food at best.
>
> Over all the tough times in the restaurant business may in fact lead
> to a revitalization of the industry as well as innovative menus and
> decent service.
>
> There is a natural cycle of overexpansion and then contraction.
>
> I am reminded of an old friend from Texas who would have described
> Bennigan's and a cockroach company.
>
> It ain't what they eat, it's what they fall into and F**k-Up
>
>
> ;-)

I hear ya.

kili

Nancy Young wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
> > Their Chicago "flagship" store was on Michigan Ave., across from the
> > Art Institute and Grant Park, a very busy tourist area.
>
> Did they serve breakfast? I swear I ate there once, right before
> going to the museum.


Yup, they did. It was a good choice for
"un - adventurous" eaters and it was right by there in any case. I always
liked to take folks to the famous but now - closed Berghoff which was just
down Monroe (follow a few blocks straight west from where the B's was)...B's
had a nice patio in warm weather, not too shabby to while a way some time
drinking there.

There was also an old - fashioned place a block west on Wabash, had these
nice older waitress gals. Liked the Bloody Mary's in little glasses that
included a chaser of beer and the Monte Cristo sammiches...fergit the name
of the place. It reminded me of the restaurant (managed by Eve Arden!) in
_Mildred Pierce_, the one where Joan Crawford goes for a job...old school, I
liked that. Miller's Pub on Wabash is also a good choice....

B's rent musta been sky - high but it had to be their top - grossing (or
close to it) store...

These days that South Loop area has blossomed with luxe condos, lots more
dining choices around there...mebbe that had something to do with it?

Man, I remember years ago when that stretch of Michigan across from the Art
Instiute was chock - a - block with fancy airline offices (Lufthansa, Pan
Am, British Airways, Alitalia...). Remember airline offices...!!!???

===>> gettin' old, lol...


--
Best
Greg

Gregory Morrow wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>>
>>> Their Chicago "flagship" store was on Michigan Ave., across from the
>>> Art Institute and Grant Park, a very busy tourist area.
>>
>> Did they serve breakfast? I swear I ate there once, right before
>> going to the museum.

> Yup, they did. It was a good choice for
> "un - adventurous" eaters and it was right by there in any case.

I am not much of a breakfast eater, and I really wasn't back then,
but adventure wasn't what I was looking for. I don't remember
what I ordered, just some un-adventurous plate of maybe toast
and eggs? Something like that. The waitress came to take away
the plates and said Well, we must be hungry! WTF? (laugh) I
have no idea why she said that.

Went across to the museum and before I was even through
admiring the miniature rooms exhibit, I was compelled to rush
back to my room at the Palmer House. That breakfast didn't sit
well with me.

> I
> always liked to take folks to the famous but now - closed Berghoff
> which was just down Monroe (follow a few blocks straight west from
> where the B's was)...B's had a nice patio in warm weather, not too
> shabby to while a way some time drinking there.

I ate there when I visited Chicago, too. I enjoyed that place. I was
sorry to hear they closed. I'm sure I had sauerbraten.

> There was also an old - fashioned place a block west on Wabash, had
> these nice older waitress gals. Liked the Bloody Mary's in little
> glasses that included a chaser of beer and the Monte Cristo
> sammiches...fergit the name of the place. It reminded me of the
> restaurant (managed by Eve Arden!) in _Mildred Pierce_, the one where
> Joan Crawford goes for a job...old school, I liked that. Miller's
> Pub on Wabash is also a good choice....

I had Greek chicken at a pub named Exchequers. I like those
kind of places.

> These days that South Loop area has blossomed with luxe condos, lots
> more dining choices around there...mebbe that had something to do
> with it?

heh, I guess so.

> Man, I remember years ago when that stretch of Michigan across from
> the Art Instiute was chock - a - block with fancy airline offices
> (Lufthansa, Pan Am, British Airways, Alitalia...). Remember airline
> offices...!!!???

Me, only the one by Rockefeller Center in NYC. What I remember
about Chicago in that area was no matter which way I went, I'd
wind up by the CNA building. Couldn't get away from the place.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>>> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>>>
>>>> Their Chicago "flagship" store was on Michigan Ave., across from the
>>>> Art Institute and Grant Park, a very busy tourist area.
>>>
>>> Did they serve breakfast? I swear I ate there once, right before
>>> going to the museum.
>
>> Yup, they did. It was a good choice for
>> "un - adventurous" eaters and it was right by there in any case.
>
> I am not much of a breakfast eater, and I really wasn't back then,
> but adventure wasn't what I was looking for. I don't remember what I
> ordered, just some un-adventurous plate of maybe toast
> and eggs? Something like that. The waitress came to take away the plates
> and said Well, we must be hungry! WTF? (laugh) I
> have no idea why she said that.

Because she flunked out of Med School.

:-)
--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

Dimitri wrote:
> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> I am not much of a breakfast eater, and I really wasn't back then,
>> but adventure wasn't what I was looking for. I don't remember what I
>> ordered, just some un-adventurous plate of maybe toast
>> and eggs? Something like that. The waitress came to take away the
>> plates and said Well, we must be hungry! WTF? (laugh) I
>> have no idea why she said that.
>
> Because she flunked out of Med School.

(laugh) She'd never make it as a nurse!

nancy

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:24:50 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:

>Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
>The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
>another of their restaurants have closed.
>
>http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>
>I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>
>Andy

I thought Bennigan's had one of the best American burgers and fries in
town! So sad...

Just Visiting said...

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:24:50 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:
>
>>Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>>
>>The talking heads reported this morning that Bennigans and "Steak & Ale.
>>another of their restaurants have closed.
>>
>>http://tinyurl.com/6f95k3
>>
>>I ate at Bennigans maybe twice. Nice enough place as I remember.
>>
>>Andy
>
> I thought Bennigan's had one of the best American burgers and fries in
> town! So sad...


sf,

The Smokehouse in Berkeley (+1 block north of Alcatraz Ave. on Telegraph
Ave (on your right, headed to Berkeley from Oakland. No beer, though. Still
the best burgers on the planet. I'd dare anyone to declare... well,
challenge a better burger on earth!!!

Take the Jag up above Strawberry Canyon and jitterbug high overlooking the
bay area.

A Greek Theatre concert on the lawn staring across the bay and through the
Golden Gate Bridge and University Ave., can't hurt.

Then Narsai David's French Restaurant in Albany CA, my old workplace! If
the old fart is still alive!!! I'd love to insult him and buy his best
bottle of wine and rip up the label, like I did prior.

Then drive back across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco to the Palace Pool
Hall, (I can't find it anymore) for a friendly game of 8-ball and cigars.
Then the Hyatt at the Embarcadero for a cocktail and then send you upstairs
in a cab.

Do they have a $50 cheese omelette at the Hyatt like the Four Seasons in
Philly?!? I'd double the price out of principle!!! ))

Andy

l, not -l wrote:

> I worked for a large, mid-west regional bank for 30 years; sometime
> in the 80s the bomb checklist and annual bomb-threat training became
> mandatory. The bomb checklist was a printed card, that had the
> checklist on one side and and attention getting graphic on the other;
> you were supposed to hold it up so others could see it while you
> tried to keep a threatening caller on the line as long as possible.
> While you could see the checklist, office mates would see the graphic
> and call security - that was the theory, anyway; fortunately, we
> never had to use it.

You reminded me of a funny thing that happened to me long ago.
I was just 18, working at a Japanese bank in Manhattan. The
emperor of Japan was visiting the city and the red army was
threatening to blow up a bank. This had the Japanese men in a
panic.

They came up front with a wooden box. In it was a gun. It was
explained to me that I should use it to hold off the terrorists while
all the men escaped out the back door.

Still makes me laugh, all these years later. What dolts.

nancy

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:10:22 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Wed 30 Jul 2008 04:24:50a, Andy told us...
>
>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.

>I've only eaten at Bennigans once and we had very poor service. Can't
>remember the food. I've eaten at Steak & Ale several times, and thought it
>a notch above Bennigans. Too bad they're having trouble.

They're not "having trouble," they've filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy which
means: liquidation. It's a subsidiary of a much larger corporation
(which name eludes me) and only that subsidiary and its assets will be
affected.

Bennigan's and Steak & Ale are toast.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd

"And what manner of jackassery must we put up with today?"

Danae in "Non Sequitir"

On Wed 30 Jul 2008 08:45:39p, Terryl Pulliam Burd told us...

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:10:22 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
>>On Wed 30 Jul 2008 04:24:50a, Andy told us...
>>
>>> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
>>I've only eaten at Bennigans once and we had very poor service. Can't
>>remember the food. I've eaten at Steak & Ale several times, and thought
>>it a notch above Bennigans. Too bad they're having trouble.
>
> They're not "having trouble," they've filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy which
> means: liquidation. It's a subsidiary of a much larger corporation
> (which name eludes me) and only that subsidiary and its assets will be
> affected.
>
> Bennigan's and Steak & Ale are toast.

Well, I'd say that's *trouble*! :-)

> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
>
> "And what manner of jackassery must we put up with today?"
>
> Danae in "Non Sequitir"
>



--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Wednesday, 07(VII)/30(XXX)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
You have a fine personality..but not
for a human
-------------------------------------------

Terryl Pulliam Burd wrote:

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:10:22 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
> > On Wed 30 Jul 2008 04:24:50a, Andy told us...
> >
> >> Bennigan's closes and files for bankruptcy.
>
> > I've only eaten at Bennigans once and we had very poor service.
> > Can't remember the food. I've eaten at Steak & Ale several times,
> > and thought it a notch above Bennigans. Too bad they're having
> > trouble.
>
> They're not "having trouble," they've filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy which
> means: liquidation. It's a subsidiary of a much larger corporation
> (which name eludes me) and only that subsidiary and its assets will be
> affected.
>
> Bennigan's and Steak & Ale are toast.
>
> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd

The franchised places are still open, I gather.

--
--
Dan Goodman
"I have always depended on the kindness of stranglers."
Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Expire
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