309 replies to this topic

[stacycam]

You'd have to be CRAZY to try to open a quality independant restaurant in Folsom. Folsom will never be as sophisticated as Sacramento and sadly gets what it deserves-it's reputation as mega chain restaurant heaven.

I guess it's a suburb thing. Most kids don't like to eat better food, especially if the parents don't expose them to it. Just the other night I told my husband we really need to stop eating out in Folsom, because it just really isn't good. We went to Il Fornaio downtown recently and it was soooooooo good. I think good food just has to be in the more city-type areas - not family suburban areas. Also, the only unique, independent restaurants that seem to stick around in Folsom don't serve American food.

That said, I'm disappointed about Acorn Cafe. We loved that place.....but the location did suck. Every time we went there the food was outstanding.

[4thgenFolsomite]

That said, I'm disappointed about Acorn Cafe. We loved that place.....but the location did suck. Every time we went there the food was outstanding.

this. the food was always great. prices were just fine. it was the tight seating in that little spot. always felt cramped.

too bad because these were wonderful people with a great vision. any chance they might reopen somewhere else? you know, they would have been awesome in the big dip spot.

[john]

I think it all boils down to location. We loved that place too but we were never in that part of town unless we had to get something at the city. Location is everything.

[ducky]

this. the food was always great. prices were just fine. it was the tight seating in that little spot. always felt cramped.

too bad because these were wonderful people with a great vision. any chance they might reopen somewhere else? you know, they would have been awesome in the big dip spot.

It would be nice if they could reopen somewhere else. I liked their soups & breakfast burrito.

There's plenty of open spaces around town. I was thinking the closed Jack-in-the-Box location on Blue Ravine might do well as a breakfast & lunch place, especially if they could add a little outdoor patio. If they kept the drive-through for commuters to pick up a coffee & muffin & pre-made sandwich for lunch later it might do well, too, because you can get back on the road without too much trouble.

[eVader]

It would be nice if they could reopen somewhere else. I liked their soups & breakfast burrito.

There's plenty of open spaces around town. I was thinking the closed Jack-in-the-Box location on Blue Ravine might do well as a breakfast & lunch place, especially if they could add a little outdoor patio. If they kept the drive-through for commuters to pick up a coffee & muffin & pre-made sandwich for lunch later it might do well, too, because you can get back on the road without too much trouble.

Not confident the Jack in the Box would be a good fit for the quality, prompt but not fast food style of Acorn. Without stirring a bee hive, the former Lyons, Sizzler, buffet across the way could work. The place has sat empty for years now and would be surprised if the landlord wouldnt make a good deal for a new business. Location could work, traffic wasnt a problem for the buffet and with a good rep and great food, being central to all in Folsom would be great.

If that location doesnt work, you are right there are tons of vacant locations and I too hope they can relocate.

[Inwit]

Never went there, so I won't miss it, but it is too bad when a small business can't make it that was serving good food. I have had a few of my favorites go away, but then, sometimes something better replaces it.

Golden Lake became T2 Yan
I Love Pasta became Streets of London
Wamu Homeloan office became new home of Visconti's

I know there are others, I just can't think of them all.

[camay2327]

Is it the location or the cost of renting and upkeep?

I think that at a lot of these businesses the rent and utilities are just to high and they just
don't make enough profit to keep going. Lot of empty buildings around, including the J & B and
the one one the corner of E. Bidwell and Blue Ravine.

Also, so sorry the Acorn is closing down. My wife an I liked the food there.

[SacKen]

I think it all boils down to location. We loved that place too but we were never in that part of town unless we had to get something at the city. Location is everything.

Yep. You ever notice that the chains are always in convenient, perfect locations? That's why they succeed. Not just because they are a chain. All the small favorite places are almost always in bad locations. If you are going to be in a location that requires people to think about you before they start driving, you need to be extra special. That's how places like Mandera's survives. It has enough uniqueness combined with excellence that people decide to go there on purpose. Otherwise, you jump in the car and start heading towards the main food centers and decide where to go at the last minute, which is usually too late to head to the other side of town. Unfortunately, those landlords know this and have high rent that only the big chains can handle.

[rockcrawler]

I agree. Location is as much of a factor, if not more, than the fact they are chains.
Chains are willing to pay the higher rent at better locations.
Out of sight, out of mind...

[folsomstrings]

It is not getting any better! Our monthly sales for Sept. were still way down from last year which was still down 40% from 3-4 yrs ago. It is getting frustrating because we are such a small restaurant and are working so hard to keep the business open. We have a girl that used to work for us over three years ago come back and she couldn't believe how much we have had to change the operation of the restaurant in order to survive. We used to have fifteen servers on the schedule and now we have half of that.

We had a coupon out in the mail today in the Folsom Style.....please use it and give us a try. Or remember us when you are dining out this weekend.

thanks
Kim and Brian Johnson

[Inwit]

It is not getting any better! Our monthly sales for Sept. were still way down from last year which was still down 40% from 3-4 yrs ago. It is getting frustrating because we are such a small restaurant and are working so hard to keep the business open. We have a girl that used to work for us over three years ago come back and she couldn't believe how much we have had to change the operation of the restaurant in order to survive. We used to have fifteen servers on the schedule and now we have half of that.

We had a coupon out in the mail today in the Folsom Style.....please use it and give us a try. Or remember us when you are dining out this weekend.

thanks
Kim and Brian Johnson

Do you use MSG and/or preservatives in any of your cooking?
How much and what kinds of food comes prepared from mothercorp vs. how much is made fresh on site?

[MikeinFolsom]

I'm figuring the huge chain restaurants might have some more leverage when it comes to rent and prices? Maybe? It is too bad Acorn was across the street from the 'hall'. No one really likes to go into that part of town because of obvious reasons. haha. Goldminer used to be a favorite of ours until a while back it seemed the menu and quality of food changed. When you think about it, all of the chain foods pretty much taste the same. I wonder if they mostly use the same distributors? Anymore nowadays I'd rather buy a piece of beef on sale at Raleys or Winco and cook it up myself. Eating out just isn't what it used to be. Sucks.

[folsomstrings]

Do you use MSG and/or preservatives in any of your cooking?
How much and what kinds of food comes prepared from mothercorp vs. how much is made fresh on site?

No MSG. Strings has a "central kitchen" in Gold River. They make our sauces, etc. They provide the stock for the minestrone soup and we add the fresh vegetables. So many people are pleasantly surprised by how good our food is. I admit I was the same way fifteen years ago before I began working there. It may not be for everyone....but I absolutely love our food and we have great prices. You even get a choice of soup or salad with your entree. So many places do not offer that anymore.

check www.stringscafe.com for a menu.

[bordercolliefan]

These days everyone is looking for good value when they eat out.

We often find ourselves at burrito places because we don't want to spend $40-60 for a weekday meal for our family of 4.

If a place doesn't have a kids menu, forget it.

Strings is a very good value for a family, because the entrees are very generous. With salad and bread, it's impossible to eat the whole entree-- so you always end up with a second meal at home.

[folsomstrings]

Thank you and don't forget Kids eat free Sunday and Monday. We are also in the entertainment book, Chamber Discount Card and send out BOGO free coupons in multiple mailers. We understand not wanting to spend $40-60 going out to dinner. We have cut back on dining out also.

Kim