147 replies to this topic

[Gina99]

I don't think you realize, Meyer, that the majority of Folsom residents are happy with the quality of Folsom food - Macaroni Grill, Island's, Chili's, etc. I'm not terribly happy with our choices, so we rarely have date night in Folsom - except at Manderes.

Ditto.

[eVader]

I don't think you realize, Meyer, that the majority of Folsom residents are happy with the quality of Folsom food - Macaroni Grill, Island's, Chili's, etc. I'm not terribly happy with our choices, so we rarely have date night in Folsom - except at Manderes.

Gotta expand your dining list to include Bidwell Street Bistro (Hangar steak, duck confit or even the bacon cheeseburger), Urban Dog, Chicago Pizza, Visconti's, Mexquite, Early Toast, Lake Forest Cafe, Peach Pit, NuYo, Manderes and more.

Folsom has had some really great places but weren't getting business like Folsom Bistro and Express Gourmet (miss em both) -- frequent the great places and keep them going.

[Meyer Lemon]

I don't think you realize, Meyer, that the majority of Folsom residents are happy with the quality of Folsom food - Macaroni Grill, Island's, Chili's, etc. I'm not terribly happy with our choices, so we rarely have date night in Folsom - except at Manderes.

If I read this right, if I read what you have written and how you have written it, it breaks down as follows:

1) There are approx. 51,000 people in Folsom. of these 51K, 34,000 are between the ages of 20 and 65, the largest block (11,000) being between that demographic "sweet spot" of 35-44. Of these, you say the majority, which we will peg at 18,000 are content with Chili's, Macaroni Grill (same parent company, BTW) and other "institutional" restaurants. You are probably right. 16,000 people (or less, perhaps) is not a strong base to support existing establishments, much less something new and actually good, especially in an environment where one may well conclude that more people than not are almost hostile to the idea.

2) While you recognize that most Folsomites are getting what they need to make them "happy", you yourself are not among them. Nor, if I may conclude, is your significant other. So, on an occasion as contrived as date night, you must take your business, and your dollars, out of Folsom. You don't like it, but you recognize the facts, and will play the ball as it lies.

So, if I may conclude, the restaurants are good enough for your neighbors, but not good enough for you. You will do nothing to improve the situation. It looks as though we are in some form of agreement, even if neither of us can appreciate how the other formed their opinions.

[stacycam]

eVader - We went to Express Gourmet all the time, and encouraged friends and family. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough. :-( We frequent Chicago Fire as often as possible, and I'm so happy to see them doing so well.

I guess we agree, Meyer. I just know so many people in Folsom who actually list their favorite restaurants as Mac Grill, Islands or Olive Garden. ???? That's crazy. There are so many other good places to eat, why list one of those as your absolute favorite?!!?

I do think a big part of it is that most Folsomites have young kids, and we like places we can take our kids. I don't really understand why people are so resistent to new places, though. I have a friend whose husband opened a pizzeria in Land Park. He briefly considered Folsom, but he knew he'd never make it. The rents are high here, plus people like their chains. As a result he's doing well where he is located. His style of restaurant would never have made it here.

[Folsom4evr]

eVader - We went to Express Gourmet all the time, and encouraged friends and family. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough. :-( We frequent Chicago Fire as often as possible, and I'm so happy to see them doing so well.

I guess we agree, Meyer. I just know so many people in Folsom who actually list their favorite restaurants as Mac Grill, Islands or Olive Garden. ???? That's crazy. There are so many other good places to eat, why list one of those as your absolute favorite?!!?

I do think a big part of it is that most Folsomites have young kids, and we like places we can take our kids. I don't really understand why people are so resistent to new places, though. I have a friend whose husband opened a pizzeria in Land Park. He briefly considered Folsom, but he knew he'd never make it. The rents are high here, plus people like their chains. As a result he's doing well where he is located. His style of restaurant would never have made it here.

Looks like this thread has been hijacked beyond all recognition (HIBAR). It no longer has anything to do with Visconti's or Granitos but rather people telling us why we are to dumb to have any good restaurants. Is there a moderator around that can just close the thread and maybe start a new one just for complaints about Folsom culture and its residents.
Stacycam - this is not specifically related to your post. I just happened to hit reply on the last available post.

[stacycam]

Looks like this thread has been hijacked beyond all recognition (HIBAR).

I like that! No offense taken, BTW.

Are you new to this forum? I've gotten to the point where I'm actually surprised if a thread stays on topic.

FWIW, I'd go to Visconti's more often if they didn't screw us on the kids' meals.

I tried Granito's in GB a couple years ago and was very disappointed. I had high expectations, so that may have contributed. As such, we haven't tried Granito's. Now that money is tighter, I'm much more hesitant to risk spending money on a place that I've heard about and had first-hand negative (or not great) experiences.

[folsom4us]

[FWIW, I'd go to Visconti's more often if they didn't screw us on the kids' meals.

How did Visconti's screw you w/ the kids meals? Just curious.

[Folsom4evr]

I like that! No offense taken, BTW.

Are you new to this forum? I've gotten to the point where I'm actually surprised if a thread stays on topic.

FWIW, I'd go to Visconti's more often if they didn't screw us on the kids' meals.

I tried Granito's in GB a couple years ago and was very disappointed. I had high expectations, so that may have contributed. As such, we haven't tried Granito's. Now that money is tighter, I'm much more hesitant to risk spending money on a place that I've heard about and had first-hand negative (or not great) experiences.

I actually tried Granitos more than once and they didnt seem to care that we were in the building so we left after drinks both times. The thing about Visconti's is that I really like the food and the owner. Even in the big new restaurant I still feel like he cares that we came to visit. I dont have kids so no exp with the kids meals. Did you talk to them about your concerns?

Oh and about topic - I stray off topic all the time but when someone creates an account for the sole purpose of bashing Folsom and its restaurants and the hard working people that start them, work in them and frequent them under the guise of "helping us" that is just a bit ridiculous.

[stacycam]

[FWIW, I'd go to Visconti's more often if they didn't screw us on the kids' meals.

How did Visconti's screw you w/ the kids meals? Just curious.

I meant a collective "us" as in parents. $6-$7 for a kid's meal, that doesn't even include a drink, is ludicrous. Not to mention pasta is soooo cheap to make. My daughter doesn't share, but the last time we went, my son shared my gnocchi with me and we brought in their milks. I don't like bringing in milk, though, unless they don't serve it (it's tacky). I just think charging that much for kid's meals, in Folsom with so many kids, is ridiculous.

For me, it's the principal. Obviously plenty of parents don't seem to care, so it's not an issue for them. I just can't bring myself to pay $10 for each of my kids to eat. Clearly, they are making a killing on families, so I guess I can't blame them. Unfortunately, they won't get my family's money as often as other places.

[redman]

My wife and I just ate dinner at Manderes for the first time tonight. In a word...wow. Far exceeded my expectations. I had the pork chop and she had the salmon. Both were amazing and beautifully presented, and the price was very reasonable. We do have some really nice independently owned restaurant choices in town. I'd like to see a few less chains and more places like this.

[Dave Burrell]

My wife and I just ate dinner at Manderes for the first time tonight. In a word...wow. Far exceeded my expectations. I had the pork chop and she had the salmon. Both were amazing and beautifully presented, and the price was very reasonable. We do have some really nice independently owned restaurant choices in town. I'd like to see a few less chains and more places like this.

Glad to hear you tried out Manderes. IMO, that place is one of the best restaurants in town and you just tried two of their best entrée's that they serve as specials (they're not on the menu). My wife and I have had both of those - we especially enjoy the salmon and it is a very nice presentation....

[supermom]

Glad to hear you tried out Manderes. IMO, that place is one of the best restaurants in town and you just tried two of their best entrée's that they serve as specials (they're not on the menu). My wife and I have had both of those - we especially enjoy the salmon and it is a very nice presentation....

Their lettuce wrap shrimp is to die for.

[Robert Giacometti]

+100, support our local restaurants

pork rinds are okay... if you're starving

In some Chicago suburbs, they serve pork rinds wrapped in rice and call it sushi. If you put enough soy sauce on it, I heard it tastes like fried eel, but more crunchy. The good news about this is the pork rind can ride around on the boat all day and you don't have to worry about botulism

I've also had a friend from there claim pork rinds are an aphrodisiac. She claims a bag of pork rinds and a bottle of Southern Comfort seemed to get both of her dates interested.

[Folsom4evr]

I just saw a corner sign that says Granitos now has a Happy Hour with $2 appetizers until 6pm.
I dont know what the appetizers are but I love me some Happy Hours...

[folsom4us]

I just saw a corner sign that says Granitos now has a Happy Hour with $2 appetizers until 6pm.
I dont know what the appetizers are but I love me some Happy Hours...

First of all, aren't you the one that said you tried Granitos a couple of times and the service wasn't good?

Second, the sign guy is out there quite a bit. I have seen him many times.