Winnipeg Restaurants - Page 102

tedtim · #**2021** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 1:06 PM**

Did the Burger King on Main St. near Jefferson close down?

Despite having a 24hrs sign at the front, its been dark all week when Ive taken the bus by in the early morning. I don't go down Main on my way home, so I don't know if its open during the day.

Service & food was pretty bad the last time I went, but that was mid-Nov. Friend found one of those "Server before" stickers in her burger.

CoryB · #**2022** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 3:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzg

It was actually a KFC/Taco Bell. It's funny, those two buildings started as KFC and Taco Bell, then Taco Bell moved into the KFC for a joint operation and Subway took the vacant space. Now they've closed both all together and 7/11 is in the original KFC.

Pretty sure the location on Pembina that is currently the Subway was an Arby's at one point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzg

I think it's interesting that lots of these fast-food places are closing up, and the new ones coming from USA aren't doing well or are closing already.... it shows that market is starting to dry up here.

I think the issue is more a combination of the local operates not being well financed and a lack of advertising for the new brand. Wok Box was pretty well documented as being backed by a tribal investment group that is having financial issues across all their operations which contributed significantly to the store closures. Taco Del Mar seems to be suffering from a lack of advertising and a poor rollout strategy. They seemed to be focused on shared locations with Subway where the location is basically a Subway with a Taco Del Mar hidden in a dark corner most people do not see.

In terms of a fresh and fast "trend" I have seen places already come and go following that model. The Leaf and Loaf in the food court of 201 Portage Ave seems to have attempted to model itself after Freshii. It was extremely busy at first but start running into issues over the longer term and has since closed. It is worth noting as it too focused on the Portage and Main lunch crowd.

The Unknown Poster · #**2023** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 3:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzg

It was actually a KFC/Taco Bell. It's funny, those two buildings started as KFC and Taco Bell, then Taco Bell moved into the KFC for a joint operation and Subway took the vacant space. Now they've closed both all together and 7/11 is in the original KFC.

I think it's interesting that lots of these fast-food places are closing up, and the new ones coming from USA aren't doing well or are closing already.... it shows that market is starting to dry up here.

There's so much room in this market for the fast-health craze that for some odd reason hasn't made it here yet... When Freshii starts opening here soon (creator is a wpger) I think it's going to dominate.

If only I had the money to open a place...

Maybe the Arby's was at the building next door on Pembina, which is now a Subway. But for sure one of those was an Arby's.

bomberjet · #**2024** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 3:58 PM**

I have a hard time finding healthy fast food choices. Something like Pita Pit comes to mind. Veggies, not greasy. That kind of thing. Subway is subway, not really the healthiest option once lathered with sauces. Otherwise it's just bland. Same for Pita Pit I guess. Healthy food isn't usually the most flavourful in any event. I love sauces haha

cheswick · #**2025** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 4:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzg

It was actually a KFC/Taco Bell. It's funny, those two buildings started as KFC and Taco Bell, then Taco Bell moved into the KFC for a joint operation and Subway took the vacant space. Now they've closed both all together and 7/11 is in the original KFC.

I think it's interesting that lots of these fast-food places are closing up, and the new ones coming from USA aren't doing well or are closing already.... it shows that market is starting to dry up here.

There's so much room in this market for the fast-health craze that for some odd reason hasn't made it here yet... When Freshii starts opening here soon (creator is a wpger) I think it's going to dominate.

If only I had the money to open a place...

I know you were just thinking out loud but you could consider a small business loan. I'm pretty sure the government helps back certain ones for start ups.

But to your point I agree that Winnipeg is underserved in teh healthy fast food options. There are only so many Subways we can take.

Simplicity · #**2026** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheswick

I know you were just thinking out loud but you could consider a small business loan. I'm pretty sure the government helps back certain ones for start ups.

But to your point I agree that Winnipeg is underserved in teh healthy fast food options. There are only so many Subways we can take.

Gov't will only backstop the loan to a point keeping the bank intact. Otherwise, you still need to be 50/50 and have your 50% in cash and their 50% backed by some form of capital. You also need hundreds of thousands in unencumbered cash for working capital that the bank will absolutely not lend for. Additionally, you need lots of experience running a restaurant so they're comfortable management has its head on straight. This is why most franchises are purchased using equity in a home or love money.

As the old saying goes, if the bank wanted to be in the restaurant business and have you running things, they'd have called long ago...

Simplicity · #**2027** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

Pretty sure the location on Pembina that is currently the Subway was an Arby's at one point.

I think the issue is more a combination of the local operates not being well financed and a lack of advertising for the new brand. Wok Box was pretty well documented as being backed by a tribal investment group that is having financial issues across all their operations which contributed significantly to the store closures. Taco Del Mar seems to be suffering from a lack of advertising and a poor rollout strategy. They seemed to be focused on shared locations with Subway where the location is basically a Subway with a Taco Del Mar hidden in a dark corner most people do not see.

In terms of a fresh and fast "trend" I have seen places already come and go following that model. The Leaf and Loaf in the food court of 201 Portage Ave seems to have attempted to model itself after Freshii. It was extremely busy at first but start running into issues over the longer term and has since closed. It is worth noting as it too focused on the Portage and Main lunch crowd.

Even that Modern Taco place is now finished. The one on Academy is closed and the one in Grant Park is currently an asset sale.

Their model was one of relatively healthy food, fast. The problem is the same for everything in Winnipeg. It costs money to buy good, healthy ingredients and most people aren't interest in spending $15 on 'fast-food' even if it is healthy...

cllew · #**2028** Posted **Jan 8, 2015, 10:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedtim

Did the Burger King on Main St. near Jefferson close down?

Despite having a 24hrs sign at the front, its been dark all week when Ive taken the bus by in the early morning. I don't go down Main on my way home, so I don't know if its open during the day.

Service & food was pretty bad the last time I went, but that was mid-Nov. Friend found one of those "Server before" stickers in her burger.

It may be dark as most of them are 24 hour drive through not inside seating. Of course if the lights are out drivers may not think its open and not come in to the drive through.

One other thing if they have closed down the franchisor is usually quick to have a sign company come out and take the sign down.

Bdog · #**2029** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 2:06 AM**

I wonder if the Soup and Sandwich fast-food craze will come to Winnipeg in the next few years. Places like Au Bon Pain, or Pret a Manger.

Simplicity · #**2030** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 5:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdog

I wonder if the Soup and Sandwich fast-food craze will come to Winnipeg in the next few years. Places like Au Bon Pain, or Pret a Manger.

King and Bann has already hit that! Pretty good, too. But not cheap.

People are funny to me because they're so hard to read. You ask them a question about what it is they want, they'll tell you one thing, and do another completely. How long have we been hearing about 'healthy' fast food? A long time. And none of these places can survive! But you never hear about McDonalds going out of business. And outside of some poor choices on behalf of franchisees, Tim Horton's and Subway and Burger King and Wendy's and nearly every other fast food joint that serves up wholesale digestive terror does just fine.

Just goes to show, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Boreal · #**2031** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 5:55 AM**

Taco Del Mar is awful. The burritos are wet. Burrito Splendido is orders of magnitude better, for example, and not appreciably more expensive to boot (to the best of my recollection).

rrskylar · #**2032** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 6:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdog

I wonder if the Soup and Sandwich fast-food craze will come to Winnipeg in the next few years. Places like Au Bon Pain, or Pret a Manger.

Yeah I really don't get that craze, I mean is slapping a sandwich together now a stretch for some people.

wags_in_the_peg · #**2033** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boreal

Taco Del Mar is awful. The burritos are wet. Burrito Splendido is orders of magnitude better, for example, and not appreciably more expensive to boot (to the best of my recollection).

I agree Taco del Mar sucks, I'm surprised Subway franchissees are affiliated with them. Burrito Splendido is #1 (I like how thye toast them) and Qdoba is #2 for me. This excludes all the other places around town. I work in Polo Park / airport area and those are the 2 close ones.

Riverman · #**2034** Posted **Jan 10, 2015, 12:23 AM**

The Pint is well worth trying. I had the Pint burger, fresh patty, nice and juicy and cooked perfectly. Really soft, fresh bun too, yummy. A big bowl of nicely seasoned steak fries. Wifey had a similar opinion of her beef dip.

$4 domestic pints (they had St. James and Little Scrapper) and $4 off appies M-F 3-6. I had the panko fried pickles.

cheswick · #**2035** Posted **Jan 12, 2015, 8:04 PM**

Grand opening for revamped space

Vancouver company, partner convert Norris Block into pub

By: Murray McNeill

A Vancouver company that specializes in the restoration of downtown heritage buildings is putting the finishing touches on the first of what could be several new projects in downtown Winnipeg.

Next Friday, Venexo Corporation and its joint-venture partner, Urban Sparq Hospitality, will celebrate the official grand opening of their first Winnipeg development -- a 346-seat sports pub called the Pint Public House.
The Pint is located in the 93-year-old, two-storey, Norris Block at 274 Garry St., and an adjoining one-storey annex built in 1951.

Full story: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...-popular-views

tedtim · #**2036** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 1:13 PM**

Heard that Ye's Buffet opened on Jan 8th.

pegger87 · #**2037** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 4:50 PM**

The topic of fresh/healthy fast-food reminds me of the Free Press article from November 8, 2014, about a new chain coming to Winnipeg. Not sure when that will happen, but sounds like it could be a nice addition.

"Freshii, the brainchild of Winnipeg-born Matthew Corrin that's growing faster than Starbucks did, is opening three outlets here in River City. Matthew, 33 -- who has been compared with Starbucks founder Howard Schultz -- wouldn't say much but confirmed there were three franchise stores slated to open in Winnipeg in 2015, hinting one would be at the airport."

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...282013241.html

Also, Campo, the new campus food court in University Centre at the University of Manitoba, is now open. They offer a lot of options, but the most exciting addition is the fresh salad bar. It's such a great idea and I haven't seen anything like it in Winnipeg.

http://www.themanitoban.com/2015/01/...-centre/21958/

h0twired · #**2038** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 5:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boreal

Taco Del Mar is awful. The burritos are wet. Burrito Splendido is orders of magnitude better, for example, and not appreciably more expensive to boot (to the best of my recollection).

... and Burrito Del Rio kills them all

LilZebra · #**2039** Posted **Jan 21, 2015, 1:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

The talk of closed Arby's locations reminds me there is a boarded up location in the CityPlace food court on the small wall as McDonalds closer to the escalators. With all the pre-game traffic that flows through there on Jets game nights and how busy that food court is at lunch it is a little surprising no one has moved in there or taken over the old MMMuffins location. That MMMuffins closed in the first place was a bit of a shock as it seemed sufficiently busy.

Robin's Donuts opened up very soon after Marvellous MMMuffins closed.

Maybe they couln't compete with one another.

MMMufins didn't hire TFWs, Robins does.

Did they close in '08?

LilZebra · #**2040** Posted **Jan 21, 2015, 1:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkspec

Not really a 'restaurant' but more of a fast food joint, but Wendys on Pembina Hwy beside Pony closed down, curious of whats going to become of that.

Used to go there after bringing in my 'finds' from ValuVillage.||

No more?