urbanSTL

dweebe wrote: ↑

Jun 20, 2025

imperialmog wrote: ↑

Jun 20, 2025

Trololzilla wrote: ↑

Jun 19, 2025

Hell yeah, Zaxby's is much better than CFA/Canes IMO so this is nice to see. Can't believe it took so long, and I'm glad the nearest one won't be a ~4 hour round trip anymore.

Now if we could get some Bojangles here too...

Not sure if you know there is one in Mt. Vernon at the Loves on 64 just east of 57.

I'm just thinking with restaurant chains is hasn't there been a number of times in the area where many close or pull out of the market due to franchise owners going under? (or in a couple cases corporate changes screw over franchisees where they had to leave)

• Wendys was gone for a like a 7 or 8 years from the metro area because the franchisee went under. I think they might have had an accountant that was stealing from the owners.
• We didn't have Dunkin Donuts here for like 15 years for some reason
• Tim Hortons left and the existing Burger Kings are really struggling because of the local franchisee

Also add Jack in the Box franchisee having issues as another example.
I think the Tim Hortons issue was due to right after starting there was a corporate ownership change (possibly Private Equity involved) that caused a lot of issues with franchisees. 

Seems like the struggles tend to be when its one franchisee is in the entire market and not a smaller franchisee with at most a portion of the metro area.

My wife is excited about Zaxby's so that makes me happy. Food is good, quality can be hit or miss based on location

Yapi Scoops looks like a must-visit!  (Next door to Yapi Subs on S. Vandeventer.)

https://www.stlmag.com/dining/yapi-scoops/

The I heart Mac & Cheese (Only STL location) in Ellisville closed after only 8 mos. I think it was a bad location. 

I think the issue with fast food franchises is the level of service, especially in the city.  The Jack in the Box at Russell and Gravois should have been a success.  I would leave Soulard during the week around 11 with a bit of a hunger and they were technically open, but no one to be found to respond to the drive through.

Attempted to order at the Taco Bell on Kingshighway during dinner time and was told they were only filling door dash or online orders.

Here is an idea - start a new business in the city as secret shoppers at fast food joints, reporting the results to franchise owners.  The amount of lost business is ridiculous.

STLCityMike wrote: ↑

Jun 20, 2025

I think the issue with fast food franchises is the level of service, especially in the city.  The Jack in the Box at Russell and Gravois should have been a success.  I would leave Soulard during the week around 11 with a bit of a hunger and they were technically open, but no one to be found to respond to the drive through.

Attempted to order at the Taco Bell on Kingshighway during dinner time and was told they were only filling door dash or online orders.

Here is an idea - start a new business in the city as secret shoppers at fast food joints, reporting the results to franchise owners.  The amount of lost business is ridiculous.

Soulard Taco Bell used to be horrible as well for late night drive thru service.

Otthouse wrote:

STLCityMike wrote: ↑

Jun 20, 2025

I think the issue with fast food franchises is the level of service, especially in the city.  The Jack in the Box at Russell and Gravois should have been a success.  I would leave Soulard during the week around 11 with a bit of a hunger and they were technically open, but no one to be found to respond to the drive through.

Attempted to order at the Taco Bell on Kingshighway during dinner time and was told they were only filling door dash or online orders.

Here is an idea - start a new business in the city as secret shoppers at fast food joints, reporting the results to franchise owners.  The amount of lost business is ridiculous.

Soulard Taco Bell used to be horrible as well for late night drive thru service.

There’s a Taco Bell in Soulard?

^prob means the one at chouteau and broadway

It was a credit union longer than it was a taco bell. Was later demo'd for the South Side Day Nursery, if anyone's wondering. 

Maybe the London Tea Room shouldn't have ever left their spot in Tower Grove South. 

I think this spot is a great fit for the London Tea Room.

I would second the idea of a Bojangles coming to STL 
I would however, like them to serve the full menu, if and when it would come to our fair burg. When it's fresh, it's pretty dang good fried chicken. I always stop in when I'm driving south through Tennessee. 
The location in Mt. Vernon only serves boneless chicken strips. And that is DEFINATLY not worth the drive. (I did make that mistake, one time only)

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... ation.html

Comet Coffee to go in at 4472 Shaw Ave in Southwest Garden neighborhood.

I'm kind of surprised that the Mom's Deli space was able to find a new user so quickly. 

Just saw on IG that Pho Long (one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in STL) is moving from Grand/Shenandoah in the Shaw Neighborhood to Grand South Grand section of Tower Grove South Neighborhood? Thrilled they are still around. Wonder if that stretch of Grand near Shenandoah will improve? The former Subway was a junkfood/convenience store for a minute, now closed and one of those fried chicken & wings places took the corner space...the rest is empty but seemingly always in stops and starts for int and ext work.  That Chinese take out place next to the former Subway is wildly popular, BTW...and pretty solid for the unhealthy style of STL Chinese food. Handsome set of buildings.