Granite City Files for bankruptcy

[CYdTracked]

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincit...city-food-brewery-files-ch-11-seeks-sale.html

Wonder if this is the end of the one in West Des Moines eventually?

 

[AgronAlum]

I used to love this place then they basically went the Applebee’s route of the bland chain restaurant. Their food and menu options just became worse and worse but also more expensive. This was going to happen eventually. The ones Ive been to outside of the original in St Cloud and WDM were straight up awful.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I feel like more and more people are either choosing fast food or a nicer sit-down restaurant where the food is freshly prepared. The Applebees/Chiles/TGIF/Granite City-type places that get pre-frozen food and revive it at the restaurant seem to be on the decline. There's a niche for them, but they're reducing quality and cost-cutting themselves into a corner.

 

[3TrueFans]

Great, have to find a new granite guy now.

 

[Cydkar]

Great, have to find a new granite guy now.

I'll never take my guy for granite.

 

[Remo Gaggi]

A crappy restaurant. Good riddance..

 

[CYdTracked]

I'll tell you the 1 chain I miss is Macaroni Grill that used to be where the Chick Fil A is across from Barnes and Noble in WDM. They were basically a better version of Olive Garden as everything was fresh prepared to order there. https://www.macaronigrill.com/

 

[EnkAMania]

Good, they suck. But somehow I was always dragged there when I was back in the Cedar Rapids area.

 

[madguy30]

Good, they suck. But somehow I was always dragged there when I was back in the Cedar Rapids area.

The CR one was always busy and one of the top stores in the chain around 10-15 years ago.

What sucks for these places is corporate just decides to close it down with no warning to management.

They went from making a few really good things to making too many things and poorer quality I think.

 

[Mr Janny]

I feel like more and more people are either choosing fast food or a nicer sit-down restaurant where the food is freshly prepared. The Applebees/Chiles/TGIF/Granite City-type places that get pre-frozen food and revive it at the restaurant seem to be on the decline. There's a niche for them, but they're reducing quality and cost-cutting themselves into a corner.

Totally agree. If I'm going to eat at a chain, it's going to be a fast casual place, not sit down. And if I'm going to a sit down, it's not going to be a chain.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I'll never take my guy for granite, Cydkar said stone-faced..

 

[wxman1]

I feel like more and more people are either choosing fast food or a nicer sit-down restaurant where the food is freshly prepared. The Applebees/Chiles/TGIF/Granite City-type places that get pre-frozen food and revive it at the restaurant seem to be on the decline. There's a niche for them, but they're reducing quality and cost-cutting themselves into a corner.

This nails it on the head for me. Also I think some of this is generational. I don't know the last time my FIL went somewhere that wasn't a chain (at least when it was his idea). Meanwhile my wife and I generally avoid them preferring local places that may be slightly more expensive but generally with better service, quality of food etc.

 

[Cytown12]

I used to love this place then they basically went the Applebee’s route of the bland chain restaurant. Their food and menu options just became worse and worse but also more expensive. This was going to happen eventually. The ones Ive been to outside of the original in St Cloud and WDM were straight up awful.

The one in west Des Moines is awesome

 

[Boxerdaddy]

The one in west Des Moines is awesome

Did you forget your jimlad?

 

[Rabbuk]

This place was in an odd spot because it did everything average but charged slightly above average.

 

[Gonzo]

The CR one was always busy and one of the top stores in the chain around 10-15 years ago.

What sucks for these places is corporate just decides to close it down with no warning to management.

They went from making a few really good things to making too many things and poorer quality I think.

Cedar Rapids has always been a mecca for chain restaurants. That's all the people there want. I dare you to try getting a table at the Collins Road Red Lobster or Olive Garden at 5:30 on a Friday.

 

[Cytown12]

I’ve never had

Did you forget your jimlad?

No cause it’s actually good place to eat.

 

[CoachHines3]

i thot my food tasted bankrupt when i was there sunday. shoot.

 

[JayV]

The only one I've ever been to was the Cedar Rapids one and the last time was about 10 years ago. The place was odd. Called Granite City and constructed with lots and lots of exposed limestone. No granite in the place that I can recall.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Is Chips still in Ankeny?