Granite City Files for bankruptcy

[VeloClone]

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.

And the limestone probably came from Stone City, not Granite City.

 

[CyCrazy]

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.

This is my FIL as well, its Applebees or nothing for him.

 

[madguy30]

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.

I bussed tables at the CR G.C. location and then one in Wisconsin...the money I made just doing that in CR was incredible compared to Wisconsin.

I know there were a couple of breweries in C.R. at the time, but for some reason people in CR were fascinated by a place brewing and serving their own beer. In Wisconsin, it was like 'Yeah? I brew my own beer too.'

But yeah chains everywhere there. Downtown seems to have gotten better in that regard.

 

[dosry5]

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.

Would you double dog dare us though?

 

[Tre4ISU]

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.

I've only been to the Sioux Falls location but I don't think I'd ever compare it to Applebees. I was just there Friday night and didn't think it was all that expensive or bland and I just had a burger.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Is Chips still in Ankeny?

Pretty sure that is a no, think it is a seafood place now.

 

[CyCloned]

I went there a couple times, I would say it was kinda hmm. Not bad, but not great either. Seemed kind of pricey for what you got, which is why we didn't go back. Not as prefab as Appleby's, but not a place that made me think "wow, let's go someplace nice" either.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Can't complete with Quartz Township

 

[AgronAlum]

I've only been to the Sioux Falls location but I don't think I'd ever compare it to Applebees. I was just there Friday night and didn't think it was all that expensive or bland and I just had a burger.

At a certain point they changed their entire menu and once sales went in the crapper they brought back an old favorites type of thing. They made select dishes from their old menu to try and salvage some things. The has never been back to the level it was at 10 years ago. It is also waaaay more expensive than it used to be for the same food with a smaller dish size.

The one in west Des Moines is awesome

See above. Just imagine how good it was back in the beginning. It lost its differentiation with me and just became another place.

 

[alarson]

Pretty sure that is a no, think it is a seafood place now.

Seafood place is nearby. A best western opened up and uses the chips building as part of its property.

 

[Al_4_State]

Never was wild about their beer and the food was average. Not a surprise

 

[Farnsworth]

I haven't been to one in probably 10 years, and the people that brought me there even back then have been known to have questionable taste now.

Isn't their thing brunch?

 

[Farnsworth]

I didn't realize they had so many locations, like around 25. I thought it was just an Iowa thing with like 4 stores. Don't feel bad now.

 

[keepngoal]

Used them for great happy hour specials, and that was random. Nothing more.

 

[Jacktronic]

Millenials killed Granite City.

 

[brianhos]

Is Chips still in Ankeny?

That closed liked 10 years ago.

 

[Rabbuk]

Millenials killed Granite City.

We talked about this at our last meeting

 

[CyArob]

The one in WDM is in Clive, an important distinction.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

The one in WDM is in Clive, an important distinction.

On the Waukee side?

insert jimlad

 

[baller21]

I went to Granite City once.

Once.