Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SteveJ on August 3, 2011 at 1:15pm

I ate there this weekend. They did an AWESOME job with the space, and the food was equally AWESOME. I had a veggie burger---go figure---but it was excellent. Go check it out--it has a sweet patio for evening meal and drinks.

Permalink Reply by Grumpy on August 17, 2011 at 1:41pm

I've been to Holy Cow 3 times now. The service is great and the hamburgers are delicious. The only criticism I have is that it was so loud inside at lunch that I literallay could not hear my dining companion from across the table -- and we were yelling at each other! Although I like the remodel design, all inside surfaces reflect noise, there is absolutely nothing to absorb the noise. This alone will keep me from returning. When we exited we both felt like we had just been let out of a very noisy dog kennel and were grateful to be gone. It was stressful no matter how good the hamburger. But maybe this is just my particular issue others may not agree.

Permalink Reply by Phunque1 on August 17, 2011 at 1:50pm

Hmmm,

Not sure if the new gourmet burger vertical in an urban retrofit environment is supposed to be reserved and "fine dining" quiet. My impression is the gourmet burger sector in the places I have been is a loud "bar like" feel with open kitchens, music and such. Loud = energy, casual and loud is sort of fit. 

Similar to going to a 5 guys at dinner hour and trying to find a quite table, it just is not going to happen.

 

My 2 cents.

Permalink Reply by Grumpy on August 17, 2011 at 1:57pm

You got a lot of fancy words in there, Phunque1.  "Gourmet burger vertical in an urban retrofit environment" tells me nothing.  I have no care what you call it, fine dining, casual, curbside  - I don't care about a quiet table. I simply think that one should be able to have a conversation across the table even if one has to yell. Do they even have music playing? I couldn't tell. Honestly I'm not cut out for an urban environment but that doesn't mean my opinion is invalid.

Permalink Reply by Phil_0 on August 17, 2011 at 6:26pm

I'll second your sentiments...who cares about whatever "concept" a restaurant represents, how's the service, atmosphere and food?

Permalink Reply by Grumpy on August 18, 2011 at 9:22am

Other than the noise, the service and the food were wonderful. It is a lively atmosphere although, obviously, a little too loud for me at lunchtime.  If it had not been so warm we would have just sat outside and avoided the noise.   The servers are quite eager to please and the design of the place is fresh.

Permalink Reply by Phunque1 on August 17, 2011 at 10:25pm

No offense meant Grumpy,

Everyone has an opinion, that is what Duke City Fix is all about.

 

Permalink Reply by Dull John on August 17, 2011 at 7:12pm

Better than BRGR (will not return there after getting sick on their fish). Yea Holy Cow. Please do a Groupon deal.

Permalink Reply by Andrea Lin on August 26, 2011 at 2:05pm

Please don't do a Groupon.  Pretty much everyone loses, except Groupon corporate.

Permalink Reply by The Cube Restaurant on August 30, 2011 at 12:16am

Thank you for that Lin! All restaurants know how bad it can be for business!

Permalink Reply by once banned twice shy on September 7, 2011 at 9:57am

Please explain.  I hate when posters make a statement like this, but don't explain the five w's behind the statement.

Permalink Reply by Andrea Lin on September 9, 2011 at 3:34pm

Sure.  In a nutshell, small businesses get between 25% and 35% of the retail price of the service offered.  A $100 voucher sold for $50 gives groupon between $15-25, and the business the rest.

If every single buyer or a predominance were brand new, that might be good for the business, assuming they survive the groupon crush without tons of issues and bad reviews.

But most groupon buyers will buy only once, and even buy for places they have already been a customer.  (60-70% are in this category).

That's the nutshell, and there is a lot of data that shows it.

 

Here's some commentary and advice:

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-17852-cheat_local_.html

http://thebaddeal.com/tagged/daily_deals

http://jameystegmaier.com/2011/08/my-groupon-rule/

http://socialmediatoday.com/jgibbard/337550/considering-offering-gr...