I’m getting a little frustrated with my fellow Tri-Citians. We’ve let another locally owned restaurant bite the dust. Kennewick City Grill in Kennewick closed their doors today.
I’m frustrated because I don’t think we support these restaurants enough. I’m frustrated because everyone jumps up and down because a new “chain restaurant” just opened up. I see lines out the door for some restaurants up and down Columbia Center Boulevard and not for other restaurants that do it better.
Where’s the enthusiasm for our local people who try to give us something better. And for the record, I’m not “anti-chain restaurant”. I worked for a great one here in town and still have friends who operate and work at chain restaurants.
But when push comes to shove, I tend to root for local “mom and pop” restaurants because they are venturing out and trying something their way without a blueprint to follow. I also root for non-chain restaurants because I know there’s hope of finding food that is different than anywhere else. I don’t like going to different restaurants and feel like I’m still eating the same food over and over.
Kennewick City Grill had a classic menu. Most things on there could be ordered anywhere else. But there was a difference in the taste. For example, KCG had a French Dip. I could find the same sandwich on 100 different menus around town. But I tell you what. That French Dip had the most meat than anyone else’s in town. Hands down. It was the best in town.
One of the things I liked the most about Kennewick City Grill was the value they offered. The prices were inline with other restaurants. Somethings were priced a little lower. Somethings were priced a little higher. But there was value. Again, I point to the French Dip. I wouldn’t dream of ordering that thing at another restaurant because I knew it wouldn’t be as good.
Also along the lines of value was the bar. The prices were right. The happy hour menu was solid. The bar offered value and well poured drinks by a great bartender (a little tip of the hat to Katie).
My Plea
So here is my plea to the rest of the Tri-Cities. When given the choice between a locally owned restaurant or a chain, try a local restaurant first. Give them a shot. If they fail to impress you, well then they failed. But before you leave, let them know why. If they impress you, let them know why they did… and then tell your friends about it. Post something on Facebook, Twitter, or whatever social media you use. These restaurants live and die by word of mouth.
We all know why we go to chain restaurants, they are consistent. When you go to a chain, you know what you’re going to get. When it comes to the unproven mom and pop shops, it can be a toss up. But don’t let the uncertainty keep you from finding some really great food and people.
~Ryan
I have a love of food and a love of talking about food. Shotandabeer.com seemed like the next logical step. Thanks for reading. You can also follow me on Google+
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I was very sad Kennewick City Grill closed. We loved the food both when it was Fat Olives and then KCG. It was wonderful to know I could go in there and have lots of gluten free options.
I love local restaurants but wish they would love local food providers too. It’s hard to get excited about a restaurant that buys their wares from the same major restaurant delivery truck or Cash and Carry/URM. I go to the small restaurants and ask “hey, where do you get your sausage/eggs/beef/lettuce/etc. and they all say they get it off that truck that all the rest get theirs from. It’s hard to support local when they won’t support local in return.
I come from Portland where major effort is given to source products locally; they go to the farmers markets, co-ops, make connections with local farmers (like at our recent Farm to Table event) and they brandish that proudly.
One restaurant here does that…Between the Buns; they use Pat & Tam’s sausages. Finnigan Frost also sources locally; they use Pure Eire Dairy cream, Gypsy Girl Granola…granola and local fruits. There’s also the Hub but not all their vendors use local products; some use products bought in bulk from Costco. That’s the only places I know of besides the country club out 240; they use Happy lil Homestead chicken, but you have to be a member to get in!
That all said; I AM anti-chain. When my local restaurant owners become real local restaurants…I’ll be happy to tell people where they can get the best food choices when they are making the switch from chain to REAL local restaurants.
Lou, I couldn’t agree more. It is very difficult to get excited about any restaurant who sources their ingredients from URM and Cash & Carry.
I appreciate your thoughts.
Ryan
I will add my two cents… I feel I gave this place a fair shot. I went there for breakfast, after they had had signs out for awhile, figuring they had time to sort out what customers want. I was immediately struck with the atmosphere of the the place, and to me, this is what I got. The place is a bar, a drinking establishment, with a restaurant attached. Booze bottles used as decoration throughout the place. I don’t drink, so I immediately felt out of place. Then, the menu. Very sparse. in choices for omelettes, They only had about four choices, none was what I really wanted.On the plus side the waitress was very cheerful, and on top of things.
I have 36 years experience in the restaurant/school food and nutrition services as manager. Would love to get this ace going again!!!
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