Okay, I finished my last posting with the comment that ‘a word of warning – the topic of food, eating at home and eating out are some of my favorite topics so reader beware it will be back again’ and guess what, the topic is back.
The topic is back simply because I am very disinterested in the recent name changes of two of my favorite places to fill the tummy and share some eat time with family and/or friends.
By now most in the area are aware that our local staple, Montana Mike’s has been renamed as ‘Kansas Bar & Grill’, while what seems to be the favorite to so many, Coyote Canyon now has the very flashing name of ‘The Kansas Buffet Company’. And for those communities that still had a Sirloin Stockade, they too have changed to that flashy name of ‘The Kansas Buffet Company’.
Originally those restaurants were owned by the Stockade Company, which had ownership ties right here in our hometown. But in the past few years the Stockade was sold to the Kelly Restaurant Group and in mid-June they announced that it had become independent of the Stockade Companies and in the process reformulated all 13 of their stores with what they are calling new and exciting restaurant concepts for each community that had either a Sirloin Stockade, Montana Mike’s or Coyote Canyon.
Kelly Restaurant Group is claiming that the new names are just the beginning of many exciting changes to come over the next several months, with renovations coming that will include new updated store fronts, interiors and furnishings.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that the local Sirloin Stockade changed out to Montana Mike’s, complete with a huge change of interior scenery, concept and menu. I was just a touch irritated at the time, but that had more to do with having worked at the old Stockade at point, a little bump in my food management career.
But you know, I loved the new interior atmosphere what was now called Montana Mike’s, with its feel of a backwoods log cabin – plus the new menu offered several items which I truly enjoyed like the two pork chops, which always seem to be made to perfection.
Now Coyote Canyon, what can I say – it was a major family favorite of ours. A great place to run to and get a solid meal with as much variety as we wanted off the various buffets, and the name – well, for me it just seemed to have a ring to it while having a delightful logo to match. Not sure I ever ate at Coyote Canyon where I did not enjoy myself to the point of waddling to the car when done, full beyond the point of need but gloriously happy with ever waddle step I made.
I have been past both restaurants and have seen the new, temporary paper-like signs marking their new names of Kansas Bar & Grill and The Kansas Buffet Company. As I drove past and took notice of both new names, minus the old logos, I had such an empty feeling and noticed that neither name did anything except scream ‘uninteresting’ to me.
Maybe that’s because I like to visit eateries that either pinpoint what they are with a rational, purposeful name or make you wonder what goodies are inside – like Martinelli’s, Fazoli’s, Beethoven’s #9, Jillian’s Italian Grill, the Swedish Crown, Anchor Inn, Trail Days Café, Cy’s Hoof and Horn, Blue Skye Brewery or Bogey’s.
Have I tried the two old favorites since the changes have begun, no I have not and not sure I will until I know that more of the total listed reinvented menus, interiors and exteriors have been done and taken time to take hold. Eventually I will revisit those old foodie favorites, but for now let ‘Grumpy Gramps’ get used to the more boring names that just flower me with just ordinary food feelings.
And there you have it, a yapping in response to something I may have seen and either liked or disliked, a memory remembered or forgotten, or maybe just a general insight to the travel of life I was making that day. Either way, ‘Grumpy Gramps’ tells it as he sees it – so enjoy, enlighten or just think about what I may yap about and if you want, feel free to respond. You can catch me on Facebook under CrossDove Writer or on the internet at crossdovewriter.wordpress.com.
Oh, the ‘Grumpy Gramps’ comes from those moments when I spew out thoughts and opinions because I have been around the walk of life for a while and think someone needs to hear or read them. Those moments sometimes come out a little less than calm and collected, it is those moments when the grandkids seem to cringe and say, ‘being grumpy, gramps’!!
Until next time – prayers, blessings & happy thoughts – ‘Grumpy Gramps’.
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CrossDove Writer 