Defunct restaurant chains and retailers

[KeithE4Phx]

A lot of people think buffets will be especially screwed by COVID-19, but I've seen enough memes of people who can't wait for Chinese buffets to reopen that I'm not so sure.

Chinese buffets make me ill. I used to frequent Golden Corral

Sweet Tomatoes is gone.  Golden Corral and the rest of the geezer-friendly family buffets are next. 

I can also just about guarantee that the buffets in Nevada hotel/casinos are gone, probably never to return.  The hotels shut them down even before the gambling shutdown.  I can't see them reopening until COVID-19 is completely eradicated.  That won't be in the foreseeable future.

[sparker]

A lot of people think buffets will be especially screwed by COVID-19, but I've seen enough memes of people who can't wait for Chinese buffets to reopen that I'm not so sure.

Chinese buffets make me ill. I used to frequent Golden Corral

Sweet Tomatoes is gone.  Golden Corral and the rest of the geezer-friendly family buffets are next. 

I can also just about guarantee that the buffets in Nevada hotel/casinos are gone, probably never to return.  The hotels shut them down even before the gambling shutdown.  I can't see them reopening until COVID-19 is completely eradicated.  That won't be in the foreseeable future.

Probably true.  Even the self-serve displays (salad, bulk goods) in local supermarkets have been either removed or "tarped" for the time being.   The fact that the clear glass/acrylic sheeting over the food bins is termed "sneeze guards" is in itself a bit unnerving these days.   I used to look forward to such things as the old Shoney's rather comprehensive breakfast bars -- and even the Sizzler salad bar -- during my various travels; considering the potential for disaster, we were probably fortunate to have come away from that experience unscathed! 

[mgk920]

JC Penney's filing for bankruptcy. No word yet on what stores will be closing.

What Chapter, 11 (reorganization) or 7 (liquidation)?

BTW, I've never had a problem at the local family-owned Chinese buffets around here and also want to go back to them.  This entire episode has gone on waaaaay too long already.

Mike

[sparker]

A lot of people think buffets will be especially screwed by COVID-19, but I've seen enough memes of people who can't wait for Chinese buffets to reopen that I'm not so sure.

Chinese buffets make me ill. I used to frequent Golden Corral 

Most "steam-table" heated-in-tray Chinese sucks; the sauce coagulates and ends up being more like thick gravy than a sauce.  Panda Express seems to suck less than the others; probably because of the volume the stuff doesn't stick around in the trays for hours (and they basically have their spicing right).  But I consider any Chinese except regular restaurant cooked-to-order and served "fast food", barely adequate even in a pinch.   But even around here too many Chinese restaurants "tone down" the food for mainstream U.S. "tastes" (or lack thereof).  But my ATF has been around for nearly 50 years now -- Hunan on Sansome in S.F.   Can't wait until they're back on line -- but in the meantime, I have their founder's cook book and have been cobbling up a few dishes here & there -- but unfortunately I don't have access to a 650-degree gas cooking system, so it never comes out quite the same!           

[Rothman]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

[Flint1979]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

I have been to one a grand total of three times and I've never been impressed with them. I'm not really a fan of buffet restaurants anyway.

[US71]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Western Sizzlin is worse

[kphoger]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

[US71]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

Probably depends on the franchisee

[US71]

JC Penney's filing for bankruptcy. No word yet on what stores will be closing.

What Chapter, 11 (reorganization) or 7 (liquidation)?

BTW, I've never had a problem at the local family-owned Chinese buffets around here and also want to go back to them.  This entire episode has gone on waaaaay too long already.

Mike

Likely Chapter 11. They are talking about closing some stores, but leaving some open.  If they close here, our mall is doomed (Sears left several years ago and Dillard's shrank.

[Scott5114]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Golden Corral is on the short list of restaurants I've vomited in the parking lot of. I have only ever been there because I had no choice in the matter (friends' parents wanted to go there, school trip). Have never had a desire to go there of my own accord.

[thenetwork]

JC Penney's filing for bankruptcy. No word yet on what stores will be closing.

What Chapter, 11 (reorganization) or 7 (liquidation)?

BTW, I've never had a problem at the local family-owned Chinese buffets around here and also want to go back to them.  This entire episode has gone on waaaaay too long already.

Mike

Likely Chapter 11. They are talking about closing some stores, but leaving some open.  If they close here, our mall is doomed (Sears left several years ago and Dillard's shrank.

I had read in one online news story that JCP was looking to close about 25% of their retail stores.

I'm also surprised that we have yet to hear any word on the fate of the remaining Kmart/Sears stores.  You would think that the pandemic would kill off the rest of their open stores.  I also read somewhere that there are only 46 Kmarts left in the US once the latest round of closures is complete.  Not sure on the number of Sears stores left.

[Roadrunner75]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal reception dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

Are you sure you didn't mean the above?

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Old Country Buffet closed all but one location in the Twin Cities (ironically I believe their HQ was still here at the time, if still not now off 494 and Pilot Knob Road in Eagan across the river from the airport) while the remaining location in Burnsville has been on death watch for years as the Golden Corral franchise owners vulture around it. I found them superior to Golden Corral.

I do love me a good casino buffet though, sadly.

[RobbieL2415]

JC Penney's filing for bankruptcy. No word yet on what stores will be closing.

What Chapter, 11 (reorganization) or 7 (liquidation)?

BTW, I've never had a problem at the local family-owned Chinese buffets around here and also want to go back to them.  This entire episode has gone on waaaaay too long already.

Mike

Likely Chapter 11. They are talking about closing some stores, but leaving some open.  If they close here, our mall is doomed (Sears left several years ago and Dillard's shrank.

I had read in one online news story that JCP was looking to close about 25% of their retail stores.

I'm also surprised that we have yet to hear any word on the fate of the remaining Kmart/Sears stores.  You would think that the pandemic would kill off the rest of their open stores.  I also read somewhere that there are only 46 Kmarts left in the US once the latest round of closures is complete.  Not sure on the number of Sears stores left.

No one is going to know what TransformCo has planned, since they went private.

[formulanone]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal reception dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

Are you sure you didn't mean the above?

Wedding Rehearsal dinners are usually low-key affairs a day or two before the actual wedding ceremony. Traditionally, as the bride's family pays for most of the wedding costs, the groom's family covers the rehearsal dinner (as well as transportation, bar tab...one's mileage may vary). Depends on how big the wedding party is ("wedding party" = Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, bridesmaids, direct family, et al). We had ours with about 20 folks at a local Italian restaurant which shuttered about five years later.

The wedding reception is the traditional meal and festivities after the ceremony. 

[Roadrunner75]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal reception dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

Are you sure you didn't mean the above?

Wedding Rehearsal dinners are usually low-key affairs a day or two before the actual wedding ceremony. Traditionally, as the bride's family pays for most of the wedding costs, the groom's family covers the rehearsal dinner (as well as transportation, bar tab...one's mileage may vary). Depends on how big the wedding party is ("wedding party" = Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, bridesmaids, direct family, et al). We had ours with about 20 folks at a local Italian restaurant which shuttered about five years later.

The wedding reception is the traditional meal and festivities after the ceremony.

Yes, I'm well aware.   Just thought he should own up and tell us he had his actual reception at a Golden Corral!   

[kphoger]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal reception dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

Are you sure you didn't mean the above?

Wedding Rehearsal dinners are usually low-key affairs a day or two before the actual wedding ceremony. Traditionally, as the bride's family pays for most of the wedding costs, the groom's family covers the rehearsal dinner (as well as transportation, bar tab...one's mileage may vary). Depends on how big the wedding party is ("wedding party" = Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, bridesmaids, direct family, et al). We had ours with about 20 folks at a local Italian restaurant which shuttered about five years later.

The wedding reception is the traditional meal and festivities after the ceremony.

Yes, I'm well aware.   Just thought he should own up and tell us he had his actual reception at a Golden Corral!   

I typed correctly.

My dad was going to cook for the rehearsal dinner, but my grandma died not long before our wedding, and her funeral more than 200 miles away prevented my dad from being able to pull it off.  So we quickly changed plans and reserved a party room at Golden Corral.

The reception was at a community center less than a half-mile from the church.

[Roadrunner75]

Golden Corral is disgusting.

Our wedding rehearsal reception dinner was at Golden Corral, and everybody loved it.

Are you sure you didn't mean the above?

Wedding Rehearsal dinners are usually low-key affairs a day or two before the actual wedding ceremony. Traditionally, as the bride's family pays for most of the wedding costs, the groom's family covers the rehearsal dinner (as well as transportation, bar tab...one's mileage may vary). Depends on how big the wedding party is ("wedding party" = Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, bridesmaids, direct family, et al). We had ours with about 20 folks at a local Italian restaurant which shuttered about five years later.

The wedding reception is the traditional meal and festivities after the ceremony.

Yes, I'm well aware.   Just thought he should own up and tell us he had his actual reception at a Golden Corral!   

I typed correctly.

My dad was going to cook for the rehearsal dinner, but my grandma died not long before our wedding, and her funeral more than 200 miles away prevented my dad from being able to pull it off.  So we quickly changed plans and reserved a party room at Golden Corral.

The reception was at a community center less than a half-mile from the church.

I was hoping for a tale of a reception in the regular dining room with people dancing by the buffet!  My rehearsal dinner was in the church fellowship hall (I had to ask my wife to remind me...it's been awhile) followed by a trip out to a tavern for the bridal party.  The Golden Corral would have been just fine too for the rehearsal - we're not fancy people!  The reception, however, was at a historic inn in PA that I understand has since been sold to a hospital network of all things for medical offices.

[hbelkins]

Old Country Buffet closed all but one location in the Twin Cities (ironically I believe their HQ was still here at the time, if still not now off 494 and Pilot Knob Road in Eagan across the river from the airport) while the remaining location in Burnsville has been on death watch for years as the Golden Corral franchise owners vulture around it. I found them superior to Golden Corral.

I do love me a good casino buffet though, sadly.

Since Golden Corral went exclusively to the buffet format, I've only encountered one that didn't thrill me. That was in Chillicothe, Mo., and the only reason was it was a smaller restaurant with a more limited selection. When I lived in Winchester, Ky., we had one that started out as a traditional steakhouse. They built a new location and shortly after the move, became buffet only. I've always found the food there to be excellent, although it's been a few years since I've been there. I always found it preferable to Ryan's. And Old Country Buffet, for that matter. Two decades ago, my brother, dad, and I frequented the Old Country on the east side of Louisville, as we were going to visit a relative who was in the hospital in Louisville long-term. It was OK, but not that great.

[kphoger]

Since Golden Corral went exclusively to the buffet format, I've only encountered one that didn't thrill me. That was in Chillicothe, Mo., and the only reason was it was a smaller restaurant with a more limited selection.

That's an odd destination for someone from Kentucky (unless you're a hunter, I guess).  I've only had one reason to spend time in Chillicothe, and that was to visit my mother-in-law at the women's correctional facility there.  What took you to Chillicothe?

[Scott5114]

What took you to Chillicothe?

US-36, I'd imagine.

[Rothman]

Old Country Buffet > Golden Corral...but it has been awhile since I've been to Old Country Buffet, so they may have gone downhill since I last went to one (used to go somewhat frequently in Duluth, MN).

[US71]

What took you to Chillicothe?

US-36, I'd imagine.

[kphoger]

What took you to Chillicothe?

US-36, I'd imagine.

I bet it was a car, too.

But that's not the answer I was looking for.