Chili's in the Gables
It looks like Chili's will be going up where Tuesday Morning currently is (on Ponce, just past Starbucks).
At the moment, it looks like an architectural issue: if the owners can meet the city's "strict design standards", it looks like they're in.
So, how do we feel about this? Thoughts?
I have two minds about this. On one hand, I welcome casual, affordable dining in the area, as I think the balance tips too high in favor of places that are either high-end and pricey, or places that think they're high-end and charge a lot for mediocre food and crappy service. Chili's, while unoriginal, is a safe bet (and note: the owners of this one do not own the one in the Doral that was shut down this week for violations).
On the other hand, here we go again with yet another chain. This is the one thing about downtown Gables that kills me: it's losing its originality and charm to chain after chain after chain (well, that and all the friggin' furniture stores). I don't have anything against chains (I both shop and eat at plenty of them), but again - the balance. It's getting to be too much chains and less and less original places.
At the moment, it looks like an architectural issue: if the owners can meet the city's "strict design standards", it looks like they're in.
So, how do we feel about this? Thoughts?
I have two minds about this. On one hand, I welcome casual, affordable dining in the area, as I think the balance tips too high in favor of places that are either high-end and pricey, or places that think they're high-end and charge a lot for mediocre food and crappy service. Chili's, while unoriginal, is a safe bet (and note: the owners of this one do not own the one in the Doral that was shut down this week for violations).
On the other hand, here we go again with yet another chain. This is the one thing about downtown Gables that kills me: it's losing its originality and charm to chain after chain after chain (well, that and all the friggin' furniture stores). I don't have anything against chains (I both shop and eat at plenty of them), but again - the balance. It's getting to be too much chains and less and less original places.
Labels: downtown, miracle mile, restaurants
posted by Tere at
2/17/2008
19 Comments:
A Chili's in Tuesday Morning? That would have to be the tiniest restaurant in the chain!
And where will the Tuesday Morning go to?
Better a Chili's than another bank. Any restaurant or shop is something I may enjoy sometime, but any bank other than my own is a waste of retail space.
I think the city should give a tax break to businesses that actually sell stuff.
Unfortunately, c.l.j., Tuesday Morning's going bye-bye!
I'm just glad it's not yet another furniture store - does anyone actually shop in those?
Besides the nouveau riche, I mean.
Corporitazation is a trend that is sweeping the nation.
The corporate chains are the only ones who are able to afford the high rents of the Gables, the Grove, the Beach and other trendy areas throughout the country.
It's nice to have a familiar, affordable staple in the neighborhood, but I don't want to see the area turn into a mall-like place with chain after chain. I'd much rather see unique restaurants and shops with distinct local flavor.
I totally agree. All of the restaurants disappearing and being replaced by chain restaurants. Not that the chain restaurants have bad food, but they are everywhere! Houston's, Benihana's, California Pizza Kitchen, Bonefish Grill and now Chili's?
I agree with Cosette, we have enough mall like places all over Miami. Just another place with mediocre food (at best) and bad service. Did I mention sticky tables and menus?? However, oddly enough they do have staying power.
For what Chili's is, I think the food is actually pretty good. I've eaten at the Dadeland one a couple of times in the last 6 months and it was fine. I think we could do worse in the Gables (and we have!). But again, chains, chains, chains!
The other thing about Chili's is the quality of the food is not as good as it used to be.
They used to have some really good burgers, but I went to one in Dadeland (since when is that Downtown Kendall?) and the burger was mediocre.
It tasted like a pre-processed patty where it used to have more of a fresh taste.
But Chili's has two for one drinks, so that is always good.
I suspect the Chili's in the Gables will become a happening happy hour place.
Yeah.... finally a restaurant that offers two for one beer every night
Coral Gables is becomming overrun with chains because people like you all seem to actually like them and support them! Hit up your local places for lunch or dinner and others will follow if they know that consumers in the Gables will support local places. Instead there's a line at Houston's every night and Le Boudoir is practically empty. Don't gripe about the chain restaurants invading if you support them. You guys brought it on yourselves.
Is it just me, or is Chili's making a big expansion in Miami?
It used to be just the one in Kendall and one in Doral. Granted, the one in Kendall always has a line coming out the door and a long-ass wait.
In the past year they've opened one across from Dadeland, one is opening in CocoWalk, and now one in the Gables.
Meh. I don't mind the chains coming around so long as they're GOOD. Houston's, CPK, Bonefish, Benihana are all on the better end of the chain restaurant spectrum. Chili's...not so much. It was a staple of mine back in the day, but the quality of the food has gone downhill. Like someone already commented, it clearly tastes pre-packaged. About a year ago I ordered a pasta dish that had been my "ususal" and it was completely different. It was like penne with mayonnaise. So gross. I'm glad to have somewhere else to take the kid to, but I'd rather it not take up valuable Mile space. (although, I agree, yay that it's not another bank or furniture store)
I'm more traumatized by Tuesday Morning being gone. AY! How am I going to afford to go to my kid's birthday parties every weekend if I can't buy presents there?!??!
I just saw a sign at the old Colonnade building for a Morton's steak house. Right across the street from Houston's. Maybe they'll throw overpriced meat at each other.
I want to go to more independent places, but who has something vegetarian? So I go to Pizza Kitchen. If anyone knows of some independent places around Coral Gables that have decent vegetarian options, let me know.
Though Chili's is a national brand, the Coral Gables future restaurant is going to be owned and operated by a local, minority-owned franchise group. They own Chili's Bayside, Chili's Miami International Airport, Chili's Ives Dairy Road and the new Chili's Cocowalk. The Doral, Kendall, Dadeland, Aventura, Hialeah are Brinker International coporate owned stores. Big difference in how the restaurants are operated as a franchise, better service, south florida owned and much more carefull with safety, cleaniness, quality and service.
Grand Opening of Chili's in CocoWalk on July 21,2008. Visit www.ChilisCocoWalk.com for a chance at VIP Tickets.
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