Thread: Bennigan's, Steak & Ale latest victims of slowing economy

According to the Associated Press, Bennigan's and Steak & Ale corporate stores will be closed & assets liquidated. Franchisee stores will not be affected. Some analysts wonder why the filing was Chapter 7 (asset liquidation) instead of Chapter 11 (reorganization).

Over the years I've enjoyed eating at both. There was one place in Oklahoma City where the two were next door to each other. All of the Bennigan's closed a few months ago. Steak & Ale had an awesome salad bar and consistent steaks. It's a sad day.

Not sure if it is only the economy.
It seems that in catering, you are either hot or not. And if you're not, then the mass of people who follow the fads will not visit anymore.

But it's always sad to see a steak house go.
They are manly restaurants. Like the straight razor of the food business where you can get a decent char broiled steak that is still red inside, with pepper suace and baked potatoes.

Steak & Ale = good memories... But there was only one restaurant anywhere near close.

Bennigans = you'd have to drag me kicking and screaming to go eat there again. First and last time to visit one, the appetizer of buffalo wings came out with the chicken raw. One bite, near pukage. The manager said he would take care of our appetizers.... Of course, with my stomach (and two others' at the same table) turning flips, eating anything else was out of the question.

ah, that's a shame, bennigan's makes a damn fine french dip.

I won't be sad to see the Steak and Ale go from south side OKC. Their service was a joke and their food was mediocre to say the least. If that's how all Steak and Ale's are, then it's not the slowing economy killing them, it's themselves.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

I won't be sad to see the Steak and Ale go from south side OKC. Their service was a joke and their food was mediocre to say the least.

I have to agree with you. We would typically go to the one on Memorial Road, but decided to try the south side for a change. It was NOT a good change, so we switched back.

*sigh* No more garlic cheesy bread

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

I have to agree with you. We would typically go to the one on Memorial Road, but decided to try the south side for a change. It was NOT a good change, so we switched back.

*sigh* No more garlic cheesy bread

If you're up for a drive, hit PF Chang's in Edmond out by Quail Springs. It's about the same price as Steak and Ale and is all around awesome. It is chinese, but it's an entirely different experience than any other chinese around OKC. About the only place I will order a steak in the city is Texas Roudhouse or Santa Fe Cattle Company. Anywhere else costs too much and is flavorless.

I tried Texas Roadhouse on Memorial when it first opened. Probably the worst steak experience I've ever had. After the 3rd time sending the steak back, the manager cooked it himself and got it right.

Cattleman's is a good, consistent steak though a little pricey. Typically very tender.

The stuff on Memorial isn't too far. I live near NW 63rd & May. There's a noodle place near Lowe's by Quail Springs Mall.... Lotsa Noodles I think; the name has changed since they opened. Pretty good, very reasonable. I haven't tried the PF Chang's yet. I have tried the one near Belle Isle but I can't remember the name of it. I love Chinese, Japanese, Thai, German... heck, you name it and I'll probably eat it.

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

I tried Texas Roadhouse on Memorial when it first opened. Probably the worst steak experience I've ever had. After the 3rd time sending the steak back, the manager cooked it himself and got it right.

Cattleman's is a good, consistent steak though a little pricey. Typically very tender.

The stuff on Memorial isn't too far. I live near NW 63rd & May. There's a noodle place near Lowe's by Quail Springs Mall.... Lotsa Noodles I think; the name has changed since they opened. Pretty good, very reasonable. I haven't tried the PF Chang's yet. I have tried the one near Belle Isle but I can't remember the name of it. I love Chinese, Japanese, Thai, German... heck, you name it and I'll probably eat it.

You might give that Roadhouse another try. I was there a few months ago and it was very tasty. Maybe cooked a little too long, but that's why I order medium rare. I believe the place you're talking about is Pei Wei. I've heard good things but never been. Have you been to Yamato's Japanese Steakhouse on NW Expressway? It's not as good as Shogun used to be, but it's still pretty good.

Sorry to thread jack, I just like talking food

EDIT: Memorial does have good restaurants. That Carraba's is my favorite Italian place in the state.

What it seems like is that they are victims not only of the economy but of their management. I don't recall eating at a Bennigans but I have had dinners at Steak and Ale across the country. Some were excellent some were not. Some began excellent and then went downhill. Some may have been bad and went up, but once burnt I don't go back so I would not know.

This IMO is management. Whoever is in charge of the chain did not do enough to maintain consistency. Most chains are fanatical about it but apparently they either were not or would not pay for staff that would enforce standards.

I love to cook and if I had another go around in this life I might become a professional chef. All my reading on professional cooking emphasizes management. A four year degree at the Culinary Institute of America is two years of cooking and two years of management.

Gotta go - my cheddar potato gnochi need to go into the oven.