(01-21-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  There ain't a burger, fries, soda, and split appetizer on the face of this earth to get me part with $25 (under normal, not starving, situations), no matter how nice the tables.

You need to get outside of Toledo and go to a REAL burger joint or diner then. On the other hand, I've probably forgot how cheap the cost of living is in Toledo too, which slightly skews my thinking.

(01-21-2013 04:56 PM)BrianNowicki Wrote:  

(01-21-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  There ain't a burger, fries, soda, and split appetizer on the face of this earth to get me part with $25 (under normal, not starving, situations), no matter how nice the tables.

You need to get outside of Toledo and go to a REAL burger joint or diner then. On the other hand, I've probably forgot how cheap the cost of living is in Toledo too, which slightly skews my thinking.

Boy did you ever step in it. But in the interest of peace, I'll leave it there.

Prices seem comparable to what I see in nice places in Knoxville. A little less than you see in Atlanta. Looks good to me.

(01-21-2013 04:40 PM)emanoh Wrote:  Heard Chowders and More, airport highway closed a few weeks ago.

E-

Wow, I had no idea. The one in Waterville practically prints money or so it appears. Tom and Tina are great folks, too. Too bad, although I doubt they'll starve.

(01-21-2013 02:27 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  Heck of a lot of crybabies and cheapskates on this thread. I also expected better reading comprehension skills from Toledo fans. I applaud Bruce's reinvestment in the place that gave him his start. Going slightly upscale is a sensible decision.

We're not cheapskates, you're just high maintenance! LOL!

Seriously, though, looking at the menu a lot of the items are about what I would have guessed, a few a tad higher. The burgers seem awful steep, though. But, that's the price range they're setting things at and that's fine, they're not looking to be a burger joint. No doubt that Pat Lafreida beef doesn't come cheap either.

most americans eat poor quality food products set at artificially low prices subsidized by taxpayers who reinvest a chunck of their earnings in corn, corn fed products, and other "food staples". that cheap beef is from corn fed cows (who hate eating corn btw). if a place is using higher quality products (especially local ones) pay more. it they are just gouging then don't.

i will pay the extra to go to grad's if 1) the food is of good quality and prepared well, and 2) to support a local sports legend. if i was managing the place i'd have staff trained to really respect customers and make sure they enjoy themselves because part of what theyare paying for is to feel happy connecting to that rocket sports tradition.

Restaurants are businesses, not charities. Gradkowski's is a single-location restaurant in a small portion of a 26,000 square foot development. Just to break even on a burger, the price of the burger must include food costs, labor costs, management costs, utility costs, and rent. If you're not selling garbage food that adds up. If you're actually cooking and not heating up frozen crap, that adds up.

It's a good concept and I'm looking forward to eating there in a couple weeks when I'm in town visiting.

I would say everything on that menu is comparable to most decent restaurants in Cincinnati. I would rather pay a little more for something that is not a "chain". I like a lot of what I saw on the menu and most of seemed reasonably priced. Can't wait to check it out.

On Bruce's weekly interview on 13ABC, they said that he turns 30 on Sunday. Bruce said that Lance Moore, Andrew Hawkins, and a couple other NFL teammates will be in town this week and will be at the restaurant.

(01-22-2013 07:35 PM)Rocket A Wrote:  I would say everything on that menu is comparable to most decent restaurants in Cincinnati. I would rather pay a little more for something that is not a "chain". I like a lot of what I saw on the menu and most of seemed reasonably priced. Can't wait to check it out.

The prices seem reasonable, unless you're going to be doing a lot of drinking. BTW, Bruce said he might open another restaurant in Pittsburgh with his brother.

(01-23-2013 07:45 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  The prices seem reasonable, unless you're going to be doing a lot of drinking. BTW, Bruce said he might open another restaurant in Pittsburgh with his brother.

Wonder what they'll name it?

(01-23-2013 08:54 AM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(01-23-2013 07:45 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  The prices seem reasonable, unless you're going to be doing a lot of drinking. BTW, Bruce said he might open another restaurant in Pittsburgh with his brother.

Wonder what they'll name it?

My Brother's Place?

(01-23-2013 09:47 AM)Toledo Football 1st Wrote:  

(01-23-2013 08:54 AM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(01-23-2013 07:45 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  The prices seem reasonable, unless you're going to be doing a lot of drinking. BTW, Bruce said he might open another restaurant in Pittsburgh with his brother.

Wonder what they'll name it?

My Brother's Place?

Gino's Pizza?

Two G's (Guys)

Gradkowskis'

Just had a fantastic meal at Gradkowski's. Excellent all the way around; no doubts about long term sustainability. Think "J Alexanders"

(02-01-2013 08:01 PM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote:  Just had a fantastic meal at Gradkowski's. Excellent all the way around; no doubts about long term sustainability. Think "J Alexanders"

I'm going to try it soon.
I've heard it compared to Biaggi's in Levis Commons.

(01-22-2013 09:14 AM)Rocket Pirate Wrote:  Restaurants are businesses, not charities. Gradkowski's is a single-location restaurant in a small portion of a 26,000 square foot development. Just to break even on a burger, the price of the burger must include food costs, labor costs, management costs, utility costs, and rent. If you're not selling garbage food that adds up. If you're actually cooking and not heating up frozen crap, that adds up.

It's a good concept and I'm looking forward to eating there in a couple weeks when I'm in town visiting.

I've heard the rent they pay is comparable to Franklin Park Mall storefront rates. A shade under $20k.
So this place needs to succeed right off the bat to stave off that high overhead.
I'm going to try it. Can't get any tasty Italian in west Toledo

(02-02-2013 11:34 AM)owen Wrote:  

(01-22-2013 09:14 AM)Rocket Pirate Wrote:  Restaurants are businesses, not charities. Gradkowski's is a single-location restaurant in a small portion of a 26,000 square foot development. Just to break even on a burger, the price of the burger must include food costs, labor costs, management costs, utility costs, and rent. If you're not selling garbage food that adds up. If you're actually cooking and not heating up frozen crap, that adds up.

It's a good concept and I'm looking forward to eating there in a couple weeks when I'm in town visiting.

I've heard the rent they pay is comparable to Franklin Park Mall storefront rates. A shade under $20k.
So this place needs to succeed right off the bat to stave off that high ove


rhead.
I'm going to try it. Can't get any tasty Italian in west Toledo

Calvino's? Used to be great.

(02-02-2013 11:34 AM)owen Wrote:  

(01-22-2013 09:14 AM)Rocket Pirate Wrote:  Restaurants are businesses, not charities. Gradkowski's is a single-location restaurant in a small portion of a 26,000 square foot development. Just to break even on a burger, the price of the burger must include food costs, labor costs, management costs, utility costs, and rent. If you're not selling garbage food that adds up. If you're actually cooking and not heating up frozen crap, that adds up.

It's a good concept and I'm looking forward to eating there in a couple weeks when I'm in town visiting.

I've heard the rent they pay is comparable to Franklin Park Mall storefront rates. A shade under $20k.
So this place needs to succeed right off the bat to stave off that high overhead.
I'm going to try it. Can't get any tasty Italian in west Toledo

That is about $970 per day. It doesn't take too much to cover that rent when you are in their price range. But if this is true no way a college bar could cover that rent with $2 dollar drafts.