This is borderline tragic! I LOVED this place and the several times I went in there were tons of other customers, I have no idea this could have happened. Their chicken burritoes were the best North of Anna's Taqueria's! They had a salsa bar I dug immensely with 3 kinds of salsa (even a green one) and offered VERY HOT peppers as well. I always had the burritoes and quesadillas but the chicken meals smelled delicious as well. And they had great Churros (2 for a buck!).

Their staff was extremely courteous and obviously was held to standards higher than that of the King's the, Clown's or the Colonal's.

This is a great loss. I was very sad to hear this. In my opinion it can only be redeamed by a Miami-based "Tropgrill" (a.k.a. "Pollo Tropical") opening there. Granted, given that this place failed.........

It just goes to show you, if you like a place then FREQUENT IT!!!!

And another thing! How come the already bottom-of-the-price-barrel eateries are the only ones offering extreme values?

If McDonald's and Wendy's can offer a double burger for a dollar then it stands to the laws of physics that someone ought to be able to offer a really good burger for 300% or 400% more! And as far as fries, last I checked, potatos are still basically free.

Peter - I don't think you want to know why McDonald's can offer a double burger for $1. That's a whole lotta nasty going on.

Aww man, this really does stink! We loved Pollo Loco! The food was delicious and affordable. I used to get a 1/4 chicken meal (similar to Boston Market) but with much better mac and cheese as a side. My husband got the double grilled burrito, and we'd get a quesadilla kids meal for our daughter. She loved it too!

I never felt that their location was all that bad--they were in a decent location to make a pitstop on the way home from work for my husband coming home on 495. I know they were set back from the road, but with all of the traffic going in and out of Walmart, they were still pretty visible. They were always busy every time we went there too!

I know it won't be the same, but does anyone know when the new Moe's Burritos is slated to open at Drum Hill? Or Chipotle in Woburn?

People should check out Tyngs Tavern, the old Firehouse in Tyngsboro. I believe Monday and Tues nights they do two for one dinners. They have a different menu for this but it is all their traditional american fare. Great food, good prices. Good size bar too, with nice TV's and keno. Check it out!!!

If I recall correctly, El Pollo loco had some issues with the health Dept shortly after opening.

$1 hamburger, 1% beef!

Peter makes a good point though. Eating out is one of the first things that people cut out of their budget. It would be great if locals eateries would help us help them.

Anyone heard what's going on the former location of Aiello? I drove by this morning and it looks like no one has touched it, or anything inside, since the owner walked out. All the furniture is still there.

I can honestly say that I'm not sad to see this place go. Sure it was cheap but so is taco bell. I thought they were a step up from taco bell, and that's probably because they don't cook beef in a bag. I even gave it a second chance since my brother seemed to love the place. I absolutely hated the tacos and the burritos. I guess I don't really like sauce that comes in packets or parboiled rice in my burritos.

Thank goodness for Ruby once again!
I would disagree with the premise that the 1st thing that people cut from their budget is eating out. Eating out is a great respite from tough times, and generally much less expensive than going away for the weekend. Cobblestones 7% growth in the last quarter may just indicate that what many people do in tougher times is actually place greater value on their dining dollar, and are therefore more likely to spend what they have on quality. The formula may just be "less money to waste". No discounts here, sorry, but a long term commitment to excellence. splath

For some odd reason, McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's (all basically cr@p on a bun) have an incredible strangle-hold on this part of the country. I can see another cr@p on a bun shop failing, but these guys stepped up the whole game. I have to think it's the damn parochial mentality around here.

In my "tightening the belt" book everything's just moved over a notch. Kind of like how that guy who's always on here mentioning his own restaurant said. Garbage food and DD $3 daily coffees are completely out, the weekday places become the Friday/Saturday places, Friday places become Birthday Places, and old Birthday Places fall by the wayside. It's more a cutting out the extremes in favor of quality and VALUE.

I completely agree with Peter regarding moving things over a notch. I can't even remember the last time I had fast food...I would much rather save that $10-$20 spent on a cr@p meal and put it towards a delicious $60-$80 meal (closer to $80 would have to include cocktails, of course)!

Scott,

Good you hear your doing well. But why are you so against discounts? It doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a long term commitment to excellence. If done properly it could possibly increase your revenue growth to 10%. We may hate the NY Yankees but as Yankees many of us find delight in getting a good deal.

Brian

Can I just say without inciting a huge tirade that while I enjoy the food and atmosphere at Cobllestones, it's really a stretch to call those buffalo tenders the "Best on the Planet."

I almost believed it when I ordered it because it was $11, (for chicken).

They're not bad, I'd order them again but if you're going to say "Best on the Planet" they ought to be incredible. Now, it was in quotes, so maybe somebody who isn't a Buffalo afficionado actually said it or else it was said in irony.

Gourmet Gal,
Unfortunately I think that we are going to see a thinning of the herd when it comes to the local and national restaurant scene, all the economic indicators are in place, the industry on the average is down more than 12% this year. I've read reports that casual sit down chains are in major trouble right now on the brink of missing bond payments. I agree with Scott that people are still going out but the client you were seeing once a week last September you are seeing once a month now.

I feel that value and quality are the top two factors that determine where diners spend their dollars and if you can demonstrate value then price is irrelevant. For all that we hoot and holler about McDonald's they retain business because the quality of there product is at a price that people are willing to pay good or bad that's just the way it is, charge consumers $6 for the same burger and you would see a different outcome.

As they've said in F&W any chef can cook with Foie Gras and Truffles they are readily available on the Mass Market now, exclusivity is about the source I have x beef from y farm they only raise 20 head of cattle a year and only this restaurant serves it. I went to Smith & Wollinsky's in Boston not too long ago and places like this seem to be really hurting, no concept of seasonality and an overpriced wine list, the same bottle of Joseph Phelps cabernet cost $42 less at Infusions than at Smith & Wollinsky's. People just are not going to spend the money if they don't feel like they are getting a good value for there hard earned and overstretched funds. People often ask me how the economy is affecting my business, I always answer the question with a question which is how is affecting you?

We are all in the same boat and now it is more important than ever to support all local small businesses not just restaurants, but copy centers, jewelers, farms and banks because we need to keep the money flowing in our local market. While people are watching their 401K's deteriorate, small businesses suffer as sales dwindle thus less local jobs and less money to be spent locally, this is a downward spiral that Greater Lowell has seen before (when the mills left town).

Citizens must support small local businesses and realize that they are the backbone of the national economy. If not we have only ourselves to blame when our favorite local eatery goes out of business. Just my opinion though.
Chef Phil

I hate to say it, but I'd much rather get the occasional cheap takeout from our local spots than "save up" for a meal at Cobblestones, Boniche or Centro, who seem to think that they can get away with charging Boston prices for mediocre food and atmosphere. If I'm going to spend the big bucks and make arrangements for a babysitter, then I expect to get a great meal, which I have yet to find around here... Excpeptions go to Melting Pot and Dalya's in Bedford.

I'm sorry Laura, but I have to strongly disagree that Cobblestones, Boniche and Centro are mediocre on any level. Those three are the "big three" in Lowell, in my mind anyway, and everytime i've gone the food, service and atmosphere (at all three) were well worth the money i spent. Maybe we just have different value systems, but I'd rather have an enjoyable, quality, well prepared meal as opposed to "cheap" takeout.

I'm there with you on that Jackie G...I've never had a bad experience at Cobblestones, Centro, or La Boniche. As a matter of fact, whenever I choose to eat out, and I don't go out to eat as often as many of the people that post here, mostly because I love to cook....but I usually end up going to Cobblestones because I know I'm going to get a fantastic meal with great service.
We all have different requirements for what makes up a great dining experience, but to me the most important is not whether or not I could get a cheap or fast meal. I'm paying for the quality of the food, the service, atomosphere, as well as, ambiance. I'm also tired of hearing people say things like "Boston Prices"...it's demeaning to Lowell and to the fact that Lowell is trying to establish itself as a dining destination and not merely a "cheap" place to dine. Again, there are plenty of affordable places to eat in Lowell, and if that's your thing...you have many places to choose from, but to say that those other restaurants aren't up to Boston standards is just wrong.

In this economy and with $3.50 gas prices still going strong, i am surprised affordable restaurants like Pollo Loco have fallen before restaurants that serve $10 cheeseburger and fries. Route 38 Main St is a very busy road, I'm surprised this closed.

I'm sorry, but restaurants in Lowell have no business charging the same meal prices as restaurants in Boston, especially if they're not going to step up their game to a deserving level. And yes, I will stand by my assessment that the food at "the big 3" is pretty mediocre by comaprison to their counterparts in the bigger city. I'm not saying that all of the restaurants in Boston are better. I'm just saying that if the local restaurants want my repeat business and recommendation, then they'd better give me what I'm paying for. For $30+ entrees, I expect near flawless preparation, presentation, service and atmosphere. Plain and simple. None of these restaurants have been able to demonstrate this combination for me.

And Jackie, I don't think we have different values. I'm not all about cheap takeout eating. I'm about getting what I pay for. And in this area, when I spend $30 for an entree, I expect it to be very good, and not something we could prepare better ourselves at home. Now given, my husband went to culinary school, so perhaps we're too picky, but when we recently went to a local "hotspot" and ordered a steak that was downright disgusting in it's preparation and overcooked to boot, and then proceeded to be berated by the chef accusing us of having "undeveloped palates", we vowed that we were done wasting our time eating out around here at places that think they are above scrutiny.

I think the best thing going in Lowell are all the small ethnic eateries around. Talk about preparation, ingredients, and care!

Sure they're not too poshy inside and don't require you to "put on airs," but if you still need that kind of thing to have a nice time enjoy it while it lasts.

Along the lines of what Chef Phil was saying, for $30 anyone ought to be able to put a tasty meal on my plate, but Kudos if you can do it for $10-$12, like some of the great Asian places we have in town! If you can get down off your high horses long enough to mosey into one of these places you'll get a real treat!

I love both of the Greek spots which have great value and are very nice inside.

Geez Peter, get over the buffalo tender hang up!! It's the 2nd time you've brought it up in this forum. I share in this blog as an insider with an opinion that may be valued. What's with the criticism?! We have countless customers who disagree with you and think they are incredible by comparison, and recognize and appreciate the difference of FRESH chicken, battered to order, in a sauce made from scratch. (we sell 100lbs per week!) So you don't agree. PLEASE, present your alternative choices. We'd love to find better. (we haven't by the way..in our humble opinion...and we do look, being big fans of most buffalo tenders ourselves...) SP

PS Laura...we've addressed the Boston price thing in a previous blog. We are not trying to "get away" with anything and you are offensive in saying so. We pay just as much as Boston restaurants for food, beverage, labor, insurance, gas, electricity, etc. And we work just as hard, if not harder given the shallow pool of prospective customers. We believe, and our success suggests, that we are better than most yet we admit not as good as some. Feel free to pay the babysitter for an extra 90 minutes, the extra gas, the parking/valet, the speeding ticket (oops, that was me)...it's your dime! Perhaps your inclination to criticize so harshly is what set off the local Chef??!

Have you been to Cobblestones? I don't believe they have a single entree on the menu for 30 bucks, nevermind 30+. As a matter of fact, neither does Centro...what restaurant are we talking about here with the $30 dollar entree? Even La Boniche sets its highest priced entree at $28 bucks.

We find ourselves sticking to Mambo and Etsogo and Life Alive for takeout and cooking more at home. For breakfast, we like Olive That. Good reminder about the Greek places, I don't know why we don't go more, they are really tasty.

My issues with the downtown restaurants is consistency. Several visits to Centro, and I have left with a different opinion each time. It sucks, no, it's great! No, it's mediocre. It really varies. Net effect is positive, I would say, but we've still had really underwhelming meals there.

Cobblestones, same thing. Pasta will not be cooked right, meat won't be cooked as asked, that kind of thing. Nothing egregious, but not the same level of quality I remember enjoying at my favorite Boston spots (who undoubtedly do bigger volume and have more competition at the same level). Is it worth making a big stink about it at the time when a dish comes back kind of meh? What do people do when they feel something is lacking in the service or food at a restaurant? I am honestly never sure how to handle it. If it was something huge, that would be a different story. Restaurant owners reading - do you want to hear about the small stuff at the time? I am always afraid I am going to get attitude if I bring up something small, or that I am going to be written off as picky.

But the cumulative effect of all the small stuff is that it lessens confidence, and it is tempting to take the "big" dining budget and save it for places in Nashua (there still alternatives to Boston without the valet parking fee). We absolutely try to support the community whenever possible, but as money gets tighter, people will seek out what they deem the best quality for their dollar.

We find ourselves sticking to Mambo and Etsogo and Life Alive for takeout and cooking more at home. For breakfast, we like Olive That. Good reminder about the Greek places, I don't know why we don't go more, they are really tasty.

My issues with the downtown restaurants is consistency. Several visits to Centro, and I have left with a different opinion each time. It sucks, no, it's great! No, it's mediocre. It really varies. Net effect is positive, I would say, but we've still had really underwhelming meals there.

Cobblestones, same thing. Pasta will not be cooked right, meat won't be cooked as asked, that kind of thing. Nothing egregious, but not the same level of quality I remember enjoying at my favorite Boston spots (who undoubtedly do bigger volume and have more competition at the same level). Is it worth making a big stink about it at the time when a dish comes back kind of meh? What do people do when they feel something is lacking in the service or food at a restaurant? I am honestly never sure how to handle it. If it was something huge, that would be a different story. Restaurant owners reading - do you want to hear about the small stuff at the time? I am always afraid I am going to get attitude if I bring up something small, or that I am going to be written off as picky.

But the cumulative effect of all the small stuff is that it lessens confidence, and it is tempting to take the "big" dining budget and save it for places in Nashua (there still alternatives to Boston without the valet parking fee). We absolutely try to support the community whenever possible, but as money gets tighter, people will seek out what they deem the best quality for their dollar.

No offense, but you spend much more time flying off the handle at anyone that says the littlest critique of your places than you do giving an "insider's look."

Countless customers that disagree with my assessment that they're not "the greatest on the planet," really? Countless customers think they're the best on the planet? really? I said I liked them, I said I'd even order them again despite the fowl $11 price tag (great pun). But seriously sir....

I would never even think of telling you how to do what you already do so well (running a restaurant). It's a great asset to the community to have you and your establishments. You should be very proud and have a thicker skin about people's opinions. As far as losing control in here, the absolute best you can hope for is to convince all of the few percent of the dining public that reads this blog of your points. You'd be much much much better served to sit back and read what people in here say and consider their points as possible indicators of what the public at large may be thinking.

Scott, if Laura does have something right it is that Lowell is NOT Boston and there are certain things that that brings with it that hurt perceived value, regardless of your operating costs and the actual quality of your food. Maybe that's what she's confusing. And there are restaurants in Lowell that do, in my opinion, overcharge based on quality as well. I don't feel Cobblestones is on that list.

The place where Lowell continues to fall flat on its face as a city is the whole experience, which is not your fault but you suffer for it. There is something really fun and special about a night out in Boston and then just strolling down Boylston Street or whatever afterwards. Or maybe you go shopping beforehand. You go to Cobblestones, and then what? Merrimack Street is dead quiet, poorly lit, and closed up after dinner. Barnes and Noble doesn't even bother being open. Even before dinner, there's not really much to do in Lowell. The perfect example of how detrimental this is is The Sun ran a story recently talking about how 'Ricardo' has taken to standing outside his very nice restaurant on the very edge of downtown to protect his customers from muggings and prostitutes. You don't have that problem in downtown Boston.

Things have gotten better in Lowell but when I bring my friends from the Boston area up here, they still do perceive a value gap largely because of how much more the Boston experience has to it. And, because certain places just aren't up to par and they can get away with it here.

I can't imagine wasting a night that I have a babysitter to go to a place like the Melting Pot. Sorry, I just found my overall experience there awful. If I'm going out to dinner, I want my food cooked for me. Not to have to do it myself. I guess it's a fun place for a girl's night out, but I'm amazed when people say they are going their for their anniversary.

Blythe,

What places in Nashua outclass Lowell to the point that it becomes an "alternative to Boston"? There are certainly some good restaurants up there, but I'm just curious. My anniversary is coming up and I was considering Michael Timothy's or Surf. Haven't been to either, so it'll be a nice little trip out of Lowell for a night, but I'm open to other suggestions. Unums?

To Blythe; I cannot speak for owners of other restaurants, beyond my occasional "theoretical" stance as a restaurant owner. But in terms of my restaurant, we ALWAYS want to hear when guests are not satisfied. It is our goal to satisfy every guests expectation, when that expectation is within our control. Our policy from day one has been consistent with that premise, and our servers are trained to check back with the customer within two minutes and address any and all instances of dissatisfaction at that time. Over cooked pasta, overcooked steak, no difference. If we did not get it right, our guests receive a visit from management where a satisfactory response is sought.

To Corey; Your response is an excellent one and I completely agree. It is true that maybe Laura's assumption was we charge relative to our commmunity, when in fact, we charge relative to creating a long term successful business while paying our staff a good wage. It just didn't read that way. "get away with" seemed disparaging.

To Peter; To be fair, Thanks for the nice things you say. But man are you dramatic! I don't believe I "fly off the handle" at critique. If you knew me, you'd know my tolerance runs deep. And FYI, I listen to ALL OF IT. But when I hear a guy like yourself take fun words like "best on the planet" (yes, we are proud) and turn them literal for the sake of taking a shot, I choose to respond. I mean, if you'd order them again, why criticize? No Peter, you are right, my guests don't literally think my Buffalo Tenders are the best on the planet. They just think they're really, really good and buy them by the ton. (And when I say 'by the ton', I mean lots and lots!) (I'm still wondering what tenders your palate prefers? ) (For Boston Fans like myself...Buff's Pub for the wings! SP

Scott, you really need to get over yourself. I've heard you were a little arrogant. Reading the way you talk down to anybody that disagrees with you only reaffirms those words.

You shouldn't be so quick to brag about your success either. The same people you snub your nose at will only relish your demise, if it comes, all the more. The bankruptcy rolls are full of restauranteurs who made a killing early on. When you're reached the tenure of places in the city that have been around for 60 years like the Olympia, you can brag about your business genius. Right now, you remind a little too much of the teenager in such a hurry to prove how smart he is that you think you know more than the wise old man who's actually lived life and learned its hard lessons.

P.S. You're not foolilng anybody with your argument that your costs are equal to any place in Boston. I've debunked that nonsense in an earlier post, but I'll be glad to do it again for you and those who missed it.

You pay nowhere near the same for your chefs and cooks as places in Boston pay because you don't have to. An employee who works in Boston lives in or near Boston, therefore has a higher cost of living that requires more income to sustain. They also have to pay more to drive to work because of city driving burning more fuel and parking near work being more expensive. So please spare us that nonsense. In addition, your real estate costs and rent if you pay it are nowhere near the same. Neither are you water and sewar rates. Shall I go on?

P.S. If by best buffalo tenders you mean spiciest, you might have a point. Too bad I couldn't taste that meticulously prepared meat when I ordered them. I was too busy trying to keep my mouth from going up in flames.

Make your choice of your favorite Lowell restaurant a destination before going to the MRT or Lowell Memorial Auditorium event! No need to walk down Boylston or Newbury Streets. Lowell has a beautiful and well-lit downtown. There ARE prostitutes and drug dealings and shootings in Boston's Thaetre District

Jeannie,

Yes, the theatre district gets a little seedy. I went to Flemming's recently (very good), and the walk down Washington Street to get there...you could tell that another few blocks further and you're in a bad area. But there are people on the street down there. I have literally been the only person on Merrimack Street many, many times, and especially over by Bad Dawgs where somehow there's a lamp missing or something, it gets sort of creepy. A nice late-might coffee shop between Palmer and Central might do the trick. But either way, downtown Lowell is a handful of ghost-town shuttered blocks at night, you can't compare it to Back Bay, never mind the entire city of Boston. I absolutely love living in Lowell, but we have to be honest about out disadvantages and outright problems.

As for LMA or MRT, they are fairly expensive ($100 for two people), and maybe more to the topic, one thing that many Lowell restaurants suffer from is that on event nights they are understaffed. I hosted a disasterous intro to the "new Lowell" where I took a family out to one of the restaurants down here and the food took so long to come out we didn't even get to comfortably eat before we had to leave for the show (and the food was not good, guess where we were!), then they were creeped out by Merrimack Street being empty and pitch black, then one of Lowell's famous drivers almost hit one of us in a crosswalk. At least the show was good I heard!

Jumpin' Jack...as in Jumpin down my throat!!!
Youch! A braggart??!! Please. I live every single day concerned about a volatile industry and tenous market share. Defensive? Yes. Confident? Pretty much always have been. Arrogant?

A bit ironic you calling me such, then preaching about your debunking the restaurant costs argument. And then referencing sewer rates!! (a small fraction of our overall costs). FYI, 3 of our 4 top Chef's came from the Boston restaurant market. And we have hired a decent amount who have complained of Boston wages vs that commute you speak of, parking, etc.
The majority of our food (our 2nd highest cost)comes from Boston (add a fuel charge!!) and liquor prices are fixed across the state.
(our 3rd highest cost)

That perhaps you got the hottest buffalo tenders we make by mistake, (and if so I apologize) it is quite humorous to imagine that it was the first time the guests around you caught a break from all that preaching you do!!! "maw wawa peez"!Good stuff. :) -SP

I'm gonna miss those Churros...

I don't know the guy from the world's best buffalo tender so I wouldn't say anything so harsh, but I do stand by what I said about how this site (and others like it) are ONLY A BAROMETER of what the public at large is thinking.

It's nuts to come on here and antagonize patrons. I've never seen anything like it before.
I'm sure my feelings would be hurt if I worked that hard and people criticized aspects of my work, but mathematically it makes absolutely no sense to do anything other than reflect upon whether or not these peoples' points are valid.
If you say something negative about a place and you're right others will agree; if you're wrong other patrons will talk about their experiences.

I hope he hasd a fish special soon because I'm not going there anymore until he cuts the carp.

I do agree with Kimbo and believe that Cobblestones is a bit overrated, I would not call it the most overrated place in the country. I actually used to enjoy dinning there.
However, i do have a problem with the staff there. You see i am a senior citizen and my waitress treated me terribly because many people are under the impression that seniors do not tip well. This is far from the truth in my case. I was brought the wrong wine and when i asked her to please bring me the correct wine that i ordered she rolled her eyes at me.

Hmmm...I made a comment yesterday to respond to Jeannie's way off implication that Lowell is on par with Boston and it didn't show up. I thought that'd be a useful and constructive point of discussion but figured it wasn't posted because this discussion as a whole was getting way off topic and a little personal. Then, new posts started showing.

I guess I missed the memo that this thread is now about personal attacks on certain restaurant owners who at all try to defend themselves. This is the most ridiculous thread since the one on Olive That and More putting made-up tip amounts on bills that eventually got deleted after three or four people debunked it.

Controversy sells papers and gets hits on blogs that have adds that don't even render correctly in IE on them, but this is a little low, even for a paper that in the last seven days or so published an article saying NASA launched its first manned moon mission in 1968 and endorsed McCain.

Some people's shots were a little personal and over the line, that's true. But 2 facts remain; it's NUTS for an owner to come on here and do battle with patrons, and this is only a sampling of customers, it makes no sense to argue. That Olive that and More thing was an entirely different scenario, so don't try to compare it.

I think the the right-wing rag Lowell Sun is birdcage-liner at BEST, but I think it's dirty pool to blame the Sun for some people getting a little too irritated at somebody antagonizing.