little BIG bites Burger Bistro

Reviews 3

CJ

CJD -

If you are considering opening a restaurant, I suggest visiting this establishment to learn everything NOT to do if you wish to be successful. Rather than a review, a book can be written highlighting all which is wrong here. As a successful owner of multiple businesses, I would offer suggestions to the owner(s) of this place, but the necessary foundation to build upon is missing. Unfortunately If this place is still open six months from now, someones savings will be depleted. Dear Owner, Thank you for your sarcastic reply. Statistically speaking, one failure in thirty two isnt bad. If you want to know what is wrong without hiring a consultant, become a "fly on the wall" in your establishment. The other folks who stayed and ate, rather than walk out like more than half of your visitors the evening my wife and I came in, placed no mask over their disappointment in LITERALLY EVERYTHING. If indeed you have opened thirty two businesses, then you of all people know nine weeks into the opening of a restaurant, the owner, (or lead) doesnt take a five minute break, let alone a day off. Here is my "free" advice on what must be fixed. 1. The decor is horribly attempting to blend themes, which clash. Any one of your themes would have worked alone, but the blend of them all is absolutely horrible. Its just so bad. -warm colors with cold leds = never -the plastic animal head MUST go, so so classless -the wood on the walls in the back... WHY WHY WHY? truly horrendous -the list goes on and on 2. When entering it is completely unclear on what a patron is to do. -you want to try something new, great. how about having a host/greeter to direct patrons. rather than having them stand around feeling stupid. 3. A counter cluttered with Woopie Pies is so ridiculously classless. This is supposed to be an upscale "joint" not a crappy bodega. I dont EVER want to see pre-packed food anywhere at a restaurant unless its an after dinner mint. Unreal someone thought this was a good idea. 4. Plastic utensils?!!!! Seriously?! Wood serving platters with plastic utensils???? Not to mention the utensils are also on the already cluttered counter. 5. Your menu is far too cluttered as well. It is a great struggle to read 6. Your counter is in the wrong place. patrons must LEARN to place their order there, then go back for utensils, then go back for a beverage, then go back for napkins, then go back with order issues, etc. 7. Your all-in-one soda machine will cause more problems than savings, especially placed next to the counter in such a small establishment. Clutter clutter clutter 8. Without taking orders at the table your counter is cluttered with people, and without real waitstaff your staff will not receive tips. 9. Fries came out 15 minutes before burgers, I ask for plates, I am told, "we do not have plates, but your burger will come on a wood board." Seriously?!!!!! -It appears the budget on plates and cutlery was blown on the bathrooms. Waste Waste Waste. Very few of us know the cost of your fixtures, but I assume anyway you are tied into that industry, otherwise no one would spend what your bathrooms cost on a dive restaurant in a strip mall. 10. Cutting board serving dishes do not work with food which drips... Like BURGERS. 11. Your HVAC trunk line has a duct cut in and aimed at every single seating location. HUGE mistake and obvious the installer/designer does not know restaurants. -We were freezing and told the temperature "could not be controlled" by your staff. 12. I personally do not care how much a "good" meal costs, but an incredible burger can be purchased at a great steakhouse for less than yours and is far superior. -my wife and I had: two burgers, two waters, one fry order = $49. -Burgers were cooked wrong and buns were falling apart -No "plates to put dipping sauce on, so we are eating expensive fries like we are sharing crappy popcorn 13. I wish you Good Luck, but as you should know, luck plays no role in success. -a complete 180 is needed, and nothing less

JI

Jim Perrillo

I had mixed feelings on my first visit, so I thought I would try again. While waitin on line, which was on person deep, 3 people walked into me because the tables are too close to the register (Im slim) for anyone to pass by while theres a line. I ordered my burger which came with raw onion. I told woman that I cannot eat raw onion, she said they will be omitted. I could not find less than a pound of french fries on the menu, however, she said there was a small portion for $5.00. After $13.75 for my burger, I felt that $5.00 was way too expensive for fries, although, others exclaimed how good they tasted. I ordered a seltzer - total bill was over $18.00 after tax and tip. Way too expensive for a burger and seltzer water to have to dig into an open container of plastic utensils (in which others have placed their hands) and get my own. I understand that Smash Burger does this too, but Burger Bistro is more expensive and seems to be trying to be less of a fast food joint. As I was waiting for my burger, I was observing a table of 3 nearby. One person was served his burger, then a full 5 minutes later, the second burger came out, and finally the 3rd 2 minutes later. I felt badly for the first person who waited for all to be served and now had cold burger and fries. My burger came - and it had the raw onions on it. The waitress kindly took it back and soon came back with a new burger. Well, this burger was cold and WAY overcooked and dry as a bone. By this point I had been there over 20 minutes and still had errands to run during my lunch break, I couldnt send it back. She did come back and ask how it was, I told her it was overcooked, she said sorry and walked away. During my time there, I did ask to speak to the manager, she said she would get him, but, came back and said he must have gone out as he was not in his office. I am writing this in hopes of giving the some constructive criticism as I am hopeful that Burger Bistro will be successful in Thornwood. The overall customer experience needs to be better in order for them to have long term success. BTW - the seltzer was excellent!

A

A

Mixed reviews here. Pros:. Idea is good. Fries with dipping sauce are great. Cute place. Burgers OK. Cons: Long list here, but if the owner actually listens instead of telling reviewers "you dont understand" and "watch my video" then it might have a chance. 1. No ketchup. Its a dipping sauces and not included with your meal. 2. Kids food insanely overpriced. $8 for a hot dog, no side, no drink, no ketchup? 3. Burger meat is average ground chuck. 4. Decor: love it or hate it. Kinda DIY (see 2x3 patch of wall near the kitchen where they forgot to sponge-paint). Cold and noisy, no soft carpet or sound-dampening. You dont want to be there when a gaggle of teenagers arrive (which we were). Ordering/menu board has small font and is hard to read (my eyes are fine, thanks). 5. Ambiance: confused. Burgers on boards say "hipster burger joint" but plastic utensils at the counter and self-serve drinks say "fast food". Come on, even Panera uses silverware. Also the wooden board thing: not appropriate for messy burgers with drippy cheese sauce, which drips onto the table and my lap. (Also, rethink that burger, had to eat it with utensils BC I could not pick it up without a mess.) Porous material (wood boards) is questionably sanitary. 6. Overall: expensive, overpriced. I see from other reviews that the owner is an entrepreneur. LinkedIn tells me s/he owned a dry cleaners. Get a decent restaurant consultant in here and make a few changes! This place has potential but its just annoying and pricey.