We're getting a Minado in the Western 'Burbs

[Furious Flav-or]

From one of our own: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...68997&hl=minado

I was running around yesterday orchestrating the purchase of an SUV, and ran into what looks like a work-in-progress in East Norriton in the strip mall on the northwest corner of Swede and Germantown Pike.

The sign in place announces it to be a new Minado chain location, and the bright orange PLCB sticker and the now-hiring sign make me think they're still a bit from being up and running. We shall see what comes from this. As of late, all-you-can-chomp Asian offerings out this way seem to go from bad to horrendous.

If anyone lives close by, would you keep us informed of the apparent progress? And if you have any winners in this category, do spill.

Edited January 9, 2006 by Furious Flav-or (log)

[Furious Flav-or]

Bump and update:

Opens 01/25/06, phone is 610 277 7573 (or 7375, I'm a little foggy).

[Lisa1349]

I noticed this last week when heading to Panera Bread a few doors down. I also drove past the LA fitness there and waved as my weekly visit to the gym. In the same mall but around the front corner is Charlie's Pizza. A fantastic place that does red top pizza - cheese on bottom, sauce on top by request, and it's fantastic!

The space has been empty for more than a year. I will report back.

[Furious Flav-or]

Update:

The sign in their window indicates that they're opening on the 13th of February.

Perhaps this'll be the only thing that keeps me out of Star East.

[Furious Flav-or]

Update:

The sign in their window indicates that they're opening on the 13th of February.

Perhaps this'll be the only thing that keeps me out of Star East.

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Update:

Went and did it tonight with Flavette. The only pics that were taken were of the buffet area from across the dining room and a shot of their brochure and a half-dead plate of crepes. Eventually they'll get here.

I had/sampled udon soup (okay), hibachi steak (after I straightened out the cook via a manager on a serious cross-contamination issue in front of my eyes, they're still learning), shrimp sui mai, pork gyoza dumplings, various sushi, sashimi, BBQ chicken and pork, ceviche (no lime or cilantro present !?), beef tataki, teriyaki beef, prawns with langustine tail, and a pair of mini crepes, one blueberry, the other raspberry, dusted with chocolate and dolloped with crème. The crepes were good, although the person making them didn't quite understand the proper sequence and timing. Hey, it's the second night, you're going to have crepes that are ice-cold in the center, you know?

$27.50 at night on holidays, $25.00 otherwise, less for lunch, Mother's and Father's Days are dinner menu all night long. Bring your Spanish, as you may need it with line people. The waitstaff is about 90% Asian, though.

[Lisa1349]

Last Friday I drove by (again going to Charlie's Pizza and making sure LA Fitness is standing without me) and saw a late night planning session with the new staff.

Now, I ask you, if Minado is a chain why must the public endure 'just opened jitters' with food or service? One of the only attributes of being a chain is that you have other locations to train people in, and corporate structure with training programs before they open the new location. And cross contamination? I'm curious to what the products were, but it's not excusable whether you're open 5 minutes or 5 years.

Even at Taqueria Michocana English is well understood by the staff. A necessity in Norristown and East Norriton. Although many of the residents feature English as their second language, most of the patrons of these establishments are English only.

While you are quite forgiving, I am furious -

[Furious Flav-or]

Last Friday I drove by (again going to Charlie's Pizza and making sure LA Fitness is standing without me) and saw a late night planning session with the new staff.

Now, I ask you, if Minado is a chain why must the public endure 'just opened jitters' with food or service? One of the only attributes of being a chain is that you have other locations to train people in, and corporate structure with training programs before they open the new location. And cross contamination? I'm curious to what the products were, but it's not excusable whether you're open 5 minutes or 5 years.

Even at Taqueria Michocana English is well understood by the staff. A necessity in Norristown and East Norriton. Although many of the residents feature English as their second language, most of the patrons of these establishments are English only.

While you are quite forgiving, I am furious -   

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It was raw and cooked beef. The kid at the hibachi station was moving from raw to cooked product with a brush — slop, slop, slop on the raw, and then sticking the brush back into the sauce, and then slop, slop, slop on the cooked. That requires two brushes or some sort of a sterilizing insert and a cranked steamer, or something.

La Michocacana doesn't get any more of my money, BTW. I shouldn't have to part with a $20 bill to cover the tip and check to get a decent if not spectacular lunch in a taquería. It was more fun when it was edgier and less tourist-friendly. Nowadays it's either Phoenixville and Mariachis or Mexico Lindo/Tata's on the other side of Norristown.

[KatieLoeb]

...in East Norriton in the strip mall on the northwest corner of Swede and Germantown Pike.

This is the same shopping center where the good Specialty PLCB shop is, yes?

I think I saw this last weekend whilst up thatta way and it rang a bell but I couldn't figure out why. Now I realize it was this thread that made it seem familiar.

[Diann]

...in East Norriton in the strip mall on the northwest corner of Swede and Germantown Pike.

This is the same shopping center where the good Specialty PLCB shop is, yes?

I think I saw this last weekend whilst up thatta way and it rang a bell but I couldn't figure out why. Now I realize it was this thread that made it seem familiar.

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Yup, I love me that PLCB store. (It's a great way to spend half my paycheck, and at lunch nonetheless -- how efficient can you get?)

Charlie's Pizza & Beer and a Panera are there too.

[MarketStEl]

Last Friday I drove by (again going to Charlie's Pizza and making sure LA Fitness is standing without me) and saw a late night planning session with the new staff.

Now, I ask you, if Minado is a chain why must the public endure 'just opened jitters' with food or service? One of the only attributes of being a chain is that you have other locations to train people in, and corporate structure with training programs before they open the new location. And cross contamination? I'm curious to what the products were, but it's not excusable whether you're open 5 minutes or 5 years.

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Agreed on the cross-contamination, but as for that part about chains having their act together before the doors open:

Did you ever visit Xando back when it opened at Penn?

That was, I think, their third or fourth location in Philadelphia.

And I recall visiting one of those other locations and experiencing service as relaxed as the atmosphere there as well.

Now, that may have been Xando standard practice, but if you read that Penn Current article I've linked here, the brass didn't regard it as such.

Service at Così is much more attentive now than it was at predecessor Xando then, so someone got the message. Maybe the management after the sandwich shop chain acquired the coffeehouse operator.

But if this is any guide, I wouldn't assume that every chain perfects its practices pre-opening.

[CoolPapaBell]

FTR, I've been to the one that was in metro Hotlanta and failed after a few years. As AYCE sushi goes it's pretty good and the selection is incredible including non-sushi items. It's more like the "super" buffets though a little better.

It's no Fuji but I guess about as good as AYCE sushi will get and fairly reasonably priced. Don't get overly excited but if you live or work close, it's a good lunch bargain if you can make a total pig of yourself like I've been known to do.

[ladydisdain]

Bumping this up to see if anyone's been recently. I've never been, and my husband loves decent buffets. I am not the world's biggest fan of the buffet but am willing to go if it doesn't completely suck. Opinions?