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Name:   Crimson4Lif - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 3:36:28 PM

I have to say of the 20 years I have been on the lake around Anchor Bay, Last week I went there....I have never seen the store and restaurant in as bad a shape as it is now. I went to get a bag of ice and went in the store....not one item on the shelves. There was one young guy pumping gas and I asked what was going on and he said "were getting there"....if they are "getting there" I would hate to see it if they were not. I asked about ice he said they had it so I went to the bin....4 bags. The temp was going to be 94 that day. He could not even make change so he gave me the bags free. People were lined up at the pump. Thousands of dollars in boats being stored there in water and dry, yet a store that is basically dwindled down to a big storage unit? Then Suzi Q's....went there for dinner this past weekend. We were the only people there at around 7pm that did not arrive on Harley Davidsons. Atleast 20 or 30 of them there. No problem with bikers but not a great PR thing for a restaurant that is trying to make it's name. The order was all screwed up and they had to take the food back....the food was horribly greasy.....shrimp were like rubber. No wonder no one was eating there. I just don't get it. That place used to be PACKED on Saturdays with wet T-shirt contest and the store was loaded with everything you would need. I just don't get what has happened there. Very sad.



Name:   slownez - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 3:46:01 PM

The 20 or 30 bikers you saw were down for the weekend to donate money to Camp MDA and spend time with the kids. Don't be to quick to judge.



Name:   momo - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 5:06:05 PM

I have never heard anything good about Suzi Q's as far as the service and food. I am amazed it is still in business. WHo owns Anchor Bay now? Of course they don't have anything to do with the food but they need to find a new leasee!




Name:   POLAR - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 5:54:27 PM

I actualy met the old owners of Anchor Bay today. She said they sold 2 years ago and she was upset when I told her of some of the same complaints.



Name:   Crimson4Lif - Email Member
Subject:   Slownez...reread
Date:   6/24/2008 6:30:07 PM

my post. I said "I have nothing against bikers". I simply stated that it doesn't look good from a PR stand point to have a restaurant and the only people in there are people in leather on Harley Davidsons. I realize the rap a biker gets is not fair and I wasn't trying to come across that way. I am glad they were doing such a good deed. I was just shocked that with such a popular marina and the name being out there....the only people eating were bikers. I guess after I ate my meal I know why no one else was there. If anyone knows the owners of that place they really should speak up and tell them to shape up or Sinclairs and Chucks will take the business from them EASILY! Sad because I really liked going there. Nice to sit out on the deck and eat.



Name:   PC Al - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 6:47:33 PM

I will almost always give a restaurant a second chance after a bad experience, but our trip to Suzi Q's a couple of weeks ago was soooo bad, it's one and out for us. Hope something else opens there when they go belly-up because it has such potential. Just get us back to where it was six or eight years ago.



Name:   BDGRIFF - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 7:54:25 PM

I would like to see a place on the water that has a Menu like Poplar Dawgs (adding a few items) but with a boat drive thru. A great environment for family in the daytime and at night live bands every weekend and wet T-shirt contest. Also if you choose to stay on the water to hear the bands play, a john boat that drives from boat to boat taking your order and serving food and beer.

Sounds like a combination of Poplar Dawgs, Chucks and Chimney Rock all in one, adding wet T-shirts contest.



Name:   BDGRIFF - Email Member
Subject:   Also
Date:   6/24/2008 8:10:21 PM

2 White sand Volleyball courts with a Tiki Bar.



Name:   BDGRIFF - Email Member
Subject:   Also
Date:   6/24/2008 8:43:24 PM

A boat dock set up like Sonic. Pull up place order and hang out.

GOOD TIMES!



Name:   Summer Lover - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/24/2008 10:34:31 PM

With Chimney Rock it is timing - I have been to a couple of wet T-shirt contests there without the T-shirts, everyone is a winner. :-)




Name:   BDGRIFF - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/25/2008 12:52:56 AM

I lOVE a wet t-shirt contest.



Name:   old blue chair - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 10:28:24 AM

I am good friends with Suzi........she is trying very hard to make it work. I have put my 2 cents worth in but if i could get more suggestions from the customers then we might get it turned around. Please Help, she is trying to make it a place for us all to enjoy and I think we all could help



Name:   Council Roc Doc - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/25/2008 11:01:30 AM

I'm not sure that Don and Martha have any regrets about selling when they did. I am sure that they would shed a tear or two if they saw what has happened to the store and the lack of any customer service or loyalty. Glad I got my ice when I did on Saturday, but that was the only thing besides gas that could be purchased. Then to top it off, I had to proceed through an Alabama Trooper check point on Castaway Island Road to get home Saturday night. They said they have reports of numerous D's U the I and were cracking down. First time on that road since we have been there.



Name:   greycove - Email Member
Subject:   Suzi Qs
Date:   6/25/2008 11:08:21 AM

Sorry..family and I boated to restaurant last Sunday ($30 in gas). Only four folks there for lunch. Note four and us. We waited 45 minutes for our orders of fish sandwiches. We got two small pieces of fish on a hamburger bun and onion rings. Bun and onion rings were straight from the supermarket. This was $7.95 for bird food proportions.

What shame. This was once one of our favorite places to eat on the lake, had great food. We need more good water access restaurants.



Name:   Swimmer27 - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 11:41:43 AM

I hate to see the negative comments about the place. I remember it in the Castaway Island heyday. It makes my heart sink to see any small business not make it because I understand that it was probably somebody's 'dream' and/or life long ambition. I am sure that the timing of her opening and the extremely dry weather has been a horrible burden. It is hard enough to create a sustainable business (especially a seasonal one) in the best of times.

Why not plan a 'forum party' at Suzy's instead of Chucks some Saturday. Not to take anything away from Chuck's, Greg does a great job, but suzy needs the suport more than Greg at this point. Old Blue Chair could give her heads up so she knows to have staff on hand to handle the crowd. The only way it is ever going to return to glory is with a little loyalty and patronage. I understand it is hard to return after a bad expereince, but one really good weekend might be all it takes to turn the tide for the place.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.



Name:   old blue chair - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 12:14:59 PM

Thanks for the support. I know that the place can turn around and it could only benefit us all. I built her a bar outside and we have had some great times out there. Everyone just let me know and we can make it happen



Name:   Ulysses E. McGill - Email Member
Subject:   From what I'm reading
Date:   6/25/2008 1:38:02 PM

It looks like reasonable service and some quality control on a consistent basis would be the key. I have not been there yet (tried a couple of times but they were closed) but I'm not sure I'm willing with current comments. I will most definitely go IF I start hearing good things, but that remains to be heard.



Name:   old blue chair - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 4:15:14 PM

And the first 3 rounds are on me



Name:   AU1993 - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 4:41:28 PM

We went to Suzi's a few weeks ago and the food was terrible. VERY greasy and most of the fried things were cold. We won't go back until we hear it has gotten better. As for the boat service, be glad they sold/closed. We got taken by the old owners of Anchor Bay.



Name:   John C - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 5:01:33 PM

I am certainly not an expert in the rest. biz, but it seems to me that in the case of a small, seasonal place like suzi's, it would be better to pare down the menu and do 3 things really really well rather than try to do a whole bunch of stuff. That makes it easier to train new folks, and easier to maintain inventory of fresh, good food.

The original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa comes to mind. The only things they served were ribs, white bread out of a bag, and beer in a can. They became world famous.

No need to invent something new. As Chuck's is to pizza, be that to catfish. Or cheeseburgers. Or whatever. Just do it right, consistently.

These comments aren't pointed directly to Suzi, because I haven't been there. I am just speaking about what (very little) I know of restaurants in small markets in general.




Name:   Swimmer27 - Email Member
Subject:   Suggestions for Suzi
Date:   6/25/2008 5:26:04 PM

Very sage advice John. Just a few really good sandwiches with fries or coleslaw is all you need. Make the variety in the beer selection.... :<)



Name:   Swimmer27 - Email Member
Subject:   3 rounds on the chair!!!!
Date:   6/25/2008 5:31:30 PM

Now how can a group of folks turn down an offer like that. I haven't been there yet, but we tried a cuople of weeks ago. It was a Thursday at lunch and the marina and Suzy were both closed. It has a lot of potential and I hope things turn around for her. John C. gave some good advice down below.



Name:   willallie - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/25/2008 10:42:27 PM

I live in the Anchor Bay area and have 30+ years. I would love to see a good quality restaurant at Anchor Bay - not the Boathouse Lounge days. Suzi Q's is trying desperately to make it work. I believe, however, one of the problems is they do not know how to appeal to most of the people on the lake who are looking for a quality place to eat. I have given this place a try (a couple of times) and can honestly say, it is like going to the frozen food section at the local store and picking up something to eat.

Karoake(?) on Friday night is fine - as long as it is during dinner hours. It has, however, gone on later and later. First, it was over at 9:00, then 10:00 and now it is 11:00. It is either a restaurant or a bar.

I don't know how to put this delicately, but I have noticed that the people who go to Suzi Q's to eat/drink are usually not the same caliber as the ones who go to Sinclairs.

We do not need wet t-shirt contests - you can see all the action you want at Chimney Rock. There are too many families around Castaway to be subjected to this behaviour.

While I'm on that subject, Sinclair's is not the world's best food.



Name:   SALESREP - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/28/2008 8:08:16 AM

We rode to Suzi Q's last night in the pontoon boat. (There's something to be said for convenience) And I must say, after reading all the posts listed here I was not sure what we might get or how long it might take. We were there only a few minutes until our waitress took our order....it arrived quickly - and the food was hot and the beer cold...everything was excellent! Our waitress was on the ball and every item we ordered was hot and fresh! (last time we ate at Sinclairs I felt like it was no better than a so-so version of Applebee's - with a much higher price)

BOTTOM LINE - GIVE SUZIE Q'S A CHANCE....SUPPORT HER! THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T KEEP LOCAL RESTAURANTS OR ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR THAT MATTER - IN BUSINESS.....



Name:   old blue chair - Email Member
Subject:   Any news on Anchor Bay...
Date:   6/28/2008 6:53:06 PM

I will pass the compliment along to her. You really can't beat sitting out on the deck enjoying a cool one. Hey what did you think about the outside bar? it's a chair original







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