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| Name: |
lakemartintime
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| Subject: |
Oyster House
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Date:
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4/18/2009 8:35:15 PM
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First time for dinner tonight....not quite as good an experience as most posters. Ordered gumbo and was told they wouldn't have gumbo until Monday (no problem), I then asked if they had red beans and rice and was told also Monday (again no problem, until I was leaving and heard another waiter ask his table if they like their red beans and rice)! I then ordered a dozen oysters casino, they delivered a dozen raw, I returned them and less than 2 min latter they delivered 6 oyster casino, when I asked I was told it was $12.95 for six (the menu just says oyster casino not the amount, silly me I guess I'm just use to the gulf coast, (no problem). Now the problem the oysters delivered were small, not baked (almost seemed slightly poached). The menu states the oysters baked with home made butter, green and red bell peppers cream cheese(different but sounded good)and bacon. Mine had only green peppers no cream cheese and a few crumbles of bacon, so basically I got 6 raw oysters for $12.95 when I could have ordered a dozen raw for $8.95. By the time I got the waiter to our table I had already eaten 3 (half my meal, I was hungery), to his credit he said he would bring another order I said no that's OK just tell the cook. They didn't offer to buy a beer or take anything off thee bill (I would not have let them deduct anything from the bill but I would have taken the beer) Now for my wife's crab cakes....they were delicious, lots of crab little filler and baked perfectly. The Balsamic reduction sauce was Honey Mustered but no problem
Hey they just opened..I will go back and try again!!
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| Name: |
Walter
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| Subject: |
Oyster House
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Date:
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4/18/2009 9:37:23 PM
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That sounds like a culinary nightmare. My experience with Dadeville / alex city dining is that if it's not a deep fry kitchen ( a la Oscars , niffers- both of which are good in their own deep fried way) it's usually not very good ( a la The Cove- thank goodness they closed). I'm afraid to try Christophers for fear of the same mediocrity that afflicts Lake Martin area restaurants. Bye the ,I hear the same thing from people from NY and Chicago when they speak of Atlanta restaurants and you know what? I can take it cuz they are right. Unfortunately, the same is true when you compare Atlanta to Dadeville. Fortunately there is a solution. It's called grilling and cooking at home next to the most beautiful lake in the southeast=Lake Martin!! ( see, I do love Lake Martin- they just don't have high end restaurants there. That's all).
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
Oyster House
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Date:
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4/18/2009 10:29:13 PM
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It amazes me that anyone would even think to compare the lake restaurants with Atlanta restaurants, or any where else for that matter. If you come to the lake to eat out, then you've missed the boat. Condo's failed on the Lake Martin, because the same people who like condo's like to eat out--and this ain't an eat out place. Wanna eat out, stay in the city; wanna experience one of life's real treasures come to Lake Martin. The restaurants around the lake barely survive as it is, help them out, by keeping personal opinions to your selves. It ain't Atlanta, or Birmingham, or Montgomery, it's Lake Martin.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
DUDE GO TO CHRISTOPHERS
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Date:
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4/18/2009 11:12:45 PM
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It is not the Cove any more. Order the tuna. It is better than 90% of what you would get in Atlanta.
Anything at Yellowhammer would be that way.
And Chris Hasting the Chef of Hot & HOt Seafood who oversees Springhouse consitently beats all Atl. chefs in national competition as does Birmingham's Frank Stitt.
At Christopher, Yellowhammer and Springhouse you spend some money and you get what you pay for.
At most of the others you spend less money and get indigestion from the fried food.
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| Name: |
Smitty
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| Subject: |
Oyster House
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Date:
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4/19/2009 8:45:21 AM
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Wix - you are so right!!!
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Sounds like
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Date:
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4/19/2009 12:53:27 PM
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For a new restaurant the menu may be a little too ambitious.... Typical error in an attempt to have something for everyone.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
The problem is
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Date:
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4/19/2009 2:30:46 PM
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that a lot of restaurant owners seem to think that the customers are supposed to just suck up their learning curve. The excuse is that they have trouble getting good help around the lake -- well, as a customer, what do I care where they get their help? Let them import some experienced help until the locals can get up to speed. I should not have to pay for their problems -- in fact, their problems should not be obvious to me as a customer. I don't want to have to deal with their lack of experience or their management problems.
There is really no excuse for a bad restaurant experience, whether it is at Lake Martin, Atlanta or B'ham. And if the food is mediocre, then they deserve to go out of business. Just because it is Lake Martin, that isn't an excuse.
And yes, cooking at home is always a delicious option, but sometimes I just want someone else to do the job and I want to enjoy it.
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| Name: |
Oyster
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| Subject: |
The problem is
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Date:
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4/19/2009 4:21:39 PM
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In 1988 I was a young Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C. "America's Guard of Honor" I learned there that the maximum range of an excuse is zero meters. We won't make any at Lake Martin Oyster Bar. As the mananging partner of LMOB I stand behind my staff, and my friends who work in other establishments..It sounds as if some of the posters think we are all backwards, yahoos here incapable of runnung a restaurant without,"out of town help." The fact that we even started a new business in this economy speaks strongly for our TEAM. The "Big Boys" are falling left and right. But, that's what has always made this country great; our refusal to lie down and quit, and our freedom of speech. People float across shark invested waters on leaky rafts to get to the USA. They buy their first hotdog stand and the next thing you know, HOT DOG KING, living the American dream. I try to be an optimist even in the worst of times. I look around LMOB and see alot of smiling faces. We'll make 1,000 people happy. Number 1001, maybe not. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a poor old country boy from Manoy Creek.
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| Name: |
Barneget
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| Subject: |
The problem is
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Date:
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4/19/2009 4:51:02 PM
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IMHO Oyster, the problem is apparent. The issues at LMOB are identical to the issues at the Oyster Bar in Auburn. The result for me, and my family, was that we went from weekly "regulars" to not having patronized that establishment for a full year. The difference is ....... and, as a Manoy Creek fellow, you know this, lake folks aren't as forgiving as college students using a tiger club card. You may want to get your attitude in check, as this doesn't reflect on the staff, it reflects on the organizations leadership.
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| Name: |
Oyster
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| Subject: |
The problem is
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Date:
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4/19/2009 5:23:43 PM
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Organizations leadership is just fine. I am comfortable in debating the issue publicly at any time ... After being open for two weeks, what are we doing so wrong at LMOB? We have a small oyster bar that seats 63 people... We are trying to do something positive here at Lake Martin...I don't understand why so much of this forun is so negative! In fact I think I'll just leave it alone . ....No more post from the Oyster....So many restaurant consultants out of work!!!!!
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| Name: |
Barneget
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| Subject: |
The problem is
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Date:
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4/19/2009 6:03:42 PM
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Oyster, I apologize for offending you, and, as already planned, my family and I will try the LMOB later this week.
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
The problem is
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Date:
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4/19/2009 6:04:36 PM
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Get any two people together and you'll have at least three opinions. I would simply suggest you glean the constructive comments from the bellyaches, and don't make the mistake of thinking you have it perfect. The smart man takes advantage of feedback - good or bad.
I just wish you were on Ala 9 instead of Ala 34 There once was a restaurant in Equality some years back that went Tango Uniform - didn't really have good food and seemed to be more of a beer joint than a restaurant. Nothing wrong with beer, just need good food and a little atmosphere to go along with it.
Any chance you could provide helicopter taxi service? :>)
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Amen! MR. Hodga
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Date:
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4/19/2009 7:09:41 PM
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Some of us would do weird things for a LMOB in Equality. Not gonna' happen, for whatever reason. Lack of density/lack of full-timers, etc.
I think just not enough people nearby who will eat out enough to support a restaurant.
The density is on the East side of LM, associated with larger developments and easier access from Dadeville and Alex City.
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| Name: |
Spot Remover
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| Subject: |
Amen! MR. Hodga
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Date:
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4/19/2009 7:18:27 PM
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If anyone of the oyster lovers on this forum had seen the oysters served up Friday night, they would wonder about the intentions of management. I could have put all 12 on 2 crackers. Very unreasonable charging $8.25 for little more than a mouthfull, and BTW, I'm not from the city. Fried shrimp was OK, though.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I haven't been to your
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Date:
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4/19/2009 8:06:19 PM
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establishment, so I'm not speaking of your establishment specifically.
However, a number of people (customers) here have posted of less than stellar experiences. It appears to me, by your posts in response, is that you are in a learning curve -- what I hear you saying is "bear with us" and the fact is, why should the paying customer have to "bear with you"? The fact that you are a small restaurant doesn't seem relevant -- some of the very best meals I've ever eaten were in small restaurants. It has to do with the dedication of the ownership to making each individual experience unforgettable.
For example, when the gentleman that posted about his wife's drink order that you didn't have the components for TWICE -- instead of having her order a beer, why didn't your bartender say "hey, let me make her my specialty and by the way it's on the house." That would be memorable. Even if she didn't like the drink, she would smile at the memory.
If you run out of gumbo, can't your chef throw together an alternative and bill it as a "special"? Or offer an alternative at a discount?
You are still trying to build a cliental. The fact that you have oysters is what will bring people in initially, but what will keep them coming back? From what various people have reported, the quality of your oysters has not been exceptional. Probably not your fault, but when you are building a cliental, they'll remember and they'll remember what you did about it.
While your military service is commendable and I'm deeply appreciative of it, I don't really see what bearing it has on your restaurant.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
I have been to your
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Date:
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4/19/2009 9:13:34 PM
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I have been to the oyster house and had the Oysters Rockefler.
THEY WERE EXECELENT. The only problem was that they were so good I wanted more than they gave me.
I could have ordered more but I did not want anyone to think I was Charles Barkley
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
'Hound
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Date:
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4/19/2009 10:26:39 PM
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You're beginning to sound like your messiah. You're making judgements about something you've never experienced, have only other posts to make your judgement from; yet you are telling a businessman how to run his business with absolutely no experience yourself. If I'm not mistakened you were a career government employee with no real world business experience. Don't you feel a little foolish?
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| Name: |
Oyster
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| Subject: |
I haven't been to your
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Date:
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4/19/2009 10:50:02 PM
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My military experience as well as my days on the football field helped build the foundation for everything I've done in my life. My succeses, and the strength and fortitude to withstand my failures. Those experiences are relevant to everything.
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Amen! MR. Hodga
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Date:
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4/19/2009 11:16:14 PM
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I'm afraid you are absolutely right about the density factor. Maybe that is why we like the Parker Creek area so much. Oh well, we may not be able to have our cake and eat it too, but we can surely ask for a slice!!
Maybe we can talk Hound into opening a burger shack at her new house. Then we could just motor over there and wolf down a burger and a beer amidst some serious political discourse.......uh, never mind, leave off that last part. Might ruin a perfectly good burger.
Hound, you in?
:>)
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
LOL....
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Date:
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4/20/2009 8:13:39 AM
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Good one!
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
UH-OH
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Date:
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4/20/2009 8:18:06 AM
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You saw the 82nd airborne post didn't you. You'd better got on over there before a parachute opens over your front yard.... LOLOL!
Oh...all you guys need to lighten up. Most of the advice has been good hearted and well intentioned and I think Oyster is a little thin skinned but trying hard to succeed.... and I think he will.
Peace!
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Yall are brutal...
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Date:
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4/20/2009 9:09:17 AM
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Sure am glad I don't have a restaurant close by yall. LOL.
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| Name: |
Spot Remover
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| Subject: |
Yall are brutal...
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Date:
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4/20/2009 10:07:29 AM
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Yep, the facts hurt a little. However, I'm sure that the posters want to see the restaurant succeed. A suggestion on the small oysters is to make sure the patrons know what they are getting. Also, charging $6.00 per dozen for the extra small ones would be an idea. And, the manager should take the supplier to task on the size. Larger oysters are available this time of year. (all for what it's worth)
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I don't feel foolish. My comments were directed about the customer service side of the business -- and believe me, I had customers that I had to satisfy in the government, so I know something about customer service. The principles are the same, regardless of the business that they are applied to. People here gave some very valuable critiques of their experiences, yet from what I read, Mr. Oyster was just blowing them off and then posted that everyone was "negative" and a restaurant critic. Based just on his responses to the problems, it's likely I will never venture over to his establishment.
Additionally, I have been eating out my whole life. The man referred to everyone as a "restaurant critic" -- and anyone who eats out is in effect, a restaurant critic. I've eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the country, and some of the smallest and had bad and good experiences at both.
You don't just sling a business on the public. You have to build a business.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I haven't been to your
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Date:
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4/20/2009 11:06:31 AM
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Well, that's fine for you as a person, but did it also teach you to be defensive when some of your customer base is giving you valuable feedback????
I don't think so. Spent 32 years working for the DoD. lots of military culture and I think the military teaches you to listen up, suck it up and drive on.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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Amen! MR. Hodga
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Date:
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4/20/2009 11:11:58 AM
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Don't know about opening a burger shack, although I do love a good hamburger, but a hamburger get together might be possible this summer. We could even argue politics, but then DH wouldn't join us. He's about ready to smack me over all these political discussions.
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| Name: |
Oyster
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| Subject: |
I haven't been to your
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Date:
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4/20/2009 11:46:41 AM
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I have taken all of the comments and criticism to heart. I ask every customer for honest feedback..The experience here at LMOB has been very, very, positive. If someone has a problem, and the problem is brought ot our attention, we comp em' like Vegas....address the issue with staff...and move forward..My defensiveness comes from blatant attacks from people who have never been to the place, especially when the comments make us look bad to the rest of the world via internet....As far as my military service, it was not meant to be an issue one way or the other....I came to this forum with a positive attitude...I have quickly learned what some of it is all about....Now I will go and make my bank deposits.....LMOB has A LOT OF FANS!!!!! In the words of the infamous Don King, "Only in America, The streets are paved with gold!!!"
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| Name: |
Oyster
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| Subject: |
No
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Date:
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4/20/2009 11:55:34 AM
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Never used the words restaurant critic, and in that post I wasn't refering directly to LMOB, but the attacks on the overall industry here at the lake...This whole thread is getting really dilluted and out of text. Lets all move forward...
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Yall are brutal...
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Date:
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4/20/2009 12:26:21 PM
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Simply an observation for what it is worth (GF will probably say it isn't worth anything).
Had a dozen at Jubilee Seafood in Montgomery Friday night.
1. Big, fat, juicy, succulent, and very tasty
2. $11.95/dozen.
3. Some restaurants in the big cities (like mcCormick and Schmick's) charge up to two bucks - per oyster)
Oyster, if yours are the size being reported (disclaimer: I am just going on what I read here),I personally (and I'd imagine others) would pay three or four bucks more per dozen if you were to be able to find out where Jubilee gets theirs and use the same supplier.
That being said, I am still waiting for someone to open that helicopter taxi service so I can get over there from Parker Creek!!
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
Amen! MR. Hodga
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Date:
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4/20/2009 12:27:26 PM
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Agree to the "no politics" comment. It would take all the fun out of posting here because we would probably find that we agree on more than we disagree.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
A solution to your problem...
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Date:
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4/20/2009 3:16:25 PM
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I'll tell your wife about Plantation House which is a store right around the corner from LMOB -- decorative items, clothing, jewelry, and when I get done telling her what they have, SHE'll drive YOU over there, and you can give it a try. Have no idea if you'll like LMOB, but I can probably guarentee that your wife will love the store. LOL!!
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
A solution to your problem...
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Date:
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4/20/2009 3:34:00 PM
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A helicopter taxi ride would be cheaper.....
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
A solution to your problem...
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Date:
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4/20/2009 8:18:45 PM
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No doubt it would. It's the kind of store that women love and men just roll their eyes.
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