Food and Drink

Sharis Coupons

badgerrr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:44:47 GMT

Way back when Carrows Restaurant went out in Springfield, it left a real lacunae in this towns dining scene. For decades it had been the go-to location for 24 hour sit-down and linger food. Without it, something was just wrong as there was nothing really like it to take it's place. At long last came Sharis; out on Pioneer Parkway (which is close enough to call). Things had been put somewhat to right.

The food there compares favorably and the wait staff has largely been quite good in my experiance. It's kept clean and appears to be well run. But there is one issue with this Sharis (and probably all of them) that should be mentioned. For the most part, Sharis coupons are a trap.

Over this last year, I have tried to cash in perhaps 8 coupons. Have only succeeded about half the time. It seems there is always some little exclusion that will catch you, if ever try to use these in good faith. On one occasion, I recall there was a exclusion day not even printed on my coupon - but a different coupon listed it and the waitress was kind enough to save me before I committed to using the coupon. Another way they get you - if you order an item on special - they refuse to charge regular price on the special and take your coupon (like just about everybody else will do). They will allow you to "save" the 25c special price, but shaft you out of, say, a $8 coupon savings because of it.

Avoid coupons here, and if you must try, remember that your Waitress is your lawyer. Make sure she knows what you are trying to do with that coupon ,right up front, before the order goes out. Don't just leave the coupon on the table and trust she sees it. That's how I got shafted the last time.

It appears that the Sharis coupon program is predicated on a spin of the old car lot practice of bait & switch. Get you in with the loss leader. Get your order made in good faith. Then, once committed, will spring an exclusion on you and insist on following the underhanded rules. Remember, at the car lot, you somehow never had a chance to buy the loss leader automobile - it was always already sold somehow and they wouldn't work the same deal for you with a similar model. "That's the rules - sorry. Now lets look at that powder blue sweetie right here....."

Sure is a black mark for such an otherwise fine establishment. It's rather sad, actually. I don't blame anyone locally for this. It has all the appearance of something cooked up by the corporate Jr G men in Sharis board room. If anyone with any influence with this place chances to see my little note here; can I urge you to drop the coupon program entirely, if this is the way you must run it? Take that funding and give better in store specials instead. This bait & shaft program is just buying your establishment a lot of, otherwise, undeserved ill will.

Favorite Local Mexican Restaurant

badgerrr — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 09:37:08 GMT

My vote would go to Chapala. (the one at 68w 29th ave)

Just got back from there tonight!

Favorite Chinese

badgerrr — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:14:17 GMT

Back in the old daze when I started most of these food threads, I couldn't pin down a favorite Chinese restaurant; so I didn't open this topic. Lots of good Chinese around here. But since then I've had a favorite develop for us. So my first choice is:

Lok Yaun out on West 11th. Fab food and outstanding prices.

But honorable mention should be given to:

Empire Buffet

Kowloon

Golden Orient

Best Local Fish & Chips

badgerrr — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:45:47 GMT

There was a day when there was a lot of great Fish & Chip shoppes around. This is no longer the case. There was G. Willickers, Old English, R&T on Mowhawk in Spfld, the Rose & Thistle out in the University area of Eugene. But now...they are gone....save that Eugene Rose & Thistle.

If I want good Fish & Chips - there's only one place I know to go anymore. The proprietors are no longer "Spring Chickens" either, so I could see them retiring at any time. When that happens I'm gunna be "sure" outta luck.

So if you know a good spot for real Fish & Chips, please chime in. I'm all ears!

Favorite Pizza House

badgerrr — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 14:00:51 GMT

For me, this is dead simple, Joey's on South A in Springfield. Four outstanding reasons for this.

(1) Initial Night. The first letter of your last name is your key to the best deal in town for Pizza. Simple to know your night. If your name is Adams - it's the 1st of the month. If it's Larsen - it's the 12th. You can get a Pepperoni or Canadian Bacon and Pinapple Pizza - any size - for half price plus a buck. Half price is pretty doggone good but when you combine this with........

(2) Some of the best regular prices around ( you really got something). And the great prices aren't just on Pizza. Beer & salads are downright freindly to your wallet at Joey's.

(3) I think they have about the best Pepperoni around . It comes in these small slices that are probably smaller than a 50c pieces. But it's about perfect on a Pizza.

(4) Staff - Have been going to Joey's for decades and they most always got good folks slinging the grated cheeze. It's a family owned outfit and you can get a sense of it as soon as you walk in the door.

Joey's isn't for the guy looking to impress his High maintainace girl friend. It's awful "down home". They don't spend a lotta money on upkeep and fancy tables and such. When you charge these great prices, you can't afford to get fancy. Suits me just FINE!

Thurston Quiznos

badgerrr — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:32:44 GMT

I've had Quiznos subs prior to today. Quality is pretty high. Compared to Subway (the standard bearer of the industry) the food is a bit more expensive, but you do get that extra quality for the money. If one is in the mood for a truely good Sub, the franchise can set you up most anywhere.

Today we had a coupon and wanted to grab a couple quick sandwiches. "Let's go up to the Thurston one". So we came in from the West on Main street. But as I had never been to store #10871 was blissfully unaware that actually getting a vehicle to the location would be such a challenge. Twixt cement barriers on the street and a small lawn planted in front of the resturant; there is no front access. We drove past, intending to turn around in a parking lot - get back on main - turn at 7/11 and attempt to explore a back alley way in. But once in the neighbors parking lot, it looked like we could pioneer our way to the rear without Main Street. After a little exploration, we found ourselves looking at a small parking area in the back. Yup we made it and got our sandwiches (which were quite good). We were almost the only customers. I was not surprised. When it's this hard for customers to actually get to an establishment, it doesn't bode well for business. Who ever laid out the parking/access situation for Thurston Quiznos clearly wants this place to fail. An employee advised me that the owners were going to pull out after the City put in the barrier on the street but were assured it would be removed. So they stayed. Of course, the barrier is still there.

(In short, if coming in to this business from the west, turn left before 7/11 and work your way in from the back)

renees ice cream van

reneeseclipse — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:18:24 GMT

hi i am the ice cream lady do you have alot of children in your neiborhood? do you have a special occasion, birthday party or sporting event that you would like the ice cream van to come to? 22 flavors prices are $1 and $2 i can come down your street. thanks hope to see you soon- renee 359-7428 reneeseclipse@yahoo.com

KidSport & Entertainment Coupon books

badgerrr — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 15:32:51 GMT

I swear by them things (and occasionally at them). I have been doing these sort of coupons since the Gourmet Club daze. For us, they really pay off big time. Actually, if we look at just one G I Joe coupon I use every year to get work boots - the entertainment club pays for itself in that one purchase.

Let's use this thread as a place to compare our experiances with the various merchant/coupons we use. Some of these are real deals! Some are not worth mentioning. A number of places are just flat out of business (don't ya hate driving out to an unfamiliar location only to find your restaurant closed down nearly 2 years ago?!)

Chapala is in Entertainment. That's one I've NEVER let expire. Never will; if I can help it.

Let see, in the Kidsport book the food locations I can recommend is:

Buddy's Diner

Cold Stone Creamery

El Rey Mexican

Izzy's

Johnny Ocean's - OK

Kowloon - for sure!

Mission Mexican - for sure!

Pizza Hut - Pasta one is quite good

Roaring Rapids

Round Table

Skippers - not bad

TCBY

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Big River Grill didn't impress me

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What do YOU recommend or warn us away from?