GG Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Not big enough to pull crowds away from McFaddens, but could be a nice option for the West Siders. Opening May 17th - West 57th St. Alleged buffalo wing creator plants a location in Midtown West Anchor Bar, a Buffalo-based restaurant chain that claims it invented the town’s famous hot wing, will open a Manhattan bar on May 17. It will be the 11th location of the chain, which first opened in Buffalo in 1935 and came up with the recipe in 1964. Here in NYC, the 3,840-square-foot franchise space at 327 West 57th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, will have a dining room area and a sports bar area serving its famous wings — 10 for $13.99 — alongside typical bar fare such as chicken nuggets and pizza “logs.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Bet they taste delish. I'd make a buck 50 wing taste like gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 One in Richmond lasted about 8 months..horrible location and was just to damn big..and the suicides were freaking awful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Fact is they're not close to being the best wings in Buffalo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rochester rob Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 The Rochester location closed after about a year. Duffs is still going as far as I know. Duffs were better than anchor but still not the best in the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Where was this when my wife lived at 59th and 9th! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 2 hours ago, Ifartalot said: Fact is they're not close to being the best wings in Buffalo. The fact is, anywhere can do good wings now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurricane Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Anchor Bar sucks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Anchor Bar is a great, "hey, I've been there!" place. But their wings are very good, at best. I can get better in Glens Falls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 3 hours ago, rochester rob said: The Rochester location closed after about a year. Duffs is still going as far as I know. Duffs were better than anchor but still not the best in the area. The one in Syracuse lasted about 11 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 12 minutes ago, Gugny said: Anchor Bar is a great, "hey, I've been there!" place. But their wings are very good, at best. I can get better in Glens Falls. Saying "very good,at best" tells me you are being kind. I could hook you up with a few places in Cheektowaga (alone) that are better and cheaper....mainly because they are mom and pop family joints...and they don't commit murders in their kitchens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Fong Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 6 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: One in Richmond lasted about 8 months..horrible location and was just to damn big..and the suicides were freaking awful They don't have a very good track record for opening these things. I never went to the one in Richmond, but the one in Vegas was not a good experience. And I say this as someone that actually likes the original location more than most it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 7 hours ago, Dr. Fong said: They don't have a very good track record for opening these things. I never went to the one in Richmond, but the one in Vegas was not a good experience. And I say this as someone that actually likes the original location more than most it seems. feel for the guy in Richmond. Friend of a friend thing..he had never been in the restaurant business, took most of his retirement money to open this thing. Besides the location, no soft opening but a well-advertised opening weekend. Place was a disaster from a service perspective for a solid two weeks and got lit up online. Those reviews never disappeared, Add in the fact he took a giant space that always made the place feel empty..and the location..he stood no shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 (edited) A guy I work with has a client who pulled all his money (or at least a huge chunk) out of his retirement to open one here in SoCal someplace. I think he's crazy. Now maybe he'll do great here in SoCal with all the WNY transplants and I told him I'd help his client promote it but still that's insane to do that with your retirement dollars you've saved your whole working career. Edited May 13, 2018 by Chef Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 1 hour ago, Chef Jim said: A guy I work with has a client who pulled all his money (or at least a huge chunk) out of his retirement to open one here in SoCal someplace. I think he's crazy. Now maybe he'll do great here in SoCal with all the WNY transplants and I told him I'd help his client promote it but still that's insane to do that with your retirement dollars you've saved your whole working career. see above! Thing is, this place has wings, pizza and beer, and while fine in WNY, tough outside of it. The Buffalo pizza style will last about 10 minutes in SoCal..way to doughy and heavy for anywhere outside of Detriot and Chicago!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 3 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: feel for the guy in Richmond. Friend of a friend thing..he had never been in the restaurant business, took most of his retirement money to open this thing. Besides the location, no soft opening but a well-advertised opening weekend. Place was a disaster from a service perspective for a solid two weeks and got lit up online. Those reviews never disappeared, Add in the fact he took a giant space that always made the place feel empty..and the location..he stood no shot. The rate of failure for new restaurants is high. Anyone who has a desire to open a restaurant needs not only do their research in advance but also work in the business even if it is as a trial basis to understand what you are getting yourself into. It becomes a total commitment that consumes your life. There are so many pitfalls associated with staffing, licensing, rent etc. that can sink shortly after the doors get open. Your chances of success are much greater if you have been in the business compared to those who with no experience want to enter the business. As you noted because of the world of social media you can't learn as you go. You have to be ready to offer quality service right from the get go. If that doesn't happen your ship will sink rather quickly. https://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/20/heres-the-real-reason-why-most-restaurants-fail.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 They ran out of wings on the second day of being open.... http://www.syracuse.com/restaurants/index.ssf/2018/05/anchor_bar_runs_out_of_wings_on_its_2nd_day_of_business_in_nyc.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 11 hours ago, Just Jack said: They ran out of wings on the second day of being open.... http://www.syracuse.com/restaurants/index.ssf/2018/05/anchor_bar_runs_out_of_wings_on_its_2nd_day_of_business_in_nyc.html Damn, it’s like they can’t learn from all their previous mistakes in opening these places. Does Anchor Bar offer no assistance or guidance? Do they not share lessons learned with their franchisees? These guys must get all excited about opening weekend receipts, only to see it crumble in a few months. just like in Richmond, these reviews will be at the top of yelp for the next year! Dummies! @Chef Jim, best tell your pal about all these mistakes these guys are making in the opening. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bray Wyatt Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 40 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said: Damn, it’s like they can’t learn from all their previous mistakes in opening these places. Does Anchor Bar offer no assistance or guidance? Do they not share lessons learned with their franchisees? These guys must get all excited about opening weekend receipts, only to see it crumble in a few months. just like in Richmond, these reviews will be at the top of yelp for the next year! Dummies! @Chef Jim, best tell your pal about all these mistakes these guys are making in the opening. There were two actually in Rochester, one down town, one at Marketplace mall, and both failed. The owner of the one at Market place said basically they paid for the name and their only requirement was they had to use the anchor bar sauce on the wings. I heard that it cost like 50k for the name and that was basically the only assistance they got. I remember going with my family and my mom wanted to order their stuffed banana peppers (they have these at the original one) and was told that that is unique to that location and they dont make them outside of there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan5121 Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 On 5/12/2018 at 5:37 PM, plenzmd1 said: One in Richmond lasted about 8 months..horrible location and was just to damn big..and the suicides were freaking awful I live in Virginia about an hour north of Richmond, and by the time I found out there was an Anchor Bar, I then found out it was closing. I missed that short window I guess. Disappointing too because I wanted to go to one in Buffalo back in 2013 (season opener against NE), the last time I was there, and the wait was 1.5 hours. So my wife and I left, and tried to find a Duffs (because I’ve heard of them). We walked in and went to the restroom, and there was a leak from the ceilings, so we left. Seemed kind of dirty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 20 minutes ago, billsfan5121 said: I live in Virginia about an hour north of Richmond, and by the time I found out there was an Anchor Bar, I then found out it was closing. I missed that short window I guess. Disappointing too because I wanted to go to one in Buffalo back in 2013 (season opener against NE), the last time I was there, and the wait was 1.5 hours. So my wife and I left, and tried to find a Duffs (because I’ve heard of them). We walked in and went to the restroom, and there was a leak from the ceilings, so we left. Seemed kind of dirty. Don't feel bad, we live on the SE side of Richmond, and you didn't miss anything.at the Richmond place. The NYC store is not off to a good start either. Can you imagine the Anchor Bar "running out of" wings?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan5121 Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 52 minutes ago, Marv's Neighbor said: Don't feel bad, we live on the SE side of Richmond, and you didn't miss anything.at the Richmond place. The NYC store is not off to a good start either. Can you imagine the Anchor Bar "running out of" wings?? From what I’ve read, the Richmond location was terrible. My brother lives near Short Pump, so I was thinking of going down and swinging by anchor bar since I’d be close. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 42 minutes ago, billsfan5121 said: From what I’ve read, the Richmond location was terrible. My brother lives near Short Pump, so I was thinking of going down and swinging by anchor bar since I’d be close. Oh well. IF they would have had the sense to put it out in the West End, maybe it would still be here? On the other hand, the service was soooo bad, maybe not! Maybe Anchor is not a good franchise concept? There's just so much you can do with a chicken wing. I'm not putting them down BUT Richmond and Chicken Wings don't seem to connect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 On 5/12/2018 at 7:50 PM, Gugny said: Anchor Bar is a great, "hey, I've been there!" place. But their wings are very good, at best. I can get better in Glens Falls. I feel the Anchor Bar kinda sold it's soul when they remodeled. That location had such great character before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 1 hour ago, Marv's Neighbor said: IF they would have had the sense to put it out in the West End, maybe it would still be here? On the other hand, the service was soooo bad, maybe not! Maybe Anchor is not a good franchise concept? There's just so much you can do with a chicken wing. I'm not putting them down BUT Richmond and Chicken Wings don't seem to connect. Service was absolutely fine after the first coupe of weeks... it that perception lives on forever on the internets... do a freaking soft opening !!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 37 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said: Service was absolutely fine after the first coupe of weeks... it that perception lives on forever on the internets... do a freaking soft opening !!!!!!! NOT doing a soft opening is asking for trouble, and they got it from the sounds of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said: Service was absolutely fine after the first coupe of weeks... it that perception lives on forever on the internets... do a freaking soft opening !!!!!!! The soft opening may have helped BUT the location was just plain bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 On 5/12/2018 at 4:06 PM, rochester rob said: The Rochester location closed after about a year. Duffs is still going as far as I know. Duffs were better than anchor but still not the best in the area. Where is the best? We went to Bar Bill in East Aurora last fall when in town it was fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rochester rob Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 15 minutes ago, Dante said: Where is the best? We went to Bar Bill in East Aurora last fall when in town it was fantastic. Bar Bill is fantastic . In Rochester Duffs runs second to Jeremiahs Tavern . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 4 minutes ago, rochester rob said: Bar Bill is fantastic . In Rochester Duffs runs second to Jeremiahs Tavern . There’s a Duffs about 45 minutes from me SW of Atlanta. It’s going to happen soon for lunch, hopefully this week. I loved the wings, but back in the day we went there mostly for the pitchers. It’s too far to Uber..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Augie said: There’s a Duffs about 45 minutes from me SW of Atlanta. It’s going to happen soon for lunch, hopefully this week. I loved the wings, but back in the day we went there mostly for the pitchers. It’s too far to Uber..... The Duffs in the Eastern Hilla mall in williamsville sells a brick oven pizza now its fantastic Edited May 22, 2018 by Buffalo716 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 5 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: The Duffs in the Eastern Hilla mall in williamsville sells a brick oven pizza now its fantastic I will wear my fat pants and keep that in mind! I spent many an hour wandering that mall as a kid. I saw a Spencers Gifts in a mall near me recently......and was drawn in like a moth to light. I had no idea they still existed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 27 minutes ago, rochester rob said: Bar Bill is fantastic . In Rochester Duffs runs second to Jeremiahs Tavern . A little pricey but I have to admit I'm tempted. https://www.goldbely.com/bar-bill-tavern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Just now, Augie said: I will wear my fat pants and keep that in mind! I spent many an hour wandering that mall as a kid. I saw a Spencers Gifts in a mall near me recently......and was drawn in like a moth to light. I had no idea they still existed. Hahahah Spencers and all their oddities lmao I remember I bought my friend a sex doll there for his birthday ? either way the brick oven pizza was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it when you’re back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 4 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: Hahahah Spencers and all their oddities lmao I remember I bought my friend a sex doll there for his birthday ? either way the brick oven pizza was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it when you’re back I plan/pray to be back for the opener, and I’ll keep sex dolls...err, brick oven pizza sounds great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 16 hours ago, Dante said: Where is the best? We went to Bar Bill in East Aurora last fall when in town it was fantastic. Bar Bill is the best, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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