So it sounds like this place is a success.  I might have to take the kids.

 

Yeah, I mean, it's pretty much like a themed Applebees or something.  The prices and food quality are about the same.  It is funny to watch people get thrown off the mechanical bull though :)

 

That's about how I describe it, a cross between Applebees and a medieval dungeon.

 

That's sounds hot!

 

Suit yourself.  But speaking of hot, the firepit is a brilliant idea and should be duplicated.

So it sounds like this place is a success. I might have to take the kids.

 

Yeah, I mean, it's pretty much like a themed Applebees or something. The prices and food quality are about the same. It is funny to watch people get thrown off the mechanical bull though :)

 

That's about how I describe it, a cross between Applebees and a medieval dungeon.

 

That's sounds hot!

 

Suit yourself. But speaking of hot, the firepit is a brilliant idea and should be duplicated.

 

I'm becoming less and less a fan of this place the more I see and hear about it.

I think it was a good idea because E.4th was lacking this type of place.  My only concern is that it might be taking away from the WD.   

 

Anyone hear if that's true? 

I think it was a good idea because E.4th was lacking this type of place.  My only concern is that it might be taking away from the WD.   

 

Anyone hear if that's true? 

 

I don't understand why people think one new - key word new - business would hurt the WHD?

 

The same thing was said when East 4th establishments came online.  Naysayers wondered who would shop/dine/play on East 4 in "dead downtown cleveland" and it would be the "death of the WHD".  It been a much needed addition to Downtown and the region as a whole.

 

There is MORE than enough money to go around or people wouldn't come out.  The goal is to have business that appeal to everyone.  High End, Chain, Speciality, Budget, Mid Level, etc.

 

Once the Novelty of CR wears off (around MLK as between MLK and Valentines day is a  very slow retail/dining period), we'll then see how things go.

Me and some of my friends went to the Cadillac ranch and the conected barroom place. The barroom was cool, we were there for about two hours, then decided to get something to eat at the ranch side.

 

While we went up and the waiter was about to take us to our seats the security guard told my one friend to take off his cap and put it in a box they had at the ront door. My friend didn't want to do it because there was nothing to stop someone for saying his hat was theirs. He argued with the head of security, and by argue I mean talked to negotiate, but the security guard wouldn't have it and eventually started physically shoving him through the doors of the establishment. my other friend said she could put the hat in her purse, but the security guard wouldn't let him back in. I asked to see a manager and when he came out I told him what happened and he said he would have to hear the security manager's side of the story. So I said well let's find him and let me see the regional manager. The regional manager was in a meeting supposedly.

 

We found the head of security and he said "I'll tell you what my side of the story is, you al have to get out." The manager was of no help. To make it worse there was at least 5 other people in the restaurant near the door that had caps on, but weren't told to take them off. I'm not saying this had anything to do with race, but as a few of the only blacks in the place being accosted by security while other white patrons could wear their caps pisses me off. I will be contacting their corporate offices and will NEVER return to this establishment again.

Call Carl and Action News.  This is right up their collective alley's.

Call Carl and Action News. This is right up their collective alley's.

 

Damn right. If not them, try Ed Gallek at Channel 19.

Call Carl and Action News.  This is right up their collective alley's.

 

Damn right. If not them, try Ed Gallek at Channel 19.

An added thought.  In this age of "instant media" I hope you AND your friends were smart enough to pull out the trusty camera phone/iphone/pda and record this incident.  :wink:

 

Make sure you got proper names and took really good notes on what took place.

 

Oh and after reading this, sounds like MTS doesn't need to make a trip to this establishment.

this doesn't seem newsworthy...all your friend had to do was remove his ballcap and none of that would of transpired.

Me and some of my friends went to the Cadillac ranch and the conected barroom place. The barroom was cool, we were there for about two hours, then decided to get something to eat at the ranch side.

 

While we went up and the waiter was about to take us to our seats the security guard told my one friend to take off his cap and put it in a box they had at the ront door. My friend didn't want to do it because there was nothing to stop someone for saying his hat was theirs. He argued with the head of security, and by argue I mean talked to negotiate, but the security guard wouldn't have it and eventually started physically shoving him through the doors of the establishment. my other friend said she could put the hat in her purse, but the security guard wouldn't let him back in. I asked to see a manager and when he came out I told him what happened and he said he would have to hear the security manager's side of the story. So I said well let's find him and let me see the regional manager. The regional manager was in a meeting supposedly.

 

We found the head of security and he said "I'll tell you what my side of the story is, you al have to get out." The manager was of no help. To make it worse there was at least 5 other people in the restaurant near the door that had caps on, but weren't told to take them off. I'm not saying this had anything to do with race, but as a few of the only blacks in the place being accosted by security while other white patrons could wear their caps pisses me off. I will be contacting their corporate offices and will NEVER return to this establishment again.

 

That's gonna be a tough one, bars can kick people out for pretty much anything they want.. and unless there are other people who have had several situations, I'm gonna guess a news channel won't waste their time looking into it.

this doesn't seem newsworthy...all your friend had to do was remove his ballcap and none of that would of transpired.

 

Uh, did you not see this part? "I'm not saying this had anything to do with race, but as a few of the only blacks in the place being accosted by security while other white patrons could wear their caps pisses me off." Sorry, this is 2008, not 1958.

 

And while this may not be a big deal for a news station, it might not help Cadillac Ranch to be known as a place with racist security staff along with the bad publicity heaped on them by the union folks. Do you think I'd steer my event planning friends to a place with that kind of rep?  :|

^^I don't know - the security guard acting abusive, possibly prejudicial, and the manager either ignoring or acquiescing this kind of conduct makes me wary of a place like that and the public should know about this behavior. 

 

 

As a general policy I've long ago stopped believing people's accounts of how reasonable they were when they were arguing with security.  It's never a fair retelling.

Welcome to Cleveland, make sure you insult unions and blacks right away!  Great business plan...

 

That story makes me not wanna go back there either.  I've already had some minor problems with them.  Twice they've tried to charge me cover at the door, once when I'd already been there for hours and just went to the entryway to use the MAC.  Both times the door person demanded money, I raised a stink, and then some manager type came in to magnanimously let me in "free."  Makes me wonder how many people get suckered into paying.  It doesn't take much protest before they drop the charge, so why ask for it in the first place?  In my world, you don't charge cover unless you have a band.  You also never tell your paying customers what they can and can't wear, unelss what they're wearing is blatantly offensive to other customers.  Telling people they have to take off their hat in some hick style BBQ place is beyond crazy.  Get em out, put something else there.  Keep the patio fireplace though.

This is all alleged.  There is no known truth to that entire story.  The only way to find out if you like a place or not is by having your own experience.

Well, isn't everything alleged until proven?  It doesn't mean we don't put some, even a nominal, amount of faith in these kinds of stories, especially if there are other similar anecdotes.

 

I don't have a problem with a restaurant imposing a dress code (if a restaurant wants to ban baggy clothes or hats it's their perogative) but this whole cover charge ordeal (usually the money goes straight to the bouncers up to a certain amount, then the restaurant/bar gets a small percentage) was ridiculous and if it happened to you twice, then it's been happening to others for sure

How does security ever have an legitimate interest in someone's hat?  Did he think there was a gun under there?  Does he think there's a gun under all hats?  If they're not giving you a coat-check ticket, you have a right to wonder if you're getting your stuff back, and wonder why they want your stuff in the first place.  Unless he was hitting someone with his hat, security was in the wrong from the beginning.

That's fine if the rules are applied equally. If not, then the enforcer of the rule needs to be questioned.

How about we wait and see if Mov2Ohio gets any resolution to this, and get back to the topic? :-)

Restaurants prohibit hats to be fair.  In addition to etiquette issues, some restaurants and perhaps patrons have concerns with people wearing do-rags (however unreasonable that fear is) and since black people (presumably) are the ones who predominantly wear them, to be fair restaurants just restrict all hats. 

 

I hope I don't draw ire with that comment - it's just what I've been told from friends who work at restaurants.

 

 

It's called a dress code.  The owner of a private establishment has the right to impose one, and many do so in order to maintain an atmosphere that is appealing to their clientele.  Many places don't allow hats.  The question is if the dress code was fairly applied.

I'm not overly fond of dress codes, which may be a minority position.  I think they invite unfair application because you're already separating people into desirable and undesirable.  Such distinctions rarely solve more problems than they cause.

OK...I'll refrain from commenting on the situation, which is why I asked in my earlier post, if Mov & company took pictures or video.

 

That is his best way to prove his case.

 

As with any situation, there is three sides.  Your side, his/her/their side and the truth!

 

Keep us posted on what happens. 

 

This is all alleged.  There is no known truth to that entire story.  The only way to find out if you like a place or not is by having your own experience.

I agree, but when an intelligent college student goes out to a casual restaurant and things - as described - detriorate to that level, something is not right.

 

Luckily it wasn't me I would have had TMZ all up in that bitch!

If they're going to have a "no hats" dress code then they shouldn't let you in if you are wearing one, and if you have to check it, it should be at a proper and securely staffed coat check.  If they had a no coat policy, you couldn't reasonably be expected to show up without a coat or to throw your coat into a bin with hundreds of others, hoping it would be there when it was time to leave. 

 

I went there yesterday for lunch. Food was awful.  No reason to go back.

If they're going to have a "no hats" dress code then they shouldn't let you in if you are wearing one, and if you have to check it, it should be at a proper and securely staffed coat check.  If they had a no coat policy, you couldn't reasonably be expected to show up without a coat or to throw your coat into a bin with hundreds of others, hoping it would be there when it was time to leave. 

 

Agreed.

 

 

I went there yesterday for lunch. Food was awful.  No reason to go back.

Are you sure?  You know you have a very specific wants/needs/expectations (based on some of your previous posts on restaurants / grocery stores) and I mean that in a way that in a good way.  We're a little older and have more developed palettes than there target audience.  ;)

If they're going to have a "no hats" dress code then they shouldn't let you in if you are wearing one, and if you have to check it, it should be at a proper and securely staffed coat check.  If they had a no coat policy, you couldn't reasonably be expected to show up without a coat or to throw your coat into a bin with hundreds of others, hoping it would be there when it was time to leave. 

 

 

Agreed.

 

 

I went there yesterday for lunch. Food was awful.  No reason to go back.

Are you sure?  You know you have a very specific wants/needs/expectations (based on some of your previous posts on restaurants / grocery stores) and I mean that in a way that in a good way.  We're a little older and have more developed palettes than there target audience.  ;)

 

It's true, I'll acknowledge I'm a foodie but I like lowbrow just as much as the next person.  I'll give you an example.  I had a small event at the Lizard a couple of weeks ago and this is buffet food mind you. I ordered chicken fingers, fried ravioli, potato skins, wings, veggie trays, etc.  I actually thought it was all really good and was really pleased with their service as well, I'd definitely eat there myself again or host an event there, and I told mr. rockandroller next time we're in the mood for bar food and in the neighborhood of one of the locations, we should give them another try.

 

Yesterday I thought I'd give them a shot at bar food since apps are usually done pretty well.  Cheese sticks - awful in my opinon and the 2 people I ate with.  BBQ pork "sliders" - awful. I ate half of one sandwich and would never want to eat it again.  One person I was with ate half of another one and agreed it wasn't good. Fries were served with it, ice cold.

 

Mov2Ohio- sorry that this incident happened to you.  That is one place that I won't be visiting as well.

Mov2Ohio- sorry that this incident happened to you.  That is one place that I won't be visiting as well.

 

Humm.  I too am sorry this happened, but not going based on Mov's experience isn't the right thing to do, unless it proven/reveled there is (an ongoing) series of occurrences similar to his.

 

I want to go, but now, If I do go, Ill be very cautious.

bouncers are d*cks... everywhere. and the second you question a bouncers authority you are getting tossed.  It's not a democracy.  They don't want to "negotiate".  They are right, you are wrong.  If you happen to run into one of those guys when they're in a bad mood, you're screwed.  That's not "cadillac ranch".  That's everywhere.  I've seen it happen at many different types of places in many different cities, starting when I was in college.  It's a shame that some of the guys that work "security" at bars and clubs are d*cks, but that's just the way it is.

 

ADD:  and I'm with docbroc.  I ate there a couple weeks ago.  And i didn't think it was that bad.  I had a burger and thought it and the fries were every bit as "lizardy" as the lizard.  I think it's standard casual fare, nothing more, nothing less.

I also am sorry if this was the case.  However, I ate there, and although the service was crappy (before the browns/broncos thursday night game) They did reimburse the 4 of us with a round of beers and each of us got a piece of chocolate cake for dessert.  I also do NOT like chains, I will always go to a cultural gem first, but even if you have had a bad experience there, I think it is important not to throw the place under the bus for the rest of the city.  I mean we dont want the place to have a FOR RENT sign on it again, do we? I dont know mayeb we do.  It offers a less expensive alternative for sports fans and business lunchers, and i think thats how i will advertise it, not a place with crappy service.

Okay, I'm not sure what the situation is that ya'll are talking about, but for those of you who have been there, I have a few questions. This is my last week in Cleveland and I thought about going there for dinner. Is it A) Worth going to and B) whats the food like? Any suggestions? Thanks guys!

I also am sorry if this was the case. However, I ate there, and although the service was crappy (before the browns/broncos thursday night game) They did reimburse the 4 of us with a round of beers and each of us got a piece of chocolate cake for dessert. I also do NOT like chains, I will always go to a cultural gem first, but even if you have had a bad experience there, I think it is important not to throw the place under the bus for the rest of the city. I mean we dont want the place to have a FOR RENT sign on it again, do we? I dont know mayeb we do. It offers a less expensive alternative for sports fans and business lunchers, and i think thats how i will advertise it, not a place with crappy service.

 

So would you go back, even if your experience wasn't the best? How was the food?

I mean-the food was much like a roadhouse, large portions, not bad.  Let's put it this way, i wouldnt take my girlfriend there for a date, but I would go there before an indians game with some guys to drink and eat some appetizers.  The outdoor patio is awesome to watch the bus system go by.  I rarely judge a restaurant by its service, because sometimes there are reasons why its bad (huge crowd for a browns game)...If you are here in Cleveland for one last week and you havent tried some of the true culinary treats, i would suggest spending more and eating at one of those "If you are ever in Cleveland, you must go here"  places.  If you jsut want to have some beers with dinner and eat american food, then go there by all means, I wont say dont go.

It's all about expectations. The place is fine, nothing more nothing less. If you like Applebees or Chilis then you'll be ok. But what sets it apart from those other places is that they took a chance on downtown Cleveland while the other places didn't. So in that respect I will cut it some slack. Besides I like it so much better than what was there before-NOTHING.

^Agreed 100%

It's all about expectations. The place is fine, nothing more nothing less. If you like Applebees or Chilis then you'll be ok. But what sets it apart from those other places is that they took a chance on downtown Cleveland while the other places didn't. So in that respect I will cut it some slack. Besides I like it so much better than what was there before-NOTHING.

 

I agree, yet Mov's situation cannot just be swept under the table.

 

You can be the best "niche" restaurant in the world, but if you have BAD SERVICE and it widely know your service is bad.  That will kill your restaurant quicker than any new york minute!

 

The restaurant is new.  Lets hear from Mov after he reports his complaint.  If they do nothing, that will be a tell-tell sign they don't care for 20 something people of color (and I'm not sure if mov's entire party was black/people of color).

 

The bottom line is they need to nip situations like this in the bud and do some serious "training".

^I agree on the MOV situation. Hopefully it can be resolved.

I mean-the food was much like a roadhouse, large portions, not bad. Let's put it this way, i wouldnt take my girlfriend there for a date, but I would go there before an indians game with some guys to drink and eat some appetizers. The outdoor patio is awesome to watch the bus system go by. I rarely judge a restaurant by its service, because sometimes there are reasons why its bad (huge crowd for a browns game)...If you are here in Cleveland for one last week and you havent tried some of the true culinary treats, i would suggest spending more and eating at one of those "If you are ever in Cleveland, you must go here" places. If you jsut want to have some beers with dinner and eat american food, then go there by all means, I wont say dont go.

 

Well I graduate on the 14th so I guess you're right about going to one of those one of a kind/Cleveland places. Any suggestions? But I will check out this place. I like Applebees so as you said, this is sort of like it. Plus I'm curious to see what it looks like on the inside! Thanks for the help guys!

I mean-the food was much like a roadhouse, large portions, not bad.  Let's put it this way, i wouldnt take my girlfriend there for a date, but I would go there before an indians game with some guys to drink and eat some appetizers.  The outdoor patio is awesome to watch the bus system go by.  I rarely judge a restaurant by its service, because sometimes there are reasons why its bad (huge crowd for a browns game)...If you are here in Cleveland for one last week and you havent tried some of the true culinary treats, i would suggest spending more and eating at one of those "If you are ever in Cleveland, you must go here"  places.  If you jsut want to have some beers with dinner and eat american food, then go there by all means, I wont say dont go.

 

Well I graduate on the 14th so I guess you're right about going to one of those one of a kind/Cleveland places. Any suggestions? But I will check out this place. I like Applebees so as you said, this is sort of like it. Plus I'm curious to see what it looks like on the inside! Thanks for the help guys!

 

We have so many great restaurants - go somewhere else.  Table45 is awesome and you'll help a fellow UO'er out!

I ate at Cadillac Ranch yesterday for the second time. First time i went i got the bbq bacon cheeseburger with fries which was pretty good. Good crowd at 12:30 when we were sat, mostly suits which is the norm all around downtown at that time of day. I got the $8.95 mac and cheese and asked to add chicken to it, server said no problem but it would be a couple bucks extra (2 to 4 bucks top im thinking), well according to the bill it was $6.50!!! The mac and cheese good, nothing spectacular but i dont think thats really to be expected there. Ive been twice and i will go back. I also went on a thursday night after dinner at Pickwick and the place was crowded, all the tables were sat and there were people crowded around the 3 bars in the front part of the building. I dont think they had the club open in the back though.

It is what it is, a chain restaurant that looks like a fun and exciting place to people who may not know a whole lot about the cleveland food scene. Its like any chain restauratn around, going in you know its average food, average service, at an average price, but people still go because its something their familiar with and they know what to expect. Maybe the location isnt the best for a place like this, but i deff think downtown needs places like this for people looking just for what it offers.

My initial thought when all of this happened was contact Sharon Reed, and the team at Action news. We documented everything and have pictures and a witness was one of the Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors. I'll keep you guys posted.

Hi everyone, since Cadillac Ranch/Barroom is now open - can we please post reviews about it in the "Cleveland Restaurants" thread?

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,10097.msg355190/boardseen.html#new

 

This thread should be reserved for the May Company building's construction-specific posts. Thanks!

Tri-C to rent space in old May Co. in Cleveland for culinary learning center

 

Cuyahoga Community College will set up shop at one of the remaining storefront spaces in the May Co. building downtown for what is being billed as a culinary learning center...

 

for more information:  http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/03/tric_to_rent_space_in_old_may.html

I think this is great news.  I hate the graffiti entrance/eye-sore that is right next to the Cadillac entrance, so hopefully this will take care of it.

Glad to see this spot being filled.  Anything planned yet for the corner of E4 and Euclid  to completely fill in Euclid between PS and E6?

I heard about this a couple weeks ago and forgot about it.  This is great news.

There was a point MRN was trying to get the school to open in the bottom of it's "new" building on Lorain & 25th across from the west side market.  Personally I think that would have been a better fit, but this certainly should help with the continued development of Euclid.

I wasn't thrilled with the concept of a yet another chain, seemingly corny joint like Cadillac Ranch going into our venerable May's Dept store.  I've softened, esp after visiting there last week.  It's a fun place; the old time Urban Cowboy mechanical bull is great and sitting outside in the bitter cold in front of the fire pit was fun, though a little weird -- I had to keep glancing down at my shirt cuff as the licking fingers of flame came w/in inches of it... Most importantly CR has added some juice back to Public Sq at night, esp weekends when the joint is jammed and there's a line half way to E. 4th to get in (as well as crowds at the Bar Room next door)... I'd prefer retail in May's, but CR is a giant leap forward over the desolate dump that was the junction of Euclid/East Roadway.  CR along with the frequent HOB concerts has created more foot traffic btw E. 4th... and Theresa's Pizzeria seems to be reaping the bennies.

 

I think Tri-C's culinary center can only help.  Even moreso, they could rake in customers with decent, discount food at its restaurant.

There was a point MRN was trying to get the school to open in the bottom of it's "new" building on Lorain & 25th across from the west side market.  Personally I think that would have been a better fit, but this certainly should help with the continued development of Euclid.

 

Let's have one in both places.  There's a culinary school operating out in Chesterland, I can't remember the name.  Have them come in or open a branch.  This CCC thing is perfect for that space downtown though.  It ties in with E 4th and it puts our new calling card right on the square.  I don't think we could possibly overdo the upscale culinary theme right now.  We could get to the point that it alone justifies a new hotel.