| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 8:59:04 AM
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I can't believe how bad Sinclairs is ... but there is no other choice on this part of the lake. We broke down and went last night ... just did not feel like cooking. First the tables are dirty. I hate putting my flatware on them. The dont change between courses and take them off your plate and put used knives and forks on the table. We ordered a bottle of wine and i don't ask for an expert, but they dont know one from the other. They have no idea how to open a bottle, then they stick the cork back in. What is a matter with these people. This is reastaurant basic training. I ordered the She Crab soup and it came cold. Guess the did not microwave long enough. My wife ordered the Grouper special and she hated it, I had the grilled chicken salad and they were out of Blue cheese dressing and some of the chicken we so under cooked i just stopped eating. My son had the chicken sandwich with fries and he liked his sandwich, but the fries were right out of a bag. Bag fries are fine for a diner, but at their prices people should expect and get better quality. As soon as something else opens I see a mass boycott of Sinclairs. They deserve it, they have been ripping people off for a long long time do to lack of options. Just because there is no choice you don't take advantage of the hand that feeds you ... or sooner or later it will bite you in the behind.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Not Surprised
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Date:
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7/6/2008 9:18:53 AM
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Restaurants are really struggling right now although that's not an excuse. People are not eating out as much. Revenues are down and expenses are going through the roof. I think most are trying to survive. Most diners don't have a clue.
The restaurants here I suspect have always operated on a very thin line given the seasonality and lousy economics of the base population. Add to that the skyrocketing cost of food and fuel you have a problem. I say lets support the best ones and help them get through it. I'm surprised we have the selection & quality we have.
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| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 10:03:27 AM
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I'm sorry you had a bad experience there. My wife wanted to go to Sinclairs Saturday for brunch. We arrived just after 11am and I was prepared for a long wait with slow service but boy was I wrong. There was a good crowd but we were treated with good service and very good food prepared just right. I don't go out often at the lake but I am happy to have Sinclairs.
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| Name: |
LakeDawg
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 10:50:19 AM
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My girl friend and I had a great meal and loved the ambience last night at Sinclair's. I've owned a home on the lake for over 5 years, but this was our first time to eat there. We're on the north end so we usually frequent Oscar's, Niffer's or Cecil's. It was about a 30 minute drive, but I will be back. While dining on the patio with the boats coming and going, it reminded me of Destin on a smaller scale. Our waitress was very professional and attentive. I suspect you had the misfortune of being served by one of the necessary summer hires who lack the training or experience needed to please a wine expert such as yourself. My son spent his July 4th eating hot dogs & chips with his fellow Marine buddys in Iraq while protecting your rights to complain about a wine cork. Lighten up and be glad you live where you have a choice of where to eat. Happy Holiday!!
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| Name: |
ot
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| Subject: |
under cooked chicken
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Date:
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7/6/2008 12:58:19 PM
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under cooked chicken is not to be taken lightly! it can make you really sick, it happened to me about 4 years ago...not good!!!
the last time I ate at Sinclairs was about 2 years ago. my husband and I had a terrible waiter (summer help no doubt). when I go out to eat I expect the same service and quality every time...our waiter had not been trained properly, which made us have a bad experience, which caused us to never want to return.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 1:54:50 PM
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Not sure how fighting in Iraq has anything to do with a bad dinning experience. I fully support your sons efforts, but my freedom allows me to also say when a place is bad. I have lived on the lake for nearly 10 years and that place has always been bad in terms of service and quality of food. It is over priced no matter what way you slice it and i am one that goes out to eat frequently in Atlanta and will spend $150 on a bottle of wine without blinking an eye.
As I have said many times, i dod not expect the same quality or service at the lake, but I do expect well cooked food, a clean restaurant and at least basic service quality. The prices they charge, in case you did not know, are at levels you can get a near fine dinning restaurants in Atlanta.
It is about time with homes in the area over $1 million dollars we have a decent restaurant. Who has ever been to a restaurant other than a Denny or equivalent that does not change your silverware between courses. I just love to like off the food from my last course before eating the next. On top of that the server will touch your flatware and put it on their greasing dirty tables. So gross.
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| Name: |
gabby
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| Subject: |
under cooked chicken
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Date:
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7/6/2008 2:35:34 PM
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Sounds like you need to open up one and show`em how it is done!
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| Name: |
dvine
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 6:33:23 PM
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We had a great experience at Sinclairs. I have lived in Atlanta and let me tell you that they also have their problems with restaurants. Looks like some people need to stay in Atlanta to eat.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 8:40:25 PM
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With all the restaurants in Atlanta there are choices if you don't like one. We have no choices and Sinclairs is a dirty, over priced, poor food and poor quality restaurant with no other options. Will i continue to go, yes, because i like eating out. But I will continue to pray for new and better restaurants to force these amatures to their knees. They do not belong in the restaurant business.
BTW - which restaurants did you have problems with or not like in Atlanta.
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| Name: |
dvine
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/6/2008 9:00:31 PM
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I am not familar with the word amatures. Maybe you were talking about amateurs. I can see no need to discuss further the merits of various restaurants with you.
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| Name: |
DSCR
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| Subject: |
Those high horses...
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Date:
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7/6/2008 11:53:08 PM
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...sure do make for a spectacular fall.....LOL
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/7/2008 7:16:21 AM
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Ahh ... when you get caught in a lie and show your ignorance you say I am not going to discuss further. I am sure Sinclairs is a good restaurant to a Wal-Mart employee. Or maybe you are one of the "great" servers at Sinclairs and that is why you are so defensive. The restaurant is horrible. It is so sad that you can even attempt to defend it. I guess when you have nothing else to compare it to you just don't know. Thats ok it is not your fault.
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| Name: |
Smitty
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/7/2008 8:53:04 AM
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Are we going to hear about your son everytime you don't agree with a restauarant review?
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| Name: |
SPEARFISHER
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/7/2008 9:23:52 AM
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I sure am glad to see that everyone is getting along and not putting other people down now that certain members have been banned from the forum. LMAO
This is really sad.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/7/2008 10:14:08 AM
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I agree it should not be that way. I expressed a point of view - all you have to do is read who started the personal attacks because they may not agree or somehow are associated with the restaurant. The place is rank, there is no way possible someone could feel they get even good service and good quality food at a fair price if they have ever experienced something that would fall in that category.
I have no problem with someone disagreeing ... that is america and we all have the right to different points of view, but if I am attacked personally for sharing an opinion, then I consider that a problem and will do likewise.
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| Name: |
boataholic
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/7/2008 12:34:17 PM
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The million dollar homes will need to be occupied on a regular basis before they can support good restaurants.
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| Name: |
PC Al
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| Subject: |
Sinclair's
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Date:
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7/7/2008 2:35:59 PM
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Without getting any more temperatures up, I have an opinion on Sinclair’s. When I go there, I mainly order the catfish or fried shrimp. I too have tried the daily specials on the chalkboard and am usually disappointed. The catfish and shrimp are both are good to me and are fairly priced. The thing about the place – it is a neat place to take guest, if you explain the food is OK for a rural, lake area.
In the old days, when you went to the old Kowaliga restaurant there, you ordered the “squealers†and you got what you ordered. Good catfish, fair price. And speaking of the old days, there are so many more places to eat now that we should be thankful for what we have. Plus we went about two summers between the burning of Kowaliga and the opening of Sinclair’s and I was ready for them to open anything. Ask people on Smith Lake or Lake Wedowee or Logan Martin Lake or Lay Lake or Mitchell Lake or any of the other Alabama lakes I know of and they would all be thankful for a Sinclair’s. But, it is what it is. Don’t go there expecting a great meal. You can’t expect a great restaurant here that will cater to mostly weekend people.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/7/2008 2:38:27 PM
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There are plenty that are ... and most "good" restaurants can do very well off weekend traffic. During the week if a restaurant is managed well you only need 40% of weekend covers to breakeven ... you make your profit on weekends. Yes, I owned several restaurants in Atlanta in my younger years and a well run restaurant can make a lot of money. That is why Sinclairs is a total rip off with their poor quality and poor service and high prices. They are taking advantage of the good people do to lack of choice.
Before someone says it ... yes I have throught of openning a restaurant at the lake, but just don't want all the work that goes with it. But I would finance one and help get it started "right" if I found someone that really knew how to run a place properly.
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
When it was Cecil'
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Date:
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7/7/2008 3:16:57 PM
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
When it was Cecil's.....
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Date:
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7/7/2008 3:25:24 PM
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..... there were folks there year round. I have personally made the trek from Sylacauga to Kowliga with a group of freinds just to eat there on a weekday night. The food and atmosphere was that good. It can't be blamed on location and seasonal crowd when the previous incarnation of the place drew folks from far away just to eat and enjoy a wonderful view.
Being a weekend lake dweller even back then it didn't mean much to me, but the folks I was with enjoyed it as a change of scenery. The drive was about 1.25 to 1.5 hours, but considered worth it by all accounts. You have to keep in mind that there was a Cecil's in Alex City at the time too, run by the same folks, with the same great food and service. But sometimes groups would pass it up just to enjoy the ambiance of the lake.
The Ribeye's and Crab Legs were always a favorite!!
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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
Same guy, differnet leases
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Date:
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7/7/2008 5:56:42 PM
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I am familiar with Greg (the owner of the Ceil's restaurants). He knows how to turn a profit with a restaurant and taught the current owner of Cecil's how to do the same.
Greg told me that the lease at Kowaliga had reached a point where it was becoming all but impossible to make a profit there. When it burned (suspiciously), the new lease that was presented was almost 4 times the old one. He finally could walk away with a clear conscious because he knew that it would be impossible for anyone to succeed in that environment.
Higher prices, lower quality, poor service.
The person who sticks to the shrimp and catfish has it right. Pretty hard to screw those up.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
Same guy, differnet leases
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Date:
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7/7/2008 6:44:50 PM
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Now that makes sense to me and explains a lot. I do drive all the way to Cecils in Alex City to get a better meal at better prices ... along with good service because I do believe Sinclairs is that bad. I have to say I have not had the Cat Fish since it is not a fish I typically eat ... but I will try.
Speaking of Cat Fish ... the Cat Fish Restaurant that is now a pet hospital, the food was actually decent ... or at least it fit what you expected by the place. It is all about meeting "expectations" in the restaurant business. The problem with Sinclairs is their price point and location/view sets your expectations much higer than what you get. It has the potential to be a great restaurant and the screw it up with terrible food, poor service, dirty tables, glasses and flatware ... then charge a premium for that.
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Forum Re-Vitalized
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Date:
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7/7/2008 10:14:03 PM
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Now, this discussion is ENTERTAINMENT!!! What we've all been missing recently?
Lots of Flames, and opinions, and positions to be supported.
No, we do not have a wealth of good restaurants at the LAKE to choose from.Why Not???
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| Name: |
Landlocked
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| Subject: |
Forum Re-Vitalized
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Date:
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7/7/2008 11:39:01 PM
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I'd love to see a place open up on Martin that resembles the place at the Orange Beach Marina. I think the name is Calypso Joe's. Just keep the menu simple so you can't screw up much and play some good music.
I've always wondered how a floating restaurant would do on the lake. I'm not talking about a sit down place, just a big party barge cooking burgers and fries. Pull up, get a bag of burgers and run back to the house....??
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| Name: |
Geno
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| Subject: |
Go Fish! ( ml dining)
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Date:
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7/8/2008 1:18:58 AM
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Hey keep it reel folks! I've heard of a place called the "Green Valley Market and Cafe" or lest I knew of such an establishment. As many know our ecomony whether it's Cincinnati or Sinclairs... Count yourselves lucky and support as best you can the local ecomony! Times may be rooughy.. Go fish!
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| Name: |
willallie
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/8/2008 3:00:45 PM
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Sinclair's has never had really good food - just average - and it is expensive.
BTW - the person who initiated this discussion should read their messages to make sure they read correctly before hitting the "post message" key.
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| Name: |
longtimer
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| Subject: |
Missing replies
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Date:
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7/8/2008 10:30:57 PM
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What a shock.
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| Name: |
BIGWORMK
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| Subject: |
Sinclair's
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Date:
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7/9/2008 2:08:34 AM
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From a full time Lay Laker, I would be happy to have anything. Our lake is much smaller than Martin but we have 2 (yes that's 2) options for on water dining. On Sat. and Sun. during the summer only we have a marina that serves burgers and fries. Then about 20 miles upriver we have a catfish joint that's right on 280 at the river bridge with a dock big enough to park 1 boat. Water watcher, open us up a place on Lay, we are begging.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
Missing replies
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Date:
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7/9/2008 6:50:16 AM
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I noticed all the replies about what happened to Cecils disappeared. Hmmm. Did someone make a phone call and "insist" they be removed "or else"? Well I guess when you own the land, the hospital, the school and jobs and the police ... your voice is heard. Atleast Auburn got smart and found a different supplier, but I feel bad how it may have impacted real peoples lives.
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| Name: |
SPEARFISHER
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| Subject: |
Missing replies
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Date:
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7/9/2008 8:45:13 AM
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I would be SHOCKED to see it, but it sure would be nice to see some kind of explanation about the rules that were broken that caused those posts to be removed.
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| Name: |
UncleSam
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| Subject: |
Rules??
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Date:
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7/9/2008 9:55:12 AM
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Don't forget who you are talking about, rules do not apply to them. Remember the story about the person who wrote for Lake Martin Living? He wrote for them for years, until they started printing propaganda and making it look like he wrote it. Even a grade-schooler knows that that is wrong, and usually very illegal, but the Russell response was along the lines of "we can do whatever we want." And since he doesn't write for the magazine any more, it's obvious who won that battle, laws or no laws.
As long as people bow towards that way of thinking, that way of thinking will continue to exist. And if you think it doesn't happen much, look at this own message board. Check out how many posts slam Susie Q's or The Cove, how many talk bad about Karis Park. But say something bad about Russell Lands, Sinclair's (on Russell property), a Russell development, Russell Building Supply, and so on, and you can count on your post being deleted..... just like this one will be soon.
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| Name: |
SPEARFISHER
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| Subject: |
Rules??
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Date:
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7/9/2008 9:59:28 AM
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The very defination of puppets!!
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
Rules??
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Date:
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7/9/2008 10:06:47 AM
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The only way that is stopped is to support the independent places and not the Russell owned/leased facilities. As the area continues to grow it makes their impact less painful. Keep eating at Sinclairs and all you will do is watch Ben Russell's butt keep getting bigger.
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Rules??
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Date:
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7/9/2008 11:00:53 AM
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The puppett masters fight it out through their proxy's. Some of us know who both of them are. Others are learning every day.
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| Name: |
Gunner
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/9/2008 10:41:03 PM
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COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER!! SINCLAIR'S REALLY IS, WAY BELOW AVERAGE ON EVERYTHING BUT THE VIEW.
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| Name: |
magator2
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/10/2008 7:07:43 PM
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We have had some good and some less than great dining experiences at Sinclairs. If we have recently been unhappy with the entree or the cleanliness we eat at home and have coffee and something sweet at the restaurant and watch the sunset. V. Richards will soon have a branch at Russell Crossing or Cross Roads or whatever they are calling it. The chef from Hot n' Hot will also have a place so there should be plenty of choice on that part of the lake. As far as the other comments about Russell I will only say this; I own property on Smith Lake and have been looking extensively on Lay Lake. I like my drive into my property on Lake Martin. I am not afraid that my teenagers will fall off the side of a gravel or dirt road that has partially washed out. I think Russell is probably to thank for that luxury. The forest land protected by Russell is wonderful. I recommend that you do not return to Sinclairs. I do not think you will ever be happy there. If you plan to compete you might want to think about why the place that served good catfish is now an animal hospital. We thought about opening a restaurant on the lake and researched the history of the area. We looked at both economic and the dinning habits of folks on the lake. We thought it was too risky. Good luck in finding a place that you enjoy. Everyone should be happy when they are on the lake. It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to be here. Just avoid the places that make you unhappy.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/11/2008 8:45:53 AM
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Eat and then watch the sunset with coffee ... wow you must have the blue hair special ... we don't even like going out to eat before 8pm. That way you can hopefully relax with a cocktail or two, a bottle of wine then a nice after dinner drink with dessert.
You yourself said you have had poor experiences ... so since someone is in the restaurant business and people are coming and paying (top prices) is it too much to ask for a clean restaurant, with consistent good quality of food, and at least decent basic service (no you do not expect 5 star service at the lake or 5 star food).
I just have a hard time understanding how you or anyone can defend and settle for something subpar. Part of a blog board is to put your voice out there and hopefully generate some change.
I don't know your background or if you have even been in business, but I have ... if you don't instill a spirit in your organization to always try to improve or get better then you lose to your competition. The whole problem here is they have no competition and they are taking advantage of that situation. That is not only sad ... it is wrong!
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| Name: |
magator2
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| Subject: |
We need another Restaurant
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Date:
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7/15/2008 10:08:36 AM
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No, not a blue hair special. Our family likes to get up with the sunrise and get in a nice run or swim or anything else that allows us to inhale the quiet lake air and listen to the birds. We never drink and drive so when we have a nice bottle of wine it is usually from the wine cellar at home. If we have a designated driver then some of us may indulge at the restaurant. I am sure that this is not helpful to the profit margins of the restaurants but we do live the life we love.
I make my living suggesting to troubled companies how to improve image and profit margin and usually tax problems. So far, every company which has taken my advice has rebounded nicely. In my career I have had two which didn't take my advice and they have since gone out of business. My first job was waiting tables. I have found most of the servers at Sinclair's to be very pleasant. If someone is not, I usually find that asking with kindness if they have had a bad day makes them understand I care about them as fellow human beings and they respond with kindness. I have also found in my career and in life that criticism is usually a waste of time. It is human nature to be defensive. Suggestion in a none critical way leads to positive change. You have stated that you don't care for Sinclair's and that you want to open a restaurant in the area. Again, I suggest you not return and leave it to the folks who do enjoy it and I suggest that you open your restaurant. In theory it is your fault that Sinclair's does not live up to your expectations because you have stated that you can provide competition and have not done so.Provide the competition you have promised, tell people your place is better, and let the people be the judges.
We do have a difference of opinion as to the purpose of this forum. I believe that most members use it as a means of socializing with friends and neighbors and sharing pleasant stories or concerns. Occasionally there is someone who can find nothing right with Lake Martin or some part of life here. I suggest those folks rise with the sun and breath in the clean lake air, listen to how happy the birds are here, and appreciate what a privileged life we all lead here. I have found lake Martin to be my happy place. I hope you find your happy place too.
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