Do you think it would be nice if a Chipotle opened up at Cedar Point?

Food trucks don't have nearly the capacity as the other food operations in the park. If those were the only source of food, they would be completely overrun.

I think a big difference between the stands and the trucks is that the people in the trucks are cooking for their lives. If they don't do a great job word of mouth will kill their business and they are out of a job and a whole bunch of money. That is their livelihood. And probably more important - it is their passion. A college kid serving burgers and fries probably doesn't see things that way.

For what ever reason, CP has had a problem with their food service for a long time. It was the reason why back the 1960's they contracted with Interstate United to run their stands, the Coral Dining Room, the employee cafeteria, etc. They lacked the experienced personnel in house to run the food service division. By the mid 70's they had gone in house with several of the stands and dining rooms. As I recall 1974 was the last year for Interstate United (RCMAC chime in anytime) and they were running the whole show. . The few remaining concessionaires were bought out. After that, well you pretty much know the rest. The quality of the product was never a great concern.

As Dutchman stated, the quality isn't really a concern.
It's not just the temporary employees or their age, it's management. They're responsible for it, other parks can do it, so can CP.

As Pete has repeatedly brought up, the never frozen hamburgers that were promised by Mr. ouimet never made it in the park.

This is not a priority for the highest levels of management and it shows.

So the solution would be to bring in a restaurant executive from the outside to run the foods departments? I used to work in the foods department about a decade ago and let me tell you the manager at the time had no business being in foods. He was a numbers man and his goal at the end of each day was to make as much money as possible at the expense of guest experience, food quality, and employee happiness and morale. I understand it's a business, but the best businesses in the world find a way to balance those things with making money. The manager at the time was incapable of that.

He was likely doing exactly what his boss demanded of him. It starts at the top, if Oiumet wants it, it will happen. Clearly he doesn't.

That's the problem in itself. Great CEO's don't micromanage. They know how to hire brilliant minds around them, and they set the right policies in place, and let things take their course. Both Kinzel and Falfas were known for micromanaging so I guess you are right it did come from the top. I was under the impression that Oiumet was not like that.

CPGuru said:

Paisley said:

^ For some people vacation is not a time to get experimental with food.

I never understood this. I for one, and most people I know, like to try the local flavors every time we are in a new city or country. If I'm in Chicago I'm not eating Dominos, I'm going to Giordano's. New York, I'm going to Lombardi's or Joe's or one of the other original NY-style pizzerias. If in London, I'm eating bangers and mash or pie and mash or fish and chips. But to each their own I guess.

As far as fast service Mexican style restaurants go, I prefer Qdoba to Chipotle. You get almost twice the food at 90 cents to the dollar.

This is a great thing if you can do it. My husband has IBS and it's not easy to predict what will cause the next flare up so when he eats things that he's never had before he runs the risk of spending the next week in pain with plenty of trips to the bathroom. That is no way to spend a vacation. Back before he developed this problem we would eat more local specialties when we traveled. It just doesn't work for us now.

I dont post on here very much but we go to Cedar Point at least once maybe twice a year and always stay at Hotel Breakers while were there. I think it would be great if Cedar point was a foodie destination as well as roller coaster destination. It would really complete the experience. When were on vacation, we always try to make the most of it. Unique, and higher qualty food would really make the experience more enjoyable.
We were at Universal studios during spring break and the food options were really good compared to what Cedar point offers.
I know we all love Cedar point for the rides, the atmosphere, and the history but having a higher quality restaurant in the park would be a great addition. My kid does tell me that the best turkey legs he's ever had comes from there.

I agree that having options in park that aren't just another chain you can get at home would be ideal. But if CP can't or won't then I am fine letting more food trucks/chains into the park.

Clearly the park recognizes it's somewhat of an issue if they are allowing these other options. All I know is that in a couple weeks when I head to CP for 3 days, food will not be something I'm looking forward too and that's money left in my pocket instead of the parks.

It could be more of a glaring problem in my eyes because this is the park I visit most often. More than likely this isn't even on the radar for people who are just visiting for a couple days every few years or folks that live so close that they visit 20 times a year. We always say the parks management knows way more than we do. Maybe with the data they feel it's a non issue.

Try Europe. Every theme park I visited had awesome food, served efficiently.
I think the key to quick service for the masses, whether it be a walk-up or a sit-down location is to do a service line with the food visible throughout the process. Drinks first, as they are most time consuming, then down the line to point at what you want, then on to the register. The "snack stand" approach with one point of contact is so inefficient and old fashioned. Lines form haphazardly and one slow employee on any register can cause everyone to be unhappy.
Proof exists in the real world. Casual places like Fridays, Max&Ermas, and Bob Evans are on the decline and fast casual experiences like Chipotle, Bibibop, and Piada are providing good food that fits today's on-the-go lifestyle.
Even if parks like Cedar Point didn't partner with famous brands, but went with similar service and style, things might be perceived by the public as a lot better.

If they added one I wouldn't be opposed. However I'd rather them create their own sort of spin off and not introduce another third party national vendor. Take Hanks at Kings Island for example. It's basically a slimmed down Chipotle with similar prices actually. However, I'm more akin to seeing places like Melt, etc. in the park, those to me bring you closer to the local atmosphere and give you something different. I already enjoy Hot Head Burrito / Chipotle at least once a week..

Plus...that spicy salsa at Chipotle while waiting in a queue line...oh boy that could cause a mad dash and lost your spot in line to find the nearest restroom :P

Çp4€và04 said:
I agree that having options in park that aren't just another chain you can get at home would be ideal. But if CP can't or won't then I am fine letting more food trucks/chains into the park.

Clearly the park recognizes it's somewhat of an issue if they are allowing these other options. All I know is that in a couple weeks when I head to CP for 3 days, food will not be something I'm looking forward too and that's money left in my pocket instead of the parks.

It could be more of a glaring problem in my eyes because this is the park I visit most often. More than likely this isn't even on the radar for people who are just visiting for a couple days every few years or folks that live so close that they visit 20 times a year. We always say the parks management knows way more than we do. Maybe with the data they feel it's a non issue.

As a fellow Rochesterian, have you ever dared to eat at Darien Lake? They make Cedar Point's food look gourmet in comparison.

What bothers me more is that the food at CP makes the food at SFGA look gourmet in comparison and it's far from being six flag's flagship park.

Shane I haven't been to DL in 7 years, that's that last time I ate the food but I'm still alive!

I still really want to suck it up, spend the money and get on Superman again. Always loved that coaster growing up and it was the hurdle that made CP much less scary than it could have been. It's actually quite similar to MF for those that have never been on it.

Anyway I feel like DL food may be in line with the quality of the park. While CP falls far short in this department compared to the quality it offers elsewhere.

I like the approach they're taking with Melt. A regional chain that is widely acclaimed and can provide a different sort of gourmet meal than you get elsewhere in the park.

I'm out on major, national chains. The only one I went to in the park was Chick Fil A and even then, I think we only went once or twice. Panda Express, Subway, etc can go away, honestly.

I usually hate the Disney comparison because it's mangoes to oranges, but they do food correctly, I think. Take an experience that you can't get anywhere else and make it unique to that park.

If I wanted bad burgers, I'd go to a high school or college football game. But even there, at least they're served more efficiently.

The last thing I want to eat at a park is food from a national chain.

I agree that the Melt approach is a very smart move; that is something I will actually check out on our visit in June, assuming it's open by then.

Chipotle is nasty! More regional food would be great. Yes, 1974 was the last year for Interstate United. It was my first year at CP and I worked for them. $1.60 / hour plus free room & board.

Plus .25/hour end of contract "bonus". I bought my first quarter books with that money.

I am a huge fan of Chipotle, but this wouldn't really move the needle for me. I rarely eat inside the park because it's so ridiculously expensive. I will say that it would be nice to have an option like Chipotle where I know if I was overpaying for food it would at least be of a certain quality.