Farewell Quaker Steak and Lube

^ Yes, there's definitely some deserving bartenders! Hopefully that happens. As for a Margaritaville, I was telling my wife around closing day that I thought one would really fit at Breaker's where Friday's is now. I'm usually adverse to more chains, but really think that would be a good spot with the theme and all. Never really thought about the Marina because I never thought FD would leave. But I could see a Margaritaville fitting there too.

If Dave's really is leaving the Marina for Castaway, I'm sure they'll put something in it's place. There's a lot of marina folk with season long slips that probably wouldn't be happy to lose a spot for food drinks right there.

Something that I've been wondering, given this rumored change - if we are to assume park guests' food needs are met with what's offered inside the park, is there enough business solely from marina guests to justify a full scale, sit down restaurant? Or would it make more sense to have a bar with a limited bar/fast casual menu?

I'm just praying for an Applebees. Or my absolute best case is Longhorn Steakhouse if we want to get all fancy. I'm usually not dressed for a fancy dinner like Longhorn after a day in the park though, so maybe Applebees is my #1, 'cause it has more of that neighborhood eatin good feel ;)

Brandon, sadly now that I think more about it I think you hit the nail on the head there. This past season was the first time I ever heard of any type of happy hour anywhere on the peninsula. Last year Famous Dave's offered it Mon - Fri between 3 and 5. The only place on point you could get a beer or wine for $6 and their Margarita for $10. Also discounts on certain apps. They wouldn't do that if they didn't need to I'm sure. So should the rumors be true you're probably right. It will probably become a bar/fast casual type set up (hopefully at least as opposed to nothing).

Dave's is not open year round and with this being the first offseason Bay Harbor did not stay open it could mean a shifting of priorities for out of gate but on peninsula dining.

Moving Dave's to Castaway naturally frees up space for the underwater 500 foot Aquatraxx shuttle coaster to go between the current Famous Dave's and Bay Harbor sites.

Plague on Wheels:

I'm just praying for an Applebees.

Jesus, you need to expand your horizons. A lot. That's the worst of the worst. The most popular post on my blog, even after a dozen years, is my takedown of Applebee's.

There's a reason that big franchise brands (non-fast casual) have been struggling. They generally suck. Experts in the press blame labor costs mostly, and their reluctance to pay good people to do good work. Another article says it's private equity ownership, which makes sense because they ruin everything in the interest of flipping for cash flow.

They don't need another franchise, they need something original.

TO echo your point these casual chains are closing much more than they are even contemplating expanding. I think there's one Friday's in the entire state of Michigan and Applebees isn't much better. I'm not sure how easy it'd be to find a franchisee for that location anyways.

Isn't Siren's Curse also taking over part of the area where Famous Dave's was, or at least where HR was?

That could also be a reason for the move, if their franchise agreement wasn't up and they needed to keep it going somewhere why not move it somewhere that you can now have open year round.

Nah Dude. Applebees for life. In my neighborhood we all be eating good in the neighborhood. I’m not so sure about the quality of food in your ‘hood. Applebees has all three food groups: riblets, wings, and various Bourbon Street delicacies. Plus an Oreo Shake. What more could you want ;)

Hand breaded chicken tenders, of course.

Morté615:

Isn't Siren's Curse also taking over part of the area where Famous Dave's was, or at least where HR was?

No, it doesn't appear to encroach on either. Obviously the SC animation isn't cannon, but if HR and/or FD are going away, it'll be because the park chose to use this opportunity to alter the area, rather than SC forcing them to do so.

If I understand properly, it's occupying part of where the Cedars and the Wildcat were located. I believe they had to re route the Perimeter Road slightly.

Correct. And, again according to the animation, the rerouted section of Perimeter Road begins to curve to the west around where Valravn's brake run is, just north of the pedestrian crossing and Marina gate. So the new construction doesn't directly impact HR or FD's.

Apparently we need a Chili's

Sandusky is already pretty spoiled, over near the Great Wolf lodge you have just about every gourmet option known to man, right next to each other:

Olive Garden

Applebee's

Chilis

Outback Steakhouse

Golden Corral

Bob Evans

Cracker Barrel

Texas Road House

Red Lobster

Now I think you're just trolling.

I did read about Chili's last year. I haven't been to one in years, but it's one of the few franchises left in an area where there are a bunch. Red Robin, Macaroni Grill and others are gone. We're actually fortunate to have a "downtown" in the next town over that has some great local flavor, including my favorite, The Hangry Bison. They're actually expanding, not retracting like the franchises. The reason is, I believe, a relentless focus on quality and hospitality. They do a particularly great job with cocktails and the burgers.

Jeff:

Now I think you're just trolling.

Are you new here???

Plague consistently provides some comic relief here, at least in my opinion.

While we don't need another Chili's, I'll admit that of all the fast casual chains at that level, they are the only one that is somewhat decent.

Mr. Wheels,

Don't forget we have a Longhorn too! It's decent.

And how about a Ruby Tuesday? I don't think anyone has mentioned the chain yet.
We lost ours a few years ago, and I miss it, loved the salad bar.

Uncle Steve:

And how about a Ruby Tuesday? I don't think anyone has mentioned the chain yet.
We lost ours a few years ago, and I miss it, loved the salad bar.

That may go completely out of business soon. It's far more likely that Starbucks is relocated to near Siren's Curse than it is for Ruby Tuesday to open a location at the QS&L site...or anywhere.