Restaurant Closes Less Than a Year After Opening

Steve November 8, 2012 at 12:41 pm

Pondeli, I agree 100%, knowing the editor and his willingness to accept new ideas, I bet he will look into this. Still miss Pookies and also want to hear the good and the bad in Bensalem! There is a lot of good in Bensalem and the Editor has always been willing to help promote the "Goodness of Bensalem".

Lawrence German November 8, 2012 at 02:31 pm

Not for nothing Pondeli, you make a strong point, and that topic would be interesting, but if you want to find that out, you're going to have to be the man to do the leg work. Submit that idea again, but bring some good info to the table, to help get this started. Involve some of your friends who are interested in the same subject, and have them do some digging too. It's obvious that certain topics get posted, and what you want to hear may or may not be one of them, so YOU need to make it a topic that needs to be heard. I've been here in Bensalem for over a year, and I see quite a few empty store fronts, for sale or rent signs, and desolate plazas, and at this point there's nothing but space and opportunity for that certain somebody who really wants to take advantage of it. All I'm saying is, if you want to hear about that particular subject, give them the ammo so they can make it happen.

Kris November 8, 2012 at 04:21 pm

Pookies was never open ... You gotta be open durning dinner till atleast 8 or 9 ....

Vic Monaco November 8, 2012 at 04:23 pm

Pondeli--Folks who read this thread may not know that you are the head of the business association. As a freelance reporter, all I can do is pitch stories to the editor when I see a new business. Trying to get that info from the township is not easy. It would seem you would be in a much better position than most to alert Patch to openings. So, I really don't understand your comment

Vic Monaco November 8, 2012 at 04:45 pm

Pondeli:
If you know most or all of the new businesses then why don't you alert the editor? Writing that Patch didn't have the money to join your group, in my opinion, is a cheap shot.

Chris Figg November 8, 2012 at 04:55 pm

Never got over there to eat breakfast, but went over for dinner one night with my husband. Before we went in, I suggested we look at the menu in the window to see what they offered. Well, both of us were shocked to find prices quite out the range of a typical strip mall or "Family Restaurant." Even with a 10% off coupon Pookies put in the weekly paper, the prices were too steep to even consider for a casual weekday. When I want to go out and spend that kind of money for dinner, I don't expect to be in a strip mall next to a dollar store and laundromat. If they wanted to offer family dinners for $10.00 - $13.00, maybe you wouldn't be closed. I don't expect to see prime rib, crab cakes or a 10 oz. fillet on the menu of a family restaurant. Usually, you might see sirloin steak, roasted 1/2 chicken, turkey breast with dressing, pork chops, maybe ham & cabbage, fried flounder, chicken croquettes, or chicken caesar salad and open-faced roast beef sandwich with gravy.
Needless to say, we turned around and got in the car and drove to Cracker Barrel where the prices are good and so is the food. Too bad you had big ideas for a restaurant that just couldn't validate charging $20.00 or more for a meal.

Joe Hart (Editor) November 8, 2012 at 05:14 pm

Hey Pondeli,
Thanks for reading and regularly contributing your opinion to Patch. I want you and the rest of the business community to know that you should continue to submit all business story pitches to me at joe.hart@patch.com. I promise to always read the pitch and consider its value to the Bensalem community. I'll always try to respond to let you know if I can cover your story. But no matter what, Patch has a number of ways for you to tell your story yourself -- blogging, announcements, calendar events, photo galleries, comments and more. I encourage the entire business community to take advantage of these tools. They are there for you to use. Thanks, Joe

Joe Hart (Editor) November 8, 2012 at 05:15 pm

If you have any questions on how to use these tools, email me at joe.hart@patch.com. I'll be glad to explain how they can help you and your business.

Dave Fiedler November 8, 2012 at 05:31 pm

I am sorry to read this about them closing. The restaurant had signed up for the County Veteran ID Card program to offer a discount--apparently not all that long before they closed if they've been closed a month. I ate breakfast there 2 or 3 times and lunch once. I agree with what one contributor stated that it was not inexpensive, but then again I don't think it was too far out of line. The food was decent. I wouldn't say gourmet, but it was fine for what it was. Probably the biggest things they had working against them was location and recognition (obscurely hidden inside the strip center as they were) and limited hours of operation.

Vic Monaco November 8, 2012 at 05:36 pm

My wife and I were very disappointed when we went there last weekend and found out it was closed.
We used to eat breakfast there and thought the prices were right in line with area diners (a little more than Denny's).

D Heininger November 8, 2012 at 05:48 pm

We tried Pookie's for breakfast. It wasn't a very good experience. Poor atmosphere and marginal food.
Dawn

Kevin Brutschea November 8, 2012 at 06:01 pm

Maryanne's in Croydon does very well just catering to the breakfast and lunch crowd. I was at Pookies twice this year and I thought it was a nice little, friendly place. Food was good, but I think they overdid it a tad with the complimentary mini blueberry muffins. Their clientele is more plain meant and potatoes.

Kevin Brutschea November 8, 2012 at 06:07 pm

It may also be possible that there wasn't enough traffic for that strip. I'm sure the Acme draws in people, but the rest of those store never seem real busy. Sorry to hear it is closed, good luck in your next endeavor.

james November 8, 2012 at 10:51 pm

what happened to IHOP also?

Kevin Brutschea November 8, 2012 at 11:29 pm

I saw on the Patch that the Department of Health had some issues with the store on Street Rd in Bensalem. I think they may have pulled the francise because the one in Feasterville is closed too.

Vic Monaco November 9, 2012 at 12:01 am

What "store?"

Kevin Brutschea December 28, 2012 at 07:27 pm

The IHOP Vic, read James question above.

Alexander Gouch January 6, 2013 at 04:20 pm

really

Kevin Brutschea January 9, 2013 at 07:58 pm

Who the heck is "Hey Pondeli"? I've read every comment and for the life of me can't figure out who you're talking to.

Jesseka Kadylak (Editor) January 9, 2013 at 08:37 pm

@Kevin Brutschea—Pondeli is a resident and business owner, who must have commented previously and then perhaps deleted his comments. I'm not sure, as I've just taken over the site a week ago... but I assume that is what happened here. So the comments seem a bit out of context.