So apparently Ivar's flew too close to the sun

What’s the vibe at Ivars these days? I’ve been going there with my dad and uncle since 98. Pat used to let me hang around late on Fridays even when I was a kid. Always went there when in town for games. It always seemed like a dive until the last few years. Kind of kicked back up with the younger crowd?

That place is a dump. They should be more like the Merchant

They should be more like the Merchant


Merchant should be more like ZeeZees.



like they promised everybody they would be.

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They never promised this

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They absolutely did.



Matter of fact, they weren't even sure if they were going to be able to do food when they initially got the place.

That kitchen area at the time made Haiti after an earthquake look nice.

Originally only supposed to be a bar, and they told everyone in the area that they were planning on it being a revamped ZeeZees.

a remodeled neighborhood bar.


Not gonna lie: i was surprised when they said they were going to redo the kitchen. Someone put a lot ofm9ney in to do that.

Probably had to tear ot down to the foundations and rip out all the gas and plumbing lines.

Being pretty good friends with both the owners I can assure you this place was always going to have a kitchen. Hell, one of the owners comes from a restaurant background.

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They never promised this

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So here's some excerpts from the original 225 article when they first opened:

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“The neighborhood is vitally, vitally, vitally important to us,” Hufft says. “We want to be that watering hole that everyone has known Zee Zee’s to be. People came in here to share conversation for the past 20 or 30 years. We’re trying to carry on what Zee Zee’s did—at four o’clock you can come have a pint and a some great conversation whether you’re a musician, politician, nine-to-five’er, venture capitalist or anyone in between. Everybody felt at home in here, and I’m trying to extend that conversation into the food side of things.”

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The team has made an effort at every step to incorporate the history of Zee Zee Gardens into The Overpass Merchant, which has helped win over any skeptical loyalists. Waiters use old Zee Zee’s ticket books to take orders, the menu boasts a Zee Zee’s Club Sandwich, and Hufft is working on securing a vintage ’80s Zee Zee’s sign from Craigslist for their patio, which they’ve christened “Zee Zee Gardens” after the former bar.

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Like I said: at first, they told everybody they wanted it to be just like ZeeZees, but remodeled.



and this part is just bullshite:

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which has helped win over any skeptical loyalists.

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The old ZeeZee regulars dont go there very often, if at all. They don't feel welcomed.

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Kitchen?

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I'm not arguing that they didn't want to do that originally, I'm saying that they weren't sure they'd be able to after seeing the state of that kitchen.


It was a disaster area.


I think it probably delayed the origianl timeline when they decided to say "frick it, let's go ahead a fix it" by a pretty good bit.

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I understand your annoyance as a zee zees loyalist but you have to admit they did a pretty good job at the transformation. Great food and cocktails that won’t break your wallet.

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I think the part that upset the "loyalists" aka the neighborhood residents, the most was the fact that they were extremely excited when it opened and were the first in line, and went there everyday for about two weeks before they figured out that they weren't very welcomed. They weren't the clientele that was desired.





I'm not one to heap praise on the food. I will say, the hamburger is one of the few I've ever had that refrigerates well and may actually be better that way.




Also, just a little point of contention by the old regulars with one of their drink specials: The ZeeZees special : A shot of rumplemints with a budweiser.


That's unfounded bullshite of the highest order. The ZeeZees should be a shot of jager with a PBR. or High Life. or and domestic light beer.

Rumples and a budweiser is the St Amant. And nobody wants St. Amant.


(not talking of the town)

Can we get back to Ivar’s? What did they do to get in trouble? Stay open too late?

It’s a stupid “mandate” but Ivars knew the rules and they played stupid games. The real issue is the ATC and Fire Marshall can shite down a business because of a mandate (Not a law) issued by the governor, with no checks and balances by the legislature.

Hopefully trump will give them a pardon