You ever think about Blockbuster's? You know, those ubiquitous video rental stores that used to be, well, everywhere? The excitement of walking into the store to see what the latest movie would be displayed in awesome VCR format. Well, then it seemed like suddenly the next day it was the latest movies lined up in dvd format. And then, well, and then it was gone. Because Blockbuster couldn't keep up with the changing technology of movie streaming. Suddenly there was Netflix. And Hulu. And Discovery+. Whatever that is.
And the Blockbusters that seemed like they were on basically every corner were just a memory.
Mr. Chubby's hearkens back to the Sports Bar era of the late 90s and early 2000s. Big screen tvs and neon beer signs. Do we need another one of these types of places or is it also time to let these places fade off into the sunset?
So let's talk about the food and service. My wife and I got there at about 7:30 pm. The place wasn't that busy and the sign in front told us to seat ourselves. Which was actually a nice option because we were able to sit at a table that was socially distanced from anyone else in the restaurant. The server was friendly and patient as we asked many questions about the wings and the way they were prepared. We both ordered a club soda to drink. The waitress looked confused for a moment, and then asked, "um, you don't want anything in it?" "Nope," I answered. "Just club soda."
And that's where the trouble started.
Now, I'm a guy that happens to like a few bubbles in his water.
Which is what club soda is. Water. With bubbles.
So when the server finished taking our order and then came back after about five minutes and told us that our "drinks" should be ready soon, we both knew that we were going to have to pay for some water. With bubbles.
And? Yup. $2.50 each. Served in a small glass. With a fancy stirring straw.
For something that most places give you for free. In a large water glass. With free refills. Because its WATER.
Really? *sigh*
Ok, moving on, we each ordered a side salad. I got a regular one and she got the Caesar. Both were a decent size and tasted fine. Worth the 4 bucks for each? Well, that's a different question, but at least we knew how much they were going to be when we ordered them.
As opposed to the bubbly water.
Anyway, let's turn to the wings. Because its a wing place. We don't like breaded wings so we were glad that the regular way they are prepared here is without breading. I will say that the wings are large and meaty. Which is a definite plus.
There is an extra item on the menu called serving the wings "slick." We asked what that meant and were told that it was adding extra sauce to the wings. We found that to be a little odd, but after seeing the wings prepared the regular way, I will say that if you do actually like sauce on the wings, then you should get them slick. And pay the extra money. Because served the regular way there was not a lot of sauce.
Anywhere.
Nit-picking?
Perhaps.
But other places don't charge extra to get wings that actually come coated in sauce. So why does Mr. Chubby's?
As for the wings themselves, when the server first brought them out, she told my wife to be careful because her plate was really hot. Ok, makes sense if the plate was, you know, really hot.
It wasn't.
And neither were the wings.
Maybe it was a diversion? Hey, don't touch the plate or the wings! Let it all cool down!
Whatever.
In addition to the room temperature of the wings, they had a texture as if they were fried and then allowed to sit for a while. You know, before they were faux-sauced and then stuck on the pseudo-hot plate and brought to the table to sit next to the expensive bubble-water. Maybe because of the time of day they had wings that were cooked and then sitting in a warmer tray for a while? Sadly, it just didn't seem like they were prepared for order. But I will say that the sauce (of what we could find) was tasty.
At the end of the day, the wings were fine. Eleven bucks for ten wings is a decent price. Not great, but I've paid more. Overall an ok dining experience that was a little pricey for what you got.
I wish I could say that we had a great experience at a new restaurant here in town, but that was unfortunately not the case. It was at best mediocre and I'm just not sure that we will be back.
I'm hopeful that Mr. Chubby's steps it up a bit. Because there are still a lot of dining options out there and to me this place just doesn't seem like its going to make it.
So do better Mr. Chubby! Otherwise you may be just soon be another "remember when" story. read more