I live nearby the Rickshaw, and visited it a couple of times before it had a fire and the owner rebuilt it. The pre-fire Rickshaw needed a facelift. The clientele were crusty regulars that were loud and hung out at the bar.
I had read the Rickshaw, along with the repairs and updating to the fire-damaged inside, was also updating and expanding its menu. A Groupon was offered to the Rickshaw, and I bought it thinking here's my opportunity and incentive to try the new and improved Rickshaw.
Fast forward to my recent trip, post-fire. I took my 10 year old daughter for dinner. Plenty of parking, no problem finding a spot. The building is still very 'hard'; the entry door really, really needs some work; it is very uninviting, and gives the feel of entering a business from a back alley. Hanging outside this door were about 5 people, all smoking, whom I presume were patrons. Two loud patrons were on each side of the door, so we had to pass through them to get in to the restaurant, with loud F bombs popping off their active and unsophisticated dialogue.
Negative first impressions are tough to overcome, and I'm a super forgiving guy...OK, the establishment can't do much about customer conduct outside. We were greeted by a friendly server as we entered, and given our choice of booths. This was 6:30 pm on a Wednesday, and there were very few people there for dinner. Judging by the noise and conversation at the nearby bar, it appears the same crusty regular were still frequenting the place. The loud background music? Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, and similar. I'm a hard rock guy, but while this music might be good for a rockin' bar, but not for a place trying to change its image and attract local family business. Five or six large screen TV's were scattered throughout the bar and eating area, all showing sports.
The menu had a good variety of options, primarily Asian, with a page on the back of "American" offerings, all fairly priced, which led me to believe The Rickshaw wants to be somewhat serious about being a restaurant. The server was very friendly, helpful, and attentive. He recommended the General Tso's; sure, I'll try it. It was different than General Tso's I have had, but in a good way, and it was very tasty. My daughter's chicken chow mein was excellent. Both serving sizes were ample.
When we went to pay the bill, I was informed The Rickshaw owner was no longer accepting Groupons. I tried to appeal to the server, hey it's only $20; he went away to ask the owner, and returned with the same answer. Not accepting Groupons, I needed to contact Groupon to get a refund. We had gotten fair value (the food and my Manny's were all fairly priced), sans Groupon, so that didn't bother me at all. Oh, footnote, it was a small hassle, but I did get a refund from Groupon.
Leaving The Rickshaw, the smoking crew huddling outside the entry door had reduced to three people, who appeared to be different folks than when we first arrived.
Here's my take on The Rickshaw: it's still the same Rickshaw, just with new finishes on the inside. I'm not sure what it wants to be or its target audience and customer. Local watering hole? Sports bar? Family or local restaurant? So...
Parking: 4 stars
Ambience (family/dinner): 1.5 stars
Ambience (bar): 2.5 stars
Food quality: 4 stars
Food value: 4 stars
Service: 4.5 stars
Overall rating: 2.5 stars
Would I return? I don't know; I want to like it, but ...I'm hoping to find a local hangout that offers good food and cold beer at reasonable prices, but one with an identity and a little more polished than what The Rickshaw is at this time. read more