I need your opinion good or bad don't be shy?

Question

I,m thinking of opening restaurant the serves only one thing a night,such as Friday night Ribeye steak cooked on charcoal,baked potatoe or fries, salad ,drink and homeade desert for one price. Weekly menu would be posted in local newspaper,and outside restaurant on sign.I would have something different each night and gladly except menu ideas from patrons.Do you think this would work or not ? I would like to make each meal with the care and time to do it right instead of trying to make 100 different things.Please be honest and If you like the idea I need a catchy name.

Answer 1

I don't think this is a good idea at all. As a matter of fact, I know for a fact that restaurants with limited menus generally fail. A restaurant is a HUGE investment. You are setting yourself up for failure. It takes time for restaurants to earn a reputation and to build a clientele. Your idea wouldn't fly for a number of reasons.
People eat in groups, for the most part. It is very difficult to get a group of people together that would want to eat the same thing.
People TALK about restaurants to their friends, families and co-workers. You do not want to be the "one-trick" restaurant. That's a horrible reputation for a restaurant.
God forbid that the item, the one item, the star of the night, as it were, would not be available for any number of reasons on 'its' night, what would you do?
Restaurants make or break their reps in a very short period of time. Further, I imagine, you would have competition. Let's see, am I going to eat at the restaurant that has one plate OR am I going for choice?
American diners relish choice. (puns are fun!)
Oh, and yes, I can think of a name for that restaurant; it would be called, "Destined...to fail."
Keep that investment money for a better purpose.

Answer 2

I like the "Take it or Leave it" name..that's very clever, but I agree. It does sound very different. But to be honest, without repeating the same dinner twice, you will run out of ideas in a few months. It is risky if you plan to stay in business for the long haul. Actually, you should stick with the special item idea, but have other things on the menu as well. Try to make it so that the special of the day is so irresistible that the people won't want the other things on the menu, but if they don't want a rib-eye steak or something, they can have a nicely prepared burger.

Answer 3

No, that would not work, unless you're Thomas Keller. If you had ribeyes one night, my husband would want to go, but I wouldn't, so we wouldn't go at all. If you had a vegetarian meal, I might go, but my husband wouldn't, so we wouldn't go. I can say that some nights you wouldn't have any people whatsoever and that doesn't pay the bills.

There's nothing wrong with having a special of the night, but there has to be some other variety on the menu for as an alternative for those with allergies or diet concerns. It doesn't have to be 100 items, but there have to be other items to choose from.

Your idea is very unique, but it won't fly. Being an owner is a hard hard business. You have to strive to please all of the people all of the time.

Answer 4

I think if you went with a small menu such as a fish, a meat, a chicken, a pork,and a shell fish. 2 salad choices,and 1 dessert. Price the meal by head like it would be done at a wedding reception and give them there choices. Coffee and dessert included. I live on the East coast and we have a place like that and it was packed when I went.

Answer 5

The idea of something diff. everyday is good, however...you should make a couple of diff.. things each day. There are a few places like that in Orlando, Fl. By having a couple diff. things a day you're not swamped with 100 diff. entrees, people do want a choice when they go out. Another down side to that is people won't be able to come in and get they're favorite meal from your place whenever they want to, and that could cost you in the long run.

Answer 6

Your idea may work but what about children, you should make something for kids also because I dont think a child would eat Ribeye steak and a baked potato, and also maybe you should just make a buffet I know alot of places who do that but have buffets and serve surtain items everyday.

Answer 7

Serving Specials on Certain Nights is a good idea, but remember People all have different taste, so something in a Buffet line normally brings the people in. Call it "Something For All"

Answer 8

Amanda T is right.Kids are important.Just create interesting menus for them.Add soups to menus.You sound to be a hardworking person.It takes time to reach perfection.Packing too is important,as it should be easy to carry and use.You want to make 100 different things,which gives me an idea.You can add 100 to your first name as Tommy's 100.Yes Maxx100

Answer 9

It's definitely a different idea. To be honest, I don't think it would be that successful. I think that one of the reasons people like to go out to eat is that there is a variety at a restaurant. If you do decide to go with it, I thought of a name "Take it or Leave it". Good luck with your endeavor.

Answer 10

I think i would like a place like that - having grandchildren you might consider a separate kid's menu - it could be only one thing a night also i know my grandchildren have a hard time chewing some types of meat (i.e., steaks, roast) -