The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

It's kinda closed...
http://whereisbackalley.com

Blake had adequate direct and indirect warnings that he needed to rein in the food and service issues Back Alley had with Rib Crib and Albert G's coming downtown.  Even with food changes, there were still significant service issues which really stood out considering the level of service Rib Crib is apparently offering at their downtown location.

I still have not tried the downtown RC simply because they use additives in their food I avoid.  When I did eat at other RC locations, it's generally consistent and the service is quick and attentive.  For most people on a 30 minute to hour lunch break, that's good enough. 

I gave Back Alley a few chances to impress me and they failed, therefore I quit going back.  Their price point was pretty high even if it was top-shelf Que.  At least when I finally gave up, it was nowhere close to top shelf.  Others gave up as well.  I hope Blake comes up with a concept that is more within the capabilities of himself and the people he can get to run it.  He's a bright guy and I applaud him for stepping back and making a change.  Don't get me wrong, I wish the Back Alley concept had worked.  I feel like management ignored all the signs and direct comments which were trying to get them to make changes to support the business.

Sounds like a new concept is in the works?  What food void is there downtown that could be filled here?

Thai
Seafood
Cajun

Greek, not middle eastern but Greek specifically

Never tried Back Alley. Some friends did--didn't hear good things.

Looks like Back Alley will be moving to a new location. With Rib Crib and (the soon-to-open) Albert G's both in Blue Dome, a new concept seems best for the space.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/598885/Back-Alley-FB-snip.PNG)

It only took me once. The que was unremarkable at best and the band playing was doing 60's-70's pop. Very good renditions but it just wasn't all coming together.

Do dat Cajun.

Last I heard it was going to be more Southern comfort style of food, instead of just BBQ. I don't know if that is still the plan.

I ate at Back Alley a handful of times.
Was always tasty.

I saw the "Where is Back Alley" sign yesterday.

I assumed there was a Back Alley food truck in the works.

I enjoyed the food and service was good most of the time.
The cost of the food was too high IMO. We would've eaten there once a week but since it was one priciest establishments it became more of a once a month deal and every month something changed with the food I order which was damn frustrating.

They did that change a few months ago.

If their food/service were half as good as their social media/marketing, they'd be the busiest restaurant in town. Who ever heard of a restaurant launching a website for their closing/repurposing?

Kind of like Archer Market, I always found it strange their relentless building of a social media presence before they even opened. I can't bring myself to 'like' something on facebook before I know if I like it in real life. Plus all of the posts telling me how great something's going to be whenever it opens can be grating.

(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/300702_200385006698217_845673570_n.jpg)

Cajun/Southern would be cool in that space.  Still waiting for a good Thai place in downtown.

I've got the perfect name for it: "Thai Wan Ahn"

Well played.

Really NEED a Pappadeaux's here....!!

Etouffee, gumbo, alligator!!  Yum!

Yes.  Lived in Houston for 3 years in the early 90s.  Pappas Seafood, Pappadeaux's, Pappasitas...I remember alligator was always seasonal...

That sounds reasonable. Maybe that is the case.

Hope they keep the candied bacon:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/restaurantguide/new-downtown-tulsa-restaurant-to-feature-gourmet-burgers/article_e38f39cf-9a70-52d4-8a04-d782e438971f.html

Candied bacon still there.

Piled high with green chile?

That is a must try.

That has to be good.

I can’t think of anything I’ve eaten with green chile that has sucked.

I saw vague sign notice on their door today.
"Closed for private party - Reopen to the public on Nov 27"
They scraped of the window decal last week.
reopen?  reopen as back alley?  reopen as some super-secret unmarked-door lounge?

With all the whereisbackalley closing fanfare.. weird that there's no coming super soon fanfare.

Ha. White Flag. Guess this was Back Alley waving the "white flag" to all the BBQ places invading downtown. Oklahoma Joes, Albert Gs, RibCrib, and BurnCo just outside the IDL.

Either that or one more lap before they throw the checkered flag.

I hope it's not a food truck. We need to go ahead and ban those unless they have a functioning, permanent site like Ando.

1) Back Alley is reopening as a burger joint called White Flag per the Tulsa World article and acjttle bitt.

2) social media hype, no grand opening?  No new sign?  I dunno, tried to stop by qmd saw the same sign (closed for private party).

3) Albert Gs was good..m

I prefer the unaffiliated.   Mr Nice Guys, Lone Wolf, Lola's, etc..

Why?  Many cities have trucks without a storefront that do just fine.  I think you're afraid it will cut into your business...

Why on earth would anyone want to ban food trucks?

Nothing really cuts into our business, but I don't think it should hurt others like it does.

Using city ordinances as a means of competitive protectionism is as wrong as when large companies use government regulation as a barrier against competition.

Many cities have great mobile food offerings that operate in harmony with brick & mortar shops.  The great thing about food trucks is the instant variety they can bring to an area.  This attracts more people to all of the businesses nearby.  Food trucks also add mobility for festivals, events, and reduce traffic by bringing food choices to the public where there would otherwise be none.

Covered wagon capitalism at its best!

So you think having an ordinance banning them is the solution?

That's real free-market of you.  Wow.  You may have just lost my business.

I like the food trucks.  They might be reaching critical mass though.  I also prefer the independents, especially in comparison to chains like Dickeys or Mazzios.  I'm a fan of Andolinis though wherever I can get it.  Good stuff.

It's a food truck

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/music/the-fur-shop-venue-revived-by-blake-ewing-to-celebrate/article_aa4067bd-6d85-523f-b083-7a32cfe30ee1.html (http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/music/the-fur-shop-venue-revived-by-blake-ewing-to-celebrate/article_aa4067bd-6d85-523f-b083-7a32cfe30ee1.html)

And this whole time I had you pegged as a hipster!

Critical mass?  Not yet and not for a while.

LOL! What? Seriously?

Man that is some short sighted nonsense right there.

Are Ice-Cream trucks exempt ?
Think of the children!

I say we need to ban the music the ice cream trucks play. The rest will work itself out.

New sign is going up right now.

Soft open is today.

Ate a Selma Hayek. Not a fan of her acting, but she was quite tasty.

The only businesses I can think of really that effected are food trailers. It's not like Andolinis parks in front of Mazzios.

If anything, events like Eat Street bring more people to the area and to the surrounding restaurants.  If it was that bad for business, I’d think the Blue Dome restaurateurs and the ones in the Brady would be howling about the food trucks.

Guess there's only one then...