Hall of Fame Grill

[OldieButGoodie]

Ok - we stopped and took in the new restaurant last weekend. Gotta say, the wait time was reasonable, and having the pager deal worked great. The waitstaff were fine, not exceptional but most are new to this (sit-down) format. My critique - meant as constructively as possible:

- food came very (too) fast and was tasty, but not 'fresh' as advertised in the menu. We had fried pickles, a burger, chicken wings, and the kid-meal chicken fingers what were really 'chicken chunks'. Nothing was bad, but nothing was hot either - ie it sat under a heat lamp. Fresh-made trumps fast in my book, but there's no reason it can't be *both*.

- some of you know I like a frosty beverage, but the pickings are slim. Bud, Bud light and Stella (for a dollar more). The rest are bottles. Sheesh - Hanks and the waterpark have splendid selections and half the bar space. Why not the same at the Grill?

- souvenir cups - you can't refill them in the restaurant? Really?? My kid had to leave the place and go over to Funnel Cakes to get his cup filled. That's just nonsense.

- high tables for three - nope. I prefer high tables and I thought that would be fine, but the table we had was wobbly and just doesn't seat three unless you're just having beers. Three meals, three drinks and an appetizer does NOT fit.

- decor - TOP NOTCH, love the stats, history, and drama of the Big Red Machine. Flat screens everyplace are positioned well, and having a Reds game while were were there, well it just completes the picture.

- other - somebody positioned some kind of server 'station' right behind a bi-swing door into the kitchen. The door cannot swing back because it'll hit the person back there, and it creates a logjam right at the entry to the kitchen. That needs to be fixed so the waitstaff can move faster. Right now they just don't have a chance.

Overall, we'll go back after they have some time to iron out the bugs, but it was not a $50 experience - yet. I have high hopes for this place though!

[cholderfield]

I agree with a lot of these points, although the food I received on my visit earlier this month was fresh.

On an interesting note (maybe it's like this throughout the park?), my wife tried to order a Blue Moon and was told they didn't serve alcohol until after 3pm. It was about 1pm when we were there.

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

Does the Reds Hall of Fame Grille have their own liquor license that is separate from the Park's? Does it require that they can only serve mixed drinks starting at 3:00 PM?

[fossilizedtreesap]

3 Pm?

We WereTold 5Pm On our Visit

[The Interpreter]

I suspect that's a business decision, not a liquor regulatory one.

[Jr for Birdy]

Does the Reds Hall of Fame Grille have their own liquor license that is separate from the Park's? Does it require that they can only serve mixed drinks starting at 3:00 PM?

I was told on opening day by our bartender that the Reds Grille was planning on getting a liquor license soon, but until then only beer and wine. We asked because the only time we drink at the park is on the fourth of July when we get a hotel and a cab or shuttle.

[jcgoble3]

On Friday, May 3, I overheard them telling someone else in the Reds Grille that they were not selling alcohol until 5:00 pm due to all of the kids in the park for the Education Day. Which I think is a smart move.

[Jr for Birdy]

On Friday, May 3, I overheard them telling someone else in the Reds Grille that they were not selling alcohol until 5:00 pm due to all of the kids in the park for the Education Day. Which I think is a smart move.

Yeah, I seem to recall them not selling alcohol anywhere last year during those times? I remember some old timer not to happy about it. I remember the weirdest things for some odd reason. I do agree its probably for the best.

[cholderfield]

3 Pm?

We WereTold 5Pm On our Visit

my mistake, it was a few weeks ago so I'm sure it is 5pm.

[fossilizedtreesap]

3 Pm?

Well, Mayb It Is 3Pm On Regular Days, We Were There During The Education Days

We WereTold 5Pm On our Visit

my mistake, it was a few weeks ago so I'm sure it is 5pm.

[fossilizedtreesap]

Sorry, That Formatted Weird On My Phone.

I Was Just Saying It May Be 3Pm, We Were There On Education Days

[BoddaH1994]

I are there today. Had the ribs along with the wedge fries with cheese and bacon. Dane referred to it as the, "heart attack waiting to happen." The food was really good. The service was fast and friendly. We were told that it would be a half hour wait for a table, but we got the text after about five minutes.

[IndyGuy4KI]

When I was there last Tuesday I went by there about 10:15 AM after rides on DB for ERT to see if it was going to be open for the day. At least that day, there is not a sign stating if it was going to be open or not. I wanted to eat there for lunch and plan on it, but was uncertain with it being an education day. My suggestion to KI would to have opening hours by park opening outside the door to know if that is an option for lunch/dinner. I was not the only one looking for hours. Maybe it is on the park map that I don't ever take and look at?

[jcgoble3]

When I was there last Tuesday I went by there about 10:15 AM after rides on DB for ERT to see if it was going to be open for the day. At least that day, there is not a sign stating if it was going to be open or not. I wanted to eat there for lunch and plan on it, but was uncertain with it being an education day. My suggestion to KI would to have opening hours by park opening outside the door to know if that is an option for lunch/dinner. I was not the only one looking for hours. Maybe it is on the park map that I don't ever take and look at?

Don't quote me on this, but I think it opens at 11:00 AM each day. I could be wrong on that, though.

[BoddaH1994]

I think you're right. On a typical operating day, restaurants are usually open 11-9. RT Junction was closed on some of the more "dead" days though, so you were right to check.

So.... Did it open?

[The Interpreter]

One good thing about Brand 6. They put out signs saying what hours apply, and where the nearest substitute is on days a shop or restaurant won't open.

[IndyGuy4KI]

I think you're right. On a typical operating day, restaurants are usually open 11-9. RT Junction was closed on some of the more "dead" days though, so you were right to check.

So.... Did it open?

Yes, it did open that day. I went back about 12:20 and it was open.

Sorry, I guess i assumed since it was part of my PTR I posted in another thread everyone would know I ate there that day. HA!

[BoddaH1994]

That's a WHOLE other thread, sir.

[markr]

Checked out Reds Hall of Fame on 4th of July to give the place a second shot and I must say the place hit a home run after striking out on my first visit. The service was outstanding and the pull-apart pork sandwich simply melted in my mouth. Just wanted to give my kudos to the staff for putting it all together. Hopefully that we mean more great sit-down restuarants at the park.

[IndyGuy4KI]

One good thing about Brand 6. They put out signs saying what hours apply, and where the nearest substitute is on days a shop or restaurant won't open.

"Brand 6" Just about fell out of my chair!

[Littleyork]

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[Creed Bratton]

I unfortunately had a terrible experience at the Reds Grille on 7/1. Our server was wonderful.. Our food was terrible. We had 11 people at our table, 2 people ordered burgers, the rest had fried food. 4 of us had chicken tenders and fries, one had fish, etc. We received our food and I realized my chicken was a little bit dark, but hey, it may be the breading. Ate 1 tender and went to the 2nd...I noticed that it was extremely dry and thought so about the first. So I asked the others who had chicken tenders how their food was. They all said, the food is a bit dry. The one at our table who had fish noted that her fish was extremely dark in several spots. One in our group had a fried chicken salad or something of the sort (she was all the way at the other end of the table) she noted that her chicken was dry and the lettuce was dirty.

One member of our group has been a manager at Bob Evans for 10-15 years and I've been working in the food industry since I was 15 for different companies and currently work for a company that only serves chicken. We both asked our server if we could have our food replaced with new fresh food. I at this point was frustrated and asked for a substitute of a piece of cake instead. About 20 minutes later, our food came back out and it was the same quality (minus my cake) that it was before. Both the Bob Evans manager and I asked to speak with the supervisor. He asked what the problem was so I picked up a tender and showed it to him, it was so dark brown, there were black spots all over it, it was dry on the inside, I brushed the finger with my hand and had tons of little crust remnants from the fryers fall into my hand and he didn't see any issue with that. I asked how long ago they changed their oil for their fryers. He told me that morning and that it was clean. I politely disagreed because of the training I've had with high volume fryers, I told him in my business we change oil in our fryers 3 times a day so our food is fresh, it doesn't discolor, or accumulate waste while cooking. He then argued with me that the fryers were cleaned that morning and that they were absolutely clean. I had advised him that I was going to speak with the department head of food and beverages, as I had previously spoke with him years ago. He then said that he couldn't do anything for us as that's how the food was to be prepared and served.

Our group collectively decided we were done and as we were sitting their waiting for the server to talk to us, he came out of the back and told us that with the issues we had we weren't going to be charged. Before we left, I snapped a few pictures of the food to share with Gary (Department head) We got up and left while tipping the guy because it wasn't his fault. That evening, as we were ready to watch the fireworks in the International Restaurant, I saw Don and asked if Gary was up there. He pointed that he was in the other room. So I waited for him, had a great talk. He was very apologetic and definitely told me that the quality of food we got was not what is expected of that restaurant and he was going to take care of it. He asked me to email him the pictures I showed him.

So it looks like he talked with the employees in the restaurant and got things straightened out by your stories above.

[The Interpreter]

I worked in the food industry for many years. I read about 1/3 of your post before thinking "the grease needs changing." Then I read the part about the lettuce.

Good to hear the problems are being resolved. Some of the best food I ever had, and best service, was at International Restaurant and the ribpit in Rivertown. I hope the Reds Hall of Fame Grill can attain consistency. That is the hallmark of a great restaurant. It can be very difficult to attain in a seasonal environment. Kings Island doesn't need an Amy's Baking Company, where all problems are the customers' and where servers and the manager are afraid to return food to the cook!

[Jr for Birdy]

I ate there on opening day and haven't been back for the simple fear of being stuck in there for a very long time like I was before. You never get a second chance to make a first impression but I will be back if the positive comments start piling in. My biggest issue opening day was I walked inside and had to inform the manager the Reds were playing and then I had to check online to see what channel it was on because he couldn't find it. Priority number 1, if you name your restaurant after a baseball team .....

[The Interpreter]

Only if there are many priority ones.

A restaurant does well to remember the McDonald's mantra of QSC-V. Quality. Service. Cleanliness. Value. What time and channel the game is on matters not at all if the food is horrible, the service lousy, the restaurant unclean and/or the prices beyond what one can or will pay. Ray Kroc was a very bright man. QSC-V.

[JTW]

I enjoyed the meal I ate there with my family in early June.

Our waitress had a very large group next to our table that kept her extremely busy but service was still acceptable. The food was enjoyable and not overly expensive, and it came out as ordered in a timely manner.

It was a Sunday and they did not have the game on for about the first half inning but that's a very minor complaint. I would eat there again for sure.

[Jr for Birdy]

O.K, I went to Hall of Fame Grille tonight around 7 (I'm still full). The service was great, food was good and fast, no complaints! If I could change anything I would dump the chips next year and not charge extra for fries, the fries were a lot better than the chips I had on opening day. Maybe ask each table if they want popcorn or peanuts when taking drink orders next year for a more baseball atmosphere? It was nice to sit and watch ESPN while we waited for our food.

[XjoshhyX]

One of my good friends, who is also a member here, works at the grille. I can say from what I've heard things have gone up from when they first opened. I feel like the organization from up above is what is really doing them in some days, along with understaffing. I have worked at Outback in Western Hills for 7 years now as a busser, server, and also a Supervisor, and some of the horror stories I heard from the first month or so really made me think that the issues were solely because of those 2 factors I mentioned earlier.

I think with this being the first go around for the restaurant, I was expecting nothing less than what has been seen and read on posts throughout the year so far. the food is very very good, the service is very good, and it seems like the main downfall comes from the upper ranks, which can sink a day easily in food service.

I hope that it sticks and is back next year, but with some major revamps to some of the management and service aspects of the business. Every business has their test run though, and I can say so far that i'm impressed from what i've seen so far.

[thedevariouseffect]

Anyone have pics of the menu? Can't find anything online

[Jr for Birdy]

I had lunch today at the grille, this time with wife and kids. Everything was great once again and the chili, cheese,bacon fries on appetizer menu are delicious. I will say having my 2 and 4 year old with me I seen the menu a bit different this time. No kids menu on paper with crayons and on the menu they only have mac n chz or chicken tenders costing $ 7.99!!! Wow, needless to say we shared our plates with the kids. Anybody with young children will tell you how much easier life can be when you give toddlers paper and crayons in a public setting!