Comment Archives: stories: Food & Drink
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
I agree with everything Ned said on the top comment here. We no longer eat in person at Cappy's, and only occasionally get take out from there. From my observations of the Cappy's parking lot, this arrogant policy on kids has hurt Scooter's business because it seems empty often a lot more than it was in the past. When will Scooter eat humble pie and admit he was wrong? When will the Cappy's franchise tell him to stop this anti-kids policy? It hurts all the Cappy's locations for Scooter to be such a dick.
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
Joel: The other locations do not have the sign, or the attitude. They ARE kid-friendly. Only Scooter seems to be afflicted with such monsters that he feels the need to scare off families. This is part of what makes his whole tale so suspect. Surely there were not hundreds of bad kids busting his fountains... Why could he not have booted the few kids that caused the trouble and welcomed the rest? This is the part those of you who think he's a hero don't seem to get... CL jokes about the idea that he "hates kids," but he does seem to think that ALL kids are the same as those who troubled him.
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
I had no idea this controversy existed. I hit up the St. Pete location from time to time and they have a small shelf full of toys near the register. That, to me, is the sign of an incredibly kid-friendly business. (I have a 2 y.o. girl)
And when my daughter is loud and unruly, we take her outside. It's a shame Scooter had to create this rule because not enough parents practiced common sense and courtesy towards other diners.
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
I guess it's splitting hairs, since both have food and alcohol, but I think of Cappy's as a pizza joint and of The Indy as a bar. I take my children to pizza joints, I don't take them to bars, that seems reasonable to me. Would love to know what your point is.
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
No. Why do you ask?
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
Ned, do you also take your kids to the Independent?
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
So happy he got more business by being a jerk. He got what he wanted -- he's a hero of the DINKS who buy more alcohol, this was always about changing his customer demo. Those of us with families will continue to take our business where our money is welcome -- elsewhere.
This is not about thinking it's OK for kids to misbehave. Mine don't, and if they did, I'd remove them from the restaurant. It's about singling out ONE kind of misbehavior for a sign at the door, warning those of us with kids that we are on probation, under scrutiny and on notice. Rowdy, drunk sports fans after a game can disrupt a meal -- there's no sign warning them to behave, no warning at the door saying "RAYS FANS, KEEP IT DOWN, OR ELSE!" Scooter wants their business and doesn't want to make them feel watched or uncomfortable. People gabbing loudly on their phones can disrupt a meal -- there's no sign warning people not to do this. Scooter wants their business and doesn't want to make them feel watched or uncomfortable. There was only ONE form of misbehavior Scooter wanted to call out, and that's because he made a calculation that any business he lost he'd make up double in people who are annoyed by children; he was tired of watching the snob money going up to the Refinery. Absolutely his privilege. And mine to eat elsewhere, and to encourage my friends to do likewise. It makes me sick to see that he's so proud of what he's done.
Unruly customers are a fact of life in the restaurant business. Whether they're noisy kids or belligerent drunks, you deal with them by warning them, then kicking them out -- you do not post a warning to everyone of the same demographic that they are on notice. You don't tar everyone with the same brush, you punish the offenders and welcome everybody else. Unless what you really want is to make a certain group leave. Well played sir. I'm glad to know you have a steady customer for your bland, overpriced, greasy product.
Re: “Brunch on shrimp and grits with a smoky, spicy twist”
Try Boudin for the sausage sometime. It works well.
Re: “No more green beer”
Madison, probably not. They are mostly local to Tampa Bay. So... you should come visit! :)
Re: “A foodie’s festival”
Yes, that may be something they want to consider for next year. At least with water.
Re: “A foodie’s festival”
It was WAY too hard to find just plain water to drink. When I asked at the food booths, I was told "we're not allowed to sell water". I waited in line at the vodka booth, hoping they'd sell me some soda - nope. "Not allowed". What??? They pointed to the beer booth, where the line was about 20 people deep. Ridiculous. EVERY BOOTH SHOULD HAVE WATER! I was frustrated and near tears, finally one guy at the food booth next to the vodka people gave me a bottle from his own stash. Very furstrating!
Re: “That’s bananas”
Sounds delicious! I think I can do it :)
Re: “Wimauma has Southern charm, but it's still a work in progress”
Amy is one of the rudest people I've ever met. Anyone who treats people like that does not deserve their business.
Re: “St. Paddy's dining guide”
I read that my favorite restaurant, Vintage on Fifth in Crystal River, is serving BBQ Corned Beef. Think I am going there tonight!
Re: “No more green beer”
Love the suggestions! A good substitution is the way to convert those who didn't even know they needed converting. I haven't tried a majority of these and wonder if I can get a hold of them in North Carolina?
Re: “The Top 50 Restaurants in Tampa Bay”
I once drove all the way from lutz to el crapo and couldn't believe how overrated it was. Mediocre burgers and typical macdonalds fries. I don't like the grease at 5 guys but it sure beats el crapo.
Who rated this place every year so high anyway? That person should be forced to eat there every day for a year.
Re: “Four-star café”
I totally agree with this review. Must add that I love the coziness and the friendly & accommodating owner and staff!
Re: “Drink more wine”
Pinot Noirs are my favorite. Ore., Ca, Fr.
Re: “Tampa's Saigon Deli serves excellent Banh Mi Mesandwiches”
I don't get what the excitement is about the sandwiches. They use Publix rolls and the portions are tiny. Hell of a long ride for this.
Re: “No, Scooter Gabel doesn’t hate kids”
I was just curious where you drew the line between bar and restaurant.