Special Feature

January 15th, 2009

Observations and Reflections on Life in General in These Here Parts

Bring Back Frolander’s Quail’s Inn!

Used to be a body could get a right decent meal at a decent price when Frolander’s ran The Quail’s Inn Restaurant in Lake San Marcos. Frolander’s retired and then a succession of operators came in and botched things up pretty good.

Strange, too, because the restaurant is attractive, beautiful views, and has a ready made market in Lake San Marcos residents. They will support the restaurant. They did for years, with Frolander . . . because they got great food, great service, and more than reasonable prices. Remember the famous Quail’s Inn Buffet? Hard to beat.

The most recent operator, The Barn Burner, is kaput. The restaurant is presently closed. I’m not terribly surprised. I saw what they did with their prices and they way they operated. Several operators came in after Frolander’s and they all made the same mistake. They put out high priced food. Gourmet, they called it. (Gourmet = a little bit of food, arranged prettily, on a pretty plate with a hefty price tag that leaves you still hungry). Most recently, the Barn Burner put out barbecue. That’s fine . . . but the prices weren’t.

The Lake San Marcos residents are a discriminating bunch. They want great food, great service, reasonable prices. Give it to them, they’ll come. Deny them, they’re gonna stay home or dine elsewhere. Other clients, too.

I understand that the Lake San Marcos corporate headquarters is planning on take over the restaurant. Just a word to the wise and all.