I’m sure the quality will be fine but it’s just so generic I feel kind of “whatever” about it regardless of how good it ends up.
On the chicken front they should have done at least a rotisserie chicken and a dedicated kids menu. The chicken tenders feels like a way to do a kids menu without calling it that. I’ll end up more disappointed if they end up having a kids menu and skipped any type of non-fried chicken.
EDIT::
This kinda highlights my “lack of faith” in CF to finish concepts. They didn’t really make this work with anything, even as a bridge over stop, it feels like a random theme thing. Someone else pointed out in Jungle-X you see some of the old Volcano buildings and can’t really tell it’s missing, but then you turn the corner and they do nothing to hide the dirt piles. And I keep going back to this one but CAG feels like two different areas with TT plaza and the rest of the area.
So I feel like CF is a real mixed bag when it comes to theme things where they are putting a ton of work into the aesthetics, but taking two seconds on the concept.
Double edit:
Rather than Firehouse BBQ a cool fun name for this in that firefighter theme could have been “Hook and Ladder 195”. Hook being a reference to hanging meats to smoke, ladder to a grill top, and 195 is a generally accepted brisket cook temp.
I see your point. I do feel like the other larger CF parks I’ve visited feel more “complete” than KD in terms of that aspect. They clearly have more of a budget than KD and something like this is illustrated. I agree CAG the front half needs a significant upgrade aesthetically at the very least and even my friend who goes a lot that’s not a thoosie points this out to me. If you go often you notice these details.
But brisket is very yummy and I hope this is on Harmony Halls level or better.
For me the food here is more important than top level theming. This location isn’t a centerpiece for any area in the park, so I’m not too hung up on them going a bit more budget oriented on this one. KD has proven they’ll put money into major restaurant renovations the past few years, so I can give them a pass on a more out of the way place.
Related to the earlier post from last weekend. They've now cut a new door into the side of the building, near Boardwalk Fries; so the exterior doorways are now symmetrical (as symmetry is good).
Exterior of the new restaurant is really looking good!
And on the Planet Snoopy side of the restaurant, check out the giant (mascot) mural they're getting ready to paint!
They still have all the windows and doors heavily covered. I was able to look in one small crack, and it appears like they're still in the process of doing quite a bit of interior work. So with as much effort that they're (finally) putting into this building, I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Even though I wish they had actual bbq chicken on the menu, I will probably try the chicken tenders next time I'm there. I want to try the new hotness, and they do look good as far as these things go. It's the only entree on the menu I can eat. Some of the sides sound good.
I tried the restaurant here tonight, and I was fairly impressed.
Here's the menu - where of note, though it does not indicate it, all the entrees are of course on the season dining plan.
I had the pulled pork. It was good. But honestly, it reminded me a lot of the various pulled pork offerings at former KD restaurants - like Wayside Grill (but that's definitely not a bad thing).
What I did really enjoy were the potato wedges; they were really good! (Just wish there was a larger serving of them, which I guess could change as this was just a soft opening tonight.)
And as there are already plenty of photos of the interior decor posted elsewhere, I won't post many here. But lots of firefighting-related articles across every wall surface, and even the overhead. So a pretty good job by the park, in continuing to better theme each major new restaurant!
And just incase anyone is interested to see how the final exterior came out... Note the great looking sign overhead; The small details like the yellow trim added along the inside of the windows (on the left-hand side of the restaurant at least, where I think they're still working to finish the right side); And the three awesome-looking red door facades.
This looks like a smart investment, where they did a lot with a little and reused tactically. I definitely prefer this to just letting the place stay empty.
BBQ was well "built" but was missing flavor. Tender, juicy, and just a tad dull. Corn was delicious. Cornbread was sticky and dry but tasted decent. Chicken tenders were high quality.
I'll give it a few more tries, but it hasn't knocked off G&G or Outpost as one of my usual eateries.
I really like the custom playlist in this restaurant. All like moderately popular to popular music of various ages and genres that all relate to fire in some way. Perfect volume level too–it's there if you listen for it but it's never invasive.
Interior of the restaurant is pretty nice but exterior definitely still feels sorta plain and unfinished to me. Hopefully that improves in the coming weeks.
I'll save my detailed food thought until after our full review goes up, but overall I'm happy with it.
The menu has platters but doesn't give a price. I'm wondering if I get the tenders and a side (but no corn bread) is that cheaper than the platter? Obviously I don't have the dining plan. I don't especially want corn bread with chicken tenders....
