Our competitor says yes. We say:
No.
What say ye?
Twitter is a buzz with our competitor’s contention that the new Chow Baby, which opened yesterday on Ponce de Leon avenue, is going to die before its first breath.
Here is the tweet that set everything off:
“My first new addition to DeathWatch 2011 : @chowbabyponce. As usual, you heard it here first!” — Eli Zandman
Since that original tweet, everyone is trying to get their two cents in. From PR maven, Caren West, who represents Chow Baby, to Creative Loafing’s Bobby Feingold.
It’s time to move the bitch slapping from 140 characters to well thought out debate. What do you think?
Will Chow Baby on Ponce succeed or fail?
(For the record, we think it’s a home run).
15 Responses
I give it a year or less…
I used to love Chow Baby. Then I discovered that I got a weird stomach ache every time I ate there. I’ve decided it’s probably from all the canned food they use for the stir fry. Not to mention the disgusting smell that clings to my hair for the rest of the day.
I see Ponce as the MJQ and Local crowd. I can’t see them getting behind a chain restaurant that is better suited for the suburbs.
First let me say I’m disappointed that we even have Death Watch.
These are *local* businesses providing jobs to people in the metro area in a down economy. Why are we posting instead on how to support and drive patrons to these restaurants?
It’s time to move from bitch slapping to supporting our communities!
Amy — The Real Chow Baby’s food is market-fresh. They don’t use canned food and actually prep the food in front of you at the new location. They also have gluten-free, vegan & vegetarian options. Just an FYI.
SMF. Totally agree. It’s next to impossible to open a restaurant these days in the city of Atlanta and we all need to do a better job of supporting local businesses. Shop local!
I love Chow Baby and I hope it succeeds. To all you Negative Nancies please go listen to Taylor Swift’s new song “MEAN” because it was written for @SS wipes like you!
I love the location on Howell Mill since it’s close to work. Now I’m thankful one opened on Ponce near home.
Chow Baby has been due for an additional location for ages. Their Westside spot is fantastic in every way except accessibility (difficult parking and infrequent bus service). Even so, the last time I tried to go there, my friends and I decided to do something else because the wait was 45 minutes — so they’re obviously not past their prime.
I’m iffy on whether Ponce hits all the rights notes with regard to their target demographics and the architectural style that I associate with them (though I haven’t seen it since the remodeling). But it definitely has ease of access going for it.
I look forward to trying out the Ponce location. And I like supporting local businesses (regardless of whether they’re single-unit operations or local chains). I hope they’ll have amazing success. And I’m confident they’ll have at least moderate success.
Since when did we start caring what Eli writes? He’s been wrong far too many times to be a credible source, let alone have his opinions taken seriously. Since giving no legit reason why Chow-Baby was “doomed”, apparently his website was just lacking visitors lately.
Drove by last night and it seemed pretty crowded to me. Much better than more empty space so thank you Chow Baby for opening and adding to the continued transformation of the Ponce corridor!
Ponce is not suited for chains?! Have you seen Chipotle there? That place is always slammed.
I say that the ATL is ready for another Chow Baby (HATE the new name “Big Chow Grille” – are they really calling themselves that???). Bring it.
The new Chow Baby on Ponce is not a chain or franchise. It is its on entity that has permission to use the name. They are following the same footsteps of the Howell Mill location. The food is the same in fact the have the same grill. They do have some canned food items such as baby corn, oranges, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts. The fresh items have a larger selection. They receive their produce 7 days a week and their meats 6 days a week. I hope them all the best, and us local Atlantans should support our local business owners.
I really think this building&location is better suited to quick service food. I think they’ll do reasonably well with the lunch crowd, and the carry-out-dinner crowd, but lest be honest, WHO is going down Ponce de Leon for sit down dinner?
I really hope it survives. we really need one in Buckhead too. where else can you get a pile of fresh veggies and have your own combo with different meats cooked to order for that price in VA Hi? or buckhead? Genghis grill is opening up on peachtree but I read no so good things about it. I LOVE an EXTREMELY HEALTHY – lo carb meal with lots of veggies. you cannot get healthier than that. no way no how. you can take that to the bank. no news is good news. dont take wooden nickles (sorry, got carried away there). the only trick is that you have to have a clue when you sauce your own bowls. I think its easily done once you figure it out. Hot Stix was fantastic in buckhead but the ambiance was a F*CKING JOKE. what idiots for owners. Gee, wonder why it went down the tubes. lets see ……..could it be the friendly staff, the great location, the good food? hmmm….could it have been the fact that the entire gosh darned place was a concrete bunker? about as warm as a jail cell? about as peaceful soundwise as a prison cafeteria? c’mon you owners out there, use your brains. make it a place people enjoy being, not just good food. sheesh. it would have taken all of some spray insulation on the 25 foot ceiling and a handful of things on the walls to absorb sound. its not rocket science.
chow baby is great and praise be to Vishnu that they succeed on ponce.
LOVE genghis grill! So goooood! The best mongolian stir fry ever.