Pantagraph.com | Money | Business to offer buy-now, cook-later meals

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

I'm with Darn wrote on Oct 21, 2007 7:41 PM:

" as someone in business I would suggest they rethink their hours. This place's target customer is more than likely 9-5 working couples vs. a stay-at-home mom. "

to Goatboy et al wrote on Oct 20, 2007 2:23 PM:

" sorry the Brumleve's didn't make it work, they are nice people. I am happy to say that I am a better cook than any of those behind stoves at Bennibeechilisfridaysrubytuesdays, so my wife and kids have great meals every night. "

Britney wrote on Oct 20, 2007 1:04 PM:

" So people in those McMansions just have kitchens because they come with the house? "

Darn wrote on Oct 20, 2007 8:58 AM:

" I love Dish Kitchen What's with the daytime only hours of this new place? If I had free time during my day, I wouldn't need to go to one of these places. If they can't have evening hours like Dish, then they won't get my business. They should be catering to working people, not SAHMs. "

Goatboy wrote on Oct 19, 2007 5:18 PM:

" Keep in mind that "on the surface" it is pricier, but you are correct that you don't have to stock up on more than you might need AND you save time in the long run, because you just heat the meal up. Good deal IMO. My wife and I would stock up the month before we had 2 of our 3 kids. With our 4th arriving in January, we'll try this place. Great concept - hope it works.... "

Too bad about Dish! wrote on Oct 19, 2007 3:25 PM:

" My wife and I love Dish Kitchen, and typically went every other month. The ingredients and variety of dishes are outstanding, and preparing the meals is fun, too. It's definitely cheaper than eating out and the food is better and healthier. It's a little pricier on the surface than cooking in, but I'm not convinced that's completely true. We never had to stock up on jars or bottles of ingredients we used little bits of but would never go buy ourselves. "

To: Goatboy wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:50 PM:

" That's a shame. I always thought it was a good concept, but I guess the visibility of the location and the locals's taste for cookie-cutter conformity did it in. I do have to admit that I didn't go there, but that's because of special dietary needs in my family (and the lack of vegetarian options). "

Goatboy wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:26 PM:

" When prices are announced, there will be the usual cry of "too pricey" because unless it's free or a buffet...forget it! "

Goatboy wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:14 PM:

" Dish Kitchen is closing Oct. 31. Sad news, as the Brumleve's were trying to bring something a little different to this town of slack-jawed, 80's haircut, crummy chain-lovin' yokels. God knows how folks resist change around these parts. I hope this business does better. I bet they would do fine if they had onion blossoms and fajitas! "

To sounds good et al wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:06 PM:

" The big selling point here is time savings. I don't see how anyone could prepare a list, shop and prepare 12 meals in 1-2 hours. With this place, you can. Shopping time and prep time are cut out. You assemble and take it home. And with this service, you always have something in the freezer or frig to serve in those moments when preparing a meal from scratch isn't possible. Failure or success, this takes a large investment and major commitment. I'm sure the owners have done their research on the area. It certainly will be in a popular, high-traffic area. "

To "sounds good" wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:03 PM:

" The concept is for busy parents to be able to make several meals in 1-2 hours at one time. Then, during the week when they are busy taking kids to practice, going to meetings, etc. all they have to do is pop the pre-made meal in the oven. It's so they can still feed their family a home-cooked meal while they're running all over the place. It's a convenience thing. "

To: sounds good wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:01 PM:

" Part of the draw is that you don't have to go shopping and you don't have to do most of the prep-work. They'll have all the food on hand and they'll have most of the veggies chopped and prepped ahead of time. For two hours of your time, you can get twelve meals without spending 90 minutes at the grocery store and 30 minutes every day preparing the meal. "

ummm wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:54 PM:

" We have one of these already in town. The concept is not even new to our area, so Im not sure why its presented that. "

bon in BN wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:51 PM:

" this is going to fail....sad to say...but COME ON "

sounds good wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:38 PM:

" but it states that the people or customers will be doing the preparing of meals to take home. 1-if the people have to do that, why don't they just go home and prepare a meal? 2-I can see this being a huge success if they prepare the meals but why go somewhere and prepare your own meal to take home to cook later and be charge for that instead of just going to the store, getting your ingredients and cooking it fresh at home? am I missing something here? "

PJ wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:24 PM:

" I thought there was already a place like this out by Meijer...is it still there? "

PJ wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:24 PM:

" I thought there was already a place like this out by Meijer...is it still there? "

Melissa K. wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:16 PM:

" Sounds almost as fun as customizing your own stir fry @ Flat Top Grill. If you have'nt tried Flat Top is yummy, but a little pricy. "

Ernie wrote on Oct 19, 2007 12:55 PM:

" This sounds just like Dish, off Susan Drive in Normal. Can B-N support two of this type of business, especially given how crazy we are about mediocre chain restaurants? "

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