My wife and I arrived at Anthony’s Parkway Grille in Burnsville (location of what used to be Benchwarmer Bob’s) at about 6:15 to find an absolutely packed house. There was a 15 to 20 minute wait which ended up being a 45 minute wait. Usually not a surprise on a Friday night for a new restaurant but after reading some of the online reviews, including those that were posted here soon after the place opened, I was a bit surprised to find the place as packed as it was. After realizing that we were only going to be a table of four we were finally seated at just before 7. This was fine by me as it gave time for Art and I to enjoy a non-happy hour Summit EPA for $5.25 (22 or 23 oz).
The menu, as others have mentioned before (see above) was limited. It was a single page of bar food appetizers, burgers, “seafood”, pasta, and some red meat options like overpriced prime rib and ribs. While several items were highlighted haphazardly, when I asked the waiter what that meant he replied that it was to draw your attention to it and to give a design element–in other words, it was just there because… Looking over the menu for nearly 10 minutes I was completely unable to come up with a choice that really jumped out at me as interesting. Not one single menu item grabbed my attention at all and I resorted to asking our waiter for advice. This was my first mistake as the gentleman was happy to offer up two or three items (out of three or four) out of every section which was awesome. Following his extended ranting about how great and meaty the Beef Stroganoff was, I decided on that. Art went with the full rack of ribs, my wife with the chicken quesadilla appetizer, and Art’s wife with the Parkway Burger. Art and I also split an order of their “hot” Buffalo wings appetizer which Art specifically asked to be as hot as they can make them.
Eventually my wife’s side salad (which was much better than what was served to her at Molly Cool’s Seafood Tavern) and our wings came out. A decent portion of wings, these were your very standard small-sized Frank’s doused wings with a cup of bleu cheese and a couple of thinly sliced carrot and celery sticks. These weren’t anything spicy or special and in fact, I commented about how Art and I really need to make our grilled wings again–at least those were worthy of the “hot” title.
After a bit of a wait our entrees came out. My wife’s chicken quesadilla was large but tasted more like sauteed green peppers than anything. It was accompanied by two large cups–one with a healthy dollop of sour cream, the other with a boring, likely Sysco, salsa that was just as boring as their menu. The dish was supposed to include some jalapenos and while my wife said she tasted a hint of them in there, I couldn’t detect the slightest hint of them at all as the dish was absolutely dominated by the sauteed peppers.
Art’s ribs were fucking huge. A nice full rack that was slathered with BBQ sauce that included a side of crispy and bright green beans. He couldn’t finish them and then cut off three for me. He mentioned earlier that the sauce was too sweet and while I didn’t think that, at least not compared to last night’s “Sweet BBQ” at Baldy’s BBQ in Lakeville, they were undercooked (they needed to go at least another hour and while that’s fine when I’m in a rush cooking them in the oven at home on a weeknight–as I did earlier this week–it is completely un-fucking-acceptable for a restaurant to serve what they did tonight). I really should not be tearing the meat off the bone with my teeth clenched. Both Art and I agreed that these were straight out of the box quality and in my opinion, any restaurant serving ribs on the menu should really know better. When Art asked for some hot sauce to make the BBQ sauce a little tastier, the waiter happily obliged and delivered a bottle of Tabasco. While Art did not specify what hot sauce to bring, any server with half a brain should have said, “hmm, something other than Tabasco might be a better choice.” We joked later that at least he didn’t bring a bottle of ketchup as this is Minnesota after all. After the waiter cleared our table Art said that he has never let half a plate of ribs go back in without taking them home in a box.
Art’s wife’s burger was good. It came with a large helping of fries, seemed to be cooked to the standard ordered, and came with some gorgeous looking onion rings. Not a single complaint was heard from her and we all agreed that it was nice that there was at least one good thing to say about one of our meals tonight.
My dinner, the beef stroganoff (it’s up at the top of the page) if you forgot–you know, the one that the waiter recommended more than the other 15 things he said were great–was, by far, the worst fucking meal I have ever had at a restaurant, ever. Now, I know that I resort to utilizing a lot of hyperbole here in my reviews to get my point across but perhaps this tidbit will clear it up for you: for the first time in my memory I didn’t eat more than 1/2 of my meal and I didn’t even have it boxed up for the next day–it was seriously atrocious. After it arrived, I took a bite which included a piece of meat, a few mushrooms, and some noodles. The forkful was flavorless aside from the char of the meat. The sauce was terrible, the fettuccine noodles (which they think is clever apparently) were slimy, and the mushrooms might as well have been out of a can as they had absolutely no taste whatsoever. This “meaty” dish had 15 child-sized bits of meat (I fucking counted them) which may have made up a single McDonald’s hamburger. They were chewy, dry, and tasted only of char. I could not believe I pushed it away and opted to eat a terrible chicken quesadilla instead.
I honestly don’t even know how this place has stayed open even this first month. The food was so fucking god awful that they might want to consider delivering empty 5 gallon buckets to each person at the table in case they feel the sudden urge to purge themselves of what is easily and hands down beaten by an expired and freezer burned frozen dinner tray from Hungry Man. If that doesn’t clue you into the fact about how absolutely hideous the food was, let me be quite blunt:
This is the worst dinner entree I’ve ever had at a restaurant and I highly recommend that you spend your money anywhere but here. Seriously, I have eaten from surplus MREs made in the 1980s that tasted better than what I was served tonight.
Address:
Anthony’s Parkway Grille
251 W Burnsville Pkwy
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone:
952-746-8890
See all the pictures from Anthony’s Parkway Grille on Flickr here.
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October 31st, 2009 at 9:15 am
I have to say the picture of your stroganoff looks pretty disgusting. I wasn’t even sure what I was looking at until you clued me in. It almost looks like melty ice cream with marshmallow fluff? Not very appetizing! I’d say we’ll be skipping this new place based on this review. I’m not willing to gamble with our limited eating out budget!
October 31st, 2009 at 8:15 am
Anthony’s Parkway Grille: Burnsville, MN (http://tinyurl.com/yzjuzxe)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
October 31st, 2009 at 9:42 am
I also thought it was Ice Cream at first. I do wish Bill would stop holding back and say what he really thinks.
Anyway I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween. Rumor Has it Bill is going dressed up as Kautz and instead of saying trick or treat he just asks for money.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:29 am
Unfortunately, the meal lived up (down?) to the reviews I had seen online before we visited. At least the beers were big and cold. And the debut of the comedy club was a fun time (despite the headliner’s over-reliance on racist stereotypes in his humor — you don’t get a pass, just cuz you’re black). The opening act was a hoot. I’d go back to check out the new comedy club space downstairs once it opens.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:47 am
my wife and son went there for lunch one week ago and were less than enthusiastic as well, its a pity…. it sounds to me like they should cut back to burgers, sandwiches primarily , ala Champp’s without the larger entrees , and do an adequate job instead of mucking up completely. 5.25 for a Summit imperial sized pint is reasonable, but a bit on the high side. what were the tap beer selections like? I recently was at Ginger Hop on East Hennepin which had about 8 unique draft beers, several local or midwestern oriented, in 16 ounce pints at about $4.25-4.75. I wasnt overly impressed with the food we ordered, but my sense is we didnt order the right things as other reviewers have been fairly positive.
Thanks for keeping up with the local newbies.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:57 am
The beer selection was nothing to write home about. They had the usual domestics, Guinness, Summit’s EPA and Winter, Magic Hat, a couple of the New Belgium’s (Fat Tire, etc), but nothing that stood out to me.
Restaurant owners listen up: when you have 15 to 20 taps, make some of them fucking interesting. Yeah, you need to have the domestics in Burnsville but please also offer something local–no Summit doesn’t count to cover that.
Yeah, I wasn’t bitching about the price of the beer, in fact I was quite surprised by it. Honestly, for a bar it’s fine if you stick to the appetizers and/or a burger. But for a restaurant it’s horrid and needs to be corrected immediately.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:25 am
The worst meal I have ever had, read about it: RT @SouthMetroNews: Anthony’s Parkway Grille: Burnsville, MN (http://tinyurl.com/yzjuzxe)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
October 31st, 2009 at 11:33 am
Whoa, don’t hold anything back now. :) Just out of curiosity, what’s the best meal you’ve ever had in a restaurant?
October 31st, 2009 at 11:48 am
In the last year, at least food wise, probably the braised short rib at Osteria I Nonni in Lilydale (or St Paul or wherever the hell they claim it’s located now) but the service that we experienced really brought that meal down.
October 31st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Bill, looks as if they attempted to pass off braised beef tips garnished with a squiggle of sour cream as beef stroganoff. Think the Black Forest still has some of the best, second only to the recipe within the 1963 edition of the Pillsbury Family Cook Book.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Its to bad that this place was not better. I will still give them a try, but certainly have lower expectations.
I often wonder if the owners and employees of these new places ever sit down and eat what they are serving. Seriously, if the food was as bad as you are saying, flashing red lights should be going off in thier heads, but time after time I go to places and get food I would never ever serve to people in my own home.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:06 pm
You know, I agree. I really, really want the place to work, especially with MinneHAHA Comedy Club opening in the basement (last night it wasn’t open but they held the show in the party room on the main floor instead). We had some great memories of dinner and comedy shows as well as Benchwarmer Bob’s itself (it’s where our post-wedding brunch was). Unfortunately, unless they do something drastic, soon, this is not going to work.
Really, the food was so fucking bad that there is no way that anyone could want to go back there again unless they’re sitting at the bar and getting hammered.
October 31st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I have been to to this resturant many time, for lunch and evening meals. I am VERY satisfied with the menu which adds almost weekly new items. The atmosphere is very relaxing and the servers are very helpful and I know first hand that all servers have sampled everything on the menu. I am thankful to have such a high class resturant in the neighborhood.
November 1st, 2009 at 12:18 am
I’m no foodie, not by a long shot, but they do have a $7 lunch buffet that I tried. On that particular day, it was some kind of fish with an orange sauce. Not bad. Also biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy with vegetables, beans and a green veggie (asparagus?)
The entree changes daily, I was told — it’s obviously intended as a “chef’s choice” showcase sampler.
Maybe some days you get lucky. Seven bucks is pretty righteous if you want to take a shot.
As for “sitting at the bar and getting hammered,” there IS that. I thought that’s what the downstairs was for.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:36 am
You need to get out more.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am
As far as I’m aware it’s just a comedy club downstairs–which hasn’t opened yet–but I could be wrong. The bar, on the first level, would be where I’d guess you do most of your drinking while you’re there.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Bill,
Thanks for coming out to the comedy show on Friday. Sorry your meal wasn’t up to par. I ate there for lunch on Friday and had the Parkway Burger. I have to say (and I DO eat out a lot) that the burger was satisfying and filling (I”m a sucker for onion rings and the ones that topped the burger were large and hot and tastey.)
Last night before our Saturday comedy show, I did have the Beef Strogenoff Fettuccini. I thought it looked fine and tasted fine. I know what you mean about the slight char on the meat. I had a couple like that but most were good and tender. If I was to point out anything negative about the dish.. the garlic toast was not warm. But I liked the dish and would order it again.
Right now Id give them the benefit of the doubt being new and there is ALWAYS growning pains associated with opening a restaurant. I know that a revised menu is on its way in a few weeks. I don’t know what that consists of but as soon as the new menu is posted it will go under my ‘Dining’ section of the MinneHAHA Comedy Club website.
I”m always willing to give a new place a try a couple times. Maybe give them a try again in 6-8 months and see if they’ve worked out the kinks.
I know the staff there is very dedicated to making it a great place for food and entertainment and it will take some time but I’m confident that they know the restaurant business well enough to make this work..
As far as the lower level, when we are not having comedy shows down there I think its setup to be like a tavern and it gives the customer a different atmosphere than the upstairs.
Overall, I think the restaurant was remodeled beautifully. Its warm and relaxing. I firmly believe they will work out the kinks in the other areas.
I’m also looking forward to having the comedy shows in the lower level.
I’ve been flooded with calls to book holiday parties this winter.
I think a comedy club is what this part of town needs and I will do my best to maintain a quality and entertaining show.
So far the comment cards I received after the show were very positive. I do agree about the racey content but over all the Headliner was great.
Most of the comments said they are glad that a comedy club has come to the area and the people I spoke to personally said they WILL be back.
Bill thanks again for coming out. Tell the other 6 who noshowed what they missed! (I mean the comeyd show portion).
Mike
November 1st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing some local beers but at least they have a couple lines that I would call interesting. Crooked Tree IPA is a great beer and how many bars south of the river have a New Belgium beer other than Fat Tire on tap?
November 1st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
IMHO Fat Tire is the only good one of the bunch anyway.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 am
[...] Roehl describes “the worst fucking meal I have ever had at a restaurant, ever” at the Parkway Grille, a [...]
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:20 am
Their 1554, Mighty Arrow, and Hoptober are all good and you should be able to find them around here relatively easily. They have numerous other good beers though also, such as their Tripel, Dubbel, and La Folie if you dare. I know Fat Tire gets overhyped, but New Belgium is a legit Brewery that creates unique beers and has still managed to grow their business quite well without completely alienating their customers that made them successful.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:40 am
Now I feel less bad about having to miss it due to the changed date! = )
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:02 am
It went right down to the wire, but I imagine Jean Holter blew the competition out of the water for Absolutely Clueless Comment of the Month – October 2009.
Ouch.
What you’re implying is: Hopefully they’ll keep duping enough unsuspecting idiots into spending their hard-earned money on crap to keep them afloat until they can get their act together.
Another angle Anthony might want to take is this: Get someone with a clue into that kitchen STAT. Even I could tweak the basics to make them decent until this “new menu” comes out.
Maybe they should get in touch with the guy that was running Applewood Rustic Grille. He’s probably desperately in need of some extra cash and at least has some culinary credibility (and time on his hands).
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Applewood Rustic Grille has now closed…
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Mike, yeah, that was MSPD’s point.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 am
You had me till you commented that fat tire is the best beer they offer.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:29 am
Sorry, I’m a food snob, not a beer snob.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
beer isn’t food? damn
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Several recent comments have been removed by me for what I believe to be astroturfing/sockpuppeting.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Oh Jean…bless your little heart!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-_BnVYuMb0
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I just assumed that Jean Holter was the chef’s or owner’s mother.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:15 am
we went in last night and got seated right away. three other tables by us also got seated about the same time. We all sat there with no menu’s, no server asking for drink orders, nothing for about 7 or 8 minutes. I told my wife I had a bad feeling about this and we should go somewhere else. The server then came out and apologized and said there was an emergency in the kitchen as in a burst water pipe situation. She told the other tables same thing and she would be right with us and then left without taking drink orders. We went to the Cruise and had a great meal. Another table by us left at the same time. Not going back there again.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:16 am
sorry – we did have menus when we were seated.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am
todd, I would have left too but more from a “they might be too distracted to put out a decent meal tonight” perspective.
But do you really think it’s fair to say “Not going back there again” based solely on a pretty extenuating circumstance?
November 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
We recently stopped by for lunch and found the food WONDERFUL!!!! The beef strogonoff was probably the best I have EVER had!!!
Loving the food!!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Oh, I mean, how could I ever even think to disagree with a comment like this: http://bit.ly/TxWSU
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
November 6th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Stroganoff? Didn’t the pope rule that was still a sin?
November 7th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Nope, not the POPE, just Bill!!!
November 27th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Bill, you have to be the biggest asshole I have encountered in long time. Not only do you insult the staff and the restaurant but you also insult the residents of Minnesota! Anyone that gives a review and drops the “F BOMB” as much as you must one of the most ignorant individuals ever. If you aren’t intelligent enough to describe an experience without swearing then your opinion isn’t worth listening too! I haven’t been to the Grill yet but I will draw my own opinion, and if I ever have the pleasure of meeting you I will be happy to personalize my opinion!
November 28th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Mooses: Real stroganoff is an amazing and delicious thing! It has been distorted into a variety of odd and scary things, including things like ground beef and canned soup. If a place served true stroganoff, they would be very successful with it.
November 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am
“If you aren’t intelligent enough to describe an experience without swearing then your opinion isn’t worth listening too!” – Mike73
This coming from a person who uses the word “asshole” in the first sentence of his comment. Pot, meet kettle.
November 28th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I’m interested in reading experiences from those who have eaten at the Mediterranean Cruise. I’ve not been there yet myself, and I can’t find a link on Bill’s blog indicating that he’s been there either (?).
November 28th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Nope, no review for them here. Maybe in the future when I get a chance. Unfortunately new restaurants take precedence over long established ones :)
November 28th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Med. Cruise: We met friends there a few weeks ago – we weren’t hungry, so we just shared an underinspired Greek salad. We did taste our friend’s chicken gyros (huh?), and it was “solutioned” into mush, leaving it bereft of much flavor.
It was a really fun evening, however, with salsa dance lessons and a large, boisterous crowd. Also, the decor is wonderfully bright and shiny and WAY overboard.
We will try it again, but won’t be rushing out to do so.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Bill, I would love to hear your thoughts on the decor and building that house MCC. As Sandy stated, its really a little bit more than I expected. The place is huge, cavernous, big, etc.
I have only visited a couple times, and always for lunch, when it was quiet and empty and sorta sad, but I assume they know thier business and that on a Friday or Saturday night its a much different experience?
November 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Chad, I guess when you get the land your restaurant is going to sit on for a literal steal, you have more cash to pump into the decor.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
He was forced to move out of his spot in Eagan. Doesn’t the city pay him for that land or the building he had to vacate? Not sure how the works but you’ld think they would have to pay him a premium for that.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Mike O, they don’t have to pay a premium but he was paid for the land they took. The good deal he got was because Queen Elizabeth wanted his restaurant in the Heart of the City.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:32 am
[...] I’m certainly not afraid to share that it was indeed Bill Roehl who thought his beef stronganoff was, “the worst fucking meal I have ever had at a restaurant, ever.” But I realize that some may not be as willing to do [...]
January 12th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Is this the former location of Benchwarmer’s? I used to live in the condos next to Bobs, and subsist on the nachos, could get three meals from one order. May give it a try, but not going out of my way based on previous comments.
January 12th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Everyone’s tastes are different. I say at least give it a try once. There is a new chef onboard now and a new menu that is out now. A drastic improvement. Larger selection. I had their Prime Rib buffet during New Years Eve and was quite pleased. Prime Rib is still on the menu as well. I have had it a couple times after new years and I prefer the larger cut (16oz) over the smaller 10oz cut cuz I’m a meatlover.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Me and my wife went in to Anthony’s Parkway Bar and Grill tonight for the first time. Let me say first off that it was a packed house. The hostess’ were incompetent. They tried to seat us at a table but apparently the table had been moved. They left us standing literally smack dab in the middle of the restaurant looking like idiots for 5 minutes while they tried to find us another seat. Finally they found us a booth and we were seated. It took no less than 10 minutes for menus to arrive and we ordered our first drink. While waiting for our drinks to arrive another couple next to us got up and left. They said they had been waiting for almost an hour for their food. Our drinks arrived but we decided to leave. I offered to pay for the drinks but they declined. The menu was 3 pages of mostly appetizers and no drinks (non alcoholic or alcoholic) were listed on the pages. Mostly chicken on the menu but there was one sirloin selection. The staff told me there was steak left over from the night before that I could have but we declined. I have heard at least 3 other people from Burnsville say that the service sucks. I will probably go back and give the bar a try but that remains to be seen.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
We stopped in with a couple friends to catch GB Leighton’s acoustic night on Thursday 1-14-10, which I think was their Grand Opening. We were greeted warmly, promptly seated with menus. A waitress arrived within a minute taking our drink and appetizer order (Chicken Quesadillas- which were Excellent) arrived within a few moments. We inquired about moving to a table closer to the stage on a crowded night and they watched for one. When it opened up, they moved us up promptly. All staff were friendly and attentive throughout the evening. We watched GB’s acoustic show, had a ofew drinks, socialized. Later, I Ordered a Chicken Fajita salad that was very good. We and our friends enjoyed the night and agreed this was a nice place that we will definitely return to…especially if they have another acoustic night. Looking at the reviews compared to my own experiences leads me to believe my best advice is to try it and form your own opinion. Hope to see you there!
January 17th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Jason,
I think your description of the menu is a bit of an exaggeration. The new menu ISNT mostly appetizers. Its 3 pages and the first page are just the appetizers. The other TWO pages are regular entrees. Yesterday was my first meal ordered off the new menu. I had the Big Island burger. It was great, bursting with favor and guaranteed not to be hungry when you are done! Tonight we had 2 company holiday parties there. One of them mine. Our party was 28 people the other was 37. My coworkers were pleased with the meal and I asked a few people at the other party and the answer was the same. All great food. Maybe one of the reasons the food upstairs was taking a bit longer than usual was because 65 meals being served downstairs and caught the kitchen at its peak time. Not making excuses but pointing out that it was busier than normal for the kitchen tonight.
Jason, I would say its worth a second try.
Mike
January 17th, 2010 at 7:55 am
I guess we’d have to see this new menu to know for sure.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I should have the menu on my website later in the week as soon as they send it in .PDF.
January 17th, 2010 at 10:42 am
“Dave K”, just checking…are you the Mayor’s husband?
January 17th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Somethin’ smells fishy…
January 17th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Why is it as soon as a poster strays from public opinion..Dave K for example (and I me too) by posting GOOD comments about Anthony’s, we get chastized on this site. Don’t you think that there ARE happy customers that come out of that restaurant? I KNOW THERE IS. I talk to them EVERY WEEKEND. My comedy club customers EAT off that menu and the majority that I speak too are very satisified.
Step back for a moment and think about the gargantuan task it is to purchase, open and run a restaurant. I can’t even begin to think about the stress involved to get something like this up and running, work out the kinks (it aint gonna be perfect right from the start…I’m sure Emerils restaurant had hiccups too) and make it successful.
I believe Anthony’s will be around for a long time. I have faith in the owner making this work and I will do my part in the lower level to contribute to the success as well.
Mike O.
MinneHAHA Comedy Club
January 17th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Mike, because we’re having fun. Lighten up.
January 17th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Mike,
I think there are a few things at work here. First, its hard to trust a great review after so many bad ones, especially when there were so many clearly false positive posts up above. Even you have basically admitted that there were some growing pains to start, yet several people posted reviews basically saying this was the greatest place ever. Nothing kills credibility faster. Much better to come on and tell the truth and hope for improvement.
Also, I think that there is a certain expectation that when a place opens there may be issues with service, but a hope that food at least will show a chance of being good.
Its clear there were some issues. As you have said, there is a new chef and a new menu. I really hope those things start the place moving in the right direction. Best of luck, and thank you for trying to make this place work in Burnsville.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Thanks for the reply Chad. Thats seems a bit more constructive than just “Lighten Up”.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Mike,
You want a constructive comment? How about: I won’t post another one of your comments unless at the beginning you clearly state: “PLEASE TAKE EVERYTHING I SAY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT: my own business’ success relies, in part, to Anthony Parkway Grille’s success.”
How about that for lightening up?
January 30th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Anthony’s Parkway Grille? A lousy first experience. My vegetarian friend wanted the baked penne pasta, a choice listed in their online menu, but no longer available as their menu had changed and the website had not been updated with the correct menu. So, she instead ordered a side salad and dinner roll and the dinner roll came on a small plate, cut up in four squares (?!?!?!?). I ordered the Parkway burger, well done. It came rare, with cold, greasy onion rings on top.
Then there was our hapless server … She told us they had “run out of menus” but would try to find some for us even though they were not all that busy, she did not give us beverage refills or ask how the food was, she pulled out one of the unused chairs from our table to rest her knee on when taking our order, she told us her name when she delivered the check instead of when she first came to our table.
We just laughed at how messed up it all was. It also gave me ample opportunity to ponder why the holiday lights are still brightly lit along Burnsville Parkway. Is it a play from the Heart of the City spin guide? ‘Don’t look at how poorly the PAC is doing, look at the lovely flowers.” “Don’t look at your food, look at the lovely light-filled street of trees.”
April 14th, 2010 at 7:32 am
[...] Beef & Dogs in Apple Valley, the now defunct Bucky’s (prior to it turning into a diner), Anthony’s Parkway Grille in Burnsville, Casa Nostra in Lakeville, the Mraz Center in Burnsville, and most recently Rack [...]
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:46 pm
The owners of Anthony’s Parkway Grill and Bumpers got up before the council to note their disappointment in the construction on Burnsville Parkway and how it is affecting his businesses. He said:
They started with 90 employees and they are now down to 35.
“Our cash flow is very tight.”
“Businesses next to us are going dark.”
Hope for a low interest loan available to businesses especially when they are likely to struggle (i.e. a new business)
Complained about seat belt violation stops by Burnsville PD as that will add another reason to stop people from wanting to travel the roadway.
—
While I understand what they are saying, come on let’s be serious. Their business is not suffering only because of road construction. It’s suffering because the food sucks. This construction is only going to help accelerate the inevitable.
June 22nd, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I will agree with them that traveling through that area is currently a huge pain in the ass during peak times.
June 24th, 2010 at 12:12 am
I used to work in that area and I avoided the Burnsville Pkwy/Niccollet Ave. intersection at all costs.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I was driving by today and saw a sign reading Carbone’s Pizza and Sport’s Bar coming Sept 1. I am not sure what is going on, and I would love a change, but Carbone’s? Anyhow, http://www.carbonesburnsville.com.
August 17th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Not a big surprise. The Carbone’s that double as a sports bar (Lakeville/Rosemount) seem wildly successful.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I’ve been meaning to ask about this…totally forgot! About 1-2 weeks ago, they had a sign saying “Benchwarmers coming soon” (or some version of a sign with Benchwarmers).
I can’t wait to hear the story. My prediction is some sad sack piece blaming road construction.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Their plan is to add the Carbone’s pizza kitchen, while still retaining many of the sandwiches/entrees they currently offer.
In my opinion, it’s a good thing. Parkway (or Benchwarmer’s) is my favorite home away from home; I’m a big craft ale guy and they’ve got the best beer selection south of the river. They’ve got something like 30 tap beers, and there are many more bottled beers. Truly a beer-lover’s bar.
If you tend to favor Miller Lite, I don’t suppose Parkway would be your cup of tea. Their food quality has gone downhill slightly, since Nate Bode left, but they still have some excellent choices.
I recommend any of their flatbreads. And their burgers are good, if you’re into actually tasting your food (medium-rare) instead of ordering hockey pucks (well done). As far as Apps, my personal favorite is the Reuben egg rolls; they’re not breaded like most, they’re flash fried, crispy, and crunchy. Excellent flavor.
On the negative side: When Nate was there, they used to have the best Philly cheese steak sandwich on the planet, but they don’t use tri-tip steak anymore, and I can’t recommend it. They’ve recently changed their french fries; I used to love the shoestrings they used, but now they’ve gone with the generic steak fries. Blah…
August 30th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Wasn’t Nate Bode the guy who ran Applewood Rustic Grill as well?
Kinda bummed its not goint to just close up and reopen as a Carbones. The one in Lakeville is pretty decent. Not sure I can see how the joint venture is going to work out.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Nice bit of real estate. I’d like to see it get washed out with a fire hose and then be turned into a real restaurant. Maybe a great old-fashioned supper club with from-scratch food and a really nice room for banquets. Some beautifull landscaping would be nice. It would suit the area and probably do quite well.
September 16th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I drove by Anthony’s this morning, and there is new signage up. It looks like there is now a Carbone’s Pizza and Sports bar in that location.
September 16th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Yeah we’ve been talking about that sully. Thanks for reminding me though. I have marked this location closed and put a note at the top of the post.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
They didn’t even last a year…
January 15th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Went to Carbone’s Burnsville tonight for my husband’s birthday. This was a good FAMILY experience. They brought coloring BOOKS (not just a sheet of paper) to the kids and when we went to check out the area with the video games we noticed they had a wii too. Service, food, prices all reasonable. The service wasn’t the fastest or best service I have ever had but nothing to complain about. Same thing with the food and prices. By the time we left around 7 the place was PACKED!