KFC Yum Arena

A question for consideration ... is the issue with the food, the service or both? If the issue is with the service, could it be because there are so many volunteers that really don't know what they are doing, but are trying to earn a buck for their school, scout pack, or other organization?

I understand from a Neighbor that their negative experience was in slow, unorganized service..
Just a little feedback.

Leann.... Really? TMI Just saying.

I just experienced my first UofL basketball game at the YUM Center. The facility itself is very impressive. I'm still not sure how to get around in the damn place. Hot water in the bathrooms (Freedom Hall never had hot water to wash your hands with...) The tickets I had were a family members and I'll say that I'm disappointed in where the seats are. I was probably spoiled with the seats I had access to in Freedom Hall, but good grief, the air was thin where I was sitting Once I got into the seats, I think I actually had a better view of the entire court, but getting to the seats was a lot like being in the circus and walking a tight rope.

I agree with what Brian said about the $13.50 for the tender meal... never again. I hope they adjust pricing, or hell if they don't it should allow some other eateries to pop up near the stadium to fill the void. Inside the arena the philly cheese steak station looked good, as did the deli sandwiches. Neither sounded like they would sit well in my hung over stomach that day though.

I'm sure it will take a little bit to adjust things, but I tried 4 different stations to get a soft pretzel at half time including a station that only had pretzels and popcorn and couldn't snag one. I spent 15 minutes in line at one place that had 4 pretzels only to have all 4 of them sold before I got to the front of the line. That was a kick in the balls... I ended up going and getting breadsticks instead from Papa John's instead...grrrrr.

I'm sure food and beverage sales were pretty strong in the arena because the crowd was announced as 18K or so and over half of the seats appeared empty to me during the game.

I am with you, Scott - hot water in the bathrooms!! Never had that in Freedom Hall. It was nice to be able to warm my hands up after the walk into the stadium (not a long walk at all, since we had lunch outside at the BBC across the street before the game.) Funny how the little things make a big impression.

And Leann, a vomitory/vomitorium is just an architectural feature. It's mistakenly associated with vomiting (there never was any such place where Romans would go to for vomiting called a "vomitorium"), but really is just a passageway below or behind seats in a theater or arena that either audience members or performers themselves can exit or enter through. Usually, they're just called "voms." When I was in a play at Stage One in the Bomhard in high school, we entered and exited through the theater's voms. So there's your useless info. for the day.

Regarding "actionable" suggestions, I'm sure somewhere in the cavernous reaches of the new concrete palace there is food served that requires the skill and expertise of an executive chef and his staff. Unfortunately most of the huddled masses will never be exposed to it and thus can't reply to the whether or not the chafing dishes are hot enough or the Bearnaise sauce is too rich.

Rather most people are concerned about the quality of the ordinary concession products (both food and drink), the expediency of the service and perhaps most importantly the price thereof. How much of this is actionable within the realm of an "executive chef" is not something (most) people on this forum can accurately determine. The type of complaints aired so far in this thread are (in my mind) quite valid and worthy of discussion, regardless of who takes offense.

Since they have your ticket money in advance as well as your seat license money, I'm doubtful the powers-that-be really care about those people visiting the arena who have to buy from, shall we call them, street venders. Yes, you can call me cynical.

I gave consideration this past week - while my gf was at the MMJ concert - when it will be that I first visit the arena. When hell freezes over seems the likely winner.

I know several people that have been to YUM Center and reported back of its beauty. However I would never step into YUM Center on an empty stomach while attending a concert. Simply because of the price. That's my bottom line.

I've never been to Papa Johns Football Stadium. Maybe I'll make it one of these days...

$6.75 for Woodford; was $4.75 at Freedom Hall.
My daughter said the $4 pretzel is good. Might be the best bargain.
The Evan Williams room was opened and serving food for the women's game Sat. Slow moving bartendars. Hadn't expected the room to be opened much less have food. About $11-$12 for three different items: Prime Rib Sandwich with Chips; Panini sandwich; or Chicken Caesar Salad.
Might share one once if running late.
In the Legends Room, a $7 appetizer buffet - hot brown puffs(?), chips, cruditite, popcorn. Didn't look too closely. That is the dullest saddest area in the whole arena. I guess they think we're all over 80 years old:-)
Again, very slow moving bartendars. These rooms don't get the big 'bargain' $5.25 souvenir soft drink cups either. It was a very flimsy $4 Pepsi cup.
Anyway, I seldom eat at airports, arenas, etc. Quality of food, long lines, expense, calories, etc.
Didn't get to have a beer or anything at the restaurants yesterday. Went inside the arena before 1:00 and wanted to get home and do stuff before Halloween urchins:-) came around.
It is exciting to go downtown and to the new arena. I'm having arena withdrawal after having been there 6 times already: sponsor nite, scrimmage, Eagles, MMJ, women's exhibition, men's exhibition. Love the new arena.

I know several people that have been to YUM Center and reported back of its beauty. However I would never step into YUM Center on an empty stomach while attending a concert. Simply because of the price. That's my bottom line.

I with you. I never go to any arena event when hungry. I've also never been to an arena where I thought the service was great or the prices reasonable. They have you and you know going in they have you.

... Rather most people are concerned about the quality of the ordinary concession products (both food and drink), the expediency of the service and perhaps most importantly the price thereof. How much of this is actionable within the realm of an "executive chef" is not something (most) people on this forum can accurately determine.

The bottom line is that the ordinary concession products will have been determined by corporate entities who have paid to play, directly or indirectly, as is the traditional concessionaire's business model. The executive chef will have no control over this. As its name implies, Yum! Arena is a closed shop where competition is impossible outside of doing the ante-up two-step.

The only thing about any of this that I ind truly bothersome is that we permit tax money to be used to construct palaces like this, and then eliminate free enterprise within them. That sounds just a bit hypocritical to me, but it does make for massive profits concentrated in the hands of a relative few.

[Robin Garr]

...it does make for massive profits concentrated in the hands of a relative few.

Which helps us understand why the arena, and the bridges project, proceed with so much momentum and so little real public input.

...it does make for massive profits concentrated in the hands of a relative few.

Which helps us understand why the arena, and the bridges project, proceed with so much momentum and so little real public input.

The bridges project is proceeding "with so much momentum'????? I agree with the part about "little real public input", the other, not so much

and the bridges project, proceed with so much momentum and so little real public input.

??? I don't know , in my world there is a lot of public input when it comes to the bridges.
Just do not see it happening in my lifetime

The only thing about any of this that I ind truly bothersome is that we permit tax money

I never gave them permission. Of course, I had little say in the entire matter...

Chef Sean,
Welcome to the forum! It's always good when both sides of the conversation are represented.
That being said, I had a pretty dismal service experience at the arena last Sunday. I know the difficulties of a new operation and I don’t envy your challenges. I've been hoping to share my observations with someone of consequence and not just complain to complain, so here I go.
I waited in line for 20 minutes to get a beer. I'm a patient person, but there were only two people in front of me. The staff didn’t know the product that they were serving and frankly, they didn’t appear to have any food/bev service experience at all and little training. I ordered a Sierra Nevada. The young lady proceeded to pick up an Amstel Light, struggle with the cap, pour it into a cup and attempt to hand it to me. I politely explained that I wanted a Sierra Nevada. She looked confused. "The one with the green label", I said. At that point a gentleman who appeared to be the manager stepped over and snapped at her, then picked up the Sierra Nevada and started trying to open it with his shirt. After what seemed like a lifetime of him struggling and getting more and more flustered I said, as politely as I could manage, "Sir, It's not a twist off cap." At which point he handed the still unopened bottle to the first young lady and walked away. She used the bottle cap opener to the best of her ability and was miraculously able to open the bottle.
I'm thinking Great Success! Almost there!
But alas, another hurdle. She had to pour the beer into a plastic cup. No bottles, remember? She had apparently been coached on how to pour a beer into a cup because she tilted the cup almost completely horizontal and began to slowly, drip by drip, transfer the beer from the bottle to the cup. It was almost slow motion.
Finally, I get the beer in my hands. It costs $6, I give her a twenty. She walks down to the other end of the cart where the register is. I don’t know what went on down there but when she didn’t come right back with my change I stood on my tippy toes to get a look. She was taking orders from other customers down on that end. So I stood there waiting, holding up the line and trying to make light of the situation to the guys behind me who weren’t being quite so nice. I was honestly halfway through my beer when she finally returned with my change.
The panicked look in her eyes said it all- she was drowning. Not just in the weeds but actually fighting to keep her head up. I’ve been in that situation before and it’s not good! I hope she either gets training, support staff or a huge raise. I don’t think the latter is likely so please Chef Sean give her the tools to be able to perform her job!

This was not a dramatization and after sharing that story I don’t think it’s necessary to explain what happened when I went back for popcorn.

Good luck, I wish you the best!
Madi