KFC Yum Arena

I was also at the game on Sunday and had a very spotty experience with the concessions.

I didn't try getting an alcoholic beverage, so I can't comment except that the lines were long and prices high.

I did try twice to purchase items that were unavailable. At the Chippy Chip (I think that's right) stand they had some yummy smelling BBQ. Beef, chicken or pork. My wife wanted a BBQ Sandwich, but alas they did not have any buns. The poor folks working said that had been trying for an hour to get some with no luck. We went with the BBQ Chippy Chips and I have to say they were quite tasty. I would eat that again.

Then my wife wanted a pretzel and I could NOT find one anywhere. All of the staff were expressing their frustrations with not having items, and God forbid someone in line order a grilled item. Took FOREVER. One guy waited a good 10 minutes for his chicken finger basket.

I figure some of this is growing pains and I assume it will get sorted out as time goes on.

The prices were all over the place. Some things seemed reasonable (Chili Cheese Fries for $3.50, Boars Head Brat with peppers and onions for $6, Cheese Burger and Fries for $8), some not so reasonable (Pizza Hut Pasta for $10, tub of popcorn for $9). Pricing on the Yum! items was just ridiculously out of line. $11 something for 3 Taco Bell tacos and a drink. I'm pretty sure that's a $4 items in the restaurant. The KFC Sandwich combo that they are advertising for $5 in store was also $11+.

That is so out of line I can't even fathom it, and the complete lack of lines or people at most of the Yum! related booths reflected that. I don't see how they will make any money at all charging those prices.

Homemade Pie Kitchen was also proud of their stuff. $4.50 for a single scoop cone. $3.50 for a cookie. I'll pass, thanks.

The strangest event of the day was going into the Spirit Room. They were selling sandwiches, your choice of roast beef or turkey with a side of chips for $9. Right outside was a deli counter selling sandwiches. Your choice of turkey or roast beef for $7. A side of chips was $1.50 more. I'm no math wiz, but apparently you have to make a donation to UofL for the privilege of paying $.50 more for your sandwich????? Go figure. A lot of people were buying food outside and brining it in.

There was just a lot of confusion and uncertainty in general, both from the workers and the patrons. If they get the confusions all worked out, make sure the items are stocked and ready and get some of the pricing a little more in line, I think it will be fine. The prices are generally higher than Freedom Hall, but for the most part the quality seemed to be better. For the most part.

It is nice to have choices besides hot dog or brat. I can say that.

[Robin Garr]

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

Okay, I'll grant that it's been a long time since high school physics, and I'm sure I'm conflating "momentum" and "inertia" and a few other things. Suffice it to say, though, that it's rolling, heavily, with painful slowness but, it seems, inexorably toward a conclusion that the power structure seems to favor but that most people in Louisville may not even really want.

If it makes anyone feel any better the Yum Palace can't hold a candle to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in terms of pricing...there a 20" pizza will run ya a cool 60 bucks. Don't want to eat "stadium" food...well let's tailgate. Entry into the "Tailgate corral" is only $125 AFTER you pay the standard $25 parking fee.

<sigh> Didn't make ya feel much better did it ?

In lieu of all of the negative posts about the food at the Bucket. Are there any large venues that do good food? I have had poor to fair eats at most mega places but I kinda expect it. Shame on me!!

In lieu of all of the negative posts about the food at the Bucket. Are there any large venues that do good food? I have had poor to fair eats at most mega places but I kinda expect it. Shame on me!!

I'm a longtime season ticket holder to the NASCAR races in Bristol TN and while I can't say they have -great- food, they do have a nice variety, some of it from "chain" outposts and some from in house concession stands. The thing that sets them apart is price...a whole pizza runs 16 bucks, hot dog and a 16 oz. soft drink 4 bucks, 6" Subway sandwich and a 16 oz soft drink, 5 bucks, 16 ounce ("tall boy") domestic beer 4 bucks...All WAY cheaper than I've ever seen in any stick and ball venue.

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

Okay, I'll grant that it's been a long time since high school physics, and I'm sure I'm conflating "momentum" and "inertia" and a few other things. Suffice it to say, though, that it's rolling, heavily, with painful slowness but, it seems, inexorably toward a conclusion that the power structure seems to favor but that most people in Louisville may not even really want.

Oh, I get it now. I thought you were saying it was moving quickly and without much tme for contemplation. That didn't make any sense because we've been considering it since I was learning high school physics in 1971!

If it makes anyone feel any better the Yum Palace can't hold a candle to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in terms of pricing...there a 20" pizza will run ya a cool 60 bucks. Don't want to eat "stadium" food...well let's tailgate. Entry into the "Tailgate corral" is only $125 AFTER you pay the standard $25 parking fee.

If it makes you feel any better...

Reported costs of the Yum Center hover near 230 million bucks while the Dallas Stadium is estimated close to 1.2 billion.

We got a deal!

[Robin Garr]

Reported costs of the Yum Center hover near 230 million bucks while the Dallas Stadium is estimated close to 1.2 billion.

We got a deal!

Did we? They paid about five times what we did, but it's a football stadium. Is it five times bigger?

More important, does theirs look like the offspring of an unnatural union between a cheap inkjet printer and a toaster oven?

More important, does theirs look like the offspring of an unnatural union between a cheap inkjet printer and a toaster oven?

From this side of the river it more closely resembles an Airstream travel trailer
'Winger

[Robin Garr]

From this side of the river it more closely resembles an Airstream travel trailer

Hey, the Airstream was a design classic. Maybe we should reboot?

Did we? They paid about five times what we did, but it's a football stadium. Is it five times bigger?

No, we really did not. It was facetious remark. Comparing YUM arena to the most expense professional football stadium is apples and hotdogs. They just don't mix.

The food service probably has nothing to do with Chef Kavanaugh. The management of Centerplate at the Yum Center, Freedom Hall and Slugger Field are the resposible parties. They continue to drop the ball at every opportunity. I am not sure what Chef Kavanaugh's duties entail, but it is probably not the bartenders and pretzel servers. Perhaps Chef Kavanaugh can enlighten the Forum as to where we might sample his culinary delights, also he might like to join us at the potluck on Nov. 14 (see thread).

Holy Moly!
Thank you all for the information regarding our challenges at the KFC Yum! Center. We are aware of most of these things, but seeing your concerns here helps express the vital urgency we need to correct these issues.

SPK

Holy Moly!
Thank you all for the information regarding our challenges at the KFC Yum! Center. We are aware of most of these things, but seeing your concerns here helps express the vital urgency we need to correct these issues.

SPK

Chef Sean,

When one asks an opinion around here, they should be careful what they ask for, because they just might get it.

That being said, I think the conversation has provided some pretty specific issues that we as a community hope you can address and make the service match the venue.

-Pete

So long as everyone remembers that the business model in taxpayer-financed venues is for an exclusive concessionaire to juggle pay-to-plays, preclude any notion of genuine competition, such as we pretend exists out in the "free" market, and maximize profit.

Chef K may or may not be able to do anything about it. Ultimately it depends on whether there's anyone within Centerplate with the surname of Gorbachev.