What's up at Tilted Kilt?

[Robin Garr]

A correspondent writes, "... it appears something is afoot at the Tilted Kilt on Dutchmans. Signs came down today and a lot of activity going on."

You mean that wasn't a sustainable business model? Color me shocked.

You mean its not 1964 anymore ? Shocking !

Funny thing is that every time we go past the Brick House on Shelbyville road the parking lot is very crowded!

You mean that wasn't a sustainable business model? Color me shocked.

Seems like it's us, not them . . . they're growing like crazy, with 55 units and increasing.

Occasionally they run into trouble, and units open & close, but overall looks in decent shape. Maybe the Louisville location was too close (less than 1 mile?) to Hooters???

BTW, just found out that it was proposed as a concept for the Rio Casino in Las Vegas, and management there liked the idea so much that expansion started before the first one proved successful.

Lights were out and signs were down when I drove by last night after watching my Hoosiers beat another Top 5 ranked team last night at the Texas Roadhouse with my Dad. I went there once while they were open and wasn't impressed by anything there . However the Brick House on Hurstbourne seems to be rolling along just fine.

I think that's a tough location. It sets back off the road too far and the parking situation is bad. I've heard that the Red Lobster across the street is the highest grossing store in the entire chain and the Texas Roadhouse corparate training store next door is always packed too. That's some pretty stiff competition. I met the franchisees at the NRA show a couple years back right before they opened and their corporate research actually wanted them to take the location where Brick House is now. I guess they should have listened.

^ Agreed. That location has been death to restaurants - I think it's been three or four different things in the five years I've lived here.

^ Agreed. That location has been death to restaurants - I think it's been three or four different things in the five years I've lived here.

Oldenberg built the building, then Ernesto's, and now Kilt. That's 3 in 12 years or so.

^ Agreed. That location has been death to restaurants - I think it's been three or four different things in the five years I've lived here.

Oldenberg built the building, then Ernesto's, and now Kilt. That's 3 in 12 years or so.

Nightmare frontage- you have to actively work to find the place.

^ Agreed. That location has been death to restaurants - I think it's been three or four different things in the five years I've lived here.

Oldenberg built the building, then Ernesto's, and now Kilt. That's 3 in 12 years or so.

Nightmare frontage- you have to actively work to find the place.

I gave the Tilted Kilt the obligatory visit shortly after they opened. I never even considered going back. Had nothing to do with their location. Had everything to do with their menu and beer selection. I didn't hate it but there are just too many other places doing it better.

Majid's, NABC Pizzeria, and many other's have locations that one must find. If it's worth finding, patrons will find it. I doubt that a poor location ever killed too many really good places. Some of my favorite places ever were hard to find - the first time.

Shane, you make a very compelling point. Nah, you're just right.

Honestly, I kinda enjoyed our visit to the Kilt. Sure, we had the PET team head trainer and I absolutely loved playing pool on brand-new felt (any poolplayer's dream,) but did I go back?

Nope.

Don't get me wrong, I have a soft-spot for cute girls in kilts and knee-highs. And Flo at Mel's diner, for that matter, but is this just another cookie-cutter chain that attempts to cut into Hooter's market share? And have they done this well?

Dunno, I tend to spend my time other places.



Ya know, you would have to traverse a mountain to get to El Bulli- literally walk up a mountain, yet they had the longest waiting list in the world (something like 2 years.) It just goes to show:

'Do the thing and do it well and the people will find you.'

Not to long ago, I came across some Facebook posts complaining that they dropped the "kilts" to become more family friendly. We went once, no great shakes. Not worth making a special trip.

The reason Tilted Kilt failed is because the food "SUCKED"! I went 2 different times and was underwhelmed at best. After that 2nd time, I was not going back to spend my hard earned $$ on that slop........i also told anyone who asked what my experiences with that place were. Maybe that meant something, maybe it didn't.