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Robin Garr

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Voice-Tribune: Mimi’s: Popular chain lands on Hurstbourne

by Robin Garr » Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:38 pm

<table border="0" align="right" width="310"><tr><td><img src="http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/mimis07.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr><tr><td>Mimi's occupies the renovated former quarters of Don Pablo's on Hurstbourne. Photo by Robin Garr</td></tr></table>(<b><i>Voice-Tribune</i>, March 8, 2007</b>)

When it comes to dining out, I'm usually inclined to look for a well-run locally owned and operated eatery, where the chances are that the person who has to meet the payroll is the same individual who cooks your dinner or greets you at the door.

In the practical reality of today's corporate world, however, franchise and chain restaurants abound; in the suburbs, it's fair to say that chain eateries significantly outnumber the locals. Drive the length of Hurstbourne, for instance, and once you're past Tony Boombozz, the elegant Limestone and the Bristol, you've pretty much exhausted your independent-owner options.

But let's face it: Bean counters and quarterly balance sheets to the contrary notwithstanding, the chains must be doing something right, as these eateries generally pack in crowds of seemingly happy customers. When P.F. Chang's and Cheesecake Factory opened in the East End the year before last, the hungry hordes quickly lined up to endure a two-hour wait. Now another recent Hurstbourne Parkway arrival appears to be doing a land-office business.

Mimi's Café is the first Louisville outpost of a chain of more than 100 units. It started as a family restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., in 1978, and is now a property of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it occupies the renovated quarters that formerly housed Don Pablo's.

It looks welcoming and cozy, sort of like a cleaned-up <i>fin de siecle</i> Paris by way of Disney's Epcot, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Full report on LouisvilleHotBytes.

Visit The Voice-Tribune Website.
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Doogy R

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Chains.

by Doogy R » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:29 pm

Some chains I like, some I don't. If I were to review your review and sum it up in a word, it would be GENERIC. I mean the food, not your review. :D
Great food along with great company is truly one of lifes best treasures.
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Re: Chains.

by Robin Garr » Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:08 pm

Doogy R wrote:GENERIC.


That comes close! No kidding, a little bottle of Tabasco or Frank's on every table would help a lot.

The business with the crouton/bread basket really did chap my chops, though.
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by TP Lowe » Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:56 pm

Just curious, Robin - what prompted you to review Mimi's?
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Mimi's

by Amy Hoover » Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:39 pm

It's a shame you didn't actually get the bread basket Robin. When I went, it was the only saving grace of the meal. One type of bread was a carrot raisin loaf and it was delicious. Everything else was bland, as expected.
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by Robin Garr » Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:31 pm

TP Lowe wrote:Just curious, Robin - what prompted you to review Mimi's?


The buzz, frankly. If a lot of people are talking about a place, I'll go review it with an open mind, even if it's a chain. I keep hoping to be surprised, and on occasion (Carrabba's, for instance) the result exceeds expectations.

Also, the Voice-Tribune likes it if I stick to the East End, mostly, for the reviews I provide them, and that kind of narrows the field, too.
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by TP Lowe » Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:13 pm

Fair enough. I hadn't heard much yet about Mimi's, and was just curious. Appreciate the reply!
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robert szappanos

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by robert szappanos » Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:33 am

:lol: With an open mind you say.... :roll:
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by Robin Garr » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:13 am

robert szappanos wrote::lol: With an open mind you say.... :roll:


What's your point, Robert?
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by robert szappanos » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:42 am

:lol: O just your usual review of a chain....Can't wait for your Culver's review.... :roll:
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by Robin Garr » Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:29 am

robert szappanos wrote:Can't wait for your Culver's review.... :roll:


It's been pretty lackluster on two tries so far. Thin, greasy, overcooked burgers. The service is good, though.
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by robert szappanos » Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:41 am

:lol: Wow what a surprise........
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by Robin Garr » Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:50 am

robert szappanos wrote::lol: Wow what a surprise........


The thing that you'll never understand, Robert, is that I call them as I see them.
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Blah ...

by elaine m » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:02 am

When talk of Mimi's arriving in the Louisville area surfaced, my West coast friends were salivating. You would have thought it was the greatest restaurant on the planet. So, after Mimi's was open for a few weeks, I stopped there for lunch. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. You are absolutely right regarding the mediocre food, and the poor attitude of the serving staff. There are too many better choices here in Louisville for me to go back there! And, I'm not anti-chain, just anti-poor food and service. :(
Of all the things that I've lost, I miss my mind the most!
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by robert szappanos » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:25 am

:shock: through rose colored glasses :shock:
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