Cedar Point Warehouse expansion and DQ

Shades said:
Did anyone try the ribs at CP? Were they any good?

I enjoyed them. But, I've never had them anywhere else. So, I have no base point of reference.

RideMan said:
Someone mentioned Tony Packo's...

Now that's a product I have never really had, only heard about...and I've bought their canned hot dog chili when I could get it here in town. But at least I've heard of it. If I hadn't recently been to Knott's I would never have heard of that other place.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

As far as Tony Packo's they sell the Mix at Meijer and on their website (Super charged Chili recipe)-
http://www.tonypackos.com/pickles.php

Just add the beans and beef or ground Turkey (my preference).

Other product availability locations listed by state are http://www.tonypackos.com/locations.php

Of note - the family/bank is currently embroiled in a financial controversy - which makes me question how much longer the franchise might last. The venue is in Toledo and definitely worth a visit - with all the autographs and history they have on the walls.

Shades said:
Did anyone try the ribs at CP? Were they any good? I refuse to eat Montgomery Inn ribs anywhere but the restaurants in Cincy, which means I don't get them very often at all.

I'm dating myself a bit here - but when the Boat House existed at CP - (Pre Famous Daves) they served chicken and Montgomery ribs. It was better at the Boathouse than at the Chuckwagon - don't ask me how - maybe a better cook/prep? We at them at both locations a couple days apart...

If I hadn't recently been to Knott's I would never have heard of that other place.

You don't watch enough Travel Channel.
http://www.travelchannel.com/Places_Trips/Travel_Ideas/Food_And_Dri...g_Paradise

Subway serving burritos is the best description I've heard Qdoba/Chipotle. Not a big fan of either.

I get laughed at because I'm really particular about my food. I won't eat fast food unless it's special (Portillos, Checkers, etc.), won't ever shop in the frozen foods section- pretty much it's home -cooked/fresh deli, or bust (unless I'm at a ballpark or sit down restaurant- special occasion). The one exception is Taco Bell. I don't care what percentage of their ground beef is soy or oat or whatever it is people are saying. If faced with a Taco Bell next to a Chipotle, I'll go to Taco Bell. If faced with Chipotle and no Taco Bell, I'll make something to eat later. It doesn't make sense, but it doesn't have to when I have a Cheesy Gordita Crunch or Chalupa.

Edit- I won't eat the chicken or steak at Taco Bell either. I don't know...

It seems that there will indeed be a Pink's Hot Dogs at Cedar Point this year. There is a mention of it on the second page of the small group sales mailer:

http://www.cedarpoint.com/_upload/pdf/CP11-073%20Small%20Group%20Mailer_web.pdf

If I missed this I apologize - but does anyone have an idea where "PINKS" will be located in the park?

I find the whole situation somewhat amusing. When I worked for CP they were in the process of eliminating all of the food concessions, Interstate United, Coffelts, and Barrardi's and taking everything inhouse.

And now they are taking it to the outhouse? ;)

~Rob

But has that really changed? While I know Kings Island is full of concessions (Graeters, Eurobobbles, not sure about Skyline and Subway), my understanding is that all of the branded food outlets at Cedar Point are Cedar Point-operated franchises, not concessions.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Dave is correct - the only thing different is they are purchasing a franchise license fee - and obviously making up for the expense with exorbitant pricing...

Side note: I tried Berardi fries for my first time last summer, on my way home from Coasting for Kids, I saw a concession trailer setup in Norwalk. They loaded me up, and swore I had to try them with ketchup, as that was the way to go. They didn't disappoint, and I see that CP has tried their best to recreate them, but the original wins.

Those red concession trailers are my Jenny Craig downfall!!!

That shiny red oasis has more attractive power than the music coming out of an ice cream truck!

LOL yes. I could barely put a dent in the amount of fries they gave me, but they were so good.

All of the CP stuff is franchised. No concessionaires there.

If I'm not mistaken, the last time CP allowed a true concession in the park was in the 1960's, when they were deliberately phasing them out.

Bear in mind we are talking about food here. Are the caricature artists concessionaires? Of course the parasail and jetski operation is a concession, but that's outside the park gates.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I do know that the Cedar Point caricature artists get their paycheck at the same location that the rest of the employees get theirs, standing in the same line to get it, on the same day. ...But they do get paid a lot more.

Now that I think of it, some of the craft shops on Frontier Trail probably are (or at least were until recently) actual concessions.

Only the goofy burn your name in a wood sign thing, I think.