Sunday, April 14, 2013

Restaurant Impossible - Joe Willy's Update

Joe Willy's Restaurant Impossible
Photo - Joe Willy's Website
Tonight is the season six premiere of Restaurant Impossible, that has Robert Irvine going to Fishkill, NY to help out Joe Willy's Seafood House.  Joe Willy's food is apparently not up to par, and the failing business is causing family problems.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Joe Willy's to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews and comments are post Restaurant: Impossible):



 The Positive Reviews:
  • "LOVE this place! Beyond Amazing food and everything is just amazing there! PLUS they're not too expensive! Go here! You will not be disappointed! Promise!"
  • "Visited this restaurant since its Restaurant Impossible makeover. Food is fantastic. Quaint and quiet. Staff very accomodating and attentive and reasonably priced. The only drawback I would have is that the Mens restroom wasn't finished with the renovation. All-in-all nice decor and excellent food."
  • "My wife and I go out alot in the area, never knew about this place. What a find!! Place looks great. Service was very friendly and welcoming. Definately will go back" 
  • "We enjoyed the food before, and found each of the dishes post "intervention" very tasty.....Joe seems out of place, as he is out of the kitchen, and I look forward to getting the down and dirty on the makeover when they air the show."
  • "After reading some of the reviews and knowing about their recent visit from "Restaurant Impossible", I felt the need to go and give it a try. Impressed doesn't even do justice to what I experienced. After reading some harsh reviews, I can't put my finger on why or how people would have ANYTHING negative to comment about this place. Food was the best seafood I have ever eaten."

The Negative Reviews:
  • "Entire meal was over cooked and the prices were too high for the area and for what you get. Services was a bit deficient and the table wobbled badly. The exterior of the place looks as if it is deserted. The interior decor is nice, but the outside needs a lot of work."
  • "Food was okay. not as many choices as before. Bring back the steak/sea food combo dinners! that was the only reason we went. with that said this is a nothing special place - prefer old menu. place looks better than before." 
  • "I am not sure what “Restaurant Impossible” did with this restaurant but I’m sure if they came back 5 days after completing what they did they would be horribly embarrassed. Seriously disappointed as I was looking forward to a good seafood restaurant in the area – this isn’t it - Never Again!!!!"

Conclusion:

The food reviews before Restaurant Impossible visited were not that bad, and there were a lot of five star reviews.  Before Restaurant Impossible visited, there were some complaints about the smell of the place, so I am sure the makeover helped with that.

From their menu on their website, it looks like Joe Willy's has stuck with the menu Restaurant Impossible recommended.  There are even menu items marked with a star as a "Restaurant Impossible Specialty."

One complaint I did see multiple times was the temperature inside the restaurant was very cold.  Not sure the reasoning behind that, but they may want to turn up the heat in the restaurant as people complained of having to eat with jackets on.

With good food reviews and an updated decor, Joe Willy's sounds like it has what it takes to turn their restaurant around.

Reviews from Tripadvisor, Yelp, Foursquare


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10 comments:

  1. That was just a beyond ridiculous thing to say on here not to mention disgusting! Say something right and true or don't say anything at all! If someone as childish as you believed such a thing, you could ruin these peoples lives!! And never forget you CAN be traced and sued if their reputation is ruined in any way by your choice of stupidity! Grow up!

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  2. I really enjoyed this episode. Especially, what Robert's team did to the restaurant. I hope they are doing well and succeed.

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  3. I can tell you from owning a retail store, heating is a huge expense. Add to that for a restaurant, gas for burners, ovens, hot water for dishwashing etc, it has to be a killer. I'm guessing the gas bill is why it was cold in the place.

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  4. Wonder if they fixed the ice machine that was flooding the kitchen? No mention was ever made of that...

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  5. I've been to JW's before a d after the makeover. I always loved the food and now with additional menu items, it's even better. The family is wonderful and Dena is not only a gracious host but makes sure you are like part of the family. I was the last Thursday and will be back in a few weeks to meet friends for dinner

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  6. We went there last night, VERY disappointed to say the least. Prices have gone up but food is not as good. My stuffed lobster tails were well done & inedible. They offered to make me a new one but for 29.00 they were the size of Jumbo shrimp. We will not be back. We went there a few times before the make over & the food was better. Service was not attentive very hurried. I am a retired cook/caterer & I think this chef is way above his head.

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  7. Mindy Thompson LoveallJanuary 19, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    No doubt. However, if you cannot afford to make a customer's dining experience pleasant and comfortable, you really shouldn't be in business. Honestly speaking, how many of you would ever return to a restaurant if you knew you'd be cold the whole time you were dining? Even if the food WAS good, I would never go to a place where I had to fight to be warm. It''s human nature to run from discomfort. I thought the owners were lovely and looks like they could really have a chance, however, they're gonna have to bite the bullet to do what it takes to get return customers which is what all businesses that succeed, thrive on.

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  8. Mindy Thompson LoveallJanuary 19, 2014 at 1:50 PM

    Apparently this show originally aired in April of 2103. However, this is the first time I've seen it. Had it recorded and just finished watching. Overall, from watching episode and reading customers "after show" reviews, sounds to me as thought these sweet folks have a real chance, but only if they are willing to continue paying close attention to what changes are still necessary to make it. I've heard good and bad.

    The bad I've heard is:
    *People are cold while dining. That should never EVER happen.
    *Some folks seem to have liked original menu. Perhaps there is something in particular that is being missed and should be added back. One person mentioned their steaks?
    *Others mentioned rushed or non attentive service. That can be easily fixed.
    *Read that outside of restaurant still looks horrible and looks like an abandoned place (NOT good for business. Period.) If owners can afford little right now, then at the very least paint the outside. Paint can really create dramatic changes and is a very inexpensive choice. Perhaps bright ocean blue maybe? or a bold color that would coordinate with colors indoors. If the landlord of bldg says no, I'd tell him either allow you to or you're going to have to move to a different location. That might help him with his decision. Hey, maybe someone could re-create that fish bones sculpture that was done for inside wall and put one or two outside?? Inexpensive also.

    Good I've heard:
    Post menu is excellent
    Inside of restaurant looks great
    Great staff

    I wish these people the very best!

    Oh yes, and lastly, husband and wife sooo need to declare a date night weekly where they go somewhere way away from restaurant and spend quality time together. Afterall, their marriage is more important than their restaurant and is foundational for everything they do in life. Will strengthen everything!

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  9. Had the opportunity to dine at Joe Willy's this past week while visiting in New York. It has been a while now, since the Restaurant Impossible makeover, and it shows - mostly in the ceiling ... multiple water stains from either roof leaks or a/c duct work leaks. Very unappetizing to look at while eating. Staff was very nice, but I felt that most of the seafood was overcooked for my taste ... tilapia was done nicely, but shrimp, clams, lobster, and scallops were overdone. Indoor decor was nice, but I agree about the outside ... a bit shabby and uninviting. Also, could have had some music playing for better ambiance.

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