I have to admit that I found this week’s re-opening of the Wendy’s on North Prospect and the closing of Jillian’s to be quite amusing.
First off, Jillian’s. I remember the last time I was in the place, it was to watch a Cubs playoff game in 2003. Seriously. The only reason I was there was because back then we did not have local channels on our DirecTV system, and our Fox reception on the regular antenna was awful. Speaking of awful, that’s how I would describe the a) food and b) service at Jillian’s. I found this quote in the N-G article, uttered by the CEO of Jillian’s parent company, to be quite funny: “The downtown has gone through such a resurgence, and we were just enough off the path that it became a tough pull for us.” I’m sorry, but Jillian’s wasn’t attracting the same crowd that hangs out at most of the downtown bars. A better comparison would be the new Jupiter’s, and it probably isn’t that much of a coincidence that Jillian’s closed just a few months after that place opened. But that space — if not in desperate need of an update — is generally quite nice, so I doubt it will be empty for very long.
And now on to Wendy’s. I received several emails from tipsters about it finally gracing us with its presence. As memorable as my last visit to Jillian’s was, I can’t say I remember the last time I ate at a Wendy’s. I just don’t eat that much fast food (although I did have some Chik-fil-a the other day, yum.) But anyway, it’s amazing how taking something away — the chain has been absent from C-U for over 18 months — can make people want it that much more. There’s definitely some sort of psychology at work here. I venture to guess that that place will be quite busy for several weeks, until the novelty wears off again.
18 responses so far ↓
Leeanthro // May 2, 2008 at 8:18 am
I heard that the owners of BW3 bought the Jillian’s space. (No solid confirmation though.)
I always like Wendy’s because we could get a baked potato on the fly and they also had mandarin orange cups for the kids instead of fries. A Frosty now and then was good. But since most of their items have meat, the potatoes were the only reason for our visits.
Now I love me a Texas-sized McAlister potato, but it’s not convenient to have to go in and WAIT for your food. They didn’t have potatoes ready at 6:00 pm a couple of weeks ago. Hello, people! But my daughter loves their cheese pita pizza.
Mrs. Chicken // May 2, 2008 at 9:48 am
Mr. Chicken got burgers for us there last night, and he called to say the line was almost out the door.
It wasn’t great, as Wendy’s goes, but it’s better than 100 days of Culvers!
Lisa // May 2, 2008 at 11:25 am
Wow, I missed the info about the Wendy’s opening; what, do I live under a rock? Guess I’ll have to go try a burger. And someone told me about the Jillian’s closing yesterday; I couldn’t believe it, because it seems like 2 weeks ago that we read all about them expanding, buying the Collins station, etc. Very weird. I used to love their nachos, from about 8 years ago till maybe a couple of years ago. Then they changed and were not good anymore. They also had a BBQ bacon burger that Mr. K loved. But that changed some time back, as well. We haven’t been there in ages now. Think that was a case of shooting themselves in their own feet rather than a result of general economic downturn!
his4ever // May 2, 2008 at 12:30 pm
yay I cant wait to go! Shame they werent here when I was prego over 6 weeks ago… could have fullfilled my cravings for a Junior Bacon Cheeseburger (w/o cheese) and a small frosty. Had to wait for my trips to Rockford to get that goodness in me.
mate'man // May 2, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Once upon a long time ago, Wendy’s had a great salad bar. At least in Lincolnwood, IL.
oobreeze // May 2, 2008 at 4:02 pm
ooh. clever blog entry title. love it!
M_Six // May 2, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I’ve had several lousy lunches courtesy of Jillian’s. No loss there at all. There are several Wendy’s restaurants that have been yo-yo-ing between opened and closed. The one in Chucktown is long gone, but the Mattoon one seems to be open again. The one on University near the hospital was dark today and the chairs were stacked on the tables, but there was a sign up that they were looking for a manager. Go figure.
LD // May 2, 2008 at 9:13 pm
it’s all about the frosties.
lbotp // May 2, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Msix- The Wendy’s on University has been closed for eons as well, and it doesn’t seem like it is a candidate to be re-opened.
Lisa — Where is there a good place in this town to get nachos????
Leeanthro — I find McAllister’s is a great place to take kids — Peanut loves the Teddy Grams! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention BW3’s in Savoy as another reason Jillian’s was passed by. But I really, really hope they don’t open a BW3’s there. As if we need another one.
M_Six // May 2, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Why do they call it BW3? Buffalo Wild Wings should be BW2, no?
Jenna // May 3, 2008 at 9:51 am
We don’t eat a lot of fast food but the loss of Wendy’s only made me want it. I tried to score a frosty the other day but the drive-thru line was 12 cars deep and the parking lot was full. I don’t want it that much.
janna // May 3, 2008 at 12:32 pm
When the opened the Sonic here in Iowa City, they actually had to direct traffic into for the first several days! Absence does apparently make the heart grow fonder…
lori // May 3, 2008 at 12:33 pm
The 3 W’s are Wild Wings and Weck. Weck is a salt-topped roll often served in Buffalo, home of the chicken wings. I’m not sure if it was ever served at BW3’s, but it used to be in the name. I love chicken wings!
M_Six // May 3, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Thanks, Lori. I learn something new every day.
Katherine // May 4, 2008 at 9:24 am
Oh well, North Prospect sucks. One fast food joint doesn’t make much difference. All I want is for the week to pass quickly and for someone anyone at the Farmer’s Market to have tomatoes. This pregnancy has been all about the tomato sandwiches.
Mary // May 4, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Oh wouldn’t it be cool if they made the old Jillian’s into a Dave and Busters? Fun times! And while we’re on the fast food topic, why oh why can’t they bring us Boston Market?
Steve // May 5, 2008 at 4:48 am
M_Six…
“Why do they call it BW3?” Lori’s correct about the Weck part, but they no longer call it BW3. The company is very picky about it being called Buffalo Wild Wings now.
veganlinda // May 9, 2008 at 6:38 am
I can’t stand chain restaurants, especially fast food so I don’t get the Wendy’s craze, but whateva. I hadn’t heard about Jillian’s and while I haven’t been there for a while and when I was there, I didn’t buy a thing, I will be a little sad since over 12 years ago my now husband and I started dating and decided to move to Maryland together after a farewell office happy hour for him there. Dave and Busters would be an improvement, I agree with Mary. BW3? Bleh!
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