Sad news...

[herveus]

The Magruders in Bowie is closing for good in less than two weeks. Apparently, the owners of the shopping center have been unwilling to make the kind of long-term committments that would make it feasible for them to make the kind of renovations they need to make to the store, and they aren't going to keep going on a month-to-month lease. This sucks.

Magruders is the only grocery store in Bowie that doesn't play the "two prices for the same item" game. You know, the "Bonus Card" scam, where they tell you it's good for you, but it really means that the prices go up, overall. I find those scams unethical and immoral. Giant Food went from getting the lion's share of my grocery dollars to zero (as a percentage, to three significant digits, or so) overnight when the jumped off that bridge so they could "compete" with Safeway and Food Lion. Izzy Cohen must be spinning in his grave.

Anywho, that leaves Shoppers Food Warehouse as the only "nearby" grocery store that doesn't do that crap. I guess BJs will be getting more of our dollars as well. Then "nearest" Magruders are in Rockville, Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase, and Alexandria. That is to say, not near at all. I am depressed. [cue Lyle trying to cheer up Mr. Taggart]

Just to pile on, and to share particularly with pedropadrao, word comes to me that 28 February will mark the closing of a Chicago landmark. Berghoffs is closing. Apparently, the current generation of the family is not interested in continuing the restaurant business. I'm told that lines to get in go around the block, these days. I've only eaten there once, when I was in Chicago for the SCA Heralds Annual Convention Known World Heraldic Symposium. One person commenting on this wondered what would become of liquor licenses #1 and #2.

Comments

[herveus.livejournal.com]

...although it seems (from scanty evidence) that they had declined in recent years, being less the German restaurant than I remember...so maybe it's best to not have gotten back there and been disappointed...

Now, if some of us want to get together for a "light meal", we could organize an expedition out to The Old Stein way out Central Avenue in Mayo.

http://www.oldstein-inn.com has menus, both food and bier...

[pedropadrao.livejournal.com]

Berghoff's has been a landmark for me since I was in junior high. I never had the cash to get in back then, except for a few forays during high school, when they allowed scaff & raff like me in the restaurant. My Dad sometimes bought their beer for parties, so I'm familiar with it, & I'll miss it. :(

The Old Stein doesn't list any Bingen or Ingelheim wine (a minor quibble on my part, as those were the old family digs) but the entire menu looks very much to my liking. Hmmmm...

[montuos]

I commend also to your notice The Bavarian Chef

[sister-devora.livejournal.com]

Looks good, but...

Potato _salad_?! with the wurst? Meh. Give me potato sauce any day of the week. With extra cream, thank you very much. (Heck, most days, you could just serve me the sauce and hold the wurst.)

On the other hand, those appetizers look tasty.

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Well, it's the good, warm stuff...right yummy in my book...