Alpha Dog to close

[MusicMan]

The back patio of that property is the best part of it. It is quiet, peaceful, lush, green, and private. Without the live music couldn't the owner have gotten an exception to serve food back there?  If every previous restaurant which operated there was able to before why not Alpha Dog? Would definately speak with an experienced attorney before throwing in the towel.

Lesson to be learned: whenever buying a commercial property make sure it is approved for the intended use. This is unfortunately partly the responsibility of the buyer.

P.S. Go back and review the purchase contract and see what it says about land use and zoning. I bet it's mentioned somewhere in there.

[respman]

The back patio of that property is the best part of it. It is quiet, peaceful, lush, green, and private. Without the live music couldn't the owner have gotten an exception to serve food back there?  If every previous restaurant which operated there was able to before why not Alpha Dog? Would definately speak with an experienced attorney before throwing in the towel.

Lesson to be learned: whenever buying a commercial property make sure it is approved for the intended use. This is unfortunately partly the responsibility of the buyer.

P.S. Go back and review the purchase contract and see what it says about land use and zoning. I bet it's mentioned somewhere in there.

I lease it. The owner told me he had been using it so I never thought to look at that type of zoning issue, but you are right it ultimately falls on my shoulders to ask the right questions.

[fsquid]

this Richard guy sounds like a huge douchbag.

[BridgeTroll]

this Richard guy sounds like a huge douchbag.

Why?  because he raised $7000 for gay and lesbian students?  Or because he exercised his rights as a citizen?

[Jimmy]

this Richard guy sounds like a huge douchbag.

While hearing one side of a story from anonymous people on the internet might make him sound like that, the reality couldn't be further from the truth.  He is one of the warmest, most considerate, and generous people I know.  This discussion shouldn't be made personal to anyone.  That's the last I'll say about Richard in this regard. 

[respman]

I never intended this to turn into a personal attack on Mr C. The truth is although I didnt appreciate his waiting till I opened to complain, the ordinance was the ordinance and I was violating it whether he called the city or not. His blessing would have only postponed the inevitable. Maybe it helps me get a variance, but it doesn't change the law. Personally if business owners have to pay property taxes on all of their property, they should have the right to utilize all of their property. If my backyard is useless to me, why do I have to pay for it?

[thelakelander]

^Good point.

[peestandingup]

Can I just say that this biz would be perfect for a mobile food truck. Not a run of the mill hot dog cart, but a truck where you could pretty much keep the exact same menu.

Too bad we live in a city that would run it out of town. But still, I'd gladly pay $5-$6 for a "gourmet" style hot dog, with chips or fries (without having to tip servers). I think the overhead of the business as it was (rent, buildout, server staff, etc) was probably too much to stay in it for this type of food.

[thelakelander]

Can I just say that this biz would be perfect for a mobile food truck. Not a run of the mill hot dog cart, but a truck where you could pretty much keep the exact same menu.

^Agree here as well. 

[respman]

A lot of great people have come to me today and offered wonderful advice. I can't thank all of you enough. Some new possible options have come to light so all may not be lost after all. I will update if anything solid happens. Thanks again to everyone for the support.

[Ocklawaha]

Since I was born shortly after the last Pterodactyls dog was grilled, I think I can score this place pretty well. As some of you kn ow, I was poisoned during the Vietnam War, and the battle's have been raging in my digestion ever since. I purposely walk very carefully when I venture into a new menu, just as you would tip toe through a mine field, for me it IS a minefield.

But for reasons known only to God, Alpha Dog has been different. My first visit I decided to roll the dice and go for one of the Signature Dogs. The Godfather, this little piece of heaven on Italian Bread with Grilled Italian Sausage, marinated mushroom and marinara covered in melted mozzarella and Italian spices, was incredible. Flavorful to the max, I was surprised when it seemed completely at peace in my gut. Finally I had found a gourmet meal that didn't set off a nuclear chain reaction. The best damn sausage dog I've ever had, and that includes quite a few countries and continents. 

You just have to know that I was going to order 'The Hippie', when I did I wasn't disappointed. While I usually prefer a meat and potato's type of dinner, due to conditions beyond my control, there are times when a Grilled Veggie Dog on whole wheat bun with guacamole, tomato and carrot, was just what the doctor ordered. Again I was pretty damn amazed, any of you old 'freaks' that hadn't tried this missed a real treat.

With my "Okie" roots and my Oklahoma State Pride bubbling to the surface from time to time, 'The Cowboy' was a meal I couldn't say no to. The Cowboy a ¼ lb kosher beef dog with Cheddar Jack cheese, Honey BBQ and Smoked Applewood
brought back memories of the chuck wagon festival at the Cowboy Hall of Fame - The Smithsonian of the Amerian West. The only thing missing from this meal was the skillet made apple cobbler, served on the tail gate of a 1885 model Studebaker wagon.

This was a little restaurant with taste that could literally take you there... I even toyed with the idea of suggesting some new items, maybe a 'Colombian Dog' featuring Spanish Chicharon, served on pan de queso.

I is never too late to try again, even if you must create a whole new vehicle for exposure, I think you'll do well. Think about this, 4 times a day (with luck it will soon be 6) from 100 - 200 persons gather at the Amtrak station on the northwest side of town... there is NO food service except for the usual plastic wrapped vending machine types. This is just one of many locations that might do quite well with a food truck. Toss in the local railroad yards, securing permission to sell from your truck just outside the office at Moncrief, Baldwin, Simpson and/or Bowden.

IN ANY CASE, DON'T QUIT! Where ever you land, I'll be among the first to tell my friends and family that one can't go wrong at Alpha Dog. Put me down as a huge fan.

OCKLAWAHA

[fsquid]

this Richard guy sounds like a huge douchbag.

Why?  because he raised $7000 for gay and lesbian students?  Or because he exercised his rights as a citizen?

Perhaps the hypocrisy of having more people at his parties than would be legally allowed at a business, serving alcohol until the wee hours of the morning, with dance music playing but then campaigning to keep his neighbor from exercising those same rights?

bingo.  The Richard guy is correct in the law on this one, just a douchebag in the way he did it.  Everyone has an opinion, that one is mine. 

[Kay]

Do you know Richard?  Do you know if you have the right facts about this?  Real easy to denigrate people or behavior when you are anonymous--safe behind your poster ID.  This forum has devolved in a way that makes me not want to participate.

[Kay]

You've always needed an exception for outside sales and service.  Quit blaming everything on the Overlay.  It just shows you don't know what you are talking about.

[Ernest Street]

This was clearly a situation that the Neighbor and Jim should have been communicating from the start.
Jim seemed sincere in doing only acoustic with no amplification and the noise would have been akin to a "Dull Roar" like any casual neighborhood parties. This could have been further loosely enforced by keeping everyones voices down. (loosely enforced by the help of fellow regular patrons)

THEN...there could have been the kindhearted acception granted by the neighbor whom was genuinely interested in his area having a breathing scene and cool chill spot in a great block of Riverside.
If he didn't like it "after giving it a try" he could have brought Thor's hammer down. But in this economy please give the entrepreneur a chance...if only because it is an American Tradition!