Message: | Sounds like someone has a plan... I always thought a coffee & goodies & snacks drive-through bar would be a great success on the northbound Laguna Canyon Road. You'd get the weekday coffee crowd and the afternoon beach departees.
I'm sorry I only actually ordered myself at the Auto Bistro in the morning - I remember good brioches & cafe au lait that tasted like they used French milk - there's just a little more 'cooked' taste is the only way I can describe, as opposed to just heated. Asked them for beignets, but they closed before that wish came true. Had their dinner food brought to me - never picked it up myself. Open faced grilled veggie sandwiches on foccacia, quiches - never had anything super-challenging or gourmet. It was all good, not cheap & was a little wait, but no longer than running into a store & waiting for your number to be called & paying & ... There were 3 windows. I wished there was an option to pick things up 'almost cooked' too, where you just bake or zap them the last few minutes if you weren't going to eat right away - maybe they couldn't do this due to food regulations.
The location was what killed it. Anyone travelling northbound probably was too far away from home to pick up dinner. You could not get there travelling on southbound PCH without risking your life & then could not get back on south PCH at all - had to make a major detour. I think for anything to work, it would have to be on a corner with four way light & entrances/exits from 2 sides.
Crowd is definitely Gelson's I think - coming home from work & too tired to cook, but want good food. Our restaurants on the Run do a great business here for the same reasons. Every night Gelson's 4 carved roast turkeys & 4 prime ribs sell out early - this is the crowd. I would think a la carte & full dinners where you could pick your salad, veggie would be great - and tons of appetizers - artichokes w/ nice aoli (sp?) dip, etc. A la Carte in Laguna Beach does a good job of this. If you want more info, I was just at Autobistro today (at the Cingular store next door) & the 'For Sale' sign reads Taylor & Co - 949 644-4910. They might put you in touch with the owner for really useful input! Good luck & let us know if you go for this - and find a good corner! |