Charlie's was under contract to sell!

Forsyth MO - Charlie's Steak Ribs and Ale, a popular steakhouse located on the corner of Hwy 160 and Y was under contract to be sold with a closing date set for Friday, March 6th. Unfortunately, that fell through according to a spokesperson for the company that represents the property. So, it's now back on the market!

Forsyth Long Horn Update

I was able to drive by the former Long Horn and grabbed a quick pic. Yep, it was up for lease again! This happening after a guy named Jimmy dumped a lot of money into the establishment including the purchase of a new sign. (Maybe Italiano Jimmy was called back to Italy to get more pasta)....

Forsyth MO restaurants and other eateries in July 2019!

Forsyth MO. - If the town of Forsyth Missouri can boast about anything, it can concerning the number of eateries available to its some 2300 residents. Everything from fast food to family dining to Asian and Mexican specialty houses abound! In this post, I wanted to take a quick peek at all of them;

McD's - As you enter town from the north on Hwy 160, one of the first venues you'll likely run into would be McDonald's, a fast food enterprise situated on the corner of 160 and Coy Blvd. And, while I haven't stepped inside the place for some number of months, it looks to always be doing a brisk business. [One rumor I had heard was that this location was to soon sport auto cashier stations. I've also noticed that the prices are on the high side.]

Sonics - Just a little further south on Hwy 160, also on the left side and just past the Country Mart grocery store is a Sonics. I still do the drive thru from time to time and generally order a premium hotdog and fries. This is one of very few locations where you can get yourself a good dawg at a reasonable price.

Mountain William Pizza - This relatively new venue that used to be the Mexican Burrito place has an interesting menu in that they offer both pizza and pasta dishes. I really wanted to stop in an order a gold old dish of spaghetti and meatballs, but a current diet I was on prevented me from going there. I hoped to remedy that sometime in early August when I was a bit slimmer.

Yummy Donuts - Located just down the line of this eatery killers row is a place that I had not yet attended. As a man on a low carb diet, I just haven't had the nerve to step across the threshold. Others more bold than me tell me that the food there is divine.

Frosted Mug -  This venerable old location is one of the few all smoking restaurant/ bars in the area. When I go there to eat, I'll often order either tacos (a special on Wednesday) or the French dip and French fries which are specially priced on Tuesdays. You can eat there or have carry out. Your choice.

Oaxaca - The one and only true Mexican restaurant in town sports a very large menu selection. I ate there, recently, and enjoyed the food. I had a taco, burrito and rice combo which was great although I also felt that the prices were just a tad high.

Long Horn - Another long standing family dining affair serves up a mean hamburger and fries. I go there on a regular basis for both breakfast and lunch.

Fat Daddy's - Pulled pork on a bun with a side of fries is a favorite of mine. FD's is all about BBQ and they live up to the fine tasting rep they have.

Charlies - Currently closed.

Thrive bistro - Situated just across from the Forsyth public library is a nice little venue that serves an assortment of Italian leaning entrees. Recently, when I dined there I had their angel hair spaghetti and sauce offering with garlic bread sticks which was fabulous!

Shadowrock Cafe and Grill - Currently closed.

Thinking outside Charlie's box!

Forsyth Mo. – A once very popular eatery known as Charlie's Ribs Steak and Ale located at the intersection of Hwy 160 and Y in Forsyth Missouri closed sometime back, went up for sale and then sat there doing not much of anything for quite a while.

It was soon apparent to me that there was a problem with it ever getting sold. The 4300 square foot establishment was well built and appointed and yet was difficult to sell. Part of the reason was the high asking price of $850,000. That was a lot of money to recoup in a town of about 2300 that had ten or more other eateries all within the city limits!

Personally, the only way I could see this building ever working out would be to break it up in to two or three separate businesses! Following are a few of my ideas:

Concepts

Dunkin Donuts/ Burger King

Mini-Mart/Gas station/Restaurant w Bar

Steak n Shake/ Spots Boutique

Dave's Big Burgers/ City Morgue – no, scratch that one! (Although if you ever ate one of Dave's burgers)...

Well, you get the idea. I think that old expression 'Divide and conquer' does apply in this situation. Two or three investors could work together to renovate the interior into two or three new businesses. Heck, even the City of Forsyth or Taney County could perhaps make this spot into a profit producing entity to help offset other costs to residents. Like I said, it will take someone or some group with --- wait for it--- foresight!

Update: Apparently the owner's wanted to try the auction route as a sign that was recently posted announced that a public auction was to be held on May 11 at 10:00 AM. See above right.

So, who wants to bet that bids will fall short of the reserve amount? And, if the auction fails, then what. A fire sale?

River Run Park reopens along with other select topics!

A 'close to spring' sun peaks thru early morning clouds!

Forsyth MO. - Will wonders ever cease? Just one day before the start of Spring and River Run, a popular park area near Forsyth Missouri was once again open after being closed for some period of time! And, the water levels had gone down to near normal levels! Just how long either were to last was open to question. That said, I visited all three local parks in the immediate area; River Run, Shadowrock and Empire Parks and found them to be looking great.

River Run Park

The only, short term problem I could see, was the paving work going on at the newly constructed roundabout at the intersections of Hwy 76 and 160. That should, however, be wrapped up very soon and then everything would appear to be set for locals and vacationers to come and enjoy activities like camping and fishing for which the area has been very popular over the years.

Shadowrock Park Mar 28

Update: Mar 26 - Bull Shoals lake was back down to 'normal' full pool levels and the roundabout was looking great. Shadowrock Park was also looking good when I drove through it at couple of days later!

Following are a few notes concerning area locales and businesses:

Charlies - This venue which had been up for sale for over two years was currently off the market and apparently not for sale. That was speculation on my part, but they had not been listed on the local real estate boards to the best of my knowledge, after canceling their contract with KW in late February... Update: April 2019 - I talked to a knowledgeable source and was informed that the owner family decided to try and sell the place themselves. The 4300 square foot establishment's asking price was still at $850K last I heard.

Oaxaca Mexican Restaurant - I drove by on this post date and saw no activity at the new location. The property was looking great with the signage and all, just no sign indicating when they might be opening. Also, no one was answered the phone, when I tried calling that same day in the early afternoon hour. There was also nothing that I could find on their Facebook site that mentioned an opening date. So, while they do serve up a great cuisine, maybe their front office could use a quick make-over.... Update: Oaxaca to re-open Wednesday March 27, 2019. Update: Check out my Mar 28 review!

Shadowrock Lodge - I spoke briefly, with the ownership of the Lodge, and was told that while progress was being made to open the bar, needed benchmarks were still yet to happen. So, while the Cafe/Hotel will likely open eventually, it remained a question of the pwnership getting some additional improvements made before that could take place.

Bull Shoals Lake level - Even as water was being released from the Powersite Dam and even as the current Bull Shoals water level was just two feet above the normal pool or operating levels, I still had some concern for levels at Beaver Lake which was also riding at two feet above normal. With improving conditions in Arkansas after a record setting period of late fall 2018 rains, things were looking to get back to normal. In additional, long range forecasts for regional rainfall for southwest Missouri did not look all that bad! These facts gave me the hope that both Shadowrock and River Run Parks would stay dry through at least the early spring period. (The bottom line was for everyone to get out and enjoy them as soon as the weather warms up)!

Update: Mar 26 - All three reservoirs were nearing 'normal' levels for the time of year. That be very good news!

Did someone buy Charlie's?

Forsyth MO. - There was a rumor going around town that the restaurant formerly know as Charlie's Steak, Ribs and Ale may have been sold. And not wanting to be the spreader of rumors, I promise to check this story out with the Real Estate agency that is representing the property. News to come shortly!

Update: I talked with the folks representing the property on Monday, Dec 3 and was told that though there had been some offers, none of those were accepted.

Charlie's restaurant is for sale or lease!

Forsyth, Mo. - Strategically located near the intersections of Hwy 160 and Y is a  beautiful business that closed in December of 2017 and is currently available for sale or lease! Formerly, Charlie's Ribs Steak and Ale, this was a popular venue for over a decade. Today, in March 2018, it could be a great fit to the right business enterprise.

While, it's no secret that the large square footage proved to be something of a problem for profitability by the former management, the over all structure has been well maintained and perhaps with a little creative thinking, could be turned around quickly.

My thinking for this building would be of a divide and conquer sort of approach. That is to say, if one were to separate the interior into two businesses, then possibly it could work. I was thinking that one side could still be a bar/eatery while the other side could be turned into offices or possibly a 5 and 10 sort of store.

The property was currently being offered by KW Commercial and was represented by Jim and Chris Bolin who could be reached at 417-224-7445.

Update: As of mid July, 2018, the property is still available for $850K with leasing terms available.

Charlie's to offer a salad bar!

Forsyth MO. - I only recently learned that Charlie's, a popular restaurant, located near the intersection of Hwy 160 and Y, was planning to change things up a bit. One of the changes was the desire to set up a salad bar that would offer customer a tantalizing array of veggies from which they could build their own creations. I don't mind telling people I know that I thought this was a great idea!

One other location, to my knowledge, offers or offered a salad bar - The Longhorn Family Dining establishments salad bar (pictured above) has always been a big draw and I'm hoping that Charlie's (soon to become C's Pizza and Pub) will be also fully stocked with all sorts of tempting goodies!

Charlie's to change their menu?

Forsyth MO. - Beginning sometime in September the popular eatery know as Charlie's Steak, Ribs and Ale, in Forsyth MO, will be changing their menu and even possibly their name! Yes, Charlie's will be leaning more in the direction of a pizzeria-styled enterprise complete with a fully stocked salad bar! That is, if all the talk is correct.

Some later information, I garnered, indicated that they will continue to serve some hot meals like burgers and fries along with other cold sandwiches and pizza, of course.

 One of Forsyth's Charlie's great servers, prepares the newly acquired salad bar that will see service in September 2017!

Charlie's in Forsyth to offer extended breakfast!

Forsyth MO - Effective as of October the 10th, 2016 - Charlie's Ribs, Steak and Ale will be offering their breakfast menu from opening at 7:30 AM until 2PM on Saturday's and Sunday's! Specifically, they will be offering:

B&G and More - $6
Two eggs, two biscuits with hash browns!

The Works - $6
Two eggs, choice of meat, hash browns and choice of bread!

Steak & Eggs Platter - $10
7 oz sirloin, two eggs, hash browns and choice of bread!

Country Fried Steak and Eggs - $10
6 oz breaded steak topped with gravy, two eggs, hash browns and choice of bread!

For more details, you can reach Charlie's at 417-546-2011 during normal business hours!