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Comments
Not surprised
Uno is awful . I hadn't gone to one in many years but I went the Kenmore location recently before a Sox game. The only reason we chose Uno is because everywhere else was packed and had long waits. At Uno the place was mostly empty and we were seated right away.
Our orders came very quickly. My pizza was under cooked and cold in the middle. My beer had the smell of soap. I'll never go again.
Uno
I disagree. On my annual trip to Fenway, i go there for a pregame meal, the kids like it and it's much cheaper than what the Pizzutis charge for food at Fenway.
Clock is ticking
One has to believe Kenmore's days are numbered. Time for a nostalgia trip. (Or buy one in the grocery store.)
Meanwhile, their Copley outlet keeps chugging along.
It's hard to believe their Boylston Street store has lasted as long as it has, flying under the radar. While thousands of other places have come and gone in that area over the decades (most recently, and lamentably, Noon -- may they rest in peace), that Uno keeps going strong. Maybe they have a dirt-cheap 99-year lease or something!
Maybe, but working in Copley,
Maybe, but working in Copley, that place was generally reasonably busy during lunch time. There are much worse chains out there.
The location that Verts (aka Noon) was in can't seem to keep tenants. I worked in the area from 2006 to 2012, and that place was a cell phone store, empty, a place started by firefighters that sold subs, then eventually empty again. And now, empty again.
You're right about the Noon space.
Wasn't that also the same space that Firehouse Subs occupied for about five minutes? Maybe it's a visibility thing, tucked in behind the cut-out for the underground restaurant (whatever it's currently called). Though the GNC seems to do OK.
I'm really sad to see Noon go. Not sure what the name change from Verts was all about -- seemed to be basically the same menu under both names. But always like the food, and it seemed to be very well staffed and well managed, unlike, say, the world's most awful Wendy's, right next door. If there was any justice, they would have shuttered that dump years ago.
Anyway, hats off to people who try to make a go of food service these days. I don't know much about the economics of the industry, but it's seems like such a tough business! And the plethora of food trucks in that area and elsewhere in the city can't be making it any easier for the brick-and-mortar guys.
Verts/Noon
Seems like they expanded faster than their ability to finance said expansion. The chain filed for Chapter 11 and apparently is looking to get out of some of their leases. I noticed the location in DTX closed pretty abruptly a week or so ago.
Verts/Noon was highlighted as a quick-service chain to watch but the space can be very tricky. Middle Eastern/Turkish/Levantine/Mediterranean food can be amazing, but the visibility for much of the public of that cuisine is low. You could make a crapton of money if you started the chain that ended up as the Taco Bell of Mediterranean but that ain't easy.
That's too bad
...that the Kenmore location is still open, that is.
Meh, "it is what it is", but
Meh, "it is what it is", but can anyone explain how A: Maluken didn't survive, and B: how that super-generic "Fenmore Grill" has survived over 6 years?!?
They once were a great chain
They once were a great chain with reliably amazing deep dish pizza. Like the 99 and Friendlies they've faded into mediocrity.
Shrinking
By my count, according to the Boston Restaurant Talk post, Uno's has closed 7 local sites in the past few years and has 8 left.
I work in tourism, often with charter bus groups coming from overseas or from the midwest. Many of those groups go to Uno's for -- get this -- a lobster dinner. Lobster isn't on their normal menu, but groups can get them by advance reservation. I always thought that going to a Chicago pizza house for a New England seafood dinner was a bit strange.
The Kenmore location is quite popular for those groups having lobster, but it's a real pain trying to get the charrer bus there when there's a Sox game on.
Thanks for that bit. Really
Thanks for that bit. Really something most wouldn't know without a bit of more inside info.
I have been waiting for that
I have been waiting for that to close. Always bad service. Twice waited 20 minutes for waiter when restaurant was empty. Walked out. No one noticed.
Bad service
I had a similar problem when I had placed a take out order from there - I arrived to pick it up and was told that they never placed the order with the kitchen, but if I gave them 20-30 minutes, they'd get it taken care of. When I asked to speak to the manager, I was told that "she's busy right now". That was my first and last visit to Uno's Huntington.