Gus’s Fried Chicken owner in Maplewood (7434 Manchester Road), Jim Zimmermann, said his new restaurant was still on soft opening mode Wednesday, as it was Tuesday, opening day. It was the crowds.
“It was unbelievable. An all-time Gus’s record for opening day,” he said. “We had them around the building all day long.”
Zimmermann said the kitchen couldn’t keep up on Tuesday, so they closed the doors from two to five and did the same on Wednesday.
“What we’re trying to do is teach the morning people to open and close and then the second shift to open and close, and know what they have to be able to do,” he said.
He went out to talk to the lineup about 30 minutes before the door opened for dinner Wednesday.
“Everybody has got to realize this is not fast food,” he said. “Chicken takes a good 20 minutes to fry. We’re normally on about a half hour wait. So don’t be looking at your watch saying where’s my chicken?
“As the evening goes on it’s going to take a little bit longer,” he said. “Yesterday at lunch we were out an hour and 45 minutes because we just choked the kitchen with orders. So we’re going to do it nice and smooth.”
He told them they would fill the restaurant and serve them and let in the first 10 carryout orders. “As they take off, let more in,” he said.
We went on Tuesday… Food was great, Jim was as nice as could be, service was great… wait wasn’t bad! Jim we will be back!
Scott W
Dardenne Prairie, Mo
It never surprises me, what people do at feeding time…