Uncle Moe's Rant

ben · October 2006

Subject: Uncle Moe's Rant

So I walk into Uncle Moe's to get a burrito the other day and there's this sign saying that they can't serve pico de gallo because the price of tomatoes is too expensive.

What kind of crap is that? Because their profit margin is going to be decreased by .25 they opt to eliminate it from the menu, thereby increasing their profit margin? Of course they do nothing to compensate the consumer for the fact they they are not getting what is advertised and that they are paying for. Plus, a burrito, taco, etc. without pico de gallo is considerably less tasty than one with.

Mind you, these guys raised their prices by about 10% within the last couple of months. Sure you can get a meal for cheap but it's all rice and beans anyway. They're totally skimpy on the meat they put in. I've even seen them grab a tong-full of meat and then take some off the burrito and put it back. And there wasn't a whole lot to start with.

I can live with the fact that they are skimpy with the meat but to start randomly eliminating things like pico de gallo because it's too expensive? It's not like we're in a tomato shortage here or anything. This is part of running a business, suck it up and take the loss, if you need to raise prices further then do it and we can decide if we still want your rice and bean burrito.

These guys have shown me that they don't care about the customer, just maximizing their profit and they are willing to nickel and dime their patrons in order to do it.

drano · October 2006

Too bad, and a lame business decision. If they can't shoulder the cost, then charge for it. But to eliminate it as an option...ugh.

The guy that runs the corner store used to carry this beer that I liked. I was probably his biggest customer for the stuff. Anyhow, one day he tells me that the distributor raised the price per case substantially and that he would need to do the same - thing is, he told me what the new price was going to be and asked me if I would be willing to pay it. I didn't like the beer that much (we were talking like a 75% increase) so I told him I couldn't do it. Good communication, everyone happy - he doesn't have a bunch of beer he can't move and I don't walk in one day to a massive price increase. They should have handled the pico de gallo situation more like that.

brooklynpotter · October 2006

tomatoes? are they kidding? that's likely the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard... and even more reason to head over the clemens... best mexican in the area, hands down.

willregistersoon · October 2006

Where and what is clemens? i'm in need of good mexican!

brooklynpotter · October 2006

on PPW, near corner of prospect (?)... at the end of the third block from the circle.

i go for the grande burrito with grilled shrimp and corn. it's as big as your head.

the green sauce there is amazing. the flan ROCKS.

never had a bad meal there. if i weren't always dieting, i'd eat there all the time. daily.

steve · October 2006

I don't get the decision either. I've been going in there for years though, and I really like the guys who work there. I'm gonna mention this thread to them and see what they say.

erikka · October 2006

I think they're overpriced, espcially given you can get a burrito with sides over at Nuevo (on 5th Av) for $6. I've read of other places increasing prices slightly, but to wipe out a menu staple is bad business.

anonymous · October 2006

i vote for rachel's, 5th ave & 8th st (i think). much better than it's sister location taqueria.

h1113 · October 2006

I've added them to the boycott list

linusvanpelt · October 2006

Anonymous wrote: i vote for rachel's, 5th ave & 8th st (i think). much better than it's sister location taqueria.

Seconded. Rachel's gets beat up on Chowhound for some inexplicable reason. I think their menu is better--insofar as it differs--and they use better ingredients than the Uncle Moe's/Taquerias. (For instance, their cheese seems to be some kind of queso blanco rather than some sort of pseudo jack or cheddar.)

Now a challenge: who can explain the relationship among Rachel's, Uncle Moe's and the Taquerias? Same owners, different management? Or is each subsequent one founded by people who used to work at another one and took the recipes with them?

erikka · October 2006

linusvanpelt wrote: [quote=Anonymous]i vote for rachel's, 5th ave & 8th st (i think). much better than it's sister location taqueria.

Seconded. Rachel's gets beat up on Chowhound for some inexplicable reason. I think their menu is better--insofar as it differs--and they use better ingredients than the Uncle Moe's/Taquerias. (For instance, their cheese seems to be some kind of queso blanco rather than some sort of pseudo jack or cheddar.)

Now a challenge: who can explain the relationship among Rachel's, Uncle Moe's and the Taquerias? Same owners, different management? Or is each subsequent one founded by people who used to work at another one and took the recipes with them?

The staff at Rachel's is rude (in my experience) and food-wise I've had mixed bag. Sometimes good, usually terrible. Also, don't bother with the elotes.

Didn't Uncle Moe's storefront used to be a branch of La Taquiera?

rose · October 2006

erikka wrote:

Didn't Uncle Moe's storefront used to be a branch of La Taquiera?

Yeah, that's the way I remember it. Years ago.

I like the guys who work at Uncle Moe's too -- they make a special taco for my picky kid and are always nice about it. They've done the thing with the tomatoes before -- it is annoying. They should just charge extra for it if it's really so expensive -- simply not serving it at all is no good.

steve · October 2006

So, I asked the guys what was up when I went in there earlier and they told me the price for a case of tomatoes went up from ten bucks to 50. Somehow I doubt that number is accurate.

They also told me the owner is going to start selling it again. I gave them the board address and so on as they asked.

The chicken was fantastic as usual.

anonymous · October 2006

I thought the sign was a joke a first. I read it out loud and laughed thinking this can't be what I'm reading. The burrito guy responded to my obvious amusement with a yes and a half crooked guilty smile. Guess they're serious. How strange.

I only order the vegetarian burritos and at Moe's and Rachel's. They both scrimp on size if you order the standard veggie burrito. You have to order the California and pay a few bucks extra to actually get a meal. This is a shame because cost wise what's another heap of black beans or rice? Stingy, stingy, stingy. I even told the guy at Rachels' to add more beans and he just put a small scoop in.

Quality wise Rachel's is far better, but Moe's is closer to me. The best place I've been to (for non authentic but tasty burritos) is on Court St somewhere closer to Atlantic. Standard veggie burrito is huge, not too expensive, and the ingredients are decent. Once again it seems that the food establishments (Thai, Indian, Mexican, etc) near my home just don't cut it (with the exception of Pita Pan which I crave now and then). They're there and that's the only reason I go. Good luck in your burrito search.

anonymous · October 2006

Subject: uncle moes rant

My name is Marty Einhorn and I am the owner of Uncle Moes.
Ownership of a small business brings forth a wide array of responsibilities. The most important of these responsibilities is to please and satisfy your customers. For the past 15 years we have tried our very best to do just that.
I'd like to apologize to our customers for removing the pico de gallo from our menu without offering a substitution in its place. Giving our customers the option of paying a little extra for the pico would also have been a good alternative. Clearly, I will take responsibility for making a poor and hasty business decision concerning a VERY REAL business problem. We will begin serving pico de gallo again and forever on Monday evening.
I'd also like to mention that we will continue to:
1- Support our neighborhood parks, schools and our community of
customers
2- Use only the highest quality ingredients in the production of our
food
3- Continue to wish our competitors the very best of luck

My thanks go out to Steve for mentioning this thread and giving me the oppotunity to realize how bad a decision I did, in fact, make. Glad you're still enjoyin the chicken

Marty

godandsourcream · October 2006

Marty -

Good for you for listening to customer feedback and making appropriate adjustments.

Now you're making me hungry ;-)

steve · October 2006

Subject: Re: uncle moes rant

Thanks for posting Marty. I'm glad I was able to point it out to you and I hope to continue enjoying your food for years to come.

kittygolightly · November 2007

Subject: Rachel's Mesquite

I always used to be a huge fan of Rachel's chicken, but the new incarnation of "Rachel's Mesquite Bar & Grill" is kinda, well, icky. The as soon as the delivery bag opened, my kitchen was overtaken by a cloying smoke smell. The flavor was even worse -- suffused with faux smoke seasoning, and a nasty scent that just won't come off my hands.

Anyone know why the disappointing change?

Also? Watery guacamole. Ick.

mookie wilson · November 2007

wow. blast from the past.

MOD · November 2007

I just read this whole thread thinking it was recent, what the *#@?!?
It's so annoying when an old thread is revived. And worst of all now I want a burrito :evil:

jamzer · November 2007

I had a burrito last night from LA Taqueria. It was very tasty.

I've never had Uncle Moe's. They don't deliver to my block. :x

new2hood · November 2007

Subject: I heart uncle moe's

loved them in the city, love them here. so glad to see the owner noticed.

linusvanpelt · November 2007

Re: Rachel's -- they still serve their old items, which are still the same. (I like them better than Moe's or LA Taqueria, though those two are fine.) I agree that the "grill" items seem pointless. Who goes to Rachel's to get a cheeseburger?

Uncle Moe's Rant

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