While the gang of four - mayor, Wise, McClone and Elvig - have been ineffective in bringing in new restaurants, the one they spent a $200,000 subsidy to attract gets a less than favorable review.

I dislike the noise of the place, and the food was better when there was only the one outlet on Coon Rapids Blvd. tucked in the southwest cornor by the old long-closed Target store. It was quieter, and the sauces were special. Now this. Over expansion can ruin a good thing.

Ramsey resident Riley, on her Licking Calcutta blog, gives a trenchant restaurant review:

Worst dinner in years at Acapulco Restaurant in Ramsey

Worst dinner in years at Acapulco Restaurant in Ramsey. Have been hearing this is a great place to eat in Ramsey. Based on our experience on 13 May 2011, I disagree with that assessment. I spoke about out concerns during the meal to both our waitress and Martin -- who is likely the manager. Read on knowing that we did try to offer constructive criticism while we were there and the table felt that our concerns went unnoticed.

As a little preamble, I have live in various states in the Southwest, have catered a number of events, prepared meals for private clients, had numerous original recipes published in cookbooks, write -- and am published -- on food, cooking and restaurants on a regular basis so I do have some great background for these opinions.

Chips and salsa. BLAND. Asked for spicier salsa and was instructed by wait staff to add hot sauces on the table to the salsa. Did that and it did not increase the flavor and the spice / heat level only increased a minimal amount. How about adding a second salsa for people that actually enjoy heat and flavor?

Meals. Disappointing. Wet burrito was gummy. Not spicy enough. Poblano peppers were drowning in sauce and there was no real pepper flavor. The cheese on this plate was not melted consistently which gave the meal an odd texture. The other two diners ordered beef Chimichangas. The rice was cold on one plate and both diners have heavily wrapped, soft, doughy, Chimichangas. This is NOT a Chimichanga. As a deep fried entrée, they should be crispy on the outside, not a pale white, soft blob on the plate next to the cold rice. When I asked Martin if soft and doughy was how they served them, he said there was a new cook and that maybe they could have been crispier. That was it, no apology, no offer to replace, nothing. Presentation of these two meals, like the others, was messy.

None of us will return to this restaurant, and to top it off after getting home and having a queasy stomach got to puke up all the crappy food.
Posted by Riley at Friday, May 13, 2011

Two thoughts: The Nectar, in Osseo; Buona Sera, in Champlin.

Both offer consistent quality dining.

Both are owner operated.

Sloppiness and down-hill trending is avoided that way.

The chef in each instance is the owner. Nectar has an outstanding beer and wine list too.

Turn up the volume: So, why give away a secret of a great place, and then have to fight the crowds? Business flows from recommendations and keeping an outstanding operation solvent and happy is in everyone's best interest; while selfish self interest is an even stronger motive. Losing Canyon Grille was a lesson. No crowds, no certainty of long-term availability. It's a yin and it's a yang.

I will send Riley an email, for the closing info - two places you don't get burned. Owner-operated quality has no substitute, except for an owner selected first rate chef: Canyon Grille.