Monday, October 30, 2006

Weighs the same as a duck

It's been a tough month in San Francisco for Tom Colicchio.

As I reported a couple of weeks ago, he'd like to open four new locations of his deli 'wichcraft in as many months, expanding beyond the San Francisco Centre location, which would serve as a commissary.

But first he had to deal with a power outage at Westfield Centre that pushed his opening back a day, costing him roughly 1,000 covers.

And now there's Michael Bauer, who on his blog called Colicchio's $10-ish sandwiches "very oily," "tasted like it had languished in the refrigerator for four days" and "so tough I couldn't bite through it." In the end, he decides it's not worth the cost, and many of his coworkers (and blog commenters) seem to agree.

I haven't eaten at 'wichcraft myself, but I face a similar value question with another upscale fast food place, Sellers Market, in the financial district. The place seems to be constantly busy, but I end up spending $12 on a personal-size pizza or nearly as much on breakfast egg flatbread thing and asking myself whether it is really worth it.

But from a business standpoint, the concept of selling more sustainable, locally raised, organic food seems to have really taken off, presumably among those in a higher income bracket than me. Sellers Market is due to open another location, and Colicchio has had a lot of success with 'wichcraft in New York.

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6 Comments:

connie said...

Have you been to Mixt Greens yet? Tasty, but I'm still hungry afterward a 12 dollar salad!

October 31, 2006 2:07 PM  
Ryan said...

The line is always too long. I should probably just try it already. Twelve dollars?!?!

October 31, 2006 3:42 PM  
connie said...

Well, if you add in the niman ranch filet, seared ahi, blah, blah, blah.

I just wish they would add green beans (or canned tuna) and they'd be able to cobble together a reasonable facsimile of a salade nicoise.

October 31, 2006 4:45 PM  
Ryan said...

Actually the more you mention meats the more appealing it sounds ;->

October 31, 2006 4:49 PM  
connie said...

i've been really curious about 'wichcraft and out the door. the new sellers' market is going to be across the street from me. we should get anne down here and all do lunch at one of these places sometime!

November 01, 2006 1:58 PM  
Ryan said...

I'll email you. Anne and I have also talked abouttrying Boulette's Larder a the Ferry Building ($15 for a sandwich but at a proper table).

November 01, 2006 2:04 PM  

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