First Sizzler, Now Acapulco. Who's Next?

It seems that as the economy gets tougher, people are getting choosier about where they eat and shop.

Recently, Burger King dropped the king mascot and chose a new ad campaign where they make their hamburgers appear farm fresh and gourmet. They also are updating their décor to attract younger, upwardly mobile customers, admitting sales have not been the best in recent years. Applebees has also claimed sales are down. Could it be that fried, salty, and fresh from the freezer food has had its day?

An outdated business model has closed its doors, and Diamond Bar residents are up in arms, asking questions like, “What has happened to Diamond Bar? Where are all the businesses going?” and the more controversial, “...the growing Asian population in D.B and Rowland Heights just does not support establishments that are not Asian.”

The changes are happening in many communities in Southern California because of economics, demographics, and other reasons. It is not just in Diamond Bar.

First, the outdated business model: The overpriced, jumbo portion, low quality, oversized corporate restaurants. This idea has had its day. It might be a sad reality for some, but the newest trend in restaurants is the boutique cafe, food trucks, and gourmet fast food chains like Five Guys.

The square footage of an Acapulco, Black Angus or Claim Jumper (who also closed restaurants in City of Industry recently) just cannot be sustained for a number of reasons. According to Diamond Bar resident Jan Bryant, "I am sad Acapulco closed, but I must admit, I have changed my eating habits since they added the calorie lists to menus. The food offered at some of my favorite places are just too high in fat and calories for me. The choices were limited, so I haven’t been going.”

Payal Patel of Rowland Heights was a satisfied patron of Acapulco, and said, “We had many functions there. The banquet room and service were very worth it. I will miss that, but I admit, the food was not the greatest.”

Hoda Elachkar of Diamond Bar said, “I went to Acapulco once. The food was terrible. I never went back.” Louise Petry was also not a fan, and said, "We used to go to Whole Enchilada when the old owners were there, but not so much these days. The food has changed.”

Would all these comments have anything to do with the restaurant changes in our city? It is true that we go to other cities like Chino Hills or Brea to eat for all the variety they offer. Why do they have all the fun? They are newer communities that were planned for disposable incomes to enjoy shopping and eating out. Anyone remember the Velvet Turtle? Or Love’s BBQ? Brea let those restaurants close. What changed? Does demographics play a role there? Maybe not.

The term “bedroom community” is used quite a bit for Diamond Bar. The planning stages of our city just did not allow for large scale shopping centers like neighboring cities.

The few chains we supported like Acapulco, Sizzler, and even the old Sport Chalet have closed in our city for those reasons. Thankfully, new owners have sunk over $4.2 million dollars to renovate the old Sizzler and offer finer dining. “I love Chinese food, but we need variety” is true, but our demographics just does not attract business owners. Why not? Asian diners love American food, what is the problem? Do they really not support non-Asian businesses?

Patch contributor Charmien Chang disagrees, and said, “Asian people love all kinds of food, and spend lots of money on eating out. The problem comes when it is perceived that money is being wasted. Value meals like In n Out, McDonald’s and other fast food with 'order at the counter' service are popular for obvious reasons. All You Can Eat places like HomeTown Buffet are also wildly popular with Asian customers. It’s the lower quality, sit down restaurants that require 15 percent tip and almost 10 percent tax that is not acceptable. Chinese people especially appreciate spending money on seafood like fish, shellfish, and lobster. American food perceived as overpriced will not attract Asian customers, hence, business will be slow.” 

Where does Charmien go for Mexican food in our area?

“When friends from overseas come to town, they want Mexican food, not Chinese necessarily," Chang said. "I take them to Osuna’s in Walnut for a number of reasons. It’s family owned, I like the décor, and the Seven Seas soup with crab legs and seafood ceviche are delicious. I would not go to a corporate restaurant.”

Walnut resident Elisa Alsawalhy agrees.

“We go to El Cholo in La Habra for Mexican food for the great food at a chef owned place,” she said.

Since I have been doing restaurant reviews for Patch in Diamond Bar and Walnut, I have had no desire to review any of the corporate chains. I think their food is “obvious,” their concept about nutrition deplorable, and the cost with tax and tip is often too high.

For me, supporting our local families like Jasminder and Satpal of Diamond Palace, Yoshi and Michiko of Kyala, the Osuna family, and others is important; where the food is fresh and handmade is where I will spend my extra cash. I appreciate good, real food, whether it is Asian, Indian, or Mexican. We do have a lot of choices here in Diamond Bar; let’s not be sad that we are evolving. Maybe our Asian population is forcing out the old, and bringing in the new. Is that a bad thing?