there are tons of post here on famous about cafe corazon. type them in the search box and see what pops up.

i know they've also been reviewed on yelp.

I've never heard of the Cafe Corazon. I think that's the big problem for local businesses.

If you have a local business, there are lots of ways you can get yourself out there without spending alot of cash....

- Write yourself a review on Fresno Famouns
- Write yourself a review on Google Business
- Participate in/support local activities (like a motorycle run) and get your name out there.

I'm always looking for local businesses to support. What kind of food do you offer?

Consistancy? There's like 30 different Me and Ed's in this town and the food at each one tastes different.

I don't think it's just Irenes... Service sucks all over this town for some reason. I've found that if you do not get to know your server and ask for them by name when you dine at their resturant, you're going to get shitty service.

I've also found that when I eat at a place frequently (that's how I do, I eat at my favorite places frequently), get to know the good servers, tip them well and ask for them by name to serve you when you arrive, they take VERY good care of you and give you great service.

The only exception to that I've found in this town is the elephant bar. While it's true you can get bad service there, it's the exception, not the rule. From my experience they provide good service more consistantly than any where else. Whenever I eat anywhere except the E-bar, I ask for my servers by name when being seated.

There are two things that come to my mind, regarding Mom&Pop stores and Hole-in-the-Walls:

1) They're often remarkably generic. While, obviously, creativity can go too far, most indie stores I've seen are horribly bland, and they don't differentiate themselves from the other indie stores. Doughnut shops and coffee shops are a good example of this. Most of the indie shops are serving the same product from the same group of companies. A pox on ubiquitous pink doughnut boxes!

2) I do NOT like to feel pressured by merchants. People who have personal stakes in selling products, whether sales people or owners, creep me out. I don't trust anyone with that kind of desperation in their eyes. I do not like the way they try to start up customer relationships without invitation, even if it's genuine interest rather than a business calculation. I go somewhere for the product. I want a good, interesting, quality product, brought to me with proper care and haste and proper sanitation, at a reasonable price, and with no hassle. I do not want to be given puppy dog eyes because I bought the cheapest item on the menu, nor do I want to have some approach my table except to offer me a refill, or the bill.

The advantage of chain stores is that, unless the manager is running about, the people there don't have any major risks over their heads, and, aside from being professionally polite, don't have a reason to think twice about you unless they have a genuine, personal interest outside of commerce.

While many people greatly enjoy any chance to socialize and to form relationships with merchants, others are just there for the products and a chance for some "me-time" without having to hide in the woods.

Granted, I don't know the most inspired people in Fresno. But, the majority decides the economic focus and Fresno's majority, at least that I've met, are not really the adventurous type. I think in a town like Berkeley or SD, someone may walk into an unknown restaurant, browse the menu and decide to stay or leave. Fresno's mentality is different. The average person I know is socially afraid. If a Fresno resident walks into an unknown restaurant, they are stuck there no matter what, due to a strange sense of Fresno morals. People are more sensitive here and less risky. We're also one of the cheapest cities I've been too, with the perception that chains are less expensive and higher quality than mom and pops. I, personally, am more of a risk taker, and care less about the cost as long as it's under $25. I've been trying for years to find someone to try out new places with, and EVERYONE I know just isn't comfortable with the risk. How hamburgers are better than good Thai food or sushi I'll never know. But, everyone I know knows. :-)

RobertJason

Great, I know going into it that I'm going to come across like a can of 'origional scented' Raid...
(or, for the music afficiandos in the room... BlackFlag...)

So here goes.

Trader Joes.

First off?
I like the place.
When I have the time, and they're open (I keep weird hours,) I can bounce into there, get some sort of packaged whatzis, know it's going to taste good, and then go out, scavengerlike, and chomp in the car... (busy busy man, here...) The food is good, it's usually good for you, and the prices, (if you know what to get,) aren't that bad.

Maybe it's along the lines of this old cartoon I saw in NewYorker where these two kind of urban-hippie-esque 'crunchy-granola,'types were whispering to each other, as another couple came walking up. '...oh, here they come, ya know, they are so 'earthier than thou.' (The approaching couple had that classic beeds, bangles, braids, fringes, and 'we've been on tour with the Dead, didn't know they stopped playing, and don't care,' sort of look...
(You sort of have to know the whole earth-day organic scene back east to really get this, unlike out here where the hippies never really went away, (and are doing quite well, thank-you-very-much,) this close to S.F.
It's a different scene...

I feel kind of bad when I shop at Trader Joes, because I get the genuine impression that these folks (who seem to be genuinely nice people,) are kind of being forced to comment on darn near every last item that you're buying with a 'that's my favourite,' or 'I love this one, it's so tasty,' or asking what I'm up to that evening, (etc. etc.)

Now, here's the deal.
-I for one love to gab with local shop owners, business people, barbers, you name it...
I am a dreadfully gregarious person in business, and really like talking to folks, and enjoy the local color realism that you're only going to get by looking folks in the eye, saying hello, and stuff...

--But the TraderJoes thing feels forced, it feels sorta like 'they have to do it,' -and what really sucks is: These seem like people that I'd really enjoy knowing on a day in an day out basis 'off the job,' where They'd know that I care, -and I'd know that they care, -and, to be honest? I think they'd rather drop dead than say
'...oh this is my yummy favorite.'
And, (if I still smoked,) I'd be happy to toss'm a butt or bum one off of them, and just sit and see how things are going, IF they wanted to know, or wanted to share... part of my caring (in fact,) would be to respect how that goes.

DO NOT MISSREAD THIS...
I genuninely like these people...

It's just that, well, (as in one case,) I'd have rather the person at the counter be able to focus and dialogue with a customer (in a genuine sense, even if it's
'-hey, thanks for coming out, you have a safe ride home (when the guy was on a bicyle and had asked to have his stuff double bagged,) ---and the cashier (instead was like,) '...oh right-o, you're saving the environment, good for you...'
COMPLETELY missed the
'can I have a double bag?,' request
-and the poor bastard's stuff was all over Barstow and Fresno, as the (single) bag broke through and folks are stopping, staring, and I'm like:
'...It's okay, ma'am, just spaghetti sauce, nothing to see here, please move on...'

It's kind of like,
I'd rather bump into one of my TraderJoes folks on ArtHop or at a show or something, and be like
'...oh wait, are you up at 'Joes up on Blackstone,' (and get to know them, or at least say 'hi, thanks for taking such great care of me up there.'
---than feel like I got somebody who is obviously genuine, but having to say things that they maybe wouldn't say, -to promote some sort of 'happy-space,' shopping experience.
-What if they're normally a bit more quiet?
-What if they don't want to be asking people about what they're eating?
-What if they don't want to tell the whole freakin' world (every three seconds,') oh that's my FAVourite... (Personally? I kind of don't want to tell everybody what I like all the time, (or dislike,) and wish they would be allowed to just let some things be private, and be themselves...
I don't confuse cashiers and sales staff for social workers, and don't think they should have to come across like them, either.

We had this problem at AutoZone (out here,)

Back east, I was in several stores as a manager.
There is a definite responsibility for several things that you have to keep in mind when somebody comes into your store:
-you greet them, (sometimes known as 'stop, drop, thirty-thirty')
----which means, stop what you're doing, drop what you're doing (when you see a client,) and say hello to them and ask them if you can help them within thirty seconds, or thirty steps that they take coming in the door.)
---It's not being all 'up in their business,' --but it's genuinely welcoming them, acknowledging them that you know that they are there, -and asking if you can help them further...
-This is the same (with slightly different figures,) in all retail, basicaly.

-Out here, (in the stores I was in a couple of years ago,) it was like, you walk into the store,
and you (the staff,) had to shout 'Welcome to AutoZone,'
---and it really put customers off...
(and yeah, we'd get chewed on (even as managers,) if we did not do this.)

---That rule has been changed, and now, the staff are allowed to simply greet and meet your needs without it being some sort of assault,
(but the joke of it was? the whole thing was initially designed to engage the customer, and let them know that you care about what they want, NOT some 'fulfilling of some requirement,' and everybody being stressed out.)

I shop all the time at FoodMaxx, DelTaco, Checkers, Target, Rasputins ---as well as local mom-n-pop places, (as well as eat in different places too,) and all I'm looking for (honestly,) is that I can get what I need, not pay a ton, get correct change, accomplish what the place is there for in my life, -and then bounce.
---That goes from the most basic 'stoppin' in for donuts,' to 'buying tubes and tires for my bike,' to what is supposed to happen with a place when I'm taking somebody out on a date, or just hanging with friends,

-I want to focus on the people I'm WITH and the experience, ---and am counting on the business to conduct it's business...
I don't mean this in a disrespectful way,
-but if I was going to a place to eat, and wanted to spend so much time with my waitstaff or the owner?
I would ask THEM out to go eat, -someplace else, and focus on them, (with others taking care of the business of serving US our meal...)
(or) I'd make it clear that I'd like to spend time with them (the staff,) when we can all just chill out and be normal...
Work, (though some of us, work, constantly,) is different from 'hanging out,' -and we need to be about our work, when we're working... That demands a degree of focus on the task at hand, -as well as respecting others roles in the business at hand.

That my server or sales person is knowledgeable, presentable, and courteous, (they don't have to be my new best friend,) is expected, and all I really want.
(yep, I said expected,)
-as it's a professional experience.

I realize that the folks at the register could be anyone, (second job, only job, student, etc.)
--and genuinely appreciate, even when it's like, 'here's your order, you have a nice day,' I get to say thanks, and we all go on happy.
It's occurred to me that some of the folks I am dealing with are actually kinda shy, -and this is part of them learning to open up and deal with folks. --Times like that? It's great to just be like '...so how you doing?' (etc.) and give them the chance to just breathe and be normal for a few moments...

I don't think it's rude to 'not want to be intruded upon,'
-when I am looking to eat, or buy something, say Hi, and then get on with what I'm doing,

--and to be honest?

Few things irritate me more than to be in a retail situation (of any kind,) have somebody be all 'talkative,' -only to find out that they really didn't want to talk at all, -and THEY just wanted to get the business over with...

-Right up there?
Paying for something and it not being done right, being cold or being overcharged, -or being shorted ten dollars or such, -because the person performing the transaction was too busy 'chatting me up,' -and could not perform their duties (yes... 'duties,' ---it's business, folks are getting paid to do this...)
---and then you go back to correct the situation, and it's all this 'gooey,' drama where you're like 'interrupting the flow of good vibes and making the spirit of Mother Theresa (or Jerry Garcia)weep,'
or something,
-when if somebody had just done their thing right,
-smiled and said 'thanks, you have whatever kind of day you want.'
-We'd all be happy as clams.

It may be an East vs. West thing, as out here community contact is so 'communal,' (lotsa groups doing things, people are more 'group-centric,' --wheras back East, we kind of go about our business, and communicate directly, take the time to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction about something, -and then get on with it.

(Final Thought,)
Even places where I go to, where I know the owners or management (like, if they're family or whatever, --and when I'm working,)
-Nine Times out of ten?
We're all busy doing our jobs and making sure things are going 'okay,' to be yakking it up with folks, -and have to catch up after hours, as we're busy taking care of others.

-Again, with respects to TraderJoes,
--the above experiences are not solely about them,
---it's about a lot of different places, (the trader joes situations are specific and referenced.)
I like it there...
AND
It also happens to be a chain... (surprise.) They're all over the country...

Just to clarify here, I am not "anti-chain". Some chains are very nice, and are just so damn convenient as to just pop in when you feel like it. I would just like to see people attend some of the local places more often. Try something new. So many just get stuck in a rut.

"JPetersen, you mention the generic impersonal service you get from a chain, should it be brought to your attention that the service is not from out of town?"

Obviously, but just the same, it seems the service is usually rather generic and dull at a chain rather than at a small, local restaurant. But very true, just because it's local does not make it good. But you are usually more likely to get someone who gives a damn.

JPetersen, you mention the generic impersonal service you get from a chain, should it be brought to your attention that the service is not from out of town?

Speaking of bad service, even though I love the food at Irene's, the place has horrible service. Is this just me?

-

Money generally has something to do with it as well. Local places can't drop their prices as low as, say, McDonald's can (most times). And, whether or not the food is worth it, there are a LOT of po' folk here. Even though, really, spending a dollar more for a local burger really isn't that much more (especially considering the better burger), it doesn't seem that way to the consumer.

Plus, as said, another huge factor is convenience. We live in a fast food society. And, quite frankly (and perhaps the scary part is) some people LIKE the generic impersonal service you get from a chain. Some people find it... odd that the people actually TALK to you and take an interest in their customers and future business. We've gotten used to being not noticed and not really cared about.

Whatever... I'm gonna go grab a Big Ma- I mean a Mom's burger :p

Just remember, every time we choose a place to eat, we are choosing Fresno's future. Will we have a viable local economy? Or will we export dollars to foreign restaurant owners? This needs to be part of the analysis...

I’ll say it’s reputation. At every McDonalds and most other chains you know what to expect, you know exactly what your food is going to taste like, what the restaurants look like inside, the people behind the counter, even the clientele. A local operation has to run on its reputation just like the chains, a brand new place has to build a reputation. To build a reputation a restaurateur needs consistency and lots of marketing money. Two local successes are DiCiccos and Me & Ed’s.

.

Sometimes it is all about location, location. If the business is located in a place that people refuse to go, it will struggle. It doesn't matter how good of a product they offer. You just won't get the traffic you need to survive.

The chains have major marketing dollars. The indie local stores don't. It's that simple.

How's this?
If you *know* a local place to be of high-quality, and you are making a date with a friend to eat, and they suggest Red Robin or something, then you can see if you can interest them in the 'local' choice.

I agree with the talk above that being local is no excuse for being inferior. People doooo eat out in this town (that, and going to the movies, they totally got down), but they will rarely give a place that
was disatifying a second chance. Most of us, including myself, will choose 'yummy chain' over 'nasty local'.

Why make 'local' a priority at ALL?
Well, lemme quote the wesite of The Town Builders Collaborative that I happened upon today:
http://www.tbcollaborative.com/Intelligence.asp?ID=9&View=All

"Mom-and-pop businesses reflect a community’s personality. They’re one-of-a-kind, experiential places. Chains and discounters, however, are like cultural black holes, sucking up every atom of uniqueness that surrounds them, turning the entire nation – and beyond – into a mind-numbing blur of homogeneous storefronts, identical merchandise, and bland transactions."

(sorry if my recent 'mainstreet' and 'sprawl' obsession is showing)

"It's kind of awkward to go to a place, find the food to be lacking,
-or an aspect of the place to be 'less than great,' -and comment on it.
It's sort of like '...hey, we're little guys, don't pick on us, be SUPPORTIVE, --when something is really not done well.'"

definitely agree with you on this. and, this is something i mentioned in a soon to be aired podcast, the desire to be a little more critical with my reviews without being a jerk about it. and, in my review of manchester steak house, i was honest about not really liking the dolma. but, it was qualified with the fact that we were trying something different and it ended up not being our thing. but, i also think you can speak honestly, be critical, and still highlight the good you find in a place without just being someone that is just writing fluff pieces out of hometown loyalty.

as i continue to think on why people will often choose a place like starbucks over cafe corazon, convenience is ringing loudly in my head. say you work downtown. you can hit a starbucks @ several locations, stay in your car, drive to work, park, and you're done. to go to a better place, and i will definitely say cafe corazon is a better place for any coffee drink as well as food than starbucks, you have to drive to the area, find a parking spot, plug the meter for a few minutes, walk over, get your stuff, and then head back to the car before you finally get to work. people are lazy, and these added steps become hurdles. which is why i think you have to commit to it. you've got to say, no, i'm not going to starbucks if i'm going to get some coffee, especially if i'm taking the time to hang out at a coffee shop.

and, convenience played into my decision to go to manchester steak. we were going to see a movie @ the theater, and i didn't want to get too far away from that final destination. and, i saw a mexican place that i'm needing to check out in the area.

and, since i've got some time and some reading to accomplish, i'll be @ the cafe in 45 minutes or so.

What I like about EdLove's writings (nobody tell him this, it will probably set the man into heart failure, especially when I've recently commended wiffle on his podcast and blog... we need to go with this slowly,)
--as well as KimBurly's writes on food?
(The woman has caused me to literally chew on my monitor, she's THAT good.)

You can tell that they've really interracted with the servers and owners, and you get a true sense for what is going on.

I think it's also why CafeCorazon can't help but to succeed, (well that and that Leo and Liz actually know what they're doing, make excellent stuff, and happen to actually like people and listen to them.)

I walk into a place (or drag along an erstwhile date,) to eat based upon the fact that I'm hungry, and that the place has what looks good to me.
(I'm a simple creature: Feed me, (seymour), give me good portions, and don't cost me an arm and a leg unless the experience is going to warrant more sheckles to the place.)

I also am not against 'chains,' per-se, ---(though, once I came to california vowed NEVER to go to Taco-Bell ever again,) --and go simply where the food is good.
When Moms was out here last year?
She thought Chicken Pie Shop was great, we hit some 'local places,' ---but she LOVED Cheesecake Factory (we went twice,)
-All I cared about?
She had a great time.. (and that IS all I'm going to care about...)

What means a lot to me is how the staff act, how the food tastes, and if I get the impression that 'they care.'
-(Again, one of the reasons why I love Ed's thoroughness, as well as KimBurly (who, being a recent mom, I'm sure doesn't get to go out that much.)

The other day? I walked into Marie Callendars up on Blackstone (just looking to chow with a friend,) and did a 180...
-Though the staff were nice? The place smelled like nasty old carpet, stale food, and, well, to be honest? stale pee...
-Their pies are excellent, -but, even as a person who is a massive fan of the NY subway system, -stale pee is not conducive to wanting to sit down and eat...

We went instead over to Macaroni Grille, (prices okay, food decent, wait-staff was a real sweetheart,) ---but the mind blower (not a deal killer, just sorta bizarre,) ---as an Italian joint, they dropped connolli from their menu because nobody ever bought it...

I kinda wonder if folks ever requested it?
And, based upon the looks I get sometimes when I leave a decent tip, (like folks are shocked, -but I believe in tipping my servers well,) ---AND--- taking the time to tell management that I had a great time?
I'm under the impression that folks aren't used to getting compliments and real customer interraction.

Though I have never talked it over with the managers of PF Changs?
Though I loved the decor, and the food was okay? (kinda greasey and oily, -but okay,) --the deal killer for me (even in going back,) was that they had completely wrong music playing (like great hits of the eighties, -fast stuff ta boot, --and waaaaaay too loud, (like it was distracting.)
I don't care if it was 'fusion,' -has nobody heard of Roxxy Music or even some quality jazz played at a lower volume?
-It completely blew the atmosphere, and I'd not be surprised if it cost them customers... (you throw in some calmer stuff, -regardless of nation of origin, even some decent 'water and nature sounds,' ---and I think folks would really dig the subtle lighting and cool sculptures.

Mom and Pop places are great, and I'll go to them, and usually LOVE the atmosphere and diaolgue with the owners, (there is one place I avoid, however because the owner is soooooo into your business, that it's kind of intrusive, -though I think highly of the person and appreciate their wanting us to have a good time.)

I just don't look, initially to go out of my way to find a place that is a hole in the wall (unless I hear from somebody else what's really going on, another reason why I like Ed's writes, Kim's writes,
-and sometimes write myself regarding how a place is...)

-A flip side to it?
It's kind of awkward to go to a place, find the food to be lacking,
-or an aspect of the place to be 'less than great,' -and comment on it.
It's sort of like '...hey, we're little guys, don't pick on us, be SUPPORTIVE, --when something is really not done well.'
(I went to one place, was looking foward to genre of food (not a lot of restaurants serving this sort of fare,) and found unimpressive chow, really slow service, high prices for the food, and obscenely high prices from the bar...
-I don't care how 'hip,' a place like that is,
-or how much the owners need foottraffic, ---I'm not interested in returning until they deal with their issues, -sorry.)

Hollering for 'loyalty,' while delivering a crappy experience, (because they're little guys, or unique?
THAT ---can and will keep me from coming back, (all the overtones, all the drama), -and will make me hesitant to tell others, honestly what I think...

(It's kind of hard, you don't want to say something bad, -but when something is wrong, it's wrong, NOT an issue of 'loyalty, to the small.')

I felt really torn in a situation with a place that was kind of a 'key figure,' as an eatery,
-and was sort of a hub to so many things, culturally and culinary,
---and one of the last vestiges of an area that was seen as 'going down.'
I went there deliberately to support the place for all those reasons,
---but when I walked into the door? It smelled like somebody had burned a squirrell on the grill...
-awkward.
I mean, the management could not smell this too?
I bought one of their wares, chatted with the staff a wee bit, and bounced. (turns out they shut their doors not long after that.)

I run two small businesses too, and I know going in,
if I'm going to go after customer satisfaction, THAT is what it's about,
-not that I'm a nice guy, a 'little guy,' an 'earnest guy,' or 'who I know or what I believe as a person' (politically or socially or whatever.)
-When it comes down to it, quality talks makes it work.

Again, I know THAT is is why some of the folks, (like Leo and Liz... heading towards 'rockstar,' status, ---for all the right reasons,)
and others, -get my support, as much as I'm able to give.
They 'get it,' they work like dogs, love making clients happy, and it's an honest feedback on both sides.
-and (at risk of being un PC in a Fresno sense,) it's also why I go to my local Starbucks as well... (when I want something overpriced, complex, and 'cajun-blackened,') --They're about service as well, and they care too.

Part of my point in saying this?
If Cafe Corazon makes it or breaks it, -it's because of the quality of Leo and Liz (and their family's) work in what they do.
-They KNOW this, and they make no bones about it...
This is why they will KILL.
-It's not 'Starbucks' Fault, either way.

-TOO many people get all pissed and weird at chains and places like 'Starbucks,' and fail to see?,
All you have to do to succeed is be good at what you do, treat others well, serve great stuff, -and care.
Folks respond to that, and it goes viral.

-Also why I appreciate a writer who speaks the truth about what they have experienced, -and would defend their honesty, -even if it's calling a spade a spade about the quality of something, (I'm not advocating being 'mean,' about it, ---I just appreciate the truth.)
I want to spend my money and my time where it's going to be worthwhile.

(This means I may actually go on a date with a real live human girl,
we may have a great time,
and it will be sorta Ed's fault, ---because I found about the place through his writings...
Which means I'll owe him flowers.
(...great, just great.)

So yeah, talk to the management, (whether it's DelTaco, a Roach Coach or someplace you need to wear your 'sunday go to meetin' socks' to,)
-and, by all means,

-keep writing about it.

I think there are a lot of folks that just fear what they don't know.

That is why Creative Fresno has it's Blenders, to expose people to places that they otherwise may not go to. Just last week we had a Blender at Smokehouse in downtown. Which is another place that seems to suffer from good food but no people. Hopefully the folks that attended will return and support Smokehouse. I'm sure they would be more than welcome.

I don't think calling people "bland" or calling the food "artificial" will do much to convince people to step out and try something new. I think much more can be accomplished by saying " I know you like "______", but lets try something new tonight."

Perhaps Fresno is experiencing growing pains. Not so long ago it wasn't as big as it is now. Perhaps Fresno is just kind of used to not sooo much going on, or sooo many places to go that when the "name brand" stores show up there is a real wow factor. Then those places become the places to go and the Fresculture grows around that.

Perhaps local places need to learn how to "wow" themselves to Fresno the proper way.

Further pondering leaves the thought that the word Local is just a word to some and truly has deep meaning to others.

Either way we're proud to be local, and we're proud to offer what we feel is the best and we're committed to it. We thank the people of Fresno that think so as well.

humbly,
Diablo

Leo and Liz at Café Corazón

Ha ha.. Interesting post. i want to know the answer too about why people go to chain resturant.Those food are so artificial there.

it might be because people like menu's with photos of the food, or have you noticed all the chain restaurants menu's always have photos of the food served. People like routine and familiarity, a lot of people are bland.