Yeah, so I apparently missed that sign change on 29th.

its not longer just a steak house? so can i get a rhino burger, or a tenderloin of lion? i hear elephant is a little tough, so i'd stay away from it.

What are they planning on serving zebra?

I was wondering that myself. I just happened past there on 29th today. The exterior of the building is the same, but the sign down on the road is now different (has kind of a savannah background with giraffes on it).

The elephant is a little tough, especially when I got some tusk mixed in with my potato.

But the lion tasted like chicken.

Outback's gonna sue!

that has got to bet the ****tiest steak I've had here in College Station

LOL! Safari Grille? That's pretty danged funny.

If I had to guess it probably means you can eat chicken fried steak and giant rolls while being surronded by zebra hides, stuffed rhinos etc . . .

went there after a game one time. absolutely horrible food.

the Safari sign looks ridiculous

i just hope they didn't get rid of the all important yellow gravy.

They must be desperate.

Yeah. You're all so funny.

That's my dad's restaurant! Let me share some facts concerning the change with you all. The name change was inspired by my parents African Safari trip last year. They spent 3 and a half weeks on Safari and got some awesome pictures. Dad saw a new restaurant in the works. The former front of house manager at Christopher's is running the place. There will be some menu changes coming. One of the items we got to sample was a "Brazos Bayou Stuffed Chicken" - Chicken breast stuffed with andouille sausage and crawfish. Also, Bread Pudding (same bread recipe as rolls)with raspberries.

Dad has had 17 restaurants over the years. All of them without serving alcohol. Even though he is now in his sixties, when most people are retiring, he is still being inspired. I think that's pretty darn awesome! You can think whatever you want, just thought I'd share some facts & clear up some misconceptions.


[This message has been edited by child of grace (edited 5/2/2006 1:41p).]

hey child:

i was actually being serious about the yellow gravy. i love that stuff. (my wife, ehhh not so much) although many people may not agree, i do believe Ken Martin's CFS dinner is the best value in town.

its also respectable that your dad stuck to his values as far as alcohol sales go. my dad is the same way. we owned a gas station a long time ago and he refused to sell alcohol. we lost money month after month cause he was stubborn about it, and then he finally just sold the place. its called integrity if you can stick to your guns like that even if it means some financial problems.

I miss Fort Shiloh.

Once upon a time they had the best fajitas in town.

That cajun chicken dish ala Christophers will get atleast one sampling from me. That was my favorite entree there but they took it off the menu a long time ago.

Child of Grace -

I regret to inform you of this, but high ethics don't bring in business. Ken Martin's was a descent place in the 80's but those days are long gone.

Rankle moralistic about the family's Baptist (or whatever WASP theology) fervor on alcohol, but the food, the service and condition has been strictly "blue hair" for a long time.

Here's an idea. Instead of clinging to the morality of a greasy spoon why not focus on the increasing local competition and knock the quality, food and service up a notch.

Acting like the big 'ol mean interweb is kicking your dad's puppy is cute, but a jungle epiphany and a new sign won't fix the public’s perception of Ken Martin's Steakhouse being an old, tired heap.

/disgruntled former patron

I do not intend this as an insult to the Martin family, but I will acknowledge that KMS does indeed have the reputation as "where the old people eat." If that is what they want for their establishment, that is certainly their choice, but if they are trying to grow it, they really need an image (and perhaps a menu) makeover. It is the same problem Luby's and many other cafeteria chains went through and are still fighting to overcome.

Just some feedback from a local citizen who has eaten there about a half-dozen times over the last 20 years.

Dear vurt -
Sorry you're disgruntled. Life's too short to get your panties in a bunch.

Apparently you misread my post. I wasn't ticked, just trying to correct some misconceptions.

The whole point of my post was the part in bold. Changes are coming. Admittedly, things have needed extra attention for awhile. That's why Randy Matlock is running the place now. For those of you who know Joe, don't worry, he isn't going far. He's still working for dad, just in a slightly different capacity- more in line with his health needs.

It's not easy to run a restaurant in this town as an independent. Ask Wes Gideon or Randy Sims. Dad's had restarants here for 37 years. In fact, we're currently looking for a location in south CS for a new Pepe's.

If you've got constructive criticism, I'd appreciate it. You can't fix unidentified problems. My email is in my profile, if you feel so moved.

Thanks for the post Burd, please know changes are coming! I miss Shiloh, too. My favorite fajitas were at Fajita Grille (also Dad's) in the mall, although Shiloh's were very good, too.

[This message has been edited by child of grace (edited 5/2/2006 4:34p).]

I've lived here for years and never had the urge to go to Ken Martin's. However, I had to throw a thumbs up for Pepe's!

COG -

Thanks for your concern about my underwear. I (like many locals) stay semi-loyal to community establishments, but it is a fraud for you to poke your head in and act like nothing was wrong.

Glad things are turning around. Get some good PR out there so we know when the revamp is complete.

child of grace-

does your dad still own the building Burger House is in? That place has gotten rave reviews here on TexAgs.

It is true Ken Martin's now has a rep for having a blue-haired crowd, but since that 29th Street location opened at least 30 restaurants have opened, many of them chains, so it is probably wise to have a niche customer base, whether intentional or not.

Scotch-
Yep, he owns the building. Got a commercial lease with the guys running it. They do have great burgers. The kids wanted to go there tonight, in fact. Of course, my family still refers to it as "the old Shipley's building."

Dad's premise on restauranting has always been to have a restaurant where families could eat out. Personally, I believe that over the years, families have started eating out on a regular basis at a different type of restaurant. He is just old school. I've been gently whispering in his ear over the past few years and now he's finally got someone on board with the energy to actually make the changes.

FWIW, I really do appreciate the feedback.



[This message has been edited by child of grace (edited 5/2/2006 9:05p).]

So what is Safari about the place? "Brazos Bayou Stuffed Chicken"? Bread Pudding?

not to be negative but I am interested if there are cool changes to be made.

Good stuff, child, and I wish you and your dad the best of luck. I've been there several times...it's a good value, and I plan to return to sample the new stuff. And no, I'm no blue hair type; far from it.

The area needs independent restaurants; I get sick and tired of the endless chain food mentality.

The decor is based around their safari trip. Do any of you remember back when the restaurant in that building was Pacific Coast Highway? It had huge pictures of scenery you'd find in Cali - Golden Gate Bridge, etc. Dad's supposed to blow up a few of his pics for wall art. And yes, they actually had an interior decorator come in this time! (You just can't know what a huge step that was!)

Menu background/artwork will reflect the change and that chicken dish I mentioned earlier will be called "Ruaha Chicken." Food items named for places from their trip and possibly an occasional exotic dish. Lots of new dishes. I've even got a recipe being considered for the menu (Fire Beef).

Have any of you been here long enough to remember the Fajita Grille? Depending on who the Ags were playing any given weekend, dad would put a special fajita on the menu. For example, I think we had bear fajitas the weekend we played baylor. Well, it will probably be a similar theme.

I'm usually one of the toughest critics. Whenever we go into a restaurant, I pick out all the things I think should be done differently. I do this at Dad's places, too. I'm already seeing progress here.

Please know the changes aren't intended to be purely cosmetic. Randy's got some great plans in mind--some of them have already been implemented, some are still being phased in.

I attempted to post before my post above(but had a computer foul up) and mentioned that the Pacific Coast Highway location has never really felt like a "steak house" like the old location near Avondale and Texas did.

Hopefully having interior decorators will give the place a new vibe. I grew up the street where your parents have lived the past 20 or so years and know they are great people. I just hope they have given up driving Miatas, lol.

getting the former front of house manager of Christopher's is pretty impressive

Don't ya miss the Cave Room? Hee Hee Hee! No more Miatas! They do actually still have that blue one, though. I learned how to drive a stick just so I could drive that baby! Ahhh, the memories! Dad took me up to the parking lot behind Albertson's (it was Blinn at the time) and taught me how to drive a stick as some cop watched and laughed!

Now they've got 2 motorcycles. A Goldwing for touring and an old Harley cop bike dad bought at the CSPD auction a while back. I've only ridden on the GW with dad once! No motorcycles for me!

I was in 9th grade when we moved into that house. Had my wedding reception there 11 years ago!

Funny story..The house is set far back on the lot and there's a bridge that leads over a creek from the front walk to the door. Our first Halloween in that house, dad rigged a speaker under the bridge to a microphone in the house. He'd scare the boogers out of kids as they walked up to ring the bell. It was hilarious!

Also, just a sidenote...Mom and Dad got asked back for the second round of interviews for CBS' Amazing Race. If they'd made the cut, they would have been on the show airing now. I guess they got beat out by that couple from Denver. The casting director asked them to apply again, but I don't know if they will.

Ah, but I digress! Thanks for the support everybody! Say "Howdy" to my hubby if you're in Pepe's for a weekday lunch. He's running the place over there. We'll handle that part of the operation once dad retires.

Well, I'm calling it a night. Think I'm at my post limit anyway! Have a good one!

[This message has been edited by child of grace (edited 5/2/2006 11:27p).]

quote:

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The former front of house manager at Christopher's is running the place.

---

Forgive me if I'm ignorant...what the hell does that have to do with the food?

that is pretty ignorant

hth

I loved Ken Martin's when I lived in Bryan/CS. I especially loved Pepe's. Hopefully the new theme will work out.

child of grace: We know your parent's from church and I graduated high school with Craig. Several years ago my youngest brother spent a year in the hospital in Temple. Your father sent over coolers full of food once a week for my parents. I'll never forget their kindness...they are truly wonderful people.

so the yellow gravy......here to stay, or on its way out?

i need an answer.

Orlando - Since most of us kids were practically weaned on CFS and yellow gravy, I can't imagine it's going anywhere. BTW, it's yellow because it is made with chicken base.

Hootie - I think I know who you are. My husband & I were living in West, just north of Waco at that time, and we made a few trips to see your parents and your bro. My husband taught your brother in middle school. I just love your family! Your dad is awesome and your mom's so much fun (a "hoot" in fact)! I have memories of your brother helping to take care of the little onesin the nursery at church that I will cherish all my life!