Knife at Willow Bend - are they going to survive?
Posted by shaun3000@reddit | plano | View on Reddit | 54 comments
Knife, in my opinion, is the best steakhouse in the Metroplex. I’m in the northern suburbs and was ecstatic when they opened the Willow Bend location. But the mall is essentially deserted and slated for demolition. Every time I’m in Knife it’s practically empty. The service and food are always phenomenal but I don’t understand how they’re keeping the lights on.
I was there for dinner, last night, and asked what was going to happen considering the impending mall closure. They said that the small restaurant district they inhabit will remain and that they aren’t going anywhere.
Any insights?
FabulousBullfrog9610@reddit
never heard of Knife!!
KantLockeMeIn@reddit
They have amazing dry aged steaks. Best I've had.
TheDutchTexan@reddit
Same. The only one I knew in that area was the Keg and it’s gone.
marks_reddit@reddit
Knife is fantastic. And didn’t I read that the Stars are moving into that area? In which case, Knife will do very nicely from the increased foot traffic…
Alivaronas@reddit
The new arena isn’t confirmed yet but the mall coming down is.
Plano20@reddit
As a stars STH, I'm not adding a steak dinner onto an already busy and expensive night going to a game. It'll help with awareness, but they won't pick up much game traffic.
JRthePUMP@reddit
This is a brokie problem
Alivaronas@reddit
As another Stars season ticket holder, I’m cancelling if they move from downtown.
Plano20@reddit
I live in Plano. I have mixed feelings to say the least. Shorter drive would be great, but will it actually be shorter? Willow bend doesn't have the roads to support it. Can you imagine 9,000 (additional) vehicles trying to exit park at the same time? That intersection is maddening as it is with a deserted mall.
Alivaronas@reddit
Yeah I’m just not interested in paying for and dealing with parking.
Especially if it’s mainly parking garages and not surface lots. Which I suspect might be the case.
My god I once made the mistake of driving and parking at a concert st Toyota Music Factory. We got there a little late and had to park on a higher floor. It took over an hour just to get out of the garage.
If a new arena isn’t on a DART stop, I’m not interested in season tickets. It’s the main reason I don’t have any type of Rangers ticket pack.
shaun3000@reddit (OP)
Agree!
shibbypwn@reddit
FWIW, the manager once told me their rent was dirt cheap because Willow Bend is a ghost town. So guessing that has something to do with it.
TheGreatMortimer@reddit
Dallas stars are moving there
TheDarkRider@reddit
If the stars move there no , the owner of stars owns The Keg so they would probably make a comeback there along with another one of his hotels
ChakaCar@reddit
allegedly
shaun3000@reddit (OP)
I had that same thought.
Csharp27@reddit
Also, does anybody know what the knife guy is doing? That shop’s been there forever and he’s basically the premier knife sharpener in Plano.
FindingTheHelpers@reddit
Dropped off knives today to be sharpened- and he said he expects to be there til September or so.
Csharp27@reddit
Did he say anything else? Shutting down and retiring? Moving locations?
FindingTheHelpers@reddit
He said he didn’t know yet where he might go.
shaun3000@reddit (OP)
Cutlery Collection? I wondered about him, too
KanyeLaptopYo@reddit
Fun fact - the owner of Knife is “Jimmy Sears” from Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential.
https://dallas.eater.com/2018/6/8/17442034/john-tesar-anthony-bourdain-death
Drygered@reddit
They used to sell their steaks at a little kiosk right outside the shop...wish that kept up
shaun3000@reddit (OP)
Tesar sold them for $20/lb during covid. Whoever was cutting was very liberal with the definition of a pound. 32 oz steaks measured closer to 40 oz, 45+ day dry aged. These were the very best steaks I ever made at home. https://i.imgur.com/RWo4q9e.jpeg
Byrdie_girl@reddit
There are alot of plans being batted around for what to do with Willow bend but the majority of them include knife and the other external restraints. No idea if this is actually going to happen.
QuestionableProtip2@reddit
You’ve got to go check out Nuri Steakhouse downtown if you want the best steakhouse in the Dallas area. Crazy stuff.
IranianLawyer@reddit
I highly doubt it. I went there several times on Friday nights, and it never seemed to be too packed. Even the Mockingbird location didn’t survive.
Mediocre-Evidence998@reddit
I a major fan of KNIFE Steakhouse, along with George and his staff. He’s a survivor and I’m quite optimistic they’ll come through just fine. As customers, we need to let others know they are OPEN, along with Mexican Bar Company and Whistle Britches! Knife is the BEST STEAKHOUSE in Plano! Pass it on!
smv18@reddit
I thought someone had a knife 💀
neatgeek83@reddit
the small restaurant district they inhabit will remain and that they aren’t going anywhere
ArmWarm8743@reddit
lol.
ReadEmNWeepBuddy@reddit
https://media3.giphy.com/media/12Zv57OF16CQg/giphy.gif?cid=9b38fe91qu3spq7987b00b77ueui6ujfy0u5hgw91it0cn78&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g
BlazinAzn38@reddit
If they can survive the lack of customers who want to eat next an active demolition zone
ReadEmNWeepBuddy@reddit
Crazy take lol
Tintoverde@reddit
Oh I read it wrong
Sea_Caterpillar5662@reddit
Bee wondering the same about whistle britches; I hope not!
stumpinandthumpin@reddit
Not the Whistle Britchesirinos!
shaun3000@reddit (OP)
Yeah I like that place, too. They closed their original location in north Dallas over a year ago.
Even_Kangaroo_3799@reddit
You should try more restaurants. The last time we went to Knife, it was simply sub-par.
Alivaronas@reddit
Literally any restaurant you name on Reddit there will be at least someone coming in to shit on your choice.
shaun3000@reddit (OP)
Right?! 😂
Ok-Sherbet-9345@reddit
It’s rumored that Willow Bend will either have the Dallas Stars use the building or maybe the Mavs.
Mammoth_Bat_7221@reddit
They will get the cold shoulder when the Stars build the new stadium there.
machinaOverlord@reddit
I like Lebeef
Regular_or_BQ@reddit
*don't say it don't say it don't say it* SO DOES YOUR MOM
KurisWu@reddit
I thought you were going to report on the outcome of a stabbing💀
sgred23@reddit
Same thought…hahaha
McKMatt1970@reddit
The restaurants will all close. No one is going to deal with demolition zone to go out to eat when there are oodles of options nearby.
SleeplessInPlano@reddit
I'm told they have a foolproof plan in case a demolition team shows up. The general manager will run outside and point to a nearby tree while the staff quickly changes the sign to read "Fork".
datdouche@reddit
Found the dad.
westcoastlmtd@reddit
I liked it but didn't think it was the best steakhouseI've been to in the area. The atmosphere is lacking because it's usually slow and or dead inside even on a Friday or Saturday night. The live music does help. It's definitely a chill spot for a solo bar or dining experience. But that area just doesn't really attract patrons. The service was good but it's more so the setting and energy of the place that was a turn off. We left around 9pm a Friday night last year and were one of the last tables there.
jaslr4@reddit
The developer of the new space will be leveling ALL the buildings in that area but most will stay until early 29’. At that point they will have an opportunity to buy into the new space for the future.
Kindly-Might-1879@reddit
We asked the same at a dinner less than 2 weeks ago and got the same answer.
Ok-Goal-8767@reddit
No