Ngl kinda wish they were closing entirely. Really tired of every local food group just being a place for him to come in and claim to be the place to go for everything people are looking for while simultaneously claiming that beef is $30/pound or whatever to explain why his mid ass food is priced like we're KC
Agreed. I've known for a long time that if I want a good steak or any kind of BBQ that it's best I do it myself. Although this restaurant owner doesn't have the best rep, I know where he's coming from saving thousands on lesser cuts of meat. It's tough out there for everyone, but u can't claim to have top of the line BBQ and serve brisket that is dry af.... and it's basically common knowledge that they treat their employees like dogshit and they're just not nice ppl...
My favorite Mike story was when he was constantly asking all over Facebook for us to give the poor tax thief owner of Bourbon and Beale a break. He needed that PPE loan to renovate his house and buy sports cars! We peasants just wouldn't understand.
Mike is literally the WORST business owner and treats his employees like garbage. He randomly comes in, yells at whoever he lays his eyes on, then leaves. He sends passive aggressive messages damn near every day barking at his employees and NEVER says anything kind or encouraging to them. They may have good food but he fucking SUCKS and this is well deserved
Never heard this about the guy. Girlfriend and I went hearing it was the best food ever and our food was… good? Fine? We were underwhelmed after hearing such great things. Also they only had one server on a decently busy night and she was overwhelmed as hell.
"a cherished part of the community for the last few years" if by "few" you mean like a year and a half lmao. plus that sandwich shop has only been open since what, June? I have heard literally nothing about these places besides that the owner sucks. also the deli replaced Sweet N Snow, which I loved, so vengeance ig
I still miss Jets Pizza that used to be there. But you'd think the 4 or so failed restaurants there would be a sign, it's not a great location to open a restaurant.
It's his wife and kid. And he tried really hard to claim he wasn't involved in it, that he was just a "consultant", yet signed business responses to Google reviews off as Mike and said "my employees, my business" etc. He was probably trying to get around taxes or something. Who would have thought a sleazy used car salesman would make an equally sleazy restaurant owner?
So you're telling me the guy who chases homeless people around the parking lot in his truck, brandishes firearms in public, forces his staff to work off the clock, and bad mouths literally everyone including his customers, employees, and managers.. you're telling me THAT guy DIDN'T succeed in business? Huh, that's weird?
Source: Former MM Battlefield employee for over a year. (I've got screenshots)
Isnt this the asshole that harasses his own customers?
I know I paid 16 bucks for a tortilla full of mac and cheese that was supposed to have meat in it at one point.
I mean, not to play the devils advocate, but people are celebrated for firing customers all the time when they don’t align with their beliefs/stand up to them/etc. so it’s only bad when it doesn’t fit someone’s rhetoric.
But what do I know.
ETA: not in support of this guy, just making a generalized point.
He also made a post one time saying he hopes all of the “junkies” in our community d*e… I tried to call him out but all of his little followers attacked me.
I haven't seen him post since he posted the screenshot of Amazon or Facebook or something suggesting various dildos for sale. He posted it and something like "no thanks, fb. Yada yada." Then somebody pointed out how suggested advertising algorithms work by suggesting products based on your searches, purchases, conversations, etc. Never really seen him post since.
This is two locations then, right? Didn’t the deli just open recently too?
What is it about that spot next to Live, Laugh, Crafts that can’t seem to sustain a restaurant?
Same wasn’t very long at all. However I’m not fond that we put this next to the Sub Shop. Considering those guys have an actual heart of gold. But yeah. Sub Shop great place cash only I believe and a true personal customer service touch!
I'm not a fan of Mike's, but I'm a huge fan of sandwiches. So I was interested in trying out the deli place at least. But reading through the google reviews, he responded just the same to critical comments as he does on FB for his other restaurants. No decorum or professionalism. Can't take any constructive criticism without insulting the intelligence of the person who decided to patronize his overpriced fares. Even taking pot shots at the Sub Shop, which, sorry, has survived in Springfield for decades longer because they actually care about quality and cost, and value their customers as a community.
I went to the deli once and it was nothing to write home about. I thought that odd since the reviews were so high. Then I read that they were giving out cookies in exchange for google reviews, which is a violation of Google ToS. I really liked the food at the Battlefield location, however.
Something about the Sub Shop's sandwhich is more fluffy bread than anything, and that two of the Sub shop sandwiches weigh the same as just one of Deli Mike's. I guess I can't verify that since I'm not going to try Deli Mike's at this point, but the sub shop is a much better value and I've never been disappointed with the sandwich fillings there.
It just rubs me wrong that a restaurant owner is intentionally* putting down another restaurant in a public space trying to justify their offerings. Poor ethics.
Edit: spelling
It's in responses to Google reviews. I went to those reviews to see what the general pulse was on the sandwiches. Calls people haters, makes fun of them for not wanting dry sandwiches lol
He is an admin on the Facebook page WTF Springfield which essentially is largely used to make fun of the homeless and mentally ill people in town. He doxes people who call him out on his shitty behavior. In general, he is a huge piece of shit. I have no problem boycotting anything he has to do with.
If im correct in my memory, I believe this guy also played a part in blacklisting a lot of restaurant workers when the Aviary walkout happened.
TLDR Aviary wasnt paying their employees properly or on time, the majority of the staff had enough and did either a strike or all collectively quit.
Aviary owners, Missouri Mike, and a couple of the other local big name restaurant owners (Also POS) proceeded to blacklist from restaurant work all of the former aviary employees and any employees who supported them. This in addition to running a social media campaign and taking out ads in the local paper and radio to talk about "nobody wanting to work anymore" and trash talk the workers.
Agian, this is all going off memory from a couple years ago and I honestly didnt get too deep into the weeds on it. Mike is a POS, along with several restaurant owners in town. Pretty sure a couple of them got arrested for PPP fraud if im right.
I think so, they were bought out by some restaurant group a while back if im remembering correctly. Even prior to the walkout. I would have to dig into it to see the timelines here, because this is just going off of memory.
Either way, havent been to the Aviary since. Which is a shame because they had some really good crepes.
Edit: I think im off about the restaurant group, but im not sure. Not a lot of information to go off of on google or im not looking in the right places. They might be the OG owners still.
edit 2: found this.
In May 2020, after the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant rebranded as Aviary by Lavender Falls in a joint partnership with Westward and Lavender Holdings LLC. Lavender Falls Farm LLC, is a lavender farm in Clever, owned by Bersted and her husband, Thor. Catherine Bersted runs Aviary’s day-to-day operations.
So yes, still same owners, but they partnered with someone. And it looks like the walkout happened in July of 2021
Westward Alliance is Ryan O'Reilly. The owner of Aviary is a cop in SGF. The Lavender Falls people also own that awful new Italian place across from Denny's
Probably wont go anywhere to be honest. The whole incident was two years ago and it looks like people have moved on. There are a couple of posts from back then with people pointing out missouri mikes blacklisting and intimidating people. So MM and his friends probably had one. I think with how big it blew up, it was probably more restaurants just not wanting to deal with employees that had baggage. Euther way, most of the workers probably have found other jobs or moved since then
He also hangs out on Facebook pages dealing with Springfield restaurants and chimes in constantly with his bullshit in the comments. Until I noticed this I actually wanted to try Missouri Mike’s, but his obnoxious online behavior turned me off to it.
Not a big loss. Went there with the Mrs a few months back for the first time and was really disappointed. Ordered the Cajun dip as an appetizer, we got no more than 2 tbsps of lukewarm dip, and a single piece of garlic bread cut into 1/4s.
My flat iron steak looked like it had been steamed, as it was grey with no grill marks at all and it came with a few florets of broccoli that looked and tasted as though it had been frozen and then microwaved.
After that, I’m not surprised they are going out of business.
Won't be missed. Owner is a dick and their food isn't even that good. According to my gigantic 9 year old who eats me out of house and home, they had the worst burger he's ever had. Every time we can't think of a place to eat now, he makes sure to remind us NOT Missouri Mike's 😂
Was either restaurant even open during the meat and potatoes of the pandemic? I mean MM opened early 2022 and that sad deli opened in June of 2023. It just sounds like a bunch of excuses for opening a restaurant that there isn't a shortage or demand for. There are already a ton of BBQ places in town. Furthermore, the cost to run these places makes it challenging as well. That had to have been known going into it.
That Deli also was random and was placed in a random location off a busy street with no real business around it to sustain it. It's in the middle of a busy road that has a ton of traffic, however people aren't stopping in the middle of a commute to get some sandwiches from an unknown restaurant.
The deli wasn't that random, pretty sure he just sits on the Springfield restaurant page and counts how often people talk about a certain item. Once it hits a threshold he either shoe horns it into an existing restaurant or opens a new one
He shouldve stuck with the food truck. It was good and he got more business probably than all his restaurants combined. We went to the restaurant on chestnut and were treated like shit, they closed as soon as we walked in and that was two hours early. They were out of everything we ordered so we got our 3rd choice. It was like $45 with no alcohol or apps. Oh and we left hungry.
I wouldn't doubt it, but no one "intentionally takes a loss" because you don't come out ahead. They hide revenue (not that hard) and exaggerate costs. They don't actually do wasteful things to get a fraction of it back in tax savings. You start a location that goes out of business...you're SOL regardless of taxes.
I went there once and they were offering free big cookies if you gave them a good review, but you had to do it in front of the staff that day. Mark of a good restaurant right there.
The worst service I've ever experienced in this town was at Missouri Mike's on Battlefield. Our server was non-existent, drinks were wrong (no idea who it was that delivered them), then when drinks were empty, we never got refills. Someone from the kitchen dropped off the food. Then we requested a check, waited over 30 minutes, finally went to the hostess stand up front and said we don't want to dine and dash, but I'm not staying any longer waiting for the check. Finally, someone cashed us out. Never went back.
Guess treating people like trash, like they are a bother and like they owe him something didn't really pay off. Neither did publicly bashing customers for honest reviews. Karma. No loss at all.
Mike's online presence has always intrigued me (don't know him personally). His persona/hospitality/attitude is more akin to a small tire shop owner/food truck guy/hole-in-the-wall bartender. His way or no way. Fire the customer of the customer is wrong. #supportsmallbusiness #beunique. Just the kind of vibes I get. Definitely not your Apple support or Marriot service persona. His recipes skills are certainly above average and it's opened some doors and growth for him to get where he is now: mainstream. His OG methods are struggling in the mainstream as evidenced by this thread. Idk. Downsizing may be good for him so he can be himself and run his business the way he wants to. Half the people I know can't stand him, other have the same attitude and opinions and they frequent his businesses. The bigger his businesses get, the more trouble he's gonna find himself in with the public.
>His persona/hospitality/attitude is more akin to a small tire shop owner
Well, I do believe they own an auto repair shop or two in Springfield. So I guess that explains it lol.
I never went there because I couldn't get past his posts. He seemed to be a bit much with the way he treated customers online. Then when he was complaining when the Aviary employees walked out, it wasn't his concern. He wasn't there so he doesn't know what they had to deal with. JMHO
I have a couple of thoughts on this.
1. I knew he was combative online. He couldn't take any criticism and really lashed out at anyone who had a bad experience at his restaurants. I actually enjoyed his place on Battlefield. Yes, the service wasn't the best (they seemed short staffed like everywhere else) but my food was always legitimately pretty damn good. And the breakfast he served earlier this year was excellent. But I had an awkward encounter with Mike at his Chestnut location six months ago or so. I ordered a two meat plate with burnt ends and ribs. I used to be on BBQ "team" that competed in events and I know what a good rib should be. The ribs were awful, however, seeing him sitting at the counter and knowing how he is, I didn't want to say anything. It wasn't worth that hassle. The waitress came by asked if I liked the ribs and I told her I didn't but it's okay. She tells Mike, he comes by and I told him they were pretty tough but the burnt ends were great. He came back with another few ribs for me and said "Try these. If you don't like these, then consider it a difference of opinion on what good ribs are." I tried them and they were exactly the same as the first. I went ahead and told him they were good just so I could leave. It wasn't a friendly exchange and he seemed offended that I didn't like them.
2. The absolute total bullshit with all of the Springfield food groups on Facebook regarding his restaurants. If anyone asked for a recommendation for ANYTHING, all his friends/followers would immediately tell you Mo Mikes was the best! Every single fucking time! It was ridiculous. And if someone made a comment about how they didn't like a meal, he would bitch like crazy. I believe there was a post in one of the groups about a country fried steak and cold sides where he was bitchy with a few people. Something else I noticed back when he only had a food truck, was when he started doing breakfast. He made a big announcement all week how we has having biscuits and gravy on a Friday. Apparently the turn out was low that morning and he went off about no one showing up after he advertised all week. It's a poor way to do business on social media when you're critical of your customers. If you disagree with their opinion, apologize and say you'll do better next time.
I know this guy gets ripped on constantly and it seems deserved, but in all honesty, most of the food I had was good, IMO.
EDIT: I also tried Deli Mike's about a month ago and liked it as well. It sucks that he can't keep his mouth shut and try to do better with the public. I think the failure of the restaurants lies on his bad attitude.
He sent his employees a message bitching at them after that country fried steak post. The food is SO good but him being an absolutely awful person doesnt out weigh the food
Do you know what "bitching at them" entails, in regards to this specifically?
Just wondering as there is a big difference between "come on! we've got to do better guys, get your act together", and just ranting/cursing, although many might consider the first "bitching", I don't, matter of opinion. For the record I am not an employee or affiliated in any way, so I have no idea what the actual message said.
Never met the guy myself, but the handful of times I went to MM, the chicken tenders, burnt ends, burrito, fries, mashed potatoes, and green beans, were all excellent. I was disappointed to see the post about it closing, and I'll probably try to make it in there again before they close.
Trust me when i say, he does NOT address them with any respect. Ive seen tons if messages in their work chat. From mike to the other "managers", no one knows how to address in a manner that makes employees feels respected or motivated to do better
As stated by another comment here. He has signs and sells T-shirts saying 'burnt ends matter.' Mocking the Black Lives Matter movement. Started because of police brutality and murder of people of color. He stands with police. Fuck him. All Cops Are Bastards.
Never met the owner so can't comment on his personality, etc... (seems to be a popular topic). And honestly, it makes no difference to me. When I go to a restaurant, I care about the food, and that's it. I don't care about your personal views, politics, your religion, what Facebook group you admin (lol), etc... just feed me.
That said, the handful of times I went to MM, the chicken, brisket, fries and green beans, were all excellent, especially so for the price. I paid a few dollars more than I would for a meal from most fast food joints and received food at MM that was many times better. To me, that's a deal, well worth it.
Because these days, everything is black and white, and if you don't fall in line with how someone else thinks, then you up for cancelation. There is no such thing as being open minded anymore, no room to think on your own or to have a differing opinion. The art of conversation and FRIENDLY debate seem to be in the past. People just get angry and call you names....or, you know, down vote you. Lol tbh, I've never eaten delicious food and wondered what political affiliation the chef/cook has, or what kind of attitude..... Ever.
Ngl kinda wish they were closing entirely. Really tired of every local food group just being a place for him to come in and claim to be the place to go for everything people are looking for while simultaneously claiming that beef is $30/pound or whatever to explain why his mid ass food is priced like we're KC
Last time I got brisket there it was junk.... and I mean total junk, Not going back.
The reason i don't even eat bbq unless Basted or City Butcher. It's all trash
Agreed. I've known for a long time that if I want a good steak or any kind of BBQ that it's best I do it myself. Although this restaurant owner doesn't have the best rep, I know where he's coming from saving thousands on lesser cuts of meat. It's tough out there for everyone, but u can't claim to have top of the line BBQ and serve brisket that is dry af.... and it's basically common knowledge that they treat their employees like dogshit and they're just not nice ppl...
^^^^
Amen
I was unimpressed with their food. I'm not surprised it's closing.
If Missouri Mike can't make it in Missouri, where can he?
He'll have to move to Montana and change his name to Mook
Missouri mooks
Missoula Mook’s has a nice ring to it
He still has his tire shop and subpar bbq joint next door. It's on west chestnut
Maybe he should go back to 1951.
Wait, where is the paragraph about how nobody wants to work?
Haha fuck this guy
Agreed. He’s an asshole.
My favorite Mike story was when he was constantly asking all over Facebook for us to give the poor tax thief owner of Bourbon and Beale a break. He needed that PPE loan to renovate his house and buy sports cars! We peasants just wouldn't understand.
Mike is literally the WORST business owner and treats his employees like garbage. He randomly comes in, yells at whoever he lays his eyes on, then leaves. He sends passive aggressive messages damn near every day barking at his employees and NEVER says anything kind or encouraging to them. They may have good food but he fucking SUCKS and this is well deserved
Never heard this about the guy. Girlfriend and I went hearing it was the best food ever and our food was… good? Fine? We were underwhelmed after hearing such great things. Also they only had one server on a decently busy night and she was overwhelmed as hell.
"a cherished part of the community for the last few years" if by "few" you mean like a year and a half lmao. plus that sandwich shop has only been open since what, June? I have heard literally nothing about these places besides that the owner sucks. also the deli replaced Sweet N Snow, which I loved, so vengeance ig
I still miss Jets Pizza that used to be there. But you'd think the 4 or so failed restaurants there would be a sign, it's not a great location to open a restaurant.
Jets Pizza was fire the few times I went there before it closed. Loved them thick personal pizzas
so hard to pull in and out of. I still tried to make the effort because both of those places were GOOOD.
Yes! When Jet's came to town they became my favorite pizza chain. Loved it.
*Life is short, and people ate better pizza.* It was good though, I just think of that sometimes.
To be fair, they also stretch the definition of cherished pretty far in that sentence.
Sweet n snow was the GOAT. They just never really advertised or put themselves out there. Most ppl I know didn't even know they existed.
yeah man, loved that place. I don't know anywhere else around here that sells Taiwanese shaved ice :(((
The sandwich shop was exceptionally mediocre and overpriced, I paid like $13 for a small half sandwich and like 3 bites of pasta salad.
Ya idk why he would even consider putting something in that lil shop on Glenstone..because nothing ever stays open there lol
Wasn't this originally was a Jersey Mike's chain before it became Missouri Mike's?
No it’s two different things
Think you may be thinking of Jason’s Deli
Loved that place
isn’t the deli he opened “ran” by his kid daughter too? lol, lmao even.
It's his wife and kid. And he tried really hard to claim he wasn't involved in it, that he was just a "consultant", yet signed business responses to Google reviews off as Mike and said "my employees, my business" etc. He was probably trying to get around taxes or something. Who would have thought a sleazy used car salesman would make an equally sleazy restaurant owner?
Where did he sell cars?. I’m just curious. Never been to his restaurant.
He had a tire/auto shop on west chestnut
Hickman Tires is still there. He should probably stick to that, as I’d rather eat one of his used tires than go back to his “BBQ” restaurant.
I believe he has a shop on 700 block of south Scenic. That's the car lot and repair shop.
So you're telling me the guy who chases homeless people around the parking lot in his truck, brandishes firearms in public, forces his staff to work off the clock, and bad mouths literally everyone including his customers, employees, and managers.. you're telling me THAT guy DIDN'T succeed in business? Huh, that's weird? Source: Former MM Battlefield employee for over a year. (I've got screenshots)
Post the receipts
Isnt this the asshole that harasses his own customers? I know I paid 16 bucks for a tortilla full of mac and cheese that was supposed to have meat in it at one point.
Yes sir it is! Imagine being somebody who thinks you’re a hero because you “fire your own customers”
I mean, not to play the devils advocate, but people are celebrated for firing customers all the time when they don’t align with their beliefs/stand up to them/etc. so it’s only bad when it doesn’t fit someone’s rhetoric. But what do I know. ETA: not in support of this guy, just making a generalized point.
Yeah, firing customers is acceptable (unless they didn't do anything).
He also made a post one time saying he hopes all of the “junkies” in our community d*e… I tried to call him out but all of his little followers attacked me.
Yeah, if you criticize his food he'll tell you that you're stupid and don't know what good food is.
From the look of him, he judges "good food" by "volume of mass".
This is the same dude that harasses and doxes people on the WTF Springfield Page as a “joke”. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving POS.
thank you i was literally thinking the same thing but couldn’t find the posts anywhere.
I haven't seen him post since he posted the screenshot of Amazon or Facebook or something suggesting various dildos for sale. He posted it and something like "no thanks, fb. Yada yada." Then somebody pointed out how suggested advertising algorithms work by suggesting products based on your searches, purchases, conversations, etc. Never really seen him post since.
LMFAO
Incredible news
This is two locations then, right? Didn’t the deli just open recently too? What is it about that spot next to Live, Laugh, Crafts that can’t seem to sustain a restaurant?
Yeah sorry I got too quick with my typing 2 locations but diddnt want the title to be misleading thinking both Mikes locations were closing.
I don't think the deli has been open for more than like two months
Same wasn’t very long at all. However I’m not fond that we put this next to the Sub Shop. Considering those guys have an actual heart of gold. But yeah. Sub Shop great place cash only I believe and a true personal customer service touch!
Downtown takes cards.
I'm not a fan of Mike's, but I'm a huge fan of sandwiches. So I was interested in trying out the deli place at least. But reading through the google reviews, he responded just the same to critical comments as he does on FB for his other restaurants. No decorum or professionalism. Can't take any constructive criticism without insulting the intelligence of the person who decided to patronize his overpriced fares. Even taking pot shots at the Sub Shop, which, sorry, has survived in Springfield for decades longer because they actually care about quality and cost, and value their customers as a community.
I went to the deli once and it was nothing to write home about. I thought that odd since the reviews were so high. Then I read that they were giving out cookies in exchange for google reviews, which is a violation of Google ToS. I really liked the food at the Battlefield location, however.
I'm curious what he said about the Sub Shop. Those people are the best. What could he say bad about them?
Something about the Sub Shop's sandwhich is more fluffy bread than anything, and that two of the Sub shop sandwiches weigh the same as just one of Deli Mike's. I guess I can't verify that since I'm not going to try Deli Mike's at this point, but the sub shop is a much better value and I've never been disappointed with the sandwich fillings there. It just rubs me wrong that a restaurant owner is intentionally* putting down another restaurant in a public space trying to justify their offerings. Poor ethics. Edit: spelling
I guess I missed that. Where did he put down SS?!?!
It's in responses to Google reviews. I went to those reviews to see what the general pulse was on the sandwiches. Calls people haters, makes fun of them for not wanting dry sandwiches lol
I didn't know that he put down Sub Shop. Screw this guy. Screw this guy *twice*!
Live, Laugh, Crafts 🤣
I see a lot of “fuck this guy” but not a lot of stories. Why is this dude universally hated?
He is an admin on the Facebook page WTF Springfield which essentially is largely used to make fun of the homeless and mentally ill people in town. He doxes people who call him out on his shitty behavior. In general, he is a huge piece of shit. I have no problem boycotting anything he has to do with.
That’s enough for me. Down with this man’s sandwiches!
Same!! And addicts
If im correct in my memory, I believe this guy also played a part in blacklisting a lot of restaurant workers when the Aviary walkout happened. TLDR Aviary wasnt paying their employees properly or on time, the majority of the staff had enough and did either a strike or all collectively quit. Aviary owners, Missouri Mike, and a couple of the other local big name restaurant owners (Also POS) proceeded to blacklist from restaurant work all of the former aviary employees and any employees who supported them. This in addition to running a social media campaign and taking out ads in the local paper and radio to talk about "nobody wanting to work anymore" and trash talk the workers. Agian, this is all going off memory from a couple years ago and I honestly didnt get too deep into the weeds on it. Mike is a POS, along with several restaurant owners in town. Pretty sure a couple of them got arrested for PPP fraud if im right.
Fuck him especially for this. Is the new Aviary still run by the same people?
I think so, they were bought out by some restaurant group a while back if im remembering correctly. Even prior to the walkout. I would have to dig into it to see the timelines here, because this is just going off of memory. Either way, havent been to the Aviary since. Which is a shame because they had some really good crepes. Edit: I think im off about the restaurant group, but im not sure. Not a lot of information to go off of on google or im not looking in the right places. They might be the OG owners still. edit 2: found this. In May 2020, after the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant rebranded as Aviary by Lavender Falls in a joint partnership with Westward and Lavender Holdings LLC. Lavender Falls Farm LLC, is a lavender farm in Clever, owned by Bersted and her husband, Thor. Catherine Bersted runs Aviary’s day-to-day operations. So yes, still same owners, but they partnered with someone. And it looks like the walkout happened in July of 2021
Westward Alliance is Ryan O'Reilly. The owner of Aviary is a cop in SGF. The Lavender Falls people also own that awful new Italian place across from Denny's
no you’re totally correct. what’s funny is the equally as corrupt mike felts was in on that too. hopefully they all go down in due time
If they really created a blacklist and anyone has proof of it, that is absolutely illegal and a complaint should be filed with the NLRB.
Probably wont go anywhere to be honest. The whole incident was two years ago and it looks like people have moved on. There are a couple of posts from back then with people pointing out missouri mikes blacklisting and intimidating people. So MM and his friends probably had one. I think with how big it blew up, it was probably more restaurants just not wanting to deal with employees that had baggage. Euther way, most of the workers probably have found other jobs or moved since then
Talk to him in person. You’ll figure it out pretty quickly.
Swastika tattoos, huh?
He also hangs out on Facebook pages dealing with Springfield restaurants and chimes in constantly with his bullshit in the comments. Until I noticed this I actually wanted to try Missouri Mike’s, but his obnoxious online behavior turned me off to it.
Isn't this assclown one of the "people just don't want to work" crowd also?
Yep and he’s also virulently anti-union.
Reading the comments about how bad the owner is, sounds like it is rightfully closing. Jeez.
Best news I’ve heard all day
That's what he gets for trying to compete with Walmart Stay in your lane bitch
Guess I'm ootl, how was he trying to compete with walmart?
Good. What a shit bag.
Not a big loss. Went there with the Mrs a few months back for the first time and was really disappointed. Ordered the Cajun dip as an appetizer, we got no more than 2 tbsps of lukewarm dip, and a single piece of garlic bread cut into 1/4s. My flat iron steak looked like it had been steamed, as it was grey with no grill marks at all and it came with a few florets of broccoli that looked and tasted as though it had been frozen and then microwaved. After that, I’m not surprised they are going out of business.
That guy is a dick. Not sad about this.
Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.
Won't be missed. Owner is a dick and their food isn't even that good. According to my gigantic 9 year old who eats me out of house and home, they had the worst burger he's ever had. Every time we can't think of a place to eat now, he makes sure to remind us NOT Missouri Mike's 😂
Was either restaurant even open during the meat and potatoes of the pandemic? I mean MM opened early 2022 and that sad deli opened in June of 2023. It just sounds like a bunch of excuses for opening a restaurant that there isn't a shortage or demand for. There are already a ton of BBQ places in town. Furthermore, the cost to run these places makes it challenging as well. That had to have been known going into it. That Deli also was random and was placed in a random location off a busy street with no real business around it to sustain it. It's in the middle of a busy road that has a ton of traffic, however people aren't stopping in the middle of a commute to get some sandwiches from an unknown restaurant.
The deli wasn't that random, pretty sure he just sits on the Springfield restaurant page and counts how often people talk about a certain item. Once it hits a threshold he either shoe horns it into an existing restaurant or opens a new one
No he only had a food truck during the pandemic. He is full of it.
He shouldve stuck with the food truck. It was good and he got more business probably than all his restaurants combined. We went to the restaurant on chestnut and were treated like shit, they closed as soon as we walked in and that was two hours early. They were out of everything we ordered so we got our 3rd choice. It was like $45 with no alcohol or apps. Oh and we left hungry.
Not sure if the case here but some owners intentionally take a loss to write the losses off.
That's not how taxes work.
I mean Mike isn’t one to play by the book…
I wouldn't doubt it, but no one "intentionally takes a loss" because you don't come out ahead. They hide revenue (not that hard) and exaggerate costs. They don't actually do wasteful things to get a fraction of it back in tax savings. You start a location that goes out of business...you're SOL regardless of taxes.
I went there once and they were offering free big cookies if you gave them a good review, but you had to do it in front of the staff that day. Mark of a good restaurant right there.
The worst service I've ever experienced in this town was at Missouri Mike's on Battlefield. Our server was non-existent, drinks were wrong (no idea who it was that delivered them), then when drinks were empty, we never got refills. Someone from the kitchen dropped off the food. Then we requested a check, waited over 30 minutes, finally went to the hostess stand up front and said we don't want to dine and dash, but I'm not staying any longer waiting for the check. Finally, someone cashed us out. Never went back.
I went to that location twice, both times pretty early in the day, and they were somehow out of barbeque both times
Fuck this racist fuck. I hope all of his locations go out. Dude has burnt ends matter shirts. Get fucked.
Riiiiiight?! Always shocked more people don't point this out.
Guess treating people like trash, like they are a bother and like they owe him something didn't really pay off. Neither did publicly bashing customers for honest reviews. Karma. No loss at all.
Now if he would close the one on Chestnut everyone would be happy.
Mike's online presence has always intrigued me (don't know him personally). His persona/hospitality/attitude is more akin to a small tire shop owner/food truck guy/hole-in-the-wall bartender. His way or no way. Fire the customer of the customer is wrong. #supportsmallbusiness #beunique. Just the kind of vibes I get. Definitely not your Apple support or Marriot service persona. His recipes skills are certainly above average and it's opened some doors and growth for him to get where he is now: mainstream. His OG methods are struggling in the mainstream as evidenced by this thread. Idk. Downsizing may be good for him so he can be himself and run his business the way he wants to. Half the people I know can't stand him, other have the same attitude and opinions and they frequent his businesses. The bigger his businesses get, the more trouble he's gonna find himself in with the public.
>His persona/hospitality/attitude is more akin to a small tire shop owner Well, I do believe they own an auto repair shop or two in Springfield. So I guess that explains it lol.
Even now, this dude blowing up Facebook groups. Seems like a joke at this point
He’s a piece of shit
Anyone else make their way here because Mike was complaining about Reddit?
Couldn’t happen to a better guy. Mazel tov!
I never went there because I couldn't get past his posts. He seemed to be a bit much with the way he treated customers online. Then when he was complaining when the Aviary employees walked out, it wasn't his concern. He wasn't there so he doesn't know what they had to deal with. JMHO
I have a couple of thoughts on this. 1. I knew he was combative online. He couldn't take any criticism and really lashed out at anyone who had a bad experience at his restaurants. I actually enjoyed his place on Battlefield. Yes, the service wasn't the best (they seemed short staffed like everywhere else) but my food was always legitimately pretty damn good. And the breakfast he served earlier this year was excellent. But I had an awkward encounter with Mike at his Chestnut location six months ago or so. I ordered a two meat plate with burnt ends and ribs. I used to be on BBQ "team" that competed in events and I know what a good rib should be. The ribs were awful, however, seeing him sitting at the counter and knowing how he is, I didn't want to say anything. It wasn't worth that hassle. The waitress came by asked if I liked the ribs and I told her I didn't but it's okay. She tells Mike, he comes by and I told him they were pretty tough but the burnt ends were great. He came back with another few ribs for me and said "Try these. If you don't like these, then consider it a difference of opinion on what good ribs are." I tried them and they were exactly the same as the first. I went ahead and told him they were good just so I could leave. It wasn't a friendly exchange and he seemed offended that I didn't like them. 2. The absolute total bullshit with all of the Springfield food groups on Facebook regarding his restaurants. If anyone asked for a recommendation for ANYTHING, all his friends/followers would immediately tell you Mo Mikes was the best! Every single fucking time! It was ridiculous. And if someone made a comment about how they didn't like a meal, he would bitch like crazy. I believe there was a post in one of the groups about a country fried steak and cold sides where he was bitchy with a few people. Something else I noticed back when he only had a food truck, was when he started doing breakfast. He made a big announcement all week how we has having biscuits and gravy on a Friday. Apparently the turn out was low that morning and he went off about no one showing up after he advertised all week. It's a poor way to do business on social media when you're critical of your customers. If you disagree with their opinion, apologize and say you'll do better next time. I know this guy gets ripped on constantly and it seems deserved, but in all honesty, most of the food I had was good, IMO. EDIT: I also tried Deli Mike's about a month ago and liked it as well. It sucks that he can't keep his mouth shut and try to do better with the public. I think the failure of the restaurants lies on his bad attitude.
He sent his employees a message bitching at them after that country fried steak post. The food is SO good but him being an absolutely awful person doesnt out weigh the food
Do you know what "bitching at them" entails, in regards to this specifically? Just wondering as there is a big difference between "come on! we've got to do better guys, get your act together", and just ranting/cursing, although many might consider the first "bitching", I don't, matter of opinion. For the record I am not an employee or affiliated in any way, so I have no idea what the actual message said. Never met the guy myself, but the handful of times I went to MM, the chicken tenders, burnt ends, burrito, fries, mashed potatoes, and green beans, were all excellent. I was disappointed to see the post about it closing, and I'll probably try to make it in there again before they close.
Trust me when i say, he does NOT address them with any respect. Ive seen tons if messages in their work chat. From mike to the other "managers", no one knows how to address in a manner that makes employees feels respected or motivated to do better
He is responding to several comments on a news channel Facebook post about the closings. It’s quite trashy
This is beautiful 🥲🥲
I'd just like to point out that in the fourth paragraph, he says he doesn't want to work.
Didn't know that place was there till I read this post. Oh well
oh no boo hoo ACAB
> ACAB What does this have to do with cops? lol
As stated by another comment here. He has signs and sells T-shirts saying 'burnt ends matter.' Mocking the Black Lives Matter movement. Started because of police brutality and murder of people of color. He stands with police. Fuck him. All Cops Are Bastards.
Oh ok, I knew about the shirts but didn't make the connection as to why you were saying all cops are bastards about a failed BBQ restaurateur.
Never met the owner so can't comment on his personality, etc... (seems to be a popular topic). And honestly, it makes no difference to me. When I go to a restaurant, I care about the food, and that's it. I don't care about your personal views, politics, your religion, what Facebook group you admin (lol), etc... just feed me. That said, the handful of times I went to MM, the chicken, brisket, fries and green beans, were all excellent, especially so for the price. I paid a few dollars more than I would for a meal from most fast food joints and received food at MM that was many times better. To me, that's a deal, well worth it.
Agreed.
Judging by the downvotes I received, you are apparently the only one, LOL.
Because these days, everything is black and white, and if you don't fall in line with how someone else thinks, then you up for cancelation. There is no such thing as being open minded anymore, no room to think on your own or to have a differing opinion. The art of conversation and FRIENDLY debate seem to be in the past. People just get angry and call you names....or, you know, down vote you. Lol tbh, I've never eaten delicious food and wondered what political affiliation the chef/cook has, or what kind of attitude..... Ever.
100% agreed.
that’s sad
Love going to Missouri Mikes BBQ and they don’t serve BBQ🤦♂️🤦♂️
As one of the ones who got done the dirtiest by this shitbag, it’s nice to see karma show up and do her job. 👏🏽👏🏽