Cooppies in Garland
We had to stick close to home this weekend and didn't get to venture too far away. Thought it would be a good time to visit a brand new restaurant out by Firewheel Shopping Center in Garland (Firewheel is located at Hwy 78 and the George Bush Tollway).
We had passed by Cooppies a few weeks ago and knew it was set to open full time last week. It sounded good- the signs on the windows stated that everything was made from scratch.
It didn't disappoint in any way. They serve everything family style (same way that Babe's Chicken in Garland does). You choose your entree- from fried chicken (which is what Cooppies is noted for), chicken tenders, chicken fried steak, chicken fried ribeye - now, that sounds intriguing, meat loaf, pot roast and more. All are from $10 to $12.
With your entree, you get a salad (iceberg lettuce with a nice tangy vinegar-based dressing), cheese bread and three sides (the sides de jour).
We got to Cooppies at lunch time and really didn't want a huge meal. We asked the waiter if they had lunch portions or specials- he told us 'no' but he suggested that we split an entree. He promised we'd get plenty and not go away hungry- he was correct.
We chose pot roast. A generous portion of several fork tender pieces swimming in a thick brown gravy was served in a small cast iron skillet. The sides of the day - mashed potatoes with cream gravy, green beans and mac'n'cheese. All were made from scratch as promised and delicious. The cheese bread they bring to the table is like a bisciut dough baked with a couple of kinds of shredded cheeses, making a top layer of gooey goodness.
And, any place that offers sweet tea is ok with me.
The decor is cutesy- they could have the tables arranged a little better, IMO, but we'll definitely be going back.
Cooppies 4280 Lavon Drive, Suite 250, Garland, TX
| John Farnham You're the Voice |
I have never left a restaurant and felt duty bound to warn the public, but there is a first for everything. We had dinner at Cooppies tonight, after having passed it up on several occasions because the line was out the door. Tonight we were seated immediately. The first thing I noticed was the sticky tabletop. The place was about 80% full, and almost noone was smiling. We were seated ten minutes before anyone came to our table. After another ten minute wait, our server returned with our drinks, saying he'd be right back to take our order. Ten minutes later, he returned and I ordered the chicken-fried ribeye. The sides were mashed potatoes, greenbeans and mac/cheese. We waited twenty minutes for our food. The lettuce in the salad was turning brown, the 3 cheese bread had a harsh flavor. When our order arrived, I was told (for the first time) that there was no cream gravy so they brought brown gravy. The sign outside the place says "American Scratch Cooking" ... I'm still "sratching" my head trying figure out how so many things could go so wrong and be so bad at one place. The brown gravy tasted like a supermarket packet mix, the mashed potatoes were clearly from processed potato flakes, and the mac and cheese raised the bar on "bland". A guy who appeared to be in charge was going table to table apologizing for things taking so long and for being out of certain items. As we were waiting on our check, another family was seated next to us. The grandmother turned to her husband and said "this table is sticky" - I wanted to warn them that it doesn't get any better. I just hope they get their act together, or they won't be in business much longer.
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I know we have the same "sticky table" experience but the food was good and the service pretty good. we will try them again. I do feel their prices are a bit high. I would love to see them offer a smaller plate for us who don't want to take home. Senior menu might be good. We have been back for pie and it was very good but the price, way toooooo high.
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We were at Coopies tonight, for the third time, and once again...terrible experience. Got to the table, waited for server 10+ minutes and they showed to have 3 certain sides. When we ordered, this has happened everytime, we were told they ran out of corn...how do you run out of corn or anything for that matter being a full service restaurant. Said "Okay,what is the side to replace it?". Told it was Mac and Cheese. Food arrived and we had everything but Mac and Cheese I thought, "I bet they come back and their out of Mac and Cheese". Mac and Cheese finally arrived but no more mashed potatoes...but guess what, corn was now available??? That's when I had a true melt down. I called a manager over who happened to be one of the owners. She apologized and blah blah blah. I told her staright out, that this was the 3 strikes out rule and we would not be back nor would we ever recommend this place to family or friends. I also told her that they have had 8 weeks to get their act together and if they can't keep up with competing restaurants (i.e. Babes) they would not last. She ducked her head and said she knew.
Will NEVER go back. Good in theory (made from scratch) bad in that we expect to go into a full -service restaurant and be served what's on the menu...no chance on that happening at Coopies in Firewheel
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I talked with one of the managers the other day--I LOVED the food, and thought the place could be great. I had a really good experience, but I told the manager the feedback I read here--he said they've solved the sticky table problem, and are workin' hard on service; he was great, and the convo was enuff for me to keep eating there, cuz the food is really good, and i want to be able to love the place.
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The four times I've been to coopies the food has been great. They have never run out of food. The only issue I do have is the sticky tables, but it's due to the finish not staying on the table. I recommended that they get table clothes to eliminate that issue.
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The food was very bad and the tea offered was not very good. At least one of the owners comped my meal. Save yourself 7 dollars and go to the deli at any grocery in your hood and get better food than this place. Service was OK but the food was microwaved before it came to the table. MICROWAVED CHICKEN SUX
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We went to Cooppies this morning for breakfast. The first thing I noticed is they do not have a smaller portion meal for kids (although the waitress mentioned we could get 1 pancake for less than $2). We waited 10 minutes before someone waited on us. Although I ordered regular buttermilk pancakes, I was given blueberry pancakes. The waitress apologized and told me it'll take 3-4 minutes for them to make buttermilk pancakes. By the time my pancakes arrived, my husband and son were done eating. The pancakes, in my opinion, were not worth the wait (they were just okay). For the three of us, the bill came out to $42. This is by far the most we've spent on breakfast and it's so not worth it. I was highly disappointed and will not be going back.
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One item I left out is when we requested straws for our OJ, a lady (other than our waitress) came back to our table with bare straws in her palm. This totally shocked me!
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Saturday morning breakfast: Huge. The place was about half full. (Considering the overall quality, perhaps I should say half empty.) I ordered one egg instead of the three listed on the menu. I also had side orders of biscuits & gravy, bacon, and "cheezy" grits. We had to wait more than twenty minutes for our food to arrive.
It wasn't worth the wait. A friend was served scrambled eggs instead of the over easy ones I heard him order. The waiter did not even bring my grits until I pointed out the fact that I had ordered them. He looked at his order sheet & admitted he'd overlooked that part of my order. They were OK, but had no taste of cheese. My scrambled egg was cold, but the bacon was OK. The sausage gravy was cold, but again tasted OK. The meal included three large biscuits, very doughy & cold, plus a "free" cinnamon roll which I neither ordered nor wanted. Being diabetic, I chose not to eat the biscuits & roll, but it was an easy decision after I tasted a cold biscuit. My wife had Migas, also cold and tasteless. Add in some coffee and our bill was $22. I suspect that McDonald's offers a healthier & cheaper breakfast, not to mention a warmer one.
I'm glad we were all in a good mood & managed to stay that way because it was a really bad dining experience. How long before I go back to sample their lunch or dinner? You figure it out.
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My husband and I ate at Coopies for the first time today.[april,30]I had the chicken fried steak. It was soooo tough I could hardly swallow it. T o make matters worse as soon as I arrived home I had to rush to the bathroom to throw up. My husband and I will never go there to eat again. Their food should never be compared to Babe's. We spent 27.05 there.I wish I could Get my money back.
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We went to Coopies in Firewheel Town Center (190 & 78 in Garland) for dinner last night. This is sort of a spruced up version of Babes (the chicken dinner place) with a few variations. It was just OK, but I offer we were late- about 8:30 when we arrived, and that probably has a lot to do with our experience.
This place starts with a family style bowl of green salad with "southern made dressing" (oil and vinegar?) like Babes, but much better- they have added shredded cheddar and croûtons! Yum!
The generous portions of Chicken Fried Steak ("CFS" for short) and chicken tenders were very good, but had a lot of black pepper. Wife loves black pepper so she loved them. The CFS came with a tiny cup of creme gravy on the side- which I love it on the side- the crunchy goodness (texture!) isn't lost by the soaking up of the gravy. I often wish I could get orange chicken at the Chinese joint served that way. Well, maybe I should try asking. Anyway, bless them for thinking outside the box. However, the chicken tenders were served WITHOUT gravy. Hummm, whats up with that? Well, we coulda asked!
The King Ranch Casserole too soupy to be a true casserole (in our collective opinion), no cheese to be found to hold it together- my kid threw it back cause it was "not like moms". I ate it and it was tasty- with lots of peppers- but I can accept people make thing differently.
As for sides- tiny portions were served- mostly in tiny cups like Bone Daddy's used to do. But you do get three. Sort of a “sampler”. I suppose you could just order three of the same if it was one you really liked. I liked the mashed potatoes. I thought I found a dumpling in them. Odd, but actually kinda good. Anyway, they could use some sour cream. The English peas (called green beans here) had fresh chopped onions- the chili-lime bean salad had lots of fresh chopped onion. I am simply not a fan of raw onion. Both could be fine without it. I never tried the mac and cheese, but others said it was good (tiny, but good). the yams were simply half a small yam dropped on the plate. Oh, and the waiter made a point to inform us the potato salad was mayonnaise based- isn't that Yankee style potato salad? Well, they do advertise themselves as "home cooking", they just didn't say where that home was located! LOL
to be continued...
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Wait staff was slow- in the beginning, it seemed as if none of them wanted to wait our table. I actually saw three of them debating it. We did come in at 8:30, so maybe they thought they would have to stay late if they took us? You know teenagers, they have things to do! Well, the industrious (and likely profit motivated!) guy who took our table seemed to end up with too many tables to serve, while the cute chicks sort of flittered about looking busy. Anyway, I always had an empty tea glass, we never got the home made cheezy biscuits we were promised twice (“they are making a fresh batch”), and nobody had any idea if the coconut cream pie had coconut IN it. Our waiter did volunteer to go ask. Manager said “just on top”. I skipped it as I don’t like pie that is just coconut flavored pudding- and the wife ordered it. It was LOADED with coconut IN it- and whipped cream on top instead of meringue- just the way I like it! Go figure.
Wife and I decided it was good enough to go back, but we would carefully pick our battles- go for the fried stuff- ask for more gravy- get there early enough to have someone actually WANT to wait on us-carefully pick our sides- or pick out the onions. Anyway, I say check it out if your in the neighborhood. I think this place has promise of something great.
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Me and my family, six in all, ate at Coopies on a Sunday afternoon. It took 10-15 minutes for us to get seated. That didn't bother me too much. We ordered our meals and were brought the salad first. So, we all ate our salads and were ready to wait for the main course. Little did we know that AN HOUR AND A HALF later we would receive our food. I am by no means kidding we waited 90 minutes to get our food! If that wasn't bad enough my food was of a lukewarm temperature when it finally came out. With this kind of service I don't foresee a long future for this unfortunate restaurant.
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