How do restaurants in Coz stay afloat?

[Dogbowl]

So I’ve been here in Coz several days now and have eaten at several restaurants that were recommended by various sources. The food was mostly “good” but I’ve noticed that most of the restaurants were not full or downright empty! Only exceptions were Los Otates which was almost full and La Choza, which was quite busy. We went at meal times. So how do these places stay afloat with so few customers? Every time we walk by, most restaurants are empty...

 

[mdb]

So I’ve been here in Coz several days now and have eaten at several restaurants that were recommended by various sources. The food was mostly “good” but I’ve noticed that most of the restaurants were not full or downright empty! Only exceptions were Los Otates which was almost full and La Choza, which was quite busy. We went at meal times. So how do these places stay afloat with so few customers? Every time we walk by, most restaurants are empty...

Since Cozumel has become a big cruise ship destination many "cruisers" just eat on their food heavy cruise ships.
Part of taking a cruise has always been morning, evening, and night food feasts.

That may be part of the reason.

 

[DjDiverDan]

"We went at meal times."

I'm going to guess that you went at YOUR usual meal times. Those are not necessarly the same as the regular meal times of others. There are cultural differences in just when to dine. For several years, I would go at least once during a trip to Sabores for lunch, and it always seemed nearly empty, because I was going with a group that wanted lunch right after getting off the dive boat, and we were there by 12:30 or 1:00. Then, we went after a very late return from a couple of long dives way south, and didn't arrive until 2:30, and the place was packed. Personally, I like late dinners, 9:00 p.m. or later; I was raised in a family where my Dad hated to have dinner while the sun was still out, so while all my friends were rushing home for a dinner that was on the table at 6:00 p.m., I knew that we wouldn't be ready for dinner until 8:30 or 9:00. I have eaten at Kinta at 7:00 p.m. when it was nearly empty, and at 9:30 p.m. when it was nearly full.

 

[Dogbowl]

"We went at meal times."

I'm going to guess that you went at YOUR usual meal times. Those are not necessarly the same as the regular meal times of others. There are cultural differences in just when to dine. For several years, I would go at least once during a trip to Sabores for lunch, and it always seemed nearly empty, because I was going with a group that wanted lunch right after getting off the dive boat, and we were there by 12:30 or 1:00. Then, we went after a very late return from a couple of long dives way south, and didn't arrive until 2:30, and the place was packed. Personally, I like late dinners, 9:00 p.m. or later; I was raised in a family where my Dad hated to have dinner while the sun was still out, so while all my friends were rushing home for a dinner that was on the table at 6:00 p.m., I knew that we wouldn't be ready for dinner until 8:30 or 9:00. I have eaten at Kinta at 7:00 p.m. when it was nearly empty, and at 9:30 p.m. when it was nearly full.

Yes, I thought this was the case as more people came into the restaurants later towards 10pm. But we are also late eaters. For example, we were at Le Chef last night at around 9pm, and by 10pm, the patio out back was half to 3/4 full, and the inside portion was empty. Yesterday was a Friday night. I thought it would be fuller, that’s all. Most patrons were local, as everyone knew everyone else. Food was good by the way.

And the restaurant next door was empty when we left at around 10:30pm.

 

[Christi]

There are so many great restaurants here now so restaurants aren't as full as they used to be when there were only a few good choices. Trust me though, Le Chef has a very solid local reputation as well as with tourists - they are often packed with a wait so it's just a crap shoot really - there are restaurants that just don't make it because they are either undercapitalized going in or they just can't survive. It's a tough business, especially with more and more competition with more quality restaurants opening up.

 

[Dogbowl]

I was just having dinner at Cuatro Tacos. Same owners as Lobster Shack. The food was good and the place was full! They had so many customers, the guys were unable to keep up, and forgot a table’s order and everybody had to wait a long, long time. They even turned away customers claiming they were out of food, but it seems like they just weren’t able to handle the customers. We got free bottled water on the house because we waited a long time, but we didn’t complain cause the guys were working as fast as they could. I would not hesitate to go back.

 

[Bob DBF]

It's a tough business

Regardless of where you are in the world, the resturant business is tough. The good ones do well and the rest try to be the good ones, some make it and the rest turn over.


Bob

 

[gcarter]

I was just having dinner at Cuatro Tacos. Same owners as Lobster Shack. The food was good and the place was full! They had so many customers, the guys were unable to keep up, and forgot a table’s order and everybody had to wait a long, long time. They even turned away customers claiming they were out of food, but it seems like they just weren’t able to handle the customers. We got free bottled water on the house because we waited a long time, but we didn’t complain cause the guys were working as fast as they could. I would not hesitate to go back.

I would complain. The ones there might have been working as fast as they could, but to me that just means they were understaffed. If they have a seat they are filling, they need to be able to serve it properly.

 

[Christi]

I would complain. The ones there might have been working as fast as they could, but to me that just means they were understaffed. If they have a seat they are filling, they need to be able to serve it properly.

I'm guessing you've never worked in the restaurant business - pretty obvious.

Maybe they were slammed with everyone arriving all at one time and that can put anyone "in the weeds" - the island is busier than usual. Maybe someone didn't show up last night and they were short staffed.

Oh yeh, and they are human and doing the best they can at any given moment - and therefore can have off days.

give em a break unless it happens consistently.

 

[gcarter]

I'm guessing you've never worked in the restaurant business - pretty obvious.

Maybe they were slammed with everyone arriving all at one time and that can put anyone "in the weeds" - the island is busier than usual. Maybe someone didn't show up last night and they were short staffed.

Oh yeh, and they are human and doing the best they can at any given moment - and therefore can have off days.

give em a break unless it happens consistently.

You would be wrong.