Sal's Steakhouse / Discussion

This is the discussion related to the wiki page Sal's Steakhouse.

Stygian Blue 18 Mar 2023 22:09

I see you took inspiration from "a bloody steak" from the Debatecon page. And this is indeed a difficult-to-reach location, with uniquely delicious steak. But… well, I didn't really love the way the information was presented. Instead of letting the reader see the unique aspects of this restaurant through the vehicle of a character, they see it through the form of instructions (specifically, instructions delivered without character behind them — without letting the audience ever peek at who the author of those instructions is meant to be). I think some parts of the instructions were supposed to be humorous, but unfortunately they didn't quite hit for me — it felt like SCP article humour, which falls flat for me. The content itself, however, is great — the restaurant is imaginative, and the descriptions are pretty and tasty. I just wish this had been delivered through the form of a character-driven narrative rather than trying to balance SCP humour, instructions, and the contest requirements in one go.

This work tastes like strawberries with strawberry puree on top. Mmm.

-Styg

---

What is life if not the contrast between what has been and what will become?

Last edited on 23 Mar 2023 16:55 by Stygian Blue Show more

Trar 19 Mar 2023 01:35

Thank you for the feedback. The format is my attempt at parodying the Holders creepypastas, which I always found kinda dumb.

I want steak

NotAnOligarch 19 Mar 2023 16:29

Click for Review!

Formula:
I will be rating your work's aptitude on several factors using a scale of 1 to 7; with 1 being the lowest rating, and 7 being the highest.
Then, I will take the added scores from each area. If the total score is above 18, it will earn a +. If the total score is below 18, it will earn a -. If the score is exactly 18, it will earn a novote.

Score	Area	Comments:
5	Imagery	Steakhouse? Steakhouse. Yup.
5	Theme	Yeah, I see the rare. Rare steak. I like steak.
4	Flow	Yeah the flow was a tiny bit hampered by the footnotes, but they were funny so I'll give it a pass.
5	Format	I like the footnotes; this style tickles my funnybone in a painful but humorous experience.
Total: 19

—Oli

---

Fires rage just below the surface of the ice.

Din-Bidor 21 Mar 2023 16:22

Bruh, this actually made me hungry!

I love articles that talk about food, especially giving it that humorous but sinister feel of supernatural malignance lurking right in the corner of your eye. I need to re-read this while eating.

From the guy who sought to bring Ambrose Restaurants to WL, you have my respect and +1.

Maxyfran73 24 Mar 2023 05:40

I feel this has one too many footnotes, but other than that, it's really damn good. I love this weird funny way you go about this 'secret steakhouse', pretty awesome. Also see your comment on the Holders and, god, I see it. That's even cooler, honestly.

Good stuff! +1~

Snapdragon133 25 Mar 2023 00:37

There definitely could've been some pruning of the footnotes, some jokes are repeated too many times in a row, but overall I found myself nose-breathing and chuckling a good few times, and the descriptions are pretty creative. Good fun piece, +1

Fortanono 25 Mar 2023 04:20

As soon as I read "in any city, in any country" I laughed out loud. This article was genuinely hilarious and the interplay between the voices in the main text and footnotes is great. +1

I also do like how it's just subtly different enough from our world to pique interest but in really mundane ways.

Last edited on 25 Mar 2023 04:22 by Fortanono Show more

Trar 25 Mar 2023 07:04

Oh yeah, I love doing alternate history like that. Perhaps this may not be the last we will see of Skinner City, CM.

Last edited on 25 Mar 2023 07:05 by Trar Show more

Trar 25 Mar 2023 07:07

I shall retroactively subtitle this story "The Holder of Steak". You know, in case nobody gets the joke.

Spoddetman 27 Mar 2023 17:13

This was deliciously (pun fully intended) funny, and I actually liked the footnotes. The switching voices enhance the article immensely, and it would not be nearly as humorous without the copious amount of footnotes. I only wish I had the will to order medium rare. Meaty +1.

Rounderhouse 27 Mar 2023 20:07

This is a pretty funny parody of the classic Holders creepypastas, which hold a fond place in my heart. But you're entirely right that they tended to be very… well, you clearly know, given how well you parody it. The classic warnings to not do something lest you meet a terrible fate, goofy self-serious instructions, it's fun. The footnotes keep it fresh but I agree with Snap that they get a little redundant, repeating the same gags over and over. But overall it's fast enough that I appreciate it for what it is — silly, dumb fun.

Trar 27 Mar 2023 23:38

The slight redundancy in footnotes is a fair criticism; I wrote this in only a couple hours (so of course it's my best-received story yet, lol.) Still, glad you liked it.

I actually based some aspects of the restaurant on a real establishment that was in Rockland, ME called Conte's 1894. It served seafood instead of steak, and I sadly never got to go before it was evicted, but it appeared on one of Anthony Bourdain's shows!

Last edited on 10 Apr 2023 11:33 by Trar Show more

minmin 23 Apr 2023 09:58

i love this: entertaining, to the point, speaks to smth real (who hasn't a personal Sal's? please seek one if you don't.) & at end of day thats all that matters. cheers!