" Steve: No apologies needed! Your new restaurant will do just great. I've been there twice now and have enjoyed both experiences. Unfortunately, some people expect perfection, and that is in the eye of the beholder. Your new location is a vast improvement from the old. Keep up the great work-and to your staff, I think they are doing a fantastic job. A friendly smile and good conversation goes a long way. "

" Keep fighting the good fight! Here's a little factoid.. Slates was the only Restaurant willing to host a very successful Hurricane Katrina benefit concert provided by the Ron Lloyd band, in cooperation with Idaho Computer and Satellite.

This event did a lot of good for a lot of people. The place was packed, the service was great, and the food was fantastic! Let Steve and crew iron out the wrinkles and cut them some slack.. I have yet to eat at the Slate's new location, but I'll be taking my family there this weekend sometime. "

" Wow I didnt realize this story would have created so much support and controversy!

First and foremost please allow me to personally apologize for the problems we encountered the first week opening in our new location. We were totally caught off guard with the overwhelming response from the local community, and the new customers we had coming in off the highway.

We have hired an additional ten employees to help keep up with the demand, and were still hiring! Service to our customers has and will always be the forefront of my business, and I must say we didnt live up to the expectations the first several days of opening.

We have made tremendous progress over the last 10 days and our service level is returning. This was my biggest fear in making the move, since its very difficult to find and hire quality staff in the Sandpoint, Ponderay and the Bonner county area. But I must say our original staff did an outstanding job given the circumstances, and our new employees are ramping up fast.

I have tried to keep price levels down, but one must understand it is becoming very difficult to do given the fact fuel prices are driving food costs sky high! As Im sure you see in the grocery stores.

Please give us the opportunity to correct the problems we had, and come and visit us again soon!

Steve Coffman
President - Owner
Slates Prime Time Grill & Sports Bar
208 263-1381 "

" The problems some have described are typical of new restaurants. I have made it a policy to avoid new restaurants for a few weeks until they work out the bugs. Of course, I have violated that policy occasionally, but I know what to expect when I do. To those who suggested that Slates needs additional staff, perhaps you didn't notice the big, red electric sign out front advertising for wait and kitchen staff! "

" Hey "Sick of hearing about it", obviously this article has hit a sour note with you. Instead of "whining and crying" about this article, go inform Steve how he needs to rectify these issues that have been discussed her, and offer to remedy them for him, and then maybe, just maybe, a real good report will be made public in this forum, and then everyone will be happy with Slates, thier food, and thier service. Capice? "

" This article has been on the website for more than a week!...seriously!!...to the daily bee...don't you guys have any other articles you can post?...frankly I am sick of discussing Slates...honestly I've had their food...it's good and affordable...so to all of those who complained...go somewhere else! and stop the whinning for crying out loud!!! "

" Hummm! I called Slates last Saturday night to ask how late they were open until, and got a recorded message instructing me to leave a message, and someone would get back to me. What? They can't even answer the phone? Unfortunately, for Steve, we called The Hydra, and they answered thier phone, so went there instead. Not a very professional tactic to attract customers. Sorry, it is what it is. "

" Had lunch there yesterday, $8.49 for a very good burger & onion rings. The same thing at Connie's would have been around $11.00. Love the log interior also. "

" Yes... It totally boils my blood that a select few would post their disastisfactions on a Website Blog that could have negative implications on many local employees and their families... How 'bout voiceing your concerns to the Slates management and give them the opportunity to address your concerns. Posting this negative crap is negative advertisement in the worst way. Hope you believe in Karma, cuz you'll get yours someday. Unbelievable... "

" Slates has been on the top of many peoples lists for restaurants in this area because of the good food, great service, and inviting family atmosphere with sports on every TV. They may have ran into a few kinks due to an absolutely overwhelming amount of business their first week, but that's to be expected with any new restaurant, especially one as popular as Slates. The new building is gorgeous, the new menu items are awesome, and it seems any problems they had openning day have gone away. So go check it out, and don't forget to bring the family! "

" Don't gripe about Slate's, Have you checked the prices at Connie's ? A basic burger is over 9 bucks. "

" Very Satisfied customer, you should probably think about a little spell check in your life as well. Grammar might be a good option as well. "

" I wish the "whiners" who live here could hear themselves. A well established restaurant relocates and you all rush out to be the "first" to try it, overwhelming the staff and then whine publicly about it. Do you have one ounce of understanding in your body? Anyone who eats out frequently knows that a new place has a lot of logistics to work out...everytime. Are you so nasty and spoiled that you have to get revenge for and unpleasant experience? Who are you people? Slates has been well established as a great place to eat for years...it isn't easy to up and change locations and modify routines in the kitchen and for the staff. I certain that they will work things out and get back on track...be patient. "

" reply to unsatisfied customer, just so you know...you have mispelled many words in you comments...perphaps u should use the spell check next time! "

" I have had many great dinners and lunches at Slates in the past and have told Steve and his staff what a great job they did. My first meal in the new location was far from an enjoyable time, I spoke to the server and to Steve about it. Seems they are not getting the point as they continue to have problems. I will check them out once again in a few months, I hope things come together, if not I will not return. The new locations is nice, but lacks the flavor of the old one and the room. It is much louder and sports a much more "Bar" flavor. Does not have the same family feeling. Could be a problem for Steve down the line. "

" reply to Waaaaaaa waaaaaa, just so you know, I did express my dissatification. They new I was unhappy. I have to agree with merkin muffley, he needs to hire more staff. There was one waitress in our section and she was running her tail off. My issue with the whole experience, just so you know, is that in the 2 hours I was there, I never received my correct order. She brought the bill when everyone was done eating and I was still waiting.... "

" Congratulations and good luck with the restaurant. My family and I will be there for dinner soon. Thank you for you investment in the community. "

" To all of you unsatisfied customers... I hardly doubt you took the time to voice your displeasure while you were there. I have never not been able to work out issues when I simply communicate my dissatisfaction at that time. The Slates staff aren't idiots and will do their best to serve you. They moved into a new place. Give them a break. "

" Does your newspaper have a copy editor? "

" Nice place, but please hire some staff that understand the difference between customer and server. We sat for over an hour while the servers stood around and chatted, finally we left. I won't be back. "

" Congratulations Steve: I think that you should have a reserved table for all your loyal NY Giant fans. "

" I have ate at Slates before and really enjoyed the dinner. After my unpleasant experience Wednesday night, I will not return for a while, giving them time to get more staff in the restaurant. "

" Great Job Steve...
I know what happens when you open a new location, yes things won't work out the way you want them too, but it will get better.. It's a GREAT PLACE..

Sorry to see someone wasn't happy, but hopefully they will understand the changes and the issues you have opening a new place..

WE LOVE YOU and YOUR STAFF!! "

" After numerous long time Slates customers had less then enjoyable meals since the move, we plan on waiting a while until all the dust settles. Me and my wife love Slates and have them way up on our list of favorite Sandpoint places to eat. I would really hate to have that change. Hopefully it won't take long until we start to hear more good reports than bad. "

" Congratulations to Steve and the whole staff at Slate's. I had a wonderful meal there with my family and friends on Monday. Your restaurant is beautiful, and I wish you nothing but success. Thank you for providing us with such a wonderful place to eat! "

" I walked out of there 2 hours later with only french fries. They messed up my order and I never got it fixed. Won't be back for a while. "

" Fantastic! Great job Steve, good luck in your new location.. "