Ponderosa has been a part of my family for 40 years. When we moved to Janesville in 1972, my stepfather worked at the Beloit location. The following year, Janesville opened. It was definitely different from the "cafeteria" style of Beloit's location. I've never said that Pondo had the highest quality of food, but it was affordable. We loved the variety of food. Many years have come and gone and so have employees. I've seen many kids grow up and become wonderful adults with their own families...I'm not saying this only happened because of Ponderosa. But, when you feel comfortable at work and have the ability to work with some very amazing people, it's hard not to. Thank you Jay, Melisa, Alice, and everyone else for these wonderful years and experiences! Not only is my daughter losing her job on Monday, but so are at least 20 others. Yes, she is applying at the new restaurant. But I'm doubting they will need 20+ staff members. Yesterday, over 700 people were served in the restaurant. It's nice to know that there are Janesvillians (and people from surrounding communities) who are still enjoying their experiences with Ponderosa.

I worked at Pondo for several years and thought it was an awesome place to work. I have tons of great memories about that place! As far as the food goes, it is what it is and it was pretty good for what it was: an all-you-can eat buffet. If you want to find classy food, it's going to be pretty hard to find that anywhere in Janesville, let alone at an all-you-can eat buffet.

The restaurant industry is very trendy and major chain restaurants are always subject to replacement by the next fad.

Went to Havill- Spoerl once...the bathroom was filthy...won't go back.

I'm with Dwight - GIVE IT A REST!
.
Not everybody likes the same things. Move on!

Roscoe: congratulations, you just made it number 1 :)

Seriously, this is the second most commented story? Now that's class Janesville!

frogger.....You claim that OCB is an example of a good buffet. Your taste buds have taken a vacation. Everything is very dry and it seems like reheated from the day before.

Wow, mcs, lighten up. frogger provides some very valuable commentary about bars and restaurants around town.

billnebie, haven't you been to Prime Quarter? Or you just can't tell how they prepare their meat and you're relying on frogger's expertise?

frogger...I've read several of your comments and have come to the conclusion that you are what a friend of mine calls a "s--t disturber". You throw any contrary comment out there just to get a rise out of people.
You obviously didn't read the article or you wouldn't have made the comments about Ponderosa leasing from the new owner.Also your comment about not buying the buliding because the franchise would then own it shows no business knowledge at all...One more thing,if you truly visits as many restaurants as you claim that must really stretch your budget on a dishwasher's salery.

frogger...reread the article. The parties that bought the building are opening a restaurant of their own.

I dont SEE anything on prime Q meat. It is raw. Unless they infused it with Meat Tend. Don't think so or you would taste it. I believe it is commercial choice. Which is good for what they charge.
ASk what grade they use at Ponderosa.

My wife and I will miss eating there. Always treated well, thanks to all and good fortune to you all.

Frogger, I'm sure glad to see you're not hopelessly tasteless, even if you can't stomach "Pondo" and it's belly-rotting tenderized steaks! I wonder what Prime Quarter uses on their meats?

Prime Quarter has good meat. They could use a refresh in the decor but food is good. Same for about 30 years since they opened.
TX roadhouse- good but too loud.
Sorry people lost their jobs. Hopefully the new owners will let them apply.
Sorry the main reason I don't go is the bad food. The other stuff just tops it off.
IF somebody bought the building then why wont they lease to them. Maybe the rent would now be way high with the new owner of the building.
Lease it for 30 years seems weird. Why not just buy it way back. I guess because it is afranchise and you wouldnt own building Ponderosa would.
So any way I see some don't mind bad food and half do.

There's an old expression that seems so apropos considering the posts below. "There's no accounting for taste".

Frogger hates "Pondo". Others like it. Enough "others" kept the place in business all these years. From what I gleaned from the story, they aren't going broke for lack of business, they lost their lease. But I get that they don't get any income from Frogger. However, considering Frogger's aversion to steak (the real reason Frogger doesn't go to "Pondo", I suspect), the other objections aren't all that pertinent. I doubt Frogger likes the "Prime Quarter" or the "Texas Roadhouse" either. Some will miss "Pondo", others won't. Oh well, there's no accounting for taste, eh?

I work at ponderosa and must say I'm very disappointed with these comments. Ponderosa is very family oriented and the only reason we are closing is because someone bought the building. Have a little respect we are all losing are jobs and family. Ponderosa was a wonderful place to work we always had a good time and will be forever thankful for that restaurant.

You dont like the truth about what "tender" steaks do to your belly????

"I just wonder why some people nitpick about a comment about the temperature of a toilet seat. Silly."
I did mention that the seat was cold because the bathroom was about 60 degrees or less.
IT isn't an outhouse.

I love how frogger having a negative opinion of Ponderosa turned into him having to reevaluate himself and his life because he's an awful person. Having an opinion is just the worst, isn't it? It's a crappy restaurant. Honestly, I didn't even know it was still open and I don't recall ever hearing one positive thing about it. I won't miss it, and hopefully something better comes along.

Years ago (1970-80's) after it first opened it was a good place to eat. Over the years it got (and stayed) dirty, had poor service, bad tasting food, ect. It was run till the wheels fell off!!!

@BostonBill, people nitpick because it's easier to condemn, criticize and complain about others, rather than looking in the mirror and working on that person that's staring back at them.

Years ago this was one of my favorite places. Then I had kids pulling us in a million different directions. We decided one night a few months ago to give it a try as something different for ourselves. I walked in and the polka band was so loud I couldnt even begin to hear what the lady at the counter was saying. After I tried a couple times to speak over the music I said forget it and we walked out.

Sorry to see them go. They have the best wings in town. Just had some tonight.

“Ponderosa rides into the sunset”
For whatever reason(s), it is closing. I hope the proprietors prosper in whatever future endeavor they choose. I just wonder why some people nitpick about a comment about the temperature of a toilet seat. Silly.

complaining about the temp of a toilet seat. have u ever sat on a toilet seat that didnt feel cold. Oh wait you must have one of those heated seats...get a life.

tcb- I get all that. It doesn't cost a lot for cleaners and fix tiles that are broke. When I have to run to their bathroom because of something I ate there and the seats are 60 degrees- come on have some pride in your place and fix some stuff.

frogger,

You forgot the cost of building, electricity, gas, liability insurance, wages + union CFW?, health care for employees, advertising, repairs, as well as the rising costs of ingredients you will use to prepare your specialties.

You would have to sell a lot of subs and omelets to break even. But I would support you-as long as the food was good....

Banks are dying to loan money-just put a business plan together....you'll be open before you know it...

Thanks,
I do make some yummy stuff.
Just go to recipe places and you can read it and tell if it is good or not.
Fresh green beans do not cost much compared to canned junk. Charge an extra $1-2 for the buffet and serve good tasting stuff.
Ever been to Country Buffet?
NOt my fav thing to do but finally tried it with the coupon. Is was only $2 more than Ponderosa and WOW. Some good stuff there!

Frogger, my friend, you are on a roll. LOL, I love it. If some of these people tried some of your recipes they would be begging you to open a restaurant and probably fronting you the money. JMO

Those sneeze guards just don't get the job done, do they?

For all those that travel drunk to Denny's, Perkins etc. This is a missed opportunity for somebody. I don't have cash to open a restaurant sorry. Need money to make money.

So it isn't just me!
Bad food- dirty=loss of business- pretty simple.
TCB- I think it is 10%.
I am smart enough NOT to open one.
If I did I would do sub shop/breakfast downtown and only be open at bar time :)

We stopped going there years ago when the quality of food went down but prices skyrocketed and having to pay extra for a salad with my dinner. Don't even get me started on their horrible breakfast. It's why we don't go to Fuddruckers anymore either.

Not surprising. The food quality went downhill, and the building upkeep was non-existent.

frogger, we get your point, you don't like the restaurant, move on.

Frogger,

Here is a great opportunity for you to start a restaurant-you seem to have a unique understanding of what all consumers want as well as a solid understanding of nutrition.

I wish you great success in the business. One word of caution only 5% of restaurants are still in business after 5 years-which means that 95% dont make it. But you've figured it out. My guess is that you'll be part of the 5%....

good luck-let us know what you will serve...

Ever go into the bathrooms- after 30 years of ownership have some class and clean it and fix it. In the winter it was 60 degrees in there.
Would never go back again.

It is sad when people think this food is good enough to pay for and hang out for hours. True you may not be able to do this in other places because the food is GOOD and they need the tables to serve people.
I feel bad for those that think a steak with so much meat tenderizer is a good steak and tender from being good meat and not nasty meat that has been tenderized so bad. Peach pits are what tenderizer is mostly made up and is poisonous to your body.

frogger - If a Family Restaurant is going in you'll probably still be getting canned food. My experience with all of ones I've been to has been underwhelming.

Too bad. We would go and order a steak dinner then eat from the salad bar and take the steak home. We've had Patti wait on us too. Hope it's not another Asian place.

Be Nice. It's not always about the decor or even the food. The place had something that brought regulars together for many years. Call it soul or simply plain human contact that you can't just buy anyplace.

Good. Hope something better goes in the. The food is crap.
Long long long ago it used to be nice and nice decor.
Now just a cafeteria with canned food.