Asheville food truck operator: Bring in that Mela ad, get $1 off your meal
Here’s what Suzy Phillips, who has championed food trucks in Asheville and operates the Gypsy Queen, posted on FB in response to the Mela ad taking aim at competitors:
I tried to ignore this stab from a local restaurant for a couple of months now, but no more Mela Indian Restaurant/Anoop! So low class of you! Anyway, thanks for the free advertisement of trying to take a jab at us hard working people! So, whoever brings this ad to ANY food truck that operates in Asheville, you get $1 off your order, you too Anoop!
So there you go. Want to clip that ad? Grab a copy of last week’s Asheville Scene at the front desk of the Citizen-Times. Want to find a food truck, including the Gypsy Queen? Go to The Lot this afternoon.
Category: Asheville News
I recommend that everyone take advantage of this offer. Clip the coupon, present it to Gypsy Queen for a meal, and pay the full amount as a show of support for the local entrepreneurial spirit and moral integrity.
Ha, awesome idea, good for Suzy
This ad represents the end of my love affair with Mela. This arrogance deserves a boycott.
Competing with nearby food trucks is a problem for a lot of brick and mortar restaurants, and I can understand the frustration of Mela’a owners, but they did more damage to their interests by responding this way. Sadly, they’ve lost a decade’s worth of good will, and done much more harm to their business than the trucks could ever do. A P.R. disaster.
It’s tough competition for ANYONE in this business… especially in Asheville! But that should just keep you on your toes to work harder and always put out your best food, best service, best everything!! Blaming outside circumstances (while admittedly they can and do exist from time to time) is never productive. My experience has shown me that if I’m constantly looking at and critiquing MYSELF then I’m more likely to find ways to improve and keep alive. Stagnation will get me nowhere…
There are plenty of people succeeding in this town, and if you’re just coasting (especially after starting off so well) then it’s gonna show, people feel that. Besides, if you got a good location and some descent ambiance, and you’re not filling seats… then I’m sorry, but a food truck on the outskirts of town should the last of your worries.
Dude, Mela is SLAMMED almost every day of the week for lunch buffet, which happens to be the only time of day they’re in direct competition with the food trucks. What’s the point, why take out a douchey ad when you’re killing it every day? Does anyone really believe they’re bottom line has been effected by the presence of food trucks?
This type of rhetoric and tactic does NOT SURPRISE at all considering it is coming from a truly uncaring, self-centered, womanizing ‘person’. If this sounds like a personal attack –it IS. I say these things based on multiple encounters with this business owner who has consistently shown all of these attributes and more –NONE of which are flattering. Here is just one example of the behavior that he exhibits, even publicly: he will either park his truck in the middle of the street or use the loading zone out front as his personal parking spot. Who does this? This shows a complete lack of respect. It also demonstrates the exact opposite of what the downtown community is all about. I will never patronize his establishment because I refuse to give him one dollar, even one penny. Anoop, I am calling you out, and I dare you to dispute that which is already publicly acknowledged. I also DARE this site to publish what I have said here. If anyone would like to know who I am, please respond and i will reveal my identity.
You sound like a spurned lover.
Wasn’t it Anoop’s ex-wife (and business partner) that took responsibility for the ad?
Yes, it was
I can’t vouch for what Michael B. says, but I don’t doubt it. My only encounter with Anoop was while working out at the YMCA. I waited several minutes while he leaned against the squat bar and had a conversation. Finally, I walked over and asked if I could work in. He said “I have 3 sets left.” The worst part is that he continued the conversation while I stood there! Now I groan whenever I see him enter the weight room.
A resteraunt advertises themselves as an alternative to food trucks and suddenly everybody’s feelings are hurt?
Call a Waaahhh-mbulance!