I've seen stories where there's a big hurricane headed toward a southern town and the local hardware store is charging $25 for flashlight batteries or $100 for plywood to board up windows. That's kind of what it's like ordering dinner at a movie theater. I've been trying to get over to the Willamette Noodle Company, one of my favorite spots in town, but my late start steered me into this dining disaster. Movieland is located downtown at the corner of Marion Street and High. With 30 minutes before the start of the movie, about the only things on the menu were $4 hot dogs and $6 nachos. Yes that's correct $6 for tortilla chips and melted cheese.After one bite of a hot dog, my son said "I don't like this" and he didn't eat much of the nachos. Quite frankly, I didn't like the hot dog either. I've eaten fresher ones at a gas station. And when I ordered water to drink, they handed me cups just larger than a thimble and said for refills I could use the drinking fountain. After leaving the movie I walked around the front of the theater and noticed there wasn't any restaurants nearby. It's a shame because dinner and a movie go well together in a downtown enviorment when parking is limited. One other thing I noticed, the theater was almost empty and there wasn't lines for the other movies.
Go to Northern Lights!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, there IS food nearby, technically. The Salem Center food counts, I suppose (although I'm sure some of it is just pretending to be food!)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely check out Northern Lights. It's only $3 for a movie, and then you can get some great food and beverages.
ReplyDeleteHaha funny, My boyfriend and I were talking about the horrible cost of Movie theatre Nachos just the other day (same location, I believe).
ReplyDelete$6 for low grade generic chips and bulk nacho sauce (probably taken from a HUGE can, yet they give you so little, that you're left with half your chips because theres no more sauce).
Insult to injury...The container is so small, that they're gone before the movie starts. What a waste.
Northern Lights is definitely the way to go for movies in Salem.
ReplyDeletei've definitely boycotted regal cinemas.
ReplyDeletein the old days when i used to go, albiet rarely, i NEVER ordered food because everyone knows how overpriced and crappy it is and how it's packaged to look like a huge portion (i'm talking candy boxes here) but it's just a small handful for $4.
the beef i have with regal anymore is the cost of a movie ticket. forget it!!
we go to northern lights or nothing at all. i cant even tell you how good it is to be able to afford dinner and a movie -- and at the same place! they even have beer that isnt retardedly overpriced -- AWESOME. God bless northern lights. i havent been to a regal cinemas in years and wont as long as northern stays around. i dont get to see all the movies i want to there, but i can wait til they come out on dvd!
northern light's food is good, to boot! not the pizza, but everything else is great and fresh. A+. no one should have to pay $6 for terrible nachos.
Another thing about Regal Cinemas is that you're beaten down by a flood of advertisements before the previews even start. Talk about a captive audience.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget about the ORIGINAL locally owned theater in town...Salem Cinema boasts great movies. Rumor has it a cafe is in the works and you know that with their yummy concession offerings now that those are gonna be some good eats!
ReplyDeleteIf the movie you want to see in the theatre isn't one that you're willing to pay $9 for, wait for it to get to Northern lights. I love the place. It's super kid friendly too, with tables in front of the seats. Just be sure to get there a little early to get good space at a table.
ReplyDeleteAt the pizza isn't very good. Try something else. :)
at least you did not order sodas, they always taste moldy.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this review up now? Movieland downtown is closed.
ReplyDeleteThis review is from 2007. And yes, Movieland is being renovated.
ReplyDeleteWell, kind of. It's closed, and being opened as something else by someone else. That's what I should have said.
ReplyDeleteIt was just weird because this review was on the front page of this blog, yesterday... so I thought it was a current review.
It would be on the front page if you searched for a particular item.
ReplyDeleteYup, Cinebarre is getting closer and closer to being open. I noticed some outside painting going on yesterday. They're scheduled to open November 6 (which they noted on their website could change).