“At least it was real cuisine here”: at the Lunch Garden in Berchem, regulars “shocked” by the bankruptcy announcement

“Oh, that’s sad,” testifies Anthony who, after some shopping in the Brussels gallery, wanted to grab a bite to eat at Lunch with a friend. “They had tempting dishes, like unlimited mussels. I came from time to time, it’s a shame.”

Lunch Garden files for bankruptcy: here are the restaurants that will close, the unions are “angry” and presented “with a fait accompli”

At the other end of the capital, in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, customers also do not hide their incomprehension at the sudden announcement of bankruptcy. “Honestly, I’m shocked“, comments Fatima.It worked really well, I don’t understand the bankruptcy. There was nothing to say, the food and service were great. And then, it’s a restaurant where you can find healthy cuisine, which is very rare today. If one Quick closes, there are plenty of others. But this type of business is harder to find.”

An argument that we find in the mouths of other regulars of the brand. “I saw an analysis saying that they had problems because they had not been able to reinvent themselves. But it’s precisely the traditional dishes that we loved“, says Anne, from Jette. “Vol-au-vent for example! And the value for money was really good.”

Lunch Garden – “Disarray” and “anger” for trade union organizations “faced with a fait accompli”

Aged 78, Anne-Yvonne does not hide her disappointment. “I come at least every week to this Lunch Garden“, says the eldest Berchem resident. “It’s so easy to eat when you’re alone. I come by tram and it’s very convenient. You see people, the staff is nice, the food was really good. Honestly, I loved everything and I tried their different dishes. Last time, for example, I had a steak: delicious, delicious I tell you. At least it was real food here. A loss for the neighborhood.“

New franchisee since… October

The Bercheois restaurant had opened its doors on Monday morning but suddenly had to close them at midday. “En square service”, deplores Anthony. The manager still can’t believe it. “It’s a cash register breakdown. A real breakdown? I don’t know anything about it. Nobody answers me. We only know what we see in the press and what the unions say.”

A franchisee, he took over the brand… last October. “If I had known, I would not have taken it again“, sighs the independent, who tries to keep smiling. “There’s no point in crying in your corner. You have to stay positive…“But looking at the traits drawn from the staff, not everyone shares his philosophy.”“It’s not normal what’s happening.” pesters an employee who leaves to smoke a cigarette in the parking lot.

In total, the Bercheois restaurant provides work, not counting students, for seven people. “Some have been there for a very long time. The oldest has been working here for 33 years.”