#48: Arthur Treacher's

Date Visited: 4 January 2009

Meal: Lunch

Diners: 1 - Me

Experience: Depending on how you count, there are about twelve restaurants at Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets (colloquially known as "The Outlet Mall"). Now, the problem for this blog is that these restaurants are in various degrees of colocatedness. For example, Arthur Treacher's, Kenny Rogers Roasters Express, and Nathan's Famous are all located in the same stall, and you are served by the same people. Likewise, Tropi-Kool, Boardwalk Fries, City Deli, and Cinnabon are also located together in one stall. The others are separate. On the other hand, there is a directory sign that only lists six of these places - so confusing! So, for purposes of this blog, and to give myself and my readers a greater sampling of the offerings, I'm treating them all as separate restaurants. All but the Daily Grind are in the centrally-located Food Court. Here's the full list:
* Starbucks
* Nathan's Famous
* Kenny Rogers Roasters Express
* Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips
* Tropi-Kool Smoothies
* Boardwalk Fries
* City Deli
* Cinnabon
* Burger King
* Sbarro
* Hershey's Ice Cream
* Daily Grind

Now, the problem for this blog is that these restaurants are in various degrees of colocatedness. For example, Arthur Treacher's, Kenny Rogers Roasters Express, and Nathan's Famous are all located in the same stall, and you are served by the same people. Likewise, Tropi-Kool, Boardwalk Fries, City Deli, and Cinnabon are also located together in one stall. The others are separate. On the other hand, there is a directory sign that only lists six of these places - so confusing! So, for purposes of this blog, and to give myself and my readers a greater sampling of the offerings, I'm treating them all as separate restaurants.

My first visit to an Outlet Mall eatery was to Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips. I ordered the Fish & Chips combo. It was typical fried fish fast food, which included two pieces of batter-dipped fish (type not specified), two hush puppies, and chips (fries). It was OK. Arthur Treacher's is the only exclusively fish & chips restaurant in Leesburg, although there are other places that serve them too, such as the King's Court Tavern. Long John Silver's is probably the most common here on the east coast.

It turns out there is another connection between Arthur Treacher's, Kenny Rogers Roasters Express, and Nathan's Famous, that explains why they are colocated at the Outlet Mall. According to the Wikipedia article on Arthur Treacher's, "The company was acquired by PAT Franchise Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of TruFoods Systems, Inc., in 2002. Nathan's Famous bought the exclusive rights to market the Arthur Treacher's trademark and sell their products co-branded with Nathan's own concepts Kenny Rogers Roasters and Miami Subs in 2006; however, PAT Franchise Systems has a license agreement with NF Treachers to sell Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips franchises in eight states."

That's one down for the Outlet Mall, and many more fast food meals to go.

Location: 241 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176

Web site: http://www.arthurtreachers.com/

Total bill: $9.21