Using immersive outdoor seating in hopes of improving diners’ enjoyment and satisfaction with their overall restaurant experience, Souderton restaurants are focusing on enhancing the “ambiance.”
Broad Street Grind employee Madison Nalbach said that during the warmer months people are more likely to eat, visit and take pictures with the outdoor seating.
“I know lots of girls and guys will come in, get coffee and go outside. They decided to take pictures in the outdoor seating and it’s a very popular place to sit, especially in the warmer months,” Nalbach said.
According to Northbound employee Alyssa Morshead, outdoor seating often attracts people to sit and enjoy food with nice views or places to have fun.
“I think people do come out specifically to sit outside. People want to sit, especially by the train tracks with trains coming by and kids running around. Some groups will request to sit exclusively outside,” Morshead said.
According to Jesse’s Barbeque co-owner Laura Sigmans, people often enjoy the outdoor setting of Jesse’s to see the pit masters and smokers.
“The outdoor area just offers that casual, picnic atmosphere they want when eating BBQ,” Sigmans said. “Customers also love being able to see the smokers and watch our pit masters work while sitting at the outdoor tables.”
According to The Burger Shop cook Nate Hessler, they are prepared to have an inviting outdoor setting during the summer months with the goal of becoming a hotspot for dining.
“I think the most important thing we have done is set up an inviting place, which means people come here to eat in the outdoor seating,” Hessler said. “Although, most of this happens in the summer and when it’s sunny.”
According to Nalbach, having outdoor seating in a coffee place is a good idea because of the new experience.
“It’s nice to get fresh air, and it’s nice to have a change of scenery. Because we serve drinks and coffee, outdoor seating complements the overall place,” Nalbach said.
Morshead feels that the way the owner set up Northbound fosters a nice atmosphere for dining with seasonal lights that add to the experience.
“Our owner puts a lot of work into the lights and making sure it looks nice out here and there’s an ambiance out here,” Morshead said. “We have different kinds of lights up in the summertime and winter.”