A couple of the other chains I mentioned, Earl’s and Joey, as well as Milestones, have a similar menu, similar concept and similar price point. These chains originated out west in BC or Alberta. They tend to be the chains in affluent suburbs, affluent malls, and the relatively affordable option in financial districts. The suburbs with a lot of sprawl often only have chains, and often don’t have any midrange or upscale independently- run restaurants.
In London, Ontario, with a population of close to 500, 000, we have lost all our independently run steakhouses, so the options for steak beyond a steak frites at a Bistro, would be Moxies, Earl’s, The Keg or Milestones , or maybe a lower rent chain such as Montana’s.
The Something For Everyone formula works for the main demographic that gives Moxies and Earl’s business.
Right now, in London, Ontario, the main Moxies is located in an old Bank of Montreal building downtown. There is one small bistro across the street serving excellent food. There are only around a dozen upscale independently run restaurants left in London, and I mostly dine at 2 of them. I would bet the average repeat Moxies customer in LdnOnt has not been to most of those 12 upscale independent restaurants in town.
Most Canadian Hungry Onions don’t go out of their way to eat at these Chains or talk about it.
Moxie’s avocado spring rolls are pretty close to The Cheesecake Factory’s spring rolls. That was the last thing I ordered at a Moxies, at the Yorkdale Mall location around
The steaks are the same price as the steaks at Earl’s, the Keg ( a national chain steakhouse in Canada). I order take-out prime rib or steak from the Keg 4 or 5 times a year. The steak dinner I order costs $62 CAD.
What I find interesting about these chains is that they are really popular at the Mall.
Line -ups with the same pagers that are used at Maccheroni Grill , Cheesecake Factory, or equivalent in the US burbs.
People are dressed in their regular mall attire, and they are often paying more for a steak at the Keg than they would be paying for a steak frites at a nicer Bistro downtown that has better service.
I keep a running tally of burger prices and steak frites prices in Toronto on HO, as well as in my mind. Lol
I am surprised there’s a market for Moxies in DC, considering all the amazing restaurants that are located in DC.
I wrote this about the menu at places like Moxies in 2022.
if I had to choose between Earl’s and Moxies, I would choose Earl’s 
Not sure if they have expanded to the States yet.
Moxies had its start in Calgary. 57 locations and growing.
