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Message
re: Just shoot me....I like some Chain Restaurants
Posted on 4/27/09 at 10:41 am to Daygo85
Posted on 4/27/09 at 10:41 am to Daygo85
quote:Chain restaurants are successful because they have a good product. They have good food, and they have good service. You know what you're getting. The food is probably better than a majority of local restaurants. But, they don't have "atmosphere, and they're not "hang out" places. Normally, people go there to eat, not to socialize. Plus, I don't give the proverbal "rat's arse" if I go to a "local" place or not.
Someone will have to explain to me the utter dislike of a restaurant just because it is a chain. Is it because one wants to feel "original" in ones choice of an eating establishment? Does it make a person feel a little to much one of the sheepoeople in America?
The reason a company is able to build a brand name, like Chili's, is because they do alot of things right. Name recongnition does not happen because you simply spend millions on advertising. There has to be some quality there or no one would ever return.
This whole "protect the local restaurant" business is nonsense. Let the local restaurant compete. If I like it I'll go back. But, compete. Give me a reason to want to go back. I won't do it just because you're local.
1
Posted on 4/27/09 at 10:50 am to Herb
quote:
I won't do it just because you're local.
No one said you should...if the products are equal I would choose local. If the chain is better I would choose the chain and vice versa.
quote:
The food is probably better than a majority of local restaurants.
This depends on where you live of course. This is most certainly not the case where I live. I can only speak for other places I have lived like DC, but their local restaurants far exceed chains in quality and variety, as is the case in NoLa.
Posted on 4/27/09 at 11:23 am to Daygo85
When I am traveling for work I always look for the chains. Way too many bad experiences at local eateries.
eta
This does not apply for the big cities.
eta
This does not apply for the big cities.
This post was edited on 4/27/09 at 11:28 am
Posted on 4/27/09 at 11:38 am to reluctantBR
im sorry for yelling, but it makes me sick the thought of people waiting for three hours to eat to eat at cracker barrel or chilis
Posted on 4/27/09 at 12:13 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:This sentence is why I go to Chilis. I know I can walk in and get an above-average burger with fries right out of the grease and I can knock down two nice, cold draft beers while I wait. Sometimes you want vanilla, and Chilis does vanilla (read: American bar food) better than most.
I have been bashed on here before for saying Chili's is a good chain option...sometime for me it is comforting walking in knowing exactly what you are going to get no matter where you are.
A few caveats:
Chilis is one of the first places I took my wife when we were dating (yeah, yeah...I know) and we both have a sentimental attachment to the place.
We've moved 6 times in the past 10 years, and Chilis is a safe haven that's also kid-friendly.
We might go there 6 times in a year (when living in the U.S.).
quote:Anyone that waits 3 hours to eat anywhere - Cracker Barrel, Chilis, Les Halles or Gramercy Tavern - waives the right to complain.
im sorry for yelling, but it makes me sick the thought of people waiting for three hours to eat to eat at cracker barrel or chilis
This post was edited on 4/27/09 at 12:25 pm
Posted on 4/27/09 at 12:22 pm to Tiger Attorney
quote:
...if the products are equal I would choose local. If the chain is better I would choose the chain and vice versa.
true. but honestly, i will say that i will choose a burger at a well run and not slam crowded Chili's over most local places. Now, if there is a 90 minute wait at Chili's like the ones in Metairie or Houma it's not worth it.
i will take a no wait Chili's burger over a 30 minute wait at Port of Call, Yo Mama's, Phil's, Riverside Patty, Dearman's etc.
Posted on 4/27/09 at 12:34 pm to GarmischTiger
quote:
Anyone that waits 3 hours to eat anywhere - Cracker Barrel, Chilis, Les Halles or Gramercy Tavern - waives the right to complain.
i just can't do it, esp at a nice place. 3 hours in a nice bar means i am way too drink to appreciate high end by the time i am seated, and it's a waste of money. I may as well leave and get some taco bell on the way home.
Posted on 4/27/09 at 12:47 pm to el tigre
Why do you want to be safe, my favorite thing to do is go to a new restaurant and try something different. Stop going to these places and maybe we can grow as a culture. Stop going to Europe and eating at Mc fricking Donald’s. It breaks my heart to see KFC and Starbucks in China, its bad enough what we do to our own culture, we don’t have to ruin theirs too.
Posted on 4/27/09 at 12:50 pm to reluctantBR
i am probably the most unsafe eater you have ever met...but when you live or work in one place for a while and have tried pretty much everything already there is no harm in going to a chain for a reliable burger.
If i am traveling or in a new place, of course i hit all of the local spots first. Hell, i buy random stuff from mexicans in carts and trucks on a weekly basis. I have no idea what i'm eating.
If i am traveling or in a new place, of course i hit all of the local spots first. Hell, i buy random stuff from mexicans in carts and trucks on a weekly basis. I have no idea what i'm eating.
Posted on 4/27/09 at 12:51 pm to el tigre
quote:
but it makes me sick the thought of people waiting for three hours to eat at cracker barrel or chilis
Have you seen the people who are waiting to get into Cracker Barrel? Bib overalls is standard attire, and that's for the women. Chili's I swear, I have no idea what people eat there, I have never had a single dish there that wasn't just crap. I'd rather munch on soylent green.
Chains serve a purpose, they keep the less sophisticated, less discriminating diners out of our way. Those people have a "food is fuel" attitude and it doesn't bother them a lick if the spinach artichoke dip was reconstituted out of a tank truck.
So screw 'em, build more Hungry Heifer's, and next time you pass Hooter's stop, stick your head in the door and ask yourself, "do I want these people in my favorite restaurant?".
Posted on 4/27/09 at 1:45 pm to andouille
The rule, not the exception in most of these type restaurants and they look like this:
Posted on 4/27/09 at 4:36 pm to Daygo85
Interesting topic. It made me think 'when was the last time I went to a chain restaurant?' I'm still thinking.
I've been to lots of them for savings and convenience. Even when I was in my 40s I went to Picadilly or other cafeteria styles for variety and speed. But after 50 I can't recall going to a chain.
If I want speed I go with a local Chinese buffet. If I want cheap I go to local cheap options...like Notinis in Bossier City. If I want more expensive dinners it's always local.
I've been to lots of them for savings and convenience. Even when I was in my 40s I went to Picadilly or other cafeteria styles for variety and speed. But after 50 I can't recall going to a chain.
If I want speed I go with a local Chinese buffet. If I want cheap I go to local cheap options...like Notinis in Bossier City. If I want more expensive dinners it's always local.
Posted on 4/27/09 at 7:50 pm to Zach
quote:
frick you chains suck
another well thought out post
Posted on 4/27/09 at 10:55 pm to GarmischTiger
Garmisch Tiger, my wife and I used to love going to the Posthotel for Apfelstrudel mit Sahne. I see on their website that it is still on the Speisekarte. Yum!
Posted on 4/27/09 at 11:14 pm to Daygo85
The chain restaurants that I find good and continue to go back is...
Ruth's Chris
Outback
Chili's
Ruth's Chris
Outback
Chili's
Posted on 4/27/09 at 11:28 pm to andouille
quote:
Chains serve a purpose, they keep the less sophisticated, less discriminating diners out of our way.
Spoken like a true food snob
Posted on 4/27/09 at 11:59 pm to SG_Geaux
quote:
Spoken like a true food snob
Thank you
Posted on 4/28/09 at 12:07 am to palm springs tiger
quote:We're getting ready to move...I'm gonna miss strudel (and brezen) something fierce!
palm springs tiger
Posted on 4/28/09 at 12:08 am to andouille
quote:
Chili's I swear, I have no idea what people eat there, I have never had a single dish there that wasn't just crap.
the southwestern egg rolls are the only thing that i actually like there. the last time i went i got a bacon cheeseburger that was horrible
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