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Started By
Message
Why is P.F. Chang's on a pedestal in BR?
Posted on 6/11/10 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 6/11/10 at 10:15 pm
Before I start, let me say I did not go to P.F. Chang's by choice...every Friday my group of friends get together to go out to eat, and we take turns and let one person decide the restaurant. Tonight was not my turn. So as I'm driving down Corporate approaching Town Center, I'm abruptly reminded by the huge clusterfrick of cars parked in all the lots that BR locals love their chain restaurants. There's about 30 people waiting outside of P.F. Changs and the hostess tells me that it would be about an hour and 15 min wait for a table of 6. We told her that we would take first available and eventually was seated outside 40 min later.
I don't mind P.F. Chang's...it's not terrible...but I don't see what's so special about it that people actually wait an hour for this place. When it opened back in 2005 (I believe), I kind of understood why it was such a hit b/c of the newness and locals wanting to try it out, but 5 years later and you think it was opening night again.
I'm not trying to stereotype all BR residents here, b/c I know the majority of people on this board from town actually appreciate a good meal. And I'm fully aware that on any given night, there's probably an hour wait at the P.F. Chang's in Metairie. The love for chain restaurants just seems more evident in the 225.
I don't mind P.F. Chang's...it's not terrible...but I don't see what's so special about it that people actually wait an hour for this place. When it opened back in 2005 (I believe), I kind of understood why it was such a hit b/c of the newness and locals wanting to try it out, but 5 years later and you think it was opening night again.
I'm not trying to stereotype all BR residents here, b/c I know the majority of people on this board from town actually appreciate a good meal. And I'm fully aware that on any given night, there's probably an hour wait at the P.F. Chang's in Metairie. The love for chain restaurants just seems more evident in the 225.
9
Posted on 6/11/10 at 10:24 pm to Crescent Connection
quote:
Why is P.F. Chang's on a pedestal in BR?
It's destroyed on here all the time. I like the food, especially as chains go. Baton Rouge is a big, average, suburb style city...average restaurants will always be patronized in any city like that. It's not like BR is the only city where Chang's is popular. I don't think I've been to Chang's in like three years, nothing against it, just don't ever to think to go there. I have cheaper options that are closer.
This post was edited on 6/11/10 at 10:30 pm
Posted on 6/11/10 at 10:33 pm to Crescent Connection
This isn't unique to Baton Rouge.
Posted on 6/11/10 at 10:34 pm to Crescent Connection
It helps that their food tastes good.
Posted on 6/11/10 at 10:46 pm to Crescent Connection
bc it is there. open one anywhere and it will do business.
Posted on 6/11/10 at 11:10 pm to Crescent Connection
Im sorry Im just tired of this BS.
In no way is BR anymore in love with chains than any other non food centric city. Especially that stretch on Vets that has every chain BR has and more and each is equally packed.
There are plenty of non chains talked about here daily that are also packed. But chains cater to the college crowd as well since the prices are cheaper and they are trendy. I certainly used to know plenty of college kids that lived in NOLA that ventured west to go to some chains. Where do you think people eat in Houston and Dallas? CHAINS. shite you can go to Chicago and there is an hour wait outside those chains. There is a fricking Cheescake factory at the base of the Hancock tower that is ALWAYS packed.
In no way is BR anymore in love with chains than any other non food centric city. Especially that stretch on Vets that has every chain BR has and more and each is equally packed.
There are plenty of non chains talked about here daily that are also packed. But chains cater to the college crowd as well since the prices are cheaper and they are trendy. I certainly used to know plenty of college kids that lived in NOLA that ventured west to go to some chains. Where do you think people eat in Houston and Dallas? CHAINS. shite you can go to Chicago and there is an hour wait outside those chains. There is a fricking Cheescake factory at the base of the Hancock tower that is ALWAYS packed.
Posted on 6/11/10 at 11:13 pm to el tigre
I find it is enormously popular mostly with the ladies. It fits the three major female friendly criteria, overpriced, small portions, kitschy decor. La Madeline is another of this ilk.
The opposite is someplace like Tramonte's, cheap, huge portions, zero decor. At lunch it is almost all guys.
The opposite is someplace like Tramonte's, cheap, huge portions, zero decor. At lunch it is almost all guys.
Posted on 6/11/10 at 11:19 pm to Crescent Connection
It's one of the only actual "chinese restaurants" in teh city. I know it's not really authentic chinese but we don't really have one in BR that isn't a buffest or short order Sysco Foods one. Plus its so cool on the inside. 
Posted on 6/12/10 at 12:00 am to Crescent Connection
BR is a chinese wasteland, easily one of the worst chinese restaurant cities you'll find with a few hundred K greater metro.
Outside of limited menu Nguyen's Taste of Asia, which is only a 1/3rd chinese menu, pricey per portion, and the main chef Viet or Thai? Or Hunan(off the menu..not buffet)..there is almost nada in BR.
The best two chinese joints in BR history, under their key ownership, were MK Wong's Chinese Inn circa mid-seventies to mid-nineties on Fla and Airline. Then also, Royal Hawaiian in Corporate Mall and later Jefferson Hwy, circa late seventies to mid-eighties, forget the fun bunch/family name that owned this wicked mai tai factory. Both are long gone, and the current Chinese Inns have been sold to cousins and/or other, at least two or three owners up the road, now just soil the memory of what MK built..
At least Nawlins has some very solid places in Cafe East, Five Happiness, China Blossom, Christina Empress, Trey Yuen(Mandeville location only!) etc..
In BR, it's largely Viet or Thai, or bust almost.
Outside of limited menu Nguyen's Taste of Asia, which is only a 1/3rd chinese menu, pricey per portion, and the main chef Viet or Thai? Or Hunan(off the menu..not buffet)..there is almost nada in BR.
The best two chinese joints in BR history, under their key ownership, were MK Wong's Chinese Inn circa mid-seventies to mid-nineties on Fla and Airline. Then also, Royal Hawaiian in Corporate Mall and later Jefferson Hwy, circa late seventies to mid-eighties, forget the fun bunch/family name that owned this wicked mai tai factory. Both are long gone, and the current Chinese Inns have been sold to cousins and/or other, at least two or three owners up the road, now just soil the memory of what MK built..
At least Nawlins has some very solid places in Cafe East, Five Happiness, China Blossom, Christina Empress, Trey Yuen(Mandeville location only!) etc..
In BR, it's largely Viet or Thai, or bust almost.
This post was edited on 6/12/10 at 1:23 am
Posted on 6/12/10 at 12:22 am to TheRoarRestoredInBR
quote:
BR is a chinese wasteland, easily one of the worst chinese restaurant cities you'll find with a few hundred K greater metro
Sadly this is accurate. Chinese, esp Szechuan, is one of my favorite cuisines, I have not been into a BR Chinese restaurant in a long time. The last time was the Oriental Pearl, which some on this board praise, it was virtually inedible. Even my friend Jake, the human disposal, who was with me, said "goddam, this is the worst shite I've ever seen on a buffet".
The AYCE buffet has killed the cuisine in BR.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 1:33 am to TheRoarRestoredInBR
roar is correct on this one. Carman needs to step down from his delusional ivory tower.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 2:51 am to Crescent Connection
Buying into the hype
Posted on 6/12/10 at 8:24 am to Geauxld Finger
quote:
It's one of the only actual "chinese restaurants" in teh city.
You are an idiot, and have not been to Dim Sum.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 8:40 am to BigAlBR
quote:
and have not been to Dim Sum.
Does this place actually exist? I can't seem to find it.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 8:57 am to el tigre
quote:
bc it is there. open one anywhere and it will do business
quote:I agree with both principles.
I find it is enormously popular mostly with the ladies. It fits the three major female friendly criteria, overpriced, small portions, kitschy decor.
If I want Chinese in BR, I'm most likely going to Chinese Combo King on W Chimes St. It's P.F. Chang's but about 3/4 the price and fresher. Now, we just need them to get the lettuce wraps on the menu...
This post was edited on 6/12/10 at 9:00 am
Posted on 6/12/10 at 9:42 am to Crescent Connection
When you think about it, P.F. Chang's is the Tsunami's of chinese cuisine.
Both have great atmospheres that distract people from the fact the food is only average at best.
Both have great atmospheres that distract people from the fact the food is only average at best.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 1:59 pm to tom
Dim Sum exists..
But is closed until June 26th, and has done stuff like this Pinettas 'Roman Holiday' imitation for ages, which confuses customers, with the Johnny DeAngelo-esque inconsistency, thus an alienated erratic customer base, that doesn't know if you're coming or going?
I consider it more a dim sum joint than full menu restaurant. It through the years has vacillated from great to 'meh', but has by far BR's most diverse dim sum offerings.
It once had a much greater presence in the market(under former ownership?), but over the decades has not advertised, and at times ran the place as if it didn't care to land your biz, aging facility, unpainted, and weeds growing in the concrete's cracks.
It mostly caters to the local chinese folks nowadays, which has a church nearby off Old Hammond. If you judged it's success by it's seeming non-existent daily traffic count, or empty parking lot..you'd probably wonder if it's a BR Triad front.
More than dare say it's own shortcomings, it's biggest BR flaws, like most places, is it isn't an AYCE troth or quick takee outee with $5 egg roll/pfr/entree dish. Because that's what BR Bubba wants, and drove the market to, starting about twenty years ago.
But is closed until June 26th, and has done stuff like this Pinettas 'Roman Holiday' imitation for ages, which confuses customers, with the Johnny DeAngelo-esque inconsistency, thus an alienated erratic customer base, that doesn't know if you're coming or going?
I consider it more a dim sum joint than full menu restaurant. It through the years has vacillated from great to 'meh', but has by far BR's most diverse dim sum offerings.
It once had a much greater presence in the market(under former ownership?), but over the decades has not advertised, and at times ran the place as if it didn't care to land your biz, aging facility, unpainted, and weeds growing in the concrete's cracks.
It mostly caters to the local chinese folks nowadays, which has a church nearby off Old Hammond. If you judged it's success by it's seeming non-existent daily traffic count, or empty parking lot..you'd probably wonder if it's a BR Triad front.
More than dare say it's own shortcomings, it's biggest BR flaws, like most places, is it isn't an AYCE troth or quick takee outee with $5 egg roll/pfr/entree dish. Because that's what BR Bubba wants, and drove the market to, starting about twenty years ago.
This post was edited on 6/12/10 at 6:52 pm
Posted on 6/12/10 at 2:40 pm to TheRoarRestoredInBR
When I lived in BR. I used to go to China House on the corner of Greenwell Springs and Choctaw. I really liked their food. Is that egg roll joint still open on Sherwood Forest? That place always amazed me how it stayed in business. Every time I rode by that place at lunch time, it was always packed. Just by the looks of the exterior of that place turned me off. Does BR do what Montgomery does? Here they rate a place according to cleanliness and the restaurant has to post in the front the rating it received. I really like this idea. I would love to see the rating Pinnettas (sp) would receive.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 3:21 pm to avondale88
The old Pinetta was never my thing. Friends liked it, I wanted to like a local hole-in-the-wall, always do. But, hated the dusty walls, dirty table cloth, and found the singing waiter slightly amusing at best.
I guess I'm more a fight fan? If I wanted my romantic Italian meal disturbed, I'd rather watch Lawrence rip a waiter's head off..at least Mama's food is A+.
But, I am hearing some nice things recently of Pinettas lunch and the new ownership..gonna try it soon.
As for chinese fare, I get in the car, then head to Cafe East or Five Happiness.
I guess I'm more a fight fan? If I wanted my romantic Italian meal disturbed, I'd rather watch Lawrence rip a waiter's head off..at least Mama's food is A+.
But, I am hearing some nice things recently of Pinettas lunch and the new ownership..gonna try it soon.
As for chinese fare, I get in the car, then head to Cafe East or Five Happiness.
Posted on 6/12/10 at 4:23 pm to Things and stuff
Chinese food is addictive and pf changs is the best you can get in the south. Always make reservations. Only idiots wait an hour to eat.
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