Best Chain restaurant?
Discussion
Mafffew said:
Isn't it Handmade Burger Co not Homemade?
Either way, any more opinions on them? I'm in Reading this weekend and crave a decent burger. Their menu ticks all the boxes for me so far.
You could be right! Not bad for what it is. I'ev been a few times now while shopping as the OH always has discount vouchers for food places. The Cajun chips are rather nice.Either way, any more opinions on them? I'm in Reading this weekend and crave a decent burger. Their menu ticks all the boxes for me so far.
Mafffew said:
Isn't it Handmade Burger Co not Homemade?
Either way, any more opinions on them? I'm in Reading this weekend and crave a decent burger. Their menu ticks all the boxes for me so far.
Been to the reading one 4/5 times, its ok, would rather a decent pub burger or 5 guys.Either way, any more opinions on them? I'm in Reading this weekend and crave a decent burger. Their menu ticks all the boxes for me so far.
I had a big boy texan burger there a couple of weeks ago and was expecting a show stopper of a burger to arrive, there was so little filling/meat that the rim of the top bun was touching the bottom bun all the way around
sidekickdmr said:
Mafffew said:
Isn't it Handmade Burger Co not Homemade?
Either way, any more opinions on them? I'm in Reading this weekend and crave a decent burger. Their menu ticks all the boxes for me so far.
Been to the reading one 4/5 times, its ok, would rather a decent pub burger or 5 guys.Either way, any more opinions on them? I'm in Reading this weekend and crave a decent burger. Their menu ticks all the boxes for me so far.
I had a big boy texan burger there a couple of weeks ago and was expecting a show stopper of a burger to arrive, there was so little filling/meat that the rim of the top bun was touching the bottom bun all the way around
Do need something to look forward to while shopping with the OH!
It was a shame when Artorio's closed down near me. Decent mediterranean food that leant a bit more towards greek/turkish, with the obvious Italian as well.
I'll stink my head above the parapet and give a thumbs up to Wetherspoons. OK, it's not great food, but sometimes when you're in town shopping it's good in a "I can't be arsed to cook when I get home, just give me something cheap and adequate" way.
I'll stink my head above the parapet and give a thumbs up to Wetherspoons. OK, it's not great food, but sometimes when you're in town shopping it's good in a "I can't be arsed to cook when I get home, just give me something cheap and adequate" way.
crofty1984 said:
It was a shame when Artorio's closed down near me. Decent mediterranean food that leant a bit more towards greek/turkish, with the obvious Italian as well.
I'll stink my head above the parapet and give a thumbs up to Wetherspoons. OK, it's not great food, but sometimes when you're in town shopping it's good in a "I can't be arsed to cook when I get home, just give me something cheap and adequate" way.
I have eaten in Wetherspoons twice, both times the food was the worst cheapest crap I have ever eaten. I'd rather have a McDonalds burger than a spoons burger. The ingredients were so obviously the cheapest they could buy, thrown together by someone that thinks a pot noodle is haute cuisine.I'll stink my head above the parapet and give a thumbs up to Wetherspoons. OK, it's not great food, but sometimes when you're in town shopping it's good in a "I can't be arsed to cook when I get home, just give me something cheap and adequate" way.
Can I just say that I find terms like Grill Monkey and referring to 16 year olds on minimum wage really derogatory.
People are doing a job, it’s not working as a pastry chef at the Fat Duck I know but there’s no need to deride people.
They may well enjoy what they do and take pride in it. The vast majority who work in chain restaurants aren’t stupid or slovenly, they’re doing a job and a good one too.
That’s all.
People are doing a job, it’s not working as a pastry chef at the Fat Duck I know but there’s no need to deride people.
They may well enjoy what they do and take pride in it. The vast majority who work in chain restaurants aren’t stupid or slovenly, they’re doing a job and a good one too.
That’s all.
Thankyou4calling said:
Can I just say that I find terms like Grill Monkey and referring to 16 year olds on minimum wage really derogatory.
People are doing a job, it’s not working as a pastry chef at the Fat Duck I know but there’s no need to deride people.
They may well enjoy what they do and take pride in it. The vast majority who work in chain restaurants aren’t stupid or slovenly, they’re doing a job and a good one too.
That’s all.
Agree- glad it’s not just me!People are doing a job, it’s not working as a pastry chef at the Fat Duck I know but there’s no need to deride people.
They may well enjoy what they do and take pride in it. The vast majority who work in chain restaurants aren’t stupid or slovenly, they’re doing a job and a good one too.
That’s all.
blueg33 said:
I have eaten in Wetherspoons twice, both times the food was the worst cheapest crap I have ever eaten. I'd rather have a McDonalds burger than a spoons burger. The ingredients were so obviously the cheapest they could buy, thrown together by someone that thinks a pot noodle is haute cuisine.
Who needs field to fork when you can have freezer to fryer?Went to
Other than airports I can't think when I last went to a big chain place though, I think the only big chains locally are the fast food ones (5 guys, McD, KFC), we have a few smaller chains around though, eg Humphrey's who have about a dozen places, fairly small menu (6 mains) but the food is decent quality and €30 for 3 courses isn't too bad considering they're right on the beach.
blueg33 said:
I have eaten in Wetherspoons twice, both times the food was the worst cheapest crap I have ever eaten. I'd rather have a McDonalds burger than a spoons burger. The ingredients were so obviously the cheapest they could buy, thrown together by someone that thinks a pot noodle is haute cuisine.
They wouldn't be my choice for a meal out, but I think for the price they're not bad. I've eaten at the one at Gatwick quite a few times, their fish and chips or doom bar pie are ok, service is quick, and their app is great for ordering when its busy. Free coffee refills is a nice idea too, again, not barista quality, but not barista prices either.Other than airports I can't think when I last went to a big chain place though, I think the only big chains locally are the fast food ones (5 guys, McD, KFC), we have a few smaller chains around though, eg Humphrey's who have about a dozen places, fairly small menu (6 mains) but the food is decent quality and €30 for 3 courses isn't too bad considering they're right on the beach.
RizzoTheRat said:
Went to
Other than airports I can't think when I last went to a big chain place though, I think the only big chains locally are the fast food ones (5 guys, McD, KFC), we have a few smaller chains around though, eg Humphrey's who have about a dozen places, fairly small menu (6 mains) but the food is decent quality and €30 for 3 courses isn't too bad considering they're right on the beach.
The ones I went to were at Victoria in London and in Cheltenhamblueg33 said:
I have eaten in Wetherspoons twice, both times the food was the worst cheapest crap I have ever eaten. I'd rather have a McDonalds burger than a spoons burger. The ingredients were so obviously the cheapest they could buy, thrown together by someone that thinks a pot noodle is haute cuisine.
They wouldn't be my choice for a meal out, but I think for the price they're not bad. I've eaten at the one at Gatwick quite a few times, their fish and chips or doom bar pie are ok, service is quick, and their app is great for ordering when its busy. Free coffee refills is a nice idea too, again, not barista quality, but not barista prices either.Other than airports I can't think when I last went to a big chain place though, I think the only big chains locally are the fast food ones (5 guys, McD, KFC), we have a few smaller chains around though, eg Humphrey's who have about a dozen places, fairly small menu (6 mains) but the food is decent quality and €30 for 3 courses isn't too bad considering they're right on the beach.
Its hard to convey how horrible the food was as Victoria, I was desperate to eat having spent the day helping my son move house. I had 2 bits of burger and left it - generally I eat everything on my plate
Visited Côte once and it was quite good, can't remember what I had but I do remember tipping heavily.
Had a nice butler steak in Bill's, though my OH couldn't have what she wanted as they had stopped that menu 30 seconds before ordering.
Most surprisingly I've eaten four or five times at Loch Fyne and it has always been good. This coming from a massive food snob who would generally only eat out at independents and has a healthy dislike of Greene King.
Went in Five Guys once. Looked at the food, looked at the price, left.
Thaikhun's jungle curry had peppercorns on the vine in it which was a very welcome surprise, though the service was appalling initially.
That's all in Cambridge.
Had a nice butler steak in Bill's, though my OH couldn't have what she wanted as they had stopped that menu 30 seconds before ordering.
Most surprisingly I've eaten four or five times at Loch Fyne and it has always been good. This coming from a massive food snob who would generally only eat out at independents and has a healthy dislike of Greene King.
Went in Five Guys once. Looked at the food, looked at the price, left.
Thaikhun's jungle curry had peppercorns on the vine in it which was a very welcome surprise, though the service was appalling initially.
That's all in Cambridge.
The best chain place I’ve eaten at has to be bistro Pierre, especially their set menu for value. I went to the one in Stratford upon Avon last summer. The FiL and I both had scallops followed by an 8oz fillet (both with a small supplement) plus desert whilst the two women ordered without supplements. Add on 4 pints and 3 G&T’s the final bill was just over £100. One of the best meals I had eaten in a while.
JKRolling said:
The best chain place I’ve eaten at has to be bistro Pierre, especially their set menu for value. I went to the one in Stratford upon Avon last summer. The FiL and I both had scallops followed by an 8oz fillet (both with a small supplement) plus desert whilst the two women ordered without supplements. Add on 4 pints and 3 G&T’s the final bill was just over £100. One of the best meals I had eaten in a while.
I wish I could still agree with this. Few years back the opened in Plymouth and it really was superb for a chain and we went a couple of times. Service was excellent (turns out the opening manager was from a M* background) and the food and presentation was very, very good considering the volume they were knocking out.They then opened more local to me in Torquay. Again, very good and we went at least 15-20 times over the course of a year. Consistently good. Then the management and a lot of the opening staff left as did the head chef (probably one of their core training chefs) and also a few of the other guys in the kitchen.
After that the quality dropped significantly and the service was at best amateur. The final straw was having to send back undercooked chicken twice. We stopped going about a year ago. I'd be a little cautious of visiting again unless I knew it was back to the standard it used to be.
I struggle to think of anywhere better if you have a good one near you though.
I have had some bloody good rib eye steaks at Miller and Carter in Manchester, in fact better than the steak at Hawkesmoor in Manchester, and a less noisy and cramped venue.
M&C - You get: starter, steak, fries, salad, sauce and non alcoholic drink under £30
the same in Hawkesmoor would be £50 +
M&C - You get: starter, steak, fries, salad, sauce and non alcoholic drink under £30
the same in Hawkesmoor would be £50 +
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