Best Chain restaurant?
Discussion
Miguel Alvarez said:
BrabusMog said:
Miguel Alvarez said:
BrabusMog said:
Bullett said:
Miguel Alvarez said:
In fact where would you guys suggest for a nice meal out in the Camberley area. I'm back there once a week.
El pic on the A30 - Excellent TapasAlso the Thai place just up the road for there is fine.
Both are sort of set back from the road and close to the RMA main gate.
Dave200 said:
How?
Half a chicken, two side dishes and an unlimited refill soft drink is about £12 per person...
Who the hell could ever think that Nando's was expensive based on paying that? While it's hardly gourmet food (I actually quite like it, but accept that it's simple), I don't understand what more people expect (or get elsewhere) for £12 a head.
Because that's the same price as better restaurants and twice the price of comparable ones, imo.Half a chicken, two side dishes and an unlimited refill soft drink is about £12 per person...
Who the hell could ever think that Nando's was expensive based on paying that? While it's hardly gourmet food (I actually quite like it, but accept that it's simple), I don't understand what more people expect (or get elsewhere) for £12 a head.
Wagamamas, for example, is cheaper than that and much nicer food.
KFC is on a par with it and costs a fraction of the price.
blindswelledrat said:
Dave200 said:
How?
Half a chicken, two side dishes and an unlimited refill soft drink is about £12 per person...
Who the hell could ever think that Nando's was expensive based on paying that? While it's hardly gourmet food (I actually quite like it, but accept that it's simple), I don't understand what more people expect (or get elsewhere) for £12 a head.
Because that's the same price as better restaurants and twice the price of comparable ones, imo.Half a chicken, two side dishes and an unlimited refill soft drink is about £12 per person...
Who the hell could ever think that Nando's was expensive based on paying that? While it's hardly gourmet food (I actually quite like it, but accept that it's simple), I don't understand what more people expect (or get elsewhere) for £12 a head.
Wagamamas, for example, is cheaper than that and much nicer food.
KFC is on a par with it and costs a fraction of the price.
(I realise that the answer is that you're probably not, but I needed to ask the question)
Wagamama's, which also I like a lot when in a rush, is hardly any cheaper at all. Mains are £8-10, and soft drinks are £2-3. So not really a great example.
KFC definitely isn't on a par, by the way. If you genuinely think that, rather than just trying to be a bit provocative, then we've got nothing more to discuss on eating and restaurants.
I really like KFC, but that doesn't make me stupid enough to compare it to a proper restaurant.
blindswelledrat said:
Because that's the same price as better restaurants and twice the price of comparable ones, imo.
Wagamamas, for example, is cheaper than that and much nicer food.
KFC is on a par with it and costs a fraction of the price.
Afraid I'd have to disagree... Wagamama is more expensive than Nandos. Wagamamas, for example, is cheaper than that and much nicer food.
KFC is on a par with it and costs a fraction of the price.
Main dishes are £9-12, sides are £4-6, and who can resist some Gyoza on the side too.
You're looking at £20-25pp for food, plus drinks.
....and I wouldn't personally rank KFC as being on par either.
A mate and I went to Bodean's the other night after the football.
We shared an enormous plate of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, burnt ends, spare ribs, baby back ribs, sausages and Jacob's ladder ribs plus a couple of bowls of fries.
We were past halfway through and my mate mentioned that the Jacob's Ladder rib was overdone. It tasted just fine to me but the waitress returned with a juicier one in a couple of minutes.
All was good. Bloated but good. Definitely worth a revisit.
We shared an enormous plate of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, burnt ends, spare ribs, baby back ribs, sausages and Jacob's ladder ribs plus a couple of bowls of fries.
We were past halfway through and my mate mentioned that the Jacob's Ladder rib was overdone. It tasted just fine to me but the waitress returned with a juicier one in a couple of minutes.
All was good. Bloated but good. Definitely worth a revisit.
toasty said:
A mate and I went to Bodean's the other night after the football.
We shared an enormous plate of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, burnt ends, spare ribs, baby back ribs, sausages and Jacob's ladder ribs plus a couple of bowls of fries.
We were past halfway through and my mate mentioned that the Jacob's Ladder rib was overdone. It tasted just fine to me but the waitress returned with a juicier one in a couple of minutes.
All was good. Bloated but good. Definitely worth a revisit.
Their Chicken wings are fantastic... I've bought the take away ones before too and warmed them through on the BBQ.We shared an enormous plate of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, burnt ends, spare ribs, baby back ribs, sausages and Jacob's ladder ribs plus a couple of bowls of fries.
We were past halfway through and my mate mentioned that the Jacob's Ladder rib was overdone. It tasted just fine to me but the waitress returned with a juicier one in a couple of minutes.
All was good. Bloated but good. Definitely worth a revisit.
Dave200 said:
KFC definitely isn't on a par, by the way. If you genuinely think that, rather than just trying to be a bit provocative, then we've got nothing more to discuss on eating and restaurants.
I really like KFC, but that doesn't make me stupid enough to compare it to a proper restaurant.
I see it differently. I really like KFC, but that doesn't make me stupid enough to compare it to a proper restaurant.
In both places you have chicken, chips and a soft drink (and coleslaw if you want)
In both places you have to queue at the counter and order.
In both places you sit down to eat.
THe only difference is that in KFC they give you the food there and then and at Nandos they bring it to you.
The fact that you, and others, see the two things as completely different despite the very obvious similarities, is testament to how well it is marketed. The fact that you see Nandos as a 'proper restaurant' is also testament to its marketing.
For me it is unhealthy fast food in a slightly nicer environment and I am amazed that people see it so differently.
(I still like it by the way- a lot -you cant go wrong with chicken and chips)
Dr Interceptor said:
Afraid I'd have to disagree... Wagamama is more expensive than Nandos.
Main dishes are £9-12, sides are £4-6, and who can resist some Gyoza on the side too.
You're looking at £20-25pp for food, plus drinks.
....and I wouldn't personally rank KFC as being on par either.
Although having double checked I do agree that contrary to my assertion Wagamama is a bit more expensive than Nandos, where on earth did you get £20-25 pp plus drinks from? Exactly how fat are you?Main dishes are £9-12, sides are £4-6, and who can resist some Gyoza on the side too.
You're looking at £20-25pp for food, plus drinks.
....and I wouldn't personally rank KFC as being on par either.
blindswelledrat said:
I see it differently.
In both places you have chicken, chips and a soft drink (and coleslaw if you want)
In both places you have to queue at the counter and order.
In both places you sit down to eat.
THe only difference is that in KFC they give you the food there and then and at Nandos they bring it to you.
The fact that you, and others, see the two things as completely different despite the very obvious similarities, is testament to how well it is marketed. The fact that you see Nandos as a 'proper restaurant' is also testament to its marketing.
For me it is unhealthy fast food in a slightly nicer environment and I am amazed that people see it so differently.
(I still like it by the way- a lot -you cant go wrong with chicken and chips)
Nando's is cooked to order and most importantly, sells beer.In both places you have chicken, chips and a soft drink (and coleslaw if you want)
In both places you have to queue at the counter and order.
In both places you sit down to eat.
THe only difference is that in KFC they give you the food there and then and at Nandos they bring it to you.
The fact that you, and others, see the two things as completely different despite the very obvious similarities, is testament to how well it is marketed. The fact that you see Nandos as a 'proper restaurant' is also testament to its marketing.
For me it is unhealthy fast food in a slightly nicer environment and I am amazed that people see it so differently.
(I still like it by the way- a lot -you cant go wrong with chicken and chips)
toasty said:
blindswelledrat said:
I see it differently.
In both places you have chicken, chips and a soft drink (and coleslaw if you want)
In both places you have to queue at the counter and order.
In both places you sit down to eat.
THe only difference is that in KFC they give you the food there and then and at Nandos they bring it to you.
The fact that you, and others, see the two things as completely different despite the very obvious similarities, is testament to how well it is marketed. The fact that you see Nandos as a 'proper restaurant' is also testament to its marketing.
For me it is unhealthy fast food in a slightly nicer environment and I am amazed that people see it so differently.
(I still like it by the way- a lot -you cant go wrong with chicken and chips)
Nando's is REHEATED to order and most importantly, sells beer.In both places you have chicken, chips and a soft drink (and coleslaw if you want)
In both places you have to queue at the counter and order.
In both places you sit down to eat.
THe only difference is that in KFC they give you the food there and then and at Nandos they bring it to you.
The fact that you, and others, see the two things as completely different despite the very obvious similarities, is testament to how well it is marketed. The fact that you see Nandos as a 'proper restaurant' is also testament to its marketing.
For me it is unhealthy fast food in a slightly nicer environment and I am amazed that people see it so differently.
(I still like it by the way- a lot -you cant go wrong with chicken and chips)
blindswelledrat said:
Dr Interceptor said:
Afraid I'd have to disagree... Wagamama is more expensive than Nandos.
Main dishes are £9-12, sides are £4-6, and who can resist some Gyoza on the side too.
You're looking at £20-25pp for food, plus drinks.
....and I wouldn't personally rank KFC as being on par either.
Although having double checked I do agree that contrary to my assertion Wagamama is a bit more expensive than Nandos, where on earth did you get £20-25 pp plus drinks from? Exactly how fat are you?Main dishes are £9-12, sides are £4-6, and who can resist some Gyoza on the side too.
You're looking at £20-25pp for food, plus drinks.
....and I wouldn't personally rank KFC as being on par either.
But seriously, at Wagamama I'd easily order a curry at £12 (comes with rice), a side order at £5, plus some Gyoza at £5. That's not a lot of food, and comes in at £22.
Compare that to Nandos, which is £10.45 for their new Thigh burger, which I find very tasty, with two sides included. Add a drink to that, and maybe a little bowl of olives, and I wouldn't need anything else.
blindswelledrat said:
Dave200 said:
KFC definitely isn't on a par, by the way. If you genuinely think that, rather than just trying to be a bit provocative, then we've got nothing more to discuss on eating and restaurants.
I really like KFC, but that doesn't make me stupid enough to compare it to a proper restaurant.
I see it differently. I really like KFC, but that doesn't make me stupid enough to compare it to a proper restaurant.
In both places you have chicken, chips and a soft drink (and coleslaw if you want)
In both places you have to queue at the counter and order.
In both places you sit down to eat.
THe only difference is that in KFC they give you the food there and then and at Nandos they bring it to you.
The fact that you, and others, see the two things as completely different despite the very obvious similarities, is testament to how well it is marketed. The fact that you see Nandos as a 'proper restaurant' is also testament to its marketing.
For me it is unhealthy fast food in a slightly nicer environment and I am amazed that people see it so differently.
(I still like it by the way- a lot -you cant go wrong with chicken and chips)
If you think KFC is comparable, bully for you - but it makes you look a bit of an idiot to compare somewhere with dirty tables, paper boxes/cups and plastic trays with somewhere that does table service and has grown-up cutlery/plates.
Opinions of the food are at least subjective, but you would have to be a bit thick to think that the experience is comparable.
I can't understand the love for Nandos. Bland chicken - the reason they have all those flavours of peri peri is to add some taste as the meat has not been seasoned propertly!
The chicken is not cooked to order! Have you ever tried to barbecue chicken at home - takes a minimum 20 minutes.
As for Wagamama, try the Ramen at Shoryu or Tonkotsu (both small chains) same price and a totally different beast. Proper meaty broth with the noodles rather than the watery stuff at Wagamama.
The chicken is not cooked to order! Have you ever tried to barbecue chicken at home - takes a minimum 20 minutes.
As for Wagamama, try the Ramen at Shoryu or Tonkotsu (both small chains) same price and a totally different beast. Proper meaty broth with the noodles rather than the watery stuff at Wagamama.
hungry_hog said:
I can't understand the love for Nandos. Bland chicken - the reason they have all those flavours of peri peri is to add some taste as the meat has not been seasoned propertly!
The chicken is not cooked to order! Have you ever tried to barbecue chicken at home - takes a minimum 20 minutes.
The chicken is flame-grilled to order, before that it's cooked in an oven in batches, before that it's soaked in in a marinade for 24 hours (or more), they say it's never frozen. It's not free-range to keep costs down, presumably more for them than us. The chicken is not cooked to order! Have you ever tried to barbecue chicken at home - takes a minimum 20 minutes.
Now I've eaten some pretty good Michelin star chicken in the past, expensive chicken made with care, still tastes a lot like chicken.
I enjoy the sauces at Nando's, yes they form the bulk of the taste once you've smothered your chicken in half a bottle of the XXL Hot but it's a nice taste to go with the texture of chicken. Put all that in a bun with some other bits and bobs and you have a fairly decent lunch.
Do I love Nando's? No, not at all but I do like the convenience of it and the fact it's predictable at a relatively reasonable cost compared with other chains selling grilled chicken on plates with a knife and fork (Harvester for example).
Handmade Burger Co. are probably my biggest disappointment, great sounding menu, good sides, decent service (although it's another where you have to go to the counter) but the burgers are always overcooked and dry. You can't even order them medium rare etc yet you pay 5 Guys / GBK money.
thetapeworm said:
Do I love Nando's? No, not at all but I do like the convenience of it and the fact it's predictable at a relatively reasonable cost compared with other chains selling grilled chicken on plates with a knife and fork (Harvester for example).
I'm in exactly the same boat. I probably only go once every couple of months (on the basis of eating out twice in most weeks), and there's nearly always a convenience factor in the decision, but I genuinely struggle to find much fault with it.All of which confuses the hell out of me to hear people try so hard to illustrate how much worse or more expensive it is than the other mass-market chains...
Dave200 said:
If you think KFC is comparable, bully for you - but it makes you look a bit of an idiot to compare somewhere with dirty tables, paper boxes/cups and plastic trays with somewhere that does table service and has grown-up cutlery/plates.
Opinions of the food are at least subjective, but you would have to be a bit thick to think that the experience is comparable.
Look at you getting all insulting because you love Nandos so much and it upsets you that others don't hold it in such high regard.Opinions of the food are at least subjective, but you would have to be a bit thick to think that the experience is comparable.
Idiot? Thick?
If we are going to question one another's intelligence levels over chicken opinions, as much as it pains me to lower myself to your level, it is you who appears to be unable to comprehend that different people can have a different perception of the same thing.
Getting angry because someone perceives chicken, chips and coleslaw to be quite similar to chicken, chips and coleslaw is borderline insane. It's like I insulted your wife or something judging by your reaction.
blindswelledrat said:
Dave200 said:
If you think KFC is comparable, bully for you - but it makes you look a bit of an idiot to compare somewhere with dirty tables, paper boxes/cups and plastic trays with somewhere that does table service and has grown-up cutlery/plates.
Opinions of the food are at least subjective, but you would have to be a bit thick to think that the experience is comparable.
Look at you getting all insulting because you love Nandos so much and it upsets you that others don't hold it in such high regard.Opinions of the food are at least subjective, but you would have to be a bit thick to think that the experience is comparable.
Idiot? Thick?
If we are going to question one another's intelligence levels over chicken opinions, as much as it pains me to lower myself to your level, it is you who appears to be unable to comprehend that different people can have a different perception of the same thing.
Getting angry because someone perceives chicken, chips and coleslaw to be quite similar to chicken, chips and coleslaw is borderline insane. It's like I insulted your wife or something judging by your reaction.
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