Best Chain restaurant?
Discussion
BrabusMog said:
FiF said:
Anyone mentioned Boston Tea Party?
That sounds like something you'd read about on urban dictionary!Wadeski said:
They are all terrible.
Oh ok Byron is acceptable as a burger. And Pizza Express has had periods of being OK between cost cutting owners running it into the ground.
This might not be popular, but I'm not the world's greatest fan of Byron burgers - I just get the feeling that they trade 80% on atmosphere/brand and 20% on food. The burgers are OK, and some are very creative, but the meat and general quality of ingredients are really nothing to write home about. The sides are always a massive let-down for me (I probably only go a couple of times a year, based on eating out a couple of times a week), being too small, lukewarm and generally a bit flaccid (sweet potato chips, I'm looking at you).Oh ok Byron is acceptable as a burger. And Pizza Express has had periods of being OK between cost cutting owners running it into the ground.
I get that it's better than a McDonald's, but I really don't see the hype at all. I actually popped into the GBK at London Bridge the other day as a group had enjoyed a few pints at the Market Porter and wanted something quick and easy. It's been a long time since I've visited one, but they have 'rebranded' and upped their game here without doubt. I thought everything was on par with, if not better than, Byron. However, none holds a candle to Hache in London - simply the best quality ingredients in a lovely, grown-up environment. Comfortably my most-visited burger joint, and at least half of the time I end up with the Louisiana - who can resist cheese and peanut butter on a burger?
Edited by Dave200 on Thursday 13th August 15:41
Dave200 said:
This might not be popular, but I'm not the world's greatest fan of Byron burgers - I just get the feeling that they trade 80% on atmosphere/brand and 20% on food. The burgers are OK, and some are very creative, but the meat and general quality of ingredients are really nothing to write home about. The sides are always a massive let-down for me (I probably only go a couple of times a year, based on eating out a couple of times a week), being too small, lukewarm and generally a bit flaccid (sweet potato chips, I'm looking at you).
I get that it's better than a McDonald's, but I really don't see the hype at all. I actually popped into the GBK at London Bridge the other day as a group had enjoyed a few pints at the Market Porter and wanted something quick and easy. It's been a long time since I've visited one, but they have 'rebranded' and upped their game here without doubt. I thought everything was on par with, if not better than, Byron. However, none holds a candle to Hache in London - simply the best quality ingredients in a lovely, grown-up environment. Comfortably my most-visited burger joint, and at least half of the time I end up with the Louisiana - who can resist cheese and peanut butter on a burger?
I'd never heard of Byrons until this thread but apparently we are getting one in Newcsatle according to a lad at work. I get that it's better than a McDonald's, but I really don't see the hype at all. I actually popped into the GBK at London Bridge the other day as a group had enjoyed a few pints at the Market Porter and wanted something quick and easy. It's been a long time since I've visited one, but they have 'rebranded' and upped their game here without doubt. I thought everything was on par with, if not better than, Byron. However, none holds a candle to Hache in London - simply the best quality ingredients in a lovely, grown-up environment. Comfortably my most-visited burger joint, and at least half of the time I end up with the Louisiana - who can resist cheese and peanut butter on a burger?
Edited by Dave200 on Thursday 13th August 15:41
Went to a Byrons recently and was underwhelmed, I know of several pubs where I can get a much better burger. Better than 5 Guys though.
Another vote for Wagamamas, quite often eat there if going out afterwards as you know it will be quite quick and the foods pretty good. Even got a phone app now so you can split the bill if needed and pay without waiting to flag down a waitress and get the bill.
Another vote for Wagamamas, quite often eat there if going out afterwards as you know it will be quite quick and the foods pretty good. Even got a phone app now so you can split the bill if needed and pay without waiting to flag down a waitress and get the bill.
Dave200 said:
This might not be popular, but I'm not the world's greatest fan of Byron burgers - I just get the feeling that they trade 80% on atmosphere/brand and 20% on food. The burgers are OK, and some are very creative, but the meat and general quality of ingredients are really nothing to write home about. ]
Haha!Honestly not picking an argument as you are bound to think but I love Byron!
The first time I went there I had the belief that a burger was a burger and was quite disinterested in going.
And there before me was by far the finest burger I had ever tasted. I hadn't dreamed a burger could be this good.
Added to this amazing milkshake that I would genuinely have sex with if I could work out a way to do it, I have to disagree.
But if you think it's like Mcdonalds, I am okay with that.
blindswelledrat said:
The first time I went there I had the belief that a burger was a burger and was quite disinterested in going.
And there before me was by far the finest burger I had ever tasted. I hadn't dreamed a burger could be this good.
Added to this amazing milkshake that I would genuinely have sex with if I could work out a way to do it, I have to disagree.
Not tried their milkshake but am genuinely surprised by your reaction to their burger. I wonder if it varies between different places. The one I had was ok but nothing special.And there before me was by far the finest burger I had ever tasted. I hadn't dreamed a burger could be this good.
Added to this amazing milkshake that I would genuinely have sex with if I could work out a way to do it, I have to disagree.
More a fast food and takeaway place than a restaurant but I'm a big fan of Kokoro. Not a particularly big chain but growing and I'm addicted to their katsu curry.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Friday 14th August 09:42
RizzoTheRat said:
Not tried their milkshake but am genuinely surprised by your reaction to their burger. I wonder if it varies between different places. The one I had was ok but nothing special.
More a fast food and takeaway place than a restaurant but I'm a big fan of Kokoro. Not a particularly big chain but growing and I'm addicted to their katsu curry.
This was probably two years ago and judging by the comments above (and yours) it could be that it is not as good.More a fast food and takeaway place than a restaurant but I'm a big fan of Kokoro. Not a particularly big chain but growing and I'm addicted to their katsu curry.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Friday 14th August 09:42
I think they only had two restaurants at the time.
Also, I am suspicious at my own love of it because every time I am out with friends and I suggest Byron it receives universal disinterest.
RizzoTheRat said:
blindswelledrat said:
I think they only had two restaurants at the time.
What's the betting that's a major factor? A small independent presumably still being run by the founder vs a growing chain. I remember when Wagamamas first came to the UK and I loved it. Their Katsu curry was the nicest I had ever tasted and I used to have it regularly. And then one day I went in and it had changed colour and tasted a bit bland.
When I queried it the waitress said "Oh yes, we have improved it".
"Improved it how? It tastes much worse"
"No, we think it is an improvement. All the sauce is now made at a central location to keep consistency"
Ah, I see - that kind of improvement where you sacrifice freshness and niceness.
THen 6 months later after bad press about salt, I went in there and they had removed all the salt from their recipe and it had become worse again. In 2 steps it has gone from the nicest Katsu curry you could buy to what resembles brown flour with water.
Same with Bills... they started with the one in Lewes, and are now in most major towns/cities across the South East.
You'd think they'd have gone to central food production, but refreshingly they still produce their food fresh on site though which is impressive. Every day they have a fresh delivery of meat/fish/veg.
You'd think they'd have gone to central food production, but refreshingly they still produce their food fresh on site though which is impressive. Every day they have a fresh delivery of meat/fish/veg.
blindswelledrat said:
Dave200 said:
This might not be popular, but I'm not the world's greatest fan of Byron burgers - I just get the feeling that they trade 80% on atmosphere/brand and 20% on food. The burgers are OK, and some are very creative, but the meat and general quality of ingredients are really nothing to write home about. ]
Haha!Honestly not picking an argument as you are bound to think but I love Byron!
The first time I went there I had the belief that a burger was a burger and was quite disinterested in going.
And there before me was by far the finest burger I had ever tasted. I hadn't dreamed a burger could be this good.
Added to this amazing milkshake that I would genuinely have sex with if I could work out a way to do it, I have to disagree.
But if you think it's like Mcdonalds, I am okay with that.
Dave200 said:
I get that it's better than a McDonald's
Hard of reading, I presume? Or perhaps too busy frothing?It's an OK burger, but not close to the best burger (on quality of ingredients alone) in London, let alone anything worth going wild over. Try Haché if there's one near you, and you will understand what I mean.
In other news, I went to Dip & Flip at Clapham Junction last night for the first time. Not the last word in gourmet food, but a bloody good burger nevertheless - a step up from Byron/GBK et al, and something a bit different.
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