Best Chain restaurant?
Discussion
Dave200 said:
Hard of reading, I presume? Or perhaps too busy frothing?
.
I was having a f.
king joke with you, you ridiculous angry lunatic!!!!I even started my post with "haha" which is the closest I will ever get to smileys, just in case the lighthearted nature of it was missedChrist. Lighten up. .
Dr Interceptor said:
Bills.
Went to one of them a while back too and found it nothing special. Service was very good, though that was probably more because the waiter was ex student of one of our group 
Forgot I tried Las Iguanas a while back too. Food was ok but again nothing special.
The more chain restaurants I go to the more I realise how good some local pubs are for food.
Mind you my expectations have definitely gone up over the years, the Mrs and I are both reasonably good cooks so if I'm eating out I generally expect the food to be better/different to what we'd have had at home.
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. blindswelledrat said:
Dave200 said:
Hard of reading, I presume? Or perhaps too busy frothing?
.
I was having a f.
king joke with you, you ridiculous angry lunatic!!!!I even started my post with "haha" which is the closest I will ever get to smileys, just in case the lighthearted nature of it was missedChrist. Lighten up. .
Anyway, get yourself along to Dip & Flip and Haché if you like burgers. You will understand what I'm talking about.
Dave200 said:
Apologies. As someone not known for levity and brevity, you should probably work on making your humour a bit more obvious.
That's your way of saying Im not funny right? 
<------ .I was discussing having sex with a milkshake. It's disturbing that you read that and just thought "Odd bloke, wants to have sex with a milkshake" rather than saw it as a joke. I really must polish up on my humour it seems.Dave200 said:
Anyway, get yourself along to Dip & Flip and Haché if you like burgers. You will understand what I'm talking about.
Noted. Ive been to neither so I willWe visited our local Cote this evening for dinner and we were thoroughly impressed having never visited one before.
The service was attentive (definitely worthy of the service charge) and the food was very good; nice flavours and well presented.
We did however have two reservations...
1. Whist the food was good, my fillet was arguably more medium-rare than rare as requested however this didn't spoil the flavour or texture of the meat.
2. Whilst the service deserved a tip, automatically adding a service charge when there's only two of us eating slightly infuriates me. Out of principle I was tempted to ask them to remove it so I could add it however thought that was petty and didn't want to put a dampner on what was a good first outing to Cote.
Will definitely be returning.
The service was attentive (definitely worthy of the service charge) and the food was very good; nice flavours and well presented.
We did however have two reservations...
1. Whist the food was good, my fillet was arguably more medium-rare than rare as requested however this didn't spoil the flavour or texture of the meat.
2. Whilst the service deserved a tip, automatically adding a service charge when there's only two of us eating slightly infuriates me. Out of principle I was tempted to ask them to remove it so I could add it however thought that was petty and didn't want to put a dampner on what was a good first outing to Cote.
Will definitely be returning.
MrBarry123 said:
automatically adding a service charge when there's only two of us eating slightly infuriates me.
I'm seeing this more and more also... the most annoying is when it's advertised as an 'optional service charge' - as in on the menu it states "an optional service charge of xx% will be added to your bill".I've never been given the option of removing it.
Issi said:
Surely it's just going to be a burger and chips prepared by a 16yr old . It turns up in a big old truck from the central depot (and not hand delivered by Farmer Giles) and is then slapped on a grill/fryer and served to punters.
Most probably, but the menu does state "Our beef burgers are freshly madewith fully traceable 100% Scottish beef & cooked medium to order".
Dr Interceptor said:
MrBarry123 said:
automatically adding a service charge when there's only two of us eating slightly infuriates me.
I'm seeing this more and more also... the most annoying is when it's advertised as an 'optional service charge' - as in on the menu it states "an optional service charge of xx% will be added to your bill".I've never been given the option of removing it.
We don't eat out as much as we used to, but here's my 2ps worth
Nandos: I like it. Simple and non pretentious
GBK: One of my favorites (I like their rosemary fries)
Byron: Only been there once and can't really remember what its like
Eds Easy Diner: I'm sorry, but its ducking dire. I've had better burgers at a burger van parked up on the A3. Burger King also do better chips.
Jamie's Italian: Been to the local one twice. Bit meh.
Frankies & Bennys: Its terrible
Bills: We have had one in Watford for a while and I went there recently fdor the first time and liked it. I didn't like the chintz hanging from the walls.
Nandos: I like it. Simple and non pretentious
GBK: One of my favorites (I like their rosemary fries)
Byron: Only been there once and can't really remember what its like
Eds Easy Diner: I'm sorry, but its ducking dire. I've had better burgers at a burger van parked up on the A3. Burger King also do better chips.
Jamie's Italian: Been to the local one twice. Bit meh.
Frankies & Bennys: Its terrible
Bills: We have had one in Watford for a while and I went there recently fdor the first time and liked it. I didn't like the chintz hanging from the walls.
Took the folks to the Village Hotel in Farnborough last night... as it's a chain, I guess it qualifies. We lost my Nan yesterday so just fancied a nice relaxing meal out, rather than being sat at home dwelling on things.
Soup of the day was 'French Onion Soup' - which Dad and I both love. The cheese on top of a thermo nuclear oniony broth, with some bread and butter. Perfect. The reality though was a very nice onion soup. No bread, no cheese top. It wasn't French onion soup.
The rump steak I had as a main was nothing to write home about, overly tough in places - definitely not £20 worth of steak.
Worst bit though was that it was all too rushed. The restaurant was nearly empty, yet we'd had starters and mains within 45 minutes of being seated. We could have done all three courses and paid the bill in under an hour. We skipped pudding though and just sat with another bottle of vino.
Soup of the day was 'French Onion Soup' - which Dad and I both love. The cheese on top of a thermo nuclear oniony broth, with some bread and butter. Perfect. The reality though was a very nice onion soup. No bread, no cheese top. It wasn't French onion soup.
The rump steak I had as a main was nothing to write home about, overly tough in places - definitely not £20 worth of steak.
Worst bit though was that it was all too rushed. The restaurant was nearly empty, yet we'd had starters and mains within 45 minutes of being seated. We could have done all three courses and paid the bill in under an hour. We skipped pudding though and just sat with another bottle of vino.
hungry_hog said:
If you are looking for an upmarket chain Roka in London is pretty amazing - I actuially think it's better than Nobu and Umu
They're very good, though only 3 so I guess not a proper chain, but if you've got £100 per head burning a hole its a good shout. The new one is right by my office and looks lovely, not been in yet though, shame they only do the brunch in C Wharf one as it sounds pretty awesome.MrBarry123 said:
We visited our local Cote this evening for dinner and we were thoroughly impressed having never visited one before.
The service was attentive (definitely worthy of the service charge) and the food was very good; nice flavours and well presented.
2. Whilst the service deserved a tip, automatically adding a service charge when there's only two of us eating slightly infuriates me. Out of principle I was tempted to ask them to remove it ...
Topical then - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/top...The service was attentive (definitely worthy of the service charge) and the food was very good; nice flavours and well presented.
2. Whilst the service deserved a tip, automatically adding a service charge when there's only two of us eating slightly infuriates me. Out of principle I was tempted to ask them to remove it ...
Thread revival
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.
BrabusMog said:
toon10 said:
I find Nandos a bit hit and miss. You can eat a bit healthier if you choose to but the chicken is quite often dry.
Is the homemade burger co a chain? We have one at the metro centre in Gateshead and it's setup very much like a chain place but I've not noticed any elsewhere. I enjoy their lamb in pita with seasoned chips!
There is one in Reading, so probably a chain. Quite nice, too.Is the homemade burger co a chain? We have one at the metro centre in Gateshead and it's setup very much like a chain place but I've not noticed any elsewhere. I enjoy their lamb in pita with seasoned chips!
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.
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