Best Chain restaurant?

[RammyMP]

loskie said:

RammyMP said:

loskie said:

where do you think Loch Fyne is if it ain't the NW?

I live in Manchester, the nearest one is in a York. Do you need a parrot?

probably as much as you need a geography lesson of the UK

Read the thread title

[hyphen]

RammyMP said:

loskie said:

RammyMP said:

loskie said:

where do you think Loch Fyne is if it ain't the NW?

I live in Manchester, the nearest one is in a York. Do you need a parrot?

probably as much as you need a geography lesson of the UK

Read the thread title

[So]

Thankyou4calling said:

I’m no connoisseur of fine food though I’ve eaten plenty.

I ate at Red Lobster in the US and found it fantastic.

Just stop there.

[anonymous-user]

So said:

Thankyou4calling said:

I’m no connoisseur of fine food though I’ve eaten plenty.

I ate at Red Lobster in the US and found it fantastic.

Just stop there.

Made me laugh as well

[acd80]

21TonyK said:

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.

We have a Bistro Pierre where we live in Swansea. It's been open about 3 years now and it is consistently excellent value for money and puts a lot of more expensive places to shame. I've yet to have a bad meal in there.

[Frank7]

So said:

Thankyou4calling said:

I’m no connoisseur of fine food though I’ve eaten plenty.

I ate at Red Lobster in the US and found it fantastic.

Just stop there.

I guess I should hang my head, I pulled into the Red Lobster on U.S. 19 at Spring Hill FL on the way back from Tampa one evening.
We both had Salmon New Orleans, blackened, with Cajun sauce, and thought that for a chain, it was okay, but neither of us would rush back.
Other U.K. friends have rubbished Red Lobster, but someone must like it, it always seems busy.

[RammyMP]

Frank7 said:

So said:

Thankyou4calling said:

I’m no connoisseur of fine food though I’ve eaten plenty.

I ate at Red Lobster in the US and found it fantastic.

Just stop there.

I guess I should hang my head, I pulled into the Red Lobster on U.S. 19 at Spring Hill FL on the way back from Tampa one evening.
We both had Salmon New Orleans, blackened, with Cajun sauce, and thought that for a chain, it was okay, but neither of us would rush back.
Other U.K. friends have rubbished Red Lobster, but someone must like it, it always seems busy.

Her in doors loves Red Lobster but always has the same breaded shrimp. I had a stuffed flounder once at their eatery in Naples, Fl and spent all night spinning round on the bog as the buggers poisoned me!

[Jimbeaux]

Frank7 said:

So said:

Thankyou4calling said:

I’m no connoisseur of fine food though I’ve eaten plenty.

I ate at Red Lobster in the US and found it fantastic.

Just stop there.

I guess I should hang my head, I pulled into the Red Lobster on U.S. 19 at Spring Hill FL on the way back from Tampa one evening.
We both had Salmon New Orleans, blackened, with Cajun sauce, and thought that for a chain, it was okay, but neither of us would rush back.
Other U.K. friends have rubbished Red Lobster, but someone must like it, it always seems busy.

Take it from a Louisiana native, if you see “Cajun” “creole”, “Louisiana style” anything on a menu and you are not in Louisiana, Texas, or Mississippi, skip it as it will be an abomination of the true item. As stated, Popeye’s Fried Chicken is the exception, chain fast food wise.

[Radec]

Frank7 said:

So said:

Thankyou4calling said:

I’m no connoisseur of fine food though I’ve eaten plenty.

I ate at Red Lobster in the US and found it fantastic.

Just stop there.

I guess I should hang my head, I pulled into the Red Lobster on U.S. 19 at Spring Hill FL on the way back from Tampa one evening.
We both had Salmon New Orleans, blackened, with Cajun sauce, and thought that for a chain, it was okay, but neither of us would rush back.
Other U.K. friends have rubbished Red Lobster, but someone must like it, it always seems busy.

I've ate at one a few times and didn't find it too bad.
However them warm cheesy biscuits (scones) they do are something else.
I could eat them with every meal if I could.

[acd80]

Radec said:

I've ate at one a few times and didn't find it too bad.
However them warm cheesy biscuits (scones) they do are something else.
I could eat them with every meal if I could.

You can buy them on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOBSTER-CHEDDAR-BISCUIT-M...

[Radec]

acd80 said:

Radec said:

I've ate at one a few times and didn't find it too bad.
However them warm cheesy biscuits (scones) they do are something else.
I could eat them with every meal if I could.

You can buy them on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOBSTER-CHEDDAR-BISCUIT-M...

May have to get some, hopefully they taste the same as the restaurant made versions.

[RammyMP]

Radec said:

acd80 said:

Radec said:

I've ate at one a few times and didn't find it too bad.
However them warm cheesy biscuits (scones) they do are something else.
I could eat them with every meal if I could.

You can buy them on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOBSTER-CHEDDAR-BISCUIT-M...

May have to get some, hopefully they taste the same as the restaurant made versions.

That reminds me, I’ve still go a few packets in the cupboard that we got last time we went to the US!

[Jimbeaux]

Radec said:

I've ate at one a few times and didn't find it too bad.
However them warm cheesy biscuits (scones) they do are something else.
I could eat them with every meal if I could.

Costco sells that Red Lobster biscuit mix.

[Frank7]

Jimbeaux said:

Take it from a Louisiana native, if you see “Cajun” “creole”, “Louisiana style” anything on a menu and you are not in Louisiana, Texas, or Mississippi, skip it as it will be an abomination of the true item. As stated, Popeye’s Fried Chicken is the exception, chain fast food wise.

Some 10-12 years back, we were in Baton Rouge LA, and had lunch in a place called either City Grill, or Capital City Grill.
I had fried green tomatoes, a dish I’d first tried in Richmond VA, I thought that the Virginia one was good, but the Louisiana one was better.
My wife had, (so she just said when I asked), chicken and andouille gumbo, and I had Louisiana étoufée, all good stuff, laissez les bon temps rouler!

[Lozw86]

I try to avoid them generally, but occasionally use places like Loch Fyne, The Ivy and Cote Brasserie

Some of the Wagamama dishes are tasty

I’m prone to a burger sometimes

[Jimbeaux]

Frank7 said:

Jimbeaux said:

Take it from a Louisiana native, if you see “Cajun” “creole”, “Louisiana style” anything on a menu and you are not in Louisiana, Texas, or Mississippi, skip it as it will be an abomination of the true item. As stated, Popeye’s Fried Chicken is the exception, chain fast food wise.

Some 10-12 years back, we were in Baton Rouge LA, and had lunch in a place called either City Grill, or Capital City Grill.
I had fried green tomatoes, a dish I’d first tried in Richmond VA, I thought that the Virginia one was good, but the Louisiana one was better.
My wife had, (so she just said when I asked), chicken and andouille gumbo, and I had Louisiana étoufée, all good stuff, laissez les bon temps rouler!

I know the place! It is actually average, so if you pass through again, an even better place will be on me.

[Frank7]

Jimbeaux said:

I know the place! It is actually average, so if you pass through again, an even better place will be on me.

Actually average you say, as if I’d doubt someone from the Pelican State.
Reminds me of a Chicagoan friend, when I said that I liked NYC pizza, he said, “What! Compared to Chicago pizza, NYC pizza tastes like it was made out of raccoon sh*t and subway tokens.”

[Jimbeaux]

Frank7 said:

Jimbeaux said:

I know the place! It is actually average, so if you pass through again, an even better place will be on me.

Actually average you say, as if I’d doubt someone from the Pelican State.
Reminds me of a Chicagoan friend, when I said that I liked NYC pizza, he said, “What! Compared to Chicago pizza, NYC pizza tastes like it was made out of raccoon sh*t and subway tokens.”

I get that analogy but sincerely, that spot is very good but there are better choices. I’ll be happy for you to be my guest. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. One thing few beat (south) Louisiana in is food.

[Frank7]

Jimbeaux said:

I get that analogy but sincerely, that spot is very good but there are better choices. I’ll be happy for you to be my guest. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. One thing few beat (south) Louisiana in is food.

Thanks Jimbeaux, that’s a nice gesture, who knows, if and when this madness ever ends, I can see my wife agitating for extended vacation time in South Padre Island TX.
What is it, 580, 600 miles to Baton Rouge LA?
It shouldn’t take her more than a day and a bit in a rented Lincoln Town Car, while I’m in back, reading the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, or Times-Picayune,
You stay safe Jimbeaux.

[Jimbeaux]

Frank7 said:

Jimbeaux said:

I get that analogy but sincerely, that spot is very good but there are better choices. I’ll be happy for you to be my guest. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. One thing few beat (south) Louisiana in is food.

Thanks Jimbeaux, that’s a nice gesture, who knows, if and when this madness ever ends, I can see my wife agitating for extended vacation time in South Padre Island TX.
What is it, 580, 600 miles to Baton Rouge LA?
It shouldn’t take her more than a day and a bit in a rented Lincoln Town Car, while I’m in back, reading the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, or Times-Picayune,
You stay safe Jimbeaux.

Around 640 miles I believe. No problem in a Town car. You just give me a holler. If you fancy shooting as much as eating, we can stop by the indoor range as well. Thanks and you stay safe as well.