Best Chain restaurant?
Discussion
BrabusMog said:
I just paid about £17 with the exchange rate for this burger and beer here in Sweden
I was in Zurich last year and I overheard an American say to his wife. "You dragged me to Europe for new experiences and sure enough, at the age of 76, I've just eaten my first $50 burger!"
Zurich is eye wateringly expensive to be fair 
Eating at a chain is a guarantee that
A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
Eating at a chain is a guarantee that
A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
Use chains for meals out with the kids, never ever use them when going out with the wife, prefer something a bit more special for our 3-4 meals out a year.
Cote and Pierre Bistro are ok fine for what you pay, but do feel like being force fed due to the speed of service, can't relax in a place like that.
Cote and Pierre Bistro are ok fine for what you pay, but do feel like being force fed due to the speed of service, can't relax in a place like that.
krunchkin said:
Eating at a chain is a guarantee that
A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
I hear you, chap.A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
tThe thing is people choose these chains over top quality local restaurants. I guess it doesn't help the chains can afford to pay top rates and get in prime locations. I'm sure a lot has to do with familiarity.
The chains are bursting at the seams, yet local places don't get the same trade.
Using Tripadvisor as a judge, it seems that the majority know where the quality is. Numbers in the restaurants don't reflect that apart from the odd place.
The chains are bursting at the seams, yet local places don't get the same trade.
Using Tripadvisor as a judge, it seems that the majority know where the quality is. Numbers in the restaurants don't reflect that apart from the odd place.
Burger King: Not exactly appetising, but edible, decent value and 100% consistent.
Wetherspoons: Inconsistent but cheap. Can be OK, can be inedible.
GBK: Half a step above Burger King, OK but not good value.
American Diner: Food as GBK, seems slightly more expensive and as depressing to sit in as Burger King.
F & B: Bland but edible, too many screaming kids and the music is too loud.
TGI: As F & B but blander if anything.
Café Rouge: I quite like it. No better than decent pub food but if you don't know the local pubs a safe bet.
Cote Brassiere: As Café Rouge.
It seems only the fast food joints have really sussed that the advantage of a chain ought to be consistency.
Wetherspoons: Inconsistent but cheap. Can be OK, can be inedible.
GBK: Half a step above Burger King, OK but not good value.
American Diner: Food as GBK, seems slightly more expensive and as depressing to sit in as Burger King.
F & B: Bland but edible, too many screaming kids and the music is too loud.
TGI: As F & B but blander if anything.
Café Rouge: I quite like it. No better than decent pub food but if you don't know the local pubs a safe bet.
Cote Brassiere: As Café Rouge.
It seems only the fast food joints have really sussed that the advantage of a chain ought to be consistency.
krunchkin said:
Eating at a chain is a guarantee that
A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
I never have kidded myself. Unfortunately, working away from home, these fall into the price range we are expected to fit into and no time to patrol the back streets for that good find. Out for a personal pleasure it is a different matter. A) the kitchen will be "de skilled" - ie anyone can be shown how to cook the menu via microwaves, a fryer and a grill with about a weeks training
B) any ingredient that physically can be will arrive deep frozen and ready prepared from a central distributor and the majority of the meals will be pre-prepared microwaveable or boil in bag
That's how chains work. Fine if that's what you want but don't kid yourself your eating at a proper restaurant
I will find the good ones working away with a decent price that will fit, and I will use them.
jmorgan said:
I never have kidded myself. Unfortunately, working away from home, these fall into the price range we are expected to fit into and no time to patrol the back streets for that good find. Out for a personal pleasure it is a different matter.
I will find the good ones working away with a decent price that will fit, and I will use them.
TripAdvisor is your friend, I used to travel a lot for work and had to stick to an expenses budget. Dug up some real gems (had a few shockers as well but no worse than chain fayre).I will find the good ones working away with a decent price that will fit, and I will use them.
truck71 said:
TripAdvisor is your friend, I used to travel a lot for work and had to stick to an expenses budget. Dug up some real gems (had a few shockers as well but no worse than chain fayre).
Usually try that in the hotel on arrival, the app on the iPad is useful but as I am a cheap git, unless the wifi is free then it is pot luck. We have found some superb eateries over the years, the Curry Club of Britain guide was the bible for many a year before tinternet.Last one from trip advisor was a pancake house in Hull. Not bad. Problem is the Premiere Inns out of town where you are sort of stuck with the eatery next door or late to the hotel room so SSS and out for what you can get quickly before they lock up.
I think the spoons is quick, consistent, cheap and edible. You know what you are getting and it has a wide menu (because it's all microwaved).
Wagamama's remains a favorite.
Cote is fine for what it is, a step up from Cafe Rouge.
The Pizza places are all much of a muchness. We have had consistent good service and food in Jamies but the higher price should reflect that.
5 Guys, GBK are fine but expensive for a burger. I used to be a fan of Byron but it's not on the never darken the doors again list after a bad experience with the holy trinity of bad food, bad service and expensive.
I avoid F&B and TGI like the plague, crap boil in the bag food, over salted or over sweet. With in your face but unreliable service "guys" Chiquitos falls into the same group.
Loch Fyne can be inconsistent.
Wagamama's remains a favorite.
Cote is fine for what it is, a step up from Cafe Rouge.
The Pizza places are all much of a muchness. We have had consistent good service and food in Jamies but the higher price should reflect that.
5 Guys, GBK are fine but expensive for a burger. I used to be a fan of Byron but it's not on the never darken the doors again list after a bad experience with the holy trinity of bad food, bad service and expensive.
I avoid F&B and TGI like the plague, crap boil in the bag food, over salted or over sweet. With in your face but unreliable service "guys" Chiquitos falls into the same group.
Loch Fyne can be inconsistent.
TGI and F&B are absolute dumps, I'll never return to either, in fact I'd much rather Burger King.
I try and avoid chains although I think Cote is one of the better ones I've had a few good meals in their Salidbury restaurant.
Having said that I've eaten at Pizza Express in the O2 twice and they're really good at what they do, you can be in and out in 20 minutes.
I try and avoid chains although I think Cote is one of the better ones I've had a few good meals in their Salidbury restaurant.
Having said that I've eaten at Pizza Express in the O2 twice and they're really good at what they do, you can be in and out in 20 minutes.
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