Discussion
So said:
captain_cynic said:
alfaman said:
At least Jamie’s is better than Little Chef.
Once went in for breakfast and wanted fried eggs.
LC :“We can serve you scrambled eggs, not fried”
Me :“Can you not just fry them rather than scramble?”
LC: (looking embarrassed) - “the eggs are pre scrambled in a bag”
Little Chef were dire...no idea how they lasted so long .. key locations I guess.
and how the fk does a breakfast cafe run out of eggs
I think a large part of their suvivial and demise was existing in a pre internet age. Everyone knew a little chef was dire but the alternative was not eating as you had a schedule to keep so couldn't spend half an hour hunting for a cafe.Once went in for breakfast and wanted fried eggs.
LC :“We can serve you scrambled eggs, not fried”
Me :“Can you not just fry them rather than scramble?”
LC: (looking embarrassed) - “the eggs are pre scrambled in a bag”
Little Chef were dire...no idea how they lasted so long .. key locations I guess.
and how the fk does a breakfast cafe run out of eggs
Edited by alfaman on Thursday 22 August 15:13
SydneyBridge said:
I was a 'chef' in a little chef for a few weeks. Cooking my pictures, to follow the menu. Everything griddled, deep fried or microwaved.
I got paid less than the waiting staff, as did not get a share of tips.
Also worked in little chef in Keele Services on the M6, which was on the bridge over the motorway. Was full prettly much all day, with queues sometimes
Was it you that burnt it down!I got paid less than the waiting staff, as did not get a share of tips.
Also worked in little chef in Keele Services on the M6, which was on the bridge over the motorway. Was full prettly much all day, with queues sometimes
Edited by SydneyBridge on Thursday 22 August 17:00
Burwood said:
Snap. And there lies his problem. Sanctimonious hypocrite. If you name a chain after your own then try and stay out of controversy. His wife was doing the rounds with the media trying to cash in then did the ‘look at our 15m mansion’. It ruined his image. We all know he made a s
t tonne of money but his image is, kept it on the down.
The fact is he was told for years about the poor reviews. He did fk all about it. If he was present rather than off doing something else I suspect he’d still be in business. The cheeky chap turned in to a demanding and entitled millionaire. That is the simple truth
Quite a lot subjective assessment of the individual rather than an objective assessment of the business there B.t tonne of money but his image is, kept it on the down. The fact is he was told for years about the poor reviews. He did f
k all about it. If he was present rather than off doing something else I suspect he’d still be in business. The cheeky chap turned in to a demanding and entitled millionaire. That is the simple truthThe business was poorly run and it's well documented how and by whom.
There were a number fo reasons for its failure and arrogance and lack of commitment from JO aren't amongst them albeit his most recent interventions were too late.
To say the business went down because people have the same view of him as you do simply isn't true. It's much more complex than that.
Burwood said:
Various videos of him circulated showing him to be obnoxious to his ‘fans’ young people. Now removed at great cost. If you are going to preach then you don’t want to be a fat yourself. He’s fake as far as I’m concerned. Eat healthy but look I did a deal with shell to serve you nachos and wing dings.
You’re a cynic.Lighten up.
But not at Shell
chrispmartha said:
nealeh1875 said:
chrispmartha said:
Talking of prices, I had a Five Guys for the first time on Friday, how do they get away with charging what they do for a burger? One normal cheese burger a small cheese burger one portion of chips and a one drink was £22
Is it just me or is that really expensive for a fast food place?
Completely agree, its McDonalds in kitchen foilIs it just me or is that really expensive for a fast food place?
Mrs dragged me there a few months ago, never again !
You will struggle to find someone who enjoys a simple and inexpensive fast food burger more than me, but I'm very late to the party in trying a Five Guys.
I had one a few weeks ago for the first time. Myself and my good lady decided to try one and went for a 'standard' double cheeseburger each, and on the recommendation of the server shared one medium cup of fries, topped off with two soft drinks.
£26.
TWENTY-SIX POUNDS.
We received what looked like something I would have badly put together, squashed, and wrapped in tinfoil. When I unwrapped the burger, it started leaked a stream of what appeared to be a combination of water and watery grease/fat.
I didn't find anything particularly tasty about the burger if I'm honest. The fries were fine. The 'cherry mix' drink was average at best.
For the money it was just rubbish.
The current special of a double Quarter Pounder with cheese meal from McDonalds at £5.79 is both infinitely more delicious and less than half the price.
Won't bother with a Five Guys again.
pavarotti1980 said:
Roman Rhodes said:
"One poster said" Much bks posted on this thread - I wouldn't rely on it.
Mid-market dining is on it's arse - not full to the brim (in this country, on this planet). Which ones aren't struggling?
Wetherspoons booze profits can subsidise food profits.
He did blame himself if you'd watched the TV program.
You may not like him (for whatever reasons) but your analysis doesn't bear scrutiny.
Im not suggesting Wetherspoons are the comparison. I said that JO got the same food from the same supplier as JDWks posted on this thread - I wouldn't rely on it.Mid-market dining is on it's arse - not full to the brim (in this country, on this planet). Which ones aren't struggling?
Wetherspoons booze profits can subsidise food profits.
He did blame himself if you'd watched the TV program.
You may not like him (for whatever reasons) but your analysis doesn't bear scrutiny.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 August 18:44
I havent said i like or dislike him. He did crocodile tears on TV. If you believe that you will believe anything. He is however a hypocrite. The constant media storms about obesity, school meal campaigns when his restaurants and receipes are massively unhealthy do nothing for his image
Which ones arent struggling? Carluccio, Waggamma, to name a few.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 23 August 09:13
The implication that JORG was buying in substantive parts of its menu as complete meal kits from BB and from the same ranges as JDW is a fallacy and a lazy read across.
Carluccio's still has much to do post shutting approx 25% of its estate.
Wagamama's parent company is in signifiant trouble.
It's a remarkably challenged sector with more distress to come.
R Mutt said:
C70R said:
Again with the "overpriced" stuff. I'm really struggling to understand it.
Starters for £5-7 and mains for £10-15 are marginally more expensive than Harvester or Nando's.
What were these people expecting?
Overpriced for something out the microwave, compared to cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion, and higher end places where you can still get a main for 15 quid.Starters for £5-7 and mains for £10-15 are marginally more expensive than Harvester or Nando's.
What were these people expecting?
Applies to all chains of that ilk really. The Ivy is a chain now butt how can you compare that to Jamie's at the same price?
Edited by R Mutt on Friday 23 August 10:58
Where are you getting "cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion"?
pavarotti1980 said:
Roman Rhodes said:
The Ivy chain is more expensive than Jamies was. Do you believe there was much difference in their food prep/supply methods?
Where are you getting "cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion"?
Maybe a locally ran Italian restaurant perhaps?Where are you getting "cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion"?
Somewhere like this which i go to whenever in York http://www.littleitalyrestaurantyork.co.uk/
make the pasta downstairs in the deli, cook it in the restaurant. Prices on par with chains
R Mutt said:
Roman Rhodes said:
The Ivy chain is more expensive than Jamies was. Do you believe there was much difference in their food prep/supply methods?
Where are you getting "cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion"?
Well I was responding with comparisons in the £15 main bracket which is supposedly standard. Where are you getting "cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion"?
Literally anywhere.
Name a town
Edited by R Mutt on Friday 23 August 12:48
How is it a comparison when it isn't in the £15 bracket?Yes, there are plenty of non-chain Italian restaurants and plenty of them are ropey. Massive portions is not a sign of quality!
As a random choice try Milton Keynes for a decent Italian!
C70R said:
Nail on the head.
I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Mr Caring isn't the most lovable character in the world though and on balance I'd suggest JO has probably put a little more in to society given RC is PGs long term oppo and alleged sweat shop exploiter.I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Such are the vagaries of populism though as you allude to.
100% agreed on the sourcing too.
He's not exactly got the Midas touch right now either as Bill's is in a right old mess.
C70R said:
The whole industry is in a right old mess at the moment. I don't know a single restauranteur who isn't stressed to death.
Most of the smaller chains are becoming very resentful of Uber/Deliveroo too.
AgreedMost of the smaller chains are becoming very resentful of Uber/Deliveroo too.
The delivery thing is a real headache.
Operators are handing over 30% margin and compromising their brand but punters seem to want it despite the premium and quality dip.
Dark kitchens and licensing look to be the way forward.
C70R said:
If you think anything sold by McDonald's qualifies as "delicious", you probably have no place on a thread discussing restaurants (failed or otherwise). 
Well, you say that. But.After spoiling a good walk yesterday evening, not for the first time, I had a Big Mac, fries and some cheap, but heavy, Spanish red wine (it was a takeout obvs). I don’t think this disqualifies me from commenting on restaurants as I call it a “sensory experience” rather than dining. I also think it’s good to appal one’s family now and again to keep them grounded.
Two tips though: do check in advance whether your other half has prepared a nice meal for you both and if you forget that then do remember to retrieve the bag of McDonalds from the hedge before the foxes give your secret away.
MellowshipSlinky said:
C70R said:
If you think anything sold by McDonald's qualifies as "delicious", you probably have no place on a thread discussing restaurants (failed or otherwise).
Just read that back to yourself.You come across as rather arrogant.
Myself and my kids have eaten at some of the best restaurants across the globe,1,2 and 3 Michelin stars, and sometimes a McDonalds really can be ‘delicious’ at the time of eating.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 24th August 22:38
It wasn’t a serious comment
MellowshipSlinky said:
Johnnytheboy said:
MellowshipSlinky said:
So said:
MellowshipSlinky said:
Myself and my kids have eaten at some of the best restaurants across the globe,1,2 and 3 Michelin stars.
Can I just say I am really impressed.(although I wasn’t overly impressed by Sat Bains...
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