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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we would be better off at McDonald's!

142 replies

Hmum0fthree · 20/02/2022 17:54

Its coming up to my birthday so arranged to go for a day of shopping with DH and DC at the Trafford centre, thought I'd have a look in advance at the restaurants and book.

The prices are so high £20+ for a burger? Which fair enough eating out you expect but all of the reviews are awful! Iv looked at 4 restaurants and all of them have disappointed customers!

We are looking at £100+ with drinks and dessert for what looks like McDonald's standard food!

How does everyone find nice places to eat now? Seems like everything's gone down hill since covid but prices have gone up 😩

OP posts:
HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 20/02/2022 19:51

I love the five guys burgers and the Cajun fries are fantastic, but it is horrifically expensive for what it is.

BoredZelda · 20/02/2022 19:53

Have you been to Maccies in the last 12 months OP? It's dire. Everything takes ages and half your order is missing. And it tastes like crap.

Surely this depends on which one you go to. There are 4 in our town, I always avoid one of them because it is piss poor, two are ok, one is great.

GracieLouFreeebush · 20/02/2022 19:57

I recommend Tampopo too! It’s an open kitchen so you can see it’s all cooked fresh. I went with someone with a few allergies and they were really helpful at adapting stuff too

Wife2b · 20/02/2022 19:58

TGIs

ExtraOnion · 20/02/2022 19:59

I was at Traff last week (we go quite regularly) … our top tip is always “Food First” shopping second, to beat the queues.

We went to TGI last week .. nice but noticed the prices had gone up. Five Guys is nice enough - always too much though (we now share fries and a refillable drink)
Noticed a new Greek place is opening where Cafe Rouge used to be.
Not a fan of Archie’s …

SuPerDoPer · 20/02/2022 20:00

These are all chain restaurants and tbh if this is what you are looking at you will get run-of-the-mill stuff. Can't you look for something a bit different? Try a small independent place in a less commercialised part of town? Disclaimer: I have no idea where the Trafford Centre is in relation to any decent restaurants but I wouldn't eat in a shopping centre in any city.

wolfmom · 20/02/2022 20:01

I would go for Gourmet Burger, the one in Liverpool is really good (they actually have decent vegetarian options)

Bignanny30 · 20/02/2022 20:02

Does anyone genuinely like mcDonalds?

20viona · 20/02/2022 20:03

5 guys is incredible but it's dear. There's tons of nice sit in restaurants on the upper level lots of choice.

Titsywoo · 20/02/2022 20:04

@OldTinHat

Five Guys is shit. Bring on McDonald's!
Agreed I have never understood why anyone likes Five Guys. I tried a burger from there once and couldn't finish it because it was so disgusting. Tasted like manky oil and cost £8!
MintyFreshBreath · 20/02/2022 20:04

Yeah TGI is so crap. Took the kids once, spent a fortune and we were all disappointed.

Luckyelephant1 · 20/02/2022 20:05

Not from anywhere near there so can't recommend anything, but stop looking at mass chain restaurants. They're pretty much all crap and ridiculously overpriced. I mean I do like a Five Guys but to me that's not a restaurant, it's a fast food diner or takeaway meal.

Find a nice pub that isn't a chain?

StrawberrySquash · 20/02/2022 20:07

Five Guys I don't think is worth the money. Worth looking for vouchers for places like Pizza Express or GBK by signing up to their websites.

affairsofdragons · 20/02/2022 20:07

@OldTinHat

Five Guys is shit. Bring on McDonald's!
Completely agree.

Just awful.

RedToothBrush · 20/02/2022 20:08

@Bignanny30

Does anyone genuinely like mcDonalds?
Yes.
madnessitellyou · 20/02/2022 20:10

There's a reasonable Italian tapasy place (Pesto?) that was good. Or else Pizza Express or Wagamama.

Or go into Manchester, shop there, and go to the Corn Exchange. Loads of choice! The only difference between the TC and the city centre is there's a John Lewis at the former.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 20/02/2022 20:10

Trafford centre you say? Just across the road is a lovely pub type restaurant called Coppice wood farm, decently priced.

PandorasMailbox · 20/02/2022 20:15

@BigSandyBalls2015

TGIs is shocking everywhere IMO, no idea how they haven’t all closed down.
When my kids were small they loved TGI's and we had several birthday parties there. Excellent portions, decent quality and they were always busy.

For some reason, they started going downhill and kept on going. They're absolutely dire now.

Bimblybomeyelash · 20/02/2022 20:18

I’ve never been to the Trafford centre, but I find most of the chain places mentioned here incredibly overpriced. Is there a Cote Brasserie? It’s smart for a chain and nice for a birthday treat. And it feels like real fresh food.

Kabloom · 20/02/2022 20:20

Blacksticks in Monton is lovely. Interesting mains at £15-20. Burgers for £10-12. Also Tapas. Haven’t been for a while but service is good.

Rivermonsters · 20/02/2022 20:20

Go Nandos, cheap prices plus the foods acc good… way better than maccies

Rivermonsters · 20/02/2022 20:20

Have u been TC before? There’s lots of decent eateries around that won’t cost a fortune

RedToothBrush · 20/02/2022 20:25

@madnessitellyou

There's a reasonable Italian tapasy place (Pesto?) that was good. Or else Pizza Express or Wagamama.

Or go into Manchester, shop there, and go to the Corn Exchange. Loads of choice! The only difference between the TC and the city centre is there's a John Lewis at the former.

I have to say the TC has definitely seen better days in terms of whats there now for shops. Manchester is far better for shops and eating out. But you will get cold and wet!

I don't know that I'd go there for a birthday treat. Half the shops are currently empty units.

And other than Tampopo, I don't rate it for eating out. There's loads of great places in the city though.

RedToothBrush · 20/02/2022 20:26

(Worth pointing out Tampopo has a sister takeaway only unit downstairs which is cheaper and has variations on the main menu upstairs)

NAME3CHANGE · 20/02/2022 20:27

Hopefully attched some mds vouchers .

I struggled to scan them yesterday, so went tup to the till and showed them and them man was happy to put it though.
£2 for lunch out even better

To think we would be better off at McDonald's!
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