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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Food and Restaurants - is it all just getting a bit crap?

181 replies

VixHex · 05/04/2023 17:12

Sort of inspired by the McDonalds thread, as it crystallised some of my food-related thinking of late.

We ate with the DC at a Pizza Express a few weeks ago - it was so cold, everyone had their coats on. The bathrooms and tap water were absolutely freezing.

The food tasted okay, but both there, and at a couple of local places and with some supermarket stuff, there is a noticeable dialling down of flavour/texture/whatever. Not everything, but enough things to see a pattern.

I understand everywhere needs to cut costs. It's brutal for restaurants, but I'd probably rather pay slightly more and really enjoy being there. Sitting in a coat, waiting to go to the loo at home rather than wash my hands in freezing cold water and eating underpowered food... it's only Pizza Express I know, but it still should be more enjoyable that that?

I feel sorry for the whole industry. Do they go down this route of slashing everything in order to survive, or put up prices and hope that people still come?

After three really underwhelming meals out with the kids in recent weeks, we're not going to bother again for a good while. It's too bloody expensive to not enjoy it properly, but then places close because people like us are giving up on them.

It's crap really, isn't it?

OP posts:
Sarvanga38 · 05/04/2023 21:10

I’m finding things OK now, but went to a couple of decent restaurants in January that left me thinking we’re going to be seeing seasonal closures in coming years.

As you say, it’s a vicious circle - i get that it must be very difficult to make things profitable, but if restaurants are unpleasantly cold, then people won’t go back.

DoNutSweatTheSmallStuff · 05/04/2023 21:10

ShakkaKhant · 05/04/2023 20:51

OP's already said these are meals with kids on the road/traveling.

Plus just being an independent isn't exactly a guarantee of quality! I agree with the comment upthread from the coffee shop owner, that good places really care about how they treat their customers and hopefully will stay afloat.

Unfortunately, not all places are as good. The cafe/bistro near us is leaning hard into the freezing room/cold water/inferior ingredients option. I wish they'd just charge more and stay delicious.

You're right OP, it's a crap situation.

Show quote history

Independent isn't a guarantee of quality but I imagine many care more about their customers than chains / big businesses do.
And it just feels right / better to support independents if possible.

Ozgirl75 · 05/04/2023 21:14

VixHex · 05/04/2023 21:06

Ozgirl Yes, same. My parents were/are both really good, adventurous cooks, but the thrill of going to a restaurant and choosing food was huge as a kid!

I didn't care that my dad could make a better dish, it was all about looking through the menu, choosing and matching up my starters and main course etc. I loved all that and try to let my DC do the same when we can.

Same here! And back in the 80s you’d dress up a bit too, nice velvet rara skirt with a sequinned top and my red shiny shoes. Chatting with my parents about stuff and things. Plus the Beefeater near us was in this cool old building and you could sit in a booth. Great times.

Goodread1 · 05/04/2023 21:14

I agree about certain restaurants or cafes the flavour /texture of the food is bland , quite tasteless

Now and again you come across a good eatery place independent one or one as such as Wagmania

And. there it was me thinking it was just me

BHRK · 05/04/2023 21:14

We eat out loads, a mixture of independents and our favourite chains. Yes it costs far more than cooking at home but we like the food and are paying for the convenience. Restaurants where I live are busy

HarlanPepper · 05/04/2023 21:16

@Ozgirl75 you're right, it's not just about the standard of the food when you eat out as a family, it's the experience too. It's just that when you're on a budget, if it's disappointing you really feel it.

I have similarly fond childhood memories, not of Beefeater in my case (none near us) but definitely pub lunches. I'd always get chocolate fudge cake for pudding, which always tasted the same wherever we went, presumably because they were all ordered from Brake's Brothers

Ozgirl75 · 05/04/2023 21:19

Totally agree @HarlanPepper - that’s why I was a little disappointed with my recent PE trip - it’s an evening out and yes it’s a chain, but it’s not fast food, we’re going out for a nice evening and it kind of felt like we were being rushed through and yet weirdly unattended to.

Ozgirl75 · 05/04/2023 21:20

I remember those chocolate fudge cakes - my parents always used to get one to share! I used to think that was mad but now I’m an adult I kind of get it 😁

RollingInTheCreek · 05/04/2023 21:25

lanbro · 05/04/2023 18:54

I own a coffeeshop, we serve all sorts from cold sandwiches to burgers and hot meals. We are busy, really busy. We have just put our prices up, but not extortionately so and out of 100s of customers this week, only one mentioned it.

If customers says it feels cold we put the heating on, too warm and thr AC goes on. I want to still be in here in years to come, I want my customers to enjoy and remember their visit for the right reasons.

I recommend sticking to independent venues, we really want to do well, our livelihood depends on it. Our staff are invested, they want to have a job so our service is excellent. Avoid chain restaurants, I guarantee you'll find better quality and service

100 times this. I know it’s not always possible depending on where you live but to me obviously pizza express/Frankie and bennys etc are going to be disappointing- they always have been! We try to go to local independent places and have had some lovely meals out recently- tapas, Indian, pizza. All high quality food and nice atmosphere (and warm!). The local McDonald’s and Nando’s always just look a bit sad in comparison. I think the big chains need to watch out.

Lorrymum · 05/04/2023 21:26

I went for coffee in a local, independent coffee shop recently. It was freezing cold inside and lit with an assortment of battery operated fairy lights and I could hardly see. I like to support local business but it should have been a treat not an ordeal.

Titsywoo · 05/04/2023 21:32

We don't go to Pizza Express anymore. It is overpriced and not as good as it used to be. There are several very decent pizza places near us that serve amazing Neopolitan pizza for a much more reasonable price and the food is out of Pizza Expresses league. I'm surprised people still go there to be honest.

There are still lots of great restaurants out there - we have a few that we like although we do eat out a lot less than we used to.

dreamingbohemian · 05/04/2023 21:40

Seconding the Rosa's Thai recommendation. Really great for vegetarians in particular!

As someone not originally from the UK, I'm really intrigued about this Beefeaters that people keep mentioning, was it a steakhouse chain?

Ozgirl75 · 05/04/2023 21:46

Beefeaters was basically a steakhouse type place but it fitted a niche of family friendly, nice wholesome food, good atmosphere and good price. The one close to us was quite smart (for the 80s) and you could get a lovely steak with a sauce, chips and their desserts were lovely!
I can’t really explain it because it’s such a “time and place” restaurant that I think I remember fondly because I was about 8-15, out somewhere mildly “smart” with my parents.
Growing up in Sussex there just weren’t many places to go out and eat at all, only pubs really or fancy places and this was just an ideal spot in the middle of that. This was before the days of Zizzi, PE, Cote etc that everywhere has now, it’s amazing how much has changed in 30 years.

Startuplife · 05/04/2023 21:51

I used to really like Carluccios and I’m not a fan of chains but we visited a few weeks back and it was awful.
Loads of stuff on the menu was unavailable and it was £16 for a bowl of dry pasta that had obviously been microwaved. The garlic bread portion was absolutely tiny as well.

TwoMonthsOff · 05/04/2023 21:53

DiscoDragon · 05/04/2023 18:44

I've been mostly disappointed the last few times I've eaten out. We went to a restaurant recently that always used to be a very nice place to eat and a real treat pre-covid. We waited almost an hour after ordering our food, the prices were high and the portions were tiny and the service was poor.

Another meal in a local pub with a group of friends left me thinking I could have done better myself at home for a fraction of the price.

I'm also getting sick of not having many vegetarian options when I eat out now, so many places now only offer fully vegan/plant based meals.

I agree 100% with this, it’s horrible if you don’t want vegan food as a vegetarian and they seem to be taking the one for all option, it’s made it hard work eating out now especially if you are a decent cook, it’s always disappointing and expensive

Crikeyalmighty · 05/04/2023 21:55

At a reasonable/mid price range I like the Lounge chain- it's not exactly groundbreaking but it's tasty and affordable and decent portions and I've yet to be cold in one. I know what you mean about coats though- I've been in a couple of places like this recently and it's not nice

Crikeyalmighty · 05/04/2023 21:56

@dreamingbohemian we've just had one open in Bath last week and it's on my list !!

TwoMonthsOff · 05/04/2023 21:57

@Crikeyalmighty
last time i went in there (delfino lounge Poole) were dogs on tables and I got a bad stomach upset within half an hour, the food was nice at the time though 🤣

Stressybetty · 05/04/2023 22:01

Not been to pizza express since before COVID but always found their restaurants freezing cold. Their tables, floor etc all hard cold surfaces and not cosy and welcoming at all. DH makes a cracking homemade pizza now.

Original poster
VixHex · 05/04/2023 22:03

Ozgirl your posts are giving me such a lovely warm, nostalgic feeling! I also had a going-out ra-ra skirt Grin In my posh slip-on shoes with gold bows on the front, choosing my starter... ah, I felt so special! Lovely times.

OP posts:
tiger2691 · 05/04/2023 22:05

Watch Danny Malin - Rate My Takeaway and if you're in his area (he's based in Leeds but travels), eat at the places he eats. Great food, lots of it and cheap, compared to down here in the south.

KimberleyClark · 05/04/2023 22:05

TwoMonthsOff · 05/04/2023 21:53

I agree 100% with this, it’s horrible if you don’t want vegan food as a vegetarian and they seem to be taking the one for all option, it’s made it hard work eating out now especially if you are a decent cook, it’s always disappointing and expensive

Show quote history

I second this.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/04/2023 22:10

@TwoMonthsOff blimey- sorry to hear that- I did go in one I admit that was a bit grim- but have forgotten where it was now- sometimes it's very much poor management in particular branches!

Ozgirl75 · 05/04/2023 22:10

@VixHex i had patent red slip on shoes with a black bow on the front. They were my absolute perfect shoes and I adored them! Combined with my dark purple velvet rara I felt a million dollars going out 😁
Life was pretty easy to be good back then - give me a nice skirt, some shiny shoes and a choice of steak sauces, and the ability to sit in a booth with my mum and dad and I was happy as anything.
I must tell them how much I loved those simple things and how enjoyable they made it.

BlueJellycat · 05/04/2023 22:11

The less you go, the nicer it seems. I can't offord to eat out like we used to. So when we do go out, it feels more like a real treat. But I really don't want to spend £120 on pizzas either anymore. That would buy a week's worth of nicer food than I normally budget for. It's a shame but I enjoy just going for a drink and nibbles now as it leaves me feeling less guilty. Pizza express is reserved for a kids birthday now. I would go on a whim any more

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