Snobby about chain food

[limeandwater]

Are people on MN snobby about chain restaurants?

I only ask because some of the comments on the £52 lunch thread.

I consider myself a bit of a foodie and enjoy fine dining.

But I also enjoy an American Hot at Pizza Express, a burger at GBK, the Katsu curry at Waggamamma's, a wrap at Nando's.

Am I a wrong un?

There are a lot of eating disorders, anxiety and wanting to appear middle class, on here, it results in what you read.

When you say ‘foodie’ what do you mean? That you eating food? Because going to Wagamama for a katsu chicken is hardly exciting, inventive or boundary breaking. It’s just fried chicken with some slop on it. Same with the pizza express pizza. I’d rather go somewhere independent and try something I’ve never tried before, but then again I don’t class myself as a foodie.

You have sort of proved my point.

I am a foodie, I enjoy eating at Michelin star restaurants around the world, but I also enjoy a Katsu Curry at Waggamamma's which you consider "slop."

I think you have just proved OP’s point about people on here being snobby about chain restaurants!

For me it's a value thing. I would mostly prefer to make it myself than buy something of average quality.

Having said that, I love a Burger King Whopper (always half price on the app), and a KFC Gravy Mega Box (take my own drink).

Im a total foodie and I like all food. Ive never met a food I dont like.

We're particularly impressed with those 'lounges', not really sure how to refer to them. They're cheap and the food is always brilliant. Plus service is brilliant too.

Found out they're Americana and Saudi owned unfortunately though.

Still, their prawns are lovely.

I like a lot of chain restaurants. Some are better than others. I've started to find mid priced restaurants really expensive so often a chain is more practical.

However, if I have travelled a long way to somewhere with really interesting food, I get a bit irritated when someone wants to eat in a chain. I am damned if I am going to schlep all the way to Soho and then eat at Bill's. So perhaps I am a snob in that way.

I’m up for pretty much anything foodwise, but when I’ve eaten in most chains it’s not ’Oh, I get why people like it’ more ‘It’s totally baffling why this is popular’. I ate in a McDonald’s for the first time in about 20 years recently and was genuinely expecting to get why it’s enduringly popular, but was left thinking ‘Do people actually like these limp burgers?’

Yes to your second paragraph.

We do prefer independents because we want to suppor them and I find the food is better but we'll eat anywhere that is nice, has a nice feel about it.

Like others have said, we also travel to different countries for different restaurants and foods.

I can cook better than most places we go though in this country.

Depends on the chain.

I think Wagamamas is generally decent.

I don’t like Pizza Express particularly - I’m not a fan of their style of pizza base and I think they’re a bit shy with the toppings. There are also LOADS of really good independent and small chain pizzerias in the city where I live.

I occasionally enjoy a Nandos.

I prefer to support independents where I can and I also find that generally they’re better.

It’s not about chain restaurants. I went to Wagamama the other day for the first time in about 10 years. It was fine, lots of things were new to me. But it’s nothing to get excited about, esp if you regularly go there and order the same thing.

MN is not a hive mind

Im happy to eat at chain restaurants but people on mumsnet are weird

I always find it interesting when people say they can cook better than the chefs. For me it means they cook to their taste, it doesn’t mean anyone else would genuinely think it’s better, but the whole point for me in eating out is the social experimve, the not cooking, the not cleaning up as well as the food.

it seems some people it’s jisy about the food, for me it’s much wider, of course I want tk enjoy the food, but it’s only part of it.

It's just that it's overpriced. Like a local independent cafe or pizzeria would do much better stuff than PE or Costa, but for probably less money.

Nandos kind of tastes of itself. It's very specific isn't it?! I'm almost not sure how to feel about the tenderness of the meat. Like I don't trust it as I know the chickens are from a shitty battery farm?

Idk. It's alright occasionally though. But again it's overpriced for what you get. Their rice is just like uncle Ben's pouch. And their chips are awful.

I sometimes eat McDonald's fish burger and spicy nuggets though so I certainly wouldn't call myself a food snob.

This. I’m not sure I’d be too concerned at being shouted down by an anorexic who can’t sleep unless she manages post at least 3 “obesity crisis what obesity crisis” “we’ve lost sight of what a normal weight is” etc etc comments a day.

Its not snobbishnesh to prefer independents when, in just about every case, the food will be better quality and cheaper.

And like a PP says, what's the point of visiting somewhere new and eating at a chain that you could go to any day of the week at home.

Are people on MN snobby about chain restaurants?

I only ask because some of the comments on the £52 lunch thread.

Well you've answered your own question then 😳

Mumsnet is made up of a huge myriad of people with all different opinions and tastes.

People like to make themselves sound special and sophisticated when we all know everyone loves a Maccies 😆

Chain food - fine for a relaxed meal out with DH and kids

But I’d not want to go to one for a date night, birthday or special occasion

Only place on your list I would eat is Wagas, although Pizza Express isn't too bad
Not snobbery but the others just don't serve food I like

I would rather be hungry (and have)

It depends who I am going out with - if just adults or DS1/friends with older DC, it's nice to try new places.

If I am out with DS2/friends with younger DC we tend to stick to chains all the little ones like (usually wagamamas or pizza express). No point potentially ruining a day out with hungry tired kids who don't want to try anything new/plus if you are busy with little DC there's less time for menu browsing - we just get things we know we like.

I find it really odd that you think “independent” means good or better than chains. You think your local Chinese takeaway is better and cheaper ? Your local greasy spoon cafe?

your local Indian buys in bulk from the cash and carry and there is no reason for you to make any judgement that they’ll be better than say dishoom.

That’s probably the only place I wouldn’t eat. I know it seems to be one of the few MN approved places but I just don’t like their food or the fact that it’s communal tables.