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?

But I’d expect you to want to try new things if you are going around claiming to be a ‘foodie’. And I agree above, it’s a very smug label to give yourself.

I.miss cafe rouge

Bloody love a Subway! Spicy Italian on the herb and cheese bread. I’ve enjoyed plenty of food from chain restaurants tbh. Of course it’s never some sort of culinary masterpiece but no one is eating or even wanting culinary masterpieces for every meal. I enjoy a Nando’s, Pizza Express, all that stuff on the odd occasion I go,

Cafe Rouge went bust in Covid, and then was sold to an operator who restructured and kept a few branches open. They then went bust again last year. The brand exists in name only in Centre Parcs, attached to outlets selling the same food from 3663 / Brakes but under the Cafe Rouge name to meet the demands of the aspirational lower middle class Centre Parcs clientele ;)

I've had very similar experiences to both of those at independently owned places.

I can cook better food at home than a lot of the food served up at chains which is just bought in and reheated!
I mystery shop a lot of chain restaurants and wouldn't choose to spend my money at many of them.
Wagamama at least cook their food fresh.

Depends on the chain surely? If I like something then I like something.

I’ve been to Nando’s once and wouldn’t bother again. Love a Wagamama pad thai. Pizza express has gone down hill big time and I tend not to bother but Dd is coeliac and it’s a safe option (as is Wagas) so we sometimes go but if it wasn’t for Dd i wouldn’t. Dont mind Taco Bell or Five Guys once in a blue moon. Can’t remember the last time I went to McDonald’s.

I’m don’t class myself as a snob in general, but I am a bit of a food snob. 😂

I don’t get out that much anymore since having our children so if I am going out for a evening meal then I would choose somewhere with good food and unfortunately I do find independent places are much better for this! Chains don’t really do it for me for this reason.

on the other hand if we are out and about with the kids on a day out then I would have no issue going to a chain restaurant that I liked.

it all about the time and place for me.

Why would you travel to eat food?

I travel to see new things, and meet new people. I couldn't give a crap (no pun intended) about what I am going to break down with bacteria into stinking crap the same as anywhere else.

I will try new things and local food, but if I want to be sure my already dodgy bowls aren't going to impact the real reason travelling is good, I might get something much safer for that.

There's a lot of bought in and reheated food at a lot of independents, too...

I think it's a shame that we've lost the relatively "cheap'ish and cheerful" independent restaurants of yesteryear. There used to be lots of Greek Cypriot owned family restaurants for example where you could get huge omelettes with chips and a really good salad, or something like steak in wine sauce. Then there were Bistros, which served slightly elevated food but not at elevated prices with a decent bottle of plonk. There's nothing much these days between chain restaurants or places where you either go for a dining "experience" or they're geared towards hipsters. Well that's the case in Bristol anyway.

😂😂😂

Food is one of the best things about travel!

It’s similar where I am.

Actually some of the best options for freshly-cooked food are the local garden centres, some of which are small chains but they all seem to cook on site.

The power of Mumsnet strikes again! Me and kids currently munching nugs. Damn you, internet.

Chains become unloved franchises

I will eat ANY food that I haven't had to cook or wash up after.

If you mean that my local Indian or Cinese buys meals already made up in the local cash and carry you are 100% incorrect for every Indian or Chinese Restaurant I've ever eaten from twice or more times.

Bulk bought meals are identical every time. Hand made meals are not.

I agree.
But this thread was specifically about chains.

A family member is a highly trained chef with 40 years in the industry....he despairs of the state of things now.

I almost never go to large chain restaurants. I sometimes go to small local chains ie where the owners have a handful of restaurants.

I never ever go to chain coffee shops.

It’s not snobbery. It’s just that I prefer to support independent places rather than chains where I can.

Probably the only time I go to a chain is where there are limited options eg in the airport.

Im lucky that I live in Edinburgh and we have a good range of independent places in my area.

I feel like this thread has just proved your point so well! You, of course, can like both fine dining and chain restaurants too, it’s a bit pathetic people tripping over themselves to sneer at perfectly fine food just because it’s from a chain or is fast food, to some degree or another.

It has.

I like 3 star Michelin dining and I also like a cheeseburger from Maccies.

I must be lucky. I don't live in a particularly affluent area, not poor, just normal.
I have a greek restaurant, an Italian, an english and an Indian restaurant within walking distance. Just off the top of my head. I am in a village but a short drive away is a complex with several chains, and an independent gastro lounge just a bit further, easy drive/taxi.

And a city a short bus ride away with just about everything in it.

Yes you're right, garden centres are the exception actually. Ours does a cracking Sunday roast.

Your Indian (they’re actuallg almost guaranteed to be Bangladeshi) restaurant will be using ready made gravy.