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?

Do you mean the chain of Lounges whose names all seem to end in O? They're fab, and absolutely the best for GF food (my husband and daughter are coeliac). We may not be talkng about the same places, tho - these were started in Bristol, so hopefully they're not American. I'd be disappointed to have to give them up.
Also enjoy M* restaurants and other fine dining establishents and an occasional KFC!!

The lounge group were bought out by a private equity firm. I remember hungover Bristol brunches there 20 years ago… they are nowhere near as good now.

I don't think I've ever been? Is it good?

I have one of the 'Farmhouse Inn' s near me, are they similar? I have avoided it due to it seeming to be a place for families (playground outside etc) but perhaps I am missing out!

I adore cooking, It's basically the only creative hobby I have and am good at.
I still love a wetherspoons burger though! It isn't something I'd make at home. I work out a lot, eat healthy a lot of the time.

I also love fine dining and (good) independent places.

But sometimes on a day off diet and exercise regimes, I just want to have a relaxed eating experience without waiters or washing up, and sink my teeth into a naughty burger washed down with a glass of Sauv Blanc. Wetherspoons is fab for this and I will never not like them!

I love the Lounges too. I am going to look into their ownership. Fab for vegans and they display the calories so I can 'budget'. I appreciate it isn't fantastic food, but It's more than nice enough.

Until a few years ago I had only ever entered one for a McPiss, but recently I ordered one when I was in the middle of moving house and had no cooking/food prep facilities, and I ordered one prior to that when DP suggested it, we'd both worked the night shift and had to be somewhere for lunchtime the following day, so in order to maximise sleep, it was something we could eat with one hand while getting ready. Nothing special of course but it filled a gap.

I wouldn't eat there aside from those such occasions purely because of the price of delivery, such a rip off!

I should clarify when I say snobby just means I choose not to go there.

I don’t look down on those who do, everyone is free to make their own decisions.

Yeah, McDs is emergency rations only for us too, e.g long car journeys. I’m not generally snobby about chains though.

Yes, that's another one they'd be good for.

One thing about them, and I don't know if it is just me, is they don't seem to touch the sides? I am always hungry again an hour later.

When I'd typed that msg about the day out following a night shift I was thinking, why didn't I just prep us a sandwich the day before? Cursing myself from a couple of years ago. But they are good for when things are hectic or when circumstances mean convenience is required.

I think it's so over-processed that your body barely acknowledges that you've had your daily calorie intake in one meal.

That could absolutely be it!

Although, if I eat a burger at 'spoons (which I think has very similar components, less sauce!) I do not get this same feeling. I never eat the fries, they're just empty stick of grease to me, no flavour. If I do treat myself to chips I at least want some 'real' ones!

I do! @YDBear we can visit my local one together if you like 😀

Exactly this - Nando's etc if fine for a casual meal - we don't go often, but when we do, I enjoy it.

But if I'm out for a celebratory meal, I'd rather go somewhere a bit more special. But then, that tends to be more expensive, so you'd expect it to be better.

I work in an independent coffee shop. The drinks and cakes are cheaper than Costa, and IMO better. But the food is slightly more expensive - but far superior - freshly made to order, not just heated up. Can be customised to preference. Served with a side of homemade coleslaw and crisps. The coffee shop does well, especially with older cliental, but the draw of Costa down the road is still strong with younger customers, even though it's just not as good.

Lounges?

https://thelounges.co.uk

Isn’t that the MSG? It makes you want to eat more.

Oh no! You've ruined my day!! :)

A katsu curry is also fried chicken with curry sauce in an independent Japanese restaurant, though. That’s literally what katsu curry is. It’s no more ‘slop’ in Wagamama than it is in a neighbourhood cafe in Japan.

katsu curries seem to be the trendy thing at the moment. Everywhere seems to have one from upmarket independent restaurants to greasy spoons.

It's been trending for years now. Was selling out at Bookers like crazy

Ah right. I can be a bit slow on the uptake.

Bookers as in the wholesalers, or is this another chain I've not heard of?

Cauliflower everything appears to be on its way out, which I am grateful for!

Didn't know Giggling Squid was a chain. Went to one last weekend in a different city and enjoyed it. Obviously, now I know it's a chain I'll revise my opinion 😄

Lol we have 2 in a 5 mile radius.

They often start off as independents, open a few sites, get noticed and then bought by private equity or similar. They then stop focusing on the things that made them great in the first place and start trying to get in on every food trend going and opening as many outlets as humanly possible.

Franco Manca is a great example of this. They had a limited menu of pizzas cooked really well in a manageable number of locations. Now they're everywhere, often in cavernous premises, do far more and the quality has taken a dive.

It's hardly surprising that when a founder who has built a business out of passion sells (and who can blame them!) quality goes down when you have accountants and shareholders running the show.

Not all independents are good, of course. But some are great. Whereas chains rarely rise above mediocre precisely because they are only ever run to maximise profits.

I do mourn the demise of Handmade Burger Company, though, which someone mentioned upthread - their fish finger burger was truly delicious! Also quite like Joe and the Juice.

I will go anywhere I am a chef so being cooked for is just lovely. Usually people want me to cook.

This is spot on. 'Success' for most companies means when PE investors take notice and enable to you expand quickly, but there is always an end game which is for you and them to get rich and have an exit strategy.