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?

Yes this.sadly.

Have you ever tried the big tasty 😋

There’s a lot of snobbery on here but I’m probably guilty of it too in some ways.
I have some favourite independent restaurants in my area and if I go somewhere else I would research and plan where to eat.

But if I haven’t researched then there’s chains I like because the food is reliably good. I’ve never had a bad meal at Waga, the menu is varied and I can get something really tasty and spicy.

I know I’ll like noodles or a curry in Wagamama or a quick steak in Cote. I also like the odd Subway sandwich. I do avoid some chains because the food is a bit shit or because I don’t like the atmosphere (like Toby Carvery) but others might.

Well you're not comparing like with like there.

Compare a small Japanese restaurant with Wagamama.

Indian street food bar with Dishoom.

Wood fired pizza place with Pizza Express.

No-one is serving cash and carry food and in all the above examples where I go, they serve better food for less money than those chains. And the drinks are also cheaper.

Oh and Five Guys, I love a Five Guys!

Its not somewhere I would choose if there were decent alternatives but its hard to ruin a bowl of Ramen

I'm not a foodie and I'm not snobbish about restaurants at all. In face, the 'slop' (😉) restaurants you mention in your OP are out of my price range for regular slop purchases!

I kind of like everything, the only thing that really grates on me is poor quality or value.

If it exists people on MN are snobby about it.

I’m not a snob but I am a bit stingy. Most of the chain restaurants don’t offer good value for money IMO so I’d rather save the cash and make something myself that will be fresher with fewer preservatives, less salt etc. I do occasionally eat at a chain but for convenience (airport for example) rather than for a dining experience.

I meant in reference to chains

Im not a Michelin star home chef

Im a great cook though and I cook for lots of people, my food is restaurant standard a lot of the time.

Eating out is our hobby thats why we go to different places

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.

Same. I don’t think it’s snobby not to want to eat at a chain in an area where there is a plethora of other food options that you likely cannot get in your own area.

I love a Wagamama ramen but I don’t like to eat in chains regularly especially if I am fairly sure most of the food is brought in pre prepared and just put together.

I prefer independents where possible. I enjoy the thought of it being somebody’s livelihood and supporting that. That said I’m partial to a McDonald’s if I’m in a rush out on district haha!

You are usually supporting a persons livelihood if you eat in chain.

The large percentage of them are franchises.

I would think you are wrong about people being snobby on Mumsnet, there is a huge mix here.

Like you, I enjoy fine dining but will also enjoy a burger, fried chicken or pizza.

When you have kids, chain restaurants are great, there will always be something on the menu they'll like. I've been to many chains and like them very much (have never fancied Wetherspoons so not been there).

If it tastes good and you enjoy it, does it really matter that much if you’re paying chain restaurant prices?

You said yourself- that in just about every case food will be better or cheaper. That doesn’t mean a few select examples in your life. In just about every case.

Wagamama is a corporate chain Japanese. It bears no relation to authentic Japanese food.

waggamana is owned by the same corporation who owned Frankie and bennys and chinquito. Waggas was presumably the product in the portfolio for Brits who think they’re sophisticated. They’re ultimately owned by a hedge fund. Yep, just like Endo Kazutoshi isn’t it? 🤣

Well even if they're not the person serving you has a livelihood from doing that!

I enjoy it but very selectively.

I am. I do eat at chain restaurants from time to time. I’m always a bit surprised though when we get visitors to us in London and they want to go to Bill’s or Wetherspoons. I’d rather get a supermarket meal deal and save time and money in that case.

Yes but MN is a bit weird sometimes. It’s a world where people don’t answer the door when someone knocks but instead starts a thread to ask a bunch of strangers who it might be!

Obviously people like Nando’s, Wagamamas, Burger King etc otherwise there wouldn’t be one in every town and you wouldn’t queue for a table on a Saturday lunch.

I like both chains and independents. Sometimes I’m in the mood for the same thing I always order from Wagamama’s and sometimes I’m in the mood for something new. I don’t think all independents are inherently better than chains and I don’t think every chain is great. If I’ve not been out for a while or it’s a special occasion, I don’t want to run the risk of not liking the meal so I will either go to a chain/independent I have been to before and I like or do a lot of research on the independent if it’s new. If I don’t have the time or mental energy to do this, a chain is a good choice. Similarly if I’m travelling for work, I just want something I know I like so it’s usually a chain (and they are usually easy to find and located near the hotel I’m staying in). Sometimes I want something a bit different so will search out independents. If I had travelled recreationally to a place to see that place, I will try and find independents there and I wouldn’t put that much effort into research because if it’s bad, it’s only one meal out of a weekend.

I love food and cooking, but I still love the occasional McDonalds.

Generally though I find chains expensive and indifferent quality. They're often private equity /large corporate owned so, while I understand that eating anywhere is supporting livelihoods, I'd rather eat somewhere independent or a small chain and not feel that I've been ripped off when the price is compared to the quality.

Chains serve a purpose. They are handy for being consistent across the country.

I felt exactly the same when I last had a mc d after not having one in about 15 years. That was about 3 years ago and I have no intention of getting another.

That said, there are a lot of chain places I do like, and especially if they have good deals on I’d go, but if they’re the same price as a lovely independent place with amazing reviews I’d definitely opt for the independent spot.