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 was a lot about “cold fries”, so I looked up a happy meal (because I am a vegetarian and anyway would not be seen dead in McDonald’s, my dear, so genuinely didn’t know what was in it) and there aren’t any fries with it? Just carrot sticks and milk

Isn’t Wagamamas all fresh food, you can literally see them making it in the kitchen? Or am I getting my chains confused ?

Yep I can be a bit snobby about chains and restaurants/pubs that use Brakes - even Gordon Ramsey at Heathrow was a bit shite.

I find it a bit odd the way people keep talking about fresh food as if all chains bung frozen meals in the micro and serve them.

you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see whether food is freshly cooked- evidence on your plate as well as seeing the kitchen which as a PP said is common across waggas, pizza express, Nando’s.

even Wetherspoons- a place that clearly does buy in brakes microwave meals- you can ensure a fresh meal by ordering something that must be fresh, like salad or steak. If it’s that important to you

Well, I think it’s about what an individual considers to be a treat.

i am not a big fan of chain restaurants but that’s not because they are a chain per se, but simply because often the food is not great. I can and do make very nice meals at home, so if I am going to pay to eat out I want that to be nicer than what I can have at home.

Everyone doesn't love a 'Maccies'. I last ate one in March 1986, it was bought for me and I didn't like to say no. And I didn't love it. I used to love Burger King Bean Burgers. I'm not vegetarian, I just like a lot of vegetarian food.

I love a Maccies!

Everyone doesn't love a 'Maccies'. I last ate one in March 1986, it was bought for me and I didn't like to say no.

I last had one in February 1986. The best part of it was the toy!

Oh it depends 🤔 I don’t mind a Costa coffee and a muffin when I’m at the out of town shopping centre and in need of some sustenance/ caffeine.
If I’m in one of the suburbs not too far from me , I prefer the independent cafes as the coffee is better + they have excellent scones and buns .
Same for other areas in the city near where I live , I don’t mind a Pizza Express but there is an independent pizzeria where the pizza is cheaper and much better.
I also like a Wagamama but there are many proper East Asian restaurants in the city that are cheaper and very good indeed .

I came on the thread to say something similar.
I would love to give my money to independent restaurants but when you don't eat meat, (I am a vegan)their offerings are dire.

I love food, love cooking, enjoy eating out. Where I live, aside from the fine dining place where the chef is always delighted to see me as it means he gets to make something different, I am lucky to have lots of independent restaurants (as well as chains). However as an example, if I wanted Italian I can go to Zizzis and get a great, flavourful pizza, or I can go to the local chain and pay slightly less for a plate of boring pasta in a tomato sauce. I eat better food than that at home.

Wetherspoons is a favourite of mine, always been great for vegans even before we were trendy. Local non-chain pubs just aren't.

They're either offering a token falafel salad, or the dreaded mushroom risotto.

Someone upthread mentioned the Lounges. I love them because I have choices, unlike many non-chains. Bills is great too.

I guess in answer to your question OP, I am indeed 'snobby' in the sense that I do feel it is better to give your money to non-chains, and I would like to try new things but unfortunately my 'religion' means this isn't possible most of the time!

It's not an either/or for me. But if there's something that's been done well for years that a chain has sort of co-opted and laminated, that's annoying. Like that brunchy place The Breakfast Club that does egg and chips where you can get that at loads of good greasy spoon places, usually cheaper and more generously served and family-run. Obviously that's the non-foodie example 😁

I really don't mind a chain as its reliable and when you have kids it makes life easier. I also have severe allergies and I find chain restaurants are pretty on it with regards to allergy precautions and reducing cross contamination risks.

Also a foodie. Also love fine dining, and fine cooking.

Also love Wagamamas and Miller & Carter and my local Toby Carvery. I am spoiled for choice for gastropubs around me and the quality of Sunday lunch is HIGH. But sometimes, I just want gravy I can cut and sausages on the side. Nothing cures a hangover like McDonalds Quarter Pounder with fries and a full sugar Coca-Cola. A KFC rice bowl is about 550 calories and scratches my dirty Friday night dinner itch while keeping my daily calorie intake well on track.

Oooh... katsu. Made me hungry now!

I love a chain, but I'm also a bit snobby about them.

If I'm away on holiday somewhere, then I want to try somewhere independent, because whats the point in travelling hundreds of miles and having the same experience as I could have in my home city?

We were in York on the weekend, and someone recommended going to Ask, because the building its in is this absolutely beautiful old georgian building. And they were right, it is absolutely stunning, but then I looked at the menu, and my heart sank a little, because I've seen it all before.

Don't get my wrong, I'll happily have a pizza from Ask at home, because I'm not missing an opportunity to try something new, but when I'm away I want something different.

I wouldnt take my kids to Costa or Starbucks for lunch. Its overpriced and food isnt very good. Dont get me wrong I will go for a coffee and snack but not for a meal.

I never go to pizza express unless im using vouchers as I think its expensive for what it is.

We are working/middle class and tbh once our kids got bigger eating out is a luxury.

I think people are missing the point.

My best meals every have not been in chain places, I don't think the food is amazing.

But I am out shopping with my daughters we are going to go and have a Waggamammas and enjoy it rather than thinking "let me find an authentic place that has been in a Japanese family for 60 years."

Such snobbery! If an indi restaurant makes a katsu sauce is that also slop?!

York has some pretty amazing restaurants. We used to go to the Christmas markets every year until it got too busy and would have a meal in a chain restaurant one night, and an independent the next.

I agree, OP. You can be discerning and still enjoy chains - I know good food when I see/eat it, whether it comes from a chain or a posher, independent place.

Incidentally, long ago (about years ago) when restaurants were really desperate for custom, Harvester was doing a 2 courses for 7.99 offer if you arrived before 7 pm. Someone from work got a group together and although I WAS a bit snooty beforehand, I had a great time.

I had a bowl of salad which I treated as a first course (all fresh and tasty), then lamb, roast potatoes, gravy and 2 vegetables -all perfectly nice - plus apple crumble for pudding. All for 7.99.

What was not to like???

Yeah but I was replying to someone who said everyone does. It's bullshit.

Not unreasonable. High street “fast casual” food (eg you sit and are served and it’s a bit nicer than fast food eg McDs but it’s still fast and simple) is perfectly nice, for some it’s an exciting treat for others it’s a convenient option when out. People on MN love to go on about independent restaurants and cafes but some towns don’t have any! And chains are fine!

I didn't get a toy.

WHERE IS MY TOY?

I took my kids to one when they were 8, 6 and 5 because the 8 year old wanted to know what his friends were taking about. The food all seemed flaccid. Not nice.

Don't mind a Waggas or a Pho but I don't like Pizza Express. I'd rather go Franco Manca or an independent over PE.

It's not snobbishness for me. It's a mixture of wanting to support independents, which I think is generally better food and better atmospheres and value for money. If FM is the same price as PE, I'll go there.

My kids however. One went to a birthday party and she came home (aged 10) saying "you won't believe it, we went to a restaurant pub and they did ALL KINDS of food. Like noodles OR a burger OR a steak. You can pick what you want. I think you'd really like it. It's called Wetherspoons Mummy" 🙈