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?

What isn’t MN snobby about?

The other big bugbear about pizza express is that they seem to have priced expecting you to use widely available discount vouchers (eg Tesco clubcard), so if you pay full price you’re just a mug. I find this quite unethical.

Your dog eats other dogs shit. The fact you wouldn’t feed it a fishfinger is hilarious

Case in point here for you OP!

Often mn snobbiness is I’m a bit skint and can’t afford it in real life 😂

This thread is really making me crave PE dough balls and garlic butter. I could smash the hell out of a plate of those right now. And the butter would be gone in 60 seconds,

Depends if you want to give hard earned money to companies who don't pay their fair share of taxes and harm the planet ?

Plenty of independents want cash payments for exactly the same reason. Tax evasion occurs across the whole of society.

I bet the bloke running the greasy spoon declares every penny right!

I avoid fast food chains and am happy enough to have a casual meal at Wagas, Franco Manca, Pizza Express or the like but would not go there for a birthday or other special occasions

i was just thinking about this further. The issue is really that all the chains start off with serving really nice food - that’s how they become successful. But as soon as they grow, it’s all about cost savings to maximise profits. It really is the equivalent of a ready made meal from a supermarket.

Wagamana, to take an example, was great when it first opened.

Anddddddd there’s the proof

I think that £52 lunch thread got totally off track in the first few posts tbh. I enjoy a Pizza Express and a Nando's personally, although I wouldn't thank you for food or drink from Costa!

I used to travel a lot for work and when I was alone I'd always go to a chain on my first evening away. I knew it would be familiar and generally reliable, plus fine to sit in as a lone female and read my Kindle with no-one bothering me. Posters on the other thread saying bring a sandwich and drink tap water instead of getting a pizza were missing the whole point about how prices have risen, and the "experiment" wouldn't have worked if the family had gone to a local independent Italian that only people in that town had heard of.

I used to love Strada but they’re gone now.
I used to love Cafe Rouge but they’ve gone.
I used to love Handmade Burger but they’ve gone.

I’m scared to like any new chains!

I agree with you op, love a michelin starred restaurant, also love a five guys or mango passion fruit iced drink from costa.

Cafe Rouge defo not gone, I ate in one over Christmas!

I don’t fancy booking a holiday in Centre Parcs to be able to eat in Cafe Rouge 😂

Oh I love CP.

It's not another thing MN is snobby about is it?

Would you book a holiday there purely to eat in Cafe Rouge though?

Chain restaurants are fine if you like the food and/or convenience.

Calling yourself “a foodie” is wanky and superior.

Probably, although I’m sure the European ones are deemed just about acceptable.

Just don’t suggest Butlins on here.

Haha - no!

Most of the chains don't feel worth the money these days unless I've got a voucher or discount code.

Supermarket Pizza Express pizzas in the pizza oven at home are as good as the restaurant but much cheaper!

You can be a foodie without every meal needing to be groundbreaking, inventive or exciting 🙄

Since this thread is bringing out some pretentious foodies, I think you are actually thinking of tonkatsu sauce, which is a sort of Japanese barbecue sauce, with that recipe. Katsu curry sauce is somewhat different, and usually comprises the usual onion, carrot, garlic and ginger, with Japanese curry powder and garam masala. Then add load of stock - chicken or veg, and some honey. Soy sauce optional. Itadakimsu 🙇