Chain vs. Non-Chain

[Uuaww]

when going out to restaurants, what do you prefer? a well known Chain restaurant or a non-Chain? Over here, we have zero chains and every week me and a group of friends go to a new restaurant. We of course have our favorites that we frequent but I get annoyed and bored when back in the states I look at the menu and there are no specials that the waiter might entice me with. At a non-Chain, you know you are going to have a chef put out his work while at Chain, you will have a cook prepare the food just like ever other restaurant. Now there are pros and cons of each, but what do you prefer?

 

[BillSears]

I prefer non-chain, local restaurants.

 

[AshleyW]

I prefer non-chains, but we have a TON of chains in Cedar Rapids and some of them are pretty good. Chain-wise, I like Outback, Texas Roadhouse, Carlos O'Kelly's, Red Lobster and Applebees.

My two favorite restaurants are local, and they are:

El Rancho Mexican: http://www.elranchomexican.com/ $16.50 for a pitcher of margaritas? Yes please.

Irish Democrat: http://irishdemocrat.net/ Mmmm macho nachos.

 

[PatsMom]

We prefer non-chain local restaurants. Which is a good thing because the Mount Washington Valley has done a pretty good job of keeping the chains out! We have Applebee's and the 99. And McD's, BK and a Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut. But other than that, it is pretty much non-chain. And we have some great dining experiences.

 

[happygirl]

I like mom and pop type places

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I much prefer local places over chains. Not to say you can't get a good meal at a chain (some more easily than others) but I like the variety. Often the local places have better food at the same or lower prices than the chains.

When we travel, if we are in a position to have pizza delivered, I always ask about a local place - we've had some interesting pizzas that way. I hate it when the choices are Papa johns, pizza hut and dominos. Ick.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Chain or not, I want good food. I have had both good and bad at both.

We are trying out new restaurants all the time.

 

[jen0610]

We like both. You never know what is going to sway us to chain or local.

We won't go any where near Olive Garden, but LOVE the Casa restruants here.

Have tried several different Mexian chain's and they just can't touch the locally owned. Now, there are two locally owned that we like, one is more of a watered down mexican and the other is very authentic.

For breakfast meals, we like Cracker Barrel, but can't stand IHop or Denny's. And if we get any where near one, I love Waffle House. But at the same time, there is a local place that serves a wonderful breakfast and lunch menu. It just depends on what we are in the mood for.

 

[KristaTX]

I know I'll be in the minority, but I typically like the food and experience at chains more. By chain, I am including national, regional, and small local chains as being my preference over one-of-a-kinds. Businesses usually grow for a reason . But of course there are some I don't like (e.g. Olive Garden, Red Lobster, any buffet place).

The atmosphere is often nicer at chains, at least around here. I don't really like "hole-in-the-wall" places because that's often a very apt description. Part of what I go out for is nice lighting and a cozy or unique atmosphere.

One thing I've noticed is that the "independent" Italian restaurants around here all seem to use the same suppliers. The food is almost identical, and they all serve the exact same bread . I'd rather have Carino's or even just make Italian food at home.

 

[monkeybug]

Mostly non chain, but I do like Carraba's, PF Changs, and The Cheesecake Factory (which goes with out saying. They have cheesecake. Lots and lots of cheesecake) Oh and Ihop when they have pumpkin pancakes.
I hate Olive garden, Applebees, Chevy's (Mexican food is best from a truck or an older lady with tamales in a parking lot. Ask any Californian) Cracker Barrel (sorry!) and any restaurant with the word "corral" in it's name.

 

[monkeybug]

I know I'll be in the minority, but I typically like the food and experience at chains more. By chain, I am including national, regional, and small local chains as being my preference over one-of-a-kinds. Businesses usually grow for a reason . But of course there are some I don't like (e.g. Olive Garden, Red Lobster, any buffet place).

The atmosphere is often nicer at chains, at least around here. I don't really like "hole-in-the-wall" places because that's often a very apt description. Part of what I go out for is nice lighting and a cozy or unique atmosphere.

One thing I've noticed is that the "independent" Italian restaurants around here all seem to use the same suppliers. The food is almost identical, and they all serve the exact same bread . I'd rather have Carino's or even just make Italian food at home.

Oh yeah! I forgot I hate Red Lobster too! I'm glad you reminded me.
I don't know what they sell there, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't come from the Ocean.

 

[RadioNate]

Non-chain. If I do go to a chain is has to be a more "high end" one. PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory or more of a franchise place Melting Pot, Benihana.

I also don't mind a few regional chains. For the Texans: Rudy's BBQ, Chuy's, the Pappas Bros properties...places when the food doesn't come frozen in little plastic portion bag that the cook heats up when you order it.

 

[Disnydad]

A lot of the non-chain places around here have gone downhill quality wise the past few years and some of them are gone now. I prefer them if the quality is good.

 

[etoiles]

I highly prefer non chain restaurants. As a vegetarian the chains just seem to serve much more meat and have only plain, unimaginative vegetarian dishes. I also like ethnic restaurants and there are less of those in chain form. Also, the chains have mostly prepared food that is shipped in to them so to me much of it does not taste great. Even at Panera Bread I asked about getting a panini altered (I have tried this at multiple locations) and was told it could not be done because it was premade!

The only chains that I really like to eat at are Ruby Tuesday for the salad bar and Baja Fresh.

 

[bicker]

I prefer the chain restaurants for affordable meals out. There is a measure of consistent quality and relatively reliable cleanliness that you simply do not get from independent affordable restaurants in this area, and generally the chains are much more accommodating to personal dietary needs (I'm a vegetarian) than the independents, which tend to have more of a "this is all I know how to make" attitude.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I like the chains here too because I know what I am going to get every time in and out. I do like the local Mexican places though, but we really don't have Mexican chain restaurants around here.

 

[mikehn]

I like the chains also, because when I really like something, I know it will be prepared the exact same way every time, every where. I dont have to spend good money to take a chance some where else.

 

[Piecey]

Depends on what type of food we want.

For pizza there are two great local family-owned restaurants.
Italian we go to Olive Garden or a wonderful, wonderful restaurant that is about 45 minutes from home (which is the only reason we'd choose OG over it, the drive.) We do love Maggiano's when we are close to one, too.
Mexican- our favorite is a local "chain" of 2. One here and one in another bigger city about an hour away.

Steakhouses we prefer Logans.
No idea what we want? Applebees.

so.. we're not partial in general, just partial based off of what kind of food we want!

..now I'm hungry!

 

[disykat]

Depends where I am. If I'm in my parent's town I prefer a local restaurant. They have great restaurants. Here, our restaurants are terrible. Seriously, aside from one local Thai place I love, the chains are our best choices.

 

[Uuaww]

I asked b/c I grew up in Oakland where chains were few and far in between. I went to Chilis and CPK but my dad was a chef and scoffed at chains. When we ate out, it was mostly ethnic food.

I took this job in the Caribbean where NO chains even exist. Heck, we only have 2 McDonalds on the whole island! I live off the local places and love it!

However, I was sent to training in Maryland for 3 months last winter. Living in a hotel room and given per diem. I was basically expected to eat out every night. For the first time in my life I tried: TGI Fridays (Happy Hour w/ half priced apps and drinks rocked), Ruby Tuesdays (meh), Olive Garden (average but I don't really enjoy pasta), Cracker Barrel (probably the most rediculous portions ever), Applebees (meh), and a few more that didn't stand out.

I loved Chipotle as well, but had been there before. I also feel Chains are responsible for Americans getting fatter and eating more. They give SOOOOO Much food! It really can get rediculous. When I go to a place here I will rarely leave food on my plate but the portions aren't huge and I never feel like I overate.