I hate chain restaurants.

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

If I go to Outback and get a steak, what's the difference of the "local" restaurant's steak? Nothing, most likely. They probably both got a loin off the same Sysco truck.

Like I said, there are some local restaurants that are no better (and even worse sometimes) than chain restaurants. However, I have found it much easier to find local restaurants that serve fresh food than I have with chain restaurants. That's why I ask questions at restaurants. I know the restaurants that use local food and I support them with my business. Every single one of them in my town happen to be independent and not franchises.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Do you?

I really don't see the appeal of Pizza Hut or Kelsey's or Eastside Mario's or other chain family restaurants. Fast food chains I kind of understand. I mean, it's all bad for you anyway. But who do these slow food restaurants think they are fooling? We know that nothing is made fresh there. How could it be? The menu in California is the same as the one in Maine. And then they have the gall to charge you a good deal of money as if everything they cooked for you had not just come out of a box. Frustrating.

Does anyone else agree?

I am okay with some chain restaurants. Just like I am okay with some family owned ones. Just because it is a chain does not mean it just came out of a box. I am not sure if you know this but there is many meat supply places all over the world. Most chains do not get there stuff from the same place.
But if you donot like the price or what is severed hit a drive thru at a fast food place for your family and call it a day.

 

[disykat]

In my town, I usually eat at chains because that is what's available. When I visit my parents I would never eat at a chain restaurant because they have terrific local restaurants and we don't have time to even visit all our favortites. When we travel we often look for chains we've never tried before because the kids have seen advertisements. It makes it fun to remember "hey we ate at one of those in ...."

 

[Fire_Eater]

Texas Roadhouse...Best chain ever!!!! you pick your steak right out of the cooler. The only thing better would be if I got to knock to horns of the cow myself And I don't normaly like steak I don't cook myself.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Do you?

I really don't see the appeal of Pizza Hut or Kelsey's or Eastside Mario's or other chain family restaurants. Fast food chains I kind of understand. I mean, it's all bad for you anyway. But who do these slow food restaurants think they are fooling? We know that nothing is made fresh there. How could it be? The menu in California is the same as the one in Maine. And then they have the gall to charge you a good deal of money as if everything they cooked for you had not just come out of a box. Frustrating.

Does anyone else agree?

My best friend in high school's parents owned a mom & pop pizza place. Guess where they got their ingredients? From a food service like Sysco. Frozen. In bags and boxes. What? Do you think all your local restuarants are running out back to the truck patch and picking their own tomatoes?

You really think they serve their food out of a box? Explain this, please

Well, Pizza Hut kinda does

Actually, I kind of enjoy the fact that if I go to a Chili's in Georgia or California or anywhere in between, I know what I'm going to get. I know exactly what it will taste like. No unpleasant surprises.

Yep, me too.

 

[mdrob214]

If I go to Outback and get a steak, what's the difference of the "local" restaurant's steak? Nothing, most likely. They probably both got a loin off the same Sysco truck.

I have nothing against Outback. In many cases I am sure both local and chains get their supplies from the same trucks. And their steaks are not bad--better than Applebees or something (IMO). Mostly, they offer more variety (better or different cuts and specialize in steak so you know it's got a better chance of being good. I just prefer local for that, just as those of you on the coasts probably don't frequent Red Lobster for really great seafood. Honestly, I prefer to get fresh steaks at the butcher counter and cook my own. Then I know they'll be good and they are a fraction of the cost.

 

[Cass]

Do you?

I really don't see the appeal of Pizza Hut or Kelsey's or Eastside Mario's or other chain family restaurants. Fast food chains I kind of understand. I mean, it's all bad for you anyway. But who do these slow food restaurants think they are fooling? We know that nothing is made fresh there. How could it be? The menu in California is the same as the one in Maine. And then they have the gall to charge you a good deal of money as if everything they cooked for you had not just come out of a box. Frustrating.

Does anyone else agree?

For someone who doesn't think there's a need for them you sure sound like you have a lot of experience eating in them.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

For someone who doesn't think there's a need for them you sure sound like you have a lot of experience eating in them.

 

[yearbook50]

You don't seem to like anything do you?


I like chains. I like local places. It depends on what we're in the mood for. We just moved a few towns over and don't know the local places yet, so you can bet we went to the chains this weekend when we wanted food as we knew the quality we would be getting. I like my Ruby Tuesday Thai Phoon Shrimp

You've never been in a kitchen at a local restuarant have you? Most of the food they have is prepackaged in boxes too, especially when it comes to chicken & such.

 

[PatriciaH]

I like chains (Seasons 52, Carrabas, Maccaroni Grill, Mccormick and Schmidts, Texas/Logans Roadhouse, Ruth Criss, Mortons, etc. are all good.) I also like local places and fancier local places like in NY, NOLA, MA, etc..

 

[Cass]

I love Swiss Chalet

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I don't hate them, but I'd rather eat at independant and unique restaurants.

 

[bavaria]

I love Swiss Chalet

ooooh, now you are making me drool for a Harvey's veggie burger!!!

I agree with several posters - there are good chain restaurants, not so good chain restaurants, good independent restaurants, and not so good independent restaurants. Some chains have prepared items, some independents have prepared items.

Once again I have to say 'à chacun son goût'.

 

[N&B'smom]

When I eat with the kids, we usually eat at a chain restraunt...they tend to be louder and my kids blend in.

When it's just DH and I, we are far more likely to go to a "local" restraunt.

One thing I will not buy at a chain is seafood...let's face it, I get fantastic seafood from the local places...I find that the chains can't compete.

BTW...sometimes, you just want something in particular...like Chili's Buffalo Chicken Salad....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

I LOVE the chicken (or steak) fajita pita. Mmmmmm! I get it with extra sauce and extra spices in my fries. YUMMY! That and a blackberry iced tea and I'm set!

I'm not a HUGE chain person but I do like Chili's and Applebees isn't so bad either.

Shelby

 

[Mr. Pig]

Texas Roadhouse...Best chain ever!!!! you pick your steak right out of the cooler. The only thing better would be if I got to knock to horns of the cow myself And I don't normaly like steak I don't cook myself.

Agree with you there! Although there are other chains that are pretty good also. We also have a lot of local places that are great too. I will go to both. I used to do a lot more traveling at work and my coworker would never go to a chain place for lunch. We tried lots of local restaurants and had a about a 50-50 success rate. It really comes down to how adventurous you are.

 

[Planogirl]

I like Papadeaux and the Outback but of course YMMV. I personally think that it's pretty easy to avoid chains if you don't like them so I don't see what the fuss is all about.

 

[Missy1961]

I just ate dinner, but this thread is making me hungry.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I think people also need to look at the area the posters are from before making a determination. The US in general I believe (don't have 1st hand experience as I have not traveled extensively outside the US) has more chain restaurants, fast food, etc. than many other countries. When you look at pictures of London or Paris it is not riddled with Outbacks, Applebees, Olive Gardens and such. I'm not saying they don't have them but they don't seem to be the dominant places. You see cute little cafe's and bistros and other independent type places to eat. From what I have seen of various countries there are limited Uno's and McDonalds and such while in the US you can't drive a block w/o passing several. I have to ask....In Canada where the OP is from, are the chain restaurants abundant or are there more local restaurants? I think if I grew up around one vs. the other I would be inclined to think one way....or the other.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I love Hooters, Cheesecake Factory. Outback, and some others.

At least with chain restaurants you know what you're going to get . When you're traveling and the city/town you're in hasn't any good local restaurants, they can be a God-send.

 

[Planogirl]

I think people also need to look at the area the posters are from before making a determination. The US in general I believe (don't have 1st hand experience as I have not traveled extensively outside the US) has more chain restaurants, fast food, etc. than many other countries. When you look at pictures of London or Paris it is not riddled with Outbacks, Applebees, Olive Gardens and such. I'm not saying they don't have them but they don't seem to be the dominant places. You see cute little cafe's and bistros and other independent type places to eat. From what I have seen of various countries there are limited Uno's and McDonalds and such while in the US you can't drive a block w/o passing several. I have to ask....In Canada where the OP is from, are the chain restaurants abundant or are there more local restaurants? I think if I grew up around one vs. the other I would be inclined to think one way....or the other.

There may be fewer but I know that my cousins in Holland were totally smitten with McDonalds when I was there years ago. I wanted to eat in some traditional little places and they kept suggesting McD's.