Chain Restaurants = Mediocrity at Best

[gulfstream69xr7]

I live 20 minutes from the most underrated food city in America, and an hour + from the best food city in the world.

I haven't eaten at a chain years.

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by Danny83

For the most part OP is correct but While im on travel I do go to Cheesecake Factory, CarlsJr, PfChangs, California Pizza Kitchen and a few others ...its not too bad

A couple years ago they opened a PF Changs in Toronto. It was hyped as very good food and popular in the US.

We gave it a try. Terrible food (unless you like eating salt licks). It recently closed, and they acknowledged that opening in ethnically diverse Toronto was a mistake.

Maybe it does well where people have never actually tried real Chinese food and don't mind high blood pressure.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

A couple years ago they opened a PF Changs in Toronto. It was hyped as very good food and popular in the US.

We gave it a try. Terrible food (unless you like eating salt licks). It recently closed, and they acknowledged that opening in ethnically diverse Toronto was a mistake.

Maybe it does well where people have never actually tried real Chinese food and don't mind high blood pressure.

I like PF Changs on the whole, its not gourmet Chinese food but very pleasant IMHO and I'm sensitive to sodium and most certainly MSG. Never had an issue YMMV

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

A couple years ago they opened a PF Changs in Toronto. It was hyped as very good food and popular in the US.

We gave it a try. Terrible food (unless you like eating salt licks). It recently closed, and they acknowledged that opening in ethnically diverse Toronto was a mistake.

Maybe it does well where people have never actually tried real Chinese food and don't mind high blood pressure.

good point...I forgot to mention that particular chain restaurant. we'll enter it in as #6 PF Chang's (Chinese). been there 2X (Stanford/Santa Clara) & not planning on going back...the entrees were somewhat over-seasoned & about as authentic as one would expect from a corporate chain restaurant. I suspect that its namesake had no input regarding the menu.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by ref1655

good point...I forgot to mention that particular chain restaurant. we'll enter it in as #6 PF Chang's (Chinese). been there 2X (Stanford/Santa Clara) & not planning on going back...the entrees are somewhat over-seasoned & about as authentic as one would expect from a corporate chain restaurant.

Perception IS reality and if you say it's been salty then it is, I've been to the Boca PFC 20 times and the Dedham PFC maybe 10 times and never had a salt issue. Maybe I'm not as sensitive as I thought LOL

[swils8610]

I will say I am big fan of Ruth's Chris! I prefer a more local feel when I dine out casually. Most chains feel generic to me.

[rr-nyc]

I typically don't eat at any of those chains with the only exception being if I am out of town, in a small town, that has very few options if any. Out of that list, it would be Outback or Red Lobster. Chili's is a maybe but Olive Garden and Chevy's are downright horrible attempts at Italian and Mexican.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Some chains still focus on quality. Off the top of my head.

Capitol Grill
Joes Stone Crab
Fogo de Chao
Smith Wollensky

Mileage may vary

I rarely eat at chain resturants in Las Vegas as the local ones are so good

EDIT: nothing is better then chef-ing and eating at home with family and friends

Theres only one Joe's Stone Crab although they have opened up a couple Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab. I don't know if I would call it a chain through cause there are only 2 of them.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Seth don't know about you but I think what has happened to Morton's is a crying shame. Before it was sold off and ended up in Landry's hands it was a special place, no longer! It's diluted and an also-ran now, too bad. I'll take Del Frisco's as far as steak chains go, the others aren't special JMHO

I agree that mortons has declined.

Still not mediocre tho. I actually ate there tonight and enjoyed it very much.

Ruth Chris and CG, both pretty good. I do prefer del friscos myself. I'll take Lugers tho, over them all.

Except houstons. I think houstons is exceptional. I really do.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by superdog

I agree that mortons has declined.

Still not mediocre tho. I actually ate there tonight and enjoyed it very much.

Ruth Chris and CG, both pretty good. I do prefer del friscos myself. I'll take Lugers tho, over them all.

Except houstons. I think houstons is exceptional. I really do.

I agree on Houston's being excellent, but Luger's isn't a chain?

[.db]

The only chain I'm partial to is Din Tai Fung.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Not even the olives are good at Olive garden!

So funny b/c it is true!!!!!

[SMD]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I agree on Houston's being excellent, but Luger's isn't a chain?

Does two locations make a chain?

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by .db

The only chain I'm partial to is Din Tai Fung.

I agree. I hit it three times on a ten day trip to Shanghai.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by SMD

Does two locations make a chain?

Originally Posted by cedargrove

A couple years ago they opened a PF Changs in Toronto. It was hyped as very good food and popular in the US.

We gave it a try. Terrible food (unless you like eating salt licks). It recently closed, and they acknowledged that opening in ethnically diverse Toronto was a mistake.

Maybe it does well where people have never actually tried real Chinese food and don't mind high blood pressure.

Does one?

[SMD]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Does one?

Great neck does not count?

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by SMD

Great neck does not count?

Zero idea what you're talking about

[SMD]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Zero idea what you're talking about

Luger has two locations. You questioned whether Luger's was a chain. Hence the question does two locations make a chain restaurant.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by SMD

Luger has two locations. You questioned whether Luger's was a chain. Hence the question does two locations make a chain restaurant.

Sorry I thought we were talking about PFC and the fact that I frequent two locations. For Lugers, absolutely not IMHO, two is not a chain, again JMHO.

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Does one?

I think there are over 200 PF Changs. Just because they only managed to open one in Toronto before it failed doesn't mean that it wasn't part of the chain.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

I think there are over 200 PF Changs. Just because they only managed to open one in Toronto before it failed doesn't mean that it wasn't part of the chain.

Who said it wasn't?

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Who said it wasn't?

Well, when you asked "Does one?", you quoted my post regarding PF Changs. I assumed you were using it as an example.

Maybe you just quoted it by accident?

[Gaijin]

You don't appreciate these chain restaurants until you can't have them.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

Theres only one Joe's Stone Crab although they have opened up a couple Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab. I don't know if I would call it a chain through cause there are only 2 of them.

Yup, your right. I thought there was 3, but still not chain.

Here
Chicago
D.C.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I agree on Houston's being excellent, but Luger's isn't a chain?

Well, I got excited, what can I say?

[MonBK]

Never had a bad meal at Ruth Chris.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by monbk

never had a bad meal at ruth chris.

x 2.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Never had a bad meal at Ruth Chris.

Originally Posted by Gaijin

x 2.

And their electric pepper grinders are awesome, I bought two.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Never had a bad meal at Ruth Chris.

My wife and I went there with another couple. Our half of the bill was around 120-130 dollars. With no alcoholic drinks. Never again. No steak entrée to me is worth 60-70 dollars per head. I can go to Costco and buy a package of filet mignons and king crab legs for 100 bucks and have a feast for a king at home.
Now if you have unlimited amounts of $$$, OK. Not me.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

My wife and I went there with another couple. Our half of the bill was around 120-130 dollars. With no alcoholic drinks. Never again. No steak entrée to me is worth 60-70 dollars per head. I can go to Costco and buy a package of filet mignons and king crab legs for 100 bucks and have a feast for a king at home.
Now if you have unlimited amounts of $$$, OK. Not me.

You can also buy frozen steaks for $5 a pound at Publix or Winn Dixie.