Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Thoughts on chain restaurants.

When we lived in Glendale CA in the 80's we went to Marie Callander's (family style, now closed), Sizzler (great salad bar, chain closed). A local favorite at the end of our street that was half Irish, half Mexican. Another was a small restaurant call Chef's Diner. You walked in and there was a chef behind the serving line with freshly cooked turkey, ham and roast beef plus veggies. Tell them what you want, they cut it off and served you the plate. Fantastic. But the one we ate at the most was a small Thai restaurant, owned by one family. We got to know them well. We had decided to move back home to upstate NY and went there on our last night. The lady was in tears when we told her we were moving. Now I am back in CA in the Bay Area by myself and I eat out more than I should. I frequent "The Habit", best chicken club sandwich anywhere, but order it on a chibata roll. Also Panda Express. Both good meals for $10-$12. For the first 5 or 6 years, I would go the Black Bear chain for Thanksgiving, flat rate meal for turkey or roast beef. Plenty of fresh cut turkey off the bird and good sides. Couple of years ago I went again, but this time the turkey was cut off a processed loaf, service was poor (generally is when you are by your self). Never again.

I go to Peets coffee in Orinda after a vigorous motorcycle ride. I get their K-cups in bulk from Amazon, cheapest way.
 
Allyance said:
When we lived in Glendale CA in the 80's we went to Marie Callander's (family style, now closed), Sizzler (great salad bar, chain closed). A local favorite at the end of our street that was half Irish, half Mexican. Another was a small restaurant call Chef's Diner. You walked in and there was a chef behind the serving line with freshly cooked turkey, ham and roast beef plus veggies. Tell them what you want, they cut it off and served you the plate. Fantastic. But the one we ate at the most was a small Thai restaurant, owned by one family. We got to know them well. We had decided to move back home to upstate NY and went there on our last night. The lady was in tears when we told her we were moving. Now I am back in CA in the Bay Area by myself and I eat out more than I should. I frequent "The Habit", best chicken club sandwich anywhere, but order it on a chibata roll. Also Panda Express. Both good meals for $10-$12. For the first 5 or 6 years, I would go the Black Bear chain for Thanksgiving, flat rate meal for turkey or roast beef. Plenty of fresh cut turkey off the bird and good sides. Couple of years ago I went again, but this time the turkey was cut off a processed loaf, service was poor (generally is when you are by your self). Never again.

I go to Peets coffee in Orinda after a vigorous motorcycle ride. I get their K-cups in bulk from Amazon, cheapest way.
Click to expand...

Panda Express, at least in our area, it horrible - rude staff, paltry portions and high(er) prices - and the food is just not good... we used to like Black Bear for breakfast, but haven't' been there in years...
 
  • Like
Reactions: rhett7660
dwfaust said:
Panda Express, at least in our area, it horrible - rude staff, paltry portions and high(er) prices - and the food is just not good... we used to like Black Bear for breakfast, but haven't' been there in years...
Click to expand...
I can see where a local manger could make all the difference. I eat at two different PE locations, service is generally good, you only interact with two people, the server and the cashier. I try to be friendly with the young kids that serve, a smile goes a long way, gets me a few extra shrimp. They work hard for little pay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: compwiz1202, TechRunner and BigMcGuire
I avoid most of them, for the most part. A few exceptions, like In'n'Out or Popeye's. Unfortunately I've noticed a decline in food quality at many restaurants since the pandemic, not just chains. Part of me wonders if the increase in online orders has led to a decrease in quality. It has certainly led to a decrease in service quality at some places, like Chipotle, where I've had to stand there for 10 minutes while they fulfill online orders before they'll even speak to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: compwiz1202 and rhett7660
ThisBougieLife said:
I avoid most of them, for the most part. A few exceptions, like In'n'Out or Popeye's. Unfortunately I've noticed a decline in food quality at many restaurants since the pandemic, not just chains. Part of me wonders if the increase in online orders has led to a decrease in quality. It has certainly led to a decrease in service quality at some places, like Chipotle, where I've had to stand there for 10 minutes while they fulfill online orders before they'll even speak to me.
Click to expand...

We have pretty much given up on chain restaurants when it comes to online ordering. We have had much better luck with the Mom and Pop locations as they seem to get it right and the food is always tasty. The big ones, not so much.

I love In-n-Out... the food is always good!
 
Last edited:
ThisBougieLife said:
I avoid most of them, for the most part. A few exceptions, like In'n'Out or Popeye's. Unfortunately I've noticed a decline in food quality at many restaurants since the pandemic, not just chains. Part of me wonders if the increase in online orders has led to a decrease in quality. It has certainly led to a decrease in service quality at some places, like Chipotle, where I've had to stand there for 10 minutes while they fulfill online orders before they'll even speak to me.
Click to expand...
I remember one time we ordered takeout Chinese, and a huge line waiting well over an hour. Manager came in and yelled at them to stop taking orders when you have people waiting. Totally agree!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back