Chain Restaurants (Split from the "Ought to Know" Thread)

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

How do you know she didn't say that to cover her own ass? She probably placed the wrong order into the kitchen and instead of taking the blame, she blamed the kitchen staff which is popular by waitresses.

Actually, she had a really nice ass. It didn't need covering at all.

[Buff]

Obviously BPs charges so much for their food because they have/had a top notch celebrity doing their commercials.

Notice how they've switched to using a sasquatch as their company rep? Obviously they don't have to pay him as much as Howie, and since people are now accustomed to their high prices they obviously make much more money by paying Louie $1500/yr instead of Howie $4,000,000/yr.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by ZDogg

Not to mention the 1st Ave Location was recently closed due to Health Code Violations... I won't get into the details as it was third hand information.

Last visit to the Lethbridge East Side Mario's I waited over 10min for a drink, haven't been back since.

Then they closed down again about a month later to renovate. Their claim of having the reno planned for months before the health violation is likely true, but many people don't see it that way. I wonder how their business is doing now?

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Not sure that this counts as a 'chain' but I have always been impressed with Original Joe's food/prices

Earl's is almost always solid as well...

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I think it's more about why you go there as opposed to quality of food. Consistancy, timely, and a level of quality you can count on (even if it's low quality it could be the best quality available for the purpose).There's a reason why it's called the factory as opposed to restaurant. It mass produces low quality food for low amounts of money. When I consider and choose that restaurant it's more a choice between going there or eating fast food.

I put Chianti's in that category too as I used to go to the Crowfoot location for my dinner break on Sunday nights back when I worked for Safeway in University. $6.95 Pasta in 30 minutes. That beats out every possible alternative on quality in that situation and at a price you can't complain about.

That's why I frequent these places often and actually enjoy them. I wouldn't try to impress a date, or go for a culinary adventure at one of those places, but if you need to grab a bite before a movie you can either spend over $10 on absolute crap at the theatre or get something a little nicer for the same or less money.

I agree... thats primarily why these places exist... as a "next step" from fast food... but its the idea that the food is anything but a step above fast food is what gets to me. Especially when places like ESM and the Factory have prices comparable to Moxies and Earls. Its one thing to go there for a quick lunch, and have something a little better than Wendys... its another to consider it outstanding Italian food.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Especially when places like ESM and the Factory have prices comparable to Moxies and Earls.

I guess we'll have to disagree, because I enjoy ESM over Moxies or Earls. I would say they are pretty much the same concept- as you stated a step above fast food.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I agree... thats primarily why these places exist... as a "next step" from fast food... but its the idea that the food is anything but a step above fast food is what gets to me. Especially when places like ESM and the Factory have prices comparable to Moxies and Earls. Its one thing to go there for a quick lunch, and have something a little better than Wendys...its another to consider it outstanding Italian food.

I thought the factory was priced pretty good. I remember eating a huge plate of pasta there for something like $7 including the salad no more than a year ago. Has the price or amount of food changed that dramatically? At Earl's the cheapest thing on the menu is something like a sandwich or burger at over $10. Also most main entree's are at least $15-20 there too. I didn't think the Factory was in that range.

[Knut]

For breakfast places... check out Nellies on 90th... i find the food better there than at the 17th ave locations....

great for those inthe south.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Hesla

For breakfast places... check out Nellies on 90th... i find the food better there than at the 17th ave locations....

great for those inthe south.

i can't support a place whose owners subscribed to the ######ed Freedom Fries movement a few years ago.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I guess we'll have to disagree, because I enjoy ESM over Moxies or Earls. I would say they are pretty much the same concept- as you stated a step above fast food.

I disagree. Earls is much mroe high end. The whole atmospehere right down to the choice of items on the menu.

[North East Goon]

What about the spumante (sp?) ice cream the Old Spaghetti factory gives you - that is pretty good stuff? And for an added, tongue busting bonus, they give it to you at the same time with a scorching hot tea!

[Azure]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I've made this into its own thread as it is very subjective; and not wanting to kill either discussion.

And I was wondering how I magically started a thread without actually starting it.... ...good idea though.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Patrick

No offense but I come from Italian heritage and ESM italian food is blah. You want good Italian food for the same price or on most occasions less (at places like Sandros in Calgary). I myself would never eat at ESM if I wanted Italian food.

I'd have to go try that out when I'm in Calgary.

Usually I go to Swiss Chalet though. What does everyone think of them?

[Azure]

Another place I like in Lethbridge is Dorros(sp?).

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Table 5

i can't support a place whose owners subscribed to the ######ed Freedom Fries movement a few years ago.

haha, I thought I was the only one still boycotting them for that.

[someguy51]

The last couple of times I was in Saskatchewan we went to this place called "Houston Pizza". I noticed it all over Saskatchewan. Its pretty good. Super cheesy pizza. I actually saw one in Med. Hat but as far as I know thats the only one in Alberta.

[Bean]

I'll second 'Houston Pizza', don't think BP's because Houston Pizza was much much better in price, quality and taste.

I've only seen it in Med. Hat as well.

[North East Goon]

Saskatchewan has some great pizza joints. I am thinking of Trafino's and of course Houston Pizza. That should have been their slogan on their license plates - forget the open skies or whatever it is now?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by octothorp

haha, I thought I was the only one still boycotting them for that.

I'm a bitter bitter man.

[REDVAN]

What was the Freedom Fries thing all about?