I dont know about you all but I wish Illinois would knock the repetitive restaurant chains ... I swear one goes up on every other block in our down town area.. I miss family owned diners and cafes I wish we had more of those here I think its neat when a place has family history... I only get to see those neat 50's diners in movies and on vacations if i stumble across one...
(I even remember when we had a real meat market) all these chains put family owned stuff out of business or discourage them from opening a place in the first place.. Its sad places arnt original anymore...

so my question is ...

Do you feel the same way ?

or does your state/ town still have a lot of mom and pop shops?

Do you prefer chain restaurants?

(All i have to say is fuk Fridays and apple bees)



VS>

I don't eat at chain restaurants. I suppose there are some in Minneapolis, but they are heavily outweighed by other, better stuff.

The suburbs are a different story, though. I generally don't visit the suburbs.

I will usually pass on the chain resturants ~ Asheville and surrounding areas are filled with locally owned and run ~ organically friendly places that support their local farmers ... THAT is always my 1st choice

I'm a fan first of mom and pop joints. Aside from the old-world quaintness of independently-owned neighborhood businesses, the fact they are (generally) one-offs means a greater novelty in their fare and environment. Keeps an area from getting too predictable and boring.

That said, I'm not a restaurant snob. I'll do chain places because in the absence of more interesting choices, they are generally safe defaults. It's almost certain there'll be something on the menu that'll leave most everyone in your party satisfied, even if not bowled over.

Toronto luckily has a nice variety of independent eateries with a great assortment of international cuisines. And if for some reason they aren't an option at any given time, the city is enough of a tourist trap that there's also a bunch of chain places that can serve as last resort.
[Edited 5/2/10 17:45pm]

national chains, no. local chains, some. I don't like to eat food prepared by people who needed a job and just want their shift to end.

The only chain I like is the Cheese Cake Factory and that's for basic cuisine. And can not understand why people go gaga over the olive garden-free cheap bread sticks and as much iceberg lettuce as you can eat?
Independent shops with a chef are the best for me.
[Edited 5/2/10 20:10pm]

We like Chili's, other than that we dont usually eat at chains unless traveling.

There aren't very many in Germany (with the exception of a steak house knock off from the States). The daily food I eat here would be considered pretty frou frou by American standards, so whenever I return home I crave restaurant chain food like crazy. I would practically knock an old lady down the stairs if I thought it would get me to Cheesecake Factory and TGIFridays any faster. In fact, everyone's always pretty mortified at my restaurant choices whenever I visit home. But it's such a change for me in terms of different tastes, I just love those places when I'm on vacation visiting family. If I want entrecote or Serrano ham I can eat that across the street; when I come home to America I have bacon baby back ribs, corn beef sandwiches, and jumbo margaritas on my mind!

It depends.

They are generally:

1) faster than mom-n-pop
2) have better salad bars than mom-n-pop
3) have happy hour or other deals

They're also consistent. No matter where you are in the country
you know what's going to be on the menu and what it will taste like.



Unfortunately, I don't like American food. I never have. I'm not
a steak and potatoes person. And when these chains attempt something
'exotic' it's always just the same bland American dish with a few
peppers or spices thrown in---or served on top of rice.


In Tampa, there's almost no reason to eat at a chain restuarant.
There are so many excellent mom-n-pop places, and one of the best
vegetarian restaurants in the nation (The Grass Roots). And with
an abundance of mom-n-pop seafood and cuban diners, there's no
real incentive to step into a Ruby Tuesdays.

Due to the large military base, Asian diners (Especially Thai)
are also authentic and über delicious.


We didn't have nearly enough German diners though.

They're alright. The chains I eat at are suki yaki places like MK, or Japanese or Korean barbecue places. It's pretty good fare and not too expensive most of the time. Otherwise it's all small local restaurants we go to, or the best of them all, having barbecues at home.

Oh, I do order buy 1 get 1 free pizza from Pizza Company sometimes.

I like Chills and Big Boy's. In some instances American food-chains have been a lifesaver when I've traveled and lived abroad.


Chicago metro area still have mom & pop restaurants and with all the ethnic diversity your pallet has a lot options to try different things. The only issue I have in my area is with soul food, the quality isn't what is use to be.

It really depends on the chain in your area. They may be a chain but most are franchised out and are owned by indiviuals that can control the quality of what they serve. Plus throw in a cook/chef that has some experience and flair and a chain can be just as good as a mom n pop if not better. It really just depends on the place and how its run.

I prefer to eat local when I can. But I do think chains have their place - like when you're in an unfamiliar city and don't have a recommendation for a local place.

At a chain, you know pretty much what you're going to get, wherever you are.

Genesia said:

I guess. If I can't get a local recommendation, I use Yelp when I travel. In fact, one of my favorite things about traveling is eating the specialties of my destination.

Stax said:

I make a point to research online and/or ask around, at my hotel, people in shops that I think may have good taste, wherever.

Stax said:

You'll be looking for a Ruby Tuesday with swiftness after dining at a restaurant that serves crickets and aunt larvea here.

TheVoid said:

mmmmm, larvea pad prik.

Stax said:

Stop it.


I think I find you charming.

CarrieMpls said:

Then again, I don't travel with kids. I can see going to chains when you know your kid won't be interested in the local flavors.

I generally don't care to eat out much but i do enjoy
eating good seafood when i'm on the coast of Myrtle
Beach,Charleston,and Savannah. I do tolerate restaurant
dinners about once a month.
[Edited 5/3/10 8:33am]

Stax said:

Sometimes you're just passing through and it ain't worth all that.

TheVoid said:

You just like my prik.

Genesia said:

There are those times, yes.

Hate hate gross ew.

Did anyone reply "love"?

I just dont care, really...depends on my mood or how hungry I am...or how much time I have...I guess it's one of those questions that never really crosses my mind...I just eat what I want, from where I want...sometimes I'm in the mood for quick and simple, sometimes I wanna explore and try someplace new or different...and I have young children...they couldn't give a damn about local flavor...

thejason said:

I know that is how I was when I was a kid.