Chain vs Chef-Driven Restaurants (Roswell, Decatur: neighborhood, school, camp)

[ElleKaye]

Originally Posted by gerrythesnake

Which do you prefer and why?

As a general rule, I prefer chef-driven because the quality of the ingredients seems fresher. Also, when cooking sometimes it's better to go with the flow than stick to a recipe unless you're baking.
I am not above going to a chain, but many do not appeal to me because I find the food bland and processed to death.

It's sort of like comparing a frozen meal to one from scratch. I may be able to tolerate say lasagna from a box in the frozen food section, but I'd really prefer someone lay it out in the pan like granny.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

"Van" as in "vin" for wine? Embarrassing.

At least they were trying to fit in. That's more than most can say.

[billl]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

At least they were trying to fit in. That's more than most can say.

Yes "van" as in "vin".

And yes at least they were trying a local establishment with good food. But since the rest of the order was in English perhaps they should have stuck with English 100%. I think the exact quote was "we would like to order some van."

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by billl

Yes "van" as in "vin".

And yes at least they were trying a local establishment with good food. But since the rest of the order was in English perhaps they should have stuck with English 100%. I think the exact quote was "we would like to order some van."

I've found that folks in other countries actually appreciate it when you attempt to speak their native language, even if you mess it up. Shows some respect.

[ATLondoner]

Originally Posted by billl

We were in Paris (which has fantastic food everywhere you turn) and walked by the McDonalds on the Champs-Élysées. Which, in and of itself just seems like anathema or something. And the place was loaded with American tourists. I wanted to walk in there and yell at all of them: "You are in PARIS for God's sake. Go out there and eat some REAL food."

But then later that night we were in a wonderful café (well, they are all wonderful) and overheard the typical loud and rude American two tables over ordering "van" (yes, that's how he pronounced it). So, maybe it is a good thing that some of them stay in McDonalds.

A few weeks back we was eating on the patio at Barcelona in Inman Park on a Saturday afternoon, a group of 2 couples were seated on the table next to us...they had been to the braves game that afternoon.

After studying the mainly tapas menu one of the girls asked the waitress if she could get them 'something American as we don't like foreign foods'.

The waitress politely mentioned to them that they were in a Mediterranean style tapas bar.

"Well you must sell tacos or nachos?"

"Ma'am, tacos and nachos are both Mexican and not American" replies the waitress.

BOOM!

[diablo234]

Originally Posted by George Chong

I always laugh when I see American tourists in Europe eating at a McDonald's or a Kentucky Fried Chicken

LOL I have been guilty of this in the past but that was only because it was one of the few places open.

[ATLondoner]

Originally Posted by diablo234

LOL I have been guilty of this in the past but that was only because it was one of the few places open.

Go to Fado's on Saturday....full of Brits (like me) in an irish pub! We can't help ourselves

[George Chong]

Originally Posted by ATLondoner

A few weeks back we was eating on the patio at Barcelona in Inman Park on a Saturday afternoon, a group of 2 couples were seated on the table next to us...they had been to the braves game that afternoon.

After studying the mainly tapas menu one of the girls asked the waitress if she could get them 'something American as we don't like foreign foods'.

The waitress politely mentioned to them that they were in a Mediterranean style tapas bar.

"Well you must sell tacos or nachos?"

"Ma'am, tacos and nachos are both Mexican and not American" replies the waitress.

BOOM!

[ATLTJL]

Both are fine.

I don't want to go off on a tangent here, but it seems to me that in a lot of ways, we are entering a "this or that" society.

I mean, just look at this board. Chain or chef? Suburb or in town? We get asked a lot of either or styled questions often forgetting to realize that very little in life is a zero sum game.

The answer is almost always in the middle. For example, this question. As has been stated, both serve individual purposes. Only a fool would say one is always better than the other because you have some chef driven restaurants that are actually pretty terrible and then you have some chains, like Houstons, that are often better than a chef restaurant. I've taken to pretty much refusing to eat anywhere until I've checked the Yelp reviews. I'm not going to step into a complete unknown just because it looks a certain way.

I really like both types of restaurants. Just like I really like the suburbs and intown neighborhoods. I wouldn't judge anybody for choosing one over the other so long as they acknowledged what is good and bad about both before diving into a decision.

It reminds me of the kids I knew in college who liked REM or Nirvana, but then refused to listen to them anymore once they gained traction and sold some records. The fact that other people like the music now as well doesn't change what it is and shouldn't influence whether you like it. I like underground stuff you've never heard of as well as crap that you hear all over pop radio.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Both are fine.

I don't want to go off on a tangent here, but it seems to me that in a lot of ways, we are entering a "this or that" society.

I mean, just look at this board. Chain or chef? Suburb or in town? We get asked a lot of either or styled questions often forgetting to realize that very little in life is a zero sum game.

The answer is almost always in the middle. For example, this question. As has been stated, both serve individual purposes. Only a fool would say one is always better than the other because you have some chef driven restaurants that are actually pretty terrible and then you have some chains, like Houstons, that are often better than a chef restaurant. I've taken to pretty much refusing to eat anywhere until I've checked the Yelp reviews. I'm not going to step into a complete unknown just because it looks a certain way.

I really like both types of restaurants. Just like I really like the suburbs and intown neighborhoods. I wouldn't judge anybody for choosing one over the other so long as they acknowledged what is good and bad about both before diving into a decision.

It reminds me of the kids I knew in college who liked REM or Nirvana, but then refused to listen to them anymore once they gained traction and sold some records. The fact that other people like the music now as well doesn't change what it is and shouldn't influence whether you like it. I like underground stuff you've never heard of as well as crap that you hear all over pop radio.

Thank you for pointing this all out. Very much needed around here!