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Most chains are pretty mediocre. I think the preponderance of pubs with locally differentiated meals that are relatively cheap and filling would make it very difficult for a chain selling the same thing hard to compete.
Its also clubs; most down my way serve fairly good quality meals at pretty low prices.
We like clubs in the middle of summer and middle of winter when it is often too hot or cold to sit in open restaurants. We also go to a couple of places which have kids areas when we need to go with the grandkids. We usually go to Maccas when travelling, knowing the service is quick and they have clean rest rooms.
When it is actually good food we are seeking we have our favourites and they would never be chains. Mind you people our age do take into consideration the availability of parking and the potential noise level. Boring but necessary!
Never heard of it. I checked Wikipedia and apparently they have 11 locations in Victoria and the ACT. It would seem they're not very common.
Oh ok. I’m not Australian. I looked up the article and it says that they are found in VIC. For some reason, I thought they were common throughout the country.
Oh ok. I’m not Australian. I looked up the article and it says that they are found in VIC. For some reason, I thought they were common throughout the country.
Sounds a bit like Pancakes on the Rocks. It used to have more stores around in Sydney, and now some on the Gold Coast. ( I thought I saw one at Coolangatta many years ago)
On the OP, there are many that have come and gone.
Locally we have Henny Penny in Newcastle/the Hunter (hot chickens), it had a crack in Sydney, but it did not take off.
There is also Chicken Treat in WA.
Yeah I remember Sizzler back in it's heyday as well.
Pizza Hut also used to have more sit down restaurants, our local (East Maitland) closed last year, and there are only a handful left in the state. I went to one in Windsor last year. They also had a failed venture into shopping centre food courts as well.
I do not recall seeing any notable sit-down restaurant chains in Australia, not talking about fast food. I know Outback Steakhouse did NOT originate there.
Do they have any equivalent of Chili's, Red Lobster, Black Angus, Cheesecake Factory, Ruby Tuesday, Maggiano's Little Italy, Pappadeaux Seafood, Golden Corral...??
However I'm aware supporting independent / ethnic cuisine is strong over there.
You are correct in what you say. What I'm curious about is the quality of the chains you name above. Are they just places you get served oversize, 5/10 quality meals?
You are correct in what you say. What I'm curious about is the quality of the chains you name above. Are they just places you get served oversize, 5/10 quality meals?
The quality higher than the average Australian would associate with a chain restaurant, but, as with anything that wants mass market appeal, it has to be fairly bland and not too original.
I'd equate it to what you'd get in a suburban pub, or club.
The quality higher than the average Australian would associate with a chain restaurant, but, as with anything that wants mass market appeal, it has to be fairly bland and not too original.
I'd equate it to what you'd get in a suburban pub, or club.
The quality higher than the average Australian would associate with a chain restaurant, but, as with anything that wants mass market appeal, it has to be fairly bland and not too original.
I'd equate it to what you'd get in a suburban pub, or club.
Although from the list the OP gave there is quite a range there too. I would say that the club/pub bistro lands smack dab in the middle whereas some the quality is probably about the same as the more exxy places like waterside.
Australia does have the Hard Rock and as a bit of background the American chains really grew from the Interstate Highway system where travellers could obtain fairly reliable similar fare as they drove along the interestates.
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