Panera Bread or Cosi's? (Jefferson: eat, place, hospital)

[MurrayMoe10]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

It's amazing that a nation of pioneers, refugees, laborers, etc. has turned into a nation of people so afraid of something worse than the mediocre food that they're used to, that they rely on the same substandard thousand miles supply lined substances wherever they go. What are the actual odds of going to a sit down restaurant that looks nice (and on top of that, that reviews can be looked up online in a matter of seconds) and getting worse food than Applebees? .....yet it's still too much of a risk for many scared people.

Something I've wondered about ever since my days of working for a large national restaurant chain years ago.

Totally agree. And I've noticed that it carries over into other aspects of their lives when people are that afraid of anything "different" or any type of change.

[1ondoner]

Hey, I like Applebees and I'm usually disappointed to see them close down although they seem to be busy when I patronize them.

I'm more likely to purchase a meal if there's a picture of it on the menu. If i don't enjoy a meal, it can ruin my day.Plus it's not just the meal. I'm also interested in the ambience and service. I'm not demanding or neither do I expect a lot, but I hate bad service.

BTW, I do go out to independent non-American restaurants like Mexican or Indian. But as usual, some of them suck.

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

It's amazing that a nation of pioneers, refugees, laborers, etc. has turned into a nation of people so afraid of something worse than the mediocre food that they're used to, that they rely on the same substandard thousand miles supply lined substances wherever they go. What are the actual odds of going to a sit down restaurant that looks nice (and on top of that, that reviews can be looked up online in a matter of seconds) and getting worse food than Applebees? .....yet it's still too much of a risk for many scared people.

Something I've wondered about ever since my days of working for a large national restaurant chain years ago.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

It's amazing that a nation of pioneers, refugees, laborers, etc. has turned into a nation of people so afraid of something worse than the mediocre food that they're used to, that they rely on the same substandard thousand miles supply lined substances wherever they go. What are the actual odds of going to a sit down restaurant that looks nice (and on top of that, that reviews can be looked up online in a matter of seconds) and getting worse food than Applebees? .....yet it's still too much of a risk for many scared people.

Something I've wondered about ever since my days of working for a large national restaurant chain years ago.

Fear of change. And I think if someone didn't grow up exposed to unique food options they will never feel the need to try it... they'll just stick with Applebees and Olive Garden.

Originally Posted by 1ondoner

Hey, I like Applebees and I'm usually disappointed to see them close down although they seem to be busy when I patronize them.

I'm more likely to purchase a meal if there's a picture of it on the menu. If i don't enjoy a meal, it can ruin my day.Plus it's not just the meal. I'm also interested in the ambience and service. I'm not demanding or neither do I expect a lot, but I hate bad service.

BTW, I do go out to independent non-American restaurants like Mexican or Indian. But as usual, some of them suck.

Applebees isn't known for their service or ambience or food. They're quick, cheap, basic, and mediocre, exactly what many Americans enjoy. All of those restaurants are a hodgepodge of restaurant warehouse decorations with as many tables as possible stuffed into a large rectangular space with microwave warehouse food.

People can feel free to eat where they want, but rest assured you will never see me in one of those places. And next time your in Applebees compare that pretty picture to what actually shows up on your plate.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

It's amazing that a nation of pioneers, refugees, laborers, etc. has turned into a nation of people so afraid of something worse than the mediocre food that they're used to, that they rely on the same substandard thousand miles supply lined substances wherever they go. What are the actual odds of going to a sit down restaurant that looks nice (and on top of that, that reviews can be looked up online in a matter of seconds) and getting worse food than Applebees? .....yet it's still too much of a risk for many scared people.

Something I've wondered about ever since my days of working for a large national restaurant chain years ago.

Once upon a time, in America, diners (which can have really terrific food) served the role of simple, but well prepared, tasty food. These were local establishments that were part of their communities. Chains have pretty much removed these places.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by 1ondoner

Hey, I like Applebees and I'm usually disappointed to see them close down although they seem to be busy when I patronize them.

I'm more likely to purchase a meal if there's a picture of it on the menu. If i don't enjoy a meal, it can ruin my day.Plus it's not just the meal. I'm also interested in the ambience and service. I'm not demanding or neither do I expect a lot, but I hate bad service.

BTW, I do go out to independent non-American restaurants like Mexican or Indian. But as usual, some of them suck.

There's "ambience" at Applebee's? And, yes, I've been in one...

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Fear of change. And I think if someone didn't grow up exposed to unique food options they will never feel the need to try it... they'll just stick with Applebees and Olive Garden.



Applebees isn't known for their service or ambience or food. They're quick, cheap, basic, and mediocre, exactly what many Americans enjoy. All of those restaurants are a hodgepodge of restaurant warehouse decorations with as many tables as possible stuffed into a large rectangular space with microwave warehouse food.

People can feel free to eat where they want, but rest assured you will never see me in one of those places. And next time your in Applebees compare that pretty picture to what actually shows up on your plate.

You're an elitist and snob! Lol. Well, I kinda became one of those a long time ago. Lol

I don't know this for sure, but something tells me that Applebee's digs food out of freezers, puts it in microwaves and throws it on plates. Nothing, probably, is made to order.

[MurrayMoe10]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Fear of change. And I think if someone didn't grow up exposed to unique food options they will never feel the need to try it... they'll just stick with Applebees and Olive Garden.



Applebees isn't known for their service or ambience or food. They're quick, cheap, basic, and mediocre, exactly what many Americans enjoy. All of those restaurants are a hodgepodge of restaurant warehouse decorations with as many tables as possible stuffed into a large rectangular space with microwave warehouse food.

People can feel free to eat where they want, but rest assured you will never see me in one of those places. And next time your in Applebees compare that pretty picture to what actually shows up on your plate.

That picture isn't even the food: they enhance it and paint it and put cardboard under the burger buns to make them look fluffier...

You can buy a Stouffers frozen meal and it tastes about the same as most of the stuff they serve at chains.

Not everyone is a foodie, though. I just find it weird to discuss any chain vs any other chain. They all are mediocre.

[selhars]

I cut waaay back on eating at chains over a decade ago. ANd that was before I heard that some don't even have fully functional kitchens -- for you know --- COOKING FOOD!

I can be a food snob -- but I'm also a basic comfort food person. Whatever it is I want it to be GOOD! (For me personally that's not most chains.)

[1ondoner]

Oh yes. Aplebees has it's own character. It doesn't have to be sophisticated or up scale

Originally Posted by kyb01

There's "ambience" at Applebee's? And, yes, I've been in one...

[bnettles]

I prefer non-chains too. The local, family-run hubs are great. Milkhouse, for example, is great for a simple grilled cheese, and it's close to the Cosi on Market.

Corner Bakery or PotBelly isn't bad.

Awesome sandwich roundup here: 25 Best Sandwiches in Philadelphia - Cheap Eats | Foobooz!