That's so Bay Area... (Oakland: home, to buy, allergies)

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by socalinnorcal

Yes, but Starbuck's are EVERYWHERE. Can't count them.

Even in supposedly chain-averse SF, which rather contradicts the statement that there are "hardly any" chain outlets here.

I'd rather live in a place with "too few" chain stores and shops than in a place where EVERY SINGLE store and restaurant is a chain. Maybe SF does err on the side of "too few," but would the Valencia corridor (for example) really be a better place if it were lined with Restoration Hardware and Urban Outfitters and Applebee's instead of the mix of locally-owned establishments that exists there now?

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by Ice City Native

Busy people at work can grab and go. Late night after the club. Nothing open.

So there are food trucks conviently parked near clubs at 2AM but you can't find a restaurant open nearby?

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by socalinnorcal

Yes, chains exist in the Bay Area, but let's get real-- just barely. I can't stand this about the Bay Area. I personally love chain restaurants. Wish we had more of them.

Why? Chain restaurants not only routinely treat their hourly employees badly, they make it difficult for local restaurants to thrive by offering generic crap that's not at all healthy/good for you at a low price point. When deep fried southwest eggrolls and "lettuce wraps" are on every chain restaurant's menu, you know something is wrong.

And the idea that their food is consistent is sort of a joke. One, most of their food is mass produced/pre-prepared, so it SHOULD always taste the same. And two, the quality of food varies widely from franchise to franchise.

I think Jade forgot to add anti-corporatism to the list

[sav858]

Bayarrhea
1) What happens when two or more San Franciscans start talking about San Francisco.

2) When a group of San Franciscans get together to congratulate themselves on how proud they are to live in the best place on Earth. Bayarrhea often occurs when people need reassurance of their decision to live in the Bay Area, as most people (at least before the Internet boom) did not move there for work, but rather just because of the appealing lifestyle.

Bayarrhea can be illustrated through the following converstion: "Isn't it great that we live in the Bay Area?"
"Yes, it is, isn't it? Look at the sun setting over the fog-enveloped bridge." "Look at Mt. Tam!" "Look at that multi-racial lesbian couple doing tai-chi!" "Look at those guys in assless chaps!" "Yes, it's all so wonderful, I can barely drink my Fair-Trade soy latte with shavings of sustainably grown chocolate mejicano without crying!"

Urban Dictionary: Bayarrhea

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by sav858

"Look at those guys in assless chaps!"

FYI: All chaps are assless. If they weren't, they'd be pants.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

Chain restaurants not only routinely treat their hourly employees badly, they make it difficult for local restaurants to thrive by offering generic crap that's not at all healthy/good for you at a low price point. When deep fried southwest eggrolls and "lettuce wraps" are on every chain restaurant's menu, you know something is wrong.

Oh, puh-leeze!! There are many chain restaurants that have good food such as Chipotle as well as some pizza chains. Many people on these forums rave about In-n-Out burgers (OK, I don't get that either).

What makes you think that many local non-chain restaurants don't serve deep fried "generic crap" or treat their employees badly? I've been in a few local restaurants and wished I had gone to a fast food place instead.

[04kL4nD]

I don't think Chipotle or In-N-Out are great, but I suppose they are better than Taco Bell and Jack-In-The-Box.

I didn't say every mom and pop out there is great. The ones that are usually last, while the ones that suck go out of business pretty quickly.

[socalinnorcal]

Originally Posted by pch1013

Even in supposedly chain-averse SF, which rather contradicts the statement that there are "hardly any" chain outlets here.

I'd rather live in a place with "too few" chain stores and shops than in a place where EVERY SINGLE store and restaurant is a chain. Maybe SF does err on the side of "too few," but would the Valencia corridor (for example) really be a better place if it were lined with Restoration Hardware and Urban Outfitters and Applebee's instead of the mix of locally-owned establishments that exists there now?

For me? YES!!!!!!! Bring it on. Would love that.

[socalinnorcal]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

Why? Chain restaurants not only routinely treat their hourly employees badly, they make it difficult for local restaurants to thrive by offering generic crap that's not at all healthy/good for you at a low price point. When deep fried southwest eggrolls and "lettuce wraps" are on every chain restaurant's menu, you know something is wrong.

And the idea that their food is consistent is sort of a joke. One, most of their food is mass produced/pre-prepared, so it SHOULD always taste the same. And two, the quality of food varies widely from franchise to franchise.

I think Jade forgot to add anti-corporatism to the list

Why? Because it's how I feel. Can I have my own opinion? Oh wait... this is a list discussing what is "so bay area" and acting superior to other's opinions which differ from your own IS in fact SO BAY AREA. You've added another one to the list.

[04kL4nD]

I wouldn't say holding a strong opinion is exclusive of being a Bay Arean, but I guess if you're from SoCal and someone questions your opinion, they are automatically being "superior". Right?