Chain vs Chef-Driven Restaurants (Atlanta, Hapeville: appointed, shopping center, to eat)

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by onemanarmy

True, I was in Amsterdam and I think I might haven eaten McDonald's twice in 3 days. It was just convenience and familiarity. It also was better tasting than our domestic McDonalds.

and they serve alcohol

[AnsleyPark]

I like me some Houston's! I like me some Uncle Julio's. They are all chains. As is NY Prime, Capital Grill, and many, many others. My favorite restaurants, though? Chef-owned / operated or owned by local entities, such as the members of the Buckhead Life group.

[kayfouroh]

Even in the "Chains" group, there is a huge difference between a small, local chain and a nationwide chain.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by JPD

Some people don't really care about food. They just want something cheap and salty.

This is correct.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by kayfouroh

Even in the "Chains" group, there is a huge difference between a small, local chain and a nationwide chain.

That's exactly right.

Taqueria Los Hermanos, a local chain, is one of the best restaurants in the metro area (especially the original location inTucker).

People get too hung up on chain = bad, independent = good.

I mostly eat at non-chain restaurants, but I could name a lot of very good chain places and a lot of really terrible one-offs.

A good rule of thumb, in my experience, is this: If they have TV commercials, you probably don't want to eat there.

[tikigod311]

I will almost always opt for an independent or small chain restaurants. I like to support "the underdog". Mainly because I may want to do what they are doing one day.

I just about explode when I am with traveling with someone and they want to eat at a chain restaurant. REALLY?!? In a new place and you want to have what you can have any day at home! For a quick lunch, I get it. But if you want to take the time to sit down, try something new. That person instantly falls in the "boring" category as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, there can certainly be some great chains and bad independent restaurants. But this much I know, there is no favorite food of mine that comes from a large chain restaurant.

[gerrythesnake]

I hate to admit but I did go to Subway once while on vacation in New Orleans. In my defense Subway was next door to my hotel

[waronxmas]

I like chef-driven or small indy places. I also tend to sway heavily towards "ethnic". Every once in a while though, I'll pass an American Deli and it's all over from there.

[Newsboy]

This is all fine and good if you're single people or childless adults traveling together. Wait until you have kids and you'll change your tune. For families, familiarity is where it's at! Orlando is the biggest family vacation destination in the world, and there's a reason why Orlando is overrun with chains, chains, chains, chains, chains, chains. It's almost IMPOSSIBLE to find good "local" restaurants in Orlando. I asked the concierge at an Orlando hotel to recommend a "good, local" restaurant once, and she suggested Olive Garden and Outback!

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

I like chef-driven or small indy places. I also tend to sway heavily towards "ethnic". Every once in a while though, I'll pass an American Deli and it's all over from there.

Mmmmmmmmmm American Deli.

Philly and Wings. Yessss damnit, with fries! Scared to know how many calories are in that delicious heart stopper.