rus
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Andrew Hall wrote >>
rus wrote
Unless, of course, you think you should learn to like runny glop that smells like feet because someone told you that you Should...Which makes just as much sense are automatically rejecting it because someone told me I Should like it. Neither case is interesting and both are indicative of feelings of inadequacy.
A.
Not quite what I was getting at... but OK.
Twixlen
The Weston District
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It's interesting. I'm down in Bowling Green, KY, visiting family, and my brother drove me all around, showing me the new things that are going in, and all the changes that have been made since I was last here. As we drove by the spanking new Olive Garden, he was saying how excited they were it had been built, and about how busy it had been. That they hadn't even tried to go yet, as it was so packed.
It wasn't about the food at all. It was about what Olive Garden represents - some measure of civilization and "big city" coming to a small place. It's someplace familiar (TV commercials), promoting a sort of suburban perfection that probably seems pretty attractive to folks in an otherwise rural community.
Twixlen
The Weston District
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Also - I asked about Mom & Pop places here... as a test (since we're eating at some place called "Cheddars" tonight - should be interesting... think it's a chain?), and he said that there were some around, but that they weren't open for supper. And never open on Sundays.
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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Twixlen wrote >>
Also - I asked about Mom & Pop places here... as a test (since we're eating at some place called "Cheddars" tonight - should be interesting... think it's a chain?), and he said that there were some around, but that they weren't open for supper. And never open on Sundays.
The sad reality is that a substantial portion of the non-chain places might as well be, given their sourcing. Read a Sysco catalog sometime or magazines geared for the trade.
A.
Twixlen
The Weston District
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Andrew Hall wrote >>
Twixlen wrote >>
Also - I asked about Mom & Pop places here... as a test (since we're eating at some place called "Cheddars" tonight - should be interesting... think it's a chain?), and he said that there were some around, but that they weren't open for supper. And never open on Sundays.The sad reality is that a substantial portion of the non-chain places might as well be, given their sourcing. Read a Sysco catalog sometime or magazines geared for the trade.
A.
Yup - around here, the only thing you are guaranteed of being local is BBQ. As in, where we had lunch had two huge smokers - and inside were cases where they do their own bacon, sliced ham, etc. Apparently they smoke turkeys for the holidays. I would like to partake of such a turkey.
Rockmastermike
The Bacon District
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Twixlen wrote >>
Also - I asked about Mom & Pop places here... as a test (since we're eating at some place called "Cheddars" tonight - should be interesting... think it's a chain?), and he said that there were some around, but that they weren't open for supper. And never open on Sundays.
Yeah, in some places, a chain with enough backing for a decent operation represents a major raising of the bar. In other places (C-bus) that same operation sails cleanly (but safely) under the bar.
As far as chedders goes, it's interchangeable with a lot of other similar chains. You'll get a predictably average meal. Probably find something on the menu you easily recognize.
Which pretty much brings back the point I think the OP was making: The bar here has been raised. Nothin' wrong with going to chedders if that's really what you want, but we do give visitors the opportunity to try something nice they might not find elsewhere, for a similar price, that a local can recommend (like Basi, or Tip Top). It just always seems like it would be more FUN to take someone to experience something they can't get 'back home' instead of the same-old-same-old.
I try to find places like that wherever I go. But twixlen is absolutely correct; in some places that's just about as far as the bar has been raised. When I've been working out of town those "known safe" options are really welcome, especially after a long day when you just want to grab a quick bite and then crawl into a hotel and crash.
Rockmastermike
The Bacon District
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Twixlen wrote >>
Yup - around here, the only thing you are guaranteed of being local is BBQ. As in, where we had lunch had two huge smokers - and inside were cases where they do their own bacon, sliced ham, etc. Apparently they smoke turkeys for the holidays. I would like to partake of such a turkey.
Oh heck yeah. When traveling I always figure any place with a smoker chimney on the roof where you can smell the hickory burn from the parking lot is probably gonna be a pretty decent meal!
Core_Models
Columbus
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I think the only chain restaurant I remember eating at in recent years (other than fast food) was Macaroni Grill...and I remember liking it. FWIW.
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