Somethings wrong here.......

There is something that has been bothering me. I stopped by Chili’s a few nights ago to get some take out for my family. As I stood there waiting for my order, I noticed that the waiters and waitresses were bringing out plate after plate of ribs. Now in my opinion Chili’s ribs are not that good. So what has been bothering me is why would people go to Chili’s for ribs and people who have a BBQ joint where they serve real low and slow cooked BBQ ribs, struggle to find customers? Something about that seems so wrong. What do you think?

I think this belongs in the FFR section. Thats what I think.

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

I think this belongs in the FFR section. Thats what I think.

OMG!!!!! You have crossed over & joined the hoatee-toatee's. Shame on U!!!

ddog,

Honestly, I am thinking pot/kettle/black :)

I've been to Chili's a few times and was disappointed with everything I've ordered (and my expectations weren't all that high). I'm not a die hard "chains are the devil" zealot, but I've got a hunch you've got some mom-and-pop/independent local restaurants that can take care of your take-out needs quite a bit better. Actually, I'd bet that there are some chains around are that could do a better job than Chili's.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

I think this belongs in the FFR section. Thats what I think.

OMG!!!!! You have crossed over & joined the hoatee-toatee's. Shame on U!!!

Hey.. hey.......hey now....(sticking tongue out at you)

Because they don't know any better/different. And they get to drink beer/mixed drinks.

We get customers, who think we can cook their chicken while they wait, don't believe we cook the bbq 14 hours.

It's a one catch phrase explanation:

I want my baby back baby back baby back....

Most folks are sucked in by a catchy tune and glistening food presented by overly cute, smiling actor wannabees.

We had people at work skip our potluck this month because they “didn’t like” anything that was made. Even though they admitted they hadn’t ever tried any of it. I could see maybe being leery of my reuben soup, but we had reuben sandwiches, potato salad and chips as well. There are just a ton of people out there that never leave their comfort zone. Most good bbq joints are little greasy dives where construction workers and highway patrolmen eat lunch. A good portion the public simply look for the newest looking building with the fanciest neon sign.

Theedge,

I hear ya. My dad and I call it "Chrome plated plastic". Basically new and shiny with no substance, you see it everywhere, not just restaurants.

Dave

I think a lot of money is spent on advertising..especially TV commercials that make Chili's and other places like that look like very 'safe' and desireable places to eat...and budget minded too. People go where the ads say they will be happy. In todays rush around time is valuable world, a lot of folks don't want to take the time to investigate an unsure thing. Tumbleweed..a local chain in this area is introducing some new Burger combinations in their TV Ads...and offering a 2-fer as well. Without the TV coverage the response would be ok...but add in the TV and the lines are out the door every day.

You yourself stopped by for take-out.My thoughts are that maybe there arent many places in your area to dine out.Or the advertising got to people.I dont know what you ordered,but I am sure there was a better place to get what you wanted-namely a Mom&Pop place.Support those restaurants!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen


In todays rush around time is valuable world, a lot of folks don't want to take the time to investigate an unsure thing.

Sounds like my MIL, my DH takes his Mom to brunch or lunch each Sunday. She has only a few favorite "safe" places including Chili's & Sizzler. It's dejavu each week. We are working real hard to encourage her to try other places. It is a battle because she keeps getting those darn 2 for 1 coupons.

Hello All,
In addition to their marketing skills, Chili's and other such creatures,
like Applebees, choose prime locations. They have the corporate money
to set up shop where the most people will see and find it. I plan on
going to Pierce's Pitt BBQ in Williamsburg, Va., but it's location is
out of the way for the average tourist and goes unknown to so many. I have
been to Williamsburg over 20 times, but never heard of Pierce's until I
discovered Roadfood. Com.
Yet I understand that Pierce's Pitt is usually fairly crowded.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

quote:

Originally posted by Fieldthistle

Hello All,
In addition to their marketing skills, Chili's and other such creatures,
like Applebees, choose prime locations. They have the corporate money
to set up shop where the most people will see and find it. I plan on
going to Pierce's Pitt BBQ in Williamsburg, Va., but it's location is
out of the way for the average tourist and goes unknown to so many. I have
been to Williamsburg over 20 times, but never heard of Pierce's until I
discovered Roadfood. Com.
Yet I understand that Pierce's Pitt is usually fairly crowded.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

I used to think that Pierce's was off the beaten path; but it's on a road parallel to I-64, so going east, if you get off at the next exit and double back, it's really no more than maybe a 3-mile detour.

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

We had people at work skip our potluck this month because they “didn’t like” anything that was made. Even though they admitted they hadn’t ever tried any of it. I could see maybe being leery of my reuben soup, but we had reuben sandwiches, potato salad and chips as well. There are just a ton of people out there that never leave their comfort zone. Most good bbq joints are little greasy dives where construction workers and highway patrolmen eat lunch. A good portion the public simply look for the newest looking building with the fanciest neon sign.

Wait...reuben soup, reubens, potato salad and potato chips!?! And you're surprised. That's not exactly a crowd pleaser menu. No offense.

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

There are just a ton of people out there that never leave their comfort zone. Most good bbq joints are little greasy dives where construction workers and highway patrolmen eat lunch. A good portion the public simply look for the newest looking building with the fanciest neon sign.

Edge - you are so right!

Case in point: My grandmother has lived by this bbq joint (and it truly is a joint) with grease dripping down the stack. She has never eaten in this place and she lives less than 1 mile from it, she has lived by it for 14 years.

I visited her last summer and took her to this place, it was wonderful and she loved it.

But she always goes to Po Folks or another chain, and has never been back.

They had a BBQ chix sandwich, 1/2 a bbq chix and 2 slices of bread, 2 sides for $5.

I was in heaven....

quote:

Originally posted by BillyZoom

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

We had people at work skip our potluck this month because they “didn’t like” anything that was made. Even though they admitted they hadn’t ever tried any of it. I could see maybe being leery of my reuben soup, but we had reuben sandwiches, potato salad and chips as well. There are just a ton of people out there that never leave their comfort zone. Most good bbq joints are little greasy dives where construction workers and highway patrolmen eat lunch. A good portion the public simply look for the newest looking building with the fanciest neon sign.

Wait...reuben soup, reubens, potato salad and potato chips!?! And you're surprised. That's not exactly a crowd pleaser menu. No offense.

Oops...I just realized - St. Patrick's Day. My humblest apologies!

quote:

Originally posted by BillyZoom

quote:

Originally posted by BillyZoom

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

We had people at work skip our potluck this month because they “didn’t like” anything that was made. Even though they admitted they hadn’t ever tried any of it. I could see maybe being leery of my reuben soup, but we had reuben sandwiches, potato salad and chips as well. There are just a ton of people out there that never leave their comfort zone. Most good bbq joints are little greasy dives where construction workers and highway patrolmen eat lunch. A good portion the public simply look for the newest looking building with the fanciest neon sign.

Wait...reuben soup, reubens, potato salad and potato chips!?! And you're surprised. That's not exactly a crowd pleaser menu. No offense.

Oops...I just realized - St. Patrick's Day. My humblest apologies!

BillyZoom

We all do that from time to time, Thanks for your follow up

BTW - Welcome to Roadfood

IMHO NC is the center of the BBQ universe but finding ribs on the menu in a traditional NC joint is almost impossible. Where they do whole hog cooking you can sometimes "talk nice" and get a rack or if you hit a place that has a buffet and dumps out half a pig on the buffet, yes you can pick a few off but in general NC doesn't have ribs except at the chains.

i agree, with the advertising thing.... its brainwashing. people dont know whats good, until the ads tell them what to lve.. stupid, but true. this goes with what rick malek was saying in the professionals forum, in his topic 'sell your food'. yea, and location location.

quote:

Originally posted by ddog27

There is something that has been bothering me. I stopped by Chili’s a few nights ago to get some take out for my family. As I stood there waiting for my order, I noticed that the waiters and waitresses were bringing out plate after plate of ribs. Now in my opinion Chili’s ribs are not that good. So what has been bothering me is why would people go to Chili’s for ribs and people who have a BBQ joint where they serve real low and slow cooked BBQ ribs, struggle to find customers? Something about that seems so wrong. What do you think?

Many years ago-when my wife was in grad school at UCSanDiego and i was doing the MrMom thing-i started taking the kids down to the beach regularly--i noticed that the crowded and well used beach was home to a huge crop of mussels--everything that was exposed by the tide was covered with them--as aq lover of mussels i wondered why no one was gathering them so i took myself and the kids down to the Scripps Oceanagraphic Institute right down the road and asked one of the folks there if there was some kind of red tide or pollution problem that kept folks from eating the local mussels. He said that no there wasn't. I than asked --then why aren't these folks eating them? His reply---"Because they're idiots."

I think tiki's story about the local mussels is great. And right on target. It amazes me how otherwise-intelligent and educated people can be herded like cattle by MARKETING.

But the really sad part (IMHO) is how "MARKETERS" target kids.

quote:

Originally posted by ddog27

There is something that has been bothering me. I stopped by Chili’s a few nights ago to get some take out for my family. As I stood there waiting for my order, I noticed that the waiters and waitresses were bringing out plate after plate of ribs. Now in my opinion Chili’s ribs are not that good. So what has been bothering me is why would people go to Chili’s for ribs and people who have a BBQ joint where they serve real low and slow cooked BBQ ribs, struggle to find customers? Something about that seems so wrong. What do you think?

You're absolutely right on! Unfortunately- so many people have been mislead by the many rib "offerings" out there from restaurants that are no more BBQ joints than McDonalds is a steak house! They don't take the time nor the expense to do ribs right- low and slow, over real wood smoke. The alternative- a much cheaper and easier one, is to start by boiling the ribs (YUCK!) and finishing them in whatever oven they have in their kitchen. Of course, this makes them very bland, thereby creating the need for excessively and disgustingly sweet sauce to cover up the blandness, and in essence, to "flavor" the ribs. Part of the problem is no doubt that many people have come to think of these ribs as good- especially if they've never had ribs done right. Another problem is the higher cost incurred by ribs being done the right way, which has to be passed on to the consumer. If you didn't know better (Quality-wise), which would seem the better deal- A rack of ribs and 2 sides for app $18, or all-you-can-eat ribs for about the same price?