Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints...

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Fieldthistle)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:41:55 GMT

Hello All,
Kirstinem1, wow, I feel your pain.
No one should experience what you did
at a Fast Food place, but it happens...expect
for the price you paid. That was nutty.
For me a fast food place insures the following...
1. Lower prices
2. A consistence taste because each chain has their food factory of flavours
3. Inconsistency on what I order vs. what I receive,
depending on the time of day or how busy they are
4. Fast service and it is fast, but in our day we expect fast
to be more than is possible.
5. I am overjoyed with a pleasant service person, and most are. They
have a difficult job in that they are thrusting out food that they don't
know what others have prepared and put in the bag, and they have seconds to smile
and have a relationship with the customer.
While I prefer home-cooking and eating at roadfood or locally owned restaurants,
fast food joints have their place in my life.
Thanks for the thread.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (easydoesit)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:49:12 GMT

We stop at the supermarket several times a week to get an easy lunch. Hot bar, cold bar, sushi bar, pretty good deli. Some of the food is good, most more like OK.

I miss the supermarkets in the Milwaukee area. Always thought Pik N Save was pretty good, and I REALLY miss Sendik's in Brookfield. Not just the deli, but the whole store.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (wanderingjew)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:04:53 GMT

MilwFoodlovers

Does any one else stop at the local supermarket and hit the deli?
We've had some really great meals and portion conrol is a breeze.

This is Rhode Island's own supermarket mini chain.
http://www.davesmarketplace.com/pages/cfHome.cfm

Not only do they have an amazing deli, they also have a hot food section with rotating specials, and they even have a hot pizza section again, with various choices including a multi-grain margharita. One of their locations is right across the street from my office, and although I usually go home for lunch, I couldn't take a lunch break today because I had to leave the office early, so I headed on over and got a piece of "bourbon chicken" with a side of "sweet potatos and beans" combined together.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (MilwFoodlovers)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:51:32 GMT

Does any one else stop at the local supermarket and hit the deli?
We've had some really great meals and portion conrol is a breeze.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (wanderingjew)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:16:42 GMT

felix4067

nocarolina

There was a time when availability and convenience figured into my restaurant choices, but not anymore. I finally decided that there's no good reason for me to spend my money on food that I know that I'm not going to enjoy.

I hope to someday be wealthy enough to have that option. But reality says I will probably always eat at a chain or fast food place that is nearby rather than spending money on gas to get somewhere that is not. Fueling the body wins out over taste sometimes, especially when better-tasting food means not being able to fuel the car to get there.

Which is not to say I don't eat a Roadfood places when I'm out and about. It just means if it's 1/2-mile to McDonald's or five miles to a mom & pop burger place, my finances say I'm going to McDonald's about 70% of the time.

Wait a second, I'm far from wealthy, in fact many of my friends back in NY will refer to me as "dirt poor" although I like to pretend and think I'm middle class, and I can certainly travel 5 miles verses 1/2 a mile if I had to. I mostly eat at home anyway, if I didn't I'd be in trouble.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (WarToad)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:11:45 GMT

nocarolina

Be glad.

Wait. That's a commercial quote.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Michael Hoffman)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:07:41 GMT

Why move, of course.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (surrycounty)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:07:31 GMT

Be glad.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (1bbqboy)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:39:05 GMT

I live in a small town with no FF. what should I do?

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (NYPIzzaNut)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:24:16 GMT

That is the reason bad fast food wins out more often than not.

Look at how successful Domino's Pizza is - and they sell about the worst pizza in the world. But they have the universe covered and kids don't know any better so they eat it and never realize what crap they are consuming. And they grow up and make their kids eat it - what a vicious cycle.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (felix4067)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:42:55 GMT

nocarolina

There was a time when availability and convenience figured into my restaurant choices, but not anymore. I finally decided that there's no good reason for me to spend my money on food that I know that I'm not going to enjoy.

I hope to someday be wealthy enough to have that option. But reality says I will probably always eat at a chain or fast food place that is nearby rather than spending money on gas to get somewhere that is not. Fueling the body wins out over taste sometimes, especially when better-tasting food means not being able to fuel the car to get there.

Which is not to say I don't eat a Roadfood places when I'm out and about. It just means if it's 1/2-mile to McDonald's or five miles to a mom & pop burger place, my finances say I'm going to McDonald's about 70% of the time.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Soccer862923)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:08:54 GMT

nocarolina

There was a time when availability and convenience figured into my restaurant choices, but not anymore. I finally decided that there's no good reason for me to spend my money on food that I know that I'm not going to enjoy. Of course, trying a place for the first time is another thing altogether; you know up front that you're taking a chance on having a bad meal. As a matter of fact, it happened to me yesterday evening. I'd heard positive things about John's Pizza on Ridge Road in Munster IN, and decided to give it a try. Bad, bad decision - it was without a doubt the worst pizza that I've ever had here in the Chicago area. No Italian herbs or spices in the sauce or sausage, but there was salt... LOTS of salt. Twenty bucks wasted on something that ended up in the garbage can! Next time I'll just stick with Waldo Cooney's here in Lansing...

I can't agree enough. There is always that trepidation of trying out a brand new place because you know of other places that are a sure hit. Also there is that "fear" in me that this place may be loved by all and I just won't get it or won't enjoy it. I always wonder "Am I wrong?"

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (surrycounty)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:18:19 GMT

There was a time when availability and convenience figured into my restaurant choices, but not anymore. I finally decided that there's no good reason for me to spend my money on food that I know that I'm not going to enjoy. Of course, trying a place for the first time is another thing altogether; you know up front that you're taking a chance on having a bad meal. As a matter of fact, it happened to me yesterday evening. I'd heard positive things about John's Pizza on Ridge Road in Munster IN, and decided to give it a try. Bad, bad decision - it was without a doubt the worst pizza that I've ever had here in the Chicago area. No Italian herbs or spices in the sauce or sausage, but there was salt... LOTS of salt. Twenty bucks wasted on something that ended up in the garbage can! Next time I'll just stick with Waldo Cooney's here in Lansing...

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (ann peeples)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:46:44 GMT

I do occasionally go to national chains, but I find them lacking.I think it is because as a newlywed, there were not that many around in the area I lived in 1979.So we learned to like the Mom and Pop places.I still frequent some of those places( 30 years later) and will drive to some distance to get them.I think in this day and age, its just the norm-meaning that is what is around major communities. When the family wants to go to Olive Garden, for instance, it is ALWAYS packed.I only go because it is the request of a family member because of a birthday, etc...And my cousin lives in Greensboro, N.C., and while she lives in an area with some wonderful, out of the way seafood places, she loves to go to Red Lobster.Its a matter of taste, in my opinion, availability, and speed of service to the public.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:15:15 GMT

Are there other well known chains that serve fast food that are all company owned?

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Scorereader)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:05:08 GMT

tommyeats

Scorereader

easydoesit

One benefit of discussing the larger fast food places are the tips we can glean from others.

I have to disagree. Learning about the finer points of ordering at McDonald's is hardly useful...

apparently you're wrong, as the poster stated that he benefited from the discussion, and it was useful. I'm not sure how one could debate that. Now, whether or not you find it useful is another story, and you could certainly easily prove that one way or the other by just stating that. But you'd have to be on the chain restaurant forum to do that, and i'm sure you wouldn't spend any time there. :D

ok, look, I'm not wrong. I'm just stating my own opinion. I've change the original post to take out references to "You" - I didn't mean "you - easydoesit" I was using "you" colloquially, as in "the collective people" - so, hopefuly the change will clear up any confusion.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Scorereader)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:22:24 GMT

NYPIzzaNut

Chipotle are all company owned stores?

yes.

I believe there was a small franchise in Chicago, maybe? that was done short term in order to allow Chipotle to come to that town. But the stores were bought back by the company. McDonalds was a principle investor which allowed for the company's expansion, but Chipotle bought McDonalds out (which was the intention all along) and McDonalds made a profit.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Michael Hoffman)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:02:15 GMT

easydoesit

Oh yeah, just who says McDonald's is not a highfaluting place? I noticed a recent post on this site that not only expressed a fondness for the McDouble, but referred to it as a repast! If a patrician like Michael Hoffman can confess to such plebian tastes, why, there must be hope for us all.....

It is true that I am a person of refined upbringing and manners, but one should always remember that manners are for the purpose of making others comfortable. When I eat at McDonald's, White Castle, Waffle House and the Refectory I always seek to make others comfortable.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:00:08 GMT

Chipotle are all company owned stores?

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Scorereader)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:57:48 GMT

I have no intention of letting this blow up, so I'll let this lay and respond no longer to you. You can insult me if it makes you feel better. Also, if you're really pissed, you can send me a private message saying whatever you wish, so that this baggage isn't aired on the public forum.

to the mods: my apologies.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (mayor al)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:47:17 GMT

Jennie,
I have given this thread Two major reviews. I know what you are trying to say, and I agree with your train of thought. I am, However, growing tired of reminding people who should know better, to take their petty arguments to email rather than use the forum to fight their verbal battles. Last chance here folks. Another outbreak of verbal stupidity and poor manners will result in a couple of folks losing their posting priviliges.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:37:18 GMT

I used to love their McMuffin breakfast sandwiches a whole bunch.

Have not had one in eons - now get by breakfast sandwiches as White Castle.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Jennie)

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:16:28 GMT

At the risk of wasting my time posting to a soon-to-be-deleted thread . . .

I like McDonalds. It's comfort food. It's not fancy or the "ideal" burger. But I don't just go there because it's fast and cheap. I genuinely like something about it.

Particularly their fries. They're not "the perfect fries", but there's something about the limp pastiness that evokes childhood memories that I enjoy.

And I like the taste of their burgers, too. They're not particularly juicy or delicious in and of themselves, but the combination of flavors and textures just makes me happy. It is what it is. If I wanted a nice juicy fabulous hamburger, I'd go somewhere else. But once in a while I get a McDonalds burger. I just like the taste.

The fact that it's fast, cheap, and predictable is just a bonus.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Scorereader)

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:13:06 GMT

Soccer862923

There are a few chain places that I like to go to because well I feel like the quality , taste, experience etc. ; that you can typically get only at local places is there....and I am not going to discriminate against them just because they are a corporation.

sorry about the triple post, but I agree with Soccer. I'm a big fan of Chipotle's. Given their corporate policy whereby most all of their ingredients come from local producers, I think they're worthy of mention and have a good corporate model. They support local farmers and that is a good thing. And, they are not a franchise, so there's no chance of some oddball owner messing the model up.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Scorereader)

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:40:25 GMT

easydoesit

Oh yeah, just who says McDonald's is not a highfaluting place? I noticed a recent post on this site that not only expressed a fondness for the McDouble, but referred to it as a repast! If a patrician like Michael Hoffman can confess to such plebian tastes, why, there must be hope for us all.....

I don't know, Michael Hoffman eats regularly at Waffle House...so, not sure if his confession is of such great wonderment as you suggest, considering his well established propensity for "plebian" food.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (Soccer862923)

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:57:43 GMT

I think that Fast Food is a necessarily evil so indulge me for a moment.

Would we truly appreciate some of the RoadFood joints or Mom n' Pops as much if we didn't have some sort of mediocrity to compare it to? I feel like most of our enjoyment comes out of the fact that we know that we are getting "better" food or experience that some other place and traditionally the Fast Food & Chains are typically the best way to do said comparisons.

I feel like most of us really feel like we can get "better" food at small local places but sometimes chains can crank out some pretty good food as well. There are a few chain places that I like to go to because well I feel like the quality , taste, experience etc. ; that you can typically get only at local places is there. California Pizza Kitchen and The Pub are two chains that I will go to because I feel like they give me what I am looking for in a local/RoadFood place and I am not going to discriminate against them just because they are a corporation.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (easydoesit)

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:22:47 GMT

Oh yeah, just who says McDonald's is not a highfaluting place? I noticed a recent post on this site that not only expressed a fondness for the McDouble, but referred to it as a repast! If a patrician like Michael Hoffman can confess to such plebian tastes, why, there must be hope for us all.....

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (mayor al)

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:06:42 GMT

Kirstinem Your original thoughts were good, other folks steered the thread into theirown personal fight...That's what my warning was for.
Farmer Boys, In n Out, Culvers, and a whole bunch of others that fit this label get my dollars now and then. Sometimes convenience is the criteria for a choice from this group.

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (PapaJoe8)

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:58:40 GMT

I order a McDbl w/ no cheese and they make it fresh but... they still charge me 25c extra for lettuce... hmmm?
Joe

Re:Just a Rant about Fast Food Joints... (kirstine)

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:50:54 GMT

I feel bad for being the one that started the thread now...

I only wanted to complain about the price of fast food.