Cinco de McDonalds?
I had a weird dream last night. At the end of it I was walking through this huge Applebees that looked like the Cheesecake Factory (many levels, very fancy...) and I walked up to all of my family talking outside. Forrest was discussing how even though we were so far away from home, this Applebees still looked like all the others and how annoying it was that all these big businesses are pushing out the little guys with personality. Anyway, when I was thinking about my dream this morning I tried to think of restaurants that I go to regularly that aren't big business. The only one's I could think of all serve Mexican food. Then, as I was typing this, I realized that Chinese would also appy. Although PF Changs has done a good job with Chinese, in general it seems that you cannot capialize on good ethnic food. Is "ethnic food" PC ? If not, sorry. Anyway, On the Border isn't very good, Chipotle is, but that's not where I go for Mexican. That's where I go for- well- Chipotle. Anyway, that's my dreamy observation for the day.
posted by Stephanie @ 7:21 AM
11 Comments:
What is funny is that I can imagine Forrest saying something like that if he hasn't already.
Would Papa Keno's count?
I think it would! I was thinking of Minsky's too!
Kentucky Joe's is starting to become a chain now as well. That's something the dream Forrest would need to address. :)
Do you mean Oklahoma Joe's?
Rememeber, I am not against the chains. I am against the idea of "when your on vacation and eating out is a treat, to not eat at an applebees type of place." Vacation is to get away and part of that might be our comfort zone with eating places. My mom just got back from New York and I asked her how was the food. I would have felt like she missed the NYC experience if she said that TGIFridays was good.
There are also those restaurnats that are big chef, famous city type chains. Like I think Lydia's has 3 locations. New York, Kansas City, Los Angeles. I love PF Changs and now they are about everywhere, but when it came to the Plaza it was the first in the midwest from California.
At what point does an eating place become a chain? That is an interesting question. I certainly don't consider Gate's, Arthur Bryants, Okie Joe's, Minsky's, Papa Keno's chains just because they have opened up several locations. They are still local and you still know the owners. I recognize Ollie Gates when I see him.
So if I am in the mood for mongolian bbq, I would rather go to Ghenghis Kahn than BD's. Nothing personal against BD's, but Ghenghis Kahn is just more unique and it's in a cool location - I guess it makes for a better going-out experience.
But I realize that sometimes you just want to eat and not "go out" and the chains are great for that. I love chipotle.
I remembered it was some state. Isn't that next to SUV City? :)
I'm definitely not going to argue about whether to eat the local fare. The question of when something becomes a chain is an intriguing one.
I agree that multiple locations does not constitute a chain. You tend to lose some of the fun of OK Joes when it's not in the gas station, but I'm okay with that when it's two minutes from my house. Here's the newest restaurant about to open in my neighborhood. It's owned by pf Chang's.
http://www.peiwei.com/
Pee Wee??? Is it a funhouse?
Pay Way Silly! It could be fun though..
we finaly got some new restaraunts here, a few of my current favs: Kourys (mediteranian), some new Indian cousine place (can't remember the name, and, get this: A Sushi Bar!!! Can you beleive Rapid had a sushi bar?? FUN!!!
I love sushi! My favorite restaurant's of all time are both in Rapid, and both privately owned. The Great Wall and Smileys are so good that I still crave them 15 years after moving!
sniff...sniff...sob...casa del rey...
a boy took me for sushi, i had never had sushi...it was an experience to say the least
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