Authentic?

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Living in a City you have to drive quite a way out to get to smaller independent places.

However apart from M & S and Waitrose food I find nothing tastes of anything. Well maybe wet cardboard.

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Odd thing is I think m&s food is starting to taste of nothing. Much better cooking from scratch if eating at home

[Colette-S]

Prefer independents as typically there is a better level of service and usually try somewhere with locally sourced food. However, there are some decent chains and as with most things you generally get what you pay for so the higher end ones are usually better

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Minnie18

Old blue eyes I am disappointed 😪🤣 I thought you would be an independent shopper. If you ever need anything from Scotland pm me and I can get you a cheeky deal 😊

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I'm not Frank Sinatra

[Lindaelaine]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Odd thing is I think m&s good is starting to taste of nothing. Much better cooking from scratch if eating at home

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I couldn't agree more about M&S, to me it's the best of a bad bunch which doesn't say a lot about it's food, I'm talking ready meals now, I used to buy their ready meals years ago but now rarely buy them as I find them bland , I suppose it's mostly because of all the restrictions on additives but I would much rather make something from scratch rather than eat tasteless food, don't get me wrong I'm no Delia Smith but i can knock up a quick dish that tastes a lot better than those awful ready meals .

[Minnie18]

Originally Posted by Adcro

I partly agree. It's certainly nicer to support local independent places, but the thing with chains is that they are consistent. What you get at one, you'll get at another and usually at the same quality, price, menu etc. People like to spend their money on the familiar, often not trying new places "just in case" they don't like it.

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Thanks so much for your post I love your take on it as me and DH were just saying how with chains the food taste and service is so different.

[Minnie18]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Prefer independents as typically there is a better level of service and usually try somewhere with locally sourced food. However, there are some decent chains and as with most things you generally get what you pay for so the higher end ones are usually better

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Yeah agree Colette, I still like Tesco and b n M

[Minnie18]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

I'm not Frank Sinatra

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I know 😂🤣 but you do come across as the same to me. Very old school with style...

[Alices Aunt]

Originally Posted by Adcro

I partly agree. It's certainly nicer to support local independent places, but the thing with chains is that they are consistent. What you get at one, you'll get at another and usually at the same quality, price, menu etc. People like to spend their money on the familiar, often not trying new places "just in case" they don't like it.

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It’s why McDonald’s is a success. I saw a film about how they started from one “restaurant” which was interesting.

I’d usually go for an independent over a chain but they do have their place especially when you are somewhere you don’t know. And often a chain is due to the restaurant doing well and opening new stores.

That’s said I’m not looking forward to using my Christmas voucher in cafe rouge this weekend. That’s a chain I don’t like.

Look at this forum outback,longhorn,millers ale house, mannys etc we all do them

[lesley1960]

Originally Posted by Minnie18

After reading about Jamie Oliver going bust (well his eating places) its got me thinking about chains. I am lucky to live in an area where all shops/hotels/restaurants etc are independent and the owners live local. In my opinion people are looking for independent places rather than chains... Would you agree?

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I believe the majority of people actually look for the cheapest product possible hence the rise in the lower priced food outlets. There is always a market for higher priced restaurants , it's the mid range that struggle , because it tends to be ok ish food at a price that doesn't seem worth it

[Beddy666]

Originally Posted by Alices Aunt

It’s why McDonald’s is a success. I saw a film about how they started from one “restaurant” which was interesting.

I’d usually go for an independent over a chain but they do have their place especially when you are somewhere you don’t know. And often a chain is due to the restaurant doing well and opening new stores.

That’s said I’m not looking forward to using my Christmas voucher in cafe rouge this weekend. That’s a chain I don’t like.

Look at this forum outback,longhorn,millers ale house, mannys etc we all do them

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Is that because in the states especially idrive not many independents out there? When I went 4-5 years back we ate at an independent Italian restaurant near doubletree seaworld ( where we stayed) and the food was gorgeous.