Reply to: Chain Gastro Pubs

[Old Greg]

That was my fracking point

But surely the point is that it's a contradiction in terms.

[EternalOptimist]

You can brand anything.

thats true.
I got my bum branded one sunday morning when I was five.
by a toasting tray, by my brother.

it hurt like heck, but that was nothing compared to having to pull down me kecks, and bending over so all me aunties could examine the big red line across me bum cheeks.

and please , dont call me 'hot cross bum', because that evokes memories that does

[Spacecadet]

I'd have thought "Chain Gastro Pubs" was a contradiction in terms!

That was my fracking point

[SueEllen]

I'd have thought "Chain Gastro Pubs" was a contradiction in terms!

You can brand anything.

[SueEllen]

Why, it shouldn't take a minute to microwave a plate of chips ?

It doesn't.

It takes 3 minutes to fry them in the deep fat fryer.

(Well it did when I did carp jobs like that.)

[Jeff Maginty]

..

[shaunbhoy]

Oor local is a Hungry Horse. Missus and I often go up there for their "Early Bird" specials.

And do you wear your matching tracksuits too??

[Sysman]

Why, it shouldn't take a minute to microwave a plate of chips ?

Good question, wrong staff.

[amcdonald]

WNS. Plus boil in the bag stuff.

On the staff side, try explaining to a hungry 2 year old why his plate of chips hasn't arrived when everyone else's food has.

Why, it shouldn't take a minute to microwave a plate of chips ?

[MarillionFan]

As a rule of thumb, I would generally avoid any pubs with Harvester, Sizzlin', Brewers Fayre et al and most definitely anything 2-4-1 or 2 for £10...

I don't. If I'm taking the kids out, that's exactly where we head.

They can throw their food around, make as much noise as they want and if anyone tells me to keep them quiet I am safe in the knowledge I can tell someone to f-off and know I haven't been barred from anywhere nice.

[Sysman]

Most of the stuff that is peddled by those establishments hardly qualifies as fresh and goes from freezer to deep fat fryer or freezer to microwave.

Anything that is fresh will be of questionable source so don't expect anything of any quality.

With the high turnover of staff and the low pay the food safety and hygiene often suffers.

Best to avoid.

WNS. Plus boil in the bag stuff.

On the staff side, try explaining to a hungry 2 year old why his plate of chips hasn't arrived when everyone else's food has.

[norrahe]

If you do end up in places like that the trick is to order something that can;t have been pre-packaged. Go for steak, roast chicken, burgers etc. Your much more likely to get something edible.

Most of the stuff that is peddled by those establishments hardly qualifies as fresh and goes from freezer to deep fat fryer or freezer to microwave.

Anything that is fresh will be of questionable source so don't expect anything of any quality.

With the high turnover of staff and the low pay the food safety and hygiene often suffers.

Best to avoid.

[DaveB]

Goes without saying (unless that's what you're after) however some of these chains can be quite subtle (i.e. sneaky) about the branding and it's not until you're inside and looking at the menu that you realise you're about to order a reheated meal

If you do end up in places like that the trick is to order something that can;t have been pre-packaged. Go for steak, roast chicken, burgers etc. Your much more likely to get something edible.

[Platypus]

The Good Pub Guide 2011 - Information and reviews on the best pubs across the UK

They have their reviews on-line now, very nice!

Perhaps this would have identified your pub as a craphole?

[Spacecadet]

As a rule of thumb, I would generally avoid any pubs with Harvester, Sizzlin', Brewers Fayre et al and most definitely anything 2-4-1 or 2 for £10...

Goes without saying (unless that's what you're after) however some of these chains can be quite subtle (i.e. sneaky) about the branding and it's not until you're inside and looking at the menu that you realise you're about to order a reheated meal