Noodleface
A Mod Real Quick
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We don't have to eat there, we choose to. THIS IS MY LIFE.
This is the fast food thread
The Fast Food Thread
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This is the fast food thread
BrutulTM
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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Gravy
Bronze Squire
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For me it's the onion straws and fried jalapeno appetizer. I agree with the other places being on the crap side of dining.
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That onion straw appetizer is the most bullshit item on their menu. I never felt like I got swindled so hard until I ordered that for my 2 for $20 or whatever appetizer.
chaos
Buzzfeed Editor
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Macaroni Grill isn't bad, you pasta elitists. The Olive Garden by me is awful, just awful. But historically I have always liked it so I have to believe it is just this one.
No matter what Scott Conant says, cooking pasta isn't some mystical artform. It's fucking pasta.
No matter what Scott Conant says, cooking pasta isn't some mystical artform. It's fucking pasta.
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You can overcook pasta and most generic chain italian places DO. They hide everything behind some shitty creamy sauce that is microwaved before it's plopped into your bowl and shoved down your gullet.
Maggiano's is great though. That two meal deal they have with appetizer + dessert and meals to take home is the best thing that ever happened to eating out.
Maggiano's is great though. That two meal deal they have with appetizer + dessert and meals to take home is the best thing that ever happened to eating out.
chaos
Buzzfeed Editor
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Sure but you can over or undercook anything. Even a fancy schmancy restaurant parcooks their pasta and finishes it when you order. I have very rarely gotten overcooked pasta except when the place was just awful, like the Olive Garden near me. But the Macaroni Grill near me? Quality pasta every time.
McCheese
SW: Sean, CW: Crone, GW: Wizardhawk
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Olive Garden is like Wendy's in that it can vary dramatically depending on the location. I worked in 2 different locations, and I've eaten at more than 5 of them on numerous occasions, and there are noticeable differences in food quality and service between them all.
I worked at one of the best ones in the area and also one of the worst, and the main difference was the general managers. The general manager at the good one genuinely cared about providing guests with delicious, fresh food and good service. The manager at the shitty one would probably have sucked my dick fo' fiddy cents.
Gravy
Bronze Squire
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Like you didn't get very many? It does seem like one time I had them way back, they were a little skimpy, but the last time there was plenty, and the jalapenos were so good.
Grimmlokk
Ahn'Qiraj Raider
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McCheese
SW: Sean, CW: Crone, GW: Wizardhawk
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$9.95 angel hair with marinara sauce and unlimited salad and bread sticks split between us; I always get nasty looks when I ask for extra plates, but fuck 'em.
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Okay, so lets just say for a moment that the major chains aren't where you want to go. Olive garden, TGIFs, Applebees, and the like are out. What now? Look for local mom and pop restaurants?
In every town I've ever lived in, there has been an Asian restaurant run by recent immigrants that makes awesome food for reasonable prices. It's just a matter of finding it. Could be Korean, could be Chinese, could be Japanese, could be Vietnamese. But everywhere, there's a small, local place that sells an awesome bowl of soup and noodles that's better than anything Olive Garden can give me.
Thoughts?
In every town I've ever lived in, there has been an Asian restaurant run by recent immigrants that makes awesome food for reasonable prices. It's just a matter of finding it. Could be Korean, could be Chinese, could be Japanese, could be Vietnamese. But everywhere, there's a small, local place that sells an awesome bowl of soup and noodles that's better than anything Olive Garden can give me.
Thoughts?
McCheese
SW: Sean, CW: Crone, GW: Wizardhawk
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See, this here is your problem. You repeatedly make statements like this and act as though they're fact.For youthat bowl of soup and noodles might be better, but I'd prefer to eat the chain garbage becauseit genuinely tastes better to me.
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Problem with unlimited breadsticks is that they go lower and lower. You start out with a basketful and by the end they are bringing two breadsticks per a trip.
No, like it was the most garbage "appetizer" I've ever ordered. It reminded me of something that should be thrown on top of my steak or something. Not a plate of food.
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I'm not contesting that. I'll absolutely concede this point. To me, a fresh made soup with fresh ingredients and hand made noodles from a mom and pop shop is more enjoyable than sauces brought in and pasta cooked by people minimally trained. I know that many people enjoy Olive Garden - they wouldn't have such a successful business if that weren't true. They make a product of a certain quality, for a certain price, and that appeals to a huge number.
I'm interested in the local options that are quick, priced reasonably, and delicious. I find there are Asian restaurants that fit that bill, and I'm wondering what other people find.
S'okay?
Xevy
Log Wizard
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Sounds like you're pre-judging your food, bro.
Food is food. I will find the taste/price ratio that is best. I don't need socioeconomic guilt bullshit involved. If mom and pop make a fucking great sandwich for 10 bucks and McBurger Jr's makes a worse one for 8 dollars I'll mom and pop it up. But some of you snooty fucks are determining the food is bad before tasting it.
AND THAT IS WHY YOU FAIL.
Food is food. I will find the taste/price ratio that is best. I don't need socioeconomic guilt bullshit involved. If mom and pop make a fucking great sandwich for 10 bucks and McBurger Jr's makes a worse one for 8 dollars I'll mom and pop it up. But some of you snooty fucks are determining the food is bad before tasting it.
AND THAT IS WHY YOU FAIL.
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Okay, I guess. Not prejudging, really, having gone to all the aforementioned restaurants locally, and come to a conclusion only after eating their food.
But, yeah. I fail!
But, yeah. I fail!
Soygen
The Dirty Dozen For the Price of One
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I agree. Around here, there are much better local options than the big chains mentioned above and many of these places are cheaper or the same price as the chains. I won't hate on someone liking the Olive Garden, but I would never actually suggest going there for lunch if I were here in south Florida.
Falstaff
Ahn'Qiraj Raider
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Italian places are a dime a dozen around here so I'd never think to go to Olive Garden or anywhere else unless, like I said earlier, it was in an airport.
Just as an example, here are three Italian places near us (at least a half dozen more I could link, but these are the ones we go to)
the link for Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park is not showing up here, just blank, so google it.
Labella | Italian Restaurant | Oak Park, IL
Gaetanos
Gaetanos is far and away the best Italian food I've ever eaten, but also pretty expensive.
Just as an example, here are three Italian places near us (at least a half dozen more I could link, but these are the ones we go to)
the link for Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park is not showing up here, just blank, so google it.
Labella | Italian Restaurant | Oak Park, IL
Gaetanos
Gaetanos is far and away the best Italian food I've ever eaten, but also pretty expensive.