Restaurant Chains

[Toothfairy]

Whilst many prefer to avoid chains of restaurants I kind of like knowing that when traveling around Britain should nothing else take your fancy you can go into the nearest *insert name here* and get the same food and, dare I say, service as you would from your local.  Now Im not talkin fast food restaurant I kinda mean your dine in's like Harvester, Harry Ramsdens, Pizza Hut etc

So basically, whats your favorite chain?

For me, it has to be La Tasca, it brings a smile to my face to see one on the high street of a new place Im visiting.... sado!

[Pinotage]

Pizza Express is mine.

I've eaten once at at Pizza Hut, and don't want to return, Harvester, no thanks. Ramsdens is OK but not as good as it used to be. I've never heard of La Tasca

[Toothfairy]

Boyfy n I argue about that all the time. We both love pizza's but Im Pizza Express where as he is Pizza Hut.

La Tasca is a chain of Tapas bars mmmmm cant wait for Saturday....

http://www.latasca.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseaction/home/cat/h ome/1.cfm

[acw]

We got TOTALLY ripped off in LaTasca last time I was there.  We were a big group so they forced us to have a �13 a head set menu.  This didn't even include Paella.  All we really got was bread, olives, some potato stuff and a couple of other tapas dishes.  They catered for one more person than we asked them to, and refused to drop that charge from the bill pushing it to �14 a head for no more than a light lunch.  TOTAL rip off and so disappointing after previous experiences. That was the Manchester Deansgate branch. 

My favourite is Pizza Express.  And the service there is always so friendly, even if it can be slow. 

When I'm on holiday I'll always eat in a local place though.  Otherwise what's the point in going away at all?

[corganiser]

Pizza Express for me - it is the only chain here that does pizzas the Italian way. Pizza Hut et al have the Americanised Pizzas that seem to be taking over the world.

[boobesque]

ah love la tasca, the one in bluewater is where me and my boyf went for our first meal out, had to wait for the paella but we didnt care! plus it can be romantic but not too expensive, we go there when we can now and always brings back nice memories.

[Toothfairy]

acw dont be disheartened, I agree totally that they rip off the larger groups but its definately worth going again as a couple or a foursome or so. They force groups of 10+ into the set menu which is very unfair - I now book two tables with 9 being the most on any one.

I am in 100% agreement if on holiday to eat at local places but my question was based on when going to new places in Britain where is it that you always like to fall back on.

 

And corganiser, spare me a thought tonight... to keep my boyfy happy I am having to stuffed crust :(

[nicola_red]

I do love Starbucks as they sell a vegan sandwich and also have soya milk, but I guess they're not really a restaurant.  Most chains don't cater for vegans so I will usually end up somewhere like a Beefeater with a plate of chips or a jacket potato if I'm lucky!

[acw]

Toothfairy - fair point - and a clever trick. :-)  I can't always afford to go abroad though.  Some people still holiday within the UK you know!  *blushes at evident poorness of self*

[corganiser]

stuffed crust!!!!!!!!!

OMG - poor thing

[evertonsue]

Hungary Horse Rules!

[spudqueen]

dont't worry acw, you're not the only one to holiday in Britain, I have done so since 1986, though not this year, we're off to Florida (got to take the kids once I suppose). It'll make a change from South Wales or the Canals I suppose.

[smeg_head]

I agree - i like to know what I'm getting whihc is why I always find a Starbucks when I'm away somewhere - I love ASK Pizza at the moment but quite happy trying wetherspoons or Yates.

[philandlil]

frankie & bennys is my favourite, i've never had a bad meal there!

[WoWo]

Nando's, great food and a brilliant price.

[acw]

They have Hungry Horse in Hungary as well now!  Wow!  So there's no need to experiment on the continent either.  :-p

Hey spudqueen - nice to know there's someone else out there who doesn't go abroad every year!  I'm only 22 and although I've seen much of the UK, I've by no means seen all of it.  I think we live in a beautiful country and I don't see that it's anything to be looked down upon if you choose to holiday in your own country supporting British tourism.  I do enjoy going abroad, and when I do, I would NEVER eat in one of those god awful cafes designed to help Brits avoid feeling like they're abroad when they're on holiday.  YUK! 

[frizzytwig]

Used to love Outbacks, the food used to be great.  But went to our local one in Enfield the other night after not having been for a few months and the food was appalling.  Needless to say we wont be going back.