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Post by Slam_Bradley on Nov 20, 2024 11:31:53 GMT -5
Wow. How do some of you guys keep patting yourselves on the back for knowing so much more than the poor unwashed masses? It's all just food and none of it is "better" than the other, it's just what hits you at any given moment. And I don't care if a major corporation is behind it or some small family run business, I'm sorry, I just don't. Those major corporations provide paychecks to real working people who are my neighbors and friends just as much as the small family business folks. Definitely not sanctimonious. Because I recognize when I like junk and recognize it for the junk that it is. I read a whole passel of junk literature. But I don't pretend that it's anything better than it is. I love me some nasty mass produced pork rinds with fake hot powder on them. They are just next to heaven, taste-wise...and they're junk. Mass-produced garbage. And I can go to a local taco stand and get some damn fine chicharonnes...and I frequently do. But those ones on the gas station shelf are great junk. I'm not claiming to be better...other than being willing to recognize when garbage is garbage. I choose not to be a hypocrite and pretend that all things are created equal and that if I like it, it must be good. Sanctimonious has a connotation of hypocrisy...and I am very much not a hypocrite. Respect for what? I did say humans as a whole...but sure, let's go ahead. Respect for people who are constantly terrified of...pretty much anything that might be a little different? Because, in my experience and in my reading of history, superstitious and cowardly fits just fine. |
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Post by tartanphantom on Nov 20, 2024 11:41:56 GMT -5
I have favorite local places, like a local sushi bar I've been going to for over 20 years. It's been a personal destination for "special" event meals in my family, and the proprietors, a lovely naturalized Korean family, recognize and greet us as soon as we come in the door. They treat us like family, and always ensure that our experience is top-notch, no matter if we have two or ten in our party.
I have a few other local favorites like this, and they have earned my loyalty and business with great food and great service. Even so, there are other local places that aren't quite as good to my tastes, but I'm sure that they have their own followings. I wish them well, and hope they have continued success.
However, regarding chains, I can take them or leave them. I have my favorites in this department too, and for me, consistency of product for the brand is absolutely essential. This is one reason why I avoid Subway as a chain, as I have found it to be too inconsistent in its product quality. Jersey Mike's, on the other hand, may be more expensive, but in my experience tends to be more consistent in its offerings. Of course, this sort of personal experience will vary.
One thing to keep in mind is that many chains are "locals" too-- primarily through franchising. So even if there is a corporate name attached, it's still frequently locally owned and operated-- I'm not just talking about the restaurant manager or the line cooks, but more particularly the ownership itself.
The other thing is that many chains started out as local or regional chains, and expanded either through corporate buyout or shrewd business practices. Yes, some chains are still family-owned, much like their individual franchisees. This is why I don't dismiss chains as "bad" as a whole-- there are still local people involved in most operations.
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Post by Prince Hal on Nov 20, 2024 11:42:26 GMT -5
What a sanctimonious bunch. Huh. Didn't think we could say stuff like that around here. Especially about someone like Shax, who bends over backwards to be deferential. Lucky those on the receiving end of this self-righteousness aren't the overly sensitive types and responded more courteously than they were treated. |
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Post by driver1980 on Nov 20, 2024 11:57:06 GMT -5
One thing I do avoid are pretentious places that think adding a “glamorous” name to a food item (or drink) means charging a premium. For instance, some coffee chains or quirky bars think that calling a regular coffee something else means they can charge a high price for it - even though they’ve probably just used regular milk and a coffee such as Kenco. Now, a small, independent cafe might just have “coffee with milk” on the menu, and charge £3 for it, but a chain or pretentious place might put some fancy name on that same coffee and charge double the amount.
Nothing quite like loading up for cheap at a Brewer's Fayre, nothing pretentious about them! Just as long as you avoid the family rush times, when the place is loaded with nippers running about!  Haven’t been to one of those. There is one in Walsall, which isn’t far from me. I have been to this wonderful place, though: www.tobycarvery.co.ukNever been disappointed here, and they let you refill the soft drinks. |
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,201 
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Post by Confessor on Nov 20, 2024 11:59:17 GMT -5
OK, consider this an in-thread warning about the sort of polite discourse that is required in the forum. I've deleted/edited some posts and those who have overstepped the line will be hearing from the moderators.
I think it's perhaps best if we all just change the subject now and talk about something else. Thanks, friends.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2024 12:09:20 GMT -5
OK, consider this an in-thread warning about the sort of polite discourse that is required in the forum. I've deleted/edited some posts and those who have overstepped the line will be hearing from the moderators. I think it's perhaps best if we all just change the subject now and talk about something else. Thanks, friends. I created the escalation in tone so I own that Confessor. I did not mean for my comments as "casually rude", I do not seek to insult people by any means. In the over 3 years I've posted here on and off again, I feel like I've gotten to know some folks here really well and appreciate the camaraderie. Hopefully some of you know I'm not the meanest person by nature. I'll move on as requested. |
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Post by tartanphantom on Nov 20, 2024 12:21:28 GMT -5
Nothing quite like loading up for cheap at a Brewer's Fayre, nothing pretentious about them! Just as long as you avoid the family rush times, when the place is loaded with nippers running about! Haven’t been to one of those. There is one in Walsall, which isn’t far from me. I have been to this wonderful place, though: www.tobycarvery.co.ukNever been disappointed here, and they let you refill the soft drinks.
Been to a Toby Carvery as well. I agree-- decent food and pretty good value for the money.
I haven't been to a Brewer's Fayre anywhere south of Hadrian's Wall-- all the ones I've been to were in Pict country, but they've been pretty consistent, and I've never gotten sick, so that's a plus. Their pub burgers are among my favorites. 
I don't know if they are related by ownership or partnership, but The Brewer's Fayre shoppes are frequently located near a Premier Inn.
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Post by Icctrombone on Nov 20, 2024 20:33:30 GMT -5
The only fight I want to see is this  |
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Post by Batflunkie on Nov 20, 2024 20:38:36 GMT -5
The only fight I want to see is this Have we ever had a Spider-Ham/Howard The Duck Team-Up? Really would like to see that |
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Post by Icctrombone on Nov 20, 2024 20:39:51 GMT -5
The only fight I want to see is this Have we ever had a Spider-Ham/Howard The Duck Team-Up? Really would like to see that I think the time has passed for that. Gerber was too much of a crybaby over the character. |
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Post by Batflunkie on Nov 20, 2024 20:48:38 GMT -5
Have we ever had a Spider-Ham/Howard The Duck Team-Up? Really would like to see that I think the time has passed for that. Gerber was too much of a crybaby over the character. Hey, couldn't be any worse than Duckpool  Like I've said before, if anybody could give us "Howard in the style of Gerber", it'd certainly be Mark Russell |
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Post by Icctrombone on Nov 20, 2024 20:58:22 GMT -5
Or maybe this rumble...  |
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Post by codystarbuck on Nov 21, 2024 2:01:55 GMT -5
The only fight I want to see is this Underdog would eat him for breakfast! |
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Post by DubipR on Nov 21, 2024 9:31:56 GMT -5
I know were about 30 days out from the annual 12 Days of Classic Comic Christmas, but I'm always giddy wondering what Cei-U! has in store for us this year. Around the holiday season I look at my longboxes and wonder what books I'll be choosing. Putting this out for you all, if you were running this year's event, what would be your subject? I'm always curious to hear from everyone else... |
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Post by driver1980 on Nov 21, 2024 10:00:54 GMT -5
Probably the best 12 wrestling comics.
Seriously, not sure how specific I’d need to be, but 12 best stories/arcs/comics set in ancient times would be an idea, but we’d have to have a reasonable cut-off point, e.g. anything prior to the year 1 AD. I’m sure there’d be scope there.
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