Anyone who reads these pages on a regular basis knows that I, and all of us at CL, are homers. In spite of what people may think about my often cutting criticism, I support local establishments almost to the exclusion of the mass market chains. On the whole, the food that comes from locally owned joints is tastier, more interesting and better for the community than that at the big boys. I like to think that most of CL's readers agree.
But there's no arguing with numbers: Chain restaurants grab the majority of diner dollars, over 50 percent of the total amount spent by consumers. And, at a projected $550 billion in 2008 restaurant sales, that's a hefty hunk of change.
So, I thought, maybe I'm missing out. Maybe the people who drive past dozens of independent restaurants of all styles and sizes to get to their beloved chain spot know something I don't. Maybe I needed to get off my high horse and rub elbows with the common folk, choose meals based on garish pictures of prepared foods displayed on menus and see what all the fuss is about.
I've survived on a $21 food budget for a week, eaten at 96 burger joints in just two months and consumed potentially dangerous exotic foods for the sake of CL readers, so surely a week of chain dining isn't going to kill me. Right?
First, I had to do some research to pick the places. The top five casual chain restaurants, in order of popularity, are Applebee's, Chili's, Outback, T.G.I. Friday's and Olive Garden. Really? The riblets place is at the top? Huh.
After plowing through food geared toward the lowest common denominator, loaded with fat, salt and sugar, in environments that feel more like amusement parks than restaurants, I'd like to say that I was surprised, that my attitudes toward the big guys softened.
Not so much.
Here are the results:
This article appears in Jan 21-27, 2009.