The Readers Speak Out: Mom and Pop versus Chain Restaurants

In our final crowd sourced story, I posed a question to you, the readers, regarding your dining preferences. Would you rather eat at a locally and independently owned restaurant, or would you rather eat at a chain? While there is obviously no wrong answer, each one has their pros and cons. For starters, there is a sense of familiarity with the menus at chain restaurants. There's no mystery to them, as you have likely eaten there several times, and you have a particular item on the menu that you enjoy ordering. With that in mind, how on earth can locally owned, "mom and pop" restaurants even compete with this? It's my personal opinion that they do not compete with these restaurants; rather, they provide consumers with an alternative. Many of the comments from our readers echo these sentiments.

"I would definitely choose locally-owned (restaurants). I wish I thought about these things more when I go out to eat," reader Elise Lotz said. "It's usually a decision made with what's closest and sounds good. Mom-and-pop restaurants have a different atmosphere, and such a great selection of food. You go to a chain, and you already know what they'll have. No two locally-owned restaurants are the same."

Another one of our readers,  Samantha Foltz, expressed the same feelings when it comes to making a decision between "local" or "national."

"I would choose the locally-owned as well because of their uniqueness," Foltz said. "At chain restaurants, there isn't as much diversity in their selections on menu choices as there are in locally-owned. Plus, the atmosphere at locally-owned restaurants are more personal which I like!"

Another one of our readers, Gin Ando, also preferred locally-owned restaurants over chains. However, he brings a different perspective to the debate, one which many of our readers may not have.

"My parents own a restaurant in Blue Ash so I know what kind of work goes into it," he said. "Man, I tell you, I have no idea how they can do all the work they do, remember the customers' names and still smile while they are there. It's astounding and it's the reason I'll always go to a mom-and-pop place (literally for me)."

While the majority of our readers prefer mom-and-pop places over chains, some were not entirely on one side of the fence. Sydney Benter enjoys the best of both worlds.

"I think I usually lean toward a hybrid of the two," she said. "I don't like big, commercialized chains, but it's also not always cost-effective or convenient to eat at a family-owned joints. I settle for a mix of the two. I enjoy Dewey's and Skyline which are both chains, but are locally-owned chains. The prices are reasonable and there are a handful of local locations to choose from."

Another one of our readers, Adam Niemeyer, prefers to eat local, but like Sydney, doesn't mind eating at a chain either.

"It all depends on what I feel like eating," he said. "But if I've got the time to spend searching for a meal, I love to sit down and eat at a nice, local place. If we're on the road though, it doesn't seem to fail that we hit up the Cracker Barrel at least once. Even though it's a "chain" place, the people there are sure friendly."

After looking at the last two comments, it's easy to see why people can still hit up chains. Many times, it is still very affordable, you know what you are getting menu-wise and you can still receive friendly service there. However, there is still something to be said about someone's dedication to starting up their own restaurant. Many times, they are very focused on the quality of their food and service to make sure the people they serve will come back and recommend the place to their friends and family. In the end, all we're looking for is good food to eat, and while everyone has their own personal preferences, there are good things to find in both types of places.

Thank you so much for your comments everyone, and take care!

If you had to pick, what would you choose?

For our final crowd sourcing story, the question is point-blank: If you had to choose between eating at a locally-owned, independent restaurant or eating at a chain, which would you choose and why? Do you ever think about the choices you make regarding the places you eat when it comes to this? Also, what do you think separates the "mom-and-pop" restaurants from the chain restaurants? Is it the service? Quality of food? Is there any difference?

Remember, don't feel ashamed if you prefer to eat at chains, I want to know why you feel the way you do! Honest answers are appreciated!