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!
I would definitely choose locally-owned. I wish I thought about these things more when I go out to eat. It's usually a decision made why 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.
ReplyDeleteI like eating at locally-owned or "mom and pop" restaurants. I think the quality of the food is better because they aren't a large chain and generally seem to care more about their costumer's individual needs. Those restaurants always have more character and appeal to me, as well. Locally owned stores, especially in Cincinnati, use a lot of organic food and locally grown and slaughtered meat. I think that's great because you know exactly where your food is coming from-- and it's not a nasty processed mystery-burger from a drive-up window!
ReplyDeleteI would choose the locally-owned as well because of their uniqueness. 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!
ReplyDeleteI think I usually lean toward a hybrid of the two. 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. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of local locations to choose from.
ReplyDeleteMom and pop stores all the way! I try to shop local and eat local: I like the idea of the motivation, serious creativity and dedication to personalized customer service that goes along with most local restaurants. These people aren't in it for the money; they're in it because they love what they do, whether it's making 45 pots chili every day or shaping 100 pounds of cinnamon rolls on a Sunday morning.
ReplyDeleteI try to live my own life the same way (love what I do--not love money) and I think that's a big part of why these people are inspiring to me.
It all depends on what I feel like eating! 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.
ReplyDeleteNot that it's local, but one time I was in Indianapolis and I found this great place to have dinner at. I think it was a local spot, and it was fairly priced.
But if we're on the road, 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