[Closed] Chain food you dislike

All of it- McDs, Burger King, Subway, blah, blah, blah. It can all get in the ****ing sea.

With you on Subway. Shops stink so bad!

McDonalds - because
1/ I always forget how bad it is, until the next time
2/ their customers don't know how to use BINS.

I love Subway, but I don't go very often.

I don't mind a McD's either, I have a Happy Meal - couple of times a year.

I don't like the Pizza places, big slabs of under-cooked dough with greasy cheese blasted into them. Dominos, Pizza Hut they all seem the same to me.

I'm with kayla on this - with one small exception; I'm partial to a Gregg's 'cornish pasty' - but only very occasionally and, yes, i know they're not made in Cornwall 😉
As for the west cornwall pasty company - no thanks.

When I saw the thread title my immediate thought was exactly the same as the OP's post.

Subway food all tastes the same and smells awful.

I can eat pretty much anything........but I never eat subway. just the smell of the sweet breads/sauces makes me feel a bit ill.

Nando's, cheeky or otherwise. It's overpriced chicken and chips, I've never understood the attraction.

Pizza hut and Dominos.

Super expensive for what is essentially a peasant food, and super shite.

An XL bacon double cheese burger meal, whilst hungover, on the other hand...

5****Guys.

A foul tasting burger big enough to feed a family of 4 wrapped in some foil which turns the whole thing into a homogenised pile of goo in about 30 seconds. 120 flavours of bottomless drinks all tasting the same . Bags overflowing with (half decent) chips.

And people hit on Mcdonalds for their vision of supersized!

There's far better homegrown burger outfits than this, both independent and chain.

frankconway - Member
Gregg's 'cornish pasty' - but only very occasionally and, yes, i know they're not made in Cornwall
As for the west cornwall pasty company - no thanks.

Same with Ginsters. Nothing about what they produce is Cornish.

Pretty much most chain stuff is garbage. Even beer. Mass produced so loses the quality touch and flavour is aimed at appealing to the masses, so for food it's greasy, sugary and salty and beer is inoffensive, bland and weak.

Tried Five Guys once. Good god, overpriced, overhyped junk.

We did nandos elsewhere, but another is Wagamama. Yeah, what I really want is to be shoved on a communal table with annoying people I don't know and chaotic service.

If I really have no option and for some reason crave a burger, and options are MuckyD or Burger King, I'll go with the latter, but I'll feel sick later.

Though I'm okay with Pizza Express.

I go to MaccyD maybe 3 times a year for a dirty breakfast if we're off somewhere early.
I don't really go to any other chain "restaurants" - maybe Pret for a sandwich once a quarter, does Jacob the Angel count?

Vinnyeh, You must have been to a very different 5 guys to me. Agree on the over priced and under flavored but the portion size was miniscule. Like a McDonald's cheese burger and small fries without the flavour for a small mortgage.

Mister P - Member
Nando's, cheeky or otherwise. It's overpriced chicken and chips, I've never understood the attraction.

This, plus any of the other 'premium' chain places. Although the picture of five guys that vinny paints sounds much better than I thought, might have to check it out.

All of the normal places, bring it on.

I think I'd better get my cholesterol tested.

Subway here too..only ever had one and that was one too many ..
Love Maccy D's & KFC though

Pizza Hut is great with kids, NUS discount brings it under a tenner a head for us - it's not far off an adult McD meal cost actually, I'd rather have the pizza. Don't mind Subway either but being veggie I don't think my opinion actually counts.

Wagamama is a funny one - in Salisbury, the Wagamama is rammed, two doors down a rather good private Thai restaurant completely empty.

RE: Five Guys,

I've been once, as I think anyone who still maintains a strong relationship between earning money, and spending money, will only ever do.

The burger was lovely, maybe 10% better than Burger King, which for me is about 50% better than McD's (and about 50% worse than Llandgela TC which is the real King of the Burger for me). I ordered 'small' chips and was given 2 of those little packets like a McDs would call a medium, but they filled the rest of the bag with them too - they were also nice, too much salt for me but they were also a decent cut above the usual McDs stuff.

In short, it was the best Fast Food, Takeaway Burger I'd ever had, but still not as nice as some 'real' restaurant places and not a patch on Llandegla (possibly improved by the fact I'm usually in a great mood and starving when I get there). I still can't believe the money they want though, £35 for a couple of cheese burgers and chips in a paper bag with two cardboard cups of pop. I hate the decor too - all white tiles and red bunting - it's drab and old-fashioned rather than 'retro'.

Ginsters is a Cornish company. Started out as farmers in Callington, Cornwall. Granted a buffet bar is hardly going to get protected geographical status.

I dont like being in Nando's actual restaurants but im a fan of their wares... often get a takeaway chicken pitta (with all the gubbins) and sneak it into the cinema!! delicious hot fresh and tasty!

5 Guys burgers i do like too but last time it literally cost about £30 for two burgers and chips!? give that a miss in future...

McDonalds is a tricky one because kids happy meals are a big convenience and they love em so is good leverage too. trouble is trying not to order yourself something when your at the window!! but thankfully those times you do serve as a good reminder not to bother again for a while..

agree about subway tho, stinks.

Yeah I like the odd MaccyD's - very occasionally take our little girls for one (like about 6 times in their 8 years on this planet, however now they are getting a bit older they realise they like it and have started to ask to go more).

Never even had a Nando's

I've been to a McDonald's just three times in my life. That's correct, three. Pestered my mum to take us to Kentucky Fried Chicken when it first arrived in the area, that was fifty years ago, not been back.

Subway: went once. Like a normal sandwich shop but five people handle your sandwich rather than one.

Not been to Burger King, Pizza Express or Pizza Hut, think I've been to Nando's - asked for the veggie option 😀

Don't get me wrong, I'll eat crap but there's a limit.

Subway, went once never ever again. Dominoes utterly vial pizzas, Five Guys a very run of the mill burger that’s overpriced and small portions. The worst however wad Ed’s American diners just foul food barely edible, thankfully they went bankrupt.

what chain food can you not bear?

All of them.
They make me feel slightly sick and a bit sad for the world.
Next stop Soylent Green 😉

Mister P - Member
Nando's, cheeky or otherwise. It's overpriced chicken and chips, I've never understood the attraction

Probs the lack of another chain that does the same at the correct price.

5 Guys is one of very few companies that i’d like to see fail.

Nothing for me. As per the second post - it's all shit, really. Foul smelling and tasting. Pizza was the last thing it ate and it was so long ago I can't recall when. McD's hasn't passed my lips since I was at college at 16-17, so about 33 years.

Makes me wanna puke just thinking about the shit I ate back then...

I had a 5 Guys and got all over-excited at the fact they have jalapeños as an option for the topping so naturally ordered some.

Raw bl00dy jalapeños is what I got, not pickled as I should have a right to expect. I was robbed.

Chips were nice though.

I don't mind wagamama, get a few dishes hat have a semblance of freshness about them.

I don't mind a McDonalds, or Burger King.
In fact, i'll eat pretty much all fast food but hate Costa Coffee/any similar over-priced coffee chains.
Don't like Pret a Manger, and despise Café Rouge.

Subway take something that should be fresh tasting and wholesome and turn it into stinky oversugared carp. Awful.
Love pizza Express but they can GTF with the price of their Peroni..

Then you have pubs that only serve Fosters and Carling lager. It's like the worst fast food experience but with booze.

I don't like the coffee in a single place you can buy it from including all the usual chains, but in cafes and pubs too. My Aeropress has ruined my ability to stomach mediocre coffee.

KFC chips, they are foul.

An XL bacon double cheese burger meal, whilst hungover, on the other hand...

No need for the hangover, perfect any time you want cheering up and then to slip blissfully into a coma whilst you digest it

Also, you get the joy of it coming back on you all day, an all day meal if you will! 😀

KFC - greasy and horrible
Subway - bread is awful and food stinks
McD - Not purchased since c.2004
Stuff like Frankie and Benni's is just guff.

Theres seemingly not much that is nice so I don't bother these days.
Last time I went was a BK in August 2016 - at the airport so we had limited choice.

Then you have pubs that only serve Fosters and Carling lager. It's like the worst fast food experience but with booze.

My old local had a tie in with Carlsberg (it's produced in the town) so the choices became Carlsberg, Tuborg or Carlsberg Export. They have a couple of ales on occasionally but they sell out almost immediately. I no longer drink there.

Five guys, by far the best fast food burger imo, yes it’s expensive, but no more than anywhere else pitched at the same ‘premium’ level.

I’ll only go to subway if there is no other option.

For me it’s Wagamama, fairly dull piles of fairly bland food. Also don’t like the ‘it’s ready when it’s ready’ approach, rather than starter/mains etc

To the ‘it’s all terrible’ folk. GTFOver yourselves. Do you really think these places get so successful, and stay that way by selling shit tasting (if not necessarily healthy) food?

KFC chips, they are foul

Fowl, Shirley? 🙄

I will not eat McD's "beef" not ever. I wouldn't eat from Wimpy again.
I don't mind a wagamama, BK or a 5 guys. Indy options are always better but they are also more expensive and rarely fast.

Went into a five guys once. Looked at the prices and left. 😆

KFC for me – went for the first time last year with my Nephew who loves it. He took charge of the ordering, and we ended up with a bucket of unbelievably greasy chicken and a big bag of under cooked chips.

Not to be repeated!

It'd be easier to list the chain foods i will eat.
BK about twice a year
Max about once/twice a month (domestic swedish chain that is giving McDs and BK issues over here, they have even shut down in some places as they can't compete!)

For the rest of the time over here a chain is basically someone who has managed to open 3 restaurants. So not hugely inspiring, but at least they pay their tax and buy ingredients locally.

To the ‘it’s all terrible’ folk. GTFOver yourselves. [b]Do you really think these places get so successful, and stay that way by selling shit tasting (if not necessarily healthy) food?[/b]

Yes

Doubt me? Take a break for a while and then try it again after a bout of eating decent food.

And wtf is that [i]GTFover yourselves[/i] shit about - having a hard day or something...

[i] Do you really think these places get so successful, and stay that way by selling shit tasting food?[/i]

McDonalds hasn't done too bad on such a model.
My kid likes the chicken nuggets and they are edible, but the burgers are rank.
But it's cheap, quick, you don't even have to get your wobbly arse out of your car, let alone wash up after, and you just throw the wrappers on the ground when finished. They are the main selling points as far as I can see.

Doubt me? Take a break for a while and then try it again after a bout of eating decent food

I eat very well thanks, thanks mainly to mrsTHtobe but also all the amazing independent delis and restaurants round where I live and work. I definitely eat from these places more than fast food chains, but if I eat fast food, it’s usually pretty tasty.

What I object to is folk automatically dismissing it because it’s a chain, how many outlets does somewhere have to have to make it terrible? More outlets = worse tasting food? Please...

I’ve certainly had more terrible independent takeaways than from big fast food chains

They don't sell shit tasting food.

They sell shit food loaded with chemicals, grease and sugar, to hide the fact that it's shit.

People buy it as it's cheap, "tasty" and convenient, the company is successful as there is a phenomenal margin in selling rubbish food.

What I object to is folk automatically dismissing it because it’s a chain, how many outlets does somewhere have to have to make it terrible? More outlets = worse tasting food? Please...

I don't read anyone automatically dismissing anywhere because it's a chain. I read folk dismissing chains because they don't like the taste of the food.

I really don't see what your issue is, fella. I don't think the number of outlets is the issue, though you could argue that the larger chains are going to use the same ingredients so will invariably taste the same - i.e. shit.

I don't read anyone automatically dismissing anywhere because it's a chain. I read folk dismissing chains because they don't like the taste of the food. I really don't see what your issue is, fella. I don't think the number of outlets is the issue, though you could argue that the larger chains are going to use the same ingredients so will invariably taste the same - i.e. shit.

I’m not talking about simply not liking the specific product of a specific chain, I don’t like kfc chips for example, it’s the ones that say everything from all fast food chains tastes bad. Really? EVERYTHING?

They don't sell shit tasting food.

They sell shit food loaded with chemicals, grease and sugar, to hide the fact that it's shit.

There's a reason your nose is above your mouth. Personally (and there's no moral shit going down here or any of that weirdly named virtue posturing) I can't stand the smell of, say, a packet of biscuits due to the fat they use. Not an appetising aroma to say the least. Same for most takeaway stuff, too.

Really? EVERYTHING?

I guess a glass of water would be okay...

But why would I return to a chain where I've had bad tasting food? I'm not going to sample every item on their menu just in case there's one or two items that are edible.

As for those chains that I've never visited, I've been with people who have got food from there and have had to move away as the smell has been vomit inducing. Given that smell is meant to entice you to eat something, that says a lot.

There's a fast food outlet near work (no idea if it's part of a chain) that makes the big chains look like like Michelin starred restaurants. It's truly appalling.

Never been in a Subway outlet, can’t say I ever will.
Nando’s and other chicken outlets, nope never will.. if you want to eat malnourished battery chickens that are kept in buckets and fed crap then go ahead, weirdos.
Wagamamas, not keen on being on a long table with others.. but it’ll do because the veggie stuff is really tasty.
McD’s I go about twice a year for the bacon and egg breakfast meal and coffee.. but I do use McDs for coffee takeaways and sometimes those choco doughnuts.
Jamies, overpriced garbage.
Krüger, overpriced beef in a bun.
Pizza Express, once was a decent pizza restaurant but now they’re all rundown outlets that contain surly staff.
Never been to 5Guys, don’t intend to either.
Little Chef, ghah! Was once the only place to get an all day breakfast but it’s hard to find a restaurant these days where I travel.

There's a reason your nose is above your mouth.

Pretty unimpressed by most chain food places. I especially dislike the myriad of burger places that are spreading like a cancer. They rely on selling an array of toppings and breads. The actual burgers are totally average.

Last subway I had gave me mild food poisoning. Rank.

nope never will.. if you want to eat malnourished battery chickens

McD’s I go about twice a year for the bacon and egg breakfast meal

Nope, but twice a year I’ll suffer for thier death.

Context sonny, all in context.

My wife thinks there is a different reason

🙂

As long as you can still hear the stereo it's all good...

As for those chains that I've never visited, I've been with people who have got food from there and have had to move away as the smell has been vomit inducing. Given that smell is meant to entice you to eat something, that says a lot.

How do you cope when you smell something that properly smells bad? Farts, bins, cow shit etc. Faint?

I use none of them, ever. I hate the marketing system ie, selling cheap shit to the masses. I'd much rather use a burger van by the side of the road.
Don't get me started about the amount of McEffingdonalds packaging strewn all over the countryside by the Effing cockwombles that buy the crap!

You're just getting weird now, Tom - casting folk in a light that suits your image of a neurotic weirdo or something. Why not just accept that some folk don't like the same shit you do and really can't stand the smell?

You're just spoiling for a rumble, right... 🙂

*[i]snaps fingers[/i]*

Agree with McD, Subway and Nandos.

Luckily here in Manchester for quick good food there is This and That.

5 Guys seems very over priced for what it is. sadly, they cook their chips in peanut oil so unless I want to go full anaphylactic then I tend to avoid there.

West Cornish Pasty Company is consistently poor.

McD's often feels appealing, then you have it and are completely disappointed.

KFC is greasy and make my stomach churn, the chips are terrible too.

As for what I like, tune in to the other thread...

@tomhoward - I grew up on a farm so am quite used to bad smells, it's just when they are associated with food meant for human consumption that I object.

Indeed. Farts, bins, cowshit - none of those are presented as food to the average human.

[i]Farts, bins, cowshit - none of those are presented as food to the average human.[/i]

Except in McDonalds

🙂

wagamama and the other one (tampopo) I don't mind, but under no illusion of healthy (it isn't)

McD, BK, KFC - bleurgh, my stomach is pretty cast iron but there's something about these that makes me feel gross. domino are too salty and not cheap, pizza express is a no but there are good indy options in Manchester - never been to 5guys but good indy options in Manchester

Wahaca are becoming a bit ubiquitous now, especially in London, but they are my favourite places to eat ever!! dont care if its a chain!!

also very fond of Barburrito and Chilangos!!

KFC is horrible, haven't had one since 1996.

McD is good - you're guaranteed a clean toilet anywhere in the world and their Coke is the same as everyone elses. Food's rubbish but at least it's cheap.

Got a bit of a thing for KFC. Just the chicken though. Have to go through the same rigmarole every time...

- three pieces of chicken please
- as a meal?
- no, just on their own
- umm
- twopiecesofchickendriveroundtowindowtwo
- no, wait!

McDonalds always manage to make a chocolate milkshake taste of banana and when you complain, they claim that it's 'impossible'. Also can get a massive mood crash/comedown after a McD's. The stuff I can't stand are those independent takeaways that cater to binge drinkers. There's about thirty of them on every city centre street, all the same, selling SFC and horrible trans-fat pizza and anaemic fries.

I deliver to most of the main chains and there are 2 I would never use:

Subway
KFC

Both stink and feel really dirty when you leave. 5 Guys mentioned above are usually spotless and clean but their prices are ridiculous!

A little tip I've picked up is to look at the pavement immediately in front of the entrance. If it's discoloured or greasy the place is usually poorly run. Was told that by one of the inspectors that give places the green and black food cleanliness ratings.

5 Guys and prices... can go to a nice country pub in Surrey and get a burger and drink for a similarly ridiculous price, but the burger will be nice, ambience isn't like a hospital, and the drink will be a nice beer. Though the burger might be served on a bloody slate 👿

whattiler - Member
Ginsters is a Cornish company.

Indeed they are, and an insult to Cornwall.

Philps on the other hand 😉

but they're not really a chain, at least not outside of west Cornwall. But then I suppose Ginsters isn't a chain either. Just garbage filling the chain of motorway service stations across the country.

I've never "got" dominos. Soggy and tastes worse than a £2 frozen pizza, also you could cook a frozen pizza quicker so less convenient.

5 Guys is just bonkers. I wouldn't even go if work was paying.

I'll eat any of it if I'm hungry but at 46 years old I have never eaten, or will ever eat, a donner kebab.

Lets not paint pub food as good, for the vast majority it isn't certainly where burgers are concerned. In terms of quality, most are no better than BK.

I don't mind pizza express or wagamama, I've not been in any of the others in years. Subway smells funny.

Greggs.... I don't like Greggs.

I don't like the bits of black gloop that drop off an over lubricated under cleaned chain. They taste a bit like earwax.

Wagamamas
Jamie Oliver

I will never eat there again.

I dislike most of them but especially Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Burger King and Costa

Weather spoons hashbrowns, obviously cooked inthe same frier as the fish,,,,,,,they deny this tho.

Hashbrowns have no place on an English breakfast plate

Overpriced cups of posh Nescafé former Starbucks etc,,,,,,,,,,, shyte

Jeez, it ain’t that bad. Take it or leave it, fast food is just that, fast. As an emergency service worker I have sampled most fast food at every hour of the day, don’t do KFC, McDonald’s is fine, I like it and we get free coffee. Five Guys too expensive, Subway everywhere now but not somewhere I’ve used for a few years. A decent Kebab shop is usually where I end up once a set, chicken and lamb shish in naan, lovely.

Just reading the posts and I have to agree - Dominos are the same as Subway - all smell and taste the same. Are they owned by the same organisation?

The best pizzas (apart from homemade) are Morrison’s build your own.

What ever oil the vast majority of small independents use. The ones where burger and chips is not their native food style, but they serve it up because piss heads love it.

I'm sure it's that ectoplasm which goes translucent when heated. Comes in those industrial buckets, smells like fried lino and melted flip flops. I bet it's the cheapest shit money can buy in bulk.
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