When did food @ chain eateries become so bad? TGIF, Olive Garden, Applebee’s et al. It’s like a half step up from TV dinners these days.
Dec 22, 2014
from
I've never liked most food chains, but Red Lobster & Olive Garden used to be edible. Now, everything is salty & greasy. I sort of stopped eating at chain restaurants about 20 years ago, because there were none around & better options. I wonder if it's that distance than makes it taste bad.
- Anika
I think in some ways, many have always been a bit sub-par, but stagnating wages and rising food and fuel prices cut into their bottom line. Skimping on ingredients, using frozen, pre-cooked parts of meals in place of fresh prepared, and limiting what kinds of cooking are done on site are all ways to make that up.
- Jennifer Dittrich
They pretty-much ARE TV dinners.Everything is shipped from The Big Kitchen Somewhere Else.
- m9m, Crone of FriendFeed
Nothing will convince you like a microwaved steak with some last minute grill marks on it from Applebee's.
- Eric - Final Countdown
I remember when Applebee's first started they were actually pretty decent. Same w/Olive Garden. It's been all downhill from then. I think Longhorn and Outback are still ok but it's been a while since I've visited either so I hope I'm not disappointed again when I do re-visit.
- rønin
I am glad to live in NJ where we have Charlie Brown's (although my main attraction to it is still their awesome salad bar).
- April Russo (FForever!)