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Why eat in a chain resturant in LV?

Discussion in 'Restaurants & Buffets' started by skybank, Jul 23, 2014.

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  1. skybank

    skybank High-Roller

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    After reading in another thread that asked about parking close to Wendy's, it has always puzzled me why people eat in a chain restaurant in LV.

    I can understand the people who live outside the USA going because some of these chains are not in their Country.

    So why is it that people who reside inside the USA go to chain restaurants in Las Vegas? Just curious what everyone's thoughts are and I'm not judging just asking. :peace:
     
  2. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    Some chains aren't in their states, for that matter (In-N-Out). Chains also appeal to the frugal, the indecisive, those burdened with children, those bereft of taste buds and those who are just plain fed up with some "chef's" interpretation of what used to be food.
     
  3. vegasqc

    vegasqc VIP Whale

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    Im an extremely picky eater and Im not one to try any new stuff, so i know what im getting and its also pretty cheap

    buffets and chains only for me
     
  4. Ty

    Ty ?

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    Fatburger - we don't have one here.
    Outback over Casino Royale - view of the Mirage Volcano.
     
  5. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Yep, that's about it. I, of course, would not have used "bereft" because I am kind and gentle and sensitive.

    There's also the food is only fuel factor that many have; it just doesn't really matter to them. Some people only can deal with the familiar, refusing to let go of the comfort zone.

    I live in a small town. Applebee's opened recently. You'd have thought John Lennon reincarnate appeared, along with the Easter Bunny. Thankfully we have a rather diverse array of ethnic eats, holes-in-the-wall/mom-pop joints so we pretty well covered for Thai and Vietnamese, sushi and various iterations of south of the border, plus several Filipino joints, and the usual small-town breakfast and burger joints. Oh, and we have an awesome new deli/butcher/specialty foods place; we're there often. Applebee's? No thank you, very much. We have a couple wine bar/cafes that provide a nice outlet, too, and then w/i close proximity there's steak and Santa Maria barbecue, great bistros, brew pubs and about the best pizza between Tony's in the City and Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

    For the record, I am not anti-chain. I love In-N-Out, for instance. I think YardHouse does a great job, as does Islands, for instance. I'm anti-bad food; you-know-where, Tony Roma's, Outback, Olive Garden, others.

    P.S. To the point, I guess: We don't eat chains on vacation because vacation is about experiences and new things, trying the local and trying specifically what isn't back in the world. Now have I eaten at YardHouse in Vegas? Yes. Had quite a few meals at chain-ettes, like HHAGG or the Lettuce Entertain You outfit, and if Batali and Puck and Michael Mina are chains, then guilty as charged. But making even an occasional practice out of what's everywhere? Of course, we love food. We love to cook. We travel for tongue and tummy (I prove that!) as much as culture (food is culture, actually) or scenery or whatever is different and fun and unique. Why pay money and use precious time to so someplace and then just do it like you do it back home? That doesn't make much sense to me.

    Different strokes, of course.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2014
  6. rvallez6

    rvallez6 MIA

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    I end up eating at chains sometimes out of convenience. I always have plans to eat somewhere that i haven't before, but when it comes down to it, sometimes i'm intoxicated enough to where i just want to get some food in me so i can keep going. The fast convenient nature of the chain restaurants accomplishes that for me. Before my trip i always think of places I want to eat, but when i'm there, i really don't eat a whole lot.
     
  7. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    I admit that when I have been in a hurry, I have had breakfast at Mickeys in Vegas. Or was it to cure a hangover!:wink2:

    Back home we are so lucky to have so many local family operations. Italian, Mexican, Steak places, pizza and bars with fantastic burgers. None of them chains. And of course all the independent custard stands we have here in WI, which serve some fantastic burgers along with the homemade custard.

    We did enjoy Bravo Cucina for their outdoor dining and the Italian was pretty good, but they closed that location. Possibly the last chain restaurant I have been in and that was two years ago.
     
  8. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

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    convenience
    price
    familiarity
    price
    convenience
     
  9. HallOfPromise

    HallOfPromise Low-Roller

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    My guess is a comfort thing. Sometimes I have a craving not just for a burger in general, but for a specific burger. That might be a Habit charburger. (If you haven't had The Habit yet, go out and try it! Makes In-N-Out looks pale in comparison.) If Vegas has a Habit I'd probably hit one up, even though I have them where I live. During my next trip after returning from a late night of having fun I might just hit up a Del Taco. It's the perfect comfort food after several cocktails and I wouldn't have to wait long if I chose a sit-down eatery.

    Now I see there is a Chili's (or is it Chevy's? Always get those confused) going up on the Strip. There is also a Deny's being rebuilt and few other chain restaurants. My guess for these is probably simplicity. They are casual and easy. someone may already know what they want before looking at the menu.

    I remember when Disneyland has a McDonald's inside. For some reason there was always a line to order, even though the prices were higher and you had to order the drink separate from the meals, adding to the cost. I always wondered why someone would wait in the sun to order an item that is more expensive inside the parks while there is a McD's outside the park across the street at more normal prices. My guess is cravings or they really, really like big macs.
     
  10. mjamesp

    mjamesp High-Roller

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    For me breakfast can be just about anywhere. I don't want to wait long, I'm hungry, hangover with little sleep. I don't want to wait long. McD's, Hash house, dupar's, IHOP, Denny's, casino cafe of Buffet will do.

    Lunch is to fill the gap, put something in me so I can start drinking again. Maybe a break from the sun and pool.

    Dinner is all about doing something not available at home. Recently we've been hitting a new place for a burger. It doesn't have to be a burger joint but the focus is on a burger we haven't had before. One night will be a higher - end place for steak or sea food.
     
  11. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    I think these are the biggest points for most people.

    I would also add in speed (maybe that falls under convenience?) because even if there is a long line up at McDonalds if I go there for breakfast I am probably still going to be sitting down and eating within 10 minutes... if I go to the coffee shop and there is no line up its probably 10 minutes by the time they are bringing me my drink and taking my order.

    And if you don't like to eat a lot at once fast food places are also very good for that: for breakfast I usually get 2-3 hashbrowns at McDonalds and thats good for me. If I go to the coffee shop or cafe anywhere on The Strip a side of hashbrowns and side of toast will run be $7-8, at that point I might as well spend the extra buck and get the eggs and sausage or bacon... but now I am spending three times the money and I am not eating a small breakfast.


    But on the other side: I could never really see why people go to steakhouses in Las Vegas.

    To me its not like steakhouses have any special or magical way of cooking a steak that makes it better than anything I could do up at home and for the price of two people going to an average steakhouse in Las Vegas I can buy a bunch of some of the best cuts at my local butcher, loads of fixings and trim, a couple of cases of beer, appetizers, desserts, etc where I can have a whole bunch of great steak dinners at home for the price of one in Vegas or host a party for a bunch of friends with steak dinner...
     
  12. Gofaster87

    Gofaster87 Low-Roller

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    Some gamblers go days without eating, chains would just be a quick familiar way to get food into the body. More floor time more money put into action. I know quite a few poker players like this.
     
  13. skybank

    skybank High-Roller

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    That is my thoughts as well! I guess I am really spoiled living in the Chicagoland area, hell we even have a Grand Lux, so when I'm in LV I want to eat dinner somewhere I cannot at home.
     
  14. chitownjohn

    chitownjohn High-Roller

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    In reality it's hard to find a restaurant that's NOT chain. Craftsteak, Rao's, Ruth Chris, BLT Burger, Rainforest, Hakkasan, CPK, Holsteins, Grand Lux, ... just to name a few .... all chains.
     
  15. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    For me, the steakhouse and the buffet are Vegas like certain kinds of hot dogs or pizza would be to other cities. I can't imagine going to Vegas without going to a steakhouse or getting a prime rib special. But that chain stuff: just don't get it. Sure it's convenient and easy but you can get info on Vegas restaurants so easily that I can't imagine not being able to find something more interesting than Outback or Chili's. Even in places I don't know anything about, I have a good track record of picking a mom and pop joint blind that would be better than a chain.
     
  16. Bane

    Bane Tourist

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    That describes children who are "picky eaters" and won't eat anything except for chicken fingers and french fries.

    Adults who call themselves picky eaters would avoid buffets and chains because they are picky about their food and only want freshness and quality.

    Its strange to see an adult describe themselves as an "extremely picky eater" and then say they only want cheap chains and buffets.
     
  17. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    While some may think "chain restaurant" - to us we can only eat at some places while in LV. We do not have a Margaritaville / HHAGG / Johnny Rockets / In & Out .... etc. So, for us it is a treat to eat at some of these places 2x's a year on our trips. Now....we do avoid places we can go at home....McD / Denny's / Sabarro - etc.
     
  18. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    When I'm in Las Vegas I want something VEGAS, not something I can get anywhere! When I'm there on business, however, and co-workers or clients want to go to {fill in any of the usual suspects} I'll just hold my nose and go along. Otherwise I insist on something unique to Las Vegas.
     
  19. runningonthehub

    runningonthehub VIP Whale

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    Why eat at a chain restaurant in LV?
    Your choice, your money, your business, your life. I do not want to eat at most chains in Vegas, because that is what I have at home. But, I don't judge. What ever floats your boat.
     
  20. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    I have grabbed a quick bite at the little food court between Harrah's and Casino Royale when staying at Mirage because they don't have a food court there. This is when stumbling back to the room or for a quick breakfast sandwich.

    That is the extent of my chain restaurant experiences in Vegas - although I do want to try In-N-Out once.

    But other than that I will not eat a sit down extended meal at a place where I can get the same eats while at home.
     
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