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Post by Kent on Aug 24, 2006 11:48:08 GMT -4
I don't get anyone on this forum. All you do is complain about the restaurants in the area. ie. Crappy Food, Crappy Service, Crappy Interior Design, High Prices etc... but whenever the "rumor" that a franchise restaurant is looking to setup here, "you" people freak out!
The sky is falling! I heard (insert franchise name here) is coming!!!
You guys can't have it both ways. You can't expect a local restaurant to offer the same things that the national chains do.
The only way to provide consitant quality, service and value is via a national chain. They have the resources to provide that. A family style restaurant owner simply can't compete unless they go upscale and cater to a customer base that doesn't get "sticker shock" when the bill comes.
How much would an Applebees rock on the island? Value, Quality, Menu Selection etc... (insert local restaurant name here) simply can't produce a menu like that. For that matter, a Ruby Tuesdays would seem to satisfy everyone's grip about expensive Burgers and also over a nice Salad Bar.
As far as the 5 second rule*, that is very common even in the national chains. And if that disgusts you, NEVER send your food back or complain about something if you still have food coming out to your table. I'm not saying it happens everywhere but I've seen and heard stories from friends in the industry. Enough said.
* 5 second rule - if food falls to the floor (does not usually include absorbant material like ice cream) and is picked up within 5 seconds, it's still good. If the cook is reputable, you may have your steak or burger thrown back onto the grill for a quick flame up to kill off any bacteria that may have attached itself while on the floor.
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Post by matt on Aug 24, 2006 12:45:33 GMT -4
You are, of course, free to disagree; however, there's no contradiction in criticizing local restaurants and not wanting the big chains moving in. You simply see it your way. You're welcome, of course, to go back to wherever you're from and enjoy the chain restaurants - clearly you see no need or place for the local restaurants.
An Applebees wouldn't rock on the island. it would suck, as would a Ruby Tuesdays, Fridays, Olive Garden, Green Turtle, et cetera, ad nauseum.
Someone who doesn't get the desire to keep things "local" and small shouldn't be expected to "get" those who do. Of course, no one's making you stay and study the oddballs that live here.
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Post by Mike on Aug 24, 2006 14:55:16 GMT -4
"An Applebees wouldn't rock on the island. it would suck, as would a Ruby Tuesdays, Fridays, Olive Garden, Green Turtle..."
Obviously you live a sheltered life on "The Island" and have never visited Easton, where Ruby Tuesday's has a wait every night of the week. You've obviously never been to Camden, DE where Applebee's is packed every night.
Grow up and get over yourself. If they built one you would NEVER go there right? Just like if they built a Wal-Mart you "Save the Island" renobs would never shop there? People are annoying around here.
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Post by bchevy on Aug 24, 2006 15:23:46 GMT -4
You are, of course, free to disagree; however, there's no contradiction in criticizing local restaurants and not wanting the big chains moving in. You simply see it your way. You're welcome, of course, to go back to wherever you're from and enjoy the chain restaurants - clearly you see no need or place for the local restaurants. An Applebees wouldn't rock on the island. it would suck, as would a Ruby Tuesdays, Fridays, Olive Garden, Green Turtle, et cetera, ad nauseum. Someone who doesn't get the desire to keep things "local" and small shouldn't be expected to "get" those who do. Of course, no one's making you stay and study the oddballs that live here. what he said... although I don't think I'm one of the oddballs... GBMike: I know where they are, I go there on the RARE occasion that I want to. None of the big chains are on my favorites list, including WalMart, and they've all earned their place on my list. My list. my 2 cents.
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Post by bchevy on Aug 24, 2006 15:25:03 GMT -4
Chain Restaurants = Better Food, Quality & Service And that line is just totally unfounded
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Post by Rich Fisher on Aug 24, 2006 15:38:40 GMT -4
Chain places are consistent and inexpensive (not including places like 'Ruth Chris'), but the food is just mediocre. That's like comparing Red Lobster to The Narrows. Red Lobster is cheaper, but other than that, the Narrows wins hands-down for quality. Same goes for pizza places - compare Pizza Hut to Carini's, or bars, where places like Friday's or Green Turtle just seem canned. Local places capture the feel and flavor of the area, while most chain places are just generic. As someone who did a lot of work-related travel to oddball places, I always looked forward to trying out the local cuisine, not that guy that's eaten at every 'Hard Rock Cafe' or that sort of thing. To each their own, but for my money I'd rather get a better meal and support the local community over a decent generic meal from a canned chain place anytime.
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Post by matt on Aug 24, 2006 16:34:05 GMT -4
"An Applebees wouldn't rock on the island. it would suck, as would a Ruby Tuesdays, Fridays, Olive Garden, Green Turtle..." Obviously you live a sheltered life on "The Island" and have never visited Easton, where Ruby Tuesday's has a wait every night of the week. You've obviously never been to Camden, DE where Applebee's is packed every night. Grow up and get over yourself. If they built one you would NEVER go there right? Just like if they built a Wal-Mart you "Save the Island" renobs would never shop there? People are annoying around here. OK - bye. I don't enjoy chain restaurants with all their cheesed!ck kitsche decor and menus of mediocrity. I've not shopped at a Wal Mart since I quit Sam's Club years and years ago. My wife doesn't shop at Wal Mart, nor do my other family members. if I go to Annapolis, I might eat at a chain place, but I don't think there's a need for such crap on the island. My ever so humble opinion, of course. You're a regular genius Mike . Just because there are crowds at a mediocre venue doesn't mean the venue belongs everywhere. Heaven forbid small business stays alive anywhere. Enjoy your mediocrity. You're one of a kind - just like everyone else.
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Post by matt on Aug 24, 2006 16:38:19 GMT -4
I'll leave the post above, but let me try this another way:
I like Kent Island as it is (better yet, as it was 20+ years ago). I don't look forward to seeing it become another Glen Bernie - another ubiquitous suburb of DC/Baltimore with no local style, flavor, or character. I don't look forward to mediocre chain restaurants moving in with standardized menus and a coporate image you can find anywhere in the US. I enjoy having places like Meighan's, The Narrows, Annie's, Kentmorr, et cetera to Censored Bad Word Here about sometimes and rave about at others.
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Post by Kent on Aug 24, 2006 19:53:29 GMT -4
Local places capture the feel and flavor of the area, while most chain places are just generic. You're saying Kent Island and it's residents are as bad as the local restaurants everyone complains about? You may want to take back that statement. As a LIFE LONG resident of Queen Anne's I can fully say that an Applebee's would ROCK!!! It would be so crowded everynight all the other restaurants you people complain about and don't visit anyway would close! And, What's with all the Glen Burnie stuff??? Have any of you even been to Glen Burnie lately? I'm not really seeing the connection? An Applebee's opens up and now we're Glen Burnie? That makes absolutely no sense, what are you talking about? Props to Greensboromike!
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Post by ljp on Aug 24, 2006 20:30:19 GMT -4
wow..where do I begin...
While I am not a 'native' Islander, I have been here long enough to understand you guys who want convenience and chain stores of any kind. I have a friend who is a native islander and is always upset when I say STOP THE WALMART!! He says that it has been a long time coming and the Island NEEDS it... As I tell him I will tell you also, I think that you are not so prepared for the consequences. Those of us who left busier neighborhoods watched with dismay how business, and malls and restaurants changed the landscape and the dynamic of places we called our neighborhoods. It starts with 1 Applebees or (insert franchise name here). When I was a kid, and trust me it really wasn't that long ago, I used to walk to PG Plaza all the time. When there was talk of a Metro we all begged for it! We said "Wow can you imagine the convenience??!!" Now in a matter of 10years it has become a place I wouldn't drive through in the day time. This is the element that comes with progress. Last summer I was in the Safeway and the butcher warned me not to leave my purse in my cart (that was standing next to me) outside of my reach, because there had been people who had theirs stolen right there in the store. Really?? Could you imagine that happening 10 years ago... here? There is a reason that Glen Burnieites moved over here, have you seen that place and its changes over the last 10 years?? and you think WE have something to complain about with regard to traffic? You beg for growth, you beg for buildings, you beg for restaurants that will draw crowds from everywhere. Right now there are 25,000 people who live in Grasonville, Chester, Stevensville alone. Could you imagine really, what an Applebees would draw to say... the parking lot at the Safeway? "Obviously you live a sheltered life on "The Island" and have never visited Easton, where Ruby Tuesday's has a wait every night of the week. You've obviously never been to Camden, DE where Applebee's is packed every nightthere? People are annoying around here. "
Um...and you want this in YOUR backyard? If it WERE built we never be able to go because apparently these restaurants are packed and there are waits every night... So now I have to deal with the traffic and other changes that accompany franchise building and I don't even get to enjoy it because I will have to deal with yet more lines of people?
I literally had to take a job that gives me a day off during the week just so that I can go to the dry cleaners, grocery store, bank, post office and gas my car during the summer months, because I surely wasn't able to do any of that on Saturday or Sunday without fighting Ocean City style crowding.
Leave the stores and restaurants to the fools who didn't fight it when it started growing in their back yard, I will crowd their streets when I want a Ruby Tuesday Salad or Applebees hamburger....
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Post by kent on Aug 25, 2006 12:36:35 GMT -4
News Flash! No one is coming from the other side of the Bridge to eat at an Applebees or any other casual dining restaurant on the Island. There are plenty for them to choose where they already live. I just want to "Eat good in my neighborhood".
Westerners may however cross for a Walmart since the closest in the Annapolis area is Glen Burnie or Bowie. I am not infavor of a Wal-Mart, that's overkill for our area and we don't need it. They do need one in the Annapolis area and if they were to build one, I would not mind making the commute.
Also, I'm still not sure what "element" you are refering too? Can you be more specific? I'm assuming your speaking of particular skin colors that you don't want moving here.
Those "element" problems stem from more than just an Applebee's opening up. There are deep social and economical issues related to that topic that I suspect most of you don't want to talk about in public.
As far as long lines, I wait all the time for Squisito and Ledo's, perhaps because they are the best casual dining establishmentS on the Island and guess what... THEY'RE FRANCHISES!!!
The Narrows places don't count because they're seafood and by default seafood is a longer dining experience than sandwiches, steaks and salads. Not to mention the boat traffic and visitor traffic they get.
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Post by matt on Aug 25, 2006 14:00:11 GMT -4
For someone so willing to read into text something that's not there... you seem to have reading comprehension difficulties. The "element" being referred to, if you'd read what is written, is clearly the element of crime, or at least a reduction in personal safety - security. If you want to talk about classes of people or races, have fun. PG County, as evidenced sadly by the PG Plaza area, is increasingly a high-crime area.
The development you want, because you're too cheap, lazy, or unimaginative to find better alternatives is only but a stepping stone towards Glen Burnie-style overdevelopment.
The link to Glen Burnie is because that little armpit of Maryland is little more than a mass of unending overdevelopment. Driven through there lately? Liked it? Then I doubt you're a "live long resident" of QA. Glen Burnie concentrates all the fears of overdevelopment and urban sprawl being voiced throughout the country today.
You want a Wal Mart "in Annapolis" but not in QA County... so just NIMBY, eh? You want Applebee's because you like the cheap food or the cheeseball decor? Some people prefer not to see constant construction, and constant development. I'm one of those. That's why I live in Queen Anne's County, not in Rockville or Annapolis, etc...
I can't imagine anyone outside the categorically poor wanting to shop at Wal Mart. If every penny didn't need pinching, perhaps Wal Mart would make sense. But anyone with ANY ability to spend a couple % more shopping there? Why?
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Post by bchevy on Aug 25, 2006 14:33:20 GMT -4
I would think the big franchise restaurants would draw a lot off the highway, (They'd have to to survive)the tourists, vacationers, and just passers through. This would add to our already overburdened roads and traffic during the worst times of the year/week/day.
Leave them where they are, Build more of them there. We have a wal mart within 30 minutes in either direction, PLENTY Close enough.
Let the passers through keep on passing.
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Post by ljp on Aug 25, 2006 21:25:17 GMT -4
Thank you Matt for speaking for me before I read that post.
You are absolutley right. 'Element' did not in any way infer a particular skin type. Didn't I say I grew up in PG county, considering that the county is and has been predominantly African American for many years, couldn't that mean that I might also be of a "particular skin color" that you might refer to?? I didn't say the butcher said, "Watch out for those other skin typed people" , he just said, "watch your purse".
I was absolutely speaking about the possibility of growing crime, since I think I said I wouldn't drive through PGP in the day time, wouldn't that suggest that I really don't know and haven't seen what color the offenders are?
Are you Kent, a little too sensitive, assuming that this was in any way about race??
"There are deep social and economical issues related to that topic that I suspect most of you don't want to talk about in public.: "
are you kidding me with that? I am not talking at all about socio-economics. I am talking about the possible building of a restaurant that would draw so much traffic in from other places (like Q'town, C'ville, Chestertown, Denton, Ridgley, etc. not Annapolis - please don't assume that I am saying I have any problem with these areas) that would make it even harder for me to run errands ?! Can't it just all mean that I am upset that I have already had 3 property tax hikes since I have lived here, most of which were to pay for the increasing problems with road surfaces, and emergency responders all in support of tourism, that really doesn't bring anything at all INTO QA Cty?? I am actually extremely offended that you would insinuate that I had any alterior meanings behind what I said. Take what I say for what it is. Trust me, I am not afraid to speak CLEARLY. There isn't anything between the lines to read.
Matt, yes it is somewhat of a contradiction to say let's build an Applebees but not a Walmart. I guess it is a good thing Kent isn't the one making the decisions in the county.
If you want to "eat good in the neighborhood", stop watching so much TV that you become a zombie able to recite advertising gimicks, and go to a neighborhood barbeque. Work to improve your quality of life, not fight to ruin ours.
Furthermore, do you really think that anyone suffering from socio-economic issues can or will be able to afford to live anywhere between the bridge and Cambridge? Then why would I be worried about them? It's just a statement that I have watched in my years small town giving way to bigger towns and becoming arm pits like Glen Burnie (thank you Matt for your eloquent jargon.).
I just don't think I could stomach watching any more of the fields and wooded areas along 50 being cleared for commercial development. I too and one of those that moved here because it wasn't a place lined with trucks and sifting dirt. end of story... really folks... I don't even care what color the trucks are I just don't like to see them bringing malls...
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Post by ljp on Aug 25, 2006 21:35:09 GMT -4
oh and by the way...refering to your original post: if your idea of a 'decent' restaurant is one that practices the 5 second rule... then God help us if the commisioners in this county listen to you.
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Post by bryn on Aug 28, 2006 11:34:51 GMT -4
I just moved here this summer and one of the things I LOVE about Kent Island is that there are no chain restaurants.
Chain restaurants have mass-produced food and it's not very original.
I would have moved to Annapolis, Ellicott City or Columbia if I wanted chain restaurants.
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Post by jmh on Aug 28, 2006 12:13:54 GMT -4
they all buy from sisco anyway
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Post by Mike on Aug 28, 2006 13:44:03 GMT -4
haha -- jmh is right
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Post by Frank on Aug 28, 2006 14:08:57 GMT -4
I just moved here this summer and one of the things I LOVE about Kent Island is that there are no chain restaurants. Chain restaurants have mass-produced food and it's not very original. I would have moved to Annapolis, Ellicott City or Columbia if I wanted chain restaurants. Yeah, who needs chain restaraunts like Mcdonalds, Ledos, Burger King, Squisito, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Hardees, KFC, Papa Johns, Taco Bell, and Quiznos. Glad we don't have any of them on the island!
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Post by GWBushdumb on Aug 28, 2006 14:53:17 GMT -4
Frank, You forgot Dunkin Donuts.
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Post by Frank on Aug 28, 2006 15:06:20 GMT -4
You're right GW, don't forget Rita's and Wendys! We could also include those other terrible chains on the island. Food chains; Safeway, ACME, and Food Lion. Shopping chains Tuesday Morning, Rite Aid, Western Auto, Happy Harrys, and the dreaded K-Mart. Boating chains Boaters World and West Marine. And all those d**n gas chains; Citgo, Mobil, Shell, Exxon, X-tra mart, and Valero.
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Post by bchevy on Aug 28, 2006 15:23:36 GMT -4
These do NOT make my list of places to eat at ALL. fast food was not on the agenda that I saw here.
These two really arent that bad...
NONE of these places can compare to any real sit down place.
And Frank- get a grip
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Post by Frank on Aug 28, 2006 15:36:44 GMT -4
I know, the message board is kinda slow today. Just thought I'd get it stirred up a little and have some fun!
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Post by Jason on Aug 28, 2006 15:37:20 GMT -4
We need a list of all "Bchevy Approved Island Establishments" so we can get to work on burning the rest of the island down...and telling Frank to get a grip? "Hello pot, my name's kettle".
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Post by teaser on Aug 28, 2006 15:38:13 GMT -4
I just don't get some people. When has an Appleby's ever brought crime to an area? I mean come on. And some of you must be crininging at the mass amount of 55 year old and older gangsters that will be moving in eventually. Lock the doors and hide the kids. My god, some of you should really consider moving to Montana. I'm sure there is absolutly nothing going on out there. Flame me if you feel the need, but all the chirping and fighting growth is doing nothing except wasting our tax money on attorneys and consultants. It's silly.
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