the planet hollywoods of the world - any value?
i have an enormous extended family. all of the cousins are getting together for their annual night out and someone has suggested dinner at one of the indian motorcycle cafe. it got me wondering, what value or merit is there in all of these cookie cutter theme chains (ie: planet hollywood, hard rock cafe, rainforest cafe) that serve mediocre food at overinflated prices? i know some of these chains have fallen on hard times but others do well. how? why?
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5 Comments:
I've eaten at two Planet Hollywoods, and they seem more about the schtick than anything else. I've not eaten at a Rainforst Café. But I'll tell you what, I've not yet had a bad meal at a Hard Rock Café. My favorite two are the one in Orlando at Universal, and the original Hard Rock in London, England, behind and to the right of Buckingham Palace. (I can just imagine the Queen ordering out from a place where the stairwell to the loo is covered with Monkees memorabilia ...) The Hard Rock in Chicago serves decent and acceptable food for the price but was a bit too noisy for me. I'll stop into a Hard Rock Café now just about anywhere I see one. They're kid-friendly, serve decent and unique food (steak seasoned with hot sauce from Van Halen's Michael Anthony?), and really seem to care about their customers.
LunaPierCook at 5:59PM on 11/17/07
I don't do trendy chains. When I was in FL I wanted to go to Emeril's and we brought up the menu online and nothing appealed to us. It was all trendy food that just didn't beg my favor. I was really surprised.
What are is the meetup I am sure if you tell us where and what everyone likes to eat we can throw you some ideas.
JerzeeTomato at 6:22PM on 11/17/07
They are safe for large groups with people with a wide variety of tastes. On my own - I avoid them. And I would never go while in London or other cities outside of the US. Why travel all that way just to have dinner in a chain that is 5 miles from my house? (although I had made exceptions for mcdonalds in japan)
I have never had a bad meal in a Planet Hollywood but never had a good meal at a Rainforest Cafe. Some of them fail and others succeed just like every other chain - quality of management, consistency, and providing a product that people want. I think Planet Hollywood suffered from expanding too quickly but has since recovered some what (and was bought out).
bravian at 6:35PM on 11/17/07
actually the meet up was tonight so it was too late to change locations. needless to say, i was not impressed. the waitress seemed to think that the more than generous serving of cleavage she offered made up for her complete lack of manners, personality, or professional competency. the menu was tiny. the food was okay but i'd never go back. within blocks there were delicious thai and indian places, as well as some amazing burritos. we ended up just getting drinks and appetizers then going out elsewhere for some stellar bbq afterwards.
lexophile at 9:29PM on 11/17/07
Wagamama, which I think is based out of London, is great. I met a friend at the one in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, which you'd think would be the most overpriced, touristy place on earth, and it was actually really good and cheaper than most of the 'street food' in the park.
Annmarie at 12:49AM on 12/04/07