Join the Fun!

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Subway. Still lost about how they stay in business. The quality keeps dropping, the prices keep rising, the deals are shrinking, and their market share is being cannibalized over the last decade or so by places that offer a superior offering at less or just slightly more. I can walk in and get a Jersey Mikes sub for 10 bucks and it's miles better than anything subway can spit out.

radiantpenguin991 , CHICHI7YT Report

Final score:

121points

POST

Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 1 year ago

What is that weird smell that every Subway seems to have?

39points

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants I'm convinced Applebee's isn't a real restaurant. Just a front for repurposed takeout from neighboring restaurants.

ShawshankException:
I'm convinced their kitchen is comprised entirely of microwaves.

Olclops , Mike Mozart Report

Final score:

96points

POST

Ash Cash 1 year ago

My sister worked at Applebees and said literally everything is microwaved ! Especially the "sizzling" plates. They make them hot then throw oil or water on it so it gives the fresh off the grill sizzle effect

32points

JessG 1 year ago

I worked for them for years. They have the skillets on the grill, then when they put the food on the skillet, they add the butter/oil/juices on top and it makes it sizzle, of course, just like any sizzle, that's how you do it. Also, yes, many things are microwaved to reheat, usually side dishes, (NEVER meats) but everything is still cooked fresh. Fresh cooked and put away untill it gets ordered is completely normal. It HAS to be done this way because the general public is super impatient, so things are prepped and stored for faster service later. It isn't Five star for crying out loud people, and your food takes 15-20 minutes, so I don't know what everyone complains.

20points

Anony Mouse 1 year ago

To be fair, that's how all "sizzling" dishes are served everywhere. Not defending Crapplebees, but that's literally how all restaurants do it.

7points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

And honestly, as a person with SPD married to a person with ASD, this is why Applebees is comfort food to us while traveling. Guaranteed to have the same taste and texture wherever you go. Different strokes for different folks 🤷

7points

JessG 1 year ago

The only reason people have a problem with this place is because of the public rumor mill. There is nothing wrong with the food, and nothing is done differently or worse than any other casual dining corporate named restaurant. The ONLY problem with it would maybe be boring recipes? But those change all the time. Anyone that bad-mouths it has not tried more than one or two things on the menu. It's cheap, and fast, and that's what the public wants. I don't know why everyone whines about cit honestly, oh yeah, because your friends say you should....smh

8points

Never Snarky 1 year ago

We used to like Applebees a lot, but I have to agree, the quality has gone down. This seems to be true of a lot of restaurants.

3points

Nightshade1972 1 year ago

I ate at Applebee's a couple of times when I lived in the US. Seemed like they were more focused on pages and pages of expensive "designer" cocktails (I can't drink, so that was meaningless to me), so they didn't care if their actual food tasted good or not. Pretty bland, pretty uninteresting, plenty of other places I could eat, in the US, that I liked better, for less money.

3points

Johnnynatfan 1 year ago

Applebees is f*****g gross

3points

LizzieBoredom 1 year ago

I haven't eaten out in 15 years. Thanks restaurant-employee-posted YouTube videos.

2points

Dorothy Stovall 1 year ago

I worked there for three days. It is ALL microwaved.

1point

Don Donaldson 5 months ago

No way the fud is mircowavd. I am mr. aplebee. I well remedy this post haste

-1point

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago

So, I can get a frozen dinner to nuke for four bucks.

1point

Patrick Whittington 1 year ago

It is lol. I worked there twice. You ever send your food back it's getting microwaved, again.

0points

Mary Loftus 1 year ago

Not in mine!

0points

Sharon Vaughn 1 year ago (edited)

Ours shut down years ago. Service was awful.

0points

Burnt Bagel 1 year ago

Applebees is nasty!

0points

Holy Shimmering Sheeps541t 1 year ago

Walked past a kitchen of a tapas chain (UK) we were in, literally wall to wall microwaves, never again.

0points

R Dennis 1 year ago

Crapplebee's... tried a steak. One bite told me it was microwaved. Spit it out, sent it back for a refund. My first and last time there.

0points

JessG 1 year ago

Meats are NEVER microwaved, don't be ridiculous, if you didn't like it, then that's on the grill guy. I've worked for this place and MANY other corporate places for years-they are regulated and all have standards. Also, you had ONE so-so steak, so now you'll NEVER go back and try something else?!?! I'm sorry, but that is ridiculous too, and, for lack of a better word, snobby. It's a steak (which are quality steaks btw) at a corporate casual,family restaurant, they are the same as fine dining, albeit thinner cut, so the problem was on you, and the way you asked for it to be cooked, but mainly on the cook, who obviously got it wrong that day. You are not aloud to badmouth a restaurant after only trying it ONCE.

4points

CHRIS DOMRES 1 year ago

Yes. Totally uninspiring food.

0points

Domo KO 1 year ago

Ur not wrong lol

0points

Most customers are practical. So long as the food tastes great and is pretty affordable, and the staff treats them well, they’ll be happy. However, some of the most important things happen behind the scenes. Ideally, all businesses would operate ethically, treat their employees well, and have high quality and hygiene standards.

These factors also often have an effect on the quality of the food that comes out of the kitchen. Motivated, well-trained, fairly paid, disciplined staff members will provide an excellent customer experience. On the flip side, workers who don’t get paid well, have no clue what they’re doing, and are managed poorly are more likely to not care about their jobs. Caring about the way chain restaurants operate means enjoying a better customer experience.

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Golden Corral is an abomination.

GNOIZ1C:
Quantity, Not Quality™️

SirButtlockss , Ildar Sagdejev Report

Final score:

78points

POST

Rick 1 year ago

This the place you go in America to watch all the people waste excessive amounts of food and feel good about it.

17points

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants I fail to understand how Dominoes is still in business. It's the cr*ppiest pizza out there. Like cardboard with red melted crayon for sauce. It's pathetic. With all the far superior places to get a pizza from.......why the hell do people still prefer Dominoes?

The_REAL_McWeasel , EPIC Report

Final score:

74points

POST

Sue Denham 1 year ago

Is this everywhere or just some places? We have Domino's in NZ and it's pretty good.

51points

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants McDonald's, they treat their workers like s**t, they get paid to be abused by coworkers, customers, owners, and truck drivers. Get injured? too bad! That's a you problem! Get back to work!! You can't even make enough to SURVIVE food is s**t, overpriced, and I'd rather eat my own s**t over mcs**t. You have a family member dying? Oh well we need you to come in cus our best Boi Mc. Never does anything wrong needs a month off cus he "earned it" aka siting on his a*s doing nothing while you cook, clean, fry, assemble, and so on! Tldr: McDonald's is a hellhole and far worse than any fast food joint.

phantom56_ , Michael Rivera Report

Final score:

73points

POST

James016 1 year ago

Signed: Ex-McDonald's worker

61points

Companies change their business practices to match their customers’ expectations. So if you feel that a certain chain of restaurants is getting super expensive, ladling slop on dirty trays, and treating everyone who walks through the doors poorly, vote with your feet. Boycott the restaurant and give the chain your honest feedback in writing.

Meanwhile, if you’ve seen hygiene standards slip and you’re honestly worried about your health, report the problems to your local organization responsible for ensuring food safety and standards. There’s nothing like a proper inspection to get restaurants in line.

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants They all suck, but Pizza Hut has to be the one that fell the farthest.

lemming_follower:
I've always believed there is money to be made on nostalgia. Pizza Hut executives are letting this demographic slip away. You think they'd offer a once-a-year special to satisfy us old-timers.
Of course, in addition to my 80's pizza, I'd want a few games sitting down at a cocktail arcade machine...

SpaceGoonie , Aaron F. Stone Report

Final score:

71points

POST

N G 1 year ago

Pizza Hut in the UK is fairly good. I went to one in Florida and the cheese was terrible.

4points

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Panera is on the list too.

Nature_Goulet:
Panera costs more than a regular sit down. Totally ridiculous.

TheMillenniaIFalcon , Dave Stone Report

Final score:

70points

POST

Phobrek 1 year ago

I ate there once. Just had some soup and bread. The bread was nice, which made sense, that's what they're supposedly about. The soup was tiny, overpriced, and mediocre at best. How do you f**k up soup?

23points

TheUnblinkingEye1001 , Phillip Pessar Report

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants KFC. How can a chicken place be out of chicken so often? And bring back the corn on the cob as well as the tater wedges you fools.

TheGramdWaZoo:
It doesn't even taste like chicken anymore... It's just battered grease.

alwaysmyfault:
Bring back the buffet!

Final score:

69points

POST

Stygtand 1 year ago (edited)

Fries looks and taste like they have been soaked in water after cooking them and the chicken is tasteless and not crispy. More like greasy. Dont get me started on their so called coleslaw..

9points

While chain restaurant employees ought to be proud of their jobs and try to do the best they possibly could, the responsibility doesn’t rest just on their shoulders. It’s also essential that their managers and bosses motivate them properly. After all, if someone’s superiors don’t care about the customers, why should the employees?

This motivation could, for instance, mean rewarding the staff with monetary bonuses for excellent work, top-notch customer service, and good hygiene practices. That way, there’s a very practical incentive to be at the top of your game. Similarly, workers ought to be incentivized in the long term as well. They should know what kinds of training, raises, promotions, and other perks they can reasonably expect, and when. And that comes down to upper management that genuinely wants their staff to thrive, and is transparent about their goals and expectations.

#10

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Sbarro. It takes a lot of work to ruin pizza.

ErikRobson , Mike Mozart Report

Final score:

66points

POST

Em 1 year ago

I've heard this a couple times lately. What exactly is supposedly wrong with it? My only issue with Sbarro is that it's delicious and the only one I know of still in existence is like 20 miles away.

7points

#11

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Burger King - awesome when I was a teenager, sucks now. I dunno, the food quality has gone too downhill for me.

dayofthedead204 , wikimedia Report

Final score:

62points

POST

Hawkmoon 1 year ago

I have to admit that this is the only fast-food chain I let myself be tempted by from time to time. In Europe, the quality of food is closely monitored, even "junk food".

35points

BackInTheRealWorld Report

#12

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Hate me if you want, but I can't stand Olive Garden. Their menu is just too limited and their food has no inspiration.

DenL4242:
Why would anyone hate you for stating straight-up facts? Olive Garden can't even cook pasta correctly.

Final score:

61points

POST

Aisling Raye 1 year ago

Unlimited salad and breadsticks are sort of wonderful when you're broke tho lol.

59points

#13

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Chick-Fil-A. They cause horrific traffic jams. One just opened and it’s already making everyone around miserable.

It’s a damn sandwich.

Poinsettia917 Report

Final score:

58points

POST

Aisling Raye 1 year ago

Never been and never will, so I can't comment on quality of food. The WTF America part of it is how horrible they are as a company. I absolutely cannot support a business that is so overwhelmingly obsessed with homophobia and the desire to shove religion down the throats (literally and figuratively) of the masses.

85points

#14

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Papa John's went from the top to the absolute bottom in a very short time. We refuse to order it anymore. It was never great but it has become inedible in the last 5 years or so. We actually threw it out last time we ordered it and made something else.

ArminTanz , Ildar Sagdejev Report

Final score:

56points

POST

CanadianDimes 1 year ago

Of all the things the UK could import from the US, I will never understand why Papa John’s was chosen. It’s just so bad.

14points

cognitive_markets44 , Mr. Blue MauMau Report

#15

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Long John Silver, it has to be a cover for the mob or something.

draggar
Just something about fast seafood doesn't sit right with me.

Final score:

50points

POST

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago

I like Captain D's. People seem to like one or the other, but never both.

18points

#16

Food? Mcdonald’s.
Being able to make the food? Popeyes.
Being able to CONSISTENTLY f**k up? Jack in the box.
Somehow getting people to order online? Chipotle.
Longest wait? Sonic.
Closing every store? Burger king.
Trying so damn hard to no avail? Arby’s.

Please support independent restaurants yall. Same price or cheaper, way better food, doesn’t take 30 minutes just to get fries, and your money isn’t going to some corporation.

somecow Report

Final score:

49points

POST

D-m Keilman 1 year ago

Every Christmas I buy immediate family gift cards to local family owned restaurants. Found some really great places that way.

3points

#17

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants TGIFriday’s. Between TGIF, Applebee’s, and Chili’s (all essentially the same place) TGIF is the absolute worst. I doubt they even have fryers or ovens/grills in the kitchen - wouldn’t be surprised to just see 10 microwaves lined up.

OGpizza , Americasroof Report

Final score:

47points

POST

troufaki13 1 year ago

TGIFriday's is pretty good in Greece though. Maybe it's something regional?

12points

avg_bleach_enjoyer Report

#18

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants I’m definitely going to get hate for this but Panda Express.

The food is mediocre at best but I will give them the benefit that you can’t find a larger portion of food for ~$10 anywhere else. However the real reason I say it is the worst is because due to how popular and widespread they are, it’s given a lot of people in less culturally diverse sectors the idea that all Chinese food is a cheap and greasy struggle meal. I am of East Asian descent and I’ve learned to stop suggesting Chinese food as a first date when meeting a non-Asian girl because I usually get hit with something like “What like Panda Express? Can we go somewhere better?” 🤦🏻‍♂️

Final score:

47points

POST

Lord Voldedork 1 year ago

Im sorry, but that should be censored. We are Pandas, after all!

36points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#19

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Waffle House

EDIT: I Googled "Waffle House shooting [hometown]" to support my point, but I then had to specify which one.

wilcobanjo , Mbrickn Report

Final score:

42points

POST

ConfusedCub 1 year ago

A shooting has absolutely WHAT to do with food chain quality? I myself have never tasted their food but I really can't imagine it being any better or worse than ihop.

31points

#20

Denny's. EVERY time I eat there (desperate times call for desperate measures) It sucks. Only 24/7 place open by my airport. How can you screw up food that bad and stay open?

Auntwedgie Report

Final score:

39points

POST

David 1 year ago

Denny's is like McDonalds in that when you are traveling they both give you consistent mediocrity when dining in a strange town. You know they will be more or less c**p but you are familiar with that particular c**p and the prices so you eat there and then drive away asking yourself why.

21points

#21

iHop
Just go to a local diner. Much cheaper, better food, better service by far.

Captainegglegs Report

Final score:

36points

POST

Brocken Blue 1 year ago (edited)

That assuming there *is* a local diner. Sometimes IHOP is the best/only game in town (and it’s always better than Denny’s)

19points

#22

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants My wife and kids LOVE this place, but I'm just gonna say it; Fazoli's.

It's literally just microwaved Italian Lean Cuisines (and if it's not I will be VERY surprised). It's not that it's gross, but I don't see the need to go out and pay a premium for it when I can hit up my local grocery store and nuke it at home.

Guardian-Boy , Mark Yen Report

Final score:

35points

POST

David 1 year ago

The description brought to mind that scene from - I think it was European Vacation - where the "fancy food" is just some guys in the basement popping ready meals into microwaves and then putting them on a conveyer belt up to the servers.

7points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#23

Sonic. Which sucks because I remember when the food there used to be good.

lone_wolf1580 Report

Final score:

34points

POST

Boo-Urns 1 year ago

Far better than McD, BK, Wendy's...

5points

#24

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Chili’s has gone so far downhill that it’s sad. 15-20 years ago it was the top family restaurant in my eyes. Food was excellent, service was good and the atmosphere was fun. Now, the food is bland, it seems every chili’s is woefully understaffed and every time I go, it feels miserable there. It was one of my favorite places to catch a bite to eat and now I don’t even bother anymore.

brechbillc1 , Corey Coyle Report

Final score:

34points

POST

Lucas Meents 1 year ago

Lots of Karen's in the comments

7points

#25

Cheese Cake Factory. One of the worst meals I've ever had from a restaurant is from them, and I can happily eat at Applebee's or wherever. Not only that but you pay a premium for their s**t food.

hydro123456 Report

Final score:

33points

POST

DeShotz 1 year ago

People knock CF for having a huge menu, but everything on it is made from scratch at the restaurant except, ironically, the cheesecake.

22points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#26

Ruby Tuesday is absolute a*s.

mydogsnameiskendrick Report

Final score:

30points

POST

Jus Frpn 1 year ago

Are they even around anymore? All the locations I know of closed. Their salad bar was decent.

2points

#27

Chipotle. The one time I attempted to eat there, I waited 20 minutes in line, the place was filthy, and then while my burrito was being made, the girl at the guacamole station LITERALLY VOMITED IN HER MOUTH AND RAN OFF THE LINE. The manager just called someone else up to take her place. I walked out. This was AFTER the whole "Chipotle is making people sick" thing, where they figured out it was sick workers and bad hygiene that was infecting customers with norovirus. That place is gross. I'll take Salsa Fresca over them any day.

MamaSquash8013 Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Nice Beast Ludo 1 year ago

So expensive and not good at all

4points

#28

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Never met a Red Robin that didn't give me food poisoning.

neonphoenix09 , JJBers Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Patricia Steward 1 year ago

Never met a Red Robin that did!

34points

#29

Tim Hortons.

DeliciousPangolin:
I hate their phony, mass-produced nationalist pandering. Especially from a foreign-owned company that does everything in its power to avoid employing Canadians. No one outside Ontario gave a s**t about TH until they started spamming TV with ads depicting themselves as a cherished Canadian institution. Where did they get the money to do that? By selling themselves to Wendy's.

TheCanuckler Report

Final score:

20points

POST

Krystle Deschene 1 year ago (edited)

It's not a coffee shop anymore. They try to push to many products, and "refocus on dinner menus" I managed one (shamefully, for 20 years) and the changes they made are atrocious.... focus on coffee donuts and bagels. Fix the coffee machines. Fox the drive thru set up amd youll have happier customers again. And 100% this post is correct. They get a government grant to support foreign workers which is fine, no problem there. Problem is the owners pay for one house, stick 10 -20 foreign workers in it. Screw them over in every way possible. Yet we couldn't hold onto our long term locals because the owners didn't give a s**t about them

7points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#30

“Their Kitchen Is Comprised Entirely Of Microwaves”: 30 Of The Absolute Worst Chain Restaurants Arby's is just reconstituted diarrhea on a soggy bun.

kdeweb24 , Random Retail Report

Final score:

17points

POST

Stephen Andrews 1 year ago

Logged in just to comment on this. About once a year I get overwhelmed by how good the food looks in the commercials and stop in. This is followed by a case of food poisoning that night/next day. This is about 10 years running now (apparently my brain has reset and wants to try again every 12 months). Hopefully, I’ve learned my lesson now.

15points

Note: this post originally had 39 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Read less »

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago

So fast food and fast casual chains aren't at the top of the culinary experience? Who knew?

22points

Ace 1 year ago

This isn't so much about food quality but people's changing tastes. In reality, fast food has been seen as getting worse consistently since it first came on the scene, each generations remembering how good it seemed when they were growing up and how much worse it tasted later, completely ignoring how their own tastes have changed over time. It's mainly nostalgia, of the "things were better when I was a kid" kind.

7points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

100% agreed … maybe folks should consider that childhood memories aren’t the most reliable? And people are pickier when they are the adults who have to pay the bill? IDK but I often have slight suspicion for “it was better when I was younger” arguments

6points

Agfox 1 year ago

Outback Steakhouse - any thoughts, anyone? I've eaten there in several Asian Countries & thought it wasn't too bad although, as an Australian, I thought that naming convention was cringeworthy

4points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

Oh the naming is definitely cringeworthy but their food is pretty reliable

3points

Holy Shimmering Sheeps541t 1 year ago

What about Red Lobster? I've never eaten there, I sat at a table for 15 minutes once, eventually gave up trying to get our waitresses attention and left.

3points

Marleina Hershberg 1 year ago

Some of these don't reflect the chain, it is just of 1 location, the places have really good food at other locations.

3points

Chewie Baron 1 year ago

So basically this is a thread of Americans bashing their fast food joints that are somehow better outside the US than they are in the US? Ok.

3points

marcelo D. 1 year ago

well, usually, outside the US you have a lot of rules and regulations about what restaurants can and can't do, both with their staff and with the food they serve

3points

Valerie Young 1 year ago

Eat local!

2points

Sapna Sarfare 1 year ago

Come over to India to see a different version of all your fast food joints... also our street fast food can give them a run for the money. These days, lot of local joints are coming out with better versions of any junk food

2points

Bob La Capra 1 year ago

So...basically all restaurants are terrible. Noted

2points

third molar 1 year ago

The list basically sounds like my dad who has atleast one compliant abt any food he eats.

2points

Type-- 1 year ago

Lots of pretentious karens complaining, US having no standards,but also having so much redundance and "choice" for going to a fast food. In the uk there is not nearly even a fifth of the total restsurant chains there are in the US... bruh

2points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago (edited)

Yeah… there is a lot of Karen energy in this thread. Don’t like a place? Maybe don’t eat there? But if it’s a successful chain, probably lots of other folks enjoy it just fine. As a person with sensory processing issues, I like a lot of supposedly boring and bland food. No need to start preaching about it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

4points

zgillet 1 year ago

Probably because the UK is about a fifth of the US in population. Bruh.

0points

Raphapablap 1 year ago

Everywhere is different due to ingredient quality. Where I live I wouldn't touch BK or McD as the other options are so much better and worth the extra cost. Pizza Hut is salty, greasy garbage but the Domino's is acceptable, even if the other local pizza place is phenomenal. When I used to go to Cali on holiday, first stop was Taco Bell heading South from LAX, and Carl Jr and In n Out at least twice. The pizza hut I had in Palm Springs is the best I've ever eaten from that chain. Ponderosa in Florida was also decent I thought. The advantage at least for me is the fast food places I live also serve beer!

0points

Headless Horseman 1 year ago

Does anybody else here remember Burgerville?

1point

StrangeOne 1 year ago

Not sure if this is in the USA, in Canada I'd have to say Pony Corral. Terrible food, terrible dining room furniture. You feel like you're sitting in a box car at a kid's table. They have something called a seafood loaf. Sometimes it's good. Other times it's the worst, f****d up concoction of bits deemed ocean creatures blanketed in plastic "cheese" slices, all on top of a nearly dissolved, unknown type of bread.

1point

Julia French 1 year ago

the " it tasted better when I was a kid" thing is real - we grow up & our tastes change. Many of these places are intentionally a convience for families with kids

1point

Milan 1 year ago (edited)

I found out that most of the global fast food joints tasted way more worst in US than in EU. I tried many of the most famous fast food joints in US and it cant be compared with joints in EU. How is it possible, i dont know, but it is what it is 🤷🏼‍♂️😁

1point

Diolla 1 year ago

TIL a lot of new chain restaurant names, and that I don't need to be sorry we don't have most of them over here.

1point

Imadoggo 1 year ago (edited)

I'm 1000% sure that food quality decreases by 70% when in the usa and price doubles. god i love America

1point

Howl's sleeping castle 1 year ago

I am surprised nobody mentioned Popeyes. Everything tastes burnt.

1point

James016 1 year ago

Burnt spinach? 😉

0points

Justin 1 year ago

I'm genuinely astonished Little Cesar's "pizza" isn't on this list

1point

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

I agree with the other comments here. But in addition, I think there is a general deterioration in management quality. This probably accounts for most of the variation in customer experiences from one location to another regarding food quality. Bad management creates dissatisfied employees, bad food safety training, and high turnover.

0points

Ian Flynn 1 year ago

American "food" chains 🙄

0points

Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago

I remember in the 70's-80's most of the places (bar fast food) were fairly good. We knew what was best at which place and went out that way.

0points

Julia French 1 year ago

Marie Calendars should be on this list. they just microwave the same stuff they sell in hte frozen food aisle at the grocery

0points

kansasmagic 1 year ago

This list could also be called "People name American restaurant chains".

0points

꯱ׁׅ֒tׁׅυׁׅƙׁׅ֑ꪱׁׅ 1 year ago

And this is why I make homemade meals :)

0points

sofacushionfort 1 year ago (edited)

Our expectations were always low, but their corporate analysts still succeeded in disappointing us. Just shows how Americans can accomplish anything they set our minds on! 🇺🇸

0points

Daniel Atkins 1 year ago

Dairy Queen they have great ice cream but they ruin everything else.

0points

Tumbah 1 year ago

Fast food and chains are c**p because they don't pay their staff diddley. The staff gets yelled at by customers and management, and are pressured to be fast, fast, fast. Which means food is pre-cooked, frozen and then microwaved to get to you fast. $$ is the priority, which means cheap a*s, filler filled sodium and sugar bombs. In what world is the food going to be good?

0points

Wintermute 1 year ago

The reason your fast food sucks worse than ever is the same reason you can't afford rent, buy a car, afford healthcare etc. They're not service industries anymore, they're quarterly profit generators for Wall Street. And when they fail, your favorite politician buys them, sells off assets, brand names, and fires half the staff to reopen it at a lower operational cost to gut out any last stock value. Eventually you'll be buying the memory of decent food from a malfunctioning robot in a dirty stall for $10x markup while listening to advertisements for the next Hollywood flop, and you won't have a choice, cuz it'll still be cheaper than groceries.

0points

Jared Robinson 1 year ago

Folks, there is nothing left. Which is correct. People are gross. Make your own food.

0points

CG 1 year ago

Not a restaurant chain, but there was this terrible Irish Pub I ordered from once through Uber Eats prior to the pandemic, and I'm never ordering from. I got their "Irish Mac" burger, and some poutine from them. Not only was the food cold (no thanks to the Uber Eats driver not sending a message saying the food has arrived), but there was a hair in the burger. And the poutine? Despite ordering a large poutine, I got a medium sized poutine (at best), and it was bland. The nail in the coffin? The owner doesn't treat his staff well, and had anti-Semitic comments on his social media.

0points

Dirk Daring 1 year ago

Chi Chi's

0points

White Sauce Hot Sauce 1 year ago

If you put fine dining expectations towards fast food, you'll always be disappointed.

0points

Anony Mouse 1 year ago

No discussion of how Wendy's went from one of the best to one of the worst fast food restaurants in the last 20 years?

0points

CG 1 year ago

This is probably just me, or maybe my city's Wendy's don't have this issue, but I've never really noticed a dip in quality for Wendy's. Maybe the service is a tad bit slower, but the food is still as good as I remember it to be.

1point

Quantum Zyzyx 1 year ago

Wendy's burger gave both me and my poor dog food poisoning. I thought poor Lucy would die. Honestly, the salt and fat are just too much anymore. They're all terrible and the source of rampant food addiction leading to the obesity crisis. But what are overworked, time-starved people supposed to do to get by.

0points

howdylee 1 year ago

Only restaurant chain I DIDN'T see mentioned was Wendy's... yay I do think they have the BEST fast food burger. And can't go wrong with a Frosty :)

0points

James016 1 year ago

Tried Chopstix noodle bar in the UK for the first time on Wed night. My IBS is still playing up even now. It was meh. My son who generally eats whatever you put in front of him, refused to touch it after a couple of mouthfuls.

0points

Rick 1 year ago (edited)

I have been to every restaurant identified above and I agree with the captions for all of them. Makes one wonder why they even exist. Most if all, why do they always have long lines at the drive thru and customers inside? I stopped eating at these places years ago.

0points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

Because there are people who *do* like eating at there places. Taste and preference is not universal ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

3points

HelluvaHedgehogAlien 1 year ago

Imma stay at home and eat a piece of regular bread, thank you very much

0points

Almost sunny 1 year ago

Geez! How many fast food places are there in the USA?

0points

Ak_Teren 1 year ago

Yes

1point

Talitha Jansen 1 year ago

I'm really surprised about the many food chains USA has. Most of the ones we have here come from there. And many on this list I don't know

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago

I'm surprised White Castle didn't make the list. Heartburn city.

0points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

Oh stop making me even hungrier… I’ll just bring some Tums and it’ll all be fine…

0points

Donkeywheel 1 year ago

The very concept of chain restaurants is unsettling. Restaurants are not supposed to be standard, they are supposed to be places where you enjoy tasting a meal devised by a chef. That’s not a surprise that there is very few chains from countries with good food.

0points

ConstantlyJon 1 year ago

Got through the entire list, even the extra ones, with no one mentioning Little Caesars, and that's because it's the best pizza place in America. So happy to see every other national chain on here while the Emperor of Pizza remains on top.

-1point

POST

Christos Arvanitis 1 year ago

So fast food and fast casual chains aren't at the top of the culinary experience? Who knew?

22points

Ace 1 year ago

7points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

6points

Agfox 1 year ago

Outback Steakhouse - any thoughts, anyone? I've eaten there in several Asian Countries & thought it wasn't too bad although, as an Australian, I thought that naming convention was cringeworthy

4points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

Oh the naming is definitely cringeworthy but their food is pretty reliable

3points

Holy Shimmering Sheeps541t 1 year ago

What about Red Lobster? I've never eaten there, I sat at a table for 15 minutes once, eventually gave up trying to get our waitresses attention and left.

3points

Marleina Hershberg 1 year ago

Some of these don't reflect the chain, it is just of 1 location, the places have really good food at other locations.

3points

Chewie Baron 1 year ago

So basically this is a thread of Americans bashing their fast food joints that are somehow better outside the US than they are in the US? Ok.

3points

marcelo D. 1 year ago

well, usually, outside the US you have a lot of rules and regulations about what restaurants can and can't do, both with their staff and with the food they serve

3points

Valerie Young 1 year ago

Eat local!

2points

Sapna Sarfare 1 year ago

2points

Bob La Capra 1 year ago

So...basically all restaurants are terrible. Noted

2points

third molar 1 year ago

The list basically sounds like my dad who has atleast one compliant abt any food he eats.

2points

Type-- 1 year ago

2points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago (edited)

4points

zgillet 1 year ago

Probably because the UK is about a fifth of the US in population. Bruh.

0points

Raphapablap 1 year ago

0points

Headless Horseman 1 year ago

Does anybody else here remember Burgerville?

1point

StrangeOne 1 year ago

1point

Julia French 1 year ago

the " it tasted better when I was a kid" thing is real - we grow up & our tastes change. Many of these places are intentionally a convience for families with kids

1point

Milan 1 year ago (edited)

1point

Diolla 1 year ago

TIL a lot of new chain restaurant names, and that I don't need to be sorry we don't have most of them over here.

1point

Imadoggo 1 year ago (edited)

I'm 1000% sure that food quality decreases by 70% when in the usa and price doubles. god i love America

1point

Howl's sleeping castle 1 year ago

I am surprised nobody mentioned Popeyes. Everything tastes burnt.

1point

James016 1 year ago

Burnt spinach? 😉

0points

Justin 1 year ago

I'm genuinely astonished Little Cesar's "pizza" isn't on this list

1point

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

0points

Ian Flynn 1 year ago

American "food" chains 🙄

0points

Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago

I remember in the 70's-80's most of the places (bar fast food) were fairly good. We knew what was best at which place and went out that way.

0points

Julia French 1 year ago

Marie Calendars should be on this list. they just microwave the same stuff they sell in hte frozen food aisle at the grocery

0points

kansasmagic 1 year ago

This list could also be called "People name American restaurant chains".

0points

꯱ׁׅ֒tׁׅυׁׅƙׁׅ֑ꪱׁׅ 1 year ago

And this is why I make homemade meals :)

0points

sofacushionfort 1 year ago (edited)

Our expectations were always low, but their corporate analysts still succeeded in disappointing us. Just shows how Americans can accomplish anything they set our minds on! 🇺🇸

0points

Daniel Atkins 1 year ago

Dairy Queen they have great ice cream but they ruin everything else.

0points

Tumbah 1 year ago

0points

Wintermute 1 year ago

0points

Jared Robinson 1 year ago

Folks, there is nothing left. Which is correct. People are gross. Make your own food.

0points

CG 1 year ago

0points

Dirk Daring 1 year ago

Chi Chi's

0points

White Sauce Hot Sauce 1 year ago

If you put fine dining expectations towards fast food, you'll always be disappointed.

0points

Anony Mouse 1 year ago

No discussion of how Wendy's went from one of the best to one of the worst fast food restaurants in the last 20 years?

0points

CG 1 year ago

1point

Quantum Zyzyx 1 year ago

0points

howdylee 1 year ago

Only restaurant chain I DIDN'T see mentioned was Wendy's... yay I do think they have the BEST fast food burger. And can't go wrong with a Frosty :)

0points

James016 1 year ago

0points

Rick 1 year ago (edited)

0points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

Because there are people who *do* like eating at there places. Taste and preference is not universal ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

3points

HelluvaHedgehogAlien 1 year ago

Imma stay at home and eat a piece of regular bread, thank you very much

0points

Almost sunny 1 year ago

Geez! How many fast food places are there in the USA?

0points

Ak_Teren 1 year ago

Yes

1point

Talitha Jansen 1 year ago

I'm really surprised about the many food chains USA has. Most of the ones we have here come from there. And many on this list I don't know

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago

I'm surprised White Castle didn't make the list. Heartburn city.

0points

Brocken Blue 1 year ago

Oh stop making me even hungrier… I’ll just bring some Tums and it’ll all be fine…

0points