Watch out where you eat.

[notaz3]

I've read lots of hype on In & Out, AFAIK they're just a west coast chain, so I've never been to one. 5 Guys here on the east coast is very good, but also very pricey. A couple burgers, shared order of fries and fountain drinks and you're lucky to get out for under $40.
Agree that fast food places aren't a bargain anymore, don't visit as often as I once did. Can't beat 'em when you're in a hurry, on the road, etc. for the convenience and consistency.

I disagree on the fast food chains though...one of their big advantages is consistency from one location to another. Most, if not all have inspectors who ensure the franchisees are following the script. Locally owned restaurants are always a crapshoot if you're in an unfamiliar area...you might get the meal of your life at a reasonable price, or you might hit the worst diarrhea-inducing greasy spoon in a 50 mile radius.

I don't drink coffee, never visited a Starbucks.

The advantages of the big food chain is the lower prices of supplies.
The "inspectors" do show up; however, they schedule times and there is one for a large area.
Speaking from experience one of the large Mc chains has one (1) inspector for 314 franchises. Another franchise has 64 stores throughout California and has just laid off their inspector (my neighbor).

I agree with Cougsfan that any time you have someone prepare your food you are at their mercy.

 

[Jstpssng]

One of the draw backs of business travel is having to eat out. I hate it. Fancy restaurants get old quick.

If I'm at a place for more than a few days, I will go get some real food. I can survive on cheese, crackers, bananas and yogurt.

For the last couple of years that I was on the road I rarely ate out...especially after I realized I could write off a per diem rather than save receipts. Most motel rooms now have a frig and microwave, and you can do quite a bit with those two. One night I might buy a precooked chicken and make rice in the microwave; the next night it could be a cold ham steak, pineapple and a nuked potato. Most nights there was some sort of salad.
I generally would leave home for several weeks and work 21-30 days straight so often I would rent an efficiency.

God I miss those days. I didn't realize what I had until I gave it up for the security of a "real" job.

 

[5030]

I still have the KFC voucher if anyone wants it, I'll send it in the mail. I'll never eat there again after the last horrible time.

 

[dougtrr2]

It really goes back to the integrity of the local manager, and there will be good and bad. I found a bone in a chicken sandwich at Burger King. I reported it to the manager and before I left I overheard instructions being given to pull that entire lot number out of inventory and they were on the phone to corporate. So there are good guys out thee.

Doug in SW IA

 

[EddieWalker]

We have a Dairy Queen a couple miles away that's been pretty good.

When my wife was in the hospital with cancer, I would get her a plain cheeseburger from McDonalds. She was going through Chemo and Radiation treatments for Colon Cancer, and she was in the hospital for a total of 30 days. One of the very few things that she could eat, and keep down, was a McDonalds Cheeseburger. Her doctors suggested it. They don't know why, or what's in it it, but it's well known that it's one of the few foods that people can eat when dealing with significant gut issues.

 

[Oaktree]

For the last couple of years that I was on the road I rarely ate out...especially after I realized I could write off a per diem rather than save receipts. Most motel rooms now have a frig and microwave, and you can do quite a bit with those two. One night I might buy a precooked chicken and make rice in the microwave; the next night it could be a cold ham steak, pineapple and a nuked potato. Most nights there was some sort of salad.
I generally would leave home for several weeks and work 21-30 days straight so often I would rent an efficiency.

I did something similar in my 20s & 30s when I had a job that entailed considerable travel. We had a daily meal allowance that if not exceeded no receipts were required. I would likewise pick up something at a supermarket and have that instead of eating at a restaurant.
That job was a good deal when I had an apartment, because other than rent I could live almost for free (rent included heat & utilities). Once I bought my first house that had to be heated with oil when I was away (I used wood when I was home) it wasn't such a great deal.

I still have the KFC voucher if anyone wants it, I'll send it in the mail. I'll never eat there again after the last horrible time.

My biggest complaint about KFC is the price. The food's OK, but you can get fried chicken as good if not better at a supermarket deli for about half the price.

 

[5030]

All I know is, the last time I stopped there coming back from the Kubota dealer and ordered a 3 piece, all dark with coleslaw and biscuit, the chicken pieces were tiny, over cooked and the breading tasted like crap, not edible at all. The slaw was ok and the biscuit was a hockey puck and the server didn't even include the fork to eat the slaw with, guess they figured I'd eat it with my fingers. The soft drink was consumable and that was it. Never go there again and I complained to corporate and got a voucher for 20 bucks if anyone wants it, it's yours. Total crap.

 

[MossRoad]

We have a Dairy Queen a couple miles away that's been pretty good.

When my wife was in the hospital with cancer, I would get her a plain cheeseburger from McDonalds. She was going through Chemo and Radiation treatments for Colon Cancer, and she was in the hospital for a total of 30 days. One of the very few things that she could eat, and keep down, was a McDonalds Cheeseburger. Her doctors suggested it. They don't know why, or what's in it it, but it's well known that it's one of the few foods that people can eat when dealing with significant gut issues.

I have a sibling that just started chemo last week. Mentioned no appetite. I'll have to run that one by them. Thanks.

On another note, my wife and I met while we were both working at Dairy Queen in 1977.

As for watching where you eat, my wife's friend is a fire department inspector. One of his duties is to inspect the local restaurant kitchens. While he cannot comment too much on the taste of the foods, he can tell us which places are filthy and should be avoided!

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a sibling that just started chemo last week. Mentioned no appetite. I'll have to run that one by them. Thanks.

On another note, my wife and I met while we were both working at Dairy Queen in 1977.

As for watching where you eat, my wife's friend is a fire department inspector. One of his duties is to inspect the local restaurant kitchens. While he cannot comment too much on the taste of the foods, he can tell us which places are filthy and should be avoided!

Is Chili's #1 on his list? I have never eaten there but have heard bad things about it; both online and from people who have been there.

 

[Oaktree]

All I know is, the last time I stopped there coming back from the Kubota dealer and ordered a 3 piece, all dark with coleslaw and biscuit, the chicken pieces were tiny, over cooked and the breading tasted like crap, not edible at all. The slaw was ok and the biscuit was a hockey puck and the server didn't even include the fork to eat the slaw with, guess they figured I'd eat it with my fingers. The soft drink was consumable and that was it. Never go there again and I complained to corporate and got a voucher for 20 bucks if anyone wants it, it's yours. Total crap.

Can't expect a gourmet meal at a fast food place. Most of their sides are nasty anyway...not sure why I'd want a greasy biscuit with greasy fried chicken and most FF coleslaw is nothing but mayonnaise. No thanks, my cholesterol is high enough already. They (at least used to) have several different types of breading...buy the extra crispy and it's almost all breading.
KFC seems to really push you towards their "meals"/combos...they don't even list the pricing for their "just chicken" on the menu.

Wife picked up a supermarket rotisserie chicken the other day. I was a bit surprised that it wasn't undercooked...most of them seem to be either undercooked or really salty.