Gripe/question about the Des Moines Metro (West Des Moines, Ankeny: closing, shops)

[SharpHawkeye]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

You're put off by Des Moines because there are some people on this forum who aren't into chain restaurants? No one said that no one eats at chain restaurants. I still scoff at the idea of an Olive Garden in Des Moines though.

Chain restaurants just really don't do anything for me. If there were some good ones, I would go. I'd rather go to the Drake Diner for a burger than go clear across town to Fuddrucker's. I'd prefer to eat at Baratta's or Tumea's and get great food from people intertwined with my community way before I'd want to go to Olive Garden for unlimited breadsticks and soup. I'd rather have souvlaki from Olympic Flame or croques madames from Django than go to TGIFriday's. I'd prefer steak deburgo from Gino's over a trip to Outback for a steak and a bloomin' onion. You get the picture.


There is one chain I do like - the restaurants owned by the people who do the Machine Shed and Johnny's Steakhouse. Both are pretty sweet.

There you go with those "provincial attitudes" again, El Rhino...

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by SharpHawkeye

There you go with those "provincial attitudes" again, El Rhino...

You're right, I should drop my provincial habit of spending my dining dollar on chicken tikka masala, souvlaki, chicken amaggio, tiramisu and pad thai and maybe mix in some rib tips from Applebee's or a 1/2 cheeseburger from Ruby Tuesday's. Perhaps whatever Guy Fieri is peddling for TGIFriday's.


Sarcasm aside, usually the choice to forego chains in favor of local businesses ends up with the exact opposite of provincialism.

[tollfree]

I think taking ANY interest is where others like to eat...is plain odd. They simply wouldn't find that worthy of discussion in most other places.

He likes Applebees...noo! that's not locally owned! Don't goto PF CHANGS!!! or Flemings!!! They're not locally owned...that is very provincial. In the big cities, these discussions just wouldn't get this kind of mileage.

[El Rhino]

People in big cities do not talk about local vs. chain and where people eat. Interesting. I'm glad we're privy to your commentary and knowledge on contemporary America and how it relates to Iowa and/or Des Moines. Again you nailed one out of the park, RonnieJonez.




So if people in big cities don't talk about these things, why are you comparing Des Moines to big cities and expecting us to have similar behaviors? You're probably one of those people who think Des Moines is on par with New York City. I bet you carry around Jaycees applications in your pocket and run your peers out of town who refuse to join.

[tollfree]

Seriously...I've lived in big cities and never heard this argument. Maybe in Wausau, WI this would be noteworthy.

There is a provincial attitude of "eat local - or else", made very evident in this topic. Just that excessive caring of what others eat, drive, like to do, memberships they are a part of, is very provincial in of itself.

[El Rhino]

So you still insist that the culture of people in Des Moines should be like that of the big cities? Why? Des Moines isn't a big city.

[muman]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

I think taking ANY interest is where others like to eat...is plain odd. They simply wouldn't find that worthy of discussion in most other places.

He likes Applebees...noo! that's not locally owned! Don't goto PF CHANGS!!! or Flemings!!! They're not locally owned...that is very provincial. In the big cities, these discussions just wouldn't get this kind of mileage.

I disagree. It seems the 'eat local' sentiment is more popular in bigger cities. You'd be amazed at the local, non-chain options available in places like Chicago, NY, etc. Craving for more chain restaurants seems to be more of a suburban or smaller city thing.

[tollfree]

Of course, they're going to have more locally-owned places, as they have more of everything.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

Seriously...I've lived in big cities and never heard this argument. Maybe in Wausau, WI this would be noteworthy.

hummmm...

Cities put shackles on chain stores
By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY

link: USATODAY.com - Cities put shackles on chain stores

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by muman

I disagree. It seems the 'eat local' sentiment is more popular in bigger cities. You'd be amazed at the local, non-chain options available in places like Chicago, NY, etc. Craving for more chain restaurants seems to be more of a suburban or smaller city thing.

I'd agree. Living in the middle of Chicago, there is a very obvious lack of chain restaurants, and people like to keep it that way.

Applebee's, Chili's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Bennigans, Outback, TGI Friday's, etc. etc. etc.

There's NOTHING in the city except for possibly one of each place downtown in the middle of the touristy areas. I remember 5 years ago they opened a Red Lobster downtown (only one in the city) and people were almost offended. They've since got out of business.