Fast Food Restaurants Based in a Country Other Than Your Own
Apr 30, 2015, 2:04 am
#46
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Not surprising about Quick. Their burgers are good and actually taste like real food. Also, when I was in Algeria, I was told that they have no McDonald's in the country so it makes sense that someone would step in to fill the gap.
Apr 30, 2015, 6:47 am
#47
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That said, I'm more of a fan of Pret's soups and hot wraps. And they do a very decent coffee in the UK at least...
The one I can't get my head round is Wasabi. Individually wrapped sushi? Come on! Decent onigiri, mind.
Apr 30, 2015, 7:28 am
#48
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Anat - kebabs in South Africa. Surprisingly tasty.
Apr 30, 2015, 8:22 am
#49
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It's faster, and leads to lower labor cost -- it's their schtick.
I can't stand the food results, and I don't see it really catching on here in the US*, but the prepacked sandwich thing seems to be really big in the UK even outside of Pret (from what I can see as an occasional tourist.) Bleh.
(* outside of a few things like airports, where there's a lot of incentive to go for speed rather than quality; there are enough premade sandwiches on offer there, even if not the same chain.)
I can't stand the food results, and I don't see it really catching on here in the US*, but the prepacked sandwich thing seems to be really big in the UK even outside of Pret (from what I can see as an occasional tourist.) Bleh.
(* outside of a few things like airports, where there's a lot of incentive to go for speed rather than quality; there are enough premade sandwiches on offer there, even if not the same chain.)
I didn't realize it was a UK chain, so I thought it was funny when I went to London and saw Prets all over the place. I had only ever been there in NYC and Chicago before.
Apr 30, 2015, 12:42 pm
#51
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Or for the French-challenged (like me), the name literally means "ready to eat."
Also, it seems that Pret makes all the sandwiches that day and donates anything unsold to local charities. So, support your local charity and don't eat at Pret??
Also, it seems that Pret makes all the sandwiches that day and donates anything unsold to local charities. So, support your local charity and don't eat at Pret??
May 2, 2015, 12:28 pm
#52
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Pret sucks. I don't know why they can't make sandwiches to order like all the US sandwich chains to. I don't want some sandwich that was made hours before sitting in a cooler. It's no different from the getting a sandwich from the cooler at an airport.
Wagawama? Also sucks. I've given them two trys. They will never compete with Pei Wei as their food quality is bland and lack of spice and flavor.
Wagawama? Also sucks. I've given them two trys. They will never compete with Pei Wei as their food quality is bland and lack of spice and flavor.
When I went to college in London in the 90's both the Anglo-Italian and English traditional sandwich shops, where ready made sarnies where completely frowned upon, were still holding their ground. But Pret was already making inroads and predatory coffee chains followed...
As for Wagamama, remember going to the first location in Covent Garden(?) maybe around 1995 with Uni friends. Communal seating was the main new invention, just like at Belgo that opened around the sama time.
For a more civilized version of WM, the Hare & Tortoise minichain still exists at least at the London Bloomsbury location, AFAIK.
May 3, 2015, 7:29 pm
#54
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Kono Pizza in Edison NJ is one I've always been meaning to try, just haven't set aside the time to go do it. I believe they are based in Italy, and this is so far their only US location. Hopefully I'll get there soon.
http://konousa.com/
http://konousa.com/
May 5, 2015, 5:59 am
#55
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Freshness Burger in Japan. It was pretty good and much bigger than I was expecting! Good fries too.
Lotteria is Japanese I believe but I first noticed it in Vietnam. In Ha Long Bay during Tet when everything is closed Lotteria to the rescue. Saddest part was realizing my bottom bun was not sturdy enough to support the burger.
Lotteria is Japanese I believe but I first noticed it in Vietnam. In Ha Long Bay during Tet when everything is closed Lotteria to the rescue. Saddest part was realizing my bottom bun was not sturdy enough to support the burger.
May 5, 2015, 8:00 pm
#58
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May 5, 2015, 11:45 pm
#59
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yeah, lazy and throwing it out there. im sure i was aware of brand, but only ate there and saw a lot of locations on recent canada trip. would have sworn i saw one in seattle airport, but not seeing it online.
edit - i was being lazy not reading whole thread
edit - i was being lazy not reading whole thread
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 6, 2015 at 12:22 pm
May 6, 2015, 5:25 am
#60
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