Originally Posted by
stut
... go across to Cambridge and it's a healthy mix.
One thing is interesting in the UK, though, and that's that there's very little in the way of Indian (or Pakistani/Bangladeshi) chain food (other than Wetherspoons curry night
) - I'm not sure what's behind that, exactly. Italian food, however, is hugely bechained.
That takes me back. The 'Three Horseshoes' restaurant in Madingley was one of my favorite restaurants when I lived in Cambridge.
Here in small town Germany many if not most of the restaurants are mom and pop places with the owners living above and the entire family working in the restaurant. You'll sometimes get crap, but once in awhile you find some place really special. One of my favorite steak restaurants in the world just happens to be an hour away and is Polish owned and operated.
I guess there is something to be said for the consistentcy that many of the chains provide. I eat in them when I want something fast while stateside. When I want something better I get on the internet and start doing research.