tw2ntyse7en Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 I grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana (95,000 under current annexation plan) and it was a town of "1 of everything". i.e.: Chili's, Applebees, Logans etc. It's different to live in a metropolis (Houston) now, and find 1 of these restaurants in every neighborhood. My parents talk of a time when there was only 1 McDonalds and KFC in everytown. Are restaurants like Chili's & Outback the next wave of homogenized family eateries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 I grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana (95,000 under current annexation plan) and it was a town of "1 of everything". i.e.: Chili's, Applebees, Logans etc. It's funny to live in a metropolis (Houston) now, and find 1 of these restaurants in every neighborhood. My parents talk of a time when there was only 1 McDonalds and KFC in everytown. Are restaurants like Chili's & Outback the next wave of homogenized family eateries?Glen P.S. This was a reply in the Pearland Topic, but it sounded so good after I posted it, I thought maybe people would have some insight <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lake Charles is a wonderful town, and will become somthing better... Sonic is sprouting up at every corner these days (exageration). I remeber the only time I would eat there is if I was in another part of town, I would never go out of the way for it (too far.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Well, Lets not jump too far ahead. It's no Lafayette. At Best it might one day be like Beaumont. The people there are just too blue collar for change. I want it to become something better, but I worked for the Fire Department there for 4 years and the last 2 years I was the Fire Department I worked part time with the city's planning & development commission. Not much going on on the 6th floor of city hall in LC if you get my drift As for sonics I agree. But it seems now that you can expect things like Walgreens, CVS, McDonalds & the like, along with Kroger to be every 6-12 blocks around here. I'm wondering if these franchises such as Landrys will attempt the same with their restaurants eventually. Having 26 Joes Crab Shacks across the city, or having a drive through window at Chili's. It feels like the next step in consumer eateries in my opinion. Glen <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lake Charles has alot of potential, it has a good port, and alot of Industrial plants... Not to mention a good sized skyline for its size. Beaumont is almost the same as Lake Charles, just a little more grown. If only Louisiana's population was increasing, the state is already in great shape. (i.e. The whole free college thing, the fact there not in the red when it comes to money...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Yes yes, this is true. With the addition of the new Pinnacle Casino off I-210, The community is hoping to see some more growth.As for the skyline, the only reason it's there is from local business moguls showing off. The last building built is the Hibernia Tower (23 stories) built in the mid-80's Calcasieu Marine Bank (Sold to Hibernia in the early 90's).Lake Charles has a better infostructural layout than Lafayette, but the people and their mentalities here are just different. Lafayette is one of the only Louisiana cities to show growth consistantly over the last 50 years. Lake Charles will only grow with further annexation - not actual population increase.There's an old saying in Lake Charles, that even became a bumper-sticker:"Last one out of Lake Charles, don't forget to turn off the lights!"Here's an example of how Lake Charles lacks: They got their first Olive Garden this year. The first Chili's was in the mid-90's. Alexandria (pop 45,000) has had these restaurants for almost 20 years. Lake Charles for some reason has a hard time attacting new commercial growth.I could go on about how the Westheimer of Lake Charles is Ryan St. which is a 4 lane street with no center turn lane. Lafayette's Amabassedor Caffery Parkway is 7 lanes - 3 travel either way with a center turn lane.After spending the first 24 years of my life there, I can go on for days about Lake Charles...I guess that's why I don't think Houston is that bad - even with the sprawl, track congestion, lack of downtown venues...Glen<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Well maybe Lake Charles is underrated like Houston is...Infact the onlything Lake Charles lacks, is population growth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 There are like 7 Applebee's popping up in the HOU area... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 The thing is, all of these Applebees are popping up all at once- its a mass takeover. An attempt to unseat Chili's.I wish Chipotle would start opening stores en masse. I always have to go to Rice village to get my fix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 it's the generic-ifying of america. no region is individual anymore, everyone has an applebee's, a bed bath & beyond, best buy, wal-mart and a barns & noble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 The thing is, all of these Applebees are popping up all at once- its a mass takeover. An attempt to unseat Chili's.I wish Chipotle would start opening stores en masse. I always have to go to Rice village to get my fix!<{POST_SNAPBACK}>They have a few around town, infact one close to me (which use to be an old book store), and I have seen 2 or 3 in Spring (1960) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 The thing is, all of these Applebees are popping up all at once- its a mass takeover. An attempt to unseat Chili's.I wish Chipotle would start opening stores en masse. I always have to go to Rice village to get my fix!Hi, I'm the proud sponsor of the Houston anti-Chipotle campaign. Please try Mission Burritos or Freebeards. Far better selection, and they're not owned by McDonalds. I could see the Chipotle on Shepherd closing soon. Last time I was there it was empty. They actually have a sign out front that says, "We're Really Open!", so apparently business isn't great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20sGirl Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 What's funny is that the residents in Lake Charles are very excited when they get a new chain. (I was born there and most of my family still lives there.) It's funny to hear them get excited about getting a Target, Dillard's, Olive Garden, etc. Not to be mean or anything, but Thank God I live in Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Well, I think people everywhere get excited about new chains, including Houston. Remember the disucssion about ESPN Zone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20sGirl Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Yeah you're right. I'm just spoiled living in a big city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Back on topic. Franchises seem to be becoming the new standard. How much further do you think as a society we'll let everything become standardized?I watched a special on the Travel Channel about the forgotten roads (i.e. Route 66) and all the unique motels & eateries along the way. It talked about how travelers now look for conformity wherever they go because it gives the person a subconcious feeling of security. This caused the independent owners along the old highways to go out of business, especially as more travelers used the freeway system and they ammenities along the feeders.So how far will America's "standardization" go before it finally crests?Glen<{POST_SNAPBACK}>We will all be bald, with bar codes on our necks, eating tiny pills that supliment our diet, and work is a 23 hour thing, only one hour to eat and recharge our batteries... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 The term I've heard used to describe this phenomenon is "Generica". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewMND Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 The Mission Burrito in Westchase at the Carillion Center shut down for a Wolf Gang Puck Express.Wait......there's a Wolf Gang Restaurant in Houston?! You must tell me where, I love their free bread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 There are a few locations, actually, I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Wait......there's a Wolf Gang Restaurant in Houston?! You must tell me where, I love their free bread!there's one in the carillion center on westheimer near gessner.@ subduei though that chipotle just used mcdonalds' distribution but is not owned by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 According to an article in The Chicago Sun Times (May 24, 2002):"The Denver based Chipotle chain, acquired by McDonald's three years ago, is popular for its freshly made burritos and tacos."Interesting article. As someone mentioned on another thread, McDonald's has considerable real estate holdings, albeit through a holding company called System Capital Corp. and its spin-off, Real Property Corp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 More on the McDonaldization Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 MB in the RiceLofts is now a Chipolte. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 The McDonald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Yes, I did read it. It was so fascinating I couldn't put it down, and I was done reading it in two nights! I had gotten it from the library, and I remember looking in the back under his bibliography and I did find some other books and websites listed there that I did end up reading also. But a caveat to those interested in reading this book; it will put you off McDonald's forever after reading it! I pestered some of my friends into reading it also because it was so interesting and it's been no Happy Meals from then on. PBS Frontline has also done a very eye-opening piece on the beef and poultry industries in the United States which was thoroughly disgusting. However, I did not stay away from either of those for very long!Two I would recommend;Safe Food Food Politics(both by Marion Nestle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CNN.com Turtles sue Applebee's over 'Happy'Monday, December 20, 2004 Posted: 9:01 AM EST (1401 GMT) LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- It turns out restaurateur Applebee's International Inc. and the 1960s pop group the Turtles aren't so happy together after all.Two of the group's members, Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, have sued the chain and its advertising agency, FCB Worldwide Inc., over an ad which modified lyrics to their 1967 hit "Happy Together."In the ad, the words "Imagine me and you, I do/I think about you day and night, it's only right" become "Imagine steak and shrimp, or shrimp and steak/Imagine both of these on just one plate."Arguing their reputation was compromised, the pair said the lyrics changed "from those of a sweet love song to a crass paean to shrimp and steak combination plates," according to papers filed in Los Angeles federal court Wednesday.They seek damages and profits from sales drummed up by the steak and shrimp promotion.A spokeswoman for the chain, which operates about 1,600 of its namesake restaurants, said the company had not yet seen the suit. FCB Worldwide, which is a unit of Interpublic Group of Cos Inc. could not immediately be reached for comment.An attorney for the plaintiffs, Evan Cohen, said Applebee's contacted the song's publisher for permission to use the song, but did not contact the Turtles, who are the owners of the original master recording."This lawsuit is about celebrity impersonation," Cohen said. "The average listener thinks it's the Turtles changing the lyrics to their most celebrated song and a No. 1 hit to suit the needs of Applebee's.""Happy Together" is one of many classic pop tunes Applebee's has parodied in its commercials. Others include the Newbeats' 1964 hit "Bread and Butter," which was used in ads promoting Skillet Sensations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Applebees - Low Grade Dog FoodI love when Letterman makes fun of their "Riblets". What the heck is a Riblet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Speaking of Applebee's (well not really but kind of), I saw that one of their main competitors, TGI Friday's, has reacted to Applebee's latest expansion effort by changing the marquee on their buildings. Kind of funny.Considering that the handful of good dishes that TGIF DID serve some years ago have been replaced by carbon copy concotions found at any other type of franchise grill, I don't see who they think they're really fooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_oneal Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 it's the generic-ifying of america. no region is individual anymore, everyone has an applebee's, a bed bath & beyond, best buy, wal-mart and a barns & noble.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>not to mention 24 hour fitness. i heard somewhere that there are like thirty centers here in houston. amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 The thing is, all of these Applebees are popping up all at once- its a mass takeover. An attempt to unseat Chili's.I wish Chipotle would start opening stores en masse. I always have to go to Rice village to get my fix!<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I can think of 4 Chipotle's within 3 miles of my house. There is the one on Kirby you mentioned. There is another Shepard between Westhiemer and San Felipe. There is another Downtown in the Rice building and there is another on Richmond between Westlayan and Timmons. I would assume they are popping up all over the suburbs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzseattle Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 not to mention 24 hour fitness. i heard somewhere that there are like thirty centers here in houston. amazing! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Apparently, these aren't enough to keep Houston off the top spot in the list of nation's fattest cities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Great Hizzy, I totally agree!!!!!! I used to wait tables for TGI Friday's when I was in college--for three years! They seriously had some of the BEST food of all the "chain" Americana-type restaurants, IMHO. Some of my faves that are long gone: Mushroom, Chicken, & Mushrooms (also Mushroom, Steak, & Mushrooms) French Dip (the way they USED to make it) Fajita Taco Salad Name Your Own Burger Name Your Own Pizza Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce Italian Sub (one of their best sellers for years) and they also used to have the BEST brunch--hands down. We would always have a line outside on Sunday around noon. It was packed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_oneal Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Apparently, these aren't enough to keep Houston off the top spot in the list of nation's fattest cities <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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