The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Nemo14]

Barbacoa is the greatest thing you can put in a burrito. Moe's has sala... yawn!

Moe's has the best queso!

sorry for the thread drift '74...

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Moe's > Chipolte


*runs and hides*

Family owned Mexican >Pancheros*> Chipotle
*Chipotle has better guacamole though

 

[PhotoDave219]

Jiminy Christmas. Iron Maiden and Chipotle? Can we just rename this thread a salute to the best things on the planet?

Well earlier we were talking about cheesesteaks and Wawa.... So yes, yes you may. As long as you pay homage to the city of Philadelphia first.

 

[dhall]

BTW, I recall mentioning a few weeks back that the fact that chains like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are largely in their death throes due to the death of the American middle class and it was met with either a sigh or folks telling me it was the chains and nothing at all to do with the economy (my house just went up another $100,000 in value for NO reason at all ... sure this isn't 2007-2008 all over again!)

Well, there was a story recently on the HuffPo talking about how the Olive Garden's issues were a serious warning about our economy.

And it isn't simply on the low end. High end chains, once just for the expense account crowd are also desperate to raise revenue quickly. Thursday members of the Landry's Rewards Club received an email from Morton's offering a $29.99 two-pound Maine Lobster dinner if people reserved for dinner tonight. A few weeks ago I got a similar offer for $40 off dinner at Fleming's and there isn't even one close.

Back to the middle, Macaroni Grill sends me daily emails with discounts for that day only. Usually, I don't pay attention, but they have gone from $5 off to $7 off to $10 off a $25 purchase to 20% off the check to $20 off a $40 purchase (would have easily used that one, but saw it at 10 p.m.)

Anyone who doesn't see these as desperate moves because folks aren't dining out and our economy is ready to crash again likely isn't seeing reality. These restaurants need people in their locations YESTERDAY and will offer anything to get them in.

Also, look at the increases in prices at McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco bell and Starbucks. The percentage change of former Dollar Menu items is telling you the companies are desperate to increase the bottom line at all costs.

Yep. I'd feel real good about the economy now.

OK, were we talking about Quiet Riot or Poison?

While I don't dispute that chain restaurants with so-so food and lackluster service are in trouble, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss moves like this as desperation -- you're one of a target demographic that Morton's wants, as they know from the profile of you that they've been able to quarry from the data mines. They want folks like you, specifically, and are trying to see what worm it takes to reel you in. I betcha the first few times you start taking advantage of the Macaroni Grill discounts, you'll start to seem them creep back down, while they try and figure out where your strike price is.

I bet that folks whose lifestyles are more 'faux 50%' than 'faux 1%' don't get the same set of discounts to the same set of restaurants.

Micro-targeted marketing is not a sign of desperation -- it's the new reality.

 

[BrianLo]

That is actually rather faithful to the original paint scheme from Anaheim.

I agree the castle has a muted scheme to begin with. However, the photo is colour saturated. It's hard to faithfully recreate in a photo but up close I could see the paint peeling and juxtaposition in colour between sun exposed and non-exposed areas.

Mystic manor is currently the far more interesting (and colorful) piece of architecture.

But yes, small criticism.

 

[GoofGoof]

Family owned Mexican >Pancheros*> Chipotle
*Chipotle has better guacamole though

I never had Pancheros. I agree on the guacamole. Other than homemade it's unrivaled. I have a few local Mexican places that are superior to Chipotle overall, but for a chain it's as god as it gets. I'm in Florence SC right now half way driving home from my not at all Spirited, not even close to faux 1% summer vacation with the kids in the minivan. Guess what we found right off of I-95....Chipotle. Beats McDonalds or a bunch of snacks from the Pilot gas station plus truck stop.

 

[bhg469]

Well earlier we were talking about cheesesteaks and Wawa.... So yes, yes you may. As long as you pay homage to the city of Philadelphia first.

I'll take a beef on weck and some wings from the bar food capital of the USA.

 

[bhg469]

I never had Pancheros. I agree on the guacamole. Other than homemade it's unrivaled. I have a few local Mexican places that are superior to Chipotle overall, but for a chain it's as god as it gets. I'm in Florence SC right now half way driving home from my not at all Spirited, not even close to faux 1% summer vacation with the kids in the minivan. Guess what we found right off of I-95....Chipotle. Beats McDonalds or a bunch of snacks from the Pilot gas station plus truck stop.

Chipotle cannot be compared to real Mexican because it isn't mexican. It's burritos with organic meat and veggies. That's like calling subway Indian because they offer flat bread. Or saying KFC is soul food.

 

[GoofGoof]

Chipotle cannot be compared to real Mexican because it isn't mexican. It's burritos with organic meat and veggies. That's like calling subway Indian because they offer flat bread. Or saying KFC is soul food.

You can call it whatever you want. I call it a little gift from the god of family road trips. I just drove 12 hours and was absolutely starving so man did it hit the spot.

 

[bhg469]

You can call it whatever you want. I call it a little gift from the god of family road trips. I just drove 12 hours and was absolutely starving so man did it hit the spot.

I should say that it's the best fast food on the planet but definitely not mexican.

 

[wdisney9000]

Well earlier we were talking about cheesesteaks and Wawa.... So yes, yes you may. As long as you pay homage to the city of Philadelphia first.

As a Falcons season ticket holder i can tell you that I see more Philly Michael Vick jerseys than Matt Ryan jerseys every Sunday. (Home games). It doesn't matter who we are playing. Atlanta is a transplant city and Philly is definitely making some noise. My post is nothing against Michael Vick either (even tho some people have an odd obsession with him), more about the Atlanta fan base that can be so random you may have more fans rooting for the visiting team on some occasions, depending on what venue your at. (By venue, I mean sports bar) Much respect to Philly though, I've met some great people over the years.

 

[PhotoDave219]

As a Falcons season ticket holder i can tell you that I see more Philly Michael Vick jerseys than Matt Ryan jerseys every Sunday. (Home games). It doesn't matter who we are playing. Atlanta is a transplant city and Philly is definitely making some noise. My post is nothing against Michael Vick either (even tho some people have an odd obsession with him), more about the Atlanta fan base that can be so random you may have more fans rooting for the visiting team on some occasions, depending on what venue your at. (By venue, I mean sports bar) Much respect to Philly though, I've met some great people over the years.

I was hoping a declaration of independence or Ben franklin reference.

 

[EpcoTim]

Moe's has the best queso!

sorry for the thread drift '74...

WELCOME TO MOES!!WELCOME TO MOES!!WELCOME TO MOES!!

Whatever marketing genius came up with that should be shot.

 

[wdisney9000]

I should say that it's the best fast food on the planet but definitely not mexican.

Foods great. The employees need to be given Ritalin though. I've walked in when it's empty and they're rushing me at 100 mph to make my burrito.

 

[flyerjab]

Moe's queso rocks. It is just one, however, of a number of fast food 'Mexican' places: Moe's, Chipotle, Qdoba, Baha Fresh. 'Tis a fad that is crazy popular at the current time. All great organic, weight gaining alternatives.

 

[FigmentJedi]

I disagree. And if the only way these characters stay alive is in a comic book then I am OK with sending them off to sit on a cloud with Jesus, Walt, Abe, Elvis and my Grandparents!!!

Well, editors at Imagineering are already imagining the possibilities of a movie version, though one of them had the lame generic fantasy casting in mind of having Depp as Dreamfinder. Tired old Depp schtick aside, I think he's too old for the version of the character in the book and I'd rather have one of the recent Doctor Whos like Smith or Tennant in the part.

A comic wouldn't do a damn thing about fixing a ride, but a movie would. Why else would a Del Toro, a rich Mansion nerd with a room dedicated to the ride in his mancave house, try pitching a Haunted Mansion movie with the Hatbox Ghost as the star? Granted, it's one of the many projects on his backburner, but he's definitely got some kinda noble fanboyish intent there.

 

[lostpro9het]

more about the Atlanta fan base that can be so random .

I've come to understand the Atlanta fan base to be quite consistent. If The ATL is wining, regardless of sport, the home fans are there in droves. Otherwise, it's a melting pot fans. Unless, of course, if the Red Sox or Steelers are in town then the stadium/dome is full of the away crowd.

What was the topic again.......?

 

[stevehousse]

Chipotle cannot be compared to real Mexican because it isn't mexican. It's burritos with organic meat and veggies. That's like calling subway Indian because they offer flat bread. Or saying KFC is soul food.

KFC definitely not soul food, but Popeyes is!

Another favorite fast food restaurant we stop at driving down to FL is Zaxby's! It so good. It's a chix place that sells fried chix, all types of chix sandwiches, and wings too! OMG their wings r so good and they have 5-6 different flavors as well! It's a much better Chik Fil Let

 

[Lord_Vader]

While I don't dispute that chain restaurants with so-so food and lackluster service are in trouble, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss moves like this as desperation -- you're one of a target demographic that Morton's wants, as they know from the profile of you that they've been able to quarry from the data mines. They want folks like you, specifically, and are trying to see what worm it takes to reel you in. I betcha the first few times you start taking advantage of the Macaroni Grill discounts, you'll start to seem them creep back down, while they try and figure out where your strike price is.

I bet that folks whose lifestyles are more 'faux 50%' than 'faux 1%' don't get the same set of discounts to the same set of restaurants.

Micro-targeted marketing is not a sign of desperation -- it's the new reality.

The trend right now, especially among the 18-39 crowd is towards local and/or personalized everything. There is significant pushback from the younger people here against generic, big box restaurants. Locally owned and operated restaurants around here are booming while Olive Garden, Famous Dave's, Macaroni Grill, etc. are having a harder time drawing the crowds they used to.

 

[scpergj]

While I don't dispute that chain restaurants with so-so food and lackluster service are in trouble, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss moves like this as desperation -- you're one of a target demographic that Morton's wants, as they know from the profile of you that they've been able to quarry from the data mines. They want folks like you, specifically, and are trying to see what worm it takes to reel you in. I betcha the first few times you start taking advantage of the Macaroni Grill discounts, you'll start to seem them creep back down, while they try and figure out where your strike price is.

I bet that folks whose lifestyles are more 'faux 50%' than 'faux 1%' don't get the same set of discounts to the same set of restaurants.

Micro-targeted marketing is not a sign of desperation -- it's the new reality.

Agreed.

Last week our kids were at camp, so my wife and I took the opportunity to NOT eat at home most of the week. Sure, we ate at Tijuana Flats one night - but that was the only chain we visited. Since I work long hours - 14 + hour days some of the week - we really only had three nights to eat out (the rest of the nights we worked out...I did say in an earlier post we're in pretty decent shape!), so we took advantage of that to try out some of the local, higher-class restaurants, the type with a real Chef on staff or owned by one, places that hand-make mixers for their adult beverages, places where you can sit and enjoy each other's company with said adult beverages, then enjoy the food without feeling rushed. Wow...what have we been missing? Very, very nice way to dine - a couple of dinners, and a brunch. More expensive? Maybe a bit, but then we weren't drinking beer or wine-from-a-box. Worth it? Absolutely. Quality and service were so much better than the chains. Wonder if this is part of the reason for some of the chains beginning to fail, the small businesses? Combine that with the economic issues that are still hurting many....hmm...