On-Topic The politics of eating out & Chick-fil-A

[Sammie13]

We're just happy to have NC-based The Fresh Market. They're growing fast and could be headed your way.

As for independent restaruants, we have very few (if you exclude bar-b-que joints). And the few high-end indie eateries are extremely high priced (at least $70 a head everytime I go) but they're where all the Repubs dine. Dems can't afford it.

As I read some of these posts, I feel like I live in a different universe from you guys. You keep referring to nice places where the Dems eat and that they shop at these boutique-ish grocers. That's where all the Republicans hang out here. Affluence and education in the south equals GOP. Dems here would be at Church's, KFC, Taco Bell, Applebee's, buffet restaurants, etc.

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

I think it is also telling that more high turnout Dems are shopping at Whole Foods for fresh ingredients while the implication is that more of the older Repubs are too lazy to bother?

I was too late to add to my last post but, now that you mention it, it's funny to me that Whole Foods is thought of as a go-to spot for fresh ingredients (you're right, it is thought of that way) yet they have the highest concentration of prepared meals (even meat dishes) of any grocery store I've ever seen.

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

As for independent restaruants, we have very few (if you exclude bar-b-que joints). And the few high-end indie eateries are extremely high priced (at least $70 a head everytime I go) but they're where all the Repubs dine. Dems can't afford it.

As I read some of these posts, I feel like I live in a different universe from you guys. You keep referring to nice places where the Dems eat and that they shop at these boutique-ish grocers. That's where all the Republicans hang out here. Affluence and education in the south equals GOP. Dems here would be at Church's, KFC, Taco Bell, Applebee's, buffet restaurants, etc.

Nice to have a different perspective! As the saying goes, it's LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!

 

[chance1]

Here's one liberal dem who is fed up to the teeth with both "Whole Foods" and the hipster, pretentious "Whole Foods Crowd." I think they're ridiculously overpriced (around here it's referred to as "Whole Paycheck") and they try way too hard IMO. I may ALSO be a little lazy but I know for sure that I feel judged when I'm in there because I'm hurting the earth by not wanting BROWN paper towels that cost twice as much as the Bounty. That being said, their salad bar is high quality and delicious.

I agree with Chance that Trader Joe's is a helluva lot more fun, authentic, and cool.

If I'm going to shop for fresh ingredients I'm far more likely to shop at a local Brothers' market anyway.

Trader Joe's is a cool place, and a definite democrat heavy store and are a leading contributor to planned parenthood. Even in areas that are considered more republican. They are generous to their employees as far as health benefits. One of my friend works at one.

Whole Paycheck - LOL - love that

Trader Joes is the affordable Whole Foods - I shop there every week and I notice that the workers are excellent - great attitude, helpful and appear happy

not sure how Giancarlo is pulling a TJ is democratic silliness (perhaps it is true) but I'm sure a source is on its way (not) - why source something when u can just say it's so - very Harry Reid-esque

and Luv - they're not judging u - they're lusting after u

 

[palemale]

You don't know what you're missing

The ketchup fights are reason enough to go

There's one in Astoria and in Bayside

The drunker u r the better it tastes

You were drunk in Bayside and ended up in the White Castle? What happened? Did you stumble out of an Irish Pub and find out all the Kimchi joints were closed?

 

[vulgar_newcomer]

I would say that this is also true. All of our 'liberal' friends always prefer going to real restaurants...while our more conservative family and friends tend to dine 'corporate'. I think it is also telling that more high turnout Dems are shopping at Whole Foods for fresh ingredients while the implication is that more of the older Repubs are too lazy to bother?

I think it isn't a fact of being lazy but fear of change or trying something new. Change is bad, and something to not attempt.

Some of my very conservative family when visiting will drive much farther away if some restaurant they know (chain) can be found even with so many cool places to eat are very close.
They refuse try anything new, and when they have they are uncomfortable with the surroundings and more or less get what they would at Cracker Barrel or the dreaded limber Dick and sagging tit Bob Evans.

 

[rareboy]

I was too late to add to my last post but, now that you mention it, it's funny to me that Whole Foods is thought of as a go-to spot for fresh ingredients (you're right, it is thought of that way) yet they have the highest concentration of prepared meals (even meat dishes) of any grocery store I've ever seen.

So the truth does come out. The uber lib hipsters and the Boomers who are smug enough to think that Whole Foods is worth the price you pay are actually just getting prepped meals to go because they don't have time to cook with all the protests and their yoga sessions.

 

[maxpowr9]

@Chance

That's why I quoted that descriptor. Not my words.

At least for Trader Joe's, it is still a corporation, quite a large one in fact. It's a German company called Aldi. They do have some good deals except the "up-Chuck" wine. At least Whole Foods is an American company.

Outside of Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts & Subway, I never eat (drink yes) at chains especially dine-ins.

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

So the truth does come out. The uber lib hipsters and the Boomers who are smug enough to think that Whole Foods is worth the price you pay are actually just getting prepped meals to go because they don't have time to cook with all the protests and their yoga sessions.

Whoops, I don't want to misrepresent (and I wasn't clear when I referred to "prepared meals") so let me clarify that they are meals that still need to be COOKED, per se, but they are already prepared. For example, in the meat section you might get an already rolled chicken cordon bleu or a raw stuffed porkchop (I'm SURE they're not as pedestrian as that, though!) or something else that requires advanced prep and voila it's already done. You can buy it, take it home, and pop it in an oven. Just didn't want to clam something that wasn't true.

 

[chance1]

I'm quite amused by the generalizations going on here

generally (always) pointing to liberal or democratic in this case superiority

LOL

the usual suspects claiming Harry Reid-esquely that they have a big dick

back to the topic at hand:

Chains have huge advantages - marketing $ that show their product and virtues - I for one have never experienced a Subway sandwich that looked anything like it did in the commercial

but with a $5 footlong ........ a real footlong not like the ones some of the Dead suggest they have ......... it's hard to not give it a whirl once in a while

Like anything else, some chains are better than others - some have better quality control - like IMO McDonalds has that over BK - the former is a consistent experience and the latter is less so

I love how Church's Chicken is almost OFF the chart - LOL

Trader Joes is so good that i actually bought 2 bags of groceries at the Chelsea one and carried them home on the subway

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

Trader Joes is so good that i actually bought 2 bags of groceries at the Chelsea one and carried them home on the subway

I love TJ's and I love that you can find really FUN stuff that ohers don't have (sun-dried cherries and wasabi peas come to mind) and they don't judge you for not taking the brown paper towels!!

 

[Sammie13]

Nice to have a different perspective! As the saying goes, it's LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!

Indeed. I don't think there's that much to read politically in where people eat as it is culturally. It is a fun thread, though. I think back to Mississippi/Louisiana raised Eli Manning (QB of the New York Giants) during his Saturday Night Live monologue in April. He was boasting about how he finally felt like a real New Yorker....so a tourist asked him where does you go for the best New York italian food....he deadpanned, "My wife and I love this little place over in New Jersey called The Olive Garden". I thought that was hilarious and sums up this thread.

Someone IMed me about The Fresh Market (look out world, there's another upstart southern company expanding...controversy must be coming soon). FM is a lot like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are so I'm told. They are just a little cheaper (that mean's 1/2 a paycheck). Here is a map on where they are and will be expanding soon:
The Fresh Market, A Fine Neighborhood Specialty Grocer

 

[White Eagle]

No problem such as all of y'all. Here in Corpus Christi it's Whataburger. It will out shine anything you can come up with.

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

Here in Corpus Christi it's Whataburger.

I'd give it a whirl just for that awesome name!!

 

[Sammie13]

Fresh Market? Looks like they were already beaten to being a cheaper alternative to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Fresh & Easy. Though it's a west coast thing.

I hope these Southern owned chains stay out of my state. Far far far away.

Yeah, yeah...typical response These type stores are the rage these days as full grocers have become dominated by just a few chains. I had never heard of Fresh & Easy. Looks like they're only in 3 states. Fresh Market has already moved into Cali. so you might need to get you some new markers for your protest signs. Seriously, check this out....the stock price Friday was $60 for Fresh Market...up nearly 50% in a year. And there's another new chain, too...
Competition, Rapid Expansion In Natural Food Chains Drives Supermarket Group NGVC TFM WFM - Investors.com

Not surprisingly, these stores also have big fat profit margins. Whole Foods is at 35% and Fresh Mrkt at 34%.

 

[Just_Believe18]

The politicization of food? What a silly topic.

 

[CowboyBob]

The politicization of food? What a silly topic.

Interesting..... I made a post very similar to yours and it was deleted.

 

[chance1]

Interesting..... I made a post very similar to yours and it was deleted.

Must have been your ..... Tone

Actually if u read the thread ..... It's fun

With participation from many

 

[JB3]

The politicization of food? What a silly topic.

Silly, yes. But the interesting thing is how closely the above matches reality.

 

[Just_Believe18]

^ Then the partisan politics really has gone batshit. Not only do the Democrats and Republicans have to believe in a certain way, now they have to eat in a certain way too.