Mama Martino's isn't that bad unless you only eat at Soto Soto's all the time. It's a no-nonsense, affordable Italian eatery.
What's the worst piece of shit restaurant you ever ate at?
- Thread starter rafterman
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Ditto on the customer service, or should I say abuse, that those ignorant hicks dish out to their meal tickets, a.k.a. customers. Of course, I was there during the boom, so it may have changed since then, but my god what horrible customer service can one expect in Alberta. It's not as if Calgary and deadmonton are places any self respecting tourist would want to go to anyway, so you'd think they'd make something like hospitality memorable at least.
I'd have to agree with Swiss Chalet, that's probably the most overrated restaurant ever. It's just bad, the chicken is horrible, the dipping sauce is even worse. The first time I tried it I thought it was a joke, there's no way that so many people actually love this place, but the sad reality is that they do.
It's not so bad but there are better chicken places, yes. Try George's Chicken near Filmore's SC. It's a hole in a wall but the chicken is amazing. Also are certain great Portuguese establishments.
Any Applebees.
Everything is pre-cooked and the quality is subpar. Never order an Applebees steak - whereas most reputable restaurants serve "USDA Choice" or "USDA Prime" cuts, Applebees serves whatever cheap and in massive quantities. The quality at many fast food restaurants is superior at half the price.
Everything is pre-cooked and the quality is subpar. Never order an Applebees steak - whereas most reputable restaurants serve "USDA Choice" or "USDA Prime" cuts, Applebees serves whatever cheap and in massive quantities. The quality at many fast food restaurants is superior at half the price.
I have to agree - their steaks come from the same source as Applebees (see my prior post) - whatever steakhouses or other casual dining chains wont take. They cater to a price sensitive clientele, so the only way they can keep prices down is to buy cheap and poor quality cuts of meat. But hey, put enough ketchup and A-1 sauce on it, and I suppose it's edible.
Lately I have found that all the restaurants like, Boston Pizza, Montana's, Jack Aster's, Kelseys, and all the restaurants that serve that type of roadhouse food have gone for the shit. I find that they have kids doing the cooking or very low end chef's doing the cooking. I like many of our fine dinning restaurants in Ontario, but that mid level family style has just went to the birds. The irony is that most of these places are rammed with customers, so they have no reason to change.
Sakura sushi I believe is the name.
And I have thought the same thing - i.e. a front for the Asian mafia. There is NEVER anyone in there. Ever. Yet it's been there for years. The Jane Street strip between Bloor and just north of Annette is half empty. Unfortunately I doubt anyone will open any sort of decent restaurant as it's just not Bloor West Village, nor the Junction. There's a few good shops on Jane as well as along Annette, but a lot of empty ones too.
basically if the restaurant has a BIG size menu it's crap. This is true for all the chains, led by Boston pizza - excellent locations but crap salt "food", Boston pizza mission statement: "our food is crap but our menus are super big"
But, the overall worst "restaurant" I ever tried to eat but failed was a Wimpey's in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Wimpey's is the British Mcdonald's, but worse. The burger was white and thin as single layer corrugated cardboard. I threw it out the window (long story, but usually good practice in southern Africa) and a warthog jogging down the street wasn't even interested after a sniff!!!!!!!
But, the overall worst "restaurant" I ever tried to eat but failed was a Wimpey's in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Wimpey's is the British Mcdonald's, but worse. The burger was white and thin as single layer corrugated cardboard. I threw it out the window (long story, but usually good practice in southern Africa) and a warthog jogging down the street wasn't even interested after a sniff!!!!!!!
I have to agree with comments by MYSITEONLY. Most chains or franchises don't really have a chef working out back just line cooks.
Having worked for a food manufacturer for years, I know most of them have their meats, sauces and any other item it may take time to prepare made for them. For example Swiss Chalet chicken noodle soup is a mix and they just add water and chicken. Montana's BBQ sauces are mass produced. Hell even some of the Keg's sauces come frozen.
All the rocket scientists in the back have to do is thaw and cook and they even screw that up.
Lets all stay away from chains, support family or good white table cloth restaurants (if affordable) and don't give a tip for bad service.
Just my two cents worth.
Having worked for a food manufacturer for years, I know most of them have their meats, sauces and any other item it may take time to prepare made for them. For example Swiss Chalet chicken noodle soup is a mix and they just add water and chicken. Montana's BBQ sauces are mass produced. Hell even some of the Keg's sauces come frozen.
All the rocket scientists in the back have to do is thaw and cook and they even screw that up.
Lets all stay away from chains, support family or good white table cloth restaurants (if affordable) and don't give a tip for bad service.
Just my two cents worth.
I vote for "The Keg" steakhouse. I've been there just once, and for the high prices, I was expecting more than just the same kind of budget steaks you can get at M&M Meats.
Kelsey's has gone downhill as of this year. I always get the same thing, burger and fries. Last time it was just a white plate, a small processed burger and plain fries around it, nothing fancy done at all. I laughed when I got it... and don't bother asking for them to cook it anything but well done.
Best ribs has to go to Tony Romas.
Denny's is great, but $50 for a dinner for two? It used to be a bargain.
Maybe Swiss Chalet is an acquired taste, but I like the food there. Fast, freshly cooked roast chicken, fries and gravy. Reminds me of Coq-Roti in Quebec. I dunno, I always ask for white meat.
Kelsey's has gone downhill as of this year. I always get the same thing, burger and fries. Last time it was just a white plate, a small processed burger and plain fries around it, nothing fancy done at all. I laughed when I got it... and don't bother asking for them to cook it anything but well done.
Best ribs has to go to Tony Romas.
Denny's is great, but $50 for a dinner for two? It used to be a bargain.
Maybe Swiss Chalet is an acquired taste, but I like the food there. Fast, freshly cooked roast chicken, fries and gravy. Reminds me of Coq-Roti in Quebec. I dunno, I always ask for white meat.
Applebees is horrible. Jack Astor's never change their pathetic menu. Boston Pizza's pizza always tastes freezer burnt. Two memorable meals: sitting in Pickle Barrel at Yonge & Eg and watching a mouse move around from booth to booth without anyone noticing and all time worst meal was served on an air Canada flight. It was some sort of beef cubes in gravy with semi-crunchy luke warm white rice. I remember thinking that this is what dog food must taste like.
Toby's Good Eats.
I did the "dine and dash" there - sort of.
They served me something and the pepper was moving on the plate. I totally lost my appetite and refused to eat it. They insisted that I pay, so I asked them to bring the bill, I paid for my drinks and fucked off with the manager running after me.
I did the "dine and dash" there - sort of.
They served me something and the pepper was moving on the plate. I totally lost my appetite and refused to eat it. They insisted that I pay, so I asked them to bring the bill, I paid for my drinks and fucked off with the manager running after me.
Oooh, there's too many bad restaurants to name. A few that come to mind:
Pizza Pizza - very bland pizza with little (in terms of toppings)
Ajisen ramen - terrible ramen; store-bought, 25 cent noodles taste better
One of the best places for steak in the city: Barberian's. A little pricey, but their steak is bar none.
Pizza Pizza - very bland pizza with little (in terms of toppings)
Ajisen ramen - terrible ramen; store-bought, 25 cent noodles taste better
One of the best places for steak in the city: Barberian's. A little pricey, but their steak is bar none.
Ponderosa hasn't been around for years! It was great though as a kid
Probably not in Canada, but they still infest the U.S. There is one in Niagara Falls, NY.
Probably not in Canada, but they still infest the U.S. There is one in Niagara Falls, NY.
Not talking about *real* food here, but Popeye's fried chicken. Probably every location I've ever tried is seriously inconsistent. Catch them on a good day, everything is fresh and crisp, but next time, it's tough, stringy and soggy with grease.
Not too crazy about Mr. Sub, either. The staff at the last couple of locations I visited had some funny ideas about courtesy and hygiene.
Not too crazy about Mr. Sub, either. The staff at the last couple of locations I visited had some funny ideas about courtesy and hygiene.
