The Cheddars mystery......

On Sunday after church we needed to have lunch, but had to be back at church to pick up our girls from a youth group activity and then back in another while for a children's family activity.  No we're not fanatics...lol.  Just really involved in our church.

I didn't have time to go home nor enough time to drive to l'ville.   We don't usually go out to eat...thanks to this forum.  That's not a knock or a negative.  If we will be dining out, I'd rather give it to a local.  We usually do the small ethnic places or bbq, as we like those and they are more in our price range. We were not feeling any of those and for some reason on Sunday I blurted out cheddars.  We had never been there before...called and no wait, so we headed there.  I am always surprised how super, SUPER packed it is.  I find it sooo odd.   But, now I understand why.  

Their prices are cheap, relatively cheaper than most chains and locals.  Was it a gastronomical experience?   Of course not!   Did it serve it's purpose?  Of course it did!  $9 for both my husband and myself, under $5 for each of the boys.  We were out of there for under $40 and that included 20% + tip.  And our server, who was local.....DEFINITELY deserved it.  

I know I can easily take my whole family there.... Four kids and two parents and be out for under $75.   I can't do that at most places.  

As I sat there, I thought of this forum.   And how a lot are opposed to chains.  But, while sitting there, I noticed regular different families all enjoying their food and more importantly themselves.

[Robin Garr]

Good post, Becky! I haven't had great experiences at Cheddars based on the menu choices I made during three visits over time, but I certainly agree with you that people seem happy there, the price is right, and your generous tip made a difference to a local server.

I say enjoy yourself. While I prefer locally owned single location restaurants, I also enjoy value. No shame in enjoying yourself with your family at Cheddars. And yes you are supporting a lot of locals when you do. Servers, bussers, managers, cooks, and support staff. Not to mention the food and beverage delivery drivers, the landscapers......... Not sure if Cheddars are corporate owned or if the are franchises. If Franchise then you support the local owner of the franchise. There is room for all.

It's not entirely clear, but from what I gather the majority of their 80 or so restaurants are company owned. An interesting side note: They don't do advertising of any kind, although they always seem to have a crowd. It's not my go-to place, but I've paid twice as much for worse food. I think they're what Shoney's could have been if they had changed with the times.

While I'm not a big fan of Cheddar's, Olive Garden, Applebee's etc., I do understand the draw to these places. I would say that a good 85% of the dining public is looking for that un-adventurous, quantity over quality, kid friendly type of food they can take their families to with out spending a lot of money.

Personally, that's not what I look for when I'm dining out, but for the majority of folks out there, TV advertising various specials and coupons are what drives the decision making process. Not that there really anything wrong with that. To each their own.

I would much rather spend my money at a place where I know the chef or owner and the cuisine served is a little more thought out by what the chef's whims are, rather than at a place where the menu is designed by corporate test kitchens and purchasing agents figuring out serving costs on a macro economic scale. Although on occasion I have been known to eat at Cracker Barrel and Waffle House.

I can say all of those same things about Golden Corral.

The difference between Cheddars and Golden Corral is Cheddar's fills the trough for you.

Otherwise, same place, different name.

We ate there Sunday. One, because we are broke, two because we have a 6 month old and wanted to eat somewhere pretty casual. Hadn't been in years.

I got the fried catfish, for like 8 bucks the entire plate was piled with fish. Overall a very good meal for the money.

We do generally try to support locals but to be honest there are only so many locals in our vicinity (Middletown) and we eat them all regularly so sometimes its drive 15 miles in traffic to a different one, or just pick a chain.

Becky and Will make great points - while ultimate ownership of a restaurant may be elsewhere at least a big chunk of revenue stays local via various jobs like servers, maintenance, supply side and such. I certainly don't have a problem with that. The only time I have a problem with a chain is when they take the original great idea and great recipes then dim they down for mass appeal and a bottom line profit for some shareholders that never step foot in the restaurant. Locally I think Tumbleweed did just that. It started out so cool and tasty then after opening multiple locations everywhere and selling stock it seems bottom line profits took precedence over product. That's not to say they don't still offer many jobs and many a easy quick meal.

My brother's family and I always have a hard time when it comes to dining choices- they only go to corporate chains and I always feel llike I am betraying my friends when I cross those thresholds. Plus the fact is I really don't much care for the food they serve for the most part.
Cheddars has become the one exception for me- there are a couple of items that I actually like. And I certainly understand why people with children would go there- the service has always been very pleasent and efficient. I would never have the patience to work there- good on them.

I am happy to report that I have lured my family to an independant restaurant and they want to go back soon- thank you Fernando and Cristina at Guaca Mole.