Why go to Vegas?

I'm wondering if possibly a factor in this is that chains can be more of a "sure thing" in people's eyes than a local mom-and-pop kind of place.

What I'm getting at is that at least for some people, many people going to a local (non-chain) place may be in their eyes taking more of a risk of having what they might consider to be a choice that they didn't end up liking.

But I on the other hand (since I keep Kosher) at least for the most part don't have the choice of going to a chain place (except maybe for Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf, Krispy Kreme and Haagen-Dazs -- not usually for any major food).

Otherwise for me, my options for eating are all at stand-alone places (where the food can vary).

RecVPPlayer

We've kicked this chain thing to near death around here over the years.

David is correct, some cite "safety" or familiarity with the decision to do what is essentially eating from the Kraft mac box when dining out. Now "chain" does not necessarily mean lousy--Delmonico is essentially a chain, to name but one. But the chains of which we are speaking offer the exact same eats in the exact same setting from coast-to-coast. Freshness and local variants suffer in the process--there's no slow food movement at TGIF or Olive Garden. What people receive, then, is sameness. And in many instances, blandness.

We've also seen folks here who live in BFE, and hitting up a Chevy's is a novel experience since they don't have something like that back home. Well, the only thing I'd say in response to that is: If you want "Mexican," why not dine at Viva Mercado's or one of the Michoacans when in Vegas, instead? Real Mexican cuisine, great prices, locally owned/operated.

What I enjoy is reading polls that feature reader input and editorial input. It's almost always night and day.

Eating great, imaginatively or simply well prepared food need not be as Candy suggested eating ostentatious. Marche Bacchus is not Guy Savoy or even Bouchon. Marche is a must-try Vegas eat. (And it's a great reminder why the French are the foundation for why so much of western cuisine is so good.)

I'm just back from 10-11 days in the Pac NW. The food was utterly phenomenal. We didn't go to Chili's. lol