Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> "The Ranger" > wrote in message
>> Those polls are never about "The Best" when the general public is
>> involves; it's only about what's the most familiar. We have several
>> bakeries in my little burg that outstanding but Safeway always seems to
>> win that catagory. "Best sandwich" is the catagory that Suckway and
>> Quizbarf trade back-and-forth. Cheesecake Fuctory and Sapplebee's also get
>> kudos in this paper's annual polls so these are immediately suspect.
>
> We were at a picnic one and a group was discussing food and travel and
> someone said they were going to Maine. Another chimed in, "if you were
> going to be in (name of now forgotten city) I know a really good Applebee's
> there". How do you tell a good one from a bad one? Why would you suggest
> one over a great local restaurant, especially in a state known for some
> great seafood?
>
>
I see the same thing with NYC. I go there a lot and know dozens of local
places to get great food. So conversation will drift to "we are going to
NYC this weekend can you recommend some places to eat" I ask where they
are going and give them some choices. With the exception of one person
when later asked they will say that aplebees or tjfridays called to them
*and* it was the best one they have ever been in.

Marketing is a powerful thing. For some reason lots of folks want to
hand the key to their brains to someone else. Big box has lots of money
to buy mind share.