# Foods that Don't Live Up to the Hype **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [September 26, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414 "2025-09-26T13:19:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/41 "2025-09-26T19:42:09Z")
Since we’re mentioning restaurant chains, I want to throw Chipotle into the ring. I could understand thinking it’s great if you live somewhere that doesn’t really have good Mexican food, but they’re also big in California and Texas? Why? How? In either state, you can’t drive for fifteen minutes without passing at least two actually good taquerias, and people are still lining up for the place with the blandest burritos imaginable. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Champagne. Wine with bubbles - OK. My rich cousin sent my mom a bottle of what was supposedly some primo champagne. Tasted to me like fizzy vinegar. Maybe I don’t have a refined palate. Prosecco is better and cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/42 "2025-09-26T19:45:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Bad champagne is undrinkable. Good or great champagne is nectar of the gods. Agree completely with the second part, agree conditionally with the first part. I say conditionally because although bad champagne is indeed bad, inexpensive champagne (or more accurately inexpensive sparkling wine) can still be quite good, e.g. a nice Spanish Cava for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/43 "2025-09-26T19:48:10Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I have also never understood the love/desire for going out to a fine dining place and spending a lot of money on a _steak_. They’re good and all, but they’re hardly the pinnacle of culinary art. Yet people will go out as if getting a steak is the best meal they can possibly get, regardless of the expense. I don’t get that at all. I like a good steak, but what I don’t get is the baked potato that is often offered along with it. A baked potato is peasant food - I mean you knock the dirt off of it and bake it. Sure, people say it’s the toppings on the potato that make it good, but that doesn’t really make up for the blandness of the potato itself. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/44 "2025-09-26T20:04:33Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > When Krispy Kreme went public and started selling doughnuts outside the South, people were lining up around the block just to buy one. They’re…fine. If very fresh and still warm they are excellent. Hours later, they are below average. Day old- meh. Regular cake donuts are better. > [@Jasmine](#): > > Lobster, for sure. Yeah, its okay, basically a reason to eat drawn butter. Now in Mexico I had broiled lobster halves, no butter. Better. > [@Lancia](#): > > Cinnamon rolls. I really like the cream cheese frosting, but I do not care for cinnamon. > [@Odesio](#): > > . When I ate at In ‘n Out for the first time a few years back I thought it was a better than average burger for a fast food chain. I’d choose In ‘n Out over McDonald’s Way better than McDs but yeah. Nice fresh burger, at a decent price. No doubt the best FAST Food burger, but that is not a big hurdle. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Chik-Fil-A. Mediocre chicken sandwich. Yeah, not bad but I rate it “meh”. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/45 "2025-09-26T20:06:57Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > [Cold pizza for breakfast.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7iWsOilQs) Sorry, but I’ll stick with eating it hot at lunch or dinner, like God and Frank Pepe intended. Actually, a _good_ pizza, like one from Pepe’s, is actually pretty good cold. But a _bad_ pizza, like one from Pizza Hut/Dominos/Papa Johns/Little Caesars, is only _okay_ fresh but really awful the next day, whether or not it’s warmed up. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/46 "2025-09-26T20:09:11Z")
For me, it’s ham. I will eat it occasionally, but I don’t enjoy it that much. > [@LurkMeister](#): > > Another big fan of biscuits and gravy here. I agree that the gravy must be properly seasoned, as should the sausage. And the biscuits must be fluffy enough to properly absorb the gravy. Unfortunately for me, I also need to take a bunch of lactaid to offset the milk in the gravy. It isn’t easy to make good sausage gravy. It’s like alchemy. I’ve tried it, but I can never get the right amount of seasoning and the right texture. I like biscuits and gravy, but I get it from one of the best biscuit places in the country. 😎 Even better if you add some hot, greasy fries. They also have the best cinnamon rolls. I’ve never had anything good from Chipotle. I don’t have anything good to say about any of the big chains like this that are a step above fast food. I think they might start out good, but eventually they start to cut corners on the food and we’re at a point where none of it is good. Panera, I’m looking at you! The best thing about Chickfila is the little sandwich bag that keeps them warm for a long time. Magical! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/47 "2025-09-26T20:12:00Z")
Previous, brand-centered thread: > [@Overrated food and drink (brands)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515): > > It was probably a mystique and availability. Yep. People wants whats they can’t has. Most people I know, including myself, were like “What the hell is so special about this pig slop” the first time we got our hands on a Coors. Agree on lobster and KK. Violently disagree on biscuits & gravy, kimchi and truffles. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/48 "2025-09-26T20:16:49Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > Another dish that was hyped up to a ridiculous degree was chicken and waffles. I found the enthusiasm baffling to be honest. I mean, plain fried chicken served on a breakfast waffle. I love good fried chicken and I love a good waffle, but together? The two foods keep to themselves. It’s not like one enhances the other. I suppose you could get maple syrup on the chicken, but is that a good thing? I don’t think so. > > Thankfully, I haven’t heard about chicken and waffles for awhile. Fad had its run. You just wrote what was in my head. I’ve had chicken and waffles perhaps three times in three different restaurants, and came away disappointed every time. I love them each separately, and combining them sounds like a great idea, but it’s just not nearly as yum as it sounds. mmm ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/49 "2025-09-26T20:19:57Z")
Never been to [Roscoe’s](https://www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/), have you? ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/50 "2025-09-26T20:22:20Z")
> [@MagicEyes](#): > > It isn’t easy to make good sausage gravy. It’s like alchemy. I’ve tried it, but I can never get the right amount of seasoning and the right texture This is why I’ve never tried to make it at home. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten out at any place that had decent sausage gravy, and I’m going into withdrawal. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/51 "2025-09-26T20:26:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Never been to [Roscoe’s](https://www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/), have you? Nope. Looks like they’re all 2000+ miles away from me. Worth a road trip? mmm ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/52 "2025-09-26T20:30:30Z")
Biscuits and gravy and coffee ordered in a dingy southern diner where the ancient waitress calls you and everyone else “Hun” is God’s own breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/53 "2025-09-26T20:36:15Z")
For itself, nah. But if you are in the area, definitely! ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/54 "2025-09-26T20:39:30Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Chik-Fil-A. Mediocre chicken sandwich. My in-laws loved the place and always wanted to stop there when we were on a road trip together. I didn’t get the appeal. So I was scrolling through the thread to catch up, watching for this one. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Chik-Fil-A that didn’t have a god-awful line of cars at the drive-through. The few times I’ve actually eaten there, it was okay but nothing special. I _do_ like biscuits and gravy pretty well, though. It’s not something I’ll get often, because I’ll usually feel like I should get something that’s, well, good for me. (Disclaimer: I’m not particularly knowledgeable about nutrition, but I kinda have doubts about that aspect of B&G.) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/55 "2025-09-26T21:18:05Z")
I agree on lobster but am willing to change my mind. I once thought the same thing about escargot, that it was essentially bits of rubber hose to dunk in butter. But earlier in the year we were at a restaurant that served it and I ordered some on a lark and they were delicious. I frankly had no idea that escargot was supposed to taste like that. So, since my perception of lobster is also basically “expensive rubber for butter sauce transfer”, I’m willing to accept that maybe I just haven’t had the right lobster yet. BBQ, on the other hand, I just don’t get the love for. It’s fine… I mean, it’s meat and typically sugary sauce so it’s a pretty low bar for being acceptably tasty but I’ve never had any BBQ anywhere in the country where I wouldn’t have been just as happy to have the pork or chicken served in some other fashion. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/56 "2025-09-27T17:13:26Z")
The key thing that is common to many of these overhyped things, and especially the overhyped casual food, is that they are enormously disgustingly sweet. The batter on Chick-Fil-A is about 50% sugar. A KK donut is about 70% sugar. Fried chicken and waffles is basically an excuse to add sugar to the fried chicken batter/breading, then serve it over a waffle made from batter with sugar in it, then pour maple syrup (or maple-flavored HFCS) over the whole thing. For the vast majority of Americans, by which I mean obese sugarholics, that is what heaven is meant to taste like. no wonder they love it. For those of us who aren’t sugar addicts, we just don’t get the attraction. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/57 "2025-09-27T19:20:54Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Yet people will go out as if getting a steak is the best meal they can possibly get, regardless of the expense. I don’t get that at all. There’s a lot of people out there who are not adventurous eaters, and for them steak is the best meal they can possibly get because they don’t eat a wide range of things to begin with. That said, I’ve had some awfully good steaks in fancy steakhouses. For me, there’s a number of ‘luxury’ foods that I personally find overhyped. Truffles, caviar, foie gras - they’re fine, but I have no desire to seek them out or pay for them. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/58 "2025-09-27T19:30:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > > > Chik-Fil-A. Mediocre chicken sandwich. > > Yeah, not bad but I rate it “meh”. I’m going to give a most tepid defense of Chik-Fil-A. Oh, not that they aren’t overhyped, or at least, that their success is all out of proportion to their actual quality, which I’d rate as “fine” for the standards of fast food. But prior to _effective_ competition in the market, they were the best chicken sandwich out there. Now that there are a plethora of actually _decent_ chicken sandwiches available at many different, equally available chains, that is arguable - but for too much of the 80s and 90s, the other chicken sandwiches out there were minced cutlets, overly breaded and over cooked. I’d _still_ say that CFA is one of the _better_ options out there (in Fast-Food land to be clear) because since they are more specialized, there’s less chance that you’ll end up with an over/under fried sandwich at one of the other decent options (Popeyes or Wendys’, both of which often have a better option - especially spicy!) but with more uneven quality. Does the difference in consistency justify the super long lines? Oh hell no IMHO, much like earlier comments on In-And-Out or Whataburger, but sometimes things are popular because you see such lines and decide it must be just that much better. 🤷 ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/59 "2025-09-27T19:39:46Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > sometimes things are popular because you see such lines and decide it must be just that much better. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DhWHr6om1Ps/hqdefault.jpg "With A Line This Long, It's Gotta Be Good! (The Simpsons)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhWHr6om1Ps) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414/60 "2025-09-27T19:44:54Z")
Dry-aged steaks. The restaurant had spent months advertising that they were building an aging room, and how much the process would enhance the flavor. I took one bite, and thought “Mom cleaned out the fridge, and is trying to get rid of stuff that is on the verge of spoiling.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-dont-live-up-to-the-hype/1023414.md?page=4)