# Things of which you prefer the generally-accepted lesser quality version **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699 "2021-02-11T16:45:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/1 "2021-02-11T16:45:47Z")
My wife bought a giant jar of Kalamata black olives the other day, which I think are considered the ‘Cadillac’ of black olives, and I like black olives a lot. But not so much the Kalamata-- I prefer the ordinary canned black olives. Soy sauce-- I grew up with LA Choy brand soy sauce, as well as the canned La Choy Chinese dinner meals. I can’t say I prefer it over say, Kikkoman, which is itself I know not the best, ‘gourmet’ soy sauce, but Kikkoman is what I normally use these days. Except, once in awhile, I like to make a stir-fry just saturated in the salty, MSG-laden goodness of La Choy soy. Kraft Mac ‘n’ cheese-- not me, I can’t stand the weird looking neon orange stuff, but I imagine a lot of people who grew up with Kraft brand prefer it over fancy, multi-cheese restaurant style M&C. Beer-- again not me, but I had an ex brother-in-law who only drank Budweiser. He went on a business trip to Germany-- The Land of Beer-- and came back complaining that even the so-called Bud over there was dark beer. 🙄 Posted in CS because I’m thinking mainly food & drink, but feel free to expand on that… P.S. In “your topic is similar to…” it turns out this exact subject was covered before. I almost abandoned this post, but I thought since the original is 5 years old, maybe it’s fine to cover it again…? I didn’t look through it yet, but here it is for your consideration: > [@Things of inferior quality that you prefer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-inferior-quality-that-you-prefer/743545): > > There are a number of things of inferior quality that I prefer simply because they’re what I grew up liking. Take for example, vegetables. I know quite well that fresh steamed vegetables are superior to canned or frozen vegetables, and so every week, I buy a variety of fresh vegetables at the grocery store. …and 9 times out of 10, they end up rotted in my fridge. Why? Because I grew up on \*canned \*vegetables. I like those bastard plants nice and soft and salted and easily prepared by spillin… ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/2 "2021-02-11T16:58:17Z")
> [@solost](#): > > He went on a business trip to Germany-- The Land of Beer-- and came back complaining that even the so-called Bud over there was dark beer. Ironically, it’s possible that he was drinking the original [Budweiser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Budvar_Brewery). ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/3 "2021-02-11T17:03:16Z")
I buy whatever birthday/Xmas/wedding card that strikes my fancy instead of the locally made American Greetings (right down the road from my house). “When you care just enough to send the second best”. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/4 "2021-02-11T17:03:41Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Kraft Mac ‘n’ cheese-- not me, I can’t stand the weird looking neon orange stuff, but I imagine a lot of people who grew up with Kraft brand prefer it over fancy, multi-cheese restaurant style M&C. Well, this is the one for me. If I want “fancy” pasta I’ll make some penne or bowtie pasta. But when I want something simple and easy, it’s Kraft Dinner all the way. Cheap, easy, tastes good, why mess with it? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/5 "2021-02-11T17:06:04Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@solost](#): > > > > He went on a business trip to Germany-- The Land of Beer-- and came back complaining that even the so-called Bud over there was dark beer. > > Ironically, it’s possible that he was drinking the original [Budweiser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Budvar_Brewery). I think he was! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/6 "2021-02-11T17:09:00Z")
Candy-wise, my wife prefers 70+% darkest sourced-from-a-single-bush-in-Zamibia chocolate, almost exclusively. Me, I love old-timey candy… (crappy? No, let’s say “less artisinal”): Mary Janes, Necco wafers, Bit-O-Honey, Circus Peanuts. Chalky, molasses-y, fakey… equals YUM! … (I just realized these are all from a generation or two before mine. Am I being nostalgic for someone else’s childhood?) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/7 "2021-02-11T17:10:29Z")
Because it’s fun to mess with! I often make KD when I have broccoli or cauliflower threatening to go off in my crisper. Either are awfully yum, cut into small florets, then boiled with the noodles. Add in a slice of Kraft cheese with the powdered stuff, to make it taste a little cheesier. Serve with garlic bread,Yummo! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/8 "2021-02-11T17:13:58Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Me, I love old-timey candy… (crappy? No, let’s say “less artisinal”): Mary Janes, Necco wafers, Bit-O-Honey, Circus Peanuts. > > Chalky, molasses-y, fakey… equals YUM! You and MY wife would get along just fine (or conversely, fight over the candy stash 😀) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/9 "2021-02-11T17:14:58Z")
Ah, that’s a good point. Differing tastes means no stealing snacks from each other! (That’s it, I’m staying away from **solost** ’s wife… and I mean it this time!) … Oh, and if I do take the time to make homemade Mac ‘n’ Cheese, with good pasta and classy cheese, my kids’ll whine “WHY can’t you just make the box stuff? It’s sooo much better!” (And they’re in their 30s now) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/10 "2021-02-11T17:21:35Z")
I prefer Bartlett pears to any of the more upscale varieties like Bosc or Comice. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/11 "2021-02-11T17:33:54Z")
> [@solost](#): > > P.S. In “your topic is similar to…” it turns out this exact subject was covered before. I almost abandoned this post, but I thought since the original is 5 years old, maybe it’s fine to cover it again…? I didn’t look through it yet, but here it is for your consideration: > [Things of inferior quality that you prefer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-inferior-quality-that-you-prefer/743545) I’d post there, but I prefer _your_ version. Scorn gets heaped upon me — by folks who aren’t even _watching_ — when I opt for low-def over high-def; I’d gladly pay extra for low-def, but even ‘for free’ appears to be a minority position. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/12 "2021-02-11T17:37:24Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I’d post there, but I prefer _your_ version. Why thank you…(re-reading own post title) HEY WAITAMINITE ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/13 "2021-02-11T18:15:23Z")
I think I’ve ranted about “foody” pubs making their own hippy ketchup. That shit always sucks. The bigger problem is that their fries are usually so awesome, and then they pair it some crappy tomato sauce ketchup wanna be. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/14 "2021-02-11T20:38:17Z")
Speaking of candy, in the world of jelly beans I would rather have a bag of big ole cheap standard ones than a bag of the gourmet ones flavored like coffee, peanut butter and boysenberry. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/15 "2021-02-11T21:48:04Z")
Tex-Mex food. “but it’s not _authentic_.” ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/16 "2021-02-12T00:59:02Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I grew up with LA Choy brand soy sauce… It sort of sounds like you’re describing what I once heard a chef on NPR’s _The Splendid Table_ call “The pancake problem.” A chef at a fancy restaurant could make what are technically prefect pancakes, but a large portion of customers are going to dislike them because they’re not like the pancakes they grew up with. Apparently a lot of chefs shy away from serving traditional “comfort foods” for that reason. For me, it’s beef stroganoff. The version my mom made was made with ground beef and canned cream of chicken soup. I like that version better than the more “authentic” version with chunks of beef in a creamy sauce. That’s still the way I make it at home. In fact though for most things I usually try to use fresh ingredients and try to avoid highly processed stuff, this is one recipe I make an exception for. Moving away from food, I am one of those people who actually prefers driving a car with a manual transmission, even though the vast majority of drivers consider them obsolete. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/17 "2021-02-12T02:37:33Z")
I really don’t enjoy the taste of dark chocolate, even though I know it has some health benefits. Give me milk chocolate any day! If I want to really splurge, it’s Godiva milk chocolate truffles. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/18 "2021-02-12T02:49:21Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Me, I love old-timey candy… (crappy? No, let’s say “less artisinal”): Mary Janes, Necco wafers, Bit-O-Honey, Circus Peanuts. > > Chalky, molasses-y, fakey… equals YUM! > > … > > (I just realized these are all from a generation or two before mine. Am I being nostalgic for someone else’s childhood?) You just described my childhood. Yes, I’m from that generation. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/19 "2021-02-12T04:59:00Z")
Blueberry muffins. I eat them once a year on my birthday in lieu of cake. They have to be the boxed Betty Crocker version with the tiny wrinkly blueberries. None of those fancy bakery muffins. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699/20 "2021-02-12T05:19:14Z")
I recognize that pasta cooked al dente is aesthetically correct, and for most pasta shapes I’m on board with that. But if I’m cooking spaghetti, fettuccine or elbow macaroni just for me, I want it super-soft. Also, I’m not a fan of sweet beverages in general, but if told I had to drink one or the other, I would much rather drink Tang than fresh-squeezed orange juice. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-of-which-you-prefer-the-generally-accepted-lesser-quality-version/932699.md?page=2)