<Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
> On 26 Mar 2022 14:38:40 GMT
> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just not
>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>> havn’t been to before.
>
> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with the
> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend to
> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
> guarantee of cleanliness).
>

If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
rating would be a better guide? Trivial online, or better-rated venues
often have it displayed.

Ob.rail I was surprised to notice that Upper Crust at Cardiff Central only
has 3 stars.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

In message <t1nbj7$3eq$1@dont-email.me>, at 15:30:47 on Sat, 26 Mar
2022, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:

>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just not
>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>
>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>> havn’t been to before.
>>
>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with the
>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend to
>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>
>If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
>rating would be a better guide? Trivial online,

It's only a spot-check, and things might have changed. There's a pub
near me that recently re-opened after Covid, and is up in arms because
they got a 1-star rating <<major improvement is necessary>>, which they
claim is unfair because they were very short-staffed in the kitchen and
merely "having a bad day".

>or better-rated venues often have it displayed.

It's not compulsory in England unlike other parts of the UK.

Which makes me wonder why one of the local Chinese Takeaways had its
1-star rating in the window (didn't understand the rule, I suppose).
Certainly put me off using it.
--
Roland Perry

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 15:30:47 -0000 (UTC)
Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> wrote:
><Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>> On 26 Mar 2022 14:38:40 GMT
>> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just
>not
>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>> havn’t been to before.
>>
>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with
>the
>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend
>to
>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>
>
>If you're talking about UK,

I thinking of abroad mainly where your only real guide is how many people
are in the place at lunch or dinner time.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <t1nbj7$3eq$1@dont-email.me>, at 15:30:47 on Sat, 26 Mar
> 2022, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>
>>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just not
>>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>
>>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>>> havn’t been to before.
>>>
>>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with the
>>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend to
>>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
>>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>
>> If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
>> rating would be a better guide? Trivial online,
>
> It's only a spot-check, and things might have changed.

Indeed, but it gives a clue.

> There's a pub
> near me that recently re-opened after Covid, and is up in arms because
> they got a 1-star rating <<major improvement is necessary>>, which they
> claim is unfair because they were very short-staffed in the kitchen and
> merely "having a bad day".
>

They can appeal.

OTOH how often do they have bad days…

Anna Noyd-Dryver

On 26/03/2022 15:30, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>> On 26 Mar 2022 14:38:40 GMT
>> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just not
>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>> havn’t been to before.
>>
>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with the
>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend to
>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>
>
> If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
> rating would be a better guide? Trivial online, or better-rated venues
> often have it displayed.
>
> Ob.rail I was surprised to notice that Upper Crust at Cardiff Central only
> has 3 stars.

It that the kiosk on platforms one and two?

They have to be displayed at the premises in Wales. which can be useful
and interesting. The loophole is the apps for the delivery companies
don't have to show the ratings.

On 26/03/2022 15:59, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <t1nbj7$3eq$1@dont-email.me>, at 15:30:47 on Sat, 26 Mar
> 2022, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>
>>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes
>>>>> just not
>>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy
>>>>> Meal and
>>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>
>>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>>> havn’t been to before.
>>>
>>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday
>>> with the
>>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we
>>> tend to
>>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats
>>> a 100%
>>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>
>> If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
>> rating would be a better guide? Trivial online,
>
> It's only a spot-check, and things might have changed. There's a pub
> near me that recently re-opened after Covid, and is up in arms because
> they got a 1-star rating <<major improvement is necessary>>, which they
> claim is unfair because they were very short-staffed in the kitchen and
> merely "having a bad day".

I would suggest that "having a bad day" is no excuse. Close if you have
inadequate staff available.

We had a new post restaurant open at Penarth Marina about six or so
years ago. The inspector asked for his burger rare and got it which
gave them their one star rating.

>
>> or better-rated venues often have it displayed.
>
> It's not compulsory in England unlike other parts of the UK.
>
> Which makes me wonder why one of the local Chinese Takeaways had its
> 1-star rating in the window (didn't understand the rule, I suppose).
> Certainly put me off using it.

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 10:18:10 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:

>On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 10:14:43 +0000
>Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>On 26/03/2022 09:52, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> The only foreign language which might have helped (but isn't as far as I
>>> know ever asked for specifically) would be French, both because of its
>>> currency in diplomatic circles, and the insistence of many Frenchmen to
>>> refuse to speak English even if they are perfectly capable!
>>>
>>
>>Not a problem I've ever encountered.
>
>Depends on what part of France. Once I actually had some bint serving in
>McDonalds refuse to understand my French, never mind english. Oddly though
>she seemed to be quite au fait with the english swear words I directed in
>her direction.

Maybe that was the language she was objecting to, rather than your
English or French.

Mark

<martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> On 26/03/2022 15:30, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>> On 26 Mar 2022 14:38:40 GMT
>>> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just not
>>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>>> havn’t been to before.
>>>
>>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with the
>>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend to
>>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
>>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>>
>>
>> If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
>> rating would be a better guide? Trivial online, or better-rated venues
>> often have it displayed.
>>
>> Ob.rail I was surprised to notice that Upper Crust at Cardiff Central only
>> has 3 stars.
>
> It that the kiosk on platforms one and two?
>

No, downstairs on the concourse.

> They have to be displayed at the premises in Wales. which can be useful
> and interesting. The loophole is the apps for the delivery companies
> don't have to show the ratings.
>

Interesting, the Deliveroo app has links through to the hygiene ratings of
all the suppliers.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

On 26/03/2022 21:09, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>> On 26/03/2022 15:30, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
>>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>>> On 26 Mar 2022 14:38:40 GMT
>>>> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its sometimes just not
>>>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>>>> havn’t been to before.
>>>>
>>>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on holiday with the
>>>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so we tend to
>>>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that thats a 100%
>>>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>>>
>>>
>>> If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
>>> rating would be a better guide? Trivial online, or better-rated venues
>>> often have it displayed.
>>>
>>> Ob.rail I was surprised to notice that Upper Crust at Cardiff Central only
>>> has 3 stars.
>>
>> It that the kiosk on platforms one and two?
>>
>
> No, downstairs on the concourse.

Ta.

>
>> They have to be displayed at the premises in Wales. which can be useful
>> and interesting. The loophole is the apps for the delivery companies
>> don't have to show the ratings.
>>
>
> Interesting, the Deliveroo app has links through to the hygiene ratings of
> all the suppliers.

That's also interesting. The app my friend used didn't appear to have
such links. Don't ask me what she used.

In message <t1nmf1$r9$1@dont-email.me>, at 18:36:17 on Sat, 26 Mar 2022,
Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <t1nbj7$3eq$1@dont-email.me>, at 15:30:47 on Sat, 26 Mar
>> 2022, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>>
>>>>>> When you've got young kids and you're on a road trip its
>>>>>>sometimes just not
>>>>>> worth the hassle of trying a local restaurant. Give them a Happy Meal and
>>>>>> you get another hour of peace from the back seat.
>>>>>
>>>>> And usually toilets of a reasonable standard.
>>>>> McDonalds is what it is, not posh cuisine but a standard that is
>>>>> predictable and often better than some unknown kitchen in a place you
>>>>> havn’t been to before.
>>>>
>>>> Yes, food poisoning is always at the back of my mind when on
>>>>holiday with the
>>>> family. Annoying if you're an adult, quite serious for children so
>>>>we tend to
>>>> avoid the privately owned bistros and stick to chains (not that
>>>>thats a 100%
>>>> guarantee of cleanliness).
>>>
>>> If you're talking about UK, then surely checking out the food hygiene
>>> rating would be a better guide? Trivial online,
>>
>> It's only a spot-check, and things might have changed.
>
>Indeed, but it gives a clue.

A low score does (there surely has to be a lot wrong to get 1*, not just
the staff being behind with the washing-up).

>> There's a pub near me that recently re-opened after Covid, and is up
>>in arms because they got a 1-star rating <<major improvement is
>>necessary>>, which they claim is unfair because they were very
>>short-staffed in the kitchen and merely "having a bad day".
>
>They can appeal.
>
>OTOH how often do they have bad days

I was more interested in the idea that a say 4* place could be "having a
bad day", when you ate there a year or two after an inspection.
--
Roland Perry

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 20:33:31 +0000
Mark Goodge <usenet@listmail.good-stuff.co.uk> wrote:
>On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 10:18:10 -0000 (UTC), Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 10:14:43 +0000
>>Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>>On 26/03/2022 09:52, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> The only foreign language which might have helped (but isn't as far as I
>>>> know ever asked for specifically) would be French, both because of its
>>>> currency in diplomatic circles, and the insistence of many Frenchmen to
>>>> refuse to speak English even if they are perfectly capable!
>>>>
>>>
>>>Not a problem I've ever encountered.
>>
>>Depends on what part of France. Once I actually had some bint serving in
>>McDonalds refuse to understand my French, never mind english. Oddly though
>>she seemed to be quite au fait with the english swear words I directed in
>>her direction.
>
>Maybe that was the language she was objecting to, rather than your
>English or French.

Unless she could see into the future thats unlikely. She was clearly being anti
english as there's nothing wrong with my spoken french so I let her know how
I felt about it whereupon the little putain buggered off to be replaced by
someone who had no problem understanding me.