[Merged] PF Chang's Coming to Canada!!!!

[DiceMan]

But Spring Rolls does well in Toronto! I'm going to guess that PF Chang's will have an audience as well.

True - point taken. I guess the only argument I can put up is that here, there is perhaps more people who know authentic Chinese than authentic Thai. But yes, that's a tenuous arguement.

We'll just have to see how they market themselves up here.

[stealth]

But Spring Rolls does well in Toronto! I'm going to guess that PF Chang's will have an audience as well.

exactly...outside of asians, I dont think that many north americans *care* about how "authentic" asian food is.

[danman227460]

The only issue I have with that is people who dine there, probably don't know real Thai food. Real Thai restaurants are not as frequent here in the GTA area. I still haven't found a good one in the Mississauga area and I don't count Spring Rolls, Thai Express or Lemon Grass. I mean an actual one. You head to Scarborough, Toronto, Mississauga, anywhere in the GTA, you can find a lot of Chinese restaurants. PF Chang's would have to offer something that the general population finds exciting and can't find anything else even in real Chinese restaurants.

For sure this will be more catered to the Western population which alone will make it popular.

But Spring Rolls does well in Toronto! I'm going to guess that PF Chang's will have an audience as well.

[gilboman]

went to PF Chang's in Bellevue, absolutely terrible food.

The only good thing we had was the lettuce wraps. They over cook the vegetables so badly, I could crush it with my fork. I felt like it was food for seniors who can't chew. They overuse the sauces and often very sweet.

It's "Chinese" food for people who don't really know what Chinese food should taste like.

Not sure how it would do in cities where it's full of authentic asian foods. I'm not surprised that they are not planning to open in Vancouver. I see they are opening in Ontario, but will it be Toronto?

who cares if it's authentic or not as long you like eating it? I'm chinese, but I also really like mandarin once in a while, why does being authentic even matter at all? shouldn't it be whether you find it delicious/enjoyable?

I could be eating authentic chinese/italian/etc.. food but if i don't like it, it doesn't matter

[Ducky]

I like bamboo legend and suko thai in mississauga

The only issue I have with that is people who dine there, probably don't know real Thai food. Real Thai restaurants are not as frequent here in the GTA area. I still haven't found a good one in the Mississauga area and I don't count Spring Rolls, Thai Express or Lemon Grass. I mean an actual one. You head to Scarborough, Toronto, Mississauga, anywhere in the GTA, you can find a lot of Chinese restaurants. PF Chang's would have to offer something that the general population finds exciting and can't find anything else even in real Chinese restaurants.

For sure this will be more catered to the Western population which alone will make it popular.

[champ91]

who cares if it's authentic or not as long you like eating it? I'm chinese, but I also really like mandarin once in a while, why does being authentic even matter at all? shouldn't it be whether you find it delicious/enjoyable?

I could be eating authentic chinese/italian/etc.. food but if i don't like it, it doesn't matter

yes, which is why I think PF Changs taste like crap and Authentic Chinese food taste good, but certainly not all.

But, if you like it, then go eat it. I don't care, i'm just giving my review on it.

[Crinkle_cut]

True - point taken. I guess the only argument I can put up is that here, there is perhaps more people who know authentic Chinese than authentic Thai. But yes, that's a tenuous arguement.

We'll just have to see how they market themselves up here.

Actually Springrolls isn't just Thai. They have Chinese dishes (Fried Rice, Cantonese Chow Mein, etc.) and Vietnamese Dishes (Pho). They're just a restaurant that specializes in Asian Fusion. And tastes good.

Can't compete with the prices of authentic chinese restaurants in Markham, but taste wise, Springrolls is not far off, and much better for social outings with co-workers and friends. At Springrolls, at least we haven't seen any mice. Authentic chinese restaurants, I've seen my fair share of authentic chinese mice/rats, hahaha.

[stealth]

yes, which is why I think PF Changs taste like crap and Authentic Chinese food taste good, but certainly not all.

But, if you like it, then go eat it. I don't care, i'm just giving my review on it.

I think you hit the nail on the head with why "non-authentic" food is so popular...its relatively consistent wherever you go.
"Authentic places" can be so hit and miss, both in terms of the quality/taste of their food, as well as their adherence to health/hygiene codes. chains like springrolls, PF Changs etc deliver consistent, predictably good, although maybe not "great" food with a reasonable assurance that it was prepared in accordance with health standards, in a clean trendy ambience, with an emphasis on good service. For occasional diners, thats all we can ask for. esp out in the burbs, where we just dont go out and try every hole in the wall restaurant every night of the week like you downtowners.

Quite honestly, as an outsider, most of the threads in this forum, dont paint a rosy picture of the dining experience in independent family run asian restaurants....poor service, dodgy charging practices, questionable food handling/food quality issues, ugly/tacky/dirty/dated decor, etc.

So authenticity is only 1 of maybe 6 or so criteria for what makes a good restaurant.

[uweschiffke]

PF Changs should do very well in Canada. They do not "TacoBellize" Chinese food at all. That's just a stupid comment
from someone who hasn't eaten there at all. It's consistently good at each location I've eaten at in the US and quite frankly
I wonder why they haven't made this move sooner. The decor really adds a good angle and when was the las time you
wanted to sit around and linger at some ratty Chinese restaurant and make it an evening out ?

This new venture will be a monster hit.

[Raggie]

PF Chang's is horrible. I remember having it in Dallas. And the white waitress was showing us how to mix sauces together..... We were too embarrassed to even look up at her...

[-=phelan=-]

they really need to bring up cheesecake factory

[champ91]

they really need to bring up cheesecake factory

+1

[4flava]

I'll stick to magic wok

[Magoo]

Panda Express

[GeneralDisaray]

they really need to bring up cheesecake factory

so true, that would be a better choice than bringing pf changs....TCF screams american. Excess decor, excess portions, and consistently great eats and atmosphere.