A Cheesecake Factory recently opened up in my area. There was buzz about this new, hip eatery for months before it was even built. Everyone seemed so excited for this new addition and wondered what other new eating establishments might follow suit.

As far as chains, there are plenty in my area; Olive Garden, Red Lobster, TGIF, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday, Red Robin, Fresnos, Macaroni Grill, Chillis, the list goes on and on. And now we have a Cheesecake Factory added to that list. I have often thought about other restaurants I enjoy, like California Pizza Kitchen for example, and wondered when they might open up in my area, if ever. I know there are a ton of demographics involved in determining where to place new restaurants. But does the addition of a cool new restaurant or lack there of determine how hip your town is?

It is not uncommon to drive through rural parts of upstate New York or parts of New England and only see one Mobil gas station, one Friendly’s restaurant and no other chains in site. Must be in the boonies right? No hip chains expanding here!

Some people get so wrapped up in trying out new places, or talking about new places, how lucky an area is to have this or that and how unfortunate that such and such town will never be graced with a PF Changs!

So much of our social lives revolve around eating and drinking, no wonder we judge based on the choices that are available. Just like little children who want the real KEDS instead of the fake KEDDS, we want the real thing, the recognizeable, cool place to hang out. We hear so many good things about a restaurant, how long the wait is, how hard it is to get a reservation on a Friday night, how amazing the desserts are, and like a little child we are hooked. We must get 8 o’clock reservations for Friday night!

As I get older I am starting to understand this phenomenon a little bit more. I have learned to appreciate great meals and a cool atmosphere at charming out of the way, no-name places. Yes I still want to go where the action is, but I can appreciate a good time no matter where I am. And I refuse to get stressed out over Friday nights reservations.

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