10 good chain restaurants

The term "fast food" conjures up fairly negative connotations for me. It evokes memories of munching through a grey, carboard-like meat patty and drinking flat Coke at McDonalds in the late 1990s. However, there are a number of chains in London that now serve fare that sits between the 3 pound burger and the restaurant, making for cheap, tasty meals. Here are some that are worth going to:

1. Gourmet Burger Kitchen

First and best of the upmarket burger chains. Located all over the place now, but I first tried it in one of the first restaurants in Fulham. Most of the burgers are good (three quarter inch thick patties done medium - mmm...), but my favourites are the Kiwiburger (beetroot, pineapple and a fried egg) and the Blue Cheese Burger (mayonnaise with blue cheese). Get a side of fries with smoked chilli mayo.

2. Masala Zone

One of a couple of Indian food chains that emerged in recent years. This is to my mind (and stomach) the better one - the curries are more varied and taste more authentic, the menu changes fairly often too. Get the thali meals (but not the grand thali), and try the lime pickle.

3. Carluccio's

Oldie but goodie. I've not been here for a while now, because Italian food is something which I've had quite a lot over the years and because there's a great Italian restaurant close enough to home in order get takeaway every night. But when here, do have the arancini (rice balls), the vongole, and the affogato (espresso over vanilla ice cream).

4. Le Pain Quotidien

A Belgian chain that specialises in breads and salads. Very healthy, and I outsmarted myself once when I decided not to be healthy and had the chicken pot pie (I'm not giving any details). Anyway, ignore the pot pie and have the salads - they come with freshly baked bread. Try the tuna nicoise.

5. Ed's Easy Diner

Sadly, an institution that now only exists in 3 places - Covent Garden, Soho and Bluewater in Kent. There used to be one near me that closed down. Don't leave without trying the milkshakes - peanut butter and banana is usually a failsafe option. Also, the Original burger and the chilli cheese fries are staples whenever I visit.

6. Gaucho Grill

One of the most expensive chains around! A meal here regularly sets myself and the Pretty Lady back as much as a three course meal in some fancier restaurants would. It's worth it of course - the steaks are prime Argentine (sometimes Uruguayan) beef, are aged 21 days, cut the Latin American style (always more tasty), and grilled whichever way you want. Get the ribeye slightly more done than normal - I think South American beef is a little fattier than Antipodean or European beef. Also for dessert try Banana Tres Leches.

7. Wagamama

Another oldie but goodie. Restauranteur Alan Yau's first major venture, it's a decent place for ramen or faux Japanese noodle bar food. I like the chilli chicken ramen and the duck gyozas. Unfortunately recent price rises mean that it's not as good value as it used to be.

8. Nusa Kitchen

While this isn't really a restaurant, it's a great place to have lunch. The latest and best in a long line of soup bars, this place does 8-10 soups daily, all great value, most great-tasting. Even a glutton like me only needs one bowl. Best soups so far are Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Chilli con Carne, South Indian Rasam and Keema.

9. Ping Pong

Dim sum joint. Not as good as Royal China, but the dim sum is fairly authentic. Most things are okay, but I like the drinks best - the tea selection and the cocktails are pretty interesting and unusual. Try the sticky rice and the jasmine chicken spring roll. Yes yes, I know it sounds dubious, but I was sceptical too.

10. Tiffin Bites

The second of the Indian food chains. This one has a more Pakistani / North Indian bent, with a focus on tandoori foods. I like the bhel puri (Indian street food - puffed rice, chutney, potatoes), the boti kebab (tandoor roasted lamb) and the keema naans.



Honourable mentions go to Busaba Eathai and Pizza Express, for bringing cheap good (well, some of the dishes) Thai food and pizza to the masses. I've also been meaning to try Shish and the Real Greek; maybe in the future they'll make it to the top 10 list.