English Forum Switzerland - Fast Food and Food Chains in CH (2023)

For those in Luzern, or just passing through and for some reason wanting takeaway (hey, you never know), there is a little Cambodian (possibly Vietnamese) place in Horw on Kantonsstrasse called Mekong Asia. It serves about 8 takeaway dishes ranging from the innocuous to the really-rather-hot. Very nice, and reasonable prices for Switzerland. You can eat in too, then there are more dishes available. We recommend the red pork curry. :)

Also the World Café in the KKL building by the station does takeaway, I don't know if you have to book in advance but if you go in there to eat the food is available immediately.

I don't if I miss fast food more than I do the variety. I don't mind cooking and I usually make food for dinner, but I like to either bring food home or go out. A great example of what I miss is the Cheesecake Factory or TGI Fridays. You could go in and have a hive variety. If you felt like a burger, or fish or Mexican or a steak, nachos, chicken sandwich, fish and chips etc. You could have any of it. Im not complaining about Swiss food in the least, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Hooters is very different, but they have decent food and the prices won't knock you over. It's the closest I can find so far.

Strange how almost every country in Europe has a Hard Rock Cafe except us. Wonder why that is?

There is an Outback in Bellevue...good luck.

Regards,

I ate at Wagamama week before last. I would not go as far as you, but it is overpriced, bland internationalized wannabe Japanese.

Have yet to try a bowel of noodles, but what I can't get over is that they do not have a single soup with pork - this is most basic Ramen you can get. And they don't do it. (Same for the Gyoza - not pork based).

I've been spoilt by the excellent - but inexpensive - soups of Paris' Japaneses area (the 2nd arondissement, between the stock exchange and Palais Ryale / Rue de Rivoli).

What I'd do now for a Negi Lamen (soup with leeks) or a Curry Rice with a bit of bite (the Wagamama one is more or less acceptable... but I wouldn't call it good). As for hangover remedies, no more Chukadon (the only one worth eating in Paris is from Hokkaido, rue Chabanais 75002) means I'm reduced to McDonald's (or somethign at home, or hair of the dog, neither compatible with work).

WRT Sushi, I don't eat it anymore except for home made (povisioned rice, seaweed, etc before arriving here). Just can't bring myself to pay the prices they're asking.

About Vapiano:

it's very greasy, too (ask them to throw away the oil before adding the pasta) and the overall taste isn't great even then.

To all the people who think: "This chain should open a branch here and it would be a gold-mine" - it does not work.
Swiss like to eat what they know. And if it's new, it has to taste like something they already know (which is often not very tasty at all)...

Case in point: my favorite Vietnamese (Petite Saigon). I like their stuff a lot, but the thing the Swiss like most is a kind of "Zürcher Geschnetzeltes" (with chicken meat of course) in a butter-sauce with an Asian touch.

Also: while people like to complain about all kinds of overpriced goods, I've rarely seen anyone complain about the pizzas here (especially the one for delivery). There are some good pizzerias, but most stuff isn't worth 10% of what it costs.

I disagree to some extent, there are so many Swiss who've been to Thailand, and there's a huge demand for authentic Thai food. Most restaurants compromise somewhat but I doubt that's because of the customers. If you order in Thai you'll get the original in many places around Langstrasse due to the pretty big Thai community there.

I disagree (in part) to your disagreement ;-)
Yes, there are the Swiss people who like "authentic" food.
Just as I like authentic food and not the watered down stuff (I'd rather eat nothing or just some fruit - which are more often than not, tasteless, too...)

But as a market, this part of the population is too small (just like in most cases you can't really have a successful business relying solely on expats as customers).

The more watered-down it is, the broader the appeal.
Those who need more "taste" can always add Aromat or Fondor....
(shudder)

Swiss culinary "achievements" in that department consist of the infamous "Riz Casimir" or Mah Meh....

So you eat out often at these aforementioned places and know that you can't get authentic Thai food? ;)

Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese food is very "internationalised", as there aren't enough of these nationalities in Switzerland. Some Indian and Thai places make about half of their revenue with locals though, so you get authentic food quite easily if you wish (and know how to order).

These aren't the fancy restaurants of course, because Thais typically don't care much where they eat as long as it's arooi maak.

Thai restaurants here are a total disgrace to the Thail kitchen. It usually is someone's wife or mother in law who cooks the meal. I think I'm better of with some good ol cup noodles instead of some overpriced pseudo Thai food. :msnsarcastic:

In Thailand it's someones wife or mother too that cooks the best food. :p
Like I said, don't go to the fancy/expensive restaurants, go to the take away places with a couple of plastic chairs. There are also regular Thai festivals with excellent food, not really my scene but if you crave some spicy Som Tam it's great.

Yes, yes..certainly, but the food in Thailand doesn't taste like crap (well most of it at least) and I don't feel robbed after paying the check. (well, unless I were actually robbed :rolleyes:).

I agree in general with the poor quality of Asia food here, but you gotta try the Pho noodle soup at this place across from Bahnhof Binz, and then tell me you can't get the real thing here:

http://restaurant-vietnam.ch/

I am addicted to it.

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to give it a try. How is it in comparasence to Saigon?

HI LiB, yes I also tried Saigon, this place is much better, they really pile on all the fresh spices, bean sprouts, chilis, lime...ask for the chili and hoisen sauce. I keep wanting to order other dishes (their lunch buffet is really good too), but I usually end up ordering the Pho because it's so satisfying (a Singha on the side to cool it down). The Vietnamese Summer rolls are also great.

OOh yeah proper deli style sandwiches that arent subway would be awesome

Speaking of Petite Saigon (Schmiede Wiedi right?) do you know if it's closed permanently?

Bargain, 10 minutes away from work as long as I get my timing right... Just have to decide between this place and Saigon (went once, unimpressed, but must try again), when the weather cools a bit.

Do they serve it with tripe?