BETTER BURGER BATTLE
Mortal sin: Nice piece, Ian; thanks for the overview ["Patty Quake," Ian Froeb]. Smashburger invaded Houston right before we left (in six months, two sprung up within two miles of my apartment). I ate a couple burgers there and thought they were a solid fast-food burger. I'm frequently in the mood for a thinner patty burger, so I think it'll be nice to have them around again.
Some days, I think there is no greater sin than a big, thick burger that's underseasoned.
Rmward, via the Internet
The high road: Ian, go into a Jim Hanifan's It's a Better Burger any day of the week and ask the customers what they think. We get rave reviews every day from the people who matter: our customers. Come in and ask to see the hundreds of comment cards that have been left stating that we have the best burger they have ever eaten. I'll bring them to you. I'd love to meet you face to face. RFT tried to sell us advertising; we said no. Seems like you will pan us forever now. What a joke.
Your burger was overcooked "for your tastes" the one day you came in. While you were eating you were asked multiple times if everything was to your liking. Instead of letting us fix it, you chose to pan us, assuming that every burger we produce is a "puck" as you call it. (I could throw out derogatory names back at you and at your "journalism," but I'll take the high road.)
We get 4.3 out of 5 stars from a diners' Rewards Network, which is an unbiased group of diners who have left 60 reviews. That's an outstanding rating from a group of diners, not one individual, who have no hidden agenda. These are people who aren't trying to sell us advertising.
Our sales volume and lunch crowds tell the real story.
David, via the Internet
RFT MUSIC, OCTOBER 5, 2011
RETURN OF THE NATIVES
Standing O.: It was a fantastic setlist, put together really well ["Wilco at the Peabody Opera House, 10/4/11, Review, Photos, Setlist," Kiernan Maletsky]. The first five or six songs were not the first five or six most people probably would have guessed, but it worked wonderfully. The encore was great, too, if more predictable.
Jeff, via the Internet
Trust no one under 30: I would have enjoyed it if anyone already drunk or under the age of 30 were prevented from entering. I witnessed several people kicked out for talking. I mean, I'm deaf in one ear, and they were sitting one section over. So, if I can hear them, imagine how it felt for the poor people around them. And then: the drunk, late people, who can't find their seats (because it is pitch black, with no lighting for row letters) and loudly interrupt, up and down each aisle until their drunk asses found the seat. Then the people on the phone!
This isn't brain surgery; if you go to a show at the Firebird, it's a totally different atmosphere than attending a show at Fox or Peabody. If you have working eyeballs, you should be able to notice this.
And honestly, Wilco's jam-banding seems to be increasing. And that's unpleasant. Not to mention the fact that everyone seems to love Tweedy. Well, the people who never actually knew him. In fact, I've never met a person who did know him (from school, work, bands) who has a nice word to say.
I like Wilco. I do. I've seen them several times. I've also seen I Am Trying To Break Your Heart. So, I split the difference. And regarding [opening act Nick] Lowe: This audience was certainly not worthy of him.
Mrs, via the Internet
Well-behaved drunks: How dare you discriminate against the drunks of the world. My friends and I were drunk and behaved with class and dignity. This puritanical bullshit needs to stop now.
Mark Seaforth, via the Internet
Well-behaved youngsters: As an under-30 Wilco fan who was annoyed by the same things you point out, I resent that. Especially because the most obnoxious people sitting near me were well over 40. Watch your gross generalizations. Shitty attendees come in all ages.
Elena, via the Internet
