Honestly, I'll take an honest restaurant over a fancy one ten times out of ten. You know exactly what you want, and exactly what you are getting.
Happy easter.
I have hangups about the term "hole in the wall" in regard to restaurants, but that would be a rant, and probably not one worth reading.
As to pubs, never really been my thing. I've had a few nice bar visits, and many not nice ones. I tend to be the guy in the parking lot picking up friends.
I will say my last one was pleasant. Live music, well priced beers, and I was able to walk home. They closed up not long after, but it was not unexpected with the real estate market in town.
I will say my favorite fast food burger came from a chinese food restaurant, and the passion for the dish surpassed any lazy burger at a similar level. The guy loved hamburgers, and when it came to the challenge, he brought it. I do think he pickled his shredded lettuce, but that was neat rather than unpleasant.
This was in Fresno of all places. Then again, their Foster Freeze was surprisingly good, despite the bullet holes.