So what's with artichokes?

ok-so i just had my first artichoke experience....so why do people go nuts about them..did I do something wrong? I know i cooked it right-but there wasn't much "meat" on the leaves until I got to the top ones...then the heart was just ok..not earth-shattering...i ate the leaves with melted butter, the heart- plain....did i get a dud of an artichoke? is there a way to pick a good one? do tell...tx!