What restaurant do you wish you had near you?

[Schmidty]

I was just reading the tipping thread, and then the minimum wage for service people thread, and I started thinking about some of the restaurants I really, really miss and wish I had near me. Now, I'm talking about larger franchise places, not really mom and pop places.

The first one that popped in my head was Culver's. I love that place. The second one I miss is Big Boy. The food isn't that great, but I grew up on it, so I do miss it sometimes. I'm going to break my rule of mom and pop places and say I also really miss Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury Indiana. It's an amish place and has the best pies ever. We used to go down there a few times a year when we would go to the giant flea market in Shipshewana.

So anyway, what places do you guys miss?

[GoldenEagle]

Does fast food count? If so, I would say In N Out burger.

If not, maybe Red Robin. That place seems pretty solid.

[stevew]

Moe's, Sonic, Krystal, Chick-Fil-a, Bojangles, Hardees, Rally's.

Fuddruckers for the sit down type stuff, love that place.

[samifan24]

Chick-Fil-A

[molson]

+1 on In N Out Burger.

[DaddyTorgo]

FUDDDDDDDDDDDDDRUCKERS

we's got one up here in MA but i've never been. someday. we've also got 1 Sonic, but again I've never been (although I hear the lines on weekends are still 45 minutes to get into the parking lot)

[Dr. Sak]

In and Out Burger

[stevew]

oh, and Popeye's

[DataKing]

Red Robin went on my bad list when they pulled the Pot Roast Burger from their menu. :cry:

As for things that I still miss, I miss KC Masterpiece and Gates BBQ. There was a KC up here in Chicago but they closed their doors a number of years ago. And while I've generally been eating much better lately, every so often I do get a hankering for a Hardees Monster Burger.

[Dodgerchick]

In n Out
Wings n Things (San Diego wing joint)

[Schmidty]

I pretty much agree with all of you guys, although we do have a Sonics now, and the food is pretty underwhelming. Fun to go to a drive-in though. Fuddruckers is awesome, and so is In N Out. Wish we had them.

We had a Popeyes for about 6 months, but then the darned place closed. I loved it when it was here though.

[PackerFanatic]

We just got a Fuddrucker's (which is amazing) I constantly see commercials for Dave and Buster's, but I don't think there is even one in Wisconsin (granted, they did that for Sonic for so long and we finally got a few in the area) I think D/B would be fun.

[Schmidty]

Oh, I also miss BW3 - Buffalo Wild Wings.

[PackerFanatic]

And Culver's is great - just had lunch there the other day :)

[PackerFanatic]

Geez Schmidty, do they have any restaurants by you? Heh...

[Butter]

In-N-Out, Bojangles, Panda Express, Culver's

[Dodgerchick]

oh wait, you said no mom and pop joints, disregard wings n things

[stevew]

I forgot, CiCi's pizza. Not the greatest pizza in the world, of course. But a cheap place to take the kids. Plus they were doing the carryout pizzas for 6 bucks a long time before others around here. They built one about a mile from my house, and it closed within 6 months. Really pissed me off.

[SackAttack]

I was just reading the tipping thread, and then the minimum wage for service people thread, and I started thinking about some of the restaurants I really, really miss and wish I had near me. Now, I'm talking about larger franchise places, not really mom and pop places.

The first one that popped in my head was Culver's. I love that place. The second one I miss is Big Boy. The food isn't that great, but I grew up on it, so I do miss it sometimes. I'm going to break my rule of mom and pop places and say I also really miss Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury Indiana. It's an amish place and has the best pies ever. We used to go down there a few times a year when we would go to the giant flea market in Shipshewana.

So anyway, what you do guys miss?

We've got Culver's out here, and they are delicious. I still prefer Tommy's and In N Out to them, but there's a wide gap between Culver's and anybody else.

I ate at a Bob's Big Boy while on the road moving out here last October. It was the last meal I had in the state of California. :)

Does fast food count? If so, I would say In N Out burger.

If not, maybe Red Robin. That place seems pretty solid.

Red Robin is one of those "Hey, why not?" places for me. The food is inoffensive, but it's not the kind of place that makes me go "Gawd, I miss Red Robin" when there isn't one around.

I kind of miss Jack In The Box's seasoned curly fries, but other than In N Out and Tommy's, those are really the only fast food places from back home that I'm missing.

[SackAttack]

Dola,

I do miss Vincenzo's Pizza, but Gallagher's Pizza out here is nearly its equal, so the pang isn't quite as great as that for a Tommy's double chilicheeseburger. :D

[PilotMan]

Tijuana Flats. The best fresh mex. We had it nearby when we lived in Orlando. I know they are expanding, but I would love it if one was nearby.

[SackAttack]

We just got a Fuddrucker's (which is amazing) I constantly see commercials for Dave and Buster's, but I don't think there is even one in Wisconsin (granted, they did that for Sonic for so long and we finally got a few in the area) I think D/B would be fun.

They've got a D/B in Chicago is why we get bombarded with those ads.

I may have to make a trip down to Appleton for Fuddrucker's, though. I haven't eaten there since I was, like...10.

[stevew]

These are the fast food options available in my generic town.

Wendy's, Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Arby's, KFC, Subway. Talk about blah.

[stevew]

Fazoli's, another favorite of mine.

[TCY Junkie]

I drive 40 minutes at least 3 times a month to go to fuddruckers

[Schmidty]

Geez Schmidty, do they have any restaurants by you? Heh...

Not really. I live in a hippie college town, and anything that is "corporate" or whatever is discouraged from being here, or basically run out of town. We have a lot of Thai restaurants (which I do love), Vegan places and Greek joints, but not a lot of accessible family type stuff. It sucks. We don't even have mini golf or go-cart places. Unless your only hobby is hiking, kayaking or running triathalons, you're out of luck funwise.

[PackerFanatic]

Oh and anyone that doesn't have a Toppers pizza by them is missing out :)

[stevew]

I wish they would build a Tim Horton's nearby. They are starting to head our way(and I drive past one every night on my route)

[PackerFanatic]

They've got a D/B in Chicago is why we get bombarded with those ads.

I may have to make a trip down to Appleton for Fuddrucker's, though. I haven't eaten there since I was, like...10.

Ah - that was the same thing with Sonic too, until they put up a few in Appleton.

And yeah, I finally made it out there (to Fudds) last week and it is really great.

[DaddyTorgo]

there appear to be multiple Fuddy's up here that i never knew about. including one in north andover we could have gone to the other night when we went shooting...fuck.


saugus, reading, beverly, north andover, danvers, methuen,

aaah. reading-fuddy's is 25 minutes away.

good to know

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

We also got our first Sonic not far from the Fuddrucker's in Saugus.

[SackAttack]

Ah - that was the same thing with Sonic too, until they put up a few in Appleton.

And yeah, I finally made it out there (to Fudds) last week and it is really great.

I ate at Sonic in Missouri. Wasn't impressed.

Steak n Shake, though...man, do I miss that place, and I've only eaten there 2-3 times.

[PackerFanatic]

I've heard that about Sonic - seems like a place to try at least once though.

[PackerFanatic]

I also like that we have A/W back in this area.

[DaddyTorgo]

We also got our first Sonic not far from the Fuddrucker's in Saugus.


this is true. i know someone who lives out there. says the lines for Sonic are still insane. my brother ate at one somewhere on his trip this summer...said it was alright but nothing special. not worth the fuss.

[DataKing]

This thread is making me hungry. :D

[Alan T]

Krystal, Chick-Fil-a



I miss both of these so much that every time I get back down to Atlanta this is about all I eat.

[Coffee Warlord]

I miss Perkins, simply for their pies. They freakin' rocked.

[Schmidty]

Steak n Shake, though...man, do I miss that place, and I've only eaten there 2-3 times.

GAH!!! How could I forget the great Steak n Shake????? I have spent many times downing a steakburger, some of their awesome thin fries and a vanilla shake at 2 am. I think I'd almost rather have them instead of Culvers if I were forced to choose.

[JPhillips]

Skyline Chili

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Bojangles Chicken and Biscuits for me. Mmmmmm.

[mckerney]

Chick-Fil-A

The only one in the Minneapolis area is at the University of Minnesota student union.

[SackAttack]

GAH!!! How could I forget the great Steak n Shake????? I have spent many times downing a steakburger, some of their awesome thin fries and a vanilla shake at 2 am. I think I'd almost rather have them instead of Culvers if I were forced to choose.

Solidarity, brother. I have greatly enjoyed Culver's since discovering them, but you give me a Steak n Shake location in Green Bay, I'd quit eating at Culver's entirely.

[Izulde]

I can't believe the amount of love Culver's is getting in this thread. It's one of the most overrated places ever.

Topper's Pizza is terrible, almost as bad as Papa John's.

However, I do really miss Fazoli's, which is why I make it a point to go down to Kenosha for movie and Fazoli's at least once while I'm back in Wisconsin.

[aran]

The Red Robin in Poughkeepsie has the best crispy chicken sandwich I've ever had IN MY LIFE. And I've eaten a lot of crispy chicken sandwiches. Holy crap. I'd go back there just to have one of those sandwiches.

[CamEdwards]

We also got our first Sonic not far from the Fuddrucker's in Saugus.

WTF. How can there be Sonics in Massachusetts and none in northern Virginia?

[Fidatelo]

TGI Fridays.

[MJ4H]

RALLY'S

[MJ4H]

I can't believe the amount of love Culver's is getting in this thread. It's one of the most overrated places ever.

Topper's Pizza is terrible, almost as bad as Papa John's.

However, I do really miss Fazoli's, which is why I make it a point to go down to Kenosha for movie and Fazoli's at least once while I'm back in Wisconsin.

Used to be a Fazoli's in Fayetteville right across from Village Inn. I think my wife cried when they left. She works right across the street.

[Dodgerchick]

No love for Whataburger?

[Mustang]

Roundtable Pizza

[I. J. Reilly]

Burgerville, without a doubt; life simply does not get any better than an order of Walla Walla sweet onion rings and a blackberry shake.

[Schmidty]

Roundtable Pizza

We actually have one here. They're very good, but way overpriced as far as I'm concerned.

[Big Fo]

For places I've been to:

Chruch's Chicken
Hardee's
White Castle

And although I've never been to an In-and-Out Burger I would like to see if it lives up to the hype.

[MJ4H]

Heh, most people that have even had Whataburger have one about 15 paces from their front door don't they?

[stevew]

For places I've been to:

Chruch's Chicken
Hardee's
White Castle

And although I've never been to an In-and-Out Burger I would like to see if it lives up to the hype.

There's a combo Church's/White Castle on my route. Unfortunately they always seem to be out of spicy chicken by the time I get there(really late)

[Izulde]

Used to be a Fazoli's in Fayetteville right across from Village Inn. I think my wife cried when they left. She works right across the street.

They should bring it back. In fact, I think Fayetteville could use more Italian places period, whether it's fast food like Fazoli's or sit-down.

There was that one Italian restaurant that opened up next to Wes's last spring. First time I had it, it was okay. Second time, not good at all.

[Mustang]

We actually have one here. They're very good, but way overpriced as far as I'm concerned.

I think Salt Lake City is the furthest one to the east last I looked. They had a garlic pizza (if I remember right) that I loved.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I would love to try White Castle. I've heard rave reviews, and their sliders from the frozen food section are pretty amazing.

I really miss Cajun Kitchen from Santa Barbara, but that's not much of a large chain (I think there's 6 of them).

[stevew]

I ate at a Kenny Rogers Roasters right before I got married.

[MJ4H]

They should bring it back. In fact, I think Fayetteville could use more Italian places period, whether it's fast food like Fazoli's or sit-down.

There was that one Italian restaurant that opened up next to Wes's last spring. First time I had it, it was okay. Second time, not good at all.

If you trust me, drive to Rogers and go to Napoli's on 71B. TRUST ME.

[DataKing]

White Castle. You'll either love them or hate them...I've found very few people who are 'meh' when it comes to sliders.

[stevew]

If anyone ever passes through the NE TN/SW VA area, the chain Pal's is amazing. I think there's only like 6-8 of them.

[Alan T]

I would love to try White Castle. I've heard rave reviews, and their sliders from the frozen food section are pretty amazing.

I really miss Cajun Kitchen from Santa Barbara, but that's not much of a large chain (I think there's 6 of them).


Maybe it is because I grew up with Krystals, but when I finally tried Whitecastle, it just did not compare in my mind. I'll take Krystals any day (especially since there now are none within 500 miles of me.)

[Vince, Pt. II]

I'll have to add Krystals to my list of things to try then :)

[RomaGoth]

Fazoli's, Steak n' Shake, and Jack in the Box, in no particular order.

[MacroGuru]

For me a Five Guys, Sonic and something like the old Bamboo Hut (Which is a Polynesian restaurant right by BYU)

[stevew]

Maybe it is because I grew up with Krystals, but when I finally tried Whitecastle, it just did not compare in my mind. I'll take Krystals any day (especially since there now are none within 500 miles of me.)

Agreed. I've had Whitecastle a few times now. And it's just not all that great. The frozen, microwaveable, burgers are better than the ones made fresh.

[RomaGoth]

Roundtable Pizza

These were closed without warning in Idaho last year, leaving a bunch of employees without jobs. Literally, these people came to work in the morning and the places were locked up permanently. Fuck that place.

[RomaGoth]

I miss Perkins, simply for their pies. They freakin' rocked.

One of these right up the street from me. They do indeed have awesome pies.

[Tasan]

I've heard that about Sonic - seems like a place to try at least once though.

Living in Texas, this just makes me laugh. If I sneeze real hard, I might wind up in a Sonic parking lot. I pass 3 on my way to the grocery store that is 10 minutes away.

However, I do love their Cherry Lime-aides and the newish Cherry Lime-aide Chiller.

[Tasan]

No love for Whataburger?

The problem with Whataburger is that you have to come to Texas to experience them first off, so if you've never been to Texas, you just don't know.

I agree though, I don't think any of the other fast food burgers can beat theirs.

[Mustang]

These were closed without warning in Idaho last year, leaving a bunch of employees without jobs. Literally, these people came to work in the morning and the places were locked up permanently. Fuck that place.

I just want a Pizza from Roundtable. I personally don't care if they were responsible for WWII.

[stevew]

Living in Texas, this just makes me laugh. If I sneeze real hard, I might wind up in a Sonic parking lot. I pass 3 on my way to the grocery store that is 10 minutes away.

However, I do love their Cherry Lime-aides and the newish Cherry Lime-aide Chiller.

Rt. 44 Ocean Water, ftw.

[Passacaglia]

I've never had Culver's, but want to. They have them in some Chicago suburbs, but none near where I live or work. There's a Five Guys a mile or two from my place that I've been wanting to check out, but haven't yet.

As for chains that I actually have had and wish were around here -- Olga's.

[ColtCrazy]

I was just reading the tipping thread, and then the minimum wage for service people thread, and I started thinking about some of the restaurants I really, really miss and wish I had near me. Now, I'm talking about larger franchise places, not really mom and pop places.

The first one that popped in my head was Culver's. I love that place. The second one I miss is Big Boy. The food isn't that great, but I grew up on it, so I do miss it sometimes. I'm going to break my rule of mom and pop places and say I also really miss Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury Indiana. It's an amish place and has the best pies ever. We used to go down there a few times a year when we would go to the giant flea market in Shipshewana.

So anyway, what places do you guys miss?

Indiana is blessed with some great Amish places. Our favorite is the Black Buggy in Washington. Trouble is, it's about an hour and 45 minutes drive for us because there's just state roads to Washington. It's great though and sometimes we make the trip just for that (and the drive is pretty).

Other than that, I wish I had a Buffalo Wild Wings, though I might be in trouble if there was. Olive Garden would be nice too. Though those and most places I like are within 30 miles.

For farther away places, I really wish I had a good Indian place locally.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Steak N' Shake, not even a hesitation in answering that one. Best fries going today (fresh vs fresh at least), a good price point at the moment, and above average quality.

Alas our nearest one is about 45 minutes away after plans to open one in Athens fell through a couple of years ago when the chain decided to halt expansion plans.

[Izulde]

If you trust me, drive to Rogers and go to Napoli's on 71B. TRUST ME.

I'll suggest this to my roommates for a dinner this weekend.

[RomaGoth]

I enjoyed Sbarro's when I was in high school, it was at the local malls. Haven't eaten there in many years though. Anyone familiar with it, and if so, how is the food these days?

[MJ4H]

I would definitely be saying Chik-Fil-A, Sonic, and Steak and Shake except all of those are within 5 minutes of me. Those of you that keep saying these restaurants, I'll have a meal at each of them soon and think of you.

[Karlifornia]

I wish I had every restaurant around here. Some off the top of my head:

Bob Evans
Waffle House
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
Five Guys (never tried, want to)
Whataburger (never tried, want to)
Sonic (closest one is 30 miles away in Gilroy..does that count?)
Zaxby's
Steak And Shake

[MacroGuru]

I've never had Culver's, but want to. They have them in some Chicago suburbs, but none near where I live or work. There's a Five Guys a mile or two from my place that I've been wanting to check out, but haven't yet.

As for chains that I actually have had and wish were around here -- Olga's.

Pass get to that Five Guys...when you get the burger just tell them you want it all the way...also if a heart attack does not scare you...add one of their dogs to your order as well.

[larnott]

However, I do really miss Fazoli's, which is why I make it a point to go down to Kenosha for movie and Fazoli's at least once while I'm back in Wisconsin.

Heh- I always used to make a point of stopping at the Fazoli's in Kenosha for the same reason whenever I was up there when I used to live in Chicago.

[JediKooter]

I wish I had every restaurant around here. Some off the top of my head:


Waffle House
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
Sonic (closest one is 30 miles away in Gilroy..does that count?)
Steak And Shake

Those 4 for sure. I've done the Sonic trip to Gilroy a couple of times. Worth every last ounce of gas I used getting there.

[Passacaglia]

Pass get to that Five Guys...when you get the burger just tell them you want it all the way...also if a heart attack does not scare you...add one of their dogs to your order as well.

No pork for me, so I won't do the dogs -- what's all the way?

[Karlifornia]

Those 4 for sure. I've done the Sonic trip to Gilroy a couple of times. Worth every last ounce of gas I used getting there.

Short road trip!

[TCY Junkie]

Five Guys, so good you'll eat half of it and find a hair, pull it out with cheese all stuck to it and eat the other half.

[Capital]

I had a Famous Dave's BBQ right down the street from me. I thought I ate there enough to keep them in Atlanta. I guess not.

[JediKooter]

Short road trip!

Even for the 101 it's not too bad! haha

[Philliesfan980]

Have to agree with everyone here who loves 5 guys. I've had one in my area for about 5 years now - best fast food burger that I've ever had, hands down.

I've never been to an in-and-out burger joint, but I'd like to see how it stacks up to 5 guys.

As for Sonic, I was really pumped when they started popping up in my area (About 25 minutes west of me), but I've been there a few times and haven't really come away that impressed with the actual food (burgers, chicken, fries), but the shakes and slushes are pretty good for a fast food place.

[stevew]

I actually am not a big fan of Steak N Shake. I think I can get much better food for that price range(seems to be 30ish for us 4 to eat there). It is in that medium price range where I'd rather throw in a few bucks more and go to Max N Ermas or applebees

[MJ4H]

I'll second Steak and Shake being a bit too pricey for the quality. Last time I went in there they had switched to a wait to be seated, waiter waiting on you style of experience, though, so maybe they are trying to upscale the experience to justify it? Dunno, don't go there that often tbh

[Pyser]

waffle house, white castle, applebees oddly enough, and dunkin donuts. id kill a man right now for dunkin donuts. and yes, it is a restaurant to me.

[ColtCrazy]

I don't know if I could put them close to me, bad for the health, but I finally found a Five Guys in Louisville and tried it. They are very good. Makes you never want to bother with McDonald's and the like ever again.

[lungs]

I can't believe the amount of love Culver's is getting in this thread. It's one of the most overrated places ever.

I sort of feel this way too. But I wonder if it is the fact that the first ever Culver's opened in my hometown when I was two years old and have been eating Culver's for my entire life?

I usually eat Culver's about once a week but I certainly don't feel as if I'm getting some kind of extravagant meal.

My brother, on the other hand, moved out to LA about 10 years ago and every time he comes back home to visit, one of the first things he does is stop at Culver's.

Maybe it's something I don't appreciate because I have it all the time. It is better than McDonald's. I'd probably have more options in our town if Craig Culver himself didn't swoop in and buy every single property that a potential competitor for Culver's would occupy. Smart businessman and great for our community, but why the hell should he worry about a Taco Bell going in? :)

[JetsIn06]

In-N-Out

And for Lathum: Federici's. I miss it so much. :(

[DanGarion]

MUhahahaha! We have In N Out all over the place, suckers!

[DanGarion]

I don't know if I could put them close to me, bad for the health, but I finally found a Five Guys in Louisville and tried it. They are very good. Makes you never want to bother with McDonald's and the like ever again.

We have two Five Guys in SoCal, really good stuff, love their cajun fries. Their buns tend to fall apart though.

[JonInMiddleGA]

{scratches head on the Five Guys love}

It's not a bad hamburger, heck it's a good hamburger. But at their prices I can get the same burger at a half dozen other places (not chains) too. The overkill on the fries is a cute gimmick, I love the peanuts but for what it costs there I can get a passable steak for another couple of bucks.

[DanGarion]

{scratches head on the Five Guys love}

It's not a bad hamburger, heck it's a good hamburger. But at their prices I can get the same burger at a half dozen other places (not chains) too. The overkill on the fries is a cute gimmick, I love the peanuts but for what it costs there I can get a passable steak for another couple of bucks.

I agree about the price. I got a cheeseburger, regular cajun fry and a large drink there yesterday and the damage was 10 bucks. But their burgers are better then nearly all "fast food" type places I can get a burger, except maybe In N Out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I enjoyed Sbarro's when I was in high school, it was at the local malls. Haven't eaten there in many years though. Anyone familiar with it, and if so, how is the food these days?

Overpriced at this point, at least here. The food quality is down maybe a notch from what I remember it being say 5-10 years back but at $8-$10 per person for a meal & a drink I can get a better pasta dish and a better atmosphere for about the same price (not including the tip ;) ) at a half dozen Italian places around town. And I can get a lot better pizza for about half the price of slices there (about $4 a slice at Sbarro's here vs $2.50 for a multi-topping slice made fresh at a small chain downtown, what my wife calls classic college town pizza)

[Dodgerchick]

This is where its at

http://aht.seriouseats.com/images/20080909-la-innout.jpg

[ISiddiqui]

The problem with Whataburger is that you have to come to Texas to experience them first off, so if you've never been to Texas, you just don't know.

Huh? Or you can go to... Alabama or Florida ;).

Add me to the list that LOVES Five Guys. Thankfully I have one close by.

As for me, I'll do something different. When I was in St. Louis I tried Imo's Pizza and loved it. So I'll pick that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, that's a good looking double from In-N-Out, but out of curiosity what's the price point on it?

[DanGarion]

Okay, that's a good looking double from In-N-Out, but out of curiosity what's the price point on it?

I think the current double double price is $2.99-$3.45 it's gone up a bit in the past 2 years.

[MJ4H]

That looks good. Never had in and out but now dowant.jpg

[gkb]

Steak 'n Shake
Monical's Pizza

Whenever we head back to Champaign, IL to visit my family we make sure we eat at these two places at least once.

[stevew]

The McDonald's Angus Third pounder is a really good sandwich for 6 bucks in a combo. If you've sworn off McD's I'd at least give it a chance. Never tried the Mushroom one tho.

[JediKooter]

This is where its at

http://aht.seriouseats.com/images/20080909-la-innout.jpg

Welp, I know what I'm getting for dinner now!

[Lathum]

Federicis pizza.

Logan will back me up on this.

[MJ4H]

The McDonald's Angus Third pounder is a really good sandwich for 6 bucks in a combo. If you've sworn off McD's I'd at least give it a chance. Never tried the Mushroom one tho.

I actually stopped eating at McDonald's because of my latest health kick, but curiosity got me on the Angus Burger. I tried it and it was awful. Really salty or something.

[Aylmar]

The McDonald's Angus Third pounder is a really good sandwich for 6 bucks in a combo. If you've sworn off McD's I'd at least give it a chance. Never tried the Mushroom one tho.

I really like the Mushroom one, but I'm totally into the Mushroom and Swiss hamburger. I always stop and pick it up after I drive by the massive lines at the In-n-Out and decide I just can't be bothered. I love In-n-Out burgers, but the one just up the road me is jammed all the time. I just can't convince myself to wait in a line that extends all the way back to Sunset.

[stevew]

I actually stopped eating at McDonald's because of my latest health kick, but curiosity got me on the Angus Burger. I tried it and it was awful. Really salty or something.
I'm fairly certain the seasoning mix is a combo of MSG and crack cocaine.

[Philliesfan980]

I actually stopped eating at McDonald's because of my latest health kick, but curiosity got me on the Angus Burger. I tried it and it was awful. Really salty or something.

Yeah, McDonalds stuff always makes me feel like i need to drink a gallon of water afterwards.

Granted, fast food isn't the most healthy stuff in the world, so I understand it a little, but McDonalds seems to go overboard on the salt.

[MJ4H]

To clarify, I don't have that problem with McDonalds' other burgers.

[ColtCrazy]

{scratches head on the Five Guys love}

It's not a bad hamburger, heck it's a good hamburger. But at their prices I can get the same burger at a half dozen other places (not chains) too. The overkill on the fries is a cute gimmick, I love the peanuts but for what it costs there I can get a passable steak for another couple of bucks.

Now that was something else I didn't mention. I loved the hamburger, but all I got was a drink, fries, burger, and fries for my daughter who was with me at the time. $14. In hindsight, we could have shared the fries, but still.

It's worth it occasionally because of the great taste, but I can eat at McD's twice for what it cost me once there.

[ColtCrazy]

dola - I tried the McD's mushroom one and it just seemed very dry. Not juicy like Hardee's Mushroom and Swiss, which I love (but ours closed..so I don't get them as often).

So, I guess that puts Hardees on my list.

[tarcone]

Taco Johns- A must stop every time I go home to Iowa City.

As for Steak and Shake. I hate that place. My wife loves it, and goes when she is out with her Mom and/or Sister. Last time I went I got a cheddar bacon cheese burger and the cheddar was a cheese sauce. Gross. And those fries are terrible, thin and limp and greasy, Nasty.

My wife just went there last weekend w/ her Mom and Sister and her Mom found a piece of glass in her burger. Glass? How does that happen?

[DanGarion]

What is there to order on the secret menu for In & Out?

Animal Style burgers and fries!

[Schmidty]

What is there to order on the secret menu for In & Out?

http://20x20.ofdoom.com/images/06.jpg

[DanGarion]

http://20x20.ofdoom.com/images/06.jpg

I've heard you can't normally order that nowadays, unless you call ahead or something.

[Wolfpack]

I also like Five Guys, but as Jon pointed out, it's a bit more expensive than the usual fast food burger (though not obscenely so like, say, Red Robin is). I also hardly call it "fast".

At any rate, since I've moved back home, it's hard to say there's anything I miss about Michigan since most of the major chains up there are also here and I can finally indulge my desire for true Eastern NC pulled pork at-will, so that kind of leaves one-off places. Off hand, I can think of Zehnder's in Frankenmuth and a hole-in-the-wall place up on the UP between the Soo and Paradise on the lake called Wilcox's that serves a tremendous fried whitefish. There was also a cajun restaurant in Belleville, Bayou Grill, that I loved going to because they had a great crawfish etoufee. I don't know that there's any kind of cajun place like that around here that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to eat at.

[Tasan]

This is where its at

http://aht.seriouseats.com/images/20080909-la-innout.jpg

That looks devine. Now I really want to eat at one of these places. Time for a trip to visit the wife's relatives in Cali.

[ISiddiqui]

I also like Five Guys, but as Jon pointed out, it's a bit more expensive than the usual fast food burger (though not obscenely so like, say, Red Robin is). I also hardly call it "fast".

You are paying a small bit more for a better product though. A little cheeseburger (which is what I usually get) is less than $3. To put it in some perspective, its about the same price as Chick Fil'A chicken sandwich, but no one claims that they could easy get a cheaper chicken sandwich from McD's (and I'd definitely prefer the Five Guys burger over the Chick Fil'A chicken sandwich).

[Tasan]

Huh? Or you can go to... Alabama or Florida ;).

Add me to the list that LOVES Five Guys. Thankfully I have one close by.

As for me, I'll do something different. When I was in St. Louis I tried Imo's Pizza and loved it. So I'll pick that.

That's news to me! I've always heard that they were a Texas exclusive thing. Good to know.

[ISiddiqui]

That's news to me! I've always heard that they were a Texas exclusive thing. Good to know.

They are actually in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida:

Whataburger (http://www.whataburger.com/one_near_you.php)

:)

[JonInMiddleGA]

A little cheeseburger (which is what I usually get) is less than $3.

I don't believe that's true at either of the Athens locations. But most places here lean to the high side (Shane's Rib Shack is one of the worst for that, up to $2 more for the same item than 20 minutes away in Winder).

Besides, if all I was getting was the small burger I doubt I'd even bother. I'm still hungry after the bigger one if not for the excess bag fries & the peanuts.

[illinifan999]

TGI Friday's. I could live off the steak and shrimp jack danie'ls with mashed potatoes.
Mongolian Barbecue. Haven't had it in like 5 years and now that my food intake has expanded, I would love to grab it again.

[Izulde]

I don't know if we have a Hardee's in the Fayetteville area or not, but I do love their Hot Ham n Cheese sandwiches as a once in a while thing.

Perkins is another enjoyable once in a while thing, so neither of those two restaurants are ones I'd say I miss exactly, at least not on the level of Fazoli's.

[Izulde]

Heh- I always used to make a point of stopping at the Fazoli's in Kenosha for the same reason whenever I was up there when I used to live in Chicago.

Hah! Small world.

[Izulde]

I sort of feel this way too. But I wonder if it is the fact that the first ever Culver's opened in my hometown when I was two years old and have been eating Culver's for my entire life?

I usually eat Culver's about once a week but I certainly don't feel as if I'm getting some kind of extravagant meal.

My brother, on the other hand, moved out to LA about 10 years ago and every time he comes back home to visit, one of the first things he does is stop at Culver's.

Maybe it's something I don't appreciate because I have it all the time. It is better than McDonald's. I'd probably have more options in our town if Craig Culver himself didn't swoop in and buy every single property that a potential competitor for Culver's would occupy. Smart businessman and great for our community, but why the hell should he worry about a Taco Bell going in? :)

Culver's is an okay hamburger. Not the best I've ever eaten, but not the worst either. Certainly better than McDonald's, but nowhere the ga-ga level it gets here.

Actually the best hamburgers I've ever eaten were at this small Greek joint in Princeton, NJ, not far from campus.

[bbor]

Ponderosa and Olive garden

[MJ4H]

I don't know if we have a Hardee's in the Fayetteville area or not, but I do love their Hot Ham n Cheese sandwiches as a once in a while thing.

Perkins is another enjoyable once in a while thing, so neither of those two restaurants are ones I'd say I miss exactly, at least not on the level of Fazoli's.

Pretty sure there is one on 6th street right by I-540.

[Dr. Sak]

Does Tim Hortons count? If so...I WANT TIM HORTONS!

[Bad-example]

This is where its at

http://aht.seriouseats.com/images/20080909-la-innout.jpg

In 'n Out is good but a bit overrated. The fries there suck and the burgers, while very tasty, have thin patties and are on the small side overall. I enjoy eating there but I am very glad I have a Nation's Giant Cheeseburgers within driving distance for when I have a craving for a real burger.

[Samdari]

PF Changs

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

I wish there was an IHOP or better yet an original pancake house in Columbus. Those were two of my favorite breakfast places in Cleveland.

[RomaGoth]

PF Changs

Yeah, this is another good one.

[MJ4H]

Man I wear IHOP out. Ham and Egg Melt is epic.

[Mustang]

Another one for me would be Joe's Crab Shack.

From just a generic standpoint, wish we had a good Korean restaurant in my area. Then again Milwaukee isn't a hotbed of Korean activity.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Ham and Egg Melt is epic.

"Epic" is a good word for their Bacon Temptation omelet. Now that's a meal right there.

[MJ4H]

Will give that one a look (even though I'm not huge on bacon).

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'll echo Rally's. Is Rally's great? Certainly not. But damn, I miss it.

[Lonnie]

I would love to have a Five Guys or Freebirds closer to me. Actually I would accept a Chipolte, but I like Freebirds a lot more. We have 8 chicken places, but no burrito joint. grrrr

[Tasan]

FREEEEEEEEEEEBIRDSSSSSSS!!!!

They just opened one about 10 minutes from my house. Its a good thing, but a baaaaaaad thing.

[Daimyo]

In-N-Out and Chick-Fil-A are the two obvious ones for me. I also wish there was a place up here that served a good Hoosier tenderloin sandwich, but at least I can get that when I go back to visit my parents.

If I ever left Chicago I'd miss Portillo's a whole bunch as well as a bunch of mom-and-pop type places (e.g. Poochies, Pita Inn, Cross-Rhodes)

[DanGarion]

In-N-Out and Chick-Fil-A are the two obvious ones for me. I also wish there was a place up here that served a good Hoosier tenderloin sandwich, but at least I can get that when I go back to visit my parents.

If I ever left Chicago I'd miss Portillo's a whole bunch as well as a bunch of mom-and-pop type places (e.g. Poochies, Pita Inn, Cross-Rhodes)

Portillo's is good. We have one of those here in OC too... :)

[Passacaglia]

In-N-Out and Chick-Fil-A are the two obvious ones for me. I also wish there was a place up here that served a good Hoosier tenderloin sandwich, but at least I can get that when I go back to visit my parents.

If I ever left Chicago I'd miss Portillo's a whole bunch as well as a bunch of mom-and-pop type places (e.g. Poochies, Pita Inn, Cross-Rhodes)

Poochies on Dempster? I've driven past it a ton of times, but never gone in. Pita Inn is pretty good stuff.

[Subby]

Taco Diner

[DaddyTorgo]

In-N-Out is way overrated

[Chief Rum]

White Castle. You'll either love them or hate them...I've found very few people who are 'meh' when it comes to sliders.

I made it a point to hit up White Castle in Queens while on my trip to NYC last year. I was less than impressed.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Does Tim Hortons count? If so...I WANT TIM HORTONS!

I have 3 Tim Hortons' very close to my house. I pass two of them whenver I take my dog in to his little dog sitter place. There's always a huge line in the morning at the drive-through window. In fact, I almost rear-ended a Mercedes today that couldn't get all the way out of the road when turning in there.

[Chief Rum]

I thought Tim Horton was a former center for the Kings.

[Dr. Sak]

I thought Tim Horton was a former center for the Kings.

And Dany Heatley is a power forward ;)

[RomaGoth]

And Dany Heatley is a power forward ;)

So is Joe Thornton.

[Daimyo]

Poochies on Dempster? I've driven past it a ton of times, but never gone in. Pita Inn is pretty good stuff.

Yep. I live and work in Evanston. Poochies chardog is my personal favorite Chicago-style hot dog.

[TCY Junkie]

Do any of you commonly go somewhere just based on the drink. I'm not talking about the kind some need to help getting laid. I went to DQ the other day and they had the best drink I ever had. The ice blew away sonic. I love me some rabbit ice. I guess I combine threads, the first time I shot a shotgun I blew the can off the fence 20 feet away and rabbit jumped up 30 feet behind it. But seriously I'm going back to DQ just for the drink with the best rabbit ice I've had.

[Izulde]

I can't believe I forgot about Dairy Queen.

Fire me up a Blizzard, man.

[MJ4H]

I can't believe I forgot about Dairy Queen.

Fire me up a Blizzard, man.

Dude I can walk to a Dairy Queen.

[JediKooter]

Cracker Barrel. Ate at one in Florida and had the chicken and dumplins and it was dang good.

[RomaGoth]

Cracker Barrel. Ate at one in Florida and had the chicken and dumplins and it was dang good.

You must be much, much older than I originally believed.

[Passacaglia]

Yep. I live and work in Evanston. Poochies chardog is my personal favorite Chicago-style hot dog.

Cool. I live in Lakeview and work in Glenview -- I usually take Golf or Glenview over, but sometimes I'll do Dempster. No pork for me, but maybe I'll try a burger there.

[JediKooter]

You must be much, much older than I originally believed.

It's not the age, it's the mileage. However, I do admit, the age demographic when I was there was not in my 31-40 group.

[Daimyo]

Poochies uses Vienna beef franks (http://www.viennabeef.com/products/item.asp?PRODUCT_ID=2) which they claim are made from "100% domestic beef and beef trimmings". The hamburgers are really good too though.

[Passacaglia]

I thought that for a while too, but they use pork in their casing.
http://www.viennabeef.com/about/faq/#FAQ61
Although, looking that up did alert me to the fact that the dogs sold in supermarkets have no casing, so they should be okay. That's pretty cool, since I've been getting sick of Hebrew National.

[Sun Tzu]

Thanks to this thread, I decided to go to one of the places listed here about an hour ago for lunch w/ the Wife...

Double Double FTW

[JediKooter]

Thanks to this thread, I decided to go to one of the places listed here about an hour ago for lunch w/ the Wife...

Double Double FTW

Which one did you go to? I'm about to head out to the one off of El Camino near Sunnyvale.

[Sun Tzu]

The one near Costco, off of 101 via the Rengstorf exit.


mmmmmmm


I want another

[Sun Tzu]

Dola

I think that's the Mountain View one. Crazy that we almost went to the same one @ the same time. Isn't it a little late for lunch?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm going to Buffalo to have a burger. I assume that at least five or six of you will be meeting me there.

Yes, I'm going to continue beating this "joke" into the ground. Deal with it.

[JediKooter]

Dola

I think that's the Mountain View one. Crazy that we almost went to the same one @ the same time. Isn't it a little late for lunch?

That would have been funny.

Yes a little late, but, I'm rolling the dice thinking it won't be as crowded at this time of day. Plus, I didn't wake up until about 11:30 (thanks insomnia), haha.

[RomaGoth]

I'm going to Buffalo to have a burger. I assume that at least five or six of you will be meeting me there.

Yes, I'm going to continue beating this "joke" into the ground. Deal with it.

Then again, you eat paste.

[TCY Junkie]

Then again, you eat paste.

You sure are judgmental.

[tarcone]

I'll echo Rally's. Is Rally's great? Certainly not. But damn, I miss it.

I live about 45 minutes from a Rallys. And havent been there in years. Ah, life.

I agree its not great, but man it does taste gooooooood. And I love their fries.

[ColtCrazy]

Dude I can walk to a Dairy Queen.

Years ago, a guy that owns a food processing plant in the town just north of ours bought a Dairy Queen franchise. Somehow, it entitles him to be the only franchise in the country. 20+ years have passed. The town north of us is a run down white trash haven. A canning company closed, so the food processing place is all that's left...and it's about 1/3 of what it used to be. The Dairy Queen is in a part of town that is known for prostitutes...yes, prostitutes are easy to pick up in this little place (about 5,000)...one came up to my car at a stop sign once.

Meanwhile, our town has grown and has some industry. A Dairy Queen would thrive here. Instead, we've had about 4 different mom and pop places come and go. The current one is good, but it's not DQ.

[JeeberD]

I knew bbor wouldn't let me down... :)




I can't believe I forgot about Dairy Queen.

Fire me up a Blizzard, man.

I haven't had a Blizzard since I discovered the Culver's down the street from my house. Frozen custard owns ice cream...

[RomaGoth]

You sure are judgmental.

you are cocky and funny

[terpkristin]

Only one I can really think of that I know I wish I had here was Fazoli's.

I'd like to try BW3 but I have plenty of places to get great wings around here that aren't chains, so I'm not hellbent.

/tk

[Dodgerchick]

In-N-Out is way overrated

WHAT'?!!!

[Vince, Pt. II]

I knew bbor wouldn't let me down... :)






I haven't had a Blizzard since I discovered the Culver's down the street from my house. Frozen custard owns ice cream...

Frozen Custard? I am intrigued.

[Ryche]

Granite City Food and Brewery. One of the few things I miss from Minnesota. Big cheap mugs of decent beer, good food, great bartenders.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Frozen Custard? I am intrigued.

Much better than I expected upon hearing the name. Not quite ice cream, not quite frozen yogurt, but not really a texture that I associated with what freezing custard would be either.

If you don't have a Culver's near you, there might be a Rita's (http://www.ritasice.com/) in your area & they have frozen custard along with Italian ices.

[Logan]

Rita's mango ices with vanilla custard is quite honestly one of the greatest dessert types I've ever had.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Alas, Rita's doesn't exist in California. I may just have to google frozen custard.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Rita's mango ices with vanilla custard is quite honestly one of the greatest dessert types I've ever had.

The orange ice with vanilla is a pretty much spot-on Dreamsicle taste.
And grape ice w/ vanilla f.c. is a damned good summertime refresher.

[Radii]

Frozen Custard? I am intrigued.

There's a local place with 6 or 7 stores in the RTP/triangle area, Goodberys, that sells Frozen Custard that is amazing.

[tarcone]

St Louis has the greatest frozen custard place of all time.
The place is Ted Drewes. And it is a St Louis institution. If you ever visit St Louis, this is a must stop. They make a concrete. You can turn it upside down. It is the best place ofr a frozen desert.

http://www.teddrewes.com/Drewes.asp

[Radii]

They make a concrete. You can turn it upside down.


http://www.goodberrys.com/html/goodberry_s_carolina_concrete.html

!!