What's your favorite restaurant chain?

[Kodos]

I love the Outback. Cheesy fries, clam chowder, Victoria's filet with a Lobster tail and steamed veggies, cheesecakes desert and free refills on Coke. Is there a better meal out there? I think not!

[Coop]

Don Pablo's

[Karlifornia]

Black Angus I think. There's another steakhouse chain that I went to in New Mexico that was pretty good.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'd agree with the Outback. I also like Red Lobster (mainly for the cheesy biscuits.)

[FBPro]

Outback, Red Lobster(or any related chain-get "the son's family discount"-Olive garden, etc fall into this).

[gkb]

Ted's Montana Grill. I freakin' love this place...great buffalo burgers, great shakes, great fries, great everything.

[JeeberD]

Chain restaurants suck.

[JeeberD]

Red Lobster(or any related chain-get "the son's family discount"-Olive garden, etc fall into this).

Darden Restaurants - Red Lobster, OG, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones, Seasons 52

[Schmidty]

I hate Outback. Maybe I've just been there on bad nights, but everytime I've been there, the food was awful and the service was even worse.

My favorites are The Keg, Anthony's Seafood, and Claim Jumper.

[FBPro]

Darden Restaurants - Red Lobster, OG, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones, Seasons 52
Thanks, I wasn't sure of all those that were related. I think the only one's in our area are:

Red Lobster
Olive Garden
Smokey Bones-haven't eaten here as of yet.

[Raven Hawk]

I hate Outback. Maybe I've just been there on bad nights, but everytime I've been there, the food was awful and the service was even worse.

My favorites are The Keg, Anthony's Seafood, and Claim Jumper.
I agree. I've been to Outback twice and both times the service absolutely sucked. Maybe it was just the particular restaurant that I went to. The food I thought was mediocre at best. But the service . . .

My favorite: Famous Dave's. Great Service. Great Food. Decent Prices.

[JeeberD]

Too bad Bahama Breeze isn't in your area, it's actually pretty damn good. I haven't been to a Smokey Bones yet. They came to Texas just recently since BBQ is already pretty well represented down here...too much competition for a brand new chain.

Seasons 52 is a new concept, only a year old or so. It's much more upscale than the rest of the Darden restaurants and the gimmick is that they change their menu every week. I think there are only a couple of those right now, only in the Orlando area I believe.

[cartman]

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or Texas de Brazil Churrascaria are my favorites.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've got quite a few that I like pretty well although, as somebody alluded to up the thread, individual locations can vary both up & down the satisfaction scale.

Among my favorites though:
-- Longhorn Steaks ... I spent several years hating them after having consistent terrible experiences in them. Now, 10-15 years later, I have above-average luck with them & am pretty consistently satisfied at each of the several locations I usually visit.

-- Waffle House ... some are most definitely better than others, but on the whole, I'm hard pressed to come up with a chain of any kind that I've gotten more satisfaction from over the past 20 years or so.

-- Steak & Ale ... there doesn't seem to be many of these left anymore, but the one in downtown Atlanta has been a nice addition to our family dining options recently. A nice old-school throwback to what "eating out" used to be like.

The one I haven't tried yet but really want to check out would be Red Robin. Only one location in Georgia so far though, and it's nearly 2 hours from me (but recently got a rave review from a good friend of ours, who said that it was so perfect a place for me that I actually became a topic of dinner conversation on his recent visit. I think the combination of a very large burger + mayo + bacon all topped with a fried egg somehow made him remember my dietary tendencies ;) )

[Schmidty]

-- Steak & Ale ... there doesn't seem to be many of these left anymore, but the one in downtown Atlanta has been a nice addition to our family dining options recently. A nice old-school throwback to what "eating out" used to be like.

When I lived in Florida, that was my favorite place to eat. It was awesome.

The one I haven't tried yet but really want to check out would be Red Robin. Only one location in Georgia so far though, and it's nearly 2 hours from me (but recently got a rave review from a good friend of ours, who said that it was so perfect a place for me that I actually became a topic of dinner conversation on his recent visit. I think the combination of a very large burger + mayo + bacon all topped with a fried egg somehow made him remember my dietary tendencies ;) )

If you've been to Applebees, then you've been to Red Robin. Nice little family restaurant, but totally unspectacular. I actually like the burgers from Applebees and TGIFridays a bit better.

[lighthousekeeper]

Chipotle - hand's down.

[Dutch]

I could eat at Smokey Bones every day of the week...mmmmmm...

[JonInMiddleGA]

If you've been to Applebees, then you've been to Red Robin. Nice little family restaurant, but totally unspectacular.

Wow, talk about a different p.o.v. ... I'm definitely not saying you're wrong, it's just ... Wow. Like 150 degrees off from the rave I heard. The comparison that my friend used was "a cross between Dave & Busters and Fuddrucker's", and he raved at great length about the burgers & appetizers. And neither the burgers nor the appetizers at Applebee's here are remotely noteworthy (often barely tolerable is more like it) Maybe your Applebee's kick the ass of our Applebee's? Or maybe our single Red Robin is doing an above average job of execution since it's so isolated from the rest of the chain?

[Izulde]

Fazoli's and Applebee's.

[Schmidty]

Wow, talk about a different p.o.v. ... I'm definitely not saying you're wrong, it's just ... Wow. Like 150 degrees off from the rave I heard. The comparison that my friend used was "a cross between Dave & Busters and Fuddrucker's", and he raved at great length about the burgers & appetizers. And neither the burgers nor the appetizers at Applebee's here are remotely noteworthy (often barely tolerable is more like it) Maybe your Applebee's kick the ass of our Applebee's? Or maybe our single Red Robin is doing an above average job of execution since it's so isolated from the rest of the chain?

Actually, I've been to a ton of different Applebees, and they are all consistant in their mediocrity.

Fuddruckers is awesome and destroys Red Robin as far as the burgers.

I live literally 2 blocks from Red Robin, and although we still eat there on occasion, it's only when we don't feel like driving far. Every person I talk to, including my friend Mike who is an assistant manager there, say the same basic thing about RR: "Meh".

I'm not saying it's terrible, but I think the ravings you heard about it are way more than it deserves.

[ageofquarrel]

nifty fifties for milkshakes and soda.


chain restaurant's are for the birds.

[jbmagic]

Lucille's BBQ

[bosshogg23]

Not a national chain but a NJ/NY/PA thing, Charlie Browns Steakhouse is great. Decent prices, great staff, good food. Ive been to several and they always have those 3 things.

I also dont see many restaurants that have Loyalty Club type things where you earn points based on the amount of food you buy. Like a frequent flyer program, anyways, I love it. They send a $10 coupon for birthdays(up to 5 ppl per house) and $20 coupons each time you reach a certain point level.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Cheesecake Factory, I love cheesecake and the menu offers a plethora of choices.

[Coffee Warlord]

Red Lobster, Applebee's, Chipotle

[hoopsguy]

Add me to the Chipotle crowd for lunch, and Cheesecake Factory is a solid choice for dinner.

Cartman went a little more upscale with his Ruth Chris selection and the South American steak chain - in that vein, Morton's is an awfully good steak place, but would people consider this a "chain"? If the criteria is that there are multiple locations, then that really opens up the thought process.

Carraba's is a chain I haven't heard listed hear that Mrs. Hoops and I both enjoy. Down in Florida we liked a place called Hops as well.

[Coffee Warlord]

Places like Ruth's Chris doesn't really count as a "chain" for me.

[jeff061]

Smokey Bones. Hard to believe they are a chain while I'm chowing down some tasty flesh. Cheescake Factory is alright, but really it's all about their portions.

I got one of each within a quarter mile of where I work. Lunch is great.

[Tigercat]

Olive Garden and Fazoli's, what can I say, I am a breadstick whore. I also really like Outback's dark bread.

But my favorite is probably Copelands, the mostly southern creole restaurant chain by Popeye's founder Al Copeland. (Oddly enough, saw one North of Cincy, so I guess it does have a few ones away from the South.) Heavy and spicy creole/cajun food, doesn't get better than that.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Ohh and I forgot...Benihana the best Japanese steakhouse Ive ever been to. Not many in the Cleveland area that I know of. The food is excellent, albeit expensive for a 20 year old college student.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I guess "Fogo de Chao" (Brazillian steakhouse) could count as a chain, though probably not too likely as there are six of them in the U.S. It's just fantastic though...

http://www.fogodechao.com/

Cheesecake Factory is interesting. The portions are astoundingly large, but the fact that they serve almost everything makes me nervous. I have never been able to even have a slice of cheesecake after eating there. Though friends brought some to a dinner party once. Quite tasty.

As for as the Appleby's (horrid place), Friday's, Ruby Tuesday, etc, etc. fare, I think I like Ruby Tuesdays the best. Large, decent salad bar and I have been known to become addicted to their buffalo chicken sandwiches.

[CamEdwards]

I guess "Fogo de Chao" (Brazillian steakhouse) could count as a chain, though probably not too likely as there are six of them in the U.S. It's just fantastic though...

http://www.fogodechao.com/

Cheesecake Factory is interesting. The portions are astoundingly large, but the fact that they serve almost everything makes me nervous. I have never been able to even have a slice of cheesecake after eating there. Though friends brought some to a dinner party once. Quite tasty.

As for as the Appleby's (horrid place), Friday's, Ruby Tuesday, etc, etc. fare, I think I like Ruby Tuesdays the best. Large, decent salad bar and I have been known to become addicted to their buffalo chicken sandwiches.

Based on your raves about Fogo de Chao, I'm taking the missus there in a few weeks (the next time we get a cheat meal on our diet). I also looked at the chef's table at Citronelle... BWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Won't be going there anytime soon (not without selling one of children to pay the tab, anyway).

Have you been to Les Halles in DC? Very curious about how good their steaks are.

As far as chains go, I'd have to say Chili's for their Big Mouth Burgers, and Olive Garden for everything else.

[Blade6119]

Ohh and I forgot...Benihana the best Japanese steakhouse Ive ever been to. Not many in the Cleveland area that I know of. The food is excellent, albeit expensive for a 20 year old college student.
Benihana and Olive Garden for me....i love the salad at both places :D

[Buccaneer]

Ah, now I know why OG and Red Lobster both sucks. They use the same boiler for the artificial fish as they overcook the soggy noodles in :p

My vote would be Macaroni Grill and Chipotle.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Down in Florida we liked a place called Hops as well.

Random little trivial sidebar here -- Hops, along with Don Pablo's, are part of the Avado Brands family. Avado was once known as AppleSouth & was the largest Applebee's franchisee in the country. The founder basically managed to find a way to run the company into the ground (dumping core assets & launching multiple disasterously failed new concept chains) and now is trying to rebuild itself under new management/ownership. All of this is somewhat interesting to me because the company is headquartered in a little town about 20 miles from me.

The former CEO, btw, was recently elected mayor of said little town.

[Samdari]

Chain restaurants suck.

I am wondering how people tell them apart.

[hoopsguy]

Fogo is really good - don't load up on the salad bar, even though it is supposed to be excellent. I tried to fight the system, but eventually every man has to put up the stop sign at that place ...

[LoneStarGirl]

Macaroni grill and Red Lobster

[sterlingice]

Cheesecake Factory is interesting. The portions are astoundingly large, but the fact that they serve almost everything makes me nervous. I have never been able to even have a slice of cheesecake after eating there. Though friends brought some to a dinner party once. Quite tasty.I've never actually eaten dinner there. There's one down on the Plaza in KC and my wife and I like to walk around down there on warm summer nights and then go in there and get cheesecake.

SI

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Kodos do you eat all that food in one sitting?

[stevew]

I really liked Fuddruckers a lot. Too bad its not in my surrounding area. I suppose i could just make 2/3 pound burgers on my grill, but its not the same as when someone makes it for you, and you have the nice garnish setup to boot. Its just something odd, like I would never make myself a 1/2 pound burger at the house, but when you go out to eat, you order it with no problem.

[sooner333]

Charlestons (not sure how many there are) I like a lot, and when I was in Texas I really liked Pappadaux's for seafood, been to one in Houston and a more upscale one in North Dallas on OU/texas weekend. As for the other's, I like them all pretty well...but I like a bunch of Tex-Mex places that are chains, probably going to El Chico the most.

[Joe]

Wendy's

[Draft Dodger]

I guess my favorite is Longhorn - delicious cheese fries and tasty steaks, but I find them a bit expensive.

most of the rest just sort of depend on my mood.
-I really like the food at Chilis, but the service at ours is atrocious.
-The 99 is another one I like (mostly for the boneless buffalo wings) but they usually have too long of a wait for me.
-I don't mind admitting to being a fan of Applebees - normally pretty consistent in terms of food, having short waits for tables, and service.
-Unos is one I dislike - don't dig their food very much and their service is beyond bad: we walked out twice after having miserable service, and are unlikely to repeat that mistake again.
-Outback I've only been to once or twice, but I've been pretty underwhelmed each visit.
-Never have been a fan of the Olive Garden, and, literally, the wait for our new one is usually measured in hours (which completely mystifies me). That said, my brother in law wanted to go there for some function recently and it was one of the best experiences I've had - terrific food and even better service.

They don't have them around here, but I'm a huge fan of Chevy's, as close to an authentic Mexican place as I've found on the East Coast. Discovered them on a vacation in Washington and loved it. We have a nice Mexican chain in New England called Margaritas. I love the place, but it's not like the authentic stuff I grew up on.

[LoneStarGirl]

Actually the cheese cake factory has great food but even better cheese cake. I forgot what I got the past 3 or 4 times i went, but it was delicious.

[Joe]

Chevy's is a chain? I was in there one time and it was a dump so I figured it was just local.

[Wolfpack]

I'll put up a new one: PF Chang's China Bistro. That's good stuff.

[Eaglesfan27]

Chevy's is a chain? I was in there one time and it was a dump so I figured it was just local.
It's a chain. My wife is a chef in one of them. The ones in New Orleans are paying very good hourly wages right now.

I don't know if they are a chain, but I also like Bravo for Italian food.

[MrBug708]

Yay's
Sizzler (worked there for 3 years)
Yardhouse
PF Changs
Claim Jumper
Macaroni Grill

Nay's
Applebee's
Olive Garden
Souplantation

Local Eateries I like
Casa Del Rey
Dominico's
Northwood's Inn (Also known as "Cask and Clever")

[SFL Cat]

Macaroni Grill, Bennigans, PF Changs, Chili's

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Not a real big fan of PF Changs, very overrated. The dishes I like there are not any better than the China Buffet. I tried this Thailand Street Pasta or something and it was disgusting with no flavor. That brown rice they have is dry...I could go on and on.

[Craptacular]

Culvers

[MrBug708]

Lawry's is very good

[MikeVick7]

Don Pablo's
Don Pablo's is ok until you move down south. Then it's not even an option.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Based on your raves about Fogo de Chao, I'm taking the missus there in a few weeks (the next time we get a cheat meal on our diet). I also looked at the chef's table at Citronelle... BWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Won't be going there anytime soon (not without selling one of children to pay the tab, anyway).

Have you been to Les Halles in DC? Very curious about how good their steaks are.

As far as chains go, I'd have to say Chili's for their Big Mouth Burgers, and Olive Garden for everything else.Good man! Let me know what you think. Some quick advice. Have a very light lunch on the day you go (preferably greens/fruit). Don't load up on the massive salad bar (it's tempting) and pace yourself on the meats. Once they start coming it gets fast and furious and nigh impossible to say no to anything. You may have a mound of meat on your plate, but how can you look a guy who is offering you filet mingon wrapped in bacon and say "No"? I found it impossible. Every time.

I don't blame you on the Citronelle thing. It's outrageously expensive. Ridiculously. If my firm wasn't paying there is no way I would ever plunk down that much money for food. It was great, but great on someone else's tab.

I have not been to Les Halles in DC. For steaks I usually hit "The Palm" or "Capitol Grill." I have heard "Ray's The Steaks" in Arlington is excellent as well, though I never made it myself.

[Bearcat729]

Wow, talk about a different p.o.v. ... I'm definitely not saying you're wrong, it's just ... Wow. Like 150 degrees off from the rave I heard. The comparison that my friend used was "a cross between Dave & Busters and Fuddrucker's", and he raved at great length about the burgers & appetizers. And neither the burgers nor the appetizers at Applebee's here are remotely noteworthy (often barely tolerable is more like it) Maybe your Applebee's kick the ass of our Applebee's? Or maybe our single Red Robin is doing an above average job of execution since it's so isolated from the rest of the chain?


I like Red Robin they have them near a couple of the movie theaters here and I usually stop there before the movie. Can't say much about the appetizers but the hamburgers are good and I do enjoy never ending french fries.

[Kodos]

Kodos do you eat all that food in one sitting?

Let's see. We went Saturday night:

We split a half order of Aussie Cheese Fries
I had a cup of clam chowder
2 loaves of bread (I probably ate one of them)
The 7 ounce Victoria's filet with steamed veggies and an add-on tail
Then I got a piece of cheesecake with raspberry toppings to go.

So yeah, more or less. Maybe not as bad as it sounds, as some were half portions or the smaller option.

I hate Applebees (I always get sick after eating there). I hate the Cheesecake factory (they are painfully slow and I only want regular cheesecake anyhow). Fazoli's is okay, but there aren't any around here. I like Chili's chips, but since they got rid of blackened catfish, I don't have an entree that I like there.

[JeffR]

Roadhouse Grill. Big portions, nice hot complimentary bread before the meal, and the one time I had a problem with the food quality the manager didn't just take the entree off the bill after replacing it, he comped both my entire meal and that of the friend I was with. That's the kind of service that gets you a loyal customer.

[Ragone]

Yay's
Lone star
Houston's(on the plaza)
Fazoli's
Fuddruckers
Dave And Busters(Best overall bar/grill type food i've ever had)
Cheesecake factory
Corner Cafe(Gringo Omelette mmm)

Nay's
OLIVE GARDEN(terrible food/service)
Bo Ling's (Chinese? Please? Service Perhaps?)

[Raiders Army]

Dave and Buster's, Macaroni Grill, and Chilli's. Chilli's and the Outback Steakhouse both have the Awesome Blossom or Blooming Onion, but Chilli's has a wider selection of other entrees.

[GrantDawg]

I've got quite a few that I like pretty well although, as somebody alluded to up the thread, individual locations can vary both up & down the satisfaction scale.

Among my favorites though:
-- Longhorn Steaks ... I spent several years hating them after having consistent terrible experiences in them. Now, 10-15 years later, I have above-average luck with them & am pretty consistently satisfied at each of the several locations I usually visit.

-- Waffle House ... some are most definitely better than others, but on the whole, I'm hard pressed to come up with a chain of any kind that I've gotten more satisfaction from over the past 20 years or so.

-- Steak & Ale ... there doesn't seem to be many of these left anymore, but the one in downtown Atlanta has been a nice addition to our family dining options recently. A nice old-school throwback to what "eating out" used to be like.


That's a good list. Just to add a couple more:

Macoroni Grill ... Excellent food, consistently good food, and a nice atmosphere. The Bella Naploi is one of the best things I've ever tasted (though the last couple of times I've been they no longer have it :().

Fuddruckers ... The best burgers of any chain that I've ever eaten.

Schlotsky's and Quiznos ... Best sandwiches of any chain.

[hoopsguy]

I had Quizno's atop my sub sandwich list before Potbelly's. I know that chain has sprouted up around Chicago but I'm not sure it has expanded yet beyond there.

[Blade6119]

I had Quizno's atop my sub sandwich list before Potbelly's. I know that chain has sprouted up around Chicago but I'm not sure it has expanded yet beyond there.
we have quiznos im phoenix...i dont like it at all, but its there

[GrantDawg]

I had Quizno's atop my sub sandwich list before Potbelly's. I know that chain has sprouted up around Chicago but I'm not sure it has expanded yet beyond there.
Not around here, but I'll be trying one the second I see one.

[Butter]

I really liked Fuddruckers a lot. Too bad its not in my surrounding area. I suppose i could just make 2/3 pound burgers on my grill, but its not the same as when someone makes it for you, and you have the nice garnish setup to boot. Its just something odd, like I would never make myself a 1/2 pound burger at the house, but when you go out to eat, you order it with no problem.

I like Fuddrucker's too... my wife LOVES them. I also like Macaroni Grill (but none around here anymore) and the burger I had at Beef O'Brady's a couple of months ago was the best restaurant burger I've ever had.

As for Red Robin, my wife and I tried them and have never gone back. The fries are sub-par (even though they were endless), and the burgers weren't anything special as far as I'm concerned. But they did have a wide selection.

[moriarty]

I have not been to Les Halles in DC. For steaks I usually hit "The Palm" or "Capitol Grill." I have heard "Ray's The Steaks" in Arlington is excellent as well, though I never made it myself.

I need to start hanging out with Honolulu. Capital Grill is awesome. I put the Palm and Mortons a slight step below (not that I'd complain about either).

For more affordable chains, I'm a big Outback and PF Chang's fan. Chili's has a decent menu for what it is. I also like a local (Northern Virginia) "chain" of Sweet Water Grille and their associate restaurants.

[Samdari]

I also looked at the chef's table at Citronelle...

I'm dying to go there, but never know the required three months in advance that I'll need a table.

[wade moore]

Jon/Schmidty,

I have to go with Jon's friend on Red Robin. Red Robin, imo, is lightyear's better than Applebee's, although I have trouble considering them direct competitors.... Where I grew up we got a Red Robin when I was in High School and I was psyched when they built one a few months ago down here... Very solid burgers at a good price and quality endless steak fries.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I'm dying to go there, but never know the required three months in advance that I'll need a table.
If you have the money do it. By all means, do it. It's amazing. We got the table less than one week in advance, though it was the second or third week in January and they were just re-opening after their holiday break, so things were pretty slow. I still have the menu just to remind me.

[Warhammer]

Up in Ohio - Max & Erma's
Back home in Tennessee - Outback (I refuse to admit that Corky's or Huey's are officially chains)
Lunch place - Lenny's Sub Shop

Favorite restaurant (non chain)- Folk's Folly or The Rendevous

[albionmoonlight]

Waffle House.

JoninMiddleGA--

You mentioned that Steak & Ale is a throwback to what eating out used to be like. What do you mean by that?

[AnalBumCover]

Buca di Beppo

[Coffee Warlord]

I had Quizno's atop my sub sandwich list before Potbelly's. I know that chain has sprouted up around Chicago but I'm not sure it has expanded yet beyond there.

You like Potbelly's? They opened one up near my office, and I thought it freakin' *vile*.

[Wolfpack]

Waffle House.

JoninMiddleGA--

You mentioned that Steak & Ale is a throwback to what eating out used to be like. What do you mean by that?

If I had to guess it's because it was just a nice place to sit down and eat. It didn't have 20 billion things stuck to the walls to entertain the kids as I recall, didn't do cute silly things, etc. Definitely a more "adult" place, if you will, that didn't murder you budget-wise. Then again, I'm basing this on some pretty-long-ago memories of the one above Crabtree in Raleigh. I was down there for the holidays this year and I was rather surprised that they demolished everything on that hill above the mall. The restaurant and the adjacent shopping center had been dead for a few years anyway, but it was still unexpected.

[moriarty]

You like Potbelly's? They opened one up near my office, and I thought it freakin' *vile*.

I like Potbelly's. Wreck on wheat or Meatball sub + PCY smoothing. Yumm.

[QuikSand]

I have made my disinclination to go to chain rstaurants pretty well known in these various threads, but that doesn't mean I don't ever eat from them.

I like the burritos from Chipotle just fine, and am a big fan of Waffle House for breakfast. I haven't found a chicken place in this area that I like better than Popeye's.

And the dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is among the better meals in town, even better in some ways that their non-chain competition.


In general, I'd much rather eat at a family restaurant or a good local place that has imaginative food, rather than settling for the lowest common denominator aproach of most chains. Especially so with foods that seek to reflect a culture or ethnicity -- I just can't imagine driving past my favorite local restaurant run by a Salvadoran family in order to go eat at Chevy's or Don Pablo's, or paying money to eat at an Olive Garden when Baltimore's Little Italy has a dozen excellent Italian restaurants. But that's a personal call.


So, I got an Outback gift card over the holidays... and it looks like Mrs. Q and I will be taking in one of the "overrated but still pretty good" chain meals sometime soon. I reckon it will be just fine.

[albionmoonlight]

If I had to guess it's because it was just a nice place to sit down and eat. It didn't have 20 billion things stuck to the walls to entertain the kids as I recall, didn't do cute silly things, etc. Definitely a more "adult" place, if you will, that didn't murder you budget-wise. Then again, I'm basing this on some pretty-long-ago memories of the one above Crabtree in Raleigh. I was down there for the holidays this year and I was rather surprised that they demolished everything on that hill above the mall. The restaurant and the adjacent shopping center had been dead for a few years anyway, but it was still unexpected.
Mrs. A's parents used to live in North Raleigh (by Northlake Mall) ~20 years ago and they were shocked to see the Crabtree Steak & Ale borded up when they came to visit a few months ago. They said that is used to be THE place to eat in Raleigh.

[Kodos]

As far as sandwich places go:

1. Quiznos
2. Potbelly
3. Jimmy Johns
4. Subway

[JonInMiddleGA]

JoninMiddleGA--You mentioned that Steak & Ale is a throwback to what eating out used to be like. What do you mean by that?

I guess it felt more like a ... happening ... than just a meal. It's not really any one thing, it's more the combination of things: the decor (although the one in downtown ATL is not the traditional floorplan), the service (both style & quality) even the behavior of the customers (quiet conversations, nothing impossible to avoid overhearing from three tables away, etc). It all adds up to harken back to what my wife referred to as the "expense account days", which is to say that it was the kind of restaurant that you went to either when entertaining a client on an expense account or maybe special occasions like a parent's birthday, anniversary, etc.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

For breakfast there is nothing better than the Original Pancake House in Chagrin, Ohio.

[Butter]

The one time I went to Steak & Ale (in Greenville, SC), they left my steak bloody on the inside and dark on the outside when I asked for medium-well... then when I complained about it, they took the steak in the back and made the inside browner, but pretty much burnt the hell out of the outside. I was not happy.... that was just being sloppy. I can understand an honest cooking mistake, but the fix was lazy.

[cartman]

For breakfast there is nothing better than the Original Pancake House in Chagrin, Ohio.

Ooh, yeah! I had forgotten about The Original Pancake House. Used to go to the one by Love Field in Dallas quite often. Man, it's been a long time since I've had a "dutch baby" or "apple pancake".

[KWhit]

A few pricier options that are excellent:

The Melting Pot
The Chart House
The Capital Grille

[albionmoonlight]

Oh--forgot about Five Guys burgers. Totally awesome.

[Mustang]

Outback, Chili's and Round Table Pizza. (Western chain unfortunately.... :mad: )

[CamEdwards]

If you have the money do it. By all means, do it. It's amazing. We got the table less than one week in advance, though it was the second or third week in January and they were just re-opening after their holiday break, so things were pretty slow. I still have the menu just to remind me.

Okay, so I just noticed you're no longer in D.C. When did you move?

[Bonegavel]

Carrabba's. End of discussion.

[rkmsuf]

Hooters

[albionmoonlight]

Have you been to Les Halles in DC? Very curious about how good their steaks are.
I used to work in the Les Halles building in D.C.. I think that their steaks are OK, but nothing to really write home about. Their fries, however, are awesome, and I really liked their steamed mussles (which come in several different flavors).

[bbor]

IHOP

[ISiddiqui]

Miller's Ale House, without question. Though it's a Florida/Georgia chain (and only one in Georgia... near me)

http://www.alehouseinc.com/

I also like:
- Outback
- Chilis
- Chipotle
- Jersey Mike's
- Quiznos

Being from Jersey originally, I simply CANNOT stomach these Italian chain restaurants. Olive Garden, Maccaroni Grill, Carrabas, VILE, everyone of them. The only thing decent at any of them is the soup and breadsticks. Aside from that... meh. I've eaten better Italian at houses of friends back in Jersey.

[Honolulu_Blue]

IHOP
And Taco Bell wept...

[Bearcat729]

Sandwich places

Jersey Mikes
Penn Station
Potbelly
Subway
Quiznos

For Breakfast I do love the Original Pancake House

[bbor]

And Taco Bell wept...

And so did toilet paper manufacturers everywhere:)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Okay, so I just noticed you're no longer in D.C. When did you move?
The weekend before last, Jan 28-29. It was tough to leave D.C., but Lady H_B and I are looking to buy a house with goal of starting a family in year or two. As you know, the DC market is pretty much insane. So we started thinking about potential moves and I got a good job offer for a firm in Detroit. While we already miss city life (we used to live on Capitol Hill), coming home has been good. My family's all here and I still have some friends from high school/college. We're currently house hunting.

Probbably more info than you wanted, but there you have it.

[Desnudo]

I love the Outback. Cheesy fries, clam chowder, Victoria's filet with a Lobster tail and steamed veggies, cheesecakes desert and free refills on Coke. Is there a better meal out there? I think not!

I haven't been to one in a decade, but I really like the Bloomin' Onion.

[JeeberD]

...and free refills on Coke.

Seems strange that you included that. Are there any (full service) restaurants out there that don't that in this day and age?

[volfan77]

Heres's what I like
Qdoba
Red Robin
Johnny Carino's
Gunther Toody's - if you are in Denver
Don Pablos - though I haven't been to one in like 6-7 years
Cracker Barrel -because sometimes you just need a little Crack'

[Galaxy]

A bump of an older thread.

We are looking at going to The Cheesecake Factory for our first time (got a gift card). How is it? I know it's more upscale and pricer then a typical chain. I've heard it's rather nice.

As far as chains, they are all over (at the high-end level as well). Vegas has a lot of outposts of the expensive, upscale variety as well as chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Emeril, ect. opening a number of restaurants all over. It's an interesting trend.

[JetsIn06]

Definitely Outback. Love the atmosphere, the service is usually great, and that bread they serve is delicious.

I like Applebees and Chili's as well.

[st.cronin]

-- Steak & Ale ... there doesn't seem to be many of these left anymore, but the one in downtown Atlanta has been a nice addition to our family dining options recently. A nice old-school throwback to what "eating out" used to be like.

There is one of these in Albuquerque, which we recently discovered. It really is very cool. I also like the Texas Roadhouse chain, solid service and generally good food. The Hooters in Albuquerque has absolutely awful food. Outback is ok, notable for croutons you can eat with a fork. Applebees/Houlihans/Bennigans/TGIFs are all pretty much the same, not anyplace I would ever pick to eat. Olive Garden and Red Lobster, I think I'd actually rather go to Wendy's or Burger King, the food is just not good.

[DaddyTorgo]

A bump of an older thread.

We are looking at going to The Cheesecake Factory for our first time (got a gift card). How is it? I know it's more upscale and pricer then a typical chain. I've heard it's rather nice.

As far as chains, they are all over (at the high-end level as well). Vegas has a lot of outposts of the expensive, upscale variety as well as chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Emeril, ect. opening a number of restaurants all over. It's an interesting trend.

Cheesecake is alright. The cheesecake is definitely the highlight, along with the HUGE portion sizes. It's definitely one of those places where you can go with 4-5 people when everyone wants something different, because they offer so many different kinds of cuisine - none of it OUTSTANDING, but all of it "good."

[Passacaglia]

The Cheesecake Factory is great!

[Galaxy]

Cheesecake is alright. The cheesecake is definitely the highlight, along with the HUGE portion sizes. It's definitely one of those places where you can go with 4-5 people when everyone wants something different, because they offer so many different kinds of cuisine - none of it OUTSTANDING, but all of it "good."

It's an upscale brand, correct?

One thing I've always wonder is about is the high-end steakhouse chains (Morton's, Palm's, Ruth's). They all serve Prime Beef (or claim so). With so many locations, in addition to standard high-end independent steakhouses and restaurants (as well as some of the high-end stores), how does enough prime beef exist to meet all the demand? Isn't it suppose to be rare?

[DaddyTorgo]

It's an upscale brand, correct?

One thing I've always wonder is about is the high-end steakhouse chains (Morton's, Palm's, Ruth's). They all serve Prime Beef (or claim so). With so many locations, in addition to standard high-end independent steakhouses and restaurants (as well as some of the high-end stores), how does enough prime beef exist to meet all the demand? Isn't it suppose to be rare?

yes. It is an "upscale" brand I would say. I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't good. I enjoy going there. My point was pretty much that "they do a lot of things very good, so therefore they do nothing great." It's like if you have one kitchen cooking asian+pizza+american+italian, they're not going to be "great" at any one thing, but they'll be very good at a bunch.

And make sure you save room for cheesecake!

[Passacaglia]

And make sure you save room for cheesecake!

And there's the genius of The Cheesecake Factory. Since they've named it after a dessert, the upsell on it is much easier -- if it had any other name, you'd be way less likely to get dessert after the huge meal.

[terpkristin]

I end up going out to eat once or twice a week with my friends for dinner, so naturally we hit a bunch of chains in the rotation. If I had to call some "favorites" though, they'd probably be Gordon Biersch and Mimi's Cafe.

I'm really not all that picky, just wouldn't call the others we go to regularly anything other than mundane. I much prefer going to the local non-chain places, but options then become limited here...

/tk

[Barkeep49]

Cheesecake Factory has, in the two locations by me, declined steadily, and noticeably, in the past five years. I long felt it a good not great play for entrees but I, and my dining companions, have gotten some entrees which weren't even good in recent visits. I will not visit there for anything but desert anymore (and I don't even like cheescake).

I like Outback's Bloomin Onion a lot but the service at Outbacks, and I've been during busy and quiet times and multiple locations, is disappointing.

There's been a lot of Red Robin love. I like them well enough. Except that they, and so many other chains, refuse to cook hamburgers medium rare anymore. This is a huge deal for me. Especially at a burger place. At Chilli's or some similar place, I don't like it, but can understand it. At a burger place, it annoys me to no end as I think burgers cooked medium and above lose something in the taste department.

[JeeberD]

A few pricier options that are excellent:

The Melting Pot
The Chart House
The Capital Grille

Darden recently bought the company that owns Captial Grille (as well as Longhorn Steakhouse)...I really need to go check the place out now that I have a 25% discount there. :)

[ISiddiqui]

We are looking at going to The Cheesecake Factory for our first time (got a gift card). How is it? I know it's more upscale and pricer then a typical chain. I've heard it's rather nice.

Food is good, but I've found that everytime I've been to one, the service has been very, very poor. I've stopped going as a result. But, YMMV.

[Lathum]

Don't forget about the all you can eat fries at Red Robin

[stevew]

Since I moved a few years ago back up north I really miss Moe's, Sonic, Hardees, Krystal, Fuddruckers, Popeye's and Rally's. The faster food around here is exclusively McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, KFC. I can only eat at Long John's so many times in a row before I mix it up and have to go back to the same burger garbage.

Boston Market was a fave, but they really fell off.

The fucking Cici's pizza within walking distance of my house closed about 6 months ago. A carryout pizza from them was always a cheap lunch at work. Yes, the buffet is usually nasty. But their carryout is significantly better.

If we go out to a chain around here, we usually go to Applebees or Golden Corral. Otherwise it's a local place.

I gotta get out of here.

[st.cronin]

When I was living on the East Coast, Cheesecake had a reputation for really good service. I don't believe I ever went, though.

[SteveMax58]

I really dig Carabbas for a no rush dinner. Between the Shrimp scampi and the Chicken Bryan...great stuff. Of course, I dont go enough to bother ordering anything different. I have been to about 8 or 9 throught the country, and service has always great. :)

As far as the lunch-ish type places, I'd go with Chilis.

[Lathum]

CiCi's is great ghetto pizza

[thesloppy]

Against my better judgment, I find that I really enjoy the Macaroni Grill way too much. When I first discovered one like 5 years ago, whilst short-timing in the suburbs of San Francisco, I didn't know they were a chain and built it up into something special in my mind...until a friend pointed out that it was so special that it was situated next to a PetCo, staffed by high-schoolers, and there's one in every other mall.

[Crapshoot]

Cheescake is many things, but its not "upscale" by any stretch of the imagination.

I used to love a local Boston take-out chain called the "Wrap" (can you guess the food they served), now called "Boloco". Biggest thing I miss out here in CA>

[Barkeep49]

Don't forget about the all you can eat fries at Red Robin
That is a redeeming factor of Red Robin; I'm actually surprised more places don't do that. But I can't get over their hatred of properly cooked burgers.

[sterlingice]

We are looking at going to The Cheesecake Factory for our first time (got a gift card). How is it? I know it's more upscale and pricer then a typical chain. I've heard it's rather nice.

Their food isn't really much to write home about. But it's a nice place to go if you've already eaten, done your night activity of choice, and are looking to get a late dessert. A couple of (large) slices of cheesecake and drinks are going to run you $25ish, iirc.

SI

[cartman]

I really dig Carabbas for a no rush dinner. Between the Shrimp scampi and the Chicken Bryan...great stuff. Of course, I dont go enough to bother ordering anything different. I have been to about 8 or 9 throught the country, and service has always great. :)

As far as the lunch-ish type places, I'd go with Chilis.

One of the co-founders of Carrabba's. Damian Mandola, recently opened up an Italian trattoria a couple of miles away from my house at his vineyard. Awesome stuff.

[sterlingice]

I really dig Carabbas for a no rush dinner. Between the Shrimp scampi and the Chicken Bryan...great stuff. Of course, I dont go enough to bother ordering anything different. I have been to about 8 or 9 throught the country, and service has always great. :)

I've only been to 3 different ones, but I'm definitely a fan.

SI

[Galaxy]

One of the co-founders of Carrabba's. Damian Mandola, recently opened up an Italian trattoria a couple of miles away from my house at his vineyard. Awesome stuff.

What's the restaurant? Any links to it?

[Schmidty]

Red Robin still sucks ass, and is possibly the worst "value for product" out there. Went there a month ago, and it's still bland and overpriced.

[cartman]

What's the restaurant? Any links to it?

Trattoria Lisina. Joins The Salt Lick BBQ as the only eating establishments in Driftwood. :)

http://www.trattorialisina.com/

[Buccaneer]

Red Robin still sucks ass, and is possibly the worst "value for product" out there. Went there a month ago, and it's still bland and overpriced.

The only thing that I have liked at Red Robin are the Buffalo Wings. Everything else, esp. those bland, starching fried, are awful. But it is a great place to take kids, my son's favorite birthday place to go to.

[Galaxy]

Trattoria Lisina. Joins The Salt Lick BBQ as the only eating establishments in Driftwood. :)

http://www.trattorialisina.com/

Of course, you live in a town called Driftwood.

[MizzouRah]

54th street grill and bar is one of my favs. That gringo dip is something I crave at least once a week... and their wings are excellent.

[Mustang]

I wish there was a Roundtable pizza here in Wisconsin. I really liked that place.

[MrBug708]

The Sizzler

[thesloppy]

{whispers} sizzzZZZzzzler

I haven't been to a Sizzler since I was like 12.

Red Lobster is some place I've never been, and I know I never will, but their commercials sure make me salivate....just tons of lobster flying all over the place and smashing into buckets of butter. I know when you get there they're serving spider or some kind of fake lobster like Krab. Lubsterfest!

[Lathum]

I've eaten at Boston's pizza a few times whrn traveling and that was decent

[GreenMonster]

WaffleHouse. Easily the best breakfast food ever. I just got back, not many things better to start your day than a pattymelt, hashbrowns and a waffle.

[MrDNA]

I'll put up a new one: PF Chang's China Bistro. That's good stuff.

+1

I thought this place had to be overrated/all hype until I went there. It was really that good.

I also like Friday's, which surprises me. Until PF Chang's it was really the only chain restaurant I would go to.

[MizzouRah]

I like Friday's alot too.

[Bonegavel]

Since I moved a few years ago back up north I really miss Moe's, Sonic, Hardees, Krystal, Fuddruckers, Popeye's and Rally's. The faster food around here is exclusively McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, KFC. I can only eat at Long John's so many times in a row before I mix it up and have to go back to the same burger garbage.

Boston Market was a fave, but they really fell off.

The fucking Cici's pizza within walking distance of my house closed about 6 months ago. A carryout pizza from them was always a cheap lunch at work. Yes, the buffet is usually nasty. But their carryout is significantly better.

If we go out to a chain around here, we usually go to Applebees or Golden Corral. Otherwise it's a local place.

I gotta get out of here.


We have a Fudd's here in Bethlehem. Gooooooood burgers

[Lathum]

I like Friday's alot too.

Having worked for Fridays for 12 years I have grown very sick of the menu, despite the fact that I haven't worked for them for a couple of years, but it seems like they are redoing the menu and it looks pretty good.

[Ryche]

Granite City Food and Brewery would be my choice. Always happy with the food, the beer is decent and the staff is always great. They so need to expand out to Colorado.

[MizzouRah]

Having worked for Fridays for 12 years I have grown very sick of the menu, despite the fact that I haven't worked for them for a couple of years, but it seems like they are redoing the menu and it looks pretty good.

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is one of my favorites.

[Galaxy]

Cheescake is many things, but its not "upscale" by any stretch of the imagination.

I used to love a local Boston take-out chain called the "Wrap" (can you guess the food they served), now called "Boloco". Biggest thing I miss out here in CA>

I didn't mean upscale in terms of being fine-dining. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hooters on this forum.

[MizzouRah]

Hooters? None of them have hooters anymore and the food is HORRIBLE!

Edit: Oh yeah, worst wings evah!

[stevew]

I go to the original Quaker Steak and Lube a couple times a month. Not sure how national the chain is.

Best Wings ever.

[Galaxy]

Hooters? None of them have hooters anymore and the food is HORRIBLE!

Edit: Oh yeah, worst wings evah!

I was making an ill-attempt joke.

[MizzouRah]

I was making an ill-attempt joke.

:p

[Galaxy]

:p

I try.

[Warhammer]

I go to the original Quaker Steak and Lube a couple times a month. Not sure how national the chain is.

Best Wings ever.

I went there once when they had an all you can eat wings night. You ordered in batches of 6 at a time. It was great!

[bhlloy]

A co-worker introduced me to Farmer Boys - by far the best Chicken Sandwich I have ever had. That's my new favourite for quasi-fast food.

For something a little more upscale, PF Changs is very good as a few have mentioned. We also really like Red Lobster and California Pizza Kitchen.

[Julio Riddols]

Carabba's kicks ass.

There is also a place in Phoenix I went to called Claim Jumper.. Portions I couldn't fathom.. I was mad at myself because I couldn't just sit there and keep eating different things from the menu..

Along the same lines, portion wise, Bill Johnson's Big Apple West is awesome. I ordered chicken fried steak, which covered the plate.. Came with enough mashed potatoes to feed 2 or 3 people, a whole ear of corn, and like 2 or three other things I can't even recall right now, but I ate the leftovers from there for a couple days.

Lastly, Burgers n' Beer is awesome.. Good place to go with friends on Sundays in the fall.

I almost forgot my favorite burger of all time, the super big boy platter at Frisch's (Also known as Bob's Big Boy) Something about their tartar sauce has our family in a trance every time we get near one, so inevitably we eat there, then buy a few jars and move on until we come across another.. The sauce is so magnificent it has become a highly sought after gift in our family during holidays and special occasions.

[korme]

Kwhit mentioned the Melting Pot, if any of you ever have a chance to eat there, do it. I try to go once a year for my birthday.

[sterlingice]

Kwhit mentioned the Melting Pot, if any of you ever have a chance to eat there, do it. I try to go once a year for my birthday.

My wife and I went this past weekend in KC. The down side is that it's pricey unless you go light on the food.

SI

[Gary Gorski]

+1

I thought this place had to be overrated/all hype until I went there. It was really that good.

I also like Friday's, which surprises me. Until PF Chang's it was really the only chain restaurant I would go to.

Chang's is fantastic - its a little pricey but worth it.

[Kodos]

Seems strange that you included that. Are there any (full service) restaurants out there that don't that in this day and age?

In Illinois, everyone had free refills. Out here in CT, not so much. My wife's favorite restaurant, the Cuckoo's Nest, doesn't. Of course, that's where we end up the most often.

[General Mike]

Breakfast - Le Peep

Dinner - Charlie Brown's

[CamEdwards]

I know it's fast food and not an actual restaurant, but not a day goes by without me missing Sonic Drive-In.

As far as actual chains go, my wife and I love Legal Seafood and go there about every two months or so.

[stevew]

I went there once when they had an all you can eat wings night. You ordered in batches of 6 at a time. It was great!

On every tuesday they have all you can eat wings. Just a massive buffet setup with pretty much every flavor. Good times.

IIRC your wife was from hubbard or something?

[sooner333]

There's now a Pei Wei in Norman, which is great. It's like a cheaper version of PF Changs where you order at the counter and they bring it to your seat. It's my favorite chain in Norman now (other than Charlestons when I mentioned the thread on the first go-round).

[JeeberD]

Kwhit mentioned the Melting Pot, if any of you ever have a chance to eat there, do it. I try to go once a year for my birthday.

Fondue kicks ass. Out here we have Simply Fondue as well, which is just as good but a bit cheaper....

[thesloppy]

I have recent;y begun seeing the ads for 'Joe's Crab Shack', and it looks pretty damn tasty on the ol' TEE VEE.....but so does Taco Bell. Anybody have any experience with this place?

[JeeberD]

Joe's is simply "meh"...

[korme]

They seem to have popular tees

[thesloppy]

Joe's is simply "meh"...

That's a shame...but not too surprising.

[Schmidty]

They're kind of pricey, but for service, quality of food, and ambiance, the local Anthonys restaurant chain is the best I've seen around here.

[thesloppy]

Ruth's Chris is a chain right? Certainly can't complain about their steak....although it seems even the ice cubes are an additional fee, and priced individually. Great place to enjoy when someone else is covering the bill, so I don't ruin my dinner by keeping a running tally of crouton intake.

[thesloppy]

Anybody every eaten at one of Don Shula's Steakhouses? I think one recently opened around me, and I'd almost be interested in giving it a shot if the word were good.

[Karlifornia]

Anybody every eaten at one of Don Shula's Steakhouses? I think one recently opened around me, and I'd almost be interested in giving it a shot if the word were good.

The Don Shula steakhouses are awesome, but the waitstaff has this annoying habit of popping a champagne every time you bypass another restaurant.

[stevew]

I thought Joe's Crab Shack was pretty good. I'm guessing a lot of it depends on how close you are to the ocean though. The ones in Hampton Roads were pretty good, not sure about how the northern ones are.

[cartman]

I'm a member of the 48 oz. club at Shula's Steakhouse. I ate the three pounder a couple of years ago in Miami to get a contract signed by one of our customers from Italy. He said if I ate it, he'd sign the deal. I finished it in about 30 minutes, and he was so stunned he increased his order. :)

[Galaxy]

I'm a member of the 48 oz. club at Shula's Steakhouse. I ate the three pounder a couple of years ago in Miami to get a contract signed by one of our customers from Italy. He said if I ate it, he'd sign the deal. I finished it in about 30 minutes, and he was so stunned he increased his order. :)

I've heard Shula's is really good (a step above Ruth's, Morton's, Palm, ect.) and pretty consistent. It's prime beef.

Quite a business deal. Would he had sign the deal even if you didn't finish it?

[cartman]

I've heard Shula's is really good (a step above Ruth's, Morton's, Palm, ect.) and pretty consistent. It's prime beef.

Quite a business deal. Would he had sign the deal even if you didn't finish it?

Oh yeah, we were getting the deal regardless. I just makes for a better story to have the deal depend on the steak being eaten. :)

[Dr. Sak]

I'm a member of the 48 oz. club at Shula's Steakhouse. I ate the three pounder a couple of years ago in Miami to get a contract signed by one of our customers from Italy. He said if I ate it, he'd sign the deal. I finished it in about 30 minutes, and he was so stunned he increased his order. :)

That was nothing for you after eating that Krispy Kreme burger!

[Galaxy]

That was nothing for you after eating that Krispy Kreme burger!

A Krispy Kreme burger?

[Dr. Sak]

A Krispy Kreme burger?

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=47892&highlight=Krispy+Kreme

[Mustang]

I know it's fast food and not an actual restaurant, but not a day goes by without me missing Sonic Drive-In.


We see Sonic commercials on TV all the time and there probably isn't one within 300 miles of Milwaukee which pisses us off.

[sterlingice]

We see Sonic commercials on TV all the time and there probably isn't one within 300 miles of Milwaukee which pisses us off.

That's not true. According to their website, there's one "fairly" close in Davenport, IA- you know, two states and 168mi away ;) But, yes, that is your closest Sonic

SI

[weegeebored]

I noticed that there has been a lot of mixed reviews here about Outback. When one opened near my house in the south 'burbs of Chicago my wife and I thought that both the food and service were excellent. We tried to get another couple to go with us but they told us that they went to one out-of-state and they found it horrible and wouldn't go to one again.

Well, we went to dinner there maybe a month ago after not dining there for about a year and found that both the food and service to have declined to the point that we probably won't go back there again. Too many other good places to spend my hard-earned money.

I also didn't realize that The Original Pancake House existed outside of Illinois so that would get my vote for breakfast/lunch. And I recently ate at Famous Dave's and found the baby backs to be tasty as well as the sides. Only liked the Sweet and Tangy sauce, though. I thought the others were so-so at best. (My sauces are better. :))

[Passacaglia]

I noticed that there has been a lot of mixed reviews here about Outback. When one opened near my house in the south 'burbs of Chicago my wife and I thought that both the food and service were excellent. We tried to get another couple to go with us but they told us that they went to one out-of-state and they found it horrible and wouldn't go to one again.

Well, we went to dinner there maybe a month ago after not dining there for about a year and found that both the food and service to have declined to the point that we probably won't go back there again. Too many other good places to spend my hard-earned money.

I also didn't realize that The Original Pancake House existed outside of Illinois so that would get my vote for breakfast/lunch. And I recently ate at Famous Dave's and found the baby backs to be tasty as well as the sides. Only liked the Sweet and Tangy sauce, though. I thought the others were so-so at best. (My sauces are better. :))

If you do go to Outback again, go for the Kookaburra Wings. They will make you not care at all about the service.

That's funny about The Original Pancake House. I didn't think they existed outside of Michigan, until I moved to Illinois. Good good stuff. We love going there for breakfast at like 2 pm. :cool:

[Barkeep49]

The Original Pancake House is a nice enough place, but Walker Brothers refinement makes it just a little better.

[Passacaglia]

The Original Pancake House is a nice enough place, but Walker Brothers refinement makes it just a little better.

Looks like they're suburbs only. We'll have to check it out when we move out there this year.

[stevew]

How the hell can a place not have free refills on coke/pepsi. The cost of a fountain drink is now >2.00 in a lot of places. To limit me to one....man, I think I would never go there.

[JeeberD]

No kidding, and for that $2 soda it costs the restaurant pennies to supply...

[stevew]

Yeah, last time I knew, it was something like 50 bucks to make 30 gallons(i think).

[weegeebored]

If you do go to Outback again, go for the Kookaburra Wings. They will make you not care at all about the service.I'm sure at some point we will go there again so I'll try the wings. I take it that they are not like normal buffalo wings??

[JonInMiddleGA]

We see Sonic commercials on TV all the time and there probably isn't one within 300 miles of Milwaukee which pisses us off.

168 miles to be exact, Davenport, IA.

edit to add: I imagine you're seeing spots bought nationally, which makes sense for them since they're in roughly 80% of the country & it's actually cheaper to have some wasted coverage than it is to try to buy locally/regionally just to miss those areas you aren't in.
http://www.sonicdrivein.com/business/investors/marketMap.jsp

[Passacaglia]

I'm sure at some point we will go there again so I'll try the wings. I take it that they are not like normal buffalo wings??

Right. Oddly enough, their menu used to say they were called Buffalo wings in the States, or something like that. But now that they have something with Buffalo sauce, they took that part out. It's just a different kind of sauce, but I like it a lot.

[st.cronin]

That's not true. According to their website, there's one "fairly" close in Davenport, IA- you know, two states and 168mi away ;) But, yes, that is your closest Sonic

SI

Iowa actually shares a border with Wisconsin. The shortest route from Milwaukee to Davenport doesn't go through any other states.

[thesloppy]

How the hell can a place not have free refills on coke/pepsi. The cost of a fountain drink is now >2.00 in a lot of places. To limit me to one....man, I think I would never go there.

I was at a joint the other day where a waitress came up, asked if I wanted a soda refill, and refilled my glass from a pitcher she was carrying. I was PISSED to later find out I was charged full price for that refill, which I would've never expected...if I'm not getting a fresh, forsty glass and fresh ice, I certainly don't
expect to get tagged for a full-cost refill.

I've also been charged for refills that I don't ask for, and I think it's only to fair if someone's going to pour something in your glass that you haven't asked for, that you're not going to get charged for it...I had that charge removed, but I would assume 95% of customers probably don't notice or let it slide.

[Galaxy]

How do you see the chain restaurants doing these days with the economy?

[ISiddiqui]

Depends on who they cater to :). McDonald's has already seen a spike. I'm sure fast food restaurants will. The Fridays and sort will offer more deals (like 3 course meals for $10 stuff).

[stevew]

I really enjoy that I drive by a Tim Horton's every night now. Their sandwiches were actually pretty lousy when I tried one. But their donuts, bagels and Iced Coffee drinks are excellent.

[stevew]

dola

McDonald's new line of Angus Third Pounders are one of the best fast food burgers around. But the problem is that they are sold in very few places at this time.

[JeeberD]

There are a great many restaurant chains that are hurting right now. I wish I had the info with me that I saw during a training session, but out of like the top 20 major chains/companies only four or five are currently gaining guests and exceeding last year's profits. Luckily for me, I work for one of them... :)

[ColtCrazy]

I have several I love, depending on what the family is in the mood for.

Buffalo Wild Wings (won't ever go to Hooters again)
Famous Dave's BBQ (awesome BBQ outside of a good family owned dive)
Olive Garden (wife's fav)
McAllister's (sweet tea and feed the kids for $2)
Tumbleweed (best steaks outside the high priced steak joints, even better than Outback IMO)
Cheeseburger in Paradise (solely for the Cuban sandwich)

Foreign: Nando's (Portuguese chicken place in England...great sauces)

and high end: Shula's Steakhouse

[bhlloy]

I have several I love, depending on what the family is in the mood for.

Buffalo Wild Wings (won't ever go to Hooters again)
Famous Dave's BBQ (awesome BBQ outside of a good family owned dive)
Olive Garden (wife's fav)
McAllister's (sweet tea and feed the kids for $2)
Tumbleweed (best steaks outside the high priced steak joints, even better than Outback IMO)
Cheeseburger in Paradise (solely for the Cuban sandwich)

Foreign: Nando's (Portuguese chicken place in England...great sauces)

and high end: Shula's Steakhouse

Nando's is awesome. First place we go when we go back home to visit my parents. I'm surprised it hasn't made it over the pond yet with this country's obsession with spicy food. Is it not even in the Boston metro area (seem to remember there is a high concentration of Portugese around there, no?)

[jeff061]

I moved next to the best buffet ever, Minado. All kinds of quality Japanese food, including sushi. Sushi is not top notch but still quality and I am picky with my sushi. I wouldn't even try it until a Chinese sushi fanatic friend of mine assured me it was good.

I thought there was only one, but I found out there's about 5 of them, does that count as a chain?

[Galaxy]

Is it me, or do chain restaurants get a bad rap? I mean, independent restaurants are great and I love them, but I do enjoy having chain restaurants if I want a certain food and such. One problem with chains, at least with me, the meals can be heavy.

Thoughts on 99 Restaurant?

[stevew]

My all time favorite chain is Pal's, which is only found in NE TN/SW VA. Great burgers, great prices. Maybe I wouldn't feel as fondly about Pal's if I could eat there more than once a year when we visit relatives.

[lordscarlet]

Foreign: Nando's (Portuguese chicken place in England...great sauces)

and high end: Shula's Steakhouse

Nando's is awesome. First place we go when we go back home to visit my parents. I'm surprised it hasn't made it over the pond yet with this country's obsession with spicy food. Is it not even in the Boston metro area (seem to remember there is a high concentration of Portugese around there, no?)

There is a Nando's in Chinatown in Washington, DC (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&q=nando%27s+dc&fb=1&cid=0,0,16163494569149861832&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image)

[Galaxy]

I also looked at the chef's table at Citronelle...



I'm dying to go there, but never know the required three months in advance that I'll need a table.

I'm guessing Citronelle is a top-notch, breakout your best clothes (and wallet) restaurant in DC?

[MizzouRah]

All I know is.. the McRib is back!!!

[Marc Vaughan]

I love eating out .... hmmmm ...

Outback Steakhouse
Nandos (UK)
Bob Evans
The Melting Pot (special occassions only)
Fuyiyama (think thats how you spell it)
TGI Fridays
Wendy's (only junk food place I like really)

Most of the places I love in the UK aren't chains though - they're one off restaurants or pubs ...

[SackAttack]

Iowa actually shares a border with Wisconsin. The shortest route from Milwaukee to Davenport doesn't go through any other states.

I discovered this moving out here. We crossed the Mississippi from Iowa to Wisconsin on the final day of driving!

[Galaxy]

I love eating out .... hmmmm ...

Outback Steakhouse
Nandos (UK)
Bob Evans
The Melting Pot (special occassions only)
Fuyiyama (think thats how you spell it)
TGI Fridays
Wendy's (only junk food place I like really)

Most of the places I love in the UK aren't chains though - they're one off restaurants or pubs ...

How do you compare the restaurant scene here in the US to one in the UK?

[Karlifornia]

Melting Pot in SJ closed down. I never had the chance to eat there.

[Marc Vaughan]

How do you compare the restaurant scene here in the US to one in the UK?

Swings and roundabouts really.

The UK has a fair few chain restaurants but its predominantly (esp. in small towns) independant restaurants.

For example in the tinpot town of Royston (10k people) I lived in back home we had no chain restaurants but 3 indian restaurants, 2 chinese restaurants, 1 thai restaurant, 1 classy italian restaurant, 2 pizza parlours, 1 general american style junk food joint, 2 fish and chip shops and about 10 pubs (serviving various types of english style lunches and dinners) ....

I find the independants are a bit more varied and interesting than chains - their menu's have variety even if the type of restaurant is the same as another. Oh and one of vital thing about the UK - you can walk to/from most restaurants easily, meaning you can eat out, drink and wander home without driving ... over here I've never worked out why places serve alcohol, you can't get home apart from driving so you can't drink ....

Over here its mainly chains, although some are fantastic (a few of which I've listed) and I have found some very good independant restaurants (inc. a sushi restaurant near Cocoa on US-1 which is incredible) ... just the balance here seems more towards chains than independants (to be honest this appears largely to be the 'american way' with most things, the UK has more independant stores than America does generally - just a cultural thing and undoubtably biased by Geography as much as anything - ie. the UK is an small island comparatively to the size of America so its harder to get the cost efficiencies you can in America when shipping is involved etc.).

[General Mike]

Cheeseburger in Paradise.