What restaurant do you wish you had near you?

[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]

Originally Posted by Mustang

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

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]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

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]

Originally Posted by Izulde

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]

Originally Posted by 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).

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]

Originally Posted by Alan T

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]

Originally Posted by Mustang

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]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

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]

Originally Posted by PackerFanatic

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]

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

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]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

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]

Originally Posted by Tasan

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Izulde

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]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

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]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

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]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

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]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.