You can only eat dinner from one chain restaurant for the rest of your life...

[Subby]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Maggianos is far better than either Carrabas or Olive Garden.

Word. Maggianos is a pretty solid choice - I had forgotten about it...

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by rowech

I've been there three times and hated it each time. Service was terrible and food wasn't worth what you pay. Quantity doesn't = quality.

I agree quantity doesn't equal quality. I just find Carrabas and Olive Garden are HORRIBLE Italian food. Maggianos just seems more like the Italian I'm used to, back in Jersey.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by SFL Cat

As long as I have my gas grill, I don't need no stinkin' restaurants.

Heh. That's not something I would go around bragging about, Ace...

[VPI97]

Fogo de Chão

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by SFL Cat

As long as I have my charcoal grill, I don't need no stinkin' restaurants.

Fixed that for me.

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by DrAFTjunkie

Famous Dave's BBQ

I'm going to VEgas for my honeymoon in September and I'm excited to try out some of the chains we don't have in Boston such as El Pollo Loco, Sonic and Jack in the Box.

p.s. Vinny T's (used to be Vinny Teste's, which is more fitting) is an abomination.

I think I just threw up in my mouth....

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Dude...

Originally Posted by Subby

Heh. That's not something I would go around bragging about, Ace...

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Fixed that for me.

Ok, I know you all think yer being some sort of "grilling studs" here but if yer not using actual WOOD for your grill fire then you might as well be using gasoliine becase charcoal these days is treated with any umber of chemicals far worse than using natural gas.

I just love reading comments from uppity grill men, most of them are so...typical.

And yes I use a gas grill because its built into my patio. Direct feed off the natural gas line from the house. If I had my choice I'd use wood chips and get a real fire grilled flavor.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I agree quantity doesn't equal quality. I just find Carrabas and Olive Garden are HORRIBLE Italian food. Maggianos just seems more like the Italian I'm used to, back in Jersey.

Different regional focus maybe? I like Carrabas ok, but it's not like something you'd get from your typical place in Little Italy or your mom & pop type places (which I prefer, really). Never been to a Maggianos.

[QuikSand]

Seriously now -- if the setup is that cost and health don't matter (which it is) and nobody is declaring entries like Ruth's Chris as off limits (which they aren't)... what the fuck are you people doing haggling over bullshit like Chipotle, Red Lobster and Carraba's? Give me a break.

If places like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or even the Capital Grille are fair game here...and someone else is paying for it forever... you people either need to get out more, or just pull your heads out of your asses. I like a six dollar burrito as much as the next guy (likely more than him, actually) but spare me. I'll take a filet mignon with lump crabmeat, asparagus and bearnaise sauce pretty much every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night for the rest of my life, thankyouverymuch. And that's before we even open the wine list.

THINK.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I agree quantity doesn't equal quality. I just find Carrabas and Olive Garden are HORRIBLE Italian food. Maggianos just seems more like the Italian I'm used to, back in Jersey.

As a point of reference, Carrabba's is about as close to the Italian places I would eat at in Italy as I've found in the US.

And as a trivia item, Maggiano's was started by the same folks who own Chili's.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by RendeR

Ok, I know you all think yer being some sort of "grilling studs" here but if yer not using actual WOOD for your grill fire then you might as well be using gasoliine becase charcoal these days is treated with any umber of chemicals far worse than using natural gas.

I just love reading comments from uppity grill men, most of them are so...typical.

And yes I use a gas grill because its built into my patio. Direct feed off the natural gas line from the house. If I had my choice I'd use wood chips and get a real fire grilled flavor.

I use additive-free charcoal and woodchips and a chimney starter.

I was just teasing sflcat because I know he can take it. If he was an oversensitive, defensive, know-it-all superdouche then I wouldn't have bothered commenting.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Actually, I've noticed a decline in quality as well. I just figured it was due to moving to Connecticut, and that the one we went to back in Illinois was still superb. Maybe it's more global than I thought....

I've noticed this as well. Choice is easy for me if health and wealth are no factor - Fleming's Steak House.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

Morton's would be right up there for me as well. I think Ruth Chris is vastly overrated.

[Malificent]

Firebird's Rocky Mountain Grill. Yum.

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Seriously now -- if the setup is that cost and health don't matter (which it is) and nobody is declaring entries like Ruth's Chris as off limits (which they aren't)... what the fuck are you people doing haggling over bullshit like Chipotle, Red Lobster and Carraba's? Give me a break.

If places like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or even the Capital Grille are fair game here...and someone else is paying for it forever... you people either need to get out more, or just pull your heads out of your asses. I like a six dollar burrito as much as the next guy (likely more than him, actually) but spare me. I'll take a filet mignon with lump crabmeat, asparagus and bearnaise sauce pretty much every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night for the rest of my life, thankyouverymuch. And that's before we even open the wine list.

THINK.

To be honest, I don't think I'd really enjoy steak 4 or 5 times a week. 2 or 3 times? Yeah, but not more than that, which is why I'd like a restaurant with some menu variety, something I don't think Ruth Chris or Morton's really offers me (as I don't eat seafood).

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Seriously now -- if the setup is that cost and health don't matter (which it is) and nobody is declaring entries like Ruth's Chris as off limits (which they aren't)... what the fuck are you people doing haggling over bullshit like Chipotle, Red Lobster and Carraba's? Give me a break.

If places like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or even the Capital Grille are fair game here...and someone else is paying for it forever... you people either need to get out more, or just pull your heads out of your asses. I like a six dollar burrito as much as the next guy (likely more than him, actually) but spare me. I'll take a filet mignon with lump crabmeat, asparagus and bearnaise sauce pretty much every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night for the rest of my life, thankyouverymuch. And that's before we even open the wine list.

THINK.

I'm a vegetarian

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by Danny

Roy's is good, but overpriced. I find I can get as good of a meal at much cheaper prices

Originally Posted by Kodos

Also, price is not an issue, as a wealthy benefactor is paying for it all.

I'll stick with Roy's.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Not local, but I like Abuelo's better in OKC. Ted's is good too.

Abuelo's is very good. Ate there a few times when we were in Midland, TX. One of the few Mexican places I actually like.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by DrAFTjunkie

Famous Dave's BBQ

I'm going to VEgas for my honeymoon in September and I'm excited to try out some of the chains we don't have in Boston such as El Pollo Loco, Sonic and Jack in the Box.

p.s. Vinny T's (used to be Vinny Teste's, which is more fitting) is an abomination.

You've got to try In and Out Burger. The burgers are good and the fries are excellent.

They don't have Sonic in Boston? Really?

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I'm a vegetarian

And I'm suggesting a flight to quality, not necessarily meat.

Though, given the setup, I'd still recommend you get over yourself and start macking on some actual food. But still... Cheesecake Factory? Is that really the highest quality array of vegetarian options out there?

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

To be honest, I don't think I'd really enjoy steak 4 or 5 times a week. 2 or 3 times? Yeah, but not more than that, which is why I'd like a restaurant with some menu variety, something I don't think Ruth Chris or Morton's really offers me (as I don't eat seafood).

Any high quality steakhouse will spread a pretty decent array of non-steak offerings. Even if you drop seafood, a quality steakhouse is going to have excellent salads, soups, appetizers, poultry, and pasta dishes. And a well-stocked bar and wine list. And a knockout dessert menu. This is the rest of your life after all.

I'm just not persuaded that the "range" offered by the full menu at Applebee's or even Cheesecake Factory (who might be the epitome there, I'd agree) is worth the enormous sacrifice in quality.

But I'm not wedded to a steakhouse. It's just that the premium steakhouse is essentially the model for a high-end chain restaurant. Someone earlier said the Capital Grille, and maybe that's a fair compromise -- a little less steak-focused, a little more variety, but everything is going to be pretty damned good.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Maggianos is far better than either Carrabas or Olive Garden.

Amen to that. Probably my favorite Italian restaurant next to Lil Rizzos at the Lake of the Ozarks.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by gkb

Oh, good call o Steak n Shake. We don't have them in Colorado, but when I go back to Illinois to visit I eat there a lot...there and Monical's Pizza.

Frisco melt combo with cheeze fries and chili.. oh man!

[DrAFTjunkie]

Originally Posted by rjolley

You've got to try In and Out Burger. The burgers are good and the fries are excellent.

They don't have Sonic in Boston? Really?

Thanks, I'll add that to my list.

Yeah, we really don't have Sonic. We have constant commercials for Sonic, but no Sonic. I hear they have like...a billion soda combinations. Being a soda afficionado, this excites me.

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Any high quality steakhouse will spread a pretty decent array of non-steak offerings. Even if you drop seafood, a quality steakhouse is going to have excellent salads, soups, appetizers, poultry, and pasta dishes. And a well-stocked bar and wine list. And a knockout dessert menu. This is the rest of your life after all.

I'm just not persuaded that the "range" offered by the full menu at Applebee's or even Cheesecake Factory (who might be the epitome there, I'd agree) is worth the enormous sacrifice in quality.

But I'm not wedded to a steakhouse. It's just that the premium steakhouse is essentially the model for a high-end chain restaurant. Someone earlier said the Capital Grille, and maybe that's a fair compromise -- a little less steak-focused, a little more variety, but everything is going to be pretty damned good.

I haven't eaten at Capital Grille or Ted's Montana Grill, but those both seemed like good suggestions from what I know. Several steps up from Outback, that's for sure.

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by DrAFTjunkie

Thanks, I'll add that to my list.

Yeah, we really don't have Sonic. We have constant commercials for Sonic, but no Sonic. I hear they have like...a billion soda combinations. Being a soda afficionado, this excites me.

I'd push for In-n-Out over sonic too. Great value, good food.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by DrAFTjunkie

Thanks, I'll add that to my list.

Yeah, we really don't have Sonic. We have constant commercials for Sonic, but no Sonic. I hear they have like...a billion soda combinations. Being a soda afficionado, this excites me.

The drinks are the reason I go these days. Tons of combinations with the added flavors. I'm not a big fan of their burgers though, unless it's one of their limited time offerings, like the mushroom-swiss. Love their breakfast sandwiches. Among the best in fast food.

2 other places we enjoyed in Vegas last month were Top of the World at the Stratosphere and Austins Steakhouse in Texas Station. If you go to Top of the World, which has a great view of the city, and you're into wine, try the Brachetto Di Acqui from Marenco, Italy, a sweet red wine that my wife and I enjoyed when we ate there. And have the ribeye at Austins.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

And I'm suggesting a flight to quality, not necessarily meat.

Though, given the setup, I'd still recommend you get over yourself and start macking on some actual food. But still... Cheesecake Factory? Is that really the highest quality array of vegetarian options out there?

get over myself?


as far as "chain restaurants" go they have several options for vegetarians. If you can find something better and fits the question by all means suggest it.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Lathum

as far as "chain restaurants" go they have several options for vegetarians. If you can find something better and fits the question by all means suggest it.

My question was an honest one. I guess the CF is as good as any for variety just because they have a wide menu overall. I know of quite a few local places that my vegetarian wife enjoys regularly, but we don't frequent any true chain places.

[Lathum]

well sure there are great local places, but when I think chains I think of Fridays, Applebees, etc...

I just dont undesrstand what you meant by "get over yourself"

[CamEdwards]

Yeah, I'm changing my vote to Legal Seafood. Yesterday I was craving a burger, but today it's lobster and steamers.

Sorry Sonic... but you still kick In-n-Out's ass every day of the week.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I just dont undesrstand what you meant by "get over yourself"

Actually, I'm pretty sure that you understand exactly what I meant.

It's just the sort of poke that we savages use to disparage you people of conscience. Certainly it isn't the first time someone has made a gentle jab based on your dietary decision? I mean -- since you want to wear it on your sleeve, it has to come up, right?

As far as I'm concerned, my food chain begins with a styrofoam tray. It's possible that if I learned more and thought about it a lot, I'd gain a different view. That's likely why I don't do so.

[gstelmack]

Mmmmm, Ruth's Chris forever, mmmmmmm....

[Lathum]

I actualy dont wear lt on my sleeve at all. I may have mentioned it but I really could care less about animals or who eats them. I don't point out other peoples dietary habits at all.

I choose not to eat meat because I dont care for it. It has nothing to do with conscience.

You mentioned everyone who didnt choose a steakhouse is full of it and I was telling you my reason for not choosing a steakhouse.

I have never once on almost 10K posts trumpeted a vegaterian cause and never in my life tried to change someones outlook on the subject, so I see no need to "get over myself"

[Subby]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I actualy dont wear lt on my sleeve at all. I may have mentioned it but I really could care less about animals or who eats them. I don't point out other peoples dietary habits at all.

I choose not to eat meat because I dont care for it. It has nothing to do with conscience.

You mentioned everyone who didnt choose a steakhouse is full of it and I was telling you my reason for not choosing a steakhouse.

I have never once on almost 10K posts trumpeted a vegaterian cause and never in my life tried to change someones outlook on the subject, so I see no need to "get over myself"

OH SHIT ANOTHER INDIGNANT VEGETARIAN!!!!

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Seriously now -- if the setup is that cost and health don't matter (which it is) and nobody is declaring entries like Ruth's Chris as off limits (which they aren't)... what the fuck are you people doing haggling over bullshit like Chipotle, Red Lobster and Carraba's? Give me a break.

If places like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or even the Capital Grille are fair game here...and someone else is paying for it forever... you people either need to get out more, or just pull your heads out of your asses. I like a six dollar burrito as much as the next guy (likely more than him, actually) but spare me. I'll take a filet mignon with lump crabmeat, asparagus and bearnaise sauce pretty much every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night for the rest of my life, thankyouverymuch. And that's before we even open the wine list.

THINK.

I don't really eat red meat.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

If places like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or even the Capital Grille are fair game here..

Never heard of them

you people either need to get out more

No argument from me on that point.

[DrAFTjunkie]

Originally Posted by rjolley

The drinks are the reason I go these days. Tons of combinations with the added flavors. I'm not a big fan of their burgers though, unless it's one of their limited time offerings, like the mushroom-swiss. Love their breakfast sandwiches. Among the best in fast food.

2 other places we enjoyed in Vegas last month were Top of the World at the Stratosphere and Austins Steakhouse in Texas Station. If you go to Top of the World, which has a great view of the city, and you're into wine, try the Brachetto Di Acqui from Marenco, Italy, a sweet red wine that my wife and I enjoyed when we ate there. And have the ribeye at Austins.

Yeah, the burgers don't look very appetizing on tv...I'm all about the soda.

We're definitely into wine, so maybe a trip to Top of the World will be in order. I don't really eat steak though, so the ribeye is pretty much out of the question for me--unless there's a nice marinade involved.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by Subby

OH SHIT ANOTHER INDIGNANT VEGETARIAN!!!!

Don't make Critch sic a naked Amanda Beard on you.

[Danny]

Ruth Chris' isn't even that good of a steakhouse to me. They dry age their beef which pales in comparison to the restaurants who wet age their beef like Maestros, Flemming's and others. This is all a matter of preference of course.

I would not be happy eating every night in a steakhouse. Once a week is too much for me let alone every day.

[Cringer]

Does the food bar area in Whole Foods count? I love that place. I could eat there every day.

Expensive, so called high class joints, might have some good food. In all honesty though I am pretty sure I would get sick from being around the people in those places if I were eating there every night. Maybe I could get it to go?

In fact, the people around me would probably be the big factor in this for me. Can I stand certain types of people every night or not? The answer would be no for a lot of the better places I think.

[vex]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Not local, but I like Abuelo's better in OKC. Ted's is good too.

I wasn't real impressed by Abuelo's. Ted's(at least in Tulsa) is excellent though. Best I've had.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by cartman

RESTAURANT GENDER TEST

Likelihood of you being FEMALE is 100%
Likelihood of you being MALE is 0%

Meh, I'm not a big steak eater. I love pasta but at this point prefer to cook it on my own. Mimi's has a good selection of food, and they rotate their menu fairly often. And they serve breakfast during breakfast hours.

Mimis Cafe - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Never heard of Todai before, but it seems there's one "nearish" me so I may have to check it out. Granted, for sushi, I go to a fantastic little local joint.

/tk

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by vex

Ted's(at least in Tulsa) is excellent though. Best I've had.

Haven't tried the one in Tulsa yet. I'm still mad he expanded to Tulsa what was once a uniquely OKC spot.

As for Top of the World that somebody mentioned above, I ate there back when it first opened and was incredibly disappointed. It was overpriced, and the food was mediocre. Of course, that was a long time ago, so take it for what its worth. I wasn't much of a wine drinker then either. I should go back, give it another try and order the Brachetto Di Acqui.

[MizzouRah]

MMMMM... Steak n Shake frisco melt!!!

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Danny

Ruth Chris' isn't even that good of a steakhouse to me. They dry age their beef which pales in comparison to the restaurants who wet age their beef like Maestros, Flemming's and others. This is all a matter of preference of course.

I would not be happy eating every night in a steakhouse. Once a week is too much for me let alone every day.

Hooboy! We are two different people. I could eat in a steakhouse every night of the week and leave with a smile on my face. I swear, not a day goes by that I'm not craving steak at some point.

Having your food wrapped between bread, rice and seaweed, or tortillas?!?!?! That's for POOR PEOPLE! And, since I'm poor, that's the shit I have to do.

BUT, if I wasn't poor, and the rules of this thing say that my economic standing has no influence whatsoever, I'd be at Morton's every night, annoying the waitresses with my below-average flirting skills, and tipping the bartenders with twenties.

[ISiddiqui]

Have to agree with Danny. Would get bored eating steak every night.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

THINK.

I did. I just don't like all that shit you like.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

As for Top of the World that somebody mentioned above, I ate there back when it first opened and was incredibly disappointed. It was overpriced, and the food was mediocre. Of course, that was a long time ago, so take it for what its worth. I wasn't much of a wine drinker then either. I should go back, give it another try and order the Brachetto Di Acqui.

The food wasn't great, but it was good. The ambiance and the view more than made up for it, though. It was a memorable dinner on our anniversary.

And that wine was recommended by our waiter and was very good. We're looking at getting some here in Georgia to see if the wineries they sell here taste as good.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by rjolley

The food wasn't great, but it was good. The ambiance and the view more than made up for it, though. It was a memorable dinner on our anniversary.

And that wine was recommended by our waiter and was very good. We're looking at getting some here in Georgia to see if the wineries they sell here taste as good.

Agreed, definitely memorable if I can still recall it fairly clearly this long after the fact (can't remember exactly but I'm sure it was at least 8/9 years ago). I recall being disappointed with the food, but it may very well have been a case of high expectations because it had been recommended by some friends who had gone the previous summer.

BTW, is that wine a sparkling red?

[DaddyTorgo]

I think we need to have a defination of "chain" that includes "locations in more than one region of the country" to really get to the bottom of this question