What's your favorite restaurant chain?

Kodos · 02-06-2006, 05:22 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 05:29 PM

Don Pablo's

Karlifornia · 02-06-2006, 05:31 PM

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

Eaglesfan27 · 02-06-2006, 05:31 PM

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

FBPro · 02-06-2006, 05:31 PM

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

gkb · 02-06-2006, 05:32 PM

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

JeeberD · 02-06-2006, 05:32 PM

Chain restaurants suck.

JeeberD · 02-06-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBPro

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 · 02-06-2006, 05:36 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

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 · 02-06-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 02-06-2006, 05:44 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 06:06 PM

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

JonInMiddleGA · 02-06-2006, 06:20 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

-- 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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

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 · 02-06-2006, 06:27 PM

Chipotle - hand's down.

Dutch · 02-06-2006, 06:27 PM

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

JonInMiddleGA · 02-06-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

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 · 02-06-2006, 06:29 PM

Fazoli's and Applebee's.

Schmidty · 02-06-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

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 · 02-06-2006, 06:39 PM

nifty fifties for milkshakes and soda.

chain restaurant's are for the birds.

jbmagic · 02-06-2006, 06:40 PM

Lucille's BBQ

bosshogg23 · 02-06-2006, 06:47 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 06:48 PM

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

Coffee Warlord · 02-06-2006, 06:50 PM

Red Lobster, Applebee's, Chipotle

hoopsguy · 02-06-2006, 06:58 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:01 PM

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

jeff061 · 02-06-2006, 07:03 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:06 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:10 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:33 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Benihana and Olive Garden for me....i love the salad at both places

Buccaneer · 02-06-2006, 07:47 PM

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

My vote would be Macaroni Grill and Chipotle.

JonInMiddleGA · 02-06-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

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 · 02-06-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Chain restaurants suck.

I am wondering how people tell them apart.

hoopsguy · 02-06-2006, 07:53 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 08:07 PM

Macaroni grill and Red Lobster

sterlingice · 02-06-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:02 PM

Kodos do you eat all that food in one sitting?

stevew · 02-06-2006, 09:03 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:03 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:24 PM

Wendy's

Draft Dodger · 02-06-2006, 09:26 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:26 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:29 PM

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

Wolfpack · 02-06-2006, 09:34 PM

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

Eaglesfan27 · 02-06-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George W Bush

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:40 PM

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 · 02-06-2006, 09:53 PM

Macaroni Grill, Bennigans, PF Changs, Chili's

02-06-2006, 05:29 PM	#2
Coop High School JV Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NJ	Don Pablo's __________________ eNFL-Carolina Panthers Xbox Live- Coop421

02-06-2006, 05:31 PM	#3
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Black Angus I think. There's another steakhouse chain that I went to in New Mexico that was pretty good. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

02-06-2006, 05:31 PM	#4
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	I'd agree with the Outback. I also like Red Lobster (mainly for the cheesy biscuits.) __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

02-06-2006, 05:31 PM	#5
FBPro College Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SE	Outback, Red Lobster(or any related chain-get "the son's family discount"-Olive garden, etc fall into this). __________________ GM RayCo Raiders-est. 2004-2012 Charter member of the IHOF-RayCo GM GM Tennessee Titans PFL 2011-2014 GM Tennessee Titans FOWL 2020-2025

02-06-2006, 05:32 PM	#6
gkb High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado	Ted's Montana Grill. I freakin' love this place...great buffalo burgers, great shakes, great fries, great everything. __________________ BALLERZ YO, fo shizzle. - QuikSand

02-06-2006, 05:32 PM	#7
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Chain restaurants suck. __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

02-06-2006, 05:36 PM	#9
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	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. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

02-06-2006, 05:44 PM	#12
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	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. __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

02-06-2006, 06:06 PM	#13
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or Texas de Brazil Churrascaria are my favorites. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

02-06-2006, 06:20 PM	#14
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	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 ) __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

02-06-2006, 06:27 PM	#16
lighthousekeeper College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	Chipotle - hand's down. __________________ ...

02-06-2006, 06:27 PM	#17
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	I could eat at Smokey Bones every day of the week...mmmmmm... Last edited by Dutch : 02-06-2006 at 06:30 PM.

02-06-2006, 06:29 PM	#19
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Fazoli's and Applebee's. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

02-06-2006, 06:39 PM	#21
ageofquarrel H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Feb 2004	nifty fifties for milkshakes and soda. chain restaurant's are for the birds.

02-06-2006, 06:40 PM	#22
jbmagic Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2004	Lucille's BBQ

02-06-2006, 06:47 PM	#23
bosshogg23 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Philly	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.

02-06-2006, 06:48 PM	#24
TheOhioStateUniversity High School Varsity Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, GA via Columbus, OH	Cheesecake Factory, I love cheesecake and the menu offers a plethora of choices. __________________ Buckeyes Football/Basketball >>>> Your Favorite School

02-06-2006, 06:50 PM	#25
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	Red Lobster, Applebee's, Chipotle

02-06-2006, 06:58 PM	#26
hoopsguy General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago	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.

02-06-2006, 07:01 PM	#27
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	Places like Ruth's Chris doesn't really count as a "chain" for me.

02-06-2006, 07:03 PM	#28
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	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. __________________

02-06-2006, 07:06 PM	#29
Tigercat College Starter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Federal Way, WA	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.

02-06-2006, 07:10 PM	#30
TheOhioStateUniversity High School Varsity Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, GA via Columbus, OH	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. __________________ Buckeyes Football/Basketball >>>> Your Favorite School

02-06-2006, 07:33 PM	#31
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	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. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

02-06-2006, 07:47 PM	#34
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	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 My vote would be Macaroni Grill and Chipotle. Last edited by Buccaneer : 02-06-2006 at 07:47 PM.

02-06-2006, 07:53 PM	#37
hoopsguy General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago	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 ...

02-06-2006, 08:07 PM	#38
LoneStarGirl College Starter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Little Rock, AR	Macaroni grill and Red Lobster

02-06-2006, 09:02 PM	#40
TheOhioStateUniversity High School Varsity Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, GA via Columbus, OH	Kodos do you eat all that food in one sitting? __________________ Buckeyes Football/Basketball >>>> Your Favorite School

02-06-2006, 09:03 PM	#41
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	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.

02-06-2006, 09:03 PM	#42
sooner333 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Norman, OK	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.

02-06-2006, 09:24 PM	#43
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	Wendy's

02-06-2006, 09:26 PM	#44
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	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. __________________ Mile High Hockey

02-06-2006, 09:29 PM	#46
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	Chevy's is a chain? I was in there one time and it was a dump so I figured it was just local.

02-06-2006, 09:34 PM	#47
Wolfpack Pro Rookie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC	I'll put up a new one: PF Chang's China Bistro. That's good stuff.

02-06-2006, 09:40 PM	#49
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	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") Last edited by MrBug708 : 02-06-2006 at 09:41 PM.