So, what's your favorite chain restaurant?

[Judge Smails]

I'm well aware that there are a good number of food snobs that frequent this board and that I am opening myself up to all sorts of attacks on my character and my "trailer trash" mentality that would even broach the subject of eating at one of these establishments. Some (Gvac mostly) would even chastise me for not giving my patronage to an idependently owned local business.

While I often frequent several local restaurants, there are times when I find myself away from my homebase and am unfamiliar with all of the dining options. In such instances, I would much rather accept the known quantity of a large chain restaurant, with an established level of quality, than to take my chances at some "mom and pop" place which might turn out to be fabulous or a dive.

So, in an effort to expand my dining choices when travelling I'd lik to ask which chains everyone finds to be good. I enjoy Outback, Carraba's and Bonefish Grill in particular. What's your opinion? I'd like to know.

Oh, and the first person who says Olive Garden or Red Lobster can go shove their mozerella stick appetizers right up their bunghole.

[drjoek]

Desert Moon Cafe for decent mexican take out

No shame in that

[topless_mike]

http://www.businessandtechnologylinks.com/3dennys.jpg

[King Hippos Bandaid]

so many to choose from

Carrabbas is on top of my list at the moment

I enjoyed Bonefish and HATE Outback


I also have been enjoying Houlihans and Ruby Tuesdays , much better quality then your TGIFridays and Bennigans

[Jujubees2]

http://www.businessandtechnologylinks.com/3dennys.jpg

http://www.musicomh.com/anidifranco/ani-difranco.jpg

[mendyweiss]

Five Guys
Nathan's on the the Jersey Turnpike (I know !!!)
Lebanese Taverna ( DC Thing )

[Jujubees2]

Traveling with the basketball team here we have a lot of dinners at TGIFs and Appelbees. Don't really care for either of them.

I'd go for Unos, California Pizza Kitchen or Legal Seafood

[Jughead]

But I like Red lobster???..Ok hand me my appetizer ....:sad:

[jonyrotn]

the first person who says Olive Garden or Red Lobster can go shove their mozerella stick appetizers right up their bunghole.

FOOD SNOB!

[A.J.]

http://homepage.mac.com/kefkafloyd/valleyroads/images/20e_friendlys.jpg

[Jujubees2]

http://homepage.mac.com/kefkafloyd/valleyroads/images/20e_friendlys.jpg

Being from Rhode Island, I prefer:

http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/2b24aaea-4d01-402d-a4d0-746c1184187f.jpg

[pennington]

I like Panera and the salad bar at Charlie Brown's is always good to hit once or twice a month.

[ADF]

The Monte Cristo at Bennigan's is pretty good. I don't mind chain places so much, but local is always better.

[EddieMoscone]

I agree with Legal Seafood.I also went to this Mexican Grill joint called On The Border in Long Island on a whim and was really surprised how fresh the food tasted.

[IamFogHat]

so many to choose from

Carrabbas is on top of my list at the moment

I enjoyed Bonefish and HATE Outback


I also have been enjoying Houlihans and Ruby Tuesdays , much better quality then your TGIFridays and Bennigans

Did you move to Northern Virginia?

[grlNIN]

Bertuccis and Baja Fresh have been the best as of late.

It's hard for me to find things to eat at a lot of chains so i'm limited.

Carrabas is the worst, they have the shittiest menu ever.

[~Katja~]

Carraba's is the only chain I like...
beats Olive garden by far.

[Hosp]

Romano's macaroni grill may have been the worst meal I've ever had.

Only thing I'll eat at Cracker Barrel is Southern Fried Steak.

I wanted to go to Applebees for their Ultimate Recipie Showdown menu from the Food Network, but usually don't like their food.

Otherwise, enjoy your wonder bread and bologna. My favorite restaurant is a place with 24 seats total, but the food is amazing. So feel free to play it safe.

[Sarge]

Chilie's, and On the Boarder are two of my favorite.

[topless_mike]

I wanted to go to <s>Applebees</s> for their Ultimate Recipie Showdown menu from the Food Network, but usually don't like their food.


coughITSTGIFRIDAYScough

[Hosp]

coughITSTGIFRIDAYScough

Oh, it's all the same fucking crappy food.

So which was your favorite dish, Mike?

[topless_mike]

dunno.
i've watched maybe 10 min of that shitty show.
and havent set foot in a TGI's since '01, and have no desire to go to one again.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

dunno.
i've watched maybe 10 min of that shitty show.
and havent set foot in a TGI's since '01, and have no desire to go to one again.

I was gonna correct Mr. Hosp, was in Fridays last week, it sucked balls

but a good happy hour

[underdog]

Capital Grille.

[FUNKMAN]

i've cut down on chains, i already get enough iron in my diet...

[JohnWC]

Chipotle. Baja Fresh and La Salsa are good too but none around where I live.. Stuck with Taco Bell which you couldn't pay me to eat.

I go to In-N-Out every time I'm in California.. and even when I was in Vegas.

Legal Seafoods is good for chowder and a beer.

[underdog]

Boston Market and Quiznos.

[jauble]

I loved these commercials...mostly because they drove my roommate nuts

http://theoriginalwhatsforlunch.com/wp-content/photos/legendary_ads_56_2.jpg

[weekapaugjz]

red robin. man i fucking love their burgers. i always have the hardest time choosing while im there. mmmmm....unlimited steak fries

[King Hippos Bandaid]

red robin. man i fucking love their burgers. i always have the hardest time choosing while im there. mmmmm....unlimited steak fries


you know what, they rock, but I have only been there once in the last 4 years

love the fry seasoning and the burgers are 3 star

found one in Plainfield NJ, I should go back

[weekapaugjz]

you know what, they rock, but I have only been there once in the last 4 years

love the fry seasoning and the burgers are 3 star

found one in Plainfield NJ, I should go back

you should, and if i know your tastes, try the royal red robin burger. loaded up with bacon and a fried egg. fantastic.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

you should, and if i know your tastes, try the royal red robin burger. loaded up with bacon and a fried egg. fantastic.

thats mah baby

loved that Bacon and Egg Burger

you know me so well

[topless_mike]

you know what, they rock, but I have only been there once in the last 4 years

love the fry seasoning and the burgers are 3 star

found one in Plainfield NJ, I should go back

also one in secaucus.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

also one in secaucus.

fucking starving , Plainfield is closer to me though

[drusilla]

capitol grille & legal seafood are on the high end of chains. i really wouldn't put them in the same category as chilis or applebees.

as for the big time chains, i'll have to say mortons.

but for regular quality chain food i'll go with chilis or cpk.

fast food, boston market.

[sailor]

not really a restaurant, but i love panera. i love sandwiches in particular and bread in general and they do both well. quiznos was wildly disappointing both times i've gone there, but the food looks amazing in their ads.

[Snacks]

capitol grille & legal seafood are on the high end of chains. i really wouldn't put them in the same category as chilis or applebees.

as for the big time chains, i'll have to say mortons.

but for regular quality chain food i'll go with chilis or cpk.

fast food, boston market.

legal seafood used to be one of my favorite restaurants years ago when they had 1 location in boston. now that they became a chain and have locations everywhere their food taste different and the menu is limited compared to before.

[Jughead]

Legal Seafood....???..Is it a chain Ive never heard of it but its been mentioned a few times must be good...Hope they come here someday..

[furie]

so it's snobbish to want to eat quality?

For chins, i guess boston market;'s would top my list.

[RhinoinMN]

This is a good one for this area.

http://www.timberlodgesteakhouse.com/home.php

[Jughead]

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rth0537l.jpg

[RhinoinMN]

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rth0537l.jpg

haha

Reminds me of my late grandma. When she visited us a couple of years ago I asked her

Me - "Where did you guys eat"

Her - "Ohhh, this wonderful restaurant called Applebees."

Me - "You liked it?"

Her - "Oh ya. Ya know it is the neighborhood bar and grill. Must be the town favorite."


RIP grandma.

[Ritalin]

Ruth's Chris or Houstons

[IMSlacker]

I like Pei Wei quite a bit. Also, Taco Cabana.

[Kris10]

Sonic

Ya, I'm white trash.

[Sinestro]

Sonic

Ya, I'm white trash.

Where's the Sonic by you??

[Marc with a c]

thank you johnwc

the answer is chipotle. don't listen to matty

[grlNIN]

The only Chipolte ive ever seen or eaten at was in Kentucky.

I bit into the burrito sideways and it was all downhill from there.

[Marc with a c]

how do you bite into a burrito sideways? like in the middle?

[Kris10]

Where's the Sonic by you??

they just opened one in waretown but before than when I lived in NC we use to go all the time.

[grlNIN]

how do you bite into a burrito sideways? like in the middle?

Yeah. it was so big i had to hold it in my hand side to side.

[Marc with a c]

Yeah. it was so big i had to hold it in my hand side to side.

you were clearly on drugs

[Fezticle98]

PF Chang's is pretty good.

It's an Italian place.

[PapaBear]

http://www.corporatefinishes.com/images/5guys_xszn.jpg

[sailor]

Yeah. it was so big i had to hold it in my hand side to side.

why would you pick it up?

[Kris10]

PF Chang's is pretty good.

It's an Italian place.

It is????

[Judge Smails]

An open message to King Hippo's Bandaid:

If you work at the Cruise Center that I think you do, then I noticed today that they are putting a Harold's Deli in the Days Hotel which is about a quarter of a mile up Rt. 18 from you. FYI: Their BLT sandwich has over a pound of bacon on it!

[grlNIN]

you were clearly on drugs

I'd never seen a burrito of such magnitude and delicious force.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Chipotle sucks.

Houlihan's - delicious!

and if there's a harold's coming to East Brunswick, is it a fake Harold's, or actually run by Harold from the one in Edison? There's only one true harold!

[Tenbatsuzen]

Yeah. it was so big i had to hold it in my hand side to side.

muttley laugh... HERE

[Marc with a c]

ha. i love burrito sexual innuendo

[Radioguy]

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1426/logoarthurtreachersfn5.gif

Few and far between now. :(

[PapaBear]

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1426/logoarthurtreachersfn5.gif

Few and far between now. :(

They still exist? Damn! I haven't seen one in about 30 years.

[Radioguy]

They still exist? Damn! I haven't seen one in about 30 years.

Yeah, me too for decades. Then the brand was bought and re-franchised nationally in the late 90s/00s. They opened a bunch in the city, and most closed. Now it exists (here) as secondary "co-brand" franchises. (A combined Subway/Nathan's/Dunkin' Donuts etc place)

Shame.

[FUNKMAN]

http://www.megapartyevents.com/webImages/hotDog.jpg

[Jujubees2]

America's Healthiest Restaurants (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23731208/)

Glad to see my favorite, Sweet Tomatos/Soup Plantation on the list even if there are none on the east coast.

[Mike Teacher]

I had a Big Mac an hour ago.

Boy are my arms tired.

[rimshot]

[bigredd]

I'm a big fan of Taco Cabana, I can bang down some Chili's cheese dip any time and Applebee's might be the worst fucking place EVER although they make a decent margarita.

[Sinestro]

Hooters

[Gvac]

This thread makes me weep.

Openly.

[Sinestro]

This thread makes me weep.

Openly.

Porque?

[Gvac]

Porque?

I've got a few close friends who are/were restaurant owners and I know what in incredibly difficult business it is. Some people pour their life savings into opening up a restaurant and work obscene hours trying to make it work, usually putting in 16 hour days 7 days a week trying to get it off the ground. There's no such thing as a day off. In fact, on holidays you work ten times harder.

I find it sad that people frequent these chain eateries where they're served pre-packaged frozen shit instead of supporting a person or family that's pouring their heart and soul into a place, desperately trying to put out the highest quality meals they can.

But that's just me.

[Radioguy]

Well, franchise owners have hardships too. They're usually first time business owners and often get screwed over by the chains on locations and startup costs. Often they buy a franchise instead of starting up a restaurant because it's so hard to get recognition. A chain is guaranteed, or thought to be, a certain amount of business.

[sailor]

Well, franchise owners have hardships too. They're usually first time business owners and often get screwed over by the chains on locations and startup costs. Often they buy a franchise instead of starting up a restaurant because it's so hard to get recognition. A chain is guaranteed, or thought to be, a certain amount of business.

very, very good point. franchise owners are generally small-businessmen, no matter the name they are affiliated with.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

very, very good point. franchise owners are generally small-businessmen, no matter the name they are affiliated with.

this is true

In Staten Island, all 3 Quiznos closed downed, the owner was making enough money to make scale, utilities bills and wages were more than what he was making

big name but , no more

same with the Taco Bells, w only have 2 instead of 8

When I worked at Chuck E Cheese, we were losing $$. the only reason they stay open, because they were corporate

[Radioguy]

this is true

In Staten Island, all 3 Quiznos closed downed, the owner was making enough money to make scale, utilities bills and wages were more than what he was making

big name but , no more

same with the Taco Bells, w only have 2 instead of 8

When I worked at Chuck E Cheese, we were losing $$. the only reason they stay open, because they were corporate

The three closest Quiznos to me all closed for the same reason. I have to go to Manhattan now for an overpriced sandwich. ;)

[JPMNICK]

Ruth Chris is the best chain

reasonably priced chain i would say bonefish grill

[Heather 8]

Surf Taco. Not the healthiest "fast food," but they give the illusion of better eating, which works for me.

[Whiskeyportal]

Pappadeauxs. Great cajun seafood. Spendy, but well worth it:thumbup:

[Snacks]

Ruth Chris is the best chain

reasonably priced chain i would say bonefish grill

ruth cris is my all time favorite restaurant. i dont know if they are all franchised. i think they are all corporate owned. but i dont know for sure.

i want to try bonefish grill.

Surf Taco. Not the healthiest "fast food," but they give the illusion of better eating, which works for me.

i heard the food is great. arent all their locations down the shore? i dont think they have any opened in north jersey yet.

[sailor]

Surf Taco. Not the healthiest "fast food," but they give the illusion of better eating, which works for me.

never heard of surf taco, but i used to enjoy maui taco on like 33rd street.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

edit wrong thread

[sailor]

I apologize to myself for starting that thread


to sailor I apologize about nothing

keep it up and people will start to think you don't like me.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

keep it up and people will start to think you don't like me.

I suck, this was supposed to be in the apology thread

and not to you, I really suck

[bigredd]

It takes some serious capital to get most franchises. Roughly ten years ago you had to have $3,000,000 liquid to even be considered for a fucking Bennigan's franchise. Most of the people whoe own franchises of major names haven't been small businessmen in years. That being said I have to think most owners of small palces would love for their babies to morph into ginormous franchises making them wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. I doubt any of them got into the business for the long hours and the high probability of bankruptcy. I'm sure we'd all rather eat at a local establishment rather than the local Chili's but the thread wasn't "Where would you rather eat than a locally owned restaurant?". It is disappointing that someone's favorite place is a chain though.

I forgot Ruth's Chris. Yummy.

[Heather 8]

never heard of surf taco, but i used to enjoy maui taco on like 33rd street.

So far it's a Central Jersey thing; there's 7 stores open now, with an 8th opening in Long Branch soon.

[IMSlacker]

This thread makes me weep.

Openly.

I will pay $50 for a photograph of Gv with a c either eating, or carrying a bag of fast food.

$100 for a photograph of Gv with a c weeping openly.





























photoshops do not count. Gv with a c and all Gv with a c board characters are ineligible for this promotion.

[RAAMONE]

lets get 2 popular ones outta the way...Applebees sucks...Olive Garden sucks

I choose "Rudy Tuesday" i went there for the first time over the weekend

-they had great beer (dogfish head, magic hat, stella artois)

-I ate salmon oscar (which is probably my alltime favorite meal) ive never even seen it served at a chain and it was reallly fuckin good...i actually cant wait to go back

[TjM]

Probably The Longhorn

[DonInNC]

Wow, lots of Legal Seafood and Ruth's Chris in this thread. I always feel like I just got ripped off whenever I leave either one of those places.

Griolli's, Dave's Cosmic Subs, and Five Guys.

[Friday]

Bensi (http://www.bensirestaurants.com/index.html) is a small chain, and I have only eaten there a few times but their pasta dishes are tasty and the service is usually decent. The lunch portions are very reasonably priced too.

[happytypinggirl]

Chilis. Boneless Buffalo Wings are damn near heavenly.

[Chris from TX]

Outback

or Chipotle

[Killatrees420]

I like to go to Hooters for obvious reasons....

[Tenbatsuzen]

Bensi (http://www.bensirestaurants.com/index.html) is a small chain, and I have only eaten there a few times but their pasta dishes are tasty and the service is usually decent. The lunch portions are very reasonably priced too.

Bensi is fucking awful. The only good chain Italian is Maggiano's, otherwise, eat local.

[Coach]

Damons

[ahhdurr]

Chilie's, and On the Boarder are two of my favorite.

These are the first two that come to mind for me. I dig the whole southwestern motif of these places. Also, though I think they're limited to the NJ area, Baja Fresh does awesome slightly more expensive than fast food mexican fast food.

[A.J.]

Bensi is fucking awful. The only good chain Italian is Maggiano's, otherwise, eat local.

If you live in the Northeast and even THINK of going to a chain Italian restaurant, you should be ashamed. I'd kill to be able to have access to real Italian food.

[Sue_Bender]

Fuddruckers.

[Lady Resin]

Every once in awhile we go to Chevys. We get the sampler platter and the small margaritas. I love the salsa. I have the recipe from secret recipes site.

[Tenbatsuzen]

If you live in the Northeast and even THINK of going to a chain Italian restaurant, you should be ashamed. I'd kill to be able to have access to real Italian food.

I try to eat local Italian, but Maggiano's is really just that good.

[reillyluck]

I have two.

Chipotle. Nuff said.


Johnny Rockets. I mean i hate all the musical crap that comes along with it, but usually i'll wait outside until they do their lil' song n' dance and as soon as its almost over, i'll go in. I have more than enough time to eat before the next stupid show starts. Great burgers & Strawberry milkshakes.

[sailor]

since everyone seems to be throwing out burger joints, i'll add:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/FATBURGER.gif/200px-FATBURGER.gif

[lleeder]

since everyone seems to be throwing out burger joints, i'll add:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/FATBURGER.gif/200px-FATBURGER.gif

If I wanna squirt her...

[Tenbatsuzen]

I have two.

Chipotle. Nuff said.




SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH

[Reephdweller]

For higher end chains I like...
Maggiano's
Cheesecake Factory
Benihana
Houston's

For reasonable priced chains...
Carino's
Houlihans
Carrabbas
Bensi
Ben's Kosher Deli
On The Border

Last week I went to Joe's Crab Shack for the first time, it was pretty decent and we had a good time.

For cheap chains I'll go with...
Chipotle

I love Chili's buffalo chicken, and their buffalo chicken salad.

[cougarjake13]

my fav lately has been grillsmith

[pittphantoms]

Pappadeauxs. Great cajun seafood. Spendy, but well worth it:thumbup:

I just recently moved from Texas to Charlotte and the first thing I missed was Pappadeauxs... they have very good Civiche that I have been itching for...

[envirogator]

Pappadeauxs

Whenever I'm in Texas at least one meal is there...I love the crawfish bisque!:clap:

[A.J.]

I try to eat local Italian, but Maggiano's is really just that good.

Everytime I've had it, I found it to be an excellent laxative.

[TooLowBrow]

Applebee's is starting to sell realburgers...

as opposed to the crapburgers theyve had so far (http://www.burgerbusiness.com/?p=1054)

[Mullenax]

Mostly I eat appetizers wherever- so it's a tossup between Chili's southwest egg rolls and Friday's Jack Daniels chicken... hunks. It's been a while.

Q'doba over Chipotle any day of the week for high-end burritos. Jimmy John's over Subway.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Panang.

If we wanna be fancypants, The Palm.

[Gvac]

Applebee's is starting to sell realburgers...

as opposed to the crapburgers theyve had so far (http://www.burgerbusiness.com/?p=1054)

I would eat raw pig before I ever ate at an Applebee's.

Anyone who eats there deserves the food poisoning they're sure to get.

[The End]

I would eat raw pig before I ever ate at an Applebee's.

Anyone who eats there deserves the food poisoning they're sure to get.

I would rather grill burgers at a friends house on a weekend then ever go to a chain restaurant

[Gvac]

I'm with you there, buddy.

Chain restaurants are for faggots who believe the ridiculous "hungry for fun" commercials on TV.

Poor pathetic bastards actually think they'll have a good time and get laid by frequenting one of these corporate shit holes.

[underdog]

Poor pathetic bastards actually think they'll have a good time and get laid by frequenting one of these corporate shit holes.

I used to get laid by going to a chain restaurant. It was awesome.

[The End]

I'm with you there, buddy.

Chain restaurants are for faggots who believe the ridiculous "hungry for fun" commercials on TV.

Poor pathetic bastards actually think they'll have a good time and get laid by frequenting one of these corporate shit holes.

Seriously! I went to Fridays once, worse meal I have ever eaten.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

I used to get laid by going to a chain restaurant. It was awesome.

One time I went to Bennigan's with a girl, stayed at her place the first time ever that night, and four hours later I could never stop shitting. It was godlike.

I dunno if that's part of the getting laid at a chain restaurant experience, but it was certainly a night to remember for me.

[boosterp]

Chick Fil-A is good for fast food.

Pee Wei is a good Asian food chain.

Panera's for a decent quick samich.

[KingModem]

Buffalo Wild Wings. I love local joints, but Buffalo Wild Wings always has great wings, great sauce, good beer selection and beer specials, and I can always get them to turn on my Twins game wherever I am in the country at that moment.

Plus the cute early 20's women working there, always a plus.

[KingModem]

And Morton's Steakhouse. Almost forgot

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/25/MortonsLogo.png/225px-MortonsLogo.png

[JimBeam]

I love Cracker Barrel.

[Mullenax]

And Morton's Steakhouse. Almost forgot

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/25/MortonsLogo.png/225px-MortonsLogo.png

That Morton's logo looks like cock and balls to me. The food must be really good for them not to change it. I'm sold.

[RAAMONE]

I love Cracker Barrel.

i have to aggree with this...for comfort food it is great...open faced roast beef rules

[jessicaduh]

can someone please explain to me why...when people go on vacation...they go to the same fucking chain restaurants they could visit at home - but often much more expensively? why wouldn't you explore the local cuisine?

i never understood that. but i don't understand going to chains in general.

[TooLowBrow]

can someone please explain to me why...when people go on vacation...they go to the same fucking chain restaurants they could visit at home - but often much more expensively? why wouldn't you explore the local cuisine?

i never understood that. but i don't understand going to chains in general.

when i was in hawaii last year we asked the hotel dude for a good local place.

we were advised to go to wolfgang pucks
:sad:

[TheGameHHH]

I've got a few close friends who are/were restaurant owners and I know what in incredibly difficult business it is. Some people pour their life savings into opening up a restaurant and work obscene hours trying to make it work, usually putting in 16 hour days 7 days a week trying to get it off the ground. There's no such thing as a day off. In fact, on holidays you work ten times harder.

I find it sad that people frequent these chain eateries where they're served pre-packaged frozen shit instead of supporting a person or family that's pouring their heart and soul into a place, desperately trying to put out the highest quality meals they can.

But that's just me.

i with you on some of this, but dont you think the people that originally founded those shitty chains worked just as hard and labored just as many hours as your friends to make their business successful? If you buddies got millions of dollars to expand their business all while suffering the minor setback of serving some things frozen and pre-packaged, theyd all take that deal in a minute.

[razorboy]

Chain restaurants are boring.