Chain Restaurant you Really Like

[MadBadger]

For me its definitely The Cheesecake Factory. Though its always jam packed, the food has always been really good (love the factory meatloaf) and has really generous portions. The cheesecake really is phenomenal.

[KamaAina]

1. Olive Garden

:hide:

[MadBadger]

3. I strongly agree and strongly disagree

Soup, Salad, Breadsticks is a great deal. The rest of the food tastes like a Lean Cuisine. Though never ending pasta bowl is a great deal

[KamaAina]

4. I've never even been

but it's a Lounge classic. :-)

[WinkyDink]

25. Same here! And I know from Italian food, by heritage and travels.

[Dr Morbius]

27. Little too salty for me.

I recommend instead Giordano's, around Chicago anyway. Decent pizza of all kinds, and good food besides. We went there recently and my wife had spinach ravioli (spinach pasta as well as filling; they're bright green) and raved. I don't remember what I ordered as a main course (think it was a beef/sausage combo) because the reason we went was the breaded mushrooms; they're really awesome there.

National chain? Don't much like any of them, except Taco Bell.

[fishwax]

39. mmm ... Giordano's

[Taverner]

68. I agree

But their Narwhal sandwich - Harsh!

[Crystal Clarity]

163. Me too

The Pasta Figole(sp?), bread sticks with alfredo dipping sauce, and Yummmmm... Manicotti! :bounce:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. McCormick and Schmick's

It's a seafood restaurant that started up in Seattle, I think.

We enjoy it.

:hi:

[abbeyco]

16. I can't disagree, CalPeg - great food there

I'm also a fan of Bonefish Grill - part of the Outback Steakhouse chain. Great food and I've been jonsing for some of their Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer. YUM!

[elfrangel]

92. had Bonefish Grill for the first time ever this year...

We were in Myrtle Beach on vacation and tried the place out. OMG!!!! LOVE it! So good. I had the Parmesan/Pecan Crusted trout, hubby had the salmon and kiddo had popcorn shrimp.

I so hated to leave what I couldn't finish on my plate. It was so good! Found out that there is one close to where we live..I get Mother's Day today b/c of my work schedule. Maybe I will go there for dinner. :)

[TZ]

5. I agree with you completely on the Cheescake Factory

I've never had a bad meal there. And the Cheesecake IS unbelievably good.

[jobycom]

8. I have had nearly sexual fantasies about their sweet corn tamale cakes appetizers.

[MadBadger]

54. Besides the cheesecake, the Fried Macaroni can do that to me

[jobycom]

6. Pei Wei and Sweet Tomatoes

The first time I went into a Sweet Tomatoes and saw a food labeled "Non-vegetarian" I got tears in my eyes. It's nice to be the standard that others have to adjust to just once in a while. :)

Pei Wei makes some good vegetarian dishes, and I like what they do with tofu. Yeah, I said tofu, deal with it.

[MrCoffee]

19. Ohhh...Sweet Tomatoes

That's good salad.

[Kutjara]

50. I second Pei Wei. n/t

[nickinSTL]

56. Sweet Tomatoes is a good one

Mostly, we eat at non-chains, but Sweet Tomatoes is a good option.

Especially for us vegetarians.

(though I'm not exactly a vegetarian - I mostly eat vegetarian because I'm on a low-protein diet and don't like much meat, anyway)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

96. Sweet Tomatoes is great!

I can fill up without having to feel too guilty for it.

[begin_within]

102. Sweet Tomatoes is called 'Souplantation' in California

I like it too but I always overeat there so I don't go there much.

[driver8]

108. Sweet Tomatoes / Soup Plantation is awesome. My kids love to go there --

and they actually eat their meals!

Good stuff!

[tblue]

109. Sweet Tomatoes, definitely. Great soups!

Never heard of Pei Wei. Where is it?

[NewJeffCT]

118. Never heard of either one

or a bunch on this thread... guess we're sheltered here in CT

[hippywife]

156. Pei Wei is a lower cost, more casual option

in the P.F. Chang's restaurant group.

[fishwax]

136. I've never heard of Sweet Tomatoes

but it/souplantation sounds interesting. I have tried Pei Wei--good stuff :)

[arbusto_baboso]

7. Pep Boys

Wait... that's not a restaurant?

What the HELL have I been eating?!?!?

[jobycom]

9. They are way too greasy and use way too much oil, but they are generous with the nuts.

[arbusto_baboso]

12. The wings are a bit too crunchy, though.

[mitchum]

10. I have finally accepted the fact that their cherry air fresheners...

taste nothing like cherries

[arbusto_baboso]

13. I had a similar experience with the pine variety.

[mitchum]

14. I agree, but if you soak the pine ones in grain alcohol...

it makes a somewhat convincing substitute for gin. Trust me.

[Throd]

11. Carl's Jr.

[lazarus]

15. In n Out

animal style, best burgers of any chain by far. Of course, I can't eat them anymore.

I actually like the chicken at both KFC and Popeye's. Very good stuff.

[LibDemAlways]

91. The one burger place where you don't even need to order the meat. The

grilled cheese animal style is delicious. My daughter loves the animal style fries. A steady diet would be a killer, but for the occasional treat, cheap and tasty.

[tblue]

110. I order the grilled cheese. Love it! Animal style means what again?

I forget & never tried it.

[begin_within]

103. I've been very disappointed by In-N-Out

Last 2 times I was there I got very dry, tough burgers. It's like they don't care about the product quality any more. I won't be going back there, especially since I discovered Burger Lounge.

[Burma Jones]

17. Panera Bread

[fishwax]

51. I like their Asiago bread

And their Asiago bagels. (I'm a sucker for Asiago.)

[nickinSTL]

57. another good one

I like their asiago cheese stuff, and their current tomato & mozzarella panini is quite good.

[blue_onyx]

148. I like Panera too

The Broccoli Cheddar soup is great

[azmouse]

18. PF Chang's

[Minimus]

31. Me too --- they have a great gluten-free menu!

[azmouse]

43. I just wish it wasn't so expensive

I'd eat there more.
Love the salt and pepper calamari! :9

[Dulcinea]

20. Subway.

It's a $5 Footlong for me when the DH is out of town & I don't have to cook.

[hippywife]

21. Only one and that's Carrabba's.

:hi:

[MadBadger]

23. Have you had the Sausage and Lentil soup?

Its to die for. That and the limoncello bread pudding

[hippywife]

24. This is what I get every single time I go:

Cozzi in Bianco, Italian salad, and Pollo Rosa Maria with cavatappi amatriciana. Every time. :hi:

[TommyO]

87. Yes and yes!

The sausage and lentil soup is my favorite, and when it's available I'll get it over a salad any day. The Limoncello bread pudding is a special treat, and we share it when we get it.

Edited to add, my favorite entree is Chicken Bryan, though I've enjoyed others like Spiedino Di Mare (grilled shrimp and scallops, YUM).

[hippywife]

145. I tried a bite of my husband's Chicken Bryan

the last time we were there. It, too, was soooo awesome. :hi:

[ceile]

22. Chili's and Mama Fu's

Love their burgers and the southwestern egg rolls. Mama Fu's makes great soups and the curry egg rolls rock.

[blogslut]

26. The Blackeyed Pea

http://www.theblackeyedpea.com/

I dig their comfort food.

[hippywife]

45. They went out of business here.

I can't imagine how a place like that didn't make it in Tulsa, but they didn't. I only ate there once and really didn't care for it.

:hi:

[fishwax]

52. I had a bad experience with the one in Norman

It involved a sizable cricket or two and a plate of pasta. And a manager who was rather a jerk about it. (Yeah, sure, we put the cricket in our food so we wouldn't have to pay for it :eyes:.)

So I wound up not going back, and the restaurant closed a few months later.

I'd been there a few times before that, though, and thought the food was pretty good.

[blogslut]

55. I've only eaten at the original location(s)

It's been about 30 years since I was a customer and it was a two-store operation. At the time, one could eat quite well for five bucks. Their baked squash was deelish. :)

[Frank Cannon]

84. Didn't know they were still around

Man, I loved their chicken fried steak.

[SoxFan]

28. The Ninety-Nine

I really like their stuffed haddock.

In the takeout category, I'll go with 5 Guys; amazing hand-cut fries!

[Old Troop]

32. Agree

[tinymontgomery]

29. Steak and Shake

Shakes are great.

[bullwinkle428]

105. I think their burgers are a nice substitute for In-N-Out lovers

that are stuck in the Midwest! I'm glad I've got an In-N-Out and a Culver's within a short drive of my place in Iowa.

[snailly]

160. Now I have a steakburger craving

YUM

[Mutley]

30. Taco Bell

I know, I know. It's not real Mexican food. But it is still so good!

[nuxvomica]

89. The Salsa Roja Tortada is my current fast-food favorite

Although I order it without the salsa and on the sales slip it says "-Roja".

[blue_onyx]

149. I've been thinking of trying that....

the next time I go to Taco Bell.

My favorite item (chili cheese burrito) is no longer sold. I still like Taco Bell though.

[snailly]

161. Taco Hell is my secret pig out place

Love it.

[Ohio Joe]

33. Quaker Steak and Lube

Great wings, I love em with their golden garlic sauce... yummy :D

[TheMightyFavog]

34. Culver's

It's as Wisconsin as the Green Bay Packers, Bratwurst, Brandy Old Fashioneds, and Geroge Webb's

[Dr Morbius]

35. Ah. I forgot about Culver's. Good burgers; excellent fries. (nt)

[blueamy66]

37. Love Culver's

It's finally out here in AZ.

[Odin2005]

62. LOL, I am SOOO craving a Culver's Tripple Butter Burger right now!

With a concrete mixer!

[MadBadger]

65. Every time the Badger Hockey Team scored five goals, I always had an excuse to go.

Five goal Free for all. Get a free scoop of ice cream. But I only went once for a completely unrelated reason. Butter burger sure was good though.

[geardaddy]

114. Love Culver's

Yum!

[fishwax]

137. I love Culver's too -- great burgers, fried cheese curds, good root beer

What's not to love? (other than the fries, which are kind of meh.)

:woohoo:

[madrchsod]

154. second favorite fast food chain...

i`ve never had a bad item from there. half mile from my house..

[Rabrrrrrr]

36. As much as I hated the one in Times Square, when it comes to chains, Olive Garden actually works

Is it Italian? Not so much.

Is it brilliant? Absolutely not.

But is it at least consistently tasty, edible, enjoyable, and at a decent price with a menu that isn't the same thing year after year? Yes, it is.

And their restaurants are actually comfortable with good wait staff.

I also came to enjoy Outback when we had one in this town for the six months it survived. I was sad to see that one go, because they actually served consistently wonderful food, especially their rack of lamb. Holy shit.

[WCGreen]

69. It's really really bad for you...

In many places that is the only chance at Italian food.

Here in Cleveland we are blessed with at least 10 really great locally owned Italian joints.

[Walk away]

38. I LOVE McCormick and Schmick. They have the freshest seafood....

around and a great selection of Oysters and cool Clams.

[fishwax]

40. buffalo wild wings

Several different sauces for their wings and boneless wings ... good place to watch a game, too :beer:

[bullwinkle428]

104. As someone born & raised in Buffalo on authentic wings,

I have to say that BWW actually does a half-decent job in replicating the taste I grew up with!

Still doesn't stop the cravings that can only be satisfied when I return to town for a parental visit, and make the trip to the Holy Mecca of all things Chicken Wing - a.k.a. Duff's!

http://www.duffsfamouswings.ca/

[old mark]

41. None, really - we have so many good individual restaurants around here

we hardly ever go to a chain - maybe Taco Bell or Burger King every 4 months or so, but that's it.

We have a superb Italian restaurant 5 minutes from home, and 4 good to great pizza and sandwich shops closer than that, a GREAT Chinese restaurant a few blocks away, and a very good family diner, too.


I'm hungry now...


mark

[jobycom]

82. But when you're traveling

and don't know which locals are good and which are serving mystery meats in your vegetarian dishes, chains are a good thing. My favorite restaurants here are locals, too (although a couple of them are becoming chains), but if I'm in a town I don't know, I'm not stopping at Bubba's Chinese-Mex and Barbeque. I'm looking for a chain with a commisary I trust.

[old mark]

85. Probably then it would be BoJangles chicken, Taco Bell, BK's...

Friendly's for a banana split.

mark

[Dr Morbius]

42. You know, after further thought, although the service isn't so hot...

...I rather like Red Lobster. I know, it's about as cheesy as seafood restaurants get, and every good-sized city has dozens that are better, but they have that popcorn shrimp, those cheesy biscuits, and usually a half dozen "fresh catch" options (I like trout).

[carlyhippy]

44. Sonic drive in!

They used to have fried pickles, but stopped serving them for some reason. BRING THEM BACK!!!!!

[slutticus]

46. Taco Cabana

Mmmmmmmmmmm...

[pokerfan]

47. Panda Express

Two words: Orange Chicken.

[WCGreen]

48. Since they are open late, we always go after 10:30 and have no problem

getting in...

We usually start out at the Barnes and Noble or the Borders close by and then walk over to the Cheesecake Factory and read while eating great food...

[MadBadger]

53. Does your Barnes and Noble serve their cheesecake

Mine does at their coffee shop. Not sure if they do everywhere.

[Odin2005]

63. My B&N in Fargo does, very good cheesecake, but spendy as fuck!

almost $5 for a slice of cheesecake? REALLY!?!

[WCGreen]

67. yep and they are right next to each other...

[jakefrep]

49. Red Robin

Love their burgers. Always get the side salad, though - the fries are meh.

[gmoney]

76. the onion rings are wonderful, and burgers. The fries are OK.

[NuttyFluffers]

93. true, steak fries and the funky season salt don't do much for me.

now make those endless basket Arby's french fries and i'm in heaven. no really, after the Red Robin fried egg burger and my metric weight in Arby's-like fries, i'd end up with a coronary and be in heaven...
O8)

[Odin2005]

58. A regional chain buffet called Pizza Ranch.

really good pizzas and chicken!

[nickinSTL]

59. thought of a couple more

I really like the Quizno's veggie sub (I love guacamole)

and

Penn Station East Coast Subs' artichoke sub. (mmm. artichokes)

[one_voice]

72. I love guacamole too...

what's on the veggie sub...I might have to try it. I'm trying to lose weight will that completely kill the effort for the day?

[nickinSTL]

74. here's the list of ingredients

Guacamole, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, mushrooms, mozzarella, cheddar, Red Wine Vinagrette

(taken from their menu page: http://www.quiznos.com/subsandwiches/Products.aspx)

[one_voice]

75. Thanks..

Definitely gonna try that. Sounds yummy.

[one_voice]

60. Red Robin...

Whenever I want a burger that's where I go. There salsa and guacamole are pretty good, and the one where I live makes a pretty good pina colada.

I like Longhorn steak house too.

[quakerboy]

61. They make restaurants

out of chains now? Good god, what will they think of next.

[Quantess]

64. Applebee's

Just kidding!

[hippywife]

66. I tell you, sometimes I still crave

an Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad. We stopped there a couple of months ago after almost 15 years of not eating there because I just HAD to answer that craving and it just didn't taste as good as it used to. :(

[grasswire]

83. do you have a Panera near you, HW?

I like their oriental chicken salad.

[MrScorpio]

70. I'm a sucker for IHOP

Some are better than others

[JohnnyLib2]

73. Yes! Hearty nut 'n grain ......

[tblue]

111. Oh yeah! Those are the best pancakes!

I find myself craving them from time to time.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

71. remember Steak and Ale? The Peddler is fun and

California Dreaming is nice, too.

[LaydeeBug]

77. I like Cheesecake Factory

:hide:

[MadBadger]

78. What the hell is wrong with you? Who likes the motherfuckin Cheesecake Factory?

[LaydeeBug]

135. me!! It's the lau au salad and the craig's crazy carrot cheesecake. nt

on edit to make that "salad"

[donheld]

79. Rubio's Mexican Grill

[Lindsey]

80. The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Changs. n/t

[donheld]

81. IMHO PF changs is overpriced

[Manifestor_of_Light]

126. What's up with their weird spices?????

I once sampled unidentified takeout from P.F. Chang's at a friend's house in OKC. I took one SMALL bite of about five different things. None of them agreed with me. All I did was burp and belch all night. I had to raid the fridge for milk all night because I was still hungry, of course.

:shrug:

[TommyO]

86. Waffle House

Good breakfasts for a reasonable price.

My go-to breakfast there is two eggs, scrambled, hash browns scattered, with sausage gravy and a side of sausage, with OJ and coffee.

Since they don't have any restaurants here in NJ, I have to drive south to get to one.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

95. I loves me some Waffle House.

Part of it is sentimentality, with memories of family vacations driving south. But even that aside, their waffles were damn good. Simple, straight forward (no specialty waffles unless you count pecan as a "speciality"), but good.

[TommyO]

106. I know what you mean about simple, basic waffles

When I took my mom there one time, she was disappointed because she thought they would be more than, well, just waffles.

[Oceansaway]

88. Village Inn....nt

[Captain Hilts]

90. Cheesecake factory is pretty awesome. nt

[Eyerish]

94. It's gotta be California Pizza Kitchen for me

I LOVE their Sedona tortilla soup! :9 Lots of good vegetarian/vegan selections too.

Cheesecake factory is a close second...Their Vanilla bean cheesecake is to die for.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

97. Okay, I know I'll be flamed and hated for saying this, but I like Cracker Barrel

I know there were issues years earlier about some discriminatory hiring policies but from what I understand those are a thing of the past.

And they make the best sausage biscuits ever. Ever. No chain or independent restaraunt can match up.

Also an unDU pick, but I enjoy Olive Garden. Are there other Italian Restaraunts that are better? For sure. But there are others that are worse. And the food is dependably decent if you want a safe, reliable place to go with the family.

Five Guys makes great burgers. Not a big fan of their fries, but their burgers are top notch.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

127. Is there an Italian chain that has main dishes with NO TOMATOES??

I ask because the last time I darkened an Olive Garden's door, I had to send my stuff back. They did NOT understand NO TOMATOES. I am allergic to them and bell peppers and green peppers and spicy stuff. And shell fish.

[Dr Morbius]

142. Sure. Macaroni Grill.

They have a create-your-own pasta meal, and there are a variety of sauces (the alfredo is all right). They do "custom" pasta dishes all the time, so they're going to be a lot better at getting your order right.

[hippywife]

143. Carrabba's has many.

Pollo Rosa Maria is a fire-grilled chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese, topped with a lemon basil sauce with mushrooms. The first bite to hit your tongue is like pure heaven. You'd have to skip the cavatappi as a side but they have others that do not contain tomatoes.

:hi:

[Zorro]

98. Claim Jumper

Unbelievable portions of very tasty dishes.

[Auggie]

99. Amici's East Coast Pizzeria -- in the S.F. Bay Area

[tblue]

112. Been meaning to try it. Ralph Barbieri is always talking about them.

That good, uh?

[Auggie]

113. It's the best franchise pizza, IMO. Nothing else comes close.

[mitchum]

128. I second that

[BarbaRosa]

100. Blake's Lottaburger

a. great green chili cheese burgers.

b. other than McDonald's, Arby's, KFC and Wendy's we don't have any other chains in our area, but we do have some great local mexican restaurants.

[begin_within]

101. Mimi's, Togos, Quiznos and Burger Lounge

Mimi's Cafe has great French onion soup, decent salads, the buttermilk spice muffin is perfect, and they used to have a Bananas Foster Cheesecake with a caramel sauce and it was fantastic, if fattening.

Togo's is a good sandwich-and-soup style shop similar to Subway but their salads are a bit above Subway and they have some good soups including a Mushroom Brie. Quiznos is also good for sandwiches and soups.

Burger Lounge has only 4 locations so far, in San Diego only, but they do burgers the right way. Far superior to the much-touted In-N-Out which is highly overrated in my opinion. The last 2 times I went to In-N-Out I got very dry, tough burgers that I couldn't even chew. Burger Lounge is more expensive but they pay close attention to the product and have a quality product. They have a vegetarian burger that is really good - better than the beef or turkey ones.

[brendan120678]

107. TGI Fridays.

Just because.

Most of their Jack Daniel's Grill items are pretty good.
And the waitresses at our local restaurant are all super gorgeous.

[NewJeffCT]

115. Friendlys

Food isn't great for adults, but you get pretty good portions and my daughter loves it. Plus, the local one near our house has a terrific veteran staff.

[geardaddy]

117. Shit, I haven't thought about Friendly's in years!

We had one in Geneva, NY where I went to college.

[geardaddy]

116. Here's some I like

Famous Dave's
Buca di Beppo
McCormick and Schmick's
White Castle for soaking up the drink.

[GoCubsGo]

119. Portillo's Hot Dogs

Wish they had them down here...

[Initech]

120. BJ's Brewery

Three dollar pints in the afternoons = :toast:

[Moondog]

121. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. n/t

[hippywife]

144. When I used to travel for client visits

many moons ago, Ruth's Chris was usually the safe choice to take them out to dinner. Always consistently excellent food and impeccable service.

[Texasgal]

122. Taco deli

YUMMY veggie options and very fresh!

[lightningandsnow]

123. East Side Mario's

They have awesome pasta primavera.

[applegrove]

124. East Side Marios.

[TK421]

125. Ruby Tuesdays...I've never had a bad meal there, and now that I said that

I just MIGHT have a bad meal there

[fishwax]

131. I like that they have buffalo burger

They also have spinach on their salad bar. Two big pluses, those.

[TK421]

134. I love beets ( I'm probably in the minority here ) and I always wipe out

out their supply when I go to the salad bar...beets, bacon bits, egg, cucumber, and a ton of blue cheese dressing, with blue cheese crumbles

I can almost feel the glares as we walk out of there

[Manifestor_of_Light]

129. I love Benihana.

For special occasions. I'm a very picky eater and have some food allergies.

But the steak is really good. Not to mention the entertainment.

DH and I took his fundy under-a-rock son out to Benihana a couple of years ago, when he was visiting Houston. He grew up with a Bible beating mother in Tulsa. This "child" is thirty-five years old.

Going to Benihana blew his mind. :D

[BrklynLiberal]

130. Legal Seafood.

yum

[mia]

132. Pollo Tropical

http://www.pollotropical.com/Home/Home.aspx

[flying rabbit]

133. Burgerville

A Pacific NW chain that uses local stuff. Tastes great. And a fond memory from upthread: Waffle House.

[Arugula Latte]

157. Love Burgerville, even though I don't eat "real" burgers.

They have great options for vegetarians and semi-vegetarians. Everything is absolutely delicious. And their slogan is "Fresh. Local. Sustainable." Can't beat that!

By the way, did you know you are one post away from 1,000? :hi:

[flying rabbit]

159. I didn't realize I was THAT close!

Keep Portland Weird!:hi:

[Common Sense Party]

138. Lots of them. Olive Garden. Applebee's. Fuddrucker's.

The haters can suck it.

[AwakeAtLast]

139. Qdoba/Chipotle

They are basically the same thing.

Another one is Bojangles.

[MadBadger]

146. Bojangles is the best of the fast food fried chicken

and Qdoba/Chipotle? Heres how I see it. For the most part, Chipotle's burritos are better. Except that Qdoba has their Queso Sauce. Also, Qdoba has a lot more than just Burritos, and I really enjoy their nachos.

[AwakeAtLast]

150. If there was a Bojangles in Indiana I would be in heaven!

I have actually thought about building one here if I were to ever come into some money. KFC needs some serious competition! :9

[MadBadger]

151. If there were one in NJ, Id weigh 300 lbs

Its really cheap for the amount of food they give you, and the fries remind me of Five Guys, which are some of my favorite fries.

[yellowdogintexas]

140. Red Hot & Blue, La Madeline, Black Eyed Pea, Pei Wei, Krystal

Rockfish Grill, Mellow Mushroom

[Tabasco_Dave]

141. Old Country Buffet

It's the best all you can eat restaurant. I only go once a year or i'd way 400 lbs.

[AngryAmish]

147. Culver's, Porillo's, Chili's and Popeyes

Harold's Chicken Shack too.

[madrchsod]

155. where`s harold`s chicken shack?

[AngryAmish]

162. south side mostly, tho I think there is one in bucktown

some south suburbs too

[bigwillq]

152. Five Guys (nt)

[madrchsod]

153. popeyes chicken...best fast food chicken strips

[Schema Thing]

158. I could live on CaliforniaPizzaKitchen's sourdough bread alone.