Foo - Favorite Chain Restaurant

Just curious what the foocensus is on the best chain restaurant. I have to say Outback due to their consistency across the country. If I didn't know any better I would say a tenderloin in LA comes from the same cow as a tenderloin in Boston. I'm not saying they have the best food. Just the most consistent, which is very important in my line of work. And their cheese fries are spot on as well.

Discuss.

O'hana. Hawaiian fast food rocks.

O'hana Hawaiian BBQ (http://www.ohanabbqcorp.com/menu.html)

Who eats chains? Weird.

huh - dunno - don't really hit many of them - but for the last year or so - I meet Mom at the local McD's or Wendy's for a quick meal and a couple hours of talking just to connect - but then that's not in the "chain" of restaurants I would really consider.

Outback has always been fine, however I avoid the "kids eat free or their weight" night (can we say ZOOOO?)

Buggaboo steak house is the actual adult chuckie cheese place - good lawd - it has moose heads that talk, racoons that pop up out of fake stumps, A FREAKIN CHRISTMAS TREE that has a mouth and movable eyes as it talks. never. ever. ever. ever again on that one.

Red Robin has some decent food. 'cept the last two times when eating during an early supper hour (like 5 pm), the two of us were seated (most likely due to the hostess dividing up us eaters between tables/servers) each of the last two times at the back of the restaurant (believe me - there was NO ONE between us and the front door except two tables to the side!!!) right by the bathroom. hehe - it was like something out of a comedy sketch - "Hi how are you! - Two tonite? Follow me!" - and off we go - zig zagging thru the tables (and on the second meal's journey thru the restaurant - I started to giggle at the absurdness of it all ...) only to have the hostess deposit us off at the back of the restaurant next to the women's bathroom door - even yanking a picnic table like affair - apart so we would have our own little table.

hehe - no more of the RR's for me!!!!

Kinda steer away from them actually.

Who eats chains? Weird.You're missing out. Open your mind, man!

How do you serve them, on open-faced or hoagie buns?

Ick. None.

O'hana. Hawaiian fast food rocks.

Zippy's is quite delicious as well.

As for chains that I actually get to eat here in Cali, I would say In-n-out. I don't know why but I love their hamburgers.

There aren't any chain restaurants here, and I'm fine with that.

We burn any that turn up.

My two favorites are Ruth's Chris and Fogo de Chão..

For more casual places, Bahama Breeze, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Romano's...

Not that I like chains. But, when forced to go to one, I used to like Chili's.. They have a tasty low fat menu, which was always a favorite.

Eat Mor Chikin'

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/CH_cow_2.jpg

Mod note: Image changed to link due to size

^^ holy COW! how about inlining a smaller version of that pic? JEEZ!

Fat Moe's. I didn't need those last ten years of life anyway.

i find most restaurants' food too salty (eg, outback's broccoli).

i kinda like p.f. chang's and mimi's

i find most restaurants' food too salty (eg, outback's broccoli).

i kinda like p.f. chang's and mimi's

You can ask for it w/o salt. I do it all the time. I ask for no salt and no butter (because they will DROWN it in butter if you let them)... and it comes out perfectly.

Bonefish Grill and Copelands, though they may be more regional chains.

red robin, chilis, & cheesecake factory are around me and decent.

later.

Bigfeet Eboo's House of Explody Crabs. Their murals of the underwater digs of the Nazi Ruins in the Brooklyn river is a major drawing point.

I don't know if I have a favorite. I go where I choose at the moment. When I eat clean, there are only a few places to go. Subway or Chik-Fil-A for grilled chicken sammies.

When I want to eat garbage, it's what ever strikes me.

McDonald's, I eat there every day

I usually don't aim to go to chains, but if I have to, I go to Fridays and get the Cedar-seared Salmon Pasta. Better than a diner or a McDonald's by far:


Succulent pan-seared salmon fillet, coated with cedar smoke seasoning, served over al dente fettuccine ribbons tossed with golden brown zucchini and a blend of creamy Alfredo, bruschetta marinara and tangy lemon sauce.
http://photos.sparkpeople.com/3/7/372443918.jpg
http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/tgi-fridays/cedar-seared-salmon-pasta

McDonald's, I eat there every day

You're missing out on a lot of good food.

Chipolte

Oh, when I was in Vegas, there was one chain I liked...:Margaritaville. http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/tequila-1.gif

Bonefish Grill and Copelands, though they may be more regional chains.

Those are good picks. But we have such a good industry of local places, chain restaurants are seldom attended.

Ick. None.
+1

I can't think of a single chain restaurant that I frequent. I guess I get the occasional sub sandwich at Blimpie or Subway. I'll eat at Taco Bell once every third blue moon. It's pretty rare to see me eat at a chain restaurant. Not only would I rather support local places (and thus eat there most of time), food is typically very fattening (and not as tasty) at chains.

Dennys - now wait just a minute before you think I have lost my mind... look where I live.

I won't even walk in a Dennys in the USA, but here, it is completely different. There is one near the airport, great service, great food ... and you have to understand, most Ticos don't even know what a pancake is.. or omelete.

It is like a trip back to the USA, without having to take the flight. And, it might be the only chain we have down hear, outside McDonalds, Pizza Hut and a couple of others.

Life is strange in the tropics, I can tell you...

Not only would I rather support local places...

Those are exceedingly rare here in America's armpit, I'm afraid.

Those are good picks. But we have such a good industry of local places, chain restaurants are seldom attended.

We may be too blessed with good local joints around here. The portions tend to be ridiculously large. WTF though, I say eat now repent later.

Those are exceedingly rare here in America's armpit, I'm afraid.

I've always thought it disappointing that small towns think they are seeing progress when
some national restaurant chain set up shop there.

Zippy's is quite delicious as well.

As for chains that I actually get to eat here in Cali, I would say In-n-out. I don't know why but I love their hamburgers.

Ooooh. I miss Zippy's - even after over 20 years. Olive Garden, Applebee's, Chili's, Friday's, Ruby Tuesday, Arby's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, BK - all have some things I really like. That said, I probably only eat out maybe 2-3 times a month.

Yeah - I know. I suck.

About the only chain restaurants I dislike are McD's and Long John Silver. Never been to a Hooters and have no plans to - regardless of how many people tell me how great their wings are.

Never been to a Hooters and have no plans to - regardless of how many people tell me how great their wings are.
Afraid of getting the ol' stinkeye from the missus, eh?










Me too. :innocent:

+1

I can't think of a single chain restaurant that I frequent. I guess I get the occasional sub sandwich at Blimpie or Subway. I'll eat at Taco Bell once every third blue moon. It's pretty rare to see me eat at a chain restaurant. Not only would I rather support local places (and thus eat there most of time), food is typically very fattening (and not as tasty) at chains.

Agreed. I would so much rather support locally owned restaurants. They already have so much going against them. Even then, I'd much rather buy my own ingredients and cook from home, that way I know exactly what is going into my food. I'm not a big fan of not knowing the ingredients in a dish and I'm pretty OCD when it comes to reading labels. Plus, food that I make tastes SO much better than a nasty old chain restaurant. If I do go out to such a place, I always end up getting a salad, and they are usually nothing to write home about.

McDonald's actually strike that, Jack in the Box

Waffle House---hands down. They say it will kill me but i just don't care sometimes. When you get to heaven look me up, I'll be on the breakfast cloud riding the bacon slide.

Never been to a Hooters and have no plans to - regardless of how many people tell me how great their wings are.


It's interesting that you mention that. I have been to Hooters a couple of times. Mainly just because that's where the guys wanted to go. There food is pretty lackluster to be kind. I was out riding my motorcycle Monday and for whatever reason I decided to stop by. The had an awesome pot roast sandwich. Surprised the heck out of me.

It's interesting that you mention that. I have been to Hooters a couple of times. Mainly just because that's where the guys wanted to go. There food is pretty lackluster to be kind. I was out riding my motorcycle Monday and for whatever reason I decided to stop by. The had an awesome pot roast sandwich. Surprised the heck out of me.

There are better places to watch hot chicks, and there are better places for food. I'd rather not
compromise just for the sake of getting them together.

It's interesting that you mention that. I have been to Hooters a couple of times. Mainly just because that's where the guys wanted to go. There food is pretty lackluster to be kind. I was out riding my motorcycle Monday and for whatever reason I decided to stop by. The had an awesome pot roast sandwich. Surprised the heck out of me.

We're all friends here. You can tell us the real reason. :lol:

Taco Bell is a personal favorite. I haven't had a chance to go there in a very long time though.

We're all friends here. You can tell us the real reason. :lol:

OK. I didn't have enough money for a hooker.

Red Lobster

Olive Garden

Outback Steakhouse

Ruby Tuesday

And they don't have them in this area, so I miss them terribly... Chevy's

For regional, I have also tried and like:

Legal Seafood


I still have a favorite fast food item that disappeared from the menu long ago... Jack in the Box (which isn't in this area anyway) for a short time in the 80's had a hot ham & cheese sandwich that I loved!!!!!

In southern California. I used to like Del Taco in the 70's... I believe it was called the the del beefer or something... a burrito with nothing but spiced meat and cheese wrapped in a burrito. :)

Waffle House---hands down. They say it will kill me but i just don't care sometimes. When you get to heaven look me up, I'll be on the breakfast cloud riding the bacon slide.

Pecan Waffle FTW! If your really hungry, the double waffle will take care of that.

Bonefish Grill and Copelands, though they may be more regional chains.

Not as regional as you might think. There's a Bonefish and a Copelands in the Annapolis, MD area.

I like Red, Hot & Blue. There's one of those in the Annapolis area too.

It's the one place I can eat at and not be disturbed by the music they play in the background. They only play Blues there.

Bone Daddy's House of Smoke - scenery makes teh bbq tolerable

Twin Peaks - scenery makes the whatever kind of food they have edible

Rock Fish - decent fish for the price, good service, food cooked to order, free salted in teh shell peanuts while you wait, and you can throw the shells on the floor.

Taco Bell is a personal favorite. I haven't had a chance to go there in a very long time though.

Taco Bell or Purina cat food. They run neck in neck to me.

You're missing out on a lot of good food.


I wasn't serious. I live in fast food heavan but usually eat at home. I do have a Tim Horton's coffee daily though.

If I eat out at all it's at a local restaurant, not a chain.

I pretty much agree with Shadiyah on this one. I love to cook. In the time it would take me to drive and get fast food I could grill up some shrimp or scallops at home.

Medieval Inn is my favorite chain mail restaurant.

Never been to a Hooters and have no plans to - regardless of how many people tell me how great their wings are.


Hooters has food?