Good Large Chain Restaurant Food?

[yoyo]

What large chain restaurants have generally good food?

Curious as to what the AOers think. Wifey and I seldom eat at restaurants.

[MountainGirl]

chain and good food don't usually go in the same sentence.

someone will most likely prove me wrong.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

What large chain restaurants have generally good food?

Curious as to what the AOers think. Wifey and I seldom eat at restaurants.
Well, it's all edible.
Not sure what you're looking for. It's all a lot more processed than you think.
You mean, like, Olive Garden? Chick-Fil-A?

Give me a list.

[The Clawwww]

IHOP

[Streetlight 22]

Well, it's all edible.
Not sure what you're looking for. It's all a lot more processed than you think.
You mean, like, Olive Garden? Chick-Fil-A?

Give me a list.

Oh man! I LOVE Chick-Fil-A!!!

[Irish Blues]

Texas Roadhouse. We've never had a bad meal or a bad experience with the service.

[Hydraskull]

Red Robin

[yoyo]

Give me a list.
No, YOU give ME a list - that's why I started the thread. :wink:

[yoyo]

chain and good food don't usually go in the same sentence.
yeah, i know, but work with me here.

[punmanbowler]

I hear Applebee's is pretty good.



Oh, wait, you wanted a place with good food? Uh... not sure about that.

[GuineaPig]

Red Robin

place slike red robin, fudruckers, etc always make me feel like they "have too much flair"

[jalapeno29]

The answer is none.

[IMP]

depends on what type of food and price range you are going for.

fast food preference:
chik-fil-a

not expensive but good nice dinner:
maggianno's
outback

moderate to pricier delish meal but not high end fancy schmancy:
season's 52
melting pot
ruth's chris
fleming's

expensive/high end:
i can't think of a chain in this category

[Streetlight 22]

Red Robin

Yuummmm

[Guerilla poster]

I am going to strangle the next person who says delish.....Rachael Ray or whoever started that should be the first one sent to the 'camps'. I can't stand her. take your evoo and shove it up your azz. Alright, I never watch Food channel but sometimes I hear it.

[ReserveRage]

Texas Roadhouse. We've never had a bad meal or a bad experience with the service.

:iatp:

I've only been once but I was pretty impressed. It definitely appeared better than Outback and Longhorn.

Bertucci's is probably my favorite chain. Their pizza is usually decent, great rolls, and ok pasta entres also.

Favorite American chain is 99 (don't know if they have these everywhere though). I found their quality much better than Applebees, TGIF, Chilis, etc.

I'll probably get ripped for this but I always thought Cheesecake Factory was decent as long as you can get over the mammoth portions. The menu was diverse enough so that you can usually find something that suits your tastes.

I cannot stomach Olive Garden and Maggiano's and think they serve some of the worst Italian food I've had.

[Chronus]

place slike red robin, fudruckers, etc always make me feel like they "have too much flair"

I agree, but the burgers aren't bad.

[abwoc]

Texas Roadhouse. We've never had a bad meal or a bad experience with the service.

I f'n love Texas Roadhouse. This is the only large chain non-fast-food place I really enjoy.

Every time I'm in Gainesville I hit up the Texas Roadhouse.

[Streetlight 22]

I f'n love Texas Roadhouse. This is the only large chain non-fast-food place I really enjoy.

Every time I'm in Gainesville I hit up the Texas Roadhouse.

Texas Roadhouse in Gainesville?!?! Why not Marks? Or Chopsticks?!?! Or Leonardo's? i could go on and on! why would you eat at a chain restaurant when you're visiting a small town?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

No, YOU give ME a list - that's why I started the thread. :wink:
mountainous girl is right.
yeah, i know, but work with me here.
I said, mounds of girl is right.



OK, here is a list of "large" chains that I won't ever refuse:
1. CPK
2. PF Chang.
3. Cheesecake Factory (food is merely an excuse for eating the cheesecake).
4. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Here is a lit of "large" chains that I often refuse:
1. Appleby's
2. Chili's.
3. Romano's Macaroni Grill (too loud).
4. Olive Garden.

I recommend you find local "chains" or "singles." People in your area should know which ones are good.

[ShebaPoe]

Cheesecake Factory was decent as long as you can get over the mammoth portions.

Slutty waitresses too. (I know, I know redundant...)

Just sayin'...

[IMP]

I am going to strangle the next person who says delish.....Rachael Ray or whoever started that should be the first one sent to the 'camps'. I can't stand her. take your evoo and shove it up your azz. Alright, I never watch Food channel but sometimes I hear it.fyi, people have said things like delish and sammy before she came on tv.

[JUICE]

Maggiano's isn't too bad.

[Guerilla poster]

fyi, people have said things like delish and sammy before she came on tv.

But I still hate it and it has been popularized now and everyone says it. I don't now why it drives me crazy but it does. What is sammy?

[Still a Student]

I f'n love Texas Roadhouse. This is the only large chain non-fast-food place I really enjoy.

Every time I'm in Gainesville I hit up the Texas Roadhouse.

:iatp:

I have to go at least once every time i'm in Gainesville.

[Jack]

I too like Chick-fil-a

[IMP]

Texas Roadhouse in Gainesville?!?! Why not Marks? Or Chopsticks?!?! Or Leonardo's? i could go on and on! why would you eat at a chain restaurant when you're visiting a small town?:capn:

i am guessing that i am only one of a few gators in the world who is not a fan of leonardo's.

there were (and hopefully still are) so many awesome places to eat in gainesville. and you are kinda young so the places i went may not have been there when you went there. and when i say great...some where great for a college thing, some where great for tradition, and some were just really very good food.

of course i can't remember all the names.

that burger place across from campus on university right next to the bike shop. and in that same area, that sloppy joes like place where the owner/cook was a vietnam vet. burrito brothers. the swamp. harry's. louie's...which i believe is still there and has been there since the 40s or 50s. the peruvian place right around the same area as the burger place i mentioned. man, i miss college sometimes. only sometimes. :shrug:

[IMP]

But I still hate it and it has been popularized now and everyone says it. I don't now why it drives me crazy but it does. What is sammy?sandwich someone asked if i liked RR when i said sammy once...had no idea she ever said it. :shrug:

[Dr. John Zoidberg]

The more open the company is about how their food is prepped, ingredient lists, etc, the better. It's very hard to get that data out of places like Applebee's, but Chick-Fil-A is king, Wendy's isn't bad either, but CFA is miles ahead. Any sit-down chain restaurant is most likely garbage.

[ShebaPoe]

Maggiano's isn't too bad.

dog food...if you hate your dog. But then again I grew up in NYC, where real Italian food is everywhere. My pizza bias is worse, and bagels...don't get me started.


i am guessing that i am only one of a few gaytors in the world who is not a fan of leonardo's.

IFYP

[IMP]

dog food...if you hate your dog. But then again I grew up in NYC, where real Italian food is everywhere. My pizza bias is worse, and bagels...don't get me started.




IFYP:-?

[Gentle Giant]

The more open the company is about how their food is prepped, ingredient lists, etc, the better. It's very hard to get that data out of places like Applebee's, but Chick-Fil-A is king, Wendy's isn't bad either, but CFA is miles ahead. Any sit-down chain restaurant is most likely garbage.
Wait-wait-wait...

Dr. John Zoidberg, militant atheist extraordinaire, supports Chik-Fil-A?!?
:hsmack:

[Streetlight 22]

:capn:

i am guessing that i am only one of a few gators in the world who is not a fan of leonardo's.

there were (and hopefully still are) so many awesome places to eat in gainesville. and you are kinda young so the places i went may not have been there when you went there. and when i say great...some where great for a college thing, some where great for tradition, and some were just really very good food.

of course i can't remember all the names.

that burger place across from campus on university right next to the bike shop. and in that same area, that sloppy joes like place where the owner/cook was a vietnam vet. burrito brothers. the swamp. harry's. louie's...which i believe is still there and has been there since the 40s or 50s. the peruvian place right around the same area as the burger place i mentioned. man, i miss college sometimes. only sometimes. :shrug:

omg! Louie's lunch is the best. And i don't think they've changed their prices since they opened up over 50 years ago!

[The Arbitrary]

Texas Roadhouse just opened by me, the place is always packed. PF Chang's has a pretty solid menu. I'm also partial to Red Robin but there's none around here, so maybe the once every year or two keeps me from getting turned off.

Chili's doesn't have the greatest food, but who doesn't love the queso there? Anyone? It's delicious!

[abwoc]

Texas Roadhouse in Gainesville?!?!

1) Why not Marks? Don't remember this one--you sure it's still around?
2) Or Chopsticks?!?! I have eaten there several times. Nice memories, overrated restaurant.
3) Or Leonardo's? That place is totally hipster (entire staff is covered in tats and piercings) and totally boring.
4) why would you eat at a chain restaurant when you're visiting a small town? No TR's where I live? :shrug: At any rate, it's not like I eat every meal there.

Here are independent places in Gainesville I did/do enjoy:

La Fiesta
Steak & Pasta Works
August Moon (OOB :()
43rd Street Deli
Mr Han's (RIP :cry: )
Copper Monkey (mostly for the atmosphere)
Tony & Pat's Pizza (really just for s'more pizza)

[vividox]

Food is just something I've never been picky about at all. I would never eat food if I didn't have to. :shrug:

Chains I deem "good":

Schlotzsky's Deli
Applebee's
Chili's
Ruby Tuesday
Steak & Shake
Red Robin
Outback Steakhouse
Longhorn Steakhouse
Red Lobster
Cheesecake Factory
Backyard Burger

[MightySchoop]

Wait-wait-wait...

Dr. John Zoidberg, militant atheist extraordinaire, supports Chik-Fil-A?!?
:hsmack:

We don't have that one here... What's the significance?

[FormLetter]

Texas Roadhouse. We've never had a bad meal or a bad experience with the service.

double true

[FormLetter]

PF Chang's is garbage

[Dr. John Zoidberg]

We don't have that one here... What's the significance?

IIRC run by psycho Christians. So is in-n-out, I reckon, and those burgers are pretty good for a chain.

[abwoc]

We don't have that one here... What's the significance?

ChikFilA's founder is an uberChristian. The chain is closed on Sundays.

Delicious, though.

[MightySchoop]

PF Chang's is garbage

Yeah, not a fan. It doesn't help that in order to get to my local PF Changs I have to pass three chinese restaurants that are a) cheaper b) better tasting and c) run by actual Asians.

[Deano]

Ryan's?

[vividox]

Ryan's?

I like Ryan's.

[remilard]

Bouchon?

For larger chains, maybe Houston's.

The chain steakhouses are fine but given where they tend to be located, you wouldn't be forced to choose a chain.

All of them are doing lowest common denominator stuff, otherwise the same model wouldn't work in diverse locations. Given that and given that it is decent, affordable and can be borderline healthy if you choose wisely my favorite is Chipotle.

[Kool-Aid Man]

Five Guys

[Deano]

I like Ryan's.

I was kidding.

[erosewater]

Five Guys

:iatp:

[tometom]

Well, I can't really add much. I think every chain restaurant has stuff on the menu that is good. It's just finding that item at each restaurant is the real challenge.

For example - my wife loves one of the salad's at Applebees (I can't remember which one). So, I'm going there more often then I'd like to. I've found that you defnitely stay away from BBQ and steaks at Applebees, but the Burgers are pretty good.

Anyway, I'm more of a local place kinda guy. I like to find those restaurants that aren't chains and go there. They usually have good stuff, because if they didn't they would be out of business.

[vito]

IIRC run by psycho Christians.
You do not recall correctly.

[vividox]

I was kidding.

I wasn't.

[1695814]

We like Wildfire (http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/) (IL, MN, GA, VA), Chianti Grill (http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/www.chiantigrill.com) (MN & WI), Outback Steakhouse, & Biaggi's (http://www.biaggis.com/) (UT, CO, NE, MN, IA, WI, IL, MS, IN, OH, NC, & NY) -- approximately in that order.

[Hugh Jass]

AppleBee's fajitas suck

[Hugh Jass]

I like chipotle. Went there today with Mrs. JAss

[Hugh Jass]

ChikFilA's founder is an uberChristian. The chain is closed on Sundays.

Delicious, though.

ChickFilA is good. You actually get real chicken. The kids meals get books and stuff instead of crappy toys. The service at ChickFilA is wasy better than Mickey D's or :bk:

[win diesel]

Been mentioned a few times, but I love Outback Steakhouse

[Dr. John Zoidberg]

You do not recall correctly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A#Religious_connections

[td25er]

dog food...if you hate your dog. But then again I grew up in NYC, where real Italian food is everywhere. My pizza bias is worse, and bagels...don't get me started.




IFYP

Pretty sure real Italian food is everywhere in ITALY, not NYC. Okay, not pretty sure...I am right.

[ReserveRage]

PF Chang's is garbage

:iatp: I think every sauce they serve tastes nearly the same. Good American Chinese food is in general pretty hard to find in New England as most of it is fried crap.

[SirVLCIV]

dog food...if you hate your dog. But then again I grew up in NYC, where real Italian food is everywhere. My pizza bias is worse, and bagels...don't get me started.




IFYP

Man, the first time I went to a real Italian place in Little Italy, I was in a hurry to get somewhere afterwards... I learned my lesson.

[Guerilla poster]

Man, the first time I went to a real Italian place in Little Italy, I was in a hurry to get somewhere afterwards... I learned my lesson.


the toilet probably

[trondogss]

Texas Road Ho

When the first one opened in Peoria, IL, the "use" was not working on their sign by the interstate. Classic.

[Streetlight 22]

ChickFilA is good. You actually get real chicken. The kids meals get books and stuff instead of crappy toys. The service at ChickFilA is wasy better than Mickey D's or :bk:

And if you don't want the book, you can exchange it for ice cream.

[ShebaPoe]

Man, the first time I went to a real Italian place in Little Italy, I was in a hurry to get somewhere afterwards... I learned my lesson.

The lesson is that Little Italy is for tourists.

[IMP]

omg! Louie's lunch is the best. And i don't think they've changed their prices since they opened up over 50 years ago!it's almost 80 years old now. pretty amazing history that place has.

http://gainesvillerestaurants.blogspot.com/2008/08/louis-lunch.html

Exploring Gainesville, one might believe that it has little history, at least in a culinary sense. It seems as though sometime around the mid-70's, some enterprising young fellows looked around, realized there were no restaurants, and finally opened a few.

And that's where Louis' Lunch comes in. Opened shortly before the Great Depression, a family business for about 80 years, this is a piece of Gainesville history. And it's also incredibly easy to miss. From Main Street and University, go South on Main Street, take a Left onto 5th Avenue, and Louis Lunch will be to your left on the corner of 2nd street and 5th Avenue.

In Gainesville's downtown before downtown eventually shifted and left it behind, it is now buried amongst houses. Normally a place such as this would go out of business. But they're doing something right, and that's keeping the locals coming.

Atmosphere:
It looks it's age. Don't expect a spotless stainless steel and white tiled floor sort of place. This is a burger joint. The burger goes down on an old flat top, and the fries are fried in a pot. This is old school, and it's awesome because of that.

Service:
Friendly. We went during a very slow time, but I can't imagine they would be any less friendly while it was busy. You go up to the counter to order and they let you know when the food is done. Pretty simple stuff.

Menu:
About what you would expect. Shakes, fries, a wide variety of burgers, onion rings, and other assorted goodies.

Food:
Delicious. The fries are not seasoned heavily, so if you enjoy them salty you might want to put some on yourself. They however are fresh, hot, and enjoyable.

The burgers are fried in such a way that the edges are crispy while the interior is still juicy. It makes for a delicious burger, with plenty of onion, lettuce, tomato, and mustard. This seriously is exactly what you want from a fast food burger. It's sloppy, a little greasy, but phenomenal.

The shake was very good, though not exceptional.

Price:
Incredibly cheap. Cost is not an issue here. Bring cash though.

Overall:
Go. This is part of Gainesville's history, one that relies on customers to stick around. Try it and realize why it's been around for so long.

[IMP]

Here are independent places in Gainesville I did/do enjoy:

La Fiesta
Steak & Pasta Works
August Moon (OOB :()
43rd Street Deli
Mr Han's (RIP :cry: )
Copper Monkey (mostly for the atmosphere)
Tony & Pat's Pizza (really just for s'more pizza)oooohh copper monkey!!! :clap:

i have to confess guys...i was a fan of 5 Star Pizza. It was especially good heated in the oven to get the crust extra crispy. :shrug:

[Not Mike]

Potbelly's is good, inexpensive, and consistent.
Cracker Barrel is solid, especially breakfast food.
I've never had a bad meal at Cheesecake Factory or Grand Lux.
Buffalo Wild Wings is great (IMO) for what they offer.

There are some other "local chains" that are really good....

Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh
Lou's and Gino's pizza in Chicago
Big Bowl in Chicagoland

[vividox]

Buffalo Wild Wings is great (IMO) for what they offer.


How did I forget that one? Add that to my list.

[Streetlight 22]

oooohh copper monkey!!! :clap:

i have to confess guys...i was a fan of 5 Star Pizza. It was especially good heated in the oven to get the crust extra crispy. :shrug:

5 star?!?! seriously?!!? :exams:

What about pokey sticks from gumbys?!?!

[abwoc]

5 star?!?! seriously?!!? :exams:

What about pokey sticks from gumbys?!?!

Add pokey stix to the Overrated pile along with Burrito Bros.

I think the moral of the story here is that everyone has different tastes ;)


Once upon a time, Papa John's allowed some UF club to sell BOGO cards, the idea being that however many pizzas you ordered, you would get half free.

Twice a week I would get four large pizzas with various toppings for around $20 for poker night.

[tenthring]

Chick Fil A is the best fast food, if you are looking for fast food.

Olive Garden is alright, same for Macaroni Grill.

No other chains really jump out at me except for the really high end ones.

[vividox]

I :love: pokey stix, but part of that is probably due to the closest Gumby's Pizza being about 3.5 hours away from me.

[Jack]

Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag

[abwoc]

Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag

I thought this one was independent? I've never seen one outside of Springfield.

[MGN]

:iatp: I think every sauce they serve tastes nearly the same. Good American Chinese food is in general pretty hard to find in New England as most of it is fried crap which nonetheless is just heavenly, especially after 10 beers.

fyp

[MountainHawk]

There is a New England chain steak place called Bugaboo Creek that makes a decent steak for a $40-50 for two price point.

[IMP]

5 star?!?! seriously?!!? :exams:

What about pokey sticks from gumbys?!?!yeah, gumby's was good.

[General Apathy]

Capital Grille

[General Apathy]

Waffle House

[General Apathy]

That is all

[ShebaPoe]

Capital Grille

One of the girls I smack around (metaphor!) regularly loves the lobster mac-n-cheese. 20 bucks and she doesn't stay over. It's a great deal.

[abwoc]

That is all

I approve. I ate at the Waffle House way late (early?) in college more times than I care to admit.

[IMP]

never had awful waffle til i moved to atlanta. late night at UF was either pizza at the apt, taco hell, steak n shake (:exams:), or what was the place across from florida theatre that was famous for the biscuits? used to be one by the sam's and walmart and was also one on 34th and i forget the cross road there where that nasty kash n kery was. it was like breakfast place and i think had a pig theme. man my memory SUCKS!!!! a shame, i didnt do drugs and it's this bad. :shrug:

eta...skeeter's!!!

eta2: looks like you guys are too young to know about skeeter's :cry:

[dlwktb]

HUDDLE HOUSE. MOST DELICIOUS DRUNK MEAL EVER.

[EddieC]

Waffle House

:iatp: :iatp: :iatp: :iatp: :iatp: :iatp:

[ReserveRage]

There is a New England chain steak place called Bugaboo Creek that makes a decent steak for a $40-50 for two price point.

Yeah that place is OK. I was last there in July of 2000. I don't know if it's changed in 10 years but it basically seemed like an Outback clone, especially given the interior decor.

[The Arbitrary]

Yeah, not a fan. It doesn't help that in order to get to my local PF Changs I have to pass three chinese restaurants that are a) cheaper b) better tasting and c) run by actual Asians.

If you're going to PF changs for chinese good, you're doing it wrong. If you're going there for "chinese" food, you can get a good meal. It's all in what you expect. I don't think there's a single chain in America doing chinese food well.

[otley]

Chick-Fil-A
In-N-Out
Buca-Di-Beppo
(no, it doesn't have the dashes, but I wanted them to look consistent)

[Simply Brilliant]

never had awful waffle til i moved to atlanta. late night at UF was either pizza at the apt, taco hell, steak n shake (:exams:), or what was the place across from florida theatre that was famous for the biscuits? used to be one by the sam's and walmart and was also one on 34th and i forget the cross road there where that nasty kash n kery was. it was like breakfast place and i think had a pig theme. man my memory SUCKS!!!! a shame, i didnt do drugs and it's this bad. :shrug:

eta...skeeter's!!!

eta2: looks like you guys are too young to know about skeeter's :cry:

This makes me feel young, the florida theatre is gone, kash n kery is gone, skeeters is gone, and steak n shake I'm pretty sure is gone too. :toth:

[IMP]

Chick-Fil-A
In-N-Out
Buca-Di-Beppo
(no, it doesn't have the dashes, but I wanted them to look consistent)hah i almost went to buca di beppo tonight

[IMP]

This makes me feel young, the florida theatre is gone, kash n kery is gone, skeeters is gone, and steak n shake I'm pretty sure is gone too. :toth:great. that makes me feel old.

[Simply Brilliant]

great. that makes me feel old.

:bighug::hsmack:
:bighug:

[vito]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A#Religious_connections
I don't see anything in the WIKI that suggests psychosis. Oh wait... I forgot who I'm conversing with.

[FormLetter]

Capital Grille

yeah agreed

[FormLetter]

Denny's rocks eternally
Bob Evans new biscuit bowl meals are awesome

[KingWithoutACrown]

Denny's rocks eternally
Bob Evans new biscuit bowl meals are awesome

Denny's is the BEST at 3am. Get one of the scrambles

Landry's restaurants
Benihana
Cracker Barrel

[Will Durant]

Cracker Barrel rocks for road trips.

[IMP]

:bighug::hsmack:
:bighug:just kidding.

[Simply Brilliant]

Dick's Drive-in

[Simply Brilliant]

Dick's Drive-in

I just like the name, I've never even tried it, but we did drive by it. Dick's was closed, but we drove around for hours because the girl really really wanted Dicks that night.

[ditkaworshipper]

OK, so the general pattern is that you want a place that specializes when you go to a chain. I.e., there's good food, but only if you feel like what they have.

Burgers - In-n-Out Burger, 5 Guys, Red Robin

Chicken Sandwich - Chik-Fil-A

Wings - Buffalo Wild Wings, Wing Stop

Shakes - Chik-Fil-A, Red Robin, Steak n Shake

Fries - 5 guys, McDonald's

Southern Comfort food - Cracker Barrel

Cajun - Copeland's

Upscale American - Jason Alexander's

Lettuce wraps - PF Chang's (I like their food too, but I haven't had actual Chinese food in a long time)

I haven't found good hot dogs, pizza, greek, italian, seafood, french, Japanese...I think you get my point. You are limited in scope on what chains will get you.

[otley]

For Greek, Daphne's is good in a pinch. A little pricey for what it is, but still tasty.