favorite & worst chain restaurant

[renovation]

what would say is your favorite one to eat at. mines Ruby Tuesday
worst one i will eat at is Jack in the Box (if push come to shove.

[ramazank2]

Top and worst 3 (Fast Food):
Favorite - Del Taco,Chipotle,Jack in the Box
Worst - Starbucks,McDonalds,Burgerking

[DarkFury]

Favorite... hard to say, as I like alot of different things.

Worst: White Castles... hands down for me. :puke:

[chrissy]

My favorite is Memphis bbq ( a local chain, does that count?) It would be 17th street bar and grill in STL area, fast food would be sonic - when I really want something bad for me, it's cheesy, chili tots and a large diet :hihi: dr. pepper with vanilla

I can't stand McDonalds or dominoes or pizza hut.

[uncledaddy]

Favorite... hard to say, as I like alot of different things.

Worst: White Castles... hands down for me. :puke:

OMG...if only there was a White Castles here!

Favs: Panda Express, Pizza Hut, Burger Queen.
Worst: Taco Bell, El Torito, Applebee's.

[Jeffbx]

Fav: Corky's BBQ. Alas, there are none in Michigan... :(

Worst: Olive Garden

[cheapie]

just fly through memphis on NWA. i think there's a corky's there.

[mojo]

favorite- texas roadhouse
worst- applebee's

[DarkFury]

OMG...if only there was a White Castles here!


Why subject your digestive system to that crap?

Seriously, I think they come with a razorblade in every pound of beef (or is that horsemeat?)

[baggio248]

(I guess most of these are regional chains. You never really miss them until you can't have them...damn you Oregon)

Best: Wahoos, Fuddruckers, Zippys, Rubios

Worst: Taco Bell, Burger King, L&L

[cheapie]

yeah. you poor thing. you've only got mt. hood, mt. bachelor, the columbia river, vineyards galore producing fantastic pinot noir, etc. :hihi:

[guiseppewv]

Fav: Fuddruckers, Red Robin, Chik-Fil-A

Worst: Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, McDonalds

[uncledaddy]

Why subject your digestive system to that crap?

Seriously, I think they come with a razorblade in every pound of beef (or is that horsemeat?)

:laugh: It's probably the fact that I only taste the burgers if I buy them from the grocers freezer (not quite the same), which is like once every year or so. They were an acquired taste from my father, I guess. He loved them. :shrug:

[Showtime]

1 kind is In & Out and the other is mcdonalds.

[chrissy]

uncle, try this:

Ho-made sliders

a pound of hamburger
1 packet of lipton onion soup mix
1egg
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup bread crumbs

mix together and press into a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with lip)
bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees

remove from oven and cut into small squares, look at your buns first to gage size. You can use most dinner rolls, hot dog buns cut into thirds.

Onions- mince onions (and you can use dried minced onions) and cook them in a little beef broth.

Place a pickle and mince onions and meat pattie on a bun.

[ski]

Pros:
In-N-Out (unavailable in DC)
Fazoli's (unavailable in DC)
Chipotle
Del Taco (unavailable in DC)

Cons:
McDonald's
KFC



Sit-down: Chili's huge bacon burgers really impressed me. Red Robin never lets you down. I love the Zuppa Toscana soup at Olive Garden!

[oblongmelon]

worst: MCDONALDS-GROSS
best: texas roadhouse, applebees (for their pecan crusted chicken salad)

[ShawnLee]

I'm in Korea... I miss all my back home foods and won't disparage a single one while I'm out of the country.

I miss too many... Ah...

[Sirrich3]

Pros: In/Out, Joey's BBQ, Chilis, Fridays

[uncledaddy]

uncle, try this:

Ho-made sliders

a pound of hamburger
1 packet of lipton onion soup mix
1egg
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup bread crumbs

mix together and press into a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with lip)
bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees

remove from oven and cut into small squares, look at your buns first to gage size. You can use most dinner rolls, hot dog buns cut into thirds.

Onions- mince onions (and you can use dried minced onions) and cook them in a little beef broth.

Place a pickle and mince onions and meat pattie on a bun.

Thanks, chrissy.

So this should be close right? I'll give it a try. :)

[chrissy]

it's very close. I mean, there is no White Castle here and I *might* get it when I visit STL once a year.
They are much better than the frozen variety.

[Markel]

uncle, try this:
...

Huh? No holes punched in the meat? :confused:

;)

[baggio248]

When I was in LA i never really ate at In N Out. In Pasadena we ate at Hi Life. It's better than In N Out, and its cheaper. But now that I can't get In N Out I plan on eating a lot when I come home to CA next month.

[GraingerGuy]

Best: Taco Bell, Chili's, CPK, and Acapulcos

Worst: McD, Applebees,

[chrissy]

When I was in LA i never really ate at In N Out. In Pasadena we ate at Hi Life. It's better than In N Out, and its cheaper. But now that I can't get In N Out I plan on eating a lot when I come home to CA next month.

I hear ya. We haven't ate there (In and Out) in a while and now that we are moving away, I KNOW I need to go at least once more and then *cry* miss it for ever! :bawl:

[Maarchk]

When I was in LA i never really ate at In N Out. In Pasadena we ate at Hi Life. It's better than In N Out, and its cheaper. But now that I can't get In N Out I plan on eating a lot when I come home to CA next month.

I never knew of hi life. But then again it's in S. Pasadena, and we don't go down there... ;)

I'll have to try that place next time I'm around.

Why do people love In n Out so much. It's better than mcD's but what isn't. I guess it never really did anything for me. The shakes are probably the best part.

[uncledaddy]

Why do people love In n Out so much. It's better than mcD's but what isn't. I guess it never really did anything for me. The shakes are probably the best part.

I always thought it may be the sort of nostalgic atmosphere, that they make everything fresh themselves from grinding their own chuck to baking their own buns, and fresh in-store cut fries.

And it seems trendy to eat at IN & Out.

[Paymaster]

"I'm so hungry, I could eat at Arby's!" - Homer Simpson (and I have to agree).

Fav? Maybe BJs. For the beer.

[Markel]

Does Morton's count as a chain? :D

[baggio248]

I never knew of hi life. But then again it's in S. Pasadena, and we don't go down there... ;)
It's good and cheap. Bring cash, it's cash only.


Does Morton's count as a chain? :D
How about Ruth's Criss??

[Markel]

How about Ruth's Criss??
I thought of that as well, but since I live in the home area of Morton's (Chicago) it would be my preference. (As well, I recall some New York steak house ratings that put Morton's on top.)

[guiseppewv]

Does Morton's count as a chain? :D

I think they were referring to fast food chains. :) If not, I would add The Palm (http://www.thepalm.com/) restaurant.

[Showtime]

"I'm so hungry, I could eat at Arby's!" - Homer Simpson (and I have to agree).

1 kind is The Hat and the other kind is Arbys.

[mcs328]

Best: Chipotle, Wendys and Checkers
Worst: Arbys, Roy Rogers (not the same somehow)

[ramazank2]

Someone mentioned korean food. I hate tofu house.... Seems like my coworkers want to get there all the time.

[Napoleon54]

I'm pretty serious about local venues, but as far as chains go...

Best: Red Robin, Panera, Roadhouse, Chili's

Worst: McDs, Starbucks, Domino's, Friendly's

Absolute best of all time (and they all happen to be regional): Mighty Taco, Jreck Subs, Spot Coffee, Tim Horton's

Absolute worst in the entire universe: Denny's

[DarkFury]

Absolute worst in the entire universe: Denny's
Honestly their "Grand Slam" breakfast is the bomb... especially when they go on sale (like their $2.99 special).

Meh.. I guess everyone has their own tastes. :D

[guiseppewv]

I'd prefer to eat at a Waffle House any day rather than Denny's. Denny's and Eat'n'puke have to be 2 of the worst breakfast places.

Add Waffle house to my best list. :)

[Napoleon54]

Honestly their "Grand Slam" breakfast is the bomb... especially when they go on sale (like their $2.99 special).

Meh.. I guess everyone has their own tastes. :D

It's mainly personal reasons for me... their food really ain't all THAT bad. I hate Denny's because that's practically the only place my friends ever went and I got sick of it. Plus I think their prices are high.

[DarkFury]

It's mainly personal reasons for me... their food really ain't all THAT bad. I hate Denny's because that's practically the only place my friends ever went and I got sick of it. Plus I think their prices are high.
I guess your Denny's are different than mine...

Around here, Denny's pretty much is the "cheap breakfast"... versus going to a "real" restaurant where you are gonna pay long dollars. :D

[Nija]

I think they were referring to fast food chains. :) If not, I would add The Palm (http://www.thepalm.com/) restaurant.
Hey, I know the head chef at the L.A. Downtown location

[Jeffbx]

Shake his hand for me... The Palm was one of my favorite restaurants, but they closed the one here in Detroit.

Stupid bad economy.

[Napoleon54]

I guess your Denny's are different than mine...

Around here, Denny's pretty much is the "cheap breakfast"... versus going to a "real" restaurant where you are gonna pay long dollars. :D

Do you have greasy spoon/ trucker diners in your area? My idea of "cheap breakfast" is like 50-cent bottomless coffee and a greasy $4 version of the grand slam.

[DarkFury]

Do you have greasy spoon/ trucker diners in your area? My idea of "cheap breakfast" is like 50-cent bottomless coffee and a greasy $4 version of the grand slam.
I'm sure that there are some of those around here, on Interstate 65, but honestly, those are not in my normal traveling area. :D

[TofuNinja]

I like: Del Taco, Carl's Jr, Jamba Juice, IHOP, Rally's, Me and Ed's Pizza, Roundtable, SOuplantation/Sweet Tomato, Todai's and In and Out

I don't like: Church's Chicken, KFC (well only thing I like is the bowls), PF Changs (No REAL asian would eat their overpriced food... the food is good, just WAY overpriced and white, not real asian food), Hometown Buffet, Charlie's steak from the malls, hotdog on a stick

These are ok: Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy's Denny's Pizza Hut,

I don't mind frozen White Castles, but the fresh ones were not that good.... greasy as hell which was odd since they are suppose to steam them or something..... Frozen good, fresh nasty.

[DarkFury]

I don't mind frozen White Castles, but the fresh ones were not that good.... greasy as hell which was odd since they are suppose to steam them or something..... Frozen good, fresh nasty.
You might be confusing them with Krystals... White Castles are fried up on a greasy griddle and smothered in greasy onions.

Krystals are defintely less greasy than White Castles.


BTW... eating White Castles sends you to the porcelain throne which doesn't stay white for long considering what they do to your digestive system. :eek: :puke:

[beachgirl]

Fast Food Chains that are good - Jack in the box, Del Taco. Subway if you get a good sandwich maker.

Fast Food Chains that are gross - McDonald's, Carl's Jr., Burger King, most all of them.

i do enjoy the White Castle burger when in the midwest even though they are really greasy.

Most restaurant food is a rip. Panda Express is okay.

Buffets that are clean and good are Chuck-a-Rama and Golden Corral. (In my area anyway). I normally stay away from buffets.

I think one of the best places I have eaten is the Barona Steak House. Out on Wildcat Canyon Road.

[Markel]

BTW... eating White Castles sends you to the porcelain throne which doesn't stay white for long considering what they do to your digestive system. :eek: :puke:
At the risk of crossing a line... A co-worker was once making the same point, and came to the conclusion that the most efficient way to eat White Castles was while sitting on the porcelain throne. I suggested that a more efficient way was to cut out the "middle man" and just throw them directly in. :heh:

[DarkFury]

At the risk of crossing a line... A co-worker was once making the same point, and came to the conclusion that the most efficient way to eat White Castles was while sitting on the porcelain throne. I suggested that a more efficient way was to cut out the "middle man" and just throw them directly in. :heh:
Heh... I guess you and I do agree on some things. :heh:

[mechmike0034]

Krystals are defintely less greasy than White Castles.:puke:

Krystal has one redeeming factor - most locations have free wi-fi...

Their chicken sandwiches aren't bad.

[TofuNinja]

THe White Castles I had in Ohio were nasty as hell if I recall. Greasy and what not. But thE Frozen ones are not all that bad. Not greasy at all and pretty good. But yes Fresh ones suck

[thresher]

You guys DO realize that Chipotle is owned by McDonalds right? Really.

Favorite: Rudy's BBQ. (fellow Texans can I get an Amen?!)
Favorite national? Carrabba's Italian Grill
Least Favorite that I will still eat? Sadly. McDonalds :(

[lindysd]

If any of you are ever in San Diego - Try Santanas Mexican Food.

I also used to love Yoshinoya's - Would pile the ginger and spicy condiments over everything.

Least Fav - McD's - Fries are good - Chix sandwich isn't too bad.

[Napoleon54]

)
Favorite national? Carrabba's Italian Grill

Amen! Carrabba's is awesome.

[baggio248]

For all of you guys that like Ruby Tuesdays, have any of you had the strawberry or other flavored lemonades?

[Jihforce]

You guys DO realize that Chipotle is owned by McDonalds right? Really.

It's more like a investment partnership, rather than an ownership.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=916004&highlight

I do enjoy Chipotle quite a bit tho. Just had some today.

[ski]

It's more like a investment partnership, rather than an ownership.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=916004&highlight

I do enjoy Chipotle quite a bit tho. Just had some today.
And unless I am reading it backwards, McD's hasn't had any relation to Chipotle for the past 2 years

[Yossarian]

Mighty Taco.....i miss mighty taco, we used to goto buffalo just for it, Ted's hotdog, and Jack Astors, which has since redecorated, and changed its menu, and i about killed someone when i went there after the outdoor hockey game and got throughly dissapointed

[zenbooty]

Thumbs Up: Houston's, Popeye's, Jim Dandy (no longer existing, unfortunately), Waffle House, Shoney's between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM, Jackson Hole, Burritoville, Cracker Barrel, Friendly's, before it cost an arm and a leg, Benihana, O'Henry's, Togo's.

Thumb's Down: Damn, you could go on and on, couldn't you? Wendy's, Red Lobster, KFC, Rally's, International House of Paincakes, HoJo's, Shoney's between 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM, The Limp Cock Cafe, Friendly's, since costing an arm and a leg, Ground Round, The Cheesesteak Factory, Quizno's.

[ShawnLee]

ZB - I gotta disagree on the Quizno's, but do explain the Shoney's time difference?

[DarkFury]

The Cheesesteak Factory, Quizno's.
Ummm.... is that Cheesesteak Factory or Cheesecake Factory?

I've never heard of Cheesesteak Factory before... just checking (because Cheesecake Factory has some of the best dayuum Angus Burgers out there ... although they do cost an arm and a leg to buy. )

As far as Quizno's... well I don't understand your tastes. Their chicken sandwiches (Chicken Carbonara and Mesquite Chicken with Bacon are THE BOMB!!!! :lick:

[zenbooty]

Ummm.... is that Cheesesteak Factory or Cheesecake Factory?Cheesesteak. We got 'em here in NYC. Don't know how widespread they are. They might just be a local thing. Just weak, overpriced stuff in general.

[DarkFury]

Ah.. ok. We don't have any of those here. :)

[SKinAZ]

Anyone "back east" tried Steak & Shake? Visited one when we were in Orlando a few weeks back and it was quite the guilty pleasure!

[chrissy]

Steak N' Shake is a huge guilty pleasure.

I love their chili and the mushroom swiss burger.

When I was young and care-free (aka no kids) and would dj weddings on the weekends, the group of us would get together after our jobs and go there - I would have a grilled cheese with pickle and a cup of chili.

That was 1990-somethin' :D

[The Happy Squirrel]

hmmm this thread reminds me of Steak escape havent had that in quite a long time man they ahd some great food there the philly cheesesteak sandwhich w/ jalepenos or the smashed potato are excellent wow i need to get me one of thsoe