If you live in Middle America or Southern California, there is little else than chains. I know of a handful that I would call fairly good, but I know of hundreds that are awful. Usually the more they advertise the worse they are - Applebees, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Marie Calendars to name but a few of the offenders.

My favorite chain is right here in Portland, Oregon - Burgerville! What other burger chain made Gourmet Magazine?