Originally Posted by cyberdad
I hate to admit that I often gravitate to familar chains when I'm in unfamilliar surroundings. Unfortunately, the ones I personally am familliar enough to avoid include these....
Applebee's: Usually not "bad" in the classic sense, although you can definitely get a bad meal here. More often they're just "undistinguished" and "boring".
Carrabas: Arrogance meets blandness.
Ruby Tuesdays: On balance everthing that's bad about Applebee's, although they sometimes do have a decent salad bar.
Casey's (Canada): The weather outside isn't the only thing that's usually frozen! The clincher came a few year's ago when they were touting "USDA certified SELECT grade steaks" (that's a notch below the "Choice" usually found in chain supermarkets)
Olive Garden: "Better living through chemistry"
Houlihan's: I think they're trying to pass themselves off as an upscale version of TGI Friday's....which, to me anyway, is ridiculous.
Garfunkel's (UK): They seem to be on a mission to serve meals bereft of any flavor (or flavour) whatsoever.
Outback: Occasionally you can get a good meal here. But all too often it's just overpriced and overcooked. I usually just order a burger and tell them EXACTLY how I'd like it. Usually that approach produces a good result.
For whatever its worth, a few I DO like....
Logan's Road House: The atmosphere gets a little annoying, but the food's usually pretty good. I think they're exclusive to the Southeast.
Ryan's Steak House: Also in the southeast. These can get a little frantic and messy, but they have the best cheap salad bar/comfort food buffet on the planet!
East Side Mario's (Canada): Casual basic Italian. Similar atmosphere to TGIF, but better food. As one manager told me, "You may not get a great meal in here, but you'll usually get a pretty damned good one". How true. Minestrone, salad, and hot loaf is always a good choice here when you're in a hurry at lunch time.
Bonefish: Not many of 'em, but good, creatively prepared seafood...cheap!
On the Border: Best of the tex-mex chains isn't saying much, but these folks seem to usually do a pretty decent job.
One man's humble opinions.
I agree with most of what you have to say, but I can't imagine that you prefer Ryan's to Outback. If you're referring to the Ryan's I think you are, it is a cafeteria with the steam tables and bad self serve ice milk and the pudding with the "whipped topping." They are at least as far north as Springfield, IL. At Outback, you can at least get a real steak that hasn't been "seasoned" with Adolph's Meat Tenderizer.
Your comments about Applebee's, Olive Garden and On the Border are exactly on target IMO.