1. Fogo de Chao (Brazilian style "churrascaria")--just opened at 11th and Pennsylvania NW in Washington, DC--I have eaten in their restaurants in Addison, Texas and Chicago--about the best food I have ever eaten.

2. For hamburgers, on the west coast it's In-n-Out; in the midwest and south, it's Steak-n-Shake (both chains are vastly superior to the national burger places). Along I-70 west of Baltimore, the last private franchisee of Roy Rogers restaurants (Plamondon Enterprises) operates something like 32 restaurants, and their food (they sell roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken and even crab cake sandwiches in addition to hamburgers) is about the best you can get in a fast food joint in these parts.

3. For steaks, the best small chain might be Shula's. The best big chain is Ruth's Chris. An outstanding chain those outside of west Michigan have never heard of is Brann's.

4. For cheap eats--Golden Corral (a chain in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern states) changed around their restaurants, to have a buffet experience, along with a steak carvery station. One can eat consistently well at their restaurants for around $10 (considering an unsatisfying combo meal at McD's can cost $6-7).

5. For Cincinnati-style chili, I like Gold Star.

6. For bar-b-q, I think Sonny's (a chain in the southeast) is vastly superior to places like Famous Daves.

7. For tex-mex food, I thought that El Fenix (a chain in the Dallas area) was great--better than Chevy's.

8. For seafood, Red Lobster actually has consistent quality, whether you are eating in their restaurants in Elkhart, Indiana or Annapolis, MD.

9. For Italian, there is a chain in the DC area called "That's Amore" that is similar to Maggiano's in terms of concept but is vastly superior. North of San Francisco, there is a family operated chain called "Mary's Pizza Shack"--I am not a pizza eater (although people tell me it's great), but I have the meat ravioli w/ meat sauce place every time, and it is fantastic. I also happen to like Carrabba's (terrific marsala sauce).