I've been transplanted from SoCal to Northern Va., which is almost completely bereft of eateries except for Wendy's, Pho, and Chinese Buffets. Also there is nothing open late except for IHOP and Denny's, and the restaurants here allow SMOKING! Yecch!

I would die for any of the following:

Carl's Jr.
Claim Jumper
Elephant Bar
El Pollo Loco
Jack In The Box
In & Out Burger
Mimi's Cafe (owned by Bob Evans, would you please tear down all the Bob Evanses and put up Mimi's Cafes?)
Sonic
Waffle House

Coming from Australia I wouldnt be caught dead in an Outback Steakhouse it is totally Un-Australian.
Have always been disappointed with Italian food in the states-if it is any good it is overpriced but we do enjoy Johnny Carinos.
If we have the grandkids then it has to be a rainforest cafe.
In Michigan we loved the atmosphere of Logans Roadhouse-havent laughed as much in years.
We usually enjoy most of the rib and BBQ chains as it is a style we dont have at home.
Whether chain or not our vote goes to Philly as the best eating value in the states.

WoHos in So Cal? Really?

From my experience in the South, WoHos tend to avoid or leave areas which have or enact smoking limitations. AFAIK, VA, like several other Southern states, still produces a fair amount of tobacco, so that the political guts to ban smoking in restaurants, etc. are often lacking.

Not like Atlanta, but there seem to be a number in Virginia (from its website):

Virginia Interstate Locations
I-64: Exit 55, 61, 81, 120, 255, 255B, 258B, 268B, 280B, 286B
I-81: Exit 37, 98, 222, 307, 313
I-85: Exit 61, 63A
I-95: Exit 64, 82, 92, 104, 126, 130, 133
I-295: Exit 9B, 37
I-665: Exit 9

Plus neighborhood locations in...
Charlottesville, Colonial Heights, Dumfries, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Midlothian, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk, Troutville, Virginia Beach, Wytheville

Those towns are in the part of Virginia where folks drive trucks with gun racks and stickers with the #3 on the back (whatever that means). I don't live there.

HAHAHAHAHA. So true! I spent last summer living in Arlington and driving down to Quantico to work, and wow, talk about driving from one universe to another.

Don't know if In & Out Burgers are mentioned yet, thats always one of my favourites when I go to the States.

milestones is owned by CARA corp which does kelseys, montanas, outback, etc...http://www.cara.com/divisions.html



mac grill is owned by brinker, which does not own milestones....

I am a huge chain whore, but some definates are....

U.S.
any brinker specialty brand (non chili/mac grill)
don pablos
chevys
I go to a lot of small towns, so ruby tuesdays

canada
I love the canadian chains so much more (dont ask why(
I love kelseys, montana's, earls, keg, jack astor, canyon creek.

how many times have you made your work/travel/hotel plans around which restraunt to go to. I have picked hotels based on this, hoping they are just far enogh away to enjoy anice after dinner cigar....

I've only eaten in two of them, but I liked Bonefish grill. Not bad for a chain.

I'm interested to note the votes for Leon de Bruxelles. I've eaten in the original in Brussels and while it's not gourmet food, it does good moules and pepper steaks. We're visiting Paris with the kids in a couple of weeks and I was looking for somewhere child-friendly. That might just fit the bill.

In and Out burger
Chili's (once in a while)
Pasta Pomodoro (once a week)
Panda Express
Macaroni Grill

Chin Chin Love it or hate it--They deliver and I love the spicy Sunday Night Chop Suey ^

Those are endangered, you jerk!

You just joined that list buddy !!!

The DC area has a chain of places that I love. There I think 2 that are called "Sweetwater", a "Carslye Grand", a "Mike's" and an "Artie's". They are sister places and pretty much have the same menu. ^ ^

Both L'entrecote and Leon de Bruxelles can be found within a few steps of the Meridien Porte Maillot Hotel. We really liked L'entrecote, nothing real fancy but a good restaurant value (!).

Maggiano's is one of Brinker's better Italian spots.. similar food to mac grill but definitely better!

I stopped eating at Don Pablos when I noticed servers handling food with bare hands that had also picked up things off the floor or scratched body parts... lost my appetite.

I've been to a Keg and a Jack Astor in Dallas. I wasn't very impressed with Keg, especially in comparison to a place like Lawry's or Del Friscos. Jack Astor was a pleasant experience, I'd go again.

As far as Canadian chains, Marchee gets my vote, along with Whistling Oyster. Both are in Toronto and are very much worth a visit. My husband is tired of hearing me talk about both, so we're going this summer just so that he can see what the fuss is all about!