Chain restaurants that are actually good
Mar 5, 2005 | 5:52 am
#211
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PA near PHL
Posts: 438
Originally Posted by dan1431
I would have to second/third Bugaboo Creek the food is good but their customer service is outstanding.
A while back a few co-workers and I went to the Bugaboo Creek by our hotel and supprise surprise their was a long wait. After and 1 hour and 15 minutes we were seated and not 5 minutes later a large plate of nachos and wings were brought to the table "on the house" as an apology for the long wait.
Since that time, whenever my team is in DE we usually eat one night at Bugabook because of the great service.
Dan
A while back a few co-workers and I went to the Bugaboo Creek by our hotel and supprise surprise their was a long wait. After and 1 hour and 15 minutes we were seated and not 5 minutes later a large plate of nachos and wings were brought to the table "on the house" as an apology for the long wait.
Since that time, whenever my team is in DE we usually eat one night at Bugabook because of the great service.
Dan
Bugaboo Creek...
Moose Juice...
mmmmmmmmmmm
^
Mar 5, 2005 | 6:46 am
#212
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: PIT
Posts: 63
- Locally (western PA / eastern OH), Quaker Steak & Lube is a great choice for wings. They continue to expand to more and more locations. Theyre also now in TN and WI.
- Skyline Chili (mostly in OH and KY) for authentic Cincinnati-style chili.
- I agree with the postitive comments about Panera Bread. They have a number of tasty salads, fresher than many, and good soups and sandwiches to boot. I try to resist the cinnamon rolls.. The free wireless and good coffee is an added bonus.
- Its not really a chain, as each restaurant in the group is different, but the Big Burrito Group in Pittsburgh has brought a nice variety of tasty treats to our area. Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pan-Asian and Contemporary offerings at their 6 different restaurants.
- Ruths Chris is much preferred over Morton's. We've had several good experiences at RC, but bad at Morton's, where the attitude was snobby, there was never a caution that the sides were HUGE or a suggestion to share, and the steaks were just not that good for the price. I'd pick RC over Morton's any day.
- Tim Hortons Tim Horton's OK its a real stretch. But on a vacation years ago with brothers family, the nephews were young, and were treated to doughnut breakfasts several mornings at the in-ever-town-in-Canada TH. So they clamored EVERY morning for Tim Hortons Tim Hortons. And ever since, its had that double-name for us. And a fond spot in our hearts. Just goes to show that dining is not only about the food but also about the experience. Several years later, while ferrying youngest nephew to a soccer tournament, we stopped for a quick bite in the morning, and as we pulled off the exit ramp, in Dayton OH, there it was and yes, the clamors were there. TH, TH!! Ah, memories.
- In Vegas, Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe (2 locations). I highly recommend the sampler platter.
Why is it that our travel memories always seem to center around food???
- Skyline Chili (mostly in OH and KY) for authentic Cincinnati-style chili.
- I agree with the postitive comments about Panera Bread. They have a number of tasty salads, fresher than many, and good soups and sandwiches to boot. I try to resist the cinnamon rolls.. The free wireless and good coffee is an added bonus.
- Its not really a chain, as each restaurant in the group is different, but the Big Burrito Group in Pittsburgh has brought a nice variety of tasty treats to our area. Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pan-Asian and Contemporary offerings at their 6 different restaurants.
- Ruths Chris is much preferred over Morton's. We've had several good experiences at RC, but bad at Morton's, where the attitude was snobby, there was never a caution that the sides were HUGE or a suggestion to share, and the steaks were just not that good for the price. I'd pick RC over Morton's any day.
- Tim Hortons Tim Horton's OK its a real stretch. But on a vacation years ago with brothers family, the nephews were young, and were treated to doughnut breakfasts several mornings at the in-ever-town-in-Canada TH. So they clamored EVERY morning for Tim Hortons Tim Hortons. And ever since, its had that double-name for us. And a fond spot in our hearts. Just goes to show that dining is not only about the food but also about the experience. Several years later, while ferrying youngest nephew to a soccer tournament, we stopped for a quick bite in the morning, and as we pulled off the exit ramp, in Dayton OH, there it was and yes, the clamors were there. TH, TH!! Ah, memories.
- In Vegas, Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe (2 locations). I highly recommend the sampler platter.
Why is it that our travel memories always seem to center around food???
Mar 7, 2005 | 6:35 pm
#214
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Heading to Costco for more popcorn...
Programs: UA 1K 2MM Flier, SPG Plt, Hilton Dia
Posts: 8,461
Originally Posted by ElmhurstNick
Another FTer recommend this to me when I was on a business trip alone. I'm only an occasional fish eater but was in the mood for it, and was very pleased. It's not quite at the level of a good east coast place (even Legals), but for Middle America it was fine. The atmosphere was very nice and calming, which is something I needed that day.
Apr 7, 2005 | 12:02 pm
#216
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SQL
Programs: SPG Platinum; Hyatt Platinum; UA 1K
Posts: 3,170
Originally Posted by violist
Yup - first ate at Legal in '69: Inman Square was a dumpy mess,
with Legal not adding much to the atmosphere of the area; the
place was cash-only and, by then-current standards, not too cheap;
the seafood was good - perhaps not better than at the clam
shacks and lobster barns up the coast, but certainly among the best
that most of us non-New Englanders had ever encountered. And the
place was packed even on weekday nights.
But in time the Berkowitzes got a bit big for their britches, with the
result that you see - not cheap, and the seafood is decent, perhaps
among the best that non-New Englanders have ever encountered.
Even the one at Logan C - if I have been hit by a delay, I'll duck in
there and get steamed mussels and a beer and be perfectly happy.
If you go with a simple preparation, you're likely to do okay; but
as soon as they add a sauce, all bets are off.
with Legal not adding much to the atmosphere of the area; the
place was cash-only and, by then-current standards, not too cheap;
the seafood was good - perhaps not better than at the clam
shacks and lobster barns up the coast, but certainly among the best
that most of us non-New Englanders had ever encountered. And the
place was packed even on weekday nights.
But in time the Berkowitzes got a bit big for their britches, with the
result that you see - not cheap, and the seafood is decent, perhaps
among the best that non-New Englanders have ever encountered.
Even the one at Logan C - if I have been hit by a delay, I'll duck in
there and get steamed mussels and a beer and be perfectly happy.
If you go with a simple preparation, you're likely to do okay; but
as soon as they add a sauce, all bets are off.
When I got it, of course, my lobster was very overdone. (Hint: if the claw meat is dried out with no elasticity and has become welded to the inside of the shell it is overdone).
Apr 7, 2005 | 2:07 pm
#217
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Il Fornaio
Mostly in CA, but a few other locations: http://www.ilfornaio.com
The Tuscan wood-fired chicken is fantastic!
The Tuscan wood-fired chicken is fantastic!
Apr 7, 2005 | 2:29 pm
#219
Original Poster
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
I used to like Il Fornaio a lot, but recently at the San Jose location I was served Lasagna that was cold on the inside. That told me two things. One, that they don't make it fresh every day, and that they don't have very good quality control in the kitchen. Just what I should expect from a chain as opposed to an individual restaurant that is much more concerned about quality and reputation.
Apr 7, 2005 | 3:00 pm
#220
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 31,295
Originally Posted by bas5838
Has anyone tried J. Alexander's...a chain with locations in Florida?
Apr 17, 2005 | 9:16 am
#222
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN/CLE
Programs: UA GS/1K, SQ SilverKris, DL MM-Silver
Posts: 2,099
Lettuce Entertain You
While not classically a chain, Lettuce Entertain You (http://www.leye.com/welcome.html) is a restaurant company in Chicago that has numerous high quality restaurants in Chicagoland and elsewhere.
Apr 17, 2005 | 12:12 pm
#223
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM, HA, VS
Posts: 91,959
Originally Posted by JHattery
While not classically a chain, Lettuce Entertain You (http://www.leye.com/welcome.html) is a restaurant company in Chicago that has numerous high quality restaurants in Chicagoland and elsewhere.
Apr 17, 2005 | 12:24 pm
#225
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM, HA, VS
Posts: 91,959
Originally Posted by jtkauai
olive garden is dreck; roy's is expensive dreck. agree mccormick's is good.