Originally Posted by letiole

Pasta Pomodoro

This is my favorite thing on the menu. It's especially good if you have them add sun-dried tomatoes.
RAVIOLI DI ZUCCA Roasted butternut squash ravioli, browned butter, crispy sage leaves, parmesan. $7.95 APPETIZER PORTION $4.75

Originally Posted by AAflyerDFW

I'll second that vote for Houston's, as well as their cousin restaurants Bandera and Gulfstream. I've had consistently good quality of food and service at many of their locations across the country.

Originally Posted by boilermaker

I absoutely love Claim Jumper and Buca de Beppo.

Other favs:

Pappacitos/Pappadeaux http://www.pappas.com/
IHOP http://www.ihop.com/
Original Pancake House http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/
Abueloshttp://www.abuelos.com/

Originally Posted by RichardInSF

The operative word in the name "The Cheesecake Factory" is Factory! If you're stuck in Palo Alto staring at the line at their store there, walk out the door, turn left, and go 100' up to Taxi's for a hamburger, fries, and milkshake. Show your "Albertson's Preferred Customer" card (!) for a 15% discount, even. This is a micro-chain in the Bay area, as are nearby Pasta ?, Zao Noodle House, and Taqueria Andale, and any of these would be a better choice.

Never tried the Taqueria Andale at the international terminal at SFO, but I have looked at their menu and it is way more limited than the other stores. Can they even have a slicing knife when they are inside security? I would imagine most of the stuff at that branch is pre-prepared and wouldn't judge the others by this one.

But if the Cheesecake Factory customer-base is cult-like, what would you call the fans of "In-N-Out" or "Krispy Kreme" (some of whom have posted on this thread)? Like Stimpy notes about Legal Sea Foods, when there was only one "In-N-Out" it was pretty good. Now it's nothing special.

Originally Posted by danielonn

I love the Cheeseckae Factory. Good bang for the buck. Even if you share the entree and cheesecake you will go home happy. So with that being said you can't go wrong with their Godiva Cheesecake. If I were the President of the company I would the CKF in major airports so you can fill up on a nice meal. The flight attendants and passengers in coach will drool and say"Man wish I got what your eating" lol.

So with that being said I think the Cheesecake Factory should be in most airports and international destinations. What's your take?

Originally Posted by KathyWdrf

I think this thread is informative in more ways than one. The sad thing is that someone asked for chain restaurants that are good, and some of the replies include places like In-N-Out Burger and so on, which may be good (for what they are), but could hardly be called restaurants. And someone else thought a brunch place was special because they serve (gasp!) fresh-squeezed orange juice. :rolleyes:

Are we Americans a bunch of rubes or what? :(

Originally Posted by fduvall

Restaurant or not, I have never understood peoples love for In & Out. I was taken there during college 20 years ago...not impressed then and not impressed now. Maybe as fast food burgers go, they are above average, but in LA, Tommy's or even Fatburger blew doors on In & Out.

fduvall

Originally Posted by MrsWilson

Cheesecake Factories in major airports would be a great idea.

Originally Posted by techgirl

I should not be able to hear the servers gossiping or see them congregating.

Originally Posted by fitgirl518

For a really quick salad or sandwich on a travel day I like to stop at Panera's on the way to/from the airport.

Originally Posted by MrsWilson

Had my first InNOut Burger about 15 years ago and I've always considered them one of the best. Every time we make a trip to LA, it's a must have. Sure, there are better burgers out there... but as fast food goes I don't think you can beat it.