I'd rather eat McDonalds then Fatburger.

Never been to Tommy's but I'll check it out.

In & Out is the best fast food burger, Steak & Shake is a close second.

My Favorite Chains--
 

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).

This would be wonderful news if I ever got within 25 miles of Baltimore. :(
Still, I miss Roy Rogers (not to be confused with Kenny Rogers) and would welcome an opportunity to reawaken those taste buds.

Chains, I didn't notice in this post, although I may have overlooked them:

Friendly's - the taste of my youth. They have changed quite a bit from the place I used to take a date to after the movies in the 60's and 70's. It was as much to socialize as to eat. In the 80's (Hershey ownership era) it was a place to bring the kids. We don't have many in the south. I've seen one in Orlando and one in Myrtle Beach. Nice to see beer on the menu, but that's the only improvement I can cite. Otherwise, they seem to have gone downhill.

Fudruckers - I guess I'm a sucker for anyplace I can fix my own burger. My kids seem to like that too.

Uuuuuuuugh.


No offense, just my $.02.

My Fav's (categorized by increasing $):

Fast Food/Burgers: Inn-N-Out definitely, though I think they are still limited to CA and NV. I've never been to Five Guys, but will now look out for them in the East.

Casual Dining: Red Robin, or Chili's. Don't enjoy TGI Fridays or Outback personally. Cheesecake is ok.

Moderate: PF Changs was a favorite, used to love the one on Paradise in Vegas, but since their IPO (and subsequent expansion binge) I've found many PFC's to be much less consistent in food and service.

Upscale (these are good for client entertaining):
Palomino is excellent ^ ; American menu with a European flare. The original one is in my office bldg in Seattle, but they are also in many big cities - I've been to SF, LA, Cinci and all were very good.

McCormick & Schmicks is a good choice for traditional American (seafood and steak).

In'n'out is one of the best burger chains ever. Hamburger Mary's is pretty good, too.

Palomino is excellent. So is Roy's. In-N-Out is awesome for what it is. Denny's for breakfast is fine.

My Top 4:
Cheesecake Factory

PF Chang's

Flemmings

Ruth's Chris

For anyone who like Japanese Yakatori (BBQ) NANBANTEI restaurants are very good.
There are several in Japan of course, also Singapore, Hong Kong, LA, SFO, Chicago (I think) and if not mistaken one in NYC. They serve hibachi bbq, skewered chicken, gizzards, asparagus wrapped in bacon, ginko nuts, and many other tasty's. Good sauces and dips alongside. That and a couple of Asahi Dry's make a very good meal, if a little pricey.
bb

They are also in AZ. All stores must be within a day's drive of their food plant in CA, as they don't own a freezer.

Anyhow next time you are real hungry... try a 4X4

People who eat at chain restaurants...
 

...are generally boring, predictable, unimaginative and stuck in a rut. How difficult is it to ask, find, or investigate where a good local restaurant is located? I see these people lined up outside places like the Cheesecake Factory - waiting for several hours for what? For some mediocre pasta and overpriced cheesecake? There's a sucker born every day. That's how I feel - and I'm sticking to it.

I grew up in the burbs eating at chains.. so places like TGIF, Chilis,etc are just like HS spots for me. Oh and Cheesecake Factory is a waste of money. I have been to so many better places with similar size selection and slightly more affordable.. wait and better service!


The few chains I still like...
Bennihanas.. i just love their food.
Del Friscos.. great wine list and great steaks

my problem with chains is that ive eaten there before. I like the adventure of something new.

But local chains are always high on my priority list when i travel. anyone got any ones for chicago?

Roy's is very, very good! :-: :-: :-:

Here are a few. Most of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants are very good (you may want to do a Google search for names and locations) - several of their concepts have been purchased by others, including Maggiano's, Corner Bakery and Big Bowl. Lou Malnati's for deep dish pizza, Potbelly for very good, very inexpensive sandwiches (is quickly becoming national), Ann Sather (known for their cinnamon rolls and comfort food), Flat Top Grill (stir fry and a Flyertalk lunch favorite), Al's #1 Italian beef (although those with discriminating taste prefer Mr. Beef, which is not a chain but Near North).

I am a big Roy's fan too. However, they're not all the same, in that each of Roy's Chefs creates his or her own menu "in the Roy's tradition." Other than a couple "signature" items, the menus are completely different and some are much better than others.

I'll second that!