Chain restaurants that are actually good
Feb 22, 2006 | 10:39 am
#301
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Location: Richmond, VA
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There are so many chain restaurants in the United States it may be impossible to try all of them! I usually stick to small unique restaurants but if friends or family want to go to a chain I'd choose between:
-Carraba's
-The Melting Pot
-PF Chang's
- Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville
PF Changs is not the best chinese food I've ever had but it hits the spot in the USA since it is hard to find chinese food that is not take-out only.
-Carraba's
-The Melting Pot
-PF Chang's
- Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville
PF Changs is not the best chinese food I've ever had but it hits the spot in the USA since it is hard to find chinese food that is not take-out only.
Feb 22, 2006 | 12:00 pm
#302
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SMF UA MM
Posts: 186
A couple I haven't seen listed amazingly enough:
Pei Wei is a more casual PF Changs. Great take out on the road.
Smokey Bones - I haven't tried the other BBQ places listed, but smokey bones has good ribs and great baked beans.
Pei Wei is a more casual PF Changs. Great take out on the road.
Smokey Bones - I haven't tried the other BBQ places listed, but smokey bones has good ribs and great baked beans.
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Feb 22, 2006 | 7:57 pm
#304
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
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Lettuce Entertain You
Lettuce Restaurants have incredible quality controls...Wildfire is the closest to a "chain" at this point and the food is superb. TRU is one of the best in Chicago period. Some independent restaurants are crap. You just have to jusde for yourself.
Feb 22, 2006 | 8:13 pm
#305
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A more regional choice is Red, Hot and Blue. I've eaten there in Chicago and Dallas.
A more regional choice is Red, Hot and Blue. I've eaten there in Chicago and Dallas.
Feb 24, 2006 | 10:45 am
#306
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Nope
Originally Posted by stimpy
This might be a tough one, since by definition a chain is bad and to be avoided. And even if a really good restaurant tries to become a chain, it rarely works. Think Legal Seafood here.
But there are some good ones that have a high standard of service and quality.
The Palm is a favorite and I believe that each of them are fantastic restaurants. http://www.thepalm.com/
Mortons can usually be counted on for great food and service. http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html
I'm sure there must be one or two others out there?
But there are some good ones that have a high standard of service and quality.
The Palm is a favorite and I believe that each of them are fantastic restaurants. http://www.thepalm.com/
Mortons can usually be counted on for great food and service. http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html
I'm sure there must be one or two others out there?
hurlimann
Feb 25, 2006 | 1:15 pm
#307
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Originally Posted by hurlimann
Nope- they're aren't any. If the world has any hope of retaining any cultural or geographic individuality, you must avoid all chain restuarants (and stores, and letters, and gangs) at all costs.
hurlimann
hurlimann
Actually, I think there are already places in the U.S. where that would be the case unless you drove long distances - and bought, of course, gasoline from an independent dealer.
Feb 25, 2006 | 1:17 pm
#308
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Originally Posted by ILuvParis
And sit in your home and never go out to eat and never shop to buy something to prepare to eat. Actually, I think there are already places in the U.S. where that would be the case unless you drove long distances - and bought, of course, gasoline from an independent dealer.
Actually, I think there are already places in the U.S. where that would be the case unless you drove long distances - and bought, of course, gasoline from an independent dealer.
Feb 26, 2006 | 1:59 pm
#309
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by AinA
Krispy Kreme .... but only when the hot light is on 
I have found Outback to be inconsistant. In Anchorage the meat has little flavor, the atmosphere is good at all locations if that is what you're after.
Chili's for their tortilla soup
The Keg has been consistantly good in Oregon & Washington.
Alison
Chugiak, AK
I have found Outback to be inconsistant. In Anchorage the meat has little flavor, the atmosphere is good at all locations if that is what you're after.
Chili's for their tortilla soup
The Keg has been consistantly good in Oregon & Washington.
Alison
Chugiak, AK
Mar 6, 2006 | 4:26 pm
#310
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Originally Posted by fduvall
When I lived in San Francisco, Houston's was an after-work favorite. I always liked the food. But I was also struck by the prices...quite high for what you actually got. I could eat at some of the better non-chain restaurants in SF for the sme price.
fduvall
fduvall
Mar 16, 2006 | 10:45 am
#312
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
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This isn't an enormous chain like The Olive Garden but they are in large cities, especially near water and by vacation destinations.
Phillip's Crabhouse
I just went to one in Baltimore, MD and they had a buffett for $25.00 a person. I do not usually go to buffetts but this consisted of crab legs, crabcakes, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, clam chowder, deviled crabs, clam strips, softshell crabs, hush puppies, and more and a full dessert bar.. it was amazing and so cheap for endless amazing seafood!
Phillip's Crabhouse
I just went to one in Baltimore, MD and they had a buffett for $25.00 a person. I do not usually go to buffetts but this consisted of crab legs, crabcakes, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, clam chowder, deviled crabs, clam strips, softshell crabs, hush puppies, and more and a full dessert bar.. it was amazing and so cheap for endless amazing seafood!
Apr 19, 2006 | 4:36 am
#314
Join Date: Jan 2006
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If you include local/small regional chains, then I would have to say Box Lunch in the MA area and Pizzicato Pizza in the PDX area. Pho Hua is another good one, as they have excellent, very cheap Pho, but they're based mostly in Asia. They do have several US locations, particularly in places with large Vietnamese populations. I'm sure someone else has listed this, but In 'N Out Burger.