Chain restaurants that are actually good
#436
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
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I go to Denny's about twice a decade, generally when nobody else
is open. The food is always wretched wretched. This may partially
be a function of when I go, but the fact remains.
is open. The food is always wretched wretched. This may partially
be a function of when I go, but the fact remains.
#437




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gran Canaria, Singapore, Surfers Paradise
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When in Singapore and no idea where to go to, check out the Crystal Jade or Imperial Treasure chains - both offer great Chinese food and can be found at major shopping centres.
#438


Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
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Posts: 856
I have to agree with others who named the Roaring Fork restaurants in the SW that specialize in grilled meats and fish. They have great food, good service and are very attractive places. Similarly I love the Wildfire chain of restaurants owned by Chicago based legend Rich Melman and located throughout the Chicago area as well as in Atlanta, Tyson's Corner,VA, and Eden Prairie,MN. They have great grilled food as well plus excellent wines and a frequent diner program that can't be beat.
#439
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MEXICO
Programs: CO GOLD
Posts: 187
As a west coast cheap taqueria snob, I don't get the love for Chipotle. Their salsas are pretty lame, IMO.
http://www.filibertos.com/arizona/menu.asp
Cheap, greasy, AWESOME.
THE best burrito place in the US, IMHO is:
http://www.elbalazo.net/ in the Bay Area.
http://www.filibertos.com/arizona/menu.asp
Cheap, greasy, AWESOME.
THE best burrito place in the US, IMHO is:
http://www.elbalazo.net/ in the Bay Area.
#440




Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,460
The first time was late evening in San Antonio when stranded due to the volcano. It was just awful.
The second time was locally, Sunday early afternoon. Slightly better but bad enough to say never again.
What I don't understand is why were they both packed? Someone must like them, or perhaps the patrons just like cheap food.
#441




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gran Canaria, Singapore, Surfers Paradise
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Doesn't Denny's make a lot of money because they're open all the time? I can think of quite a few occasions when getting a table was a problem even though it was after midnight.
I'm sure there are also less complaints during those hours, as many of the patrons have had a fair amount of beer and aren't as demanding about their food at that stage.
I'm sure there are also less complaints during those hours, as many of the patrons have had a fair amount of beer and aren't as demanding about their food at that stage.
#442
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 18,255
#443
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 18,255
#444


Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,756
Wagamama isn't bad, although I think they always stick you with less meat than they should. I spend a lot of time in Asia so I don't really choose to go here. Some of the better 'Asian' food you can find though. i struggle to define it as particularly Japanese or Chinese as they take so many influences from both
Speaking of a UK chain... Anybody on here as big a fan of Nando's as me? Sorry but half chicken with spicy rice, fries and extra hot peri peri sauce is an absolute winner
You can check out http://www.roosterspiripiri.com/restaurants.html for a cheaper Nandos knock-off, fast-food-type outlet.
This is not a bad UK chain: http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/the-restaurants
Try this also http://www.byronhamburgers.com/find-us/
#445




Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
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One of the few "chains" I actually enjoy:
Il Mulino New York
Various locations in larger cities domestically and abroad...
Il Mulino New York
Various locations in larger cities domestically and abroad...
#446




Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Blue, Hilton Gold, Virgin Red
Posts: 2,361
In the UK's there's a pretty nice, family oriented chain called Giraffe.
I also like GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) but never truly enjoy eating burgers - it's the thought of my arteries hardening or something.
I also like GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) but never truly enjoy eating burgers - it's the thought of my arteries hardening or something.
#447




Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,698
One of the best breakfast chains I've found is Le Peep. I've only eaten there about 10 times, and all near Denver, but they have been consistently extremely good, especially their benedicts. They do not seem to get great reviews overall though, mostly due to price.
#448
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
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Posts: 7,233
http://www.hareandtortoise.co.uk/
#449




Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
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Please, no offense meant, but I tried the Giraffe near the London Eye in central London and found it horrific - even the burgers. But I thought maybe it was just that day/location so I tried it again about a year later in Heathrow. Even worse. I'm not blaming the Giraffe. Kind of think of it, I've rarely found good food in the UK IMHO. Although one of the best meals I can recall WAS in London, it was the rare occasion and it was at L'Atalier de Joel Robuchon in Covent Garden. Fantastic lunch. On par with the same restaurant in Paris and Tokyo in fact. Now, if one considers that place a "chain", it is one amazing "chain" restaurant!
#450
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Fort Worth TX
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Nobu... their miso black cod has been copied by many higher end Japanese/Asian fusion joints around but is still one of my favorite entrees around.
I like the Grand Lux Cafe owned by The Cheesecake Factory.
In Texas, Mi Cocina and Pappadeaux are two I enjoy (and a Pappadeaux just opened in DFW at Terminal A... I now know where I'm spending my flight delays!)
Yogurtland has become my new dessert stop of choice in towns that have one.
I like the Grand Lux Cafe owned by The Cheesecake Factory.
In Texas, Mi Cocina and Pappadeaux are two I enjoy (and a Pappadeaux just opened in DFW at Terminal A... I now know where I'm spending my flight delays!)
Yogurtland has become my new dessert stop of choice in towns that have one.

