I have to admit that on my recent trip to the US I had a pretty good steak at Longhorn. Much better than I expected and much better than the crappy rumpsteaks they serve everywhere here.

The fact that people mentioned Sonic and Chick-fil-a... Yuck.

HTSC

Visited my first Nando's recently. It was indeed tasty - although surprisingly expensive (but then it is in the U.K.). Went to the Gloucester Road location and it was brutally cold in there during that recent cold spell.

I'm also a big fan of Pret A Manger. Unfortunately, the U.S. locations don't have the tasty ingredients (as far as I know) on their sandwiches, like Branston pickle.

I also like Paul, the French bakery, in the U.K. In the U.S., they are only in FL so far.

It's interesting that you vote for Pret A Manger was McDonalds from 2001 to 2008. IMHO they started sliding just after McDonalds arrived and haven't improved since Bridgepoint, a private equity firm, bought them out. Maybe I've been too cynical.

In terms of fast food, Chic-Fil-A is among the best IMO. Their chicken sandwiches are really good. Sonic is best for some of their breakfast food and their drinks. Their limeades are unique and delicious and the Ocean Water is a classic. I like the Creamslushes. we are not talking high class food here just good, fast, inexpensive comfort food.

Sometimes the snobbery on this site is a bit much.

That's the problem. Inexpensive fast food. Fried chicken sandwiches.

I'm not a food snob: I partake in $1 slices of pizza and cheap beer. But fried chicken sandwiches have no appeal to me.

HTSC

One of the advantages of being trapped in snowy London is that one can enjoy Nando's several times a week... Nando's, my local Fish and Chippy, and the Lahore Karahi in Tooting - I'm set ^

But that doesn't make them bad. You'll just have to trust the folks that DO like them

One of the best chain restaurants is Rutherford Grill, Los Altos Grill, Banderas, etc., all having a very similar menu. The hacked chicken salad, prime rib french dip, and corn bread are all amazing.

They are owned by the Hilstone Group which operates Houston's. http://www.hillstone.com/

Their beef ribs, fall off the bone good, are probably the best ribs I've ever had anywhere world wide.

Don't know if 4 locations between two states (3 in Las Vegas area and 1 in San Diego) counts as a "chain" but Hash House a Go Go has never disappointed yet.
http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/location/

If anyone is looking for a healthy Chinese option, I discovered you can order the Ginger Broccoli Chicken at Pei Wei with chicken 'wokked' in minimal oil and with the sweet sauce served on the side (which can be used for limited dipping of the broccoli). Paired with steamed brown rice, it's a healthy alternative to just about everything else on their menu.

Nandos makes a decent veggie burger.

I tend to favour EAT or Apostrophe over Pret in the UK, and the US version of Pret continues to disappoint.

Paul in France is good, moderately good in the UK (mostly lack of selection), variable elsewhere, and disappointing to me in the US (lack of selection as well I believe ingredients)

I used to enjoy Hale and Hearty in Manhattan but they seem to have declined.

Wasabi is a decent option in the UK.

(I consider all of the above to be 'fast food' by the way, although they don't really meet the definition of traditional US chain fast food)

Ruby Tuesday is pretty good.......

I just went to one yesterday in the Clearwater area of Tampa.

I like the way they rolled up the lettuce and tomato up with the lunch meats. ^