FlyerTalk Forums - Chain restaurants that are actually good

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Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggy_mutt (Post 15047466)

I'm really surprised that nobody's mentioned Marché yet... the Swiss chain, not one of the US restaurants I saw when I Googled the name. It's healthy, nutritious, tasty, yet fast - you find them at airports, train stations, even a few Autobahn rest stops. I sure miss the one at Zürich Hauptbahnhof!

If it's the same restaurant I'm thinking of, there was one in Boston, @ the Prudential Center, years ago & I loved it.

Bon Chon. Best fried chicken ever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggy_mutt (Post 15047466)

I didn't mention it because I still have bad memories of the heavy slab of chocolate cake I ate two weeks ago on the Autobahn on my way back to Germany. :rolleyes:

It's Mövenpick's fast food/buffet type place and I believe that they are in Toronto as well. I don't have much great to say about them, honestly. I have fond memories of being taken to Mövenpick for special ice cream sundaes but these places although pretty aren't very tasty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig6z (Post 3448707)

While they don't have a massive amount of stores nationwide, I'm consistently happy with Palominos.

I used to frequent the one in Pittsburgh occasionally, before they closed. Very good food, service was always great, and they always seemed to be running promos of some sort, so I don't think I ever paid full price. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentski (Post 13499146)

I really try to avoid chain restaurants, but four that I find "acceptable" or even better:

- Houston's (definitely agree with the above)

- Seasons 52 (couldn't believe that Darden owned this)

- Mitchell's Fishhouse (good fresh fish and oyster selection daily)

- Longhorn Steakhouse (I'm going to get nailed for this one, but for a decent steak and side at a good price, I go here about once a month)

Mr. Kipper and I went to Seasons 52 once for dinner. After we left, he asked what we were having for dinner. :)

Longhorn has been pretty hit or miss for me. I've had incredibly lousy food and/or service, and then have had great food and/or service on the next visit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by InkUnderNails (Post 13596740)

Good casual dining is the regional Rafferty's. Located in the mid-south.

Cracker Barrel is good if you want comfort food.

I ate at a Five Guys tonight and it may be the best fast hamburger I have had in some time. A bit greasy, but in a good way.

I love Cracker Barrel's Country Boy Breakfast. Tons of food, and if I eat that at 11 AM, I'm just starting to consider having my next meal about 8 or 9 PM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leviticus (Post 13527311)

Two come to mind, and might I say that I am very picky about my food.

Elephant Bar (http://www.elephantbar.com/) has a few locations so I guess it would be considered a chain restaurant, and their food has a better all around quality than most high end restaurants. Nothing is ever frozen, and they have highly trained chefs not just 'kitchen personell'.

The other one is Texas Roadhouse (http://www.texasroadhouse.com/) where I have head the best steak in over a decade.

I usually have a great meal at Texas Roadhouse. The steaks are usually very good, and I always opt to select my own. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMOliver (Post 14749614)

There remain a few challenges in life which I'm unwilling to assay. Ordering Guacamole in a Cheescake Factory in Honolulu remains one of them.

On the other hand, the made to order special Guac at Mexicana Taqueria #9 (#1 thru #8 apparently exist only in imagination.) is both good and for us purists, traditional.

ha ha I enjoyed it. I probably don't know as much about guacamole as you do...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ainternational (Post 15712680)

Finally tried Five Guys. Fantastic hamburger, but totally unimpressed with the fries. Peanuts were a don't care.

Will be going back for the burgers though for sure...

Slightly better if you order cajun fries. But the burger is the predominant reason to go there.

My favorites:

$
Panera Bread Company
Five Guys
In and Out Burger
La Salsa
Pei Wei
Baja Fresh/Moe's/insert any burrito place

$$
Bonefish Grill
Ruths Chris
Capital Grill
Doe's Steakhouse

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2japan (Post 16975004)

That list is pretty much the epitome of why chains suck.

I wouldn't say Ruth's Chris "sucks," I think it's predictably pretty good. But there's always someone who feels the need to slam any chain anyone's ever heard of. In a separate thread on US steakhouses, people were claiming there are no good ones anywhere in America, they all suck, everything is disgusting. I mean, for goodness' sake.

Buca di Beppo is bland but inoffensive, unless you consider obscene portion sizes nobody can finish.

Olive Garden I don't like at all, but its sister chain Red Lobster can produce good, unadorned, unfancy grilled fish. Stay away from the chef's creations with mystery sauces and you'll do fine. But, again, there's a whole column of people who refuse to belief anything good can come from a mainstream chain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipper (Post 16983988)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig6z (Post 3448707)

While they don't have a massive amount of stores nationwide, I'm consistently happy with Palominos.

Note that the Palomino in Las Vegas is a very different sort of eatery....

Anyone knows 99 Restaurant? Seems it only exists in MA and the surrounding states. My steak was really good and my parents were very satisfied. Drank a bottle of the excellent (diet) IBC root beer with that. Service was excellent, and it's not so expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olympicnut (Post 3448256)

I don't know why so many people are anti chain restaurants.

It shouldn't come as a surprise to me for the responses here since after all, the majority of FTers are difficult picky eaters. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampy (Post 17330856)

It shouldn't come as a surprise to me for the responses here since after all, the majority of FTers are difficult picky eaters. :rolleyes:

But don't many of the chains mentioned here such as Chili's, Applebees, Outback, etc cater exactly to the unadventurous, 'picky' eater?

Swiss Chalet. Unpretentious rotisserie chicken, always good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baby_tux (Post 17013893)

I've eaten there once. My S/O likes their bbq turkey tips.

As for me:

Panera Bread - LOVE their tomato soup and cuban chicken sandwiches, and if there is one within sight of a starbucks, I'll go to Panera for my iced tea instead, since its cheaper and bigger.

Cheesecake Factory - Yes, I know its not PC to admit, but I enjoy their French Market Salad, the soft brown bread, and giant beverages. And they've occasionally satisfied a late night pasta craving. Never had the cheesecake.

Old Spaghetti Factory - I'm not sure if its because it brings back fun high school memories, but I lurves me their browned butter and mizithra spaghetti. And the hot bread.

Boston Market - We don't have them here in WA, but if I spot one while I'm traveling, I start craving creamed spinach :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by missydarlin (Post 17340130)

Just had the tomato soup at Panera a couple of days ago. It was the first time - usually I get the broccoli cheddar. Every soup I've had there has been good.

Years ago, I thought Boston Chicken was great. After it became Boston Market, and expanded their menu, I thought it became rather mediocre.