Chain restaurants that are actually good
Aug 23, 2011 | 2:48 pm
#541
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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!
Aug 23, 2011 | 7:02 pm
#543
Join Date: Sep 2006
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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!
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.
Aug 24, 2011 | 7:09 am
#544
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While they don't have a massive amount of stores nationwide, I'm consistently happy with Palominos.
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)
- 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)
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.
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.
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.
Aug 27, 2011 | 10:09 am
#545
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 15
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.
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.
Aug 27, 2011 | 12:03 pm
#546
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Aug 27, 2011 | 2:16 pm
#548
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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.
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.
Aug 28, 2011 | 12:30 pm
#549
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 80
While they don't have a massive amount of stores nationwide, I'm consistently happy with Palominos.
Aug 28, 2011 | 7:33 pm
#550
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YQB
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Posts: 39
99 restaurant?
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.
Oct 25, 2011 | 12:09 am
#551
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Oct 25, 2011 | 5:08 am
#552
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Oct 26, 2011 | 10:54 am
#553
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Posts: 5,088
Swiss Chalet. Unpretentious rotisserie chicken, always good.
Oct 26, 2011 | 1:11 pm
#554
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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.
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
Oct 27, 2011 | 9:35 am
#555
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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
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
Years ago, I thought Boston Chicken was great. After it became Boston Market, and expanded their menu, I thought it became rather mediocre.