I'll chime in in support of Cracker Barrel. If you can get past the "folksy charm" they have a good breakfast. Their sandwiches are pretty good, too. The rest... er, not so much.

There's still a functioning HoJo near the Bangor, Maine airport. I stop by every time I'm in town for their fried clams. They're still the best I've ever had anywhere.

Back on topic for the worst chain menu, it's a tie between KFC and Chili's.
Nearly everything is cooked in cheap, rancid grease.

Fast food really doesn't count though... IMO it's basically a one shot deal as far as the menu/concept goes and you select the chain based upon what you want.

I've had breakfast once at Cracker Barrel, lunch once at same, and twice stopped in to buy some candy bars. Lunch--well, if you don't know Southern food, you might think it's a fair facsimile. But no, it's not. Breakfast--everything was just a little off, except for the sawmill gravy, which was way off. It should have been called sawdust gravy.

One thing in favor of Cracker Barrel: old-fashioned candy bars, especially Valomilk. Anybody remember Valomilk?

I don't usually even think about candy, but I'll make an exception for Valomilk once every few years. Actually, it's been only twice in recent years that I bought it, but even knowing it's out there and available if I really crave it. . . .

I also don't like Red Lobster, KFC, Steak n Shake, or Olive Garden. I can't even stand the breadsticks at Olive Garden. But then, these places seem to be doing well enough without my patronage.


Back to Cracker Barrel: Any restaurant that puts sugar in the cornbread. . . .

I said this much earlier in the thread, the worst meal I have had anywhere (ever) was at Perkins...am I the only one thats ever eaten there?

I dont believe for a second that all the other chains mentioned are worse...are they?

Coco's...not so much. For me it ranks down there with Perkins--bland and unmemorable.

Now, Mimi's Cafe is another issue, I think they actually have a pretty good menu. I mean, you can get decent liver and onions there (be sure to have an adequate supply of Altoids on hand afterward)!

For those in So Cal (or more specifically OC/South Bay)...thoughts on Hof's Hut? For a coffee shop I think they're a notch above Denny's, Coco's, etc.

ummmm.... yeah. I live down the road from that horrible Perkins you mentioned. I had never been to one before and after a night of frolicking, we decided to partake on this restaurant at 2 am. Now we just go to the Waffle House on New Circle and Harrodsburg Road. WH is a gormet restaurant compared to Perkins. Most of the Waffle Houses around town generally are nasty but this specific one is SO good that they are packed at all times.

I love it here in Lex but good restaurants are hard to come by. My favorite place called "Famous Dave's" BBQ was in the same parking lot as that Perkins Restaurant but they only made it for 2 years and recently closed.

I have been to that WH for bfast. I was very pleasantly surprised!

Steve

I at least expect foie gras at BK, after all its run by a king.

Thank you!! Thank you!!

I've eaten at Cracker Barrel a few times and always have come out disappointed, not to mention parched because of all the sodium in their food. It tastes...like a chain trying to do southern food. I don't expect a spread like at my grandparents' house but I just don't get it. Even their tomatoes taste like they've been marinated in brine.

I go way out of my way to avoid IHOP and Waffle House.

[QUOTE=cyberdad;8210419]... I'll put Casey's, Kelsey's, and perhaps, The Keg in the same category...QUOTE]

There is no way that The Keg should be in the same category as the other two. There is no better price to quality ratio at a steakhouse (at least a chain steakhouse) anywhere in the world...

I haven't been to a Hof's Hut since I left CA 20 years ago but I used to love it. Mimi's is good too. I spend a lot of time there when I visit mom and dad.

Where I live now we have Chili's, Applebees, Olive Garden, Outback and Red Robin. That is it for chains. I really dislike Applebees menu and have never enjoyed my meals there. I really love hamburgers so enjoy both Chili's and Red Robin.

Depends if you are talking about lunch or dinner. For lunch, I'll agree. Extremely good value. For dinner, it feels like the price really increases for a very similar dish.

I'll throw in Red Robin as a pretty poor chain. Will only go if absolutely required. A burger, chicken fingers places. Poor quality.

Applebees
Ruby Tuesdays
Ponderosa
Olive Garden
Crackerbarrel


There is still an operating Hojo's in Lake George, New York. My husband and I stopped and ate there a few months ago. Ordered burgers, fries & onion rings. It was all actually good. There also may still be an Hojo's in Lake Placid, New York, but I'm not sure as I haven't been up that way in about 3 years.