Franchises That Don't Suck

[livius drusus]

Inspired by the good Rev's unwilling attraction to KFC (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3655#post3655), I thought I'd go positive and see if we can muster up some quality franchise/fast foody eating experiences.

My first and loudest props must go to Sonic (http://www.sonicdrivein.com/index.jsp) which just plain rules all around. I love drive-ins, I love a fine cheeseburger, and I worship and adore Cherry Limeaid.

I could also strap a feedbag of Popeye's (http://www.popeyes.com/) biscuits to my head and live in utter bliss until my internal organs began the liquification process, but the rest of their shit isn't worthy of the name shit.

Now Bojangles (http://www.bojangles.com/bojangles/intro/index.html): that's the money chicken. Too bad about the name.

[lisarea]

Well, I will forever have a deep and abiding affection for Chipotle, despite the fact that I cannot and will not link to their fucking Flash-requiring website.

The original one was right down the street from our old house in Denver, and the Little Muffin I would go there a lot on our Sunday rotation. (We used to go ride our bikes around every Sunday, and get lunch at different places.) I can't substantiate this or anything, but there was an article I read around that time about how the manager or the owner or something started this program where they would give their non English speaking employees free ESL lessons, I think on the clock, even, and they had like zero turnover because everyone loved working there so much. So we went even more often because of that. And the employees did all seem happy. I love going to places where the employees like their jobs.

I worried some when they started spawning so quickly, and I worried about them when McDonald's bought 51%, and I worried about them when I saw that episode of the Osbournes where Ozzie wouldn't eat anything else.

But we're surrounded with them now, and I can still go in any one and get a barbacoa, and it's still really a Chipotle burrito, and I don't have to commute down to south Denver for it, which is good.

[seebs]

Actually, I think McD's is, on the whole, very well-run. They do a lot of research on running stores efficiently... Most importantly, they provide a consistent product that's edible and reliable. (With the exception of apple pies, where the good ones are only available outside the U. S.)

They've put a lot of work into being stable and trustworthy, and I think they're quite good at it. The food isn't great, but it's not awful.

[SharonDee]

My first and loudest props must go to Sonic (http://www.sonicdrivein.com/index.jsp) which just plain rules all around. I love drive-ins, I love a fine cheeseburger, and I worship and adore Cherry Limeaid.
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah! This one is my guilty pleasure, simply because I can drive into a berth, take my sweet time figuring out what I want without feeling the pressure from others behind me in line, and enjoy my meal while listening to the music they play so loudly them other folks can't play their radios. This past Sunday, though, I had my first disappointing Sonic visit while visiting the folks. It was a new store and I had the worst service I have ever experienced at a Sonic. *sigh* Even after giving the gal my order four times she still got it wrong.

Oh well, into each life a little rain must fall... and shit.

Another franchise I enjoy is Longhorn Steakhouse (http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/splash.asphttp://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/splash.asp), but mostly because they have the area's best chicken fingers and I also like their salmon.

[RevDahlia]

I'm assuming it's okay to mention chains, even if they don't follow the franchise business model.

From where I'm sitting, the be-all and end-all of chains is Zankou Chicken. (http://www.zankouchicken.com/) For now Zankou is only in Los Angeles, but I'm convinced it's poised to take over the world any second now. It's a Middle Eastern rotisserie chicken joint, which doesn't sound that impressive, but the chicken is the most magical I've had anywhere and at any price. Crispy golden juicy perfect. It comes with a garlic sauce that may be the most addicting condiment on Earth. Just to give you an idea of the majesty of Zankou, I once took A Boy there on a first date, and between the two of us we put away two chickens, with tides of garlic sauce, in one sitting. On a first date, people. Such is the power of Zankou. (Their hummus is really good too, and everything comes with delicious pickled turnips-- the only reason to eat a turnip, IMO.)

Every so often somebody will say they've found a chicken place that's better than Zankou, but they are always dead wrong. Zankou's only flaws are that the service, although lightning-fast, is always really surly, and that the Hollywood location is the only one that carries tabbouleh. A shame, because Zankou's tabbouleh is something else altogether.

If any of you ever find yourselves in Hell-A, hie thee to the corner of Sunset and Normandie immediately. You want the half-chicken plate. With a side of tabbouleh.

In other chain news, I can't not mention In-N-Out Burger. (http://www.in-n-out.com/) Yes, I know it's run by JWs or Mormons or something, and that "John 3:16" is printed on all their drink cups, but those are some TASTY burgers. They are also exremely humane to their employees, and it shows in the cheerfulness of the service. I like the brevity of the menu and the cute "secret" catchphrases you can use to customize your order. ("Make mine an animal!") Damn. Now I want to drive all the way out to Pinole for In-N-Out, and I have too much housework.

[godfry n. glad]

Actually, I think McD's is, on the whole, very well-run. They do a lot of research on running stores efficiently... Most importantly, they provide a consistent product that's edible and reliable. (With the exception of apple pies, where the good ones are only available outside the U. S.)

They've put a lot of work into being stable and trustworthy, and I think they're quite good at it. The food isn't great, but it's not awful.


Hmmm... MickeyD's has one very important attribute for which I am very grateful...clean restrooms. Particularly, the cleanest functional western-style toilet in Beijing. As for their food, well...I'd just as soon flush it down the clean functional western-style toilet _before_ consumption. It's not bad food, but it's not good food, either.

One small chain I've found where I truly appreciate the food is Swagat (http://www.indolink.com/SFO/swagat.html), an Indian buffet chain that has two outlets in Portland and several others in northern California. From the looks of it, they may have outlets in Tokyo and Munich, too. That, or the name is fairly common for Indian restaurants. Their chicken mahkani is to die from...mmmmmm.

godfry

[Penni]

I'm assuming it's okay to mention chains, even if they don't follow the franchise business model.

From where I'm sitting, the be-all and end-all of chains is Zankou Chicken. (http://www.zankouchicken.com/) For now Zankou is only in Los Angeles, but I'm convinced it's poised to take over the world any second now. It's a Middle Eastern rotisserie chicken joint, which doesn't sound that impressive, but the chicken is the most magical I've had anywhere and at any price. Crispy golden juicy perfect. It comes with a garlic sauce that may be the most addicting condiment on Earth. Just to give you an idea of the majesty of Zankou, I once took A Boy there on a first date, and between the two of us we put away two chickens, with tides of garlic sauce, in one sitting. On a first date, people. Such is the power of Zankou. (Their hummus is really good too, and everything comes with delicious pickled turnips-- the only reason to eat a turnip, IMO.)

Every so often somebody will say they've found a chicken place that's better than Zankou, but they are always dead wrong. Zankou's only flaws are that the service, although lightning-fast, is always really surly, and that the Hollywood location is the only one that carries tabbouleh. A shame, because Zankou's tabbouleh is something else altogether.

If any of you ever find yourselves in Hell-A, hie thee to the corner of Sunset and Normandie immediately. You want the half-chicken plate. With a side of tabbouleh.

In other chain news, I can't not mention In-N-Out Burger. (http://www.in-n-out.com/) Yes, I know it's run by JWs or Mormons or something, and that "John 3:16" is printed on all their drink cups, but those are some TASTY burgers. They are also exremely humane to their employees, and it shows in the cheerfulness of the service. I like the brevity of the menu and the cute "secret" catchphrases you can use to customize your order. ("Make mine an animal!") Damn. Now I want to drive all the way out to Pinole for In-N-Out, and I have too much housework.


OOOO, maybe Zankou will come down to San Diego next!

I have to disagree about In N Out Burgers, though. I know I am likely to be stoned for this heresy, but I am not fond of the burgers. The meat has a weird taste to it...maybe it's all that damn freshness :ill: !! I admire their business practices and it's probably just my own tastebuds, but I actually never have burgers from anywhere else, but a fresh burger on the grill at home doesn't have that weird taste, to me (can't describe it, like it's still raw or too bloody, even though it's perfectly well cooked). BUT, their fries are obviously the best on the entire planet, and fries dipped in a chocolate or strawberry shake are a special treat.

I'll also have to disagree again, and risk the wrath of the majority by admitting I don't like Chipotle. I don't see why I should pay $5 for a burrito that I could make at home. It tastes just like the ones I make at home. baja Fresh, though, they make some good burritos and tacos, that I could never make at home. The employees at our BF seem pretty happy too.

Finally, Jamba Juice. I love smoothies and they seem like a good chain. Their place is always so clean and everyone seems happy. I cheer up whenever I go there. Lots less guilt than normal fast food, too.

[lisarea]

I'll also have to disagree again, and risk the wrath of the majority by admitting I don't like Chipotle. I don't see why I should pay $5 for a burrito that I could make at home. It tastes just like the ones I make at home. baja Fresh, though, they make some good burritos and tacos, that I could never make at home. The employees at our BF seem pretty happy too.

Well, maybe you should move to AFGHANISTAN or something, then, Traitor! FEEL MY WRATH! FEEL IT!

I have to kind of agree and kind of not. I like my own burritos better myself, but that is only because I rock so much and stuff. But depending on how many people you're feeding, getting all the stuff together and preparing it can be prohibitive. You have to marinate, cook, and shred the meat, make the rice and beans, chop up lettuce and tomato, grate the cheese, than add the salsa, sour cream, etc. For the time and effort, particularly if you're the only one eating and/or if you don't already have the ingredients at hand, the $5 expenditure pales.

Consider yourself PWN3D, you...you...wrath-inducing person.

[Penni]

I quiver before the Chipotle-defender! Since I'm pretty much the only person that I've ever met that doesn't care for it, I will admit I'm weird. I might not mind it, but there's always a Baja Fresh nearby, so the choice is simple. Baja Fresh by the way, has the most awesome salsa I've ever had...it's black and I think it might be made of chipotle ;)

[livius drusus]

Both Chipotle and Baja Fresh sound like a cilantro epidemic waiting to happen. I would have to pick everything apart to be sure it wasn't infected.

[viscousmemories]

I never made it to a Chipotle while in Cali. I wonder if they're here in Dallas. I've had In-n-out a couple times and I liked it, but I wasn't ready to die for it or anything. I heard about In-n-out in Fast Food Nation before I moved to California so I really appreciate their business philosophy too, though.

Hmm... I'm actually one of those weird people who likes all fast food. I love Whoppers, any fried chicken (KFC, Popeyes, Church's, whatever), fries from anywhere (but Burger King particularly), shakes, anything from Taco Bell except those one things I had once that sucked, etc. But after reading FFN my consumption of fast food dropped dramatically and has never resumed anything close to the frequency with which I used to eat it.

[Shake]

I'd have to second the vote for Sonic! Always very good! Another place I liked which I found when I was down south was Checkers (http://www.checkers.com/index.asp)! Yummy! Sure, a bit greasy, but very tasty!!! :chomp:

[Goliath]

A few years ago, some friends of mine and I were in Minneapolis. We ate at Chipotle's for lunch and then went to Sahib's (a non-chain Indian restaraunt--NO! an ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY DELICIOUS non-chain Indian restaraunt) for dinner. My digestive system didn't mind the combination (and I didn't mind Chipotle's) but my friends........well, let's just say that there were some...hasty exits.

[viscousmemories]

I'd have to second the vote for Sonic! Always very good!
Oh yeah, I forgot to say I'll have to check that place out. I definitely saw one or two on the drive from Cali to here, though I don't remember if I saw any here in Dallas...

[godfry n. glad]

Oh yeah, I forgot to say I'll have to check that place out. I definitely saw one or two on the drive from Cali to here, though I don't remember if I saw any here in Dallas...

I've never seen a Sonic! I checked out the online map and there are none in my locale. The cherry limeade sounds thirst-quenching. I'll have to check them out when I go southbound.

For those of you straying into the Pacific Northwest, there is the Burgerville USA chain regionally. I think their seasonal fruit milkshakes are inspired, but I have a thing about ice cream in its fluid state. Their burgers are standard fare, if slightly greasy. I have no idea of their politics or management style.

Ice cream brings up Baskin & Robbins 31 Flavors. B&R, in my estimation, far outshine their competitors in consistantly putting a quality product, in an ever-changing collection of flavors, in front of customers over many years. I haven't the damnest what their politics or management style is, either. They do, however, make a wicked milkshake.

godfry :heckled:

[trendkill]

I'll second the In 'N Out Burger recommendation. I didn't know they were run by hardcore religious types, but I'd venture to say that if John 3:16 is printed on stuff there (guess I never noticed), they're probably not Mormon-owned.

[livius drusus]

I've never had a B&R shake. I shall have to change that sorry state of affairs asap.

[Roland98]

About the only fast food place I will eat at with any regularity is Wendy's. But even they have changed their grilled chicken into some fancy-sandwich-wannabe so I rarely go there anymore.

Occasionally I'll take the kids to Big Boy, because they're fairly cheap, we get waited on, and they always have plenty of crayons. They're definitely not consistent place-to-place, though. I've been in some really good ones and some really horrible ones.

[livius drusus]

Oh, and welcome Trendkill! :wave:

[trendkill]

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/images/smilies/mgwave.gif

[viscousmemories]

About the only fast food place I will eat at with any regularity is Wendy's. But even they have changed their grilled chicken into some fancy-sandwich-wannabe so I rarely go there anymore.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Wendy's. I've ordered a single, fries and frosty a million times. There's no other fast-food combo meal I like as much.

Occasionally I'll take the kids to Big Boy, because they're fairly cheap, we get waited on, and they always have plenty of crayons. They're definitely not consistent place-to-place, though. I've been in some really good ones and some really horrible ones.
Big Boy is cool. I don't think they exist outside of the midwest, though. At least I haven't seen one since I left Michigan. On my drive out to California my van broke down in the middle of the Mojave desert and I was stranded in a little town called Baker for a few days. While there I ate here (http://rentor.com/ca/baker/restaurant/bunboy-home.htm). Look familiar? :D

Btw, :welcome: trendkill.

[Penni]

Both Chipotle and Baja Fresh sound like a cilantro epidemic waiting to happen. I would have to pick everything apart to be sure it wasn't infected.

I'll never understand people's aversion to cilantro! What's not to love? I could live off that stuff! It's not like it's anise or something similarly heinous.

[viscousmemories]

I'll never understand people's aversion to cilantro! What's not to love? I could live off that stuff! It's not like it's anise or something similarly heinous.
I honestly don't get it either. I worked as a prep cook in a Mexican restaurant and we put cilantro in everything (before that I didn't even know it existed). Frankly I have no problem with it at all. I can't say I go out of my way to eat it really, but I certainly don't hate it.

[livius drusus]

I'll never understand people's aversion to cilantro! What's not to love? I could live off that stuff! It's not like it's anise or something similarly heinous.

:protest:

It tastes like lemon dishwashing detergent, and overpoweringly so. It taints everything it touches. I have never encountered a localized cilantro infection; it spreads like the Spanish flu Roland's going to write about soon to make me happy.

Anise rules! All the liquorice flavors rule.

[lisarea]

It tastes like lemon dishwashing detergent, and overpoweringly so. It taints everything it touches. I have never encountered a localized cilantro infection; it spreads like the Spanish flu Roland's going to write about soon to make me happy.

I use cilantro only rarely myself, but not long ago, I made some sort of burritoey smorgasboard crap for dinner and I had a bunch of fresh cilantro, which I put in the meat, the rice, and the salsa, and silently christened that night's meal the "livius drusus honorary cilantrofest." I kept meaning to tell you about that, but I only just remembered now.

Then, I made Lemon Joy-ade to wash it down with, in case anyone missed the point.


Anise rules! All the liquorice flavors rule.

I like licorice and anise, but I hate those nastyassed faux licorice black jellybeans. I don't really like jellybeans as a rule, but glugh, those black ones are teh nas-tay.

[godfry n. glad]

Both Chipotle and Baja Fresh sound like a cilantro epidemic waiting to happen. I would have to pick everything apart to be sure it wasn't infected.


Festering pustules of cilantro use.

[godfry n. glad]

:protest:

It tastes like lemon dishwashing detergent, and overpoweringly so.

I'm curious as to how you know this.

Have you been getting together with Worn and tippling off his Lemon Joy bottle while he nurses his flaggon of English Leather?

I think cilantro has a "fresh" taste. It's scent rather reminds me of fresh mown grass....a bovine delight. My personal dislike is terragon. I can't even describe how it tastes...but it makes me gag.

godfry

[Penni]

I think cilantro has a "fresh" taste. It's scent rather reminds me of fresh mown grass....a bovine delight.

godfry
I'm so glad someone else expressed it with the exact same word I use! Fresh is exactly it. Like a day in a beautiful meadow with lots of sunshine. To me, there is nothing citrus-y about it. Just wind-blowing-through-the-hair freshness. It makes me so happy.

Anise on the other hand. Well, this could have gone in my Worst meal EVER post about nasty surprises. While at dinner at a Mayan restaurant, we were getting drinks, and I decided to try something new (sound familiar? This is my weakness), so I got a drink that talked about rum, muddled sugar and lime. I thought it sounded like a Mojito, which I like, so I'd try it. I got it and it was pure anise. I mean, just another instance of something they should TELL YOU on the menu. Well, I was able to drink it, but my tongue got numb. I'm sure it was the evil anise that did it.

[livius drusus]

I'm curious as to how you know this.

Have you been getting together with Worn and tippling off his Lemon Joy bottle while he nurses his flaggon of English Leather?

I've told you before not to train spy satellites at me, dammit. :noid:

I think cilantro has a "fresh" taste. It's scent rather reminds me of fresh mown grass....a bovine delight. My personal dislike is terragon. I can't even describe how it tastes...but it makes me gag.

I like grass. I used to gnaw on clover and lemongrass all the time as a girl. (God knows I've smoked more than my fair share.) Cilantro is something else entirely according to my palate, and there's just no such thing as a mere hint of it. When a foodstuff has the cilantro pustules that's all I can taste.

/me shudders

Tarragon's good in chicken stock, but otherwise I don't have much use for it myself.

[Goliath]

Ummm...getting back on topic:

I also love Quizno's. The subs are a bit spendy, but they're soooooo damn delicious!

[livius drusus]

Ummm...getting back on topic:

I also love Quizno's. The subs are a bit spendy, but they're soooooo damn delicious!
Really? Huh. I've always avoided them because their ads bug me. I might have to give them a try.

[Goliath]

Really? Huh. I've always avoided them because their ads bug me. I might have to give them a try.

Yep. I'm partial to the honey mustard chicken with bacon and the BBQ chipotle carved turkey.

[viscousmemories]

I love Quiznos, personally. I think their food is far better than Subway. Probably not as healthy, though, as good as it tastes.

[livius drusus]

Yep. I'm partial to the honey mustard chicken with bacon and the BBQ chipotle carved turkey.

Damn. Those are some fancy sandwich ingredients. Definitely worth a try, I think.

[Penni]

Hmmm, I've not been impressed with Quizno's. And that toasted bread, as hard as it is, hurts the roof of my mouth by the time I get halfway through the sandwich. Another sandwich chain people say is better than Subway is Togo's, but I don't think that's anything special either. I just like to stick with the original!

[Penni]

Oh, and a couple comments on other suggestions:

We used to have Bob's Big Boy in CA, but for some reason they are almost all gone now. Apparently, there are still 8 in CA. Anyway, I loved them as a kid. My favorite was the Chili Size with lots of cheese and onions. Yum. It's probably been like 20 years since I've had that.

And Sonic really is a super cool fast food joint. Sadly, there's very few in CA, Apparently, there's ONE in LA, but like 10 in Bakersfield. Weird. Anyway, there's always commercials for it on Comedy Central when I am watching the Daily Show. Damn them for tormenting me!

[viscousmemories]

The Big Boy's in Michigan were Elias Brother's Big Boy, oddly.

It looks like there are 3 Sonic's in the Dallas area, but the closest is 30 miles from where I live, again oddly. Is it that good?

[Goliath]

Damn. Those are some fancy sandwich ingredients. Definitely worth a try, I think.

:yup: Like I said, it's a bit spendy....a large (footlong...or maybe a bit longer) honey mustard chicken with bacon and a small pop came to $9.50.

But it's sooooo good. They put the bread and the cheese through this small oven so that the bread is toasty and fucking delicious....mmmm....damn, if I weren't lazy and if I were hungry, I'd seriously consider waddling down there to get myself another one!

[Goliath]

This is a local chain (local as in a few locations in Fargo, one in Bismarck, and one in Minot), but Kroll's is also pretty damn tasty. They have a lot of normal home-cooked things (pancakes, chicken fried steak), but they also have some local German dishes, such as fleischkuechle (sp?).

One of the coolest things about the restaraunt though is on the front of the menu, they'd have a picture of this really mean looking old grandma holding a rolling pin menacingly. Next to her picture were the words "Sit down and eat!"...but once you opened the menu, the rolling pin was gone and the old grandma was smiling and looking as happy as ever.

Oh, and their knoephla rocks!

[Goliath]

I've seen Sonic commercials...the food looks decent, but I've never seen one nor been to one.

[viscousmemories]

We used to have Bob's Big Boy in CA, but for some reason they are almost all gone now. Apparently, there are still 8 in CA.
Ah, I was wondering why I had heard of Bob's, Frischs, and Elias Brother's Big Boy, and I found the answer on the IntarWeb (http://www.agilitynut.com/eateries8.html):

Bob's Big Boy started as Bob's Pantry in 1936 when founder Bob Wian bought a local Glendale restaurant. Wian developed a double-decker hamburger (Bob's was the first) and the Big Boy icon. Bob's became a California chain and franchising began in the 1940s. Unlike chains like McDonald's, Wian did not require uniformity and franchise owners were free to name their restaurants whatever they wanted.
The Elias brothers brought Big Boy to Michigan. They bought Elby's (West Virginia-based) and went bankrupt in 2000. Bob's Big Boy, now Michigan-based, has about 450 restaurants in CA, AZ, HI, ND, IL, MI, OH and NC.

The Toluca Lake Bob's was built in 1949 and is the oldest restaurant left in the chain. It was saved in the early 1990s and restored to its original form. It is now the top revenue-producing Big Boy in the country.

For more about Bob's, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Frisch's began in Cincinnati in 1923. Dave Frisch ran into Bob Wian around 1949 and arranged a franchise. The Frisch's Big Boy used tartar sauce rather than 1,000 Island dressing. Frisch's bought the rights to the Big Boy name in late 2000 after the Elias Bros. bankruptcy.

The Columbus Frisch's location on Route 40 was built in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The sign is original but the building has been remodeled to look retro. This photo shows a Frisch's (most likely gone or remodeled) in Columbus, IN. There are 88 company-owned Frisch's and 26 franchise units (all using the Frisch's Big Boy name). They are located in OH (Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus), IN (Indianapolis), and KY (Louisville, Lexington). For more about Frisch's, see this website.

[Corona688]

I'd like to reccomend Fuddruckers. Just be careful pronouncing it. They're all over the States according to the site (http://fuddruckers.com/cgi-bin/mqinterconnect.exe?link=find), but I'm fortunate to be living in the same province as their only Canadian franchise.

It's kind of assemble-your-own-burger. They give you fries and a burger on a bun then you step up to the huge bar of condiments and toppings and let your imagination run wild. Drinks are done similarly, they give you glasses(real, not disposable) for you to fill at the soda fountains. Ever tried mixing your own sodas? I find a combination of Cocoa Cola and Minute Maid oddly refreshing, and if you get the proportions just right you get a brown drink with orange bubbles.

The toppings are invariably fresh. The burgers are quite excellent, as they've got their own butcher to grind fresh meat when they need it(you can buy patties from the butcher for barbecues if you like). They've also got their own smallish bakery, of which I've never tried anything but their cookies because damnit, I like their cookies.

I've been to Fuddruckers in different cities, and it looks like they're all built on the same plan right down to the cups and tablecloths; when I found the one in Saskatoon, I was half-worried I'd end up back in Regina if I went out the wrong door.

It's a big place, not crowded. There's a high unfinished ceiling like a warehouse, and three vague partitions; there's the lineup beside the kitchen and butcher, then a big room scattered with condiments bars and soda fountains and bakery off to one side, then a room with lots of tables that connects to outside with glass doors. Everything is tile-floor and obsessively clean. The only thing that sometimes bugs me about the place is the warehouse-like acoustics, but if it bothers you, they've got outside tables too.

[viscousmemories]

Yum. That sounds really good, Corona, and I see there's one near my house. If I hadn't just eaten Dim Sum I'd be on my way. :)

Speaking of funny names... there's a franchise here called Jack Astor's. I've only been there once so while the food was good I'm not prepared to recommend them, but I can't say that name without giggling inside.

[Bella]

A few years ago, some friends of mine and I were in Minneapolis. We ate at Chipotle's for lunch and then went to Sahib's (a non-chain Indian restaraunt--NO! an ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY DELICIOUS non-chain Indian restaraunt) for dinner.
Would you mind sharing where Sahib's was? I looked it up in the phone book and the only thing I could find was "Sahib's Gateway to India Restaurant" which is definately a chain :(. I'm terribly interested in some good Indian food.

My favourite chain in the world is NOODLES (http://www.noodles.com/locations3_0.htm), which is a cute restaurant which offers a great selection of items (http://www.noodles.com/menu.htm) such as Japanese Pan Noodles, Coconut Curry, and a variety of lovely (and huge) salads. Delicious.

[Goliath]

[COLOR=Indigo]Would you mind sharing where Sahib's was? I looked it up in the phone book and the only thing I could find was "Sahib's Gateway to India Restaurant" which is definately a chain :(. I'm terribly interested in some good Indian food.


Yeah, that's the name of it, IIRC...if it really is a chain, then that's news to me. However, it's still really good!

[wildernesse]

Loco's (http://www.locosdeliandpub.com/) is a local frachise/chain, which is pretty good. Yummy sandwiches. Plus their kitchen is open til 11pm on weekdays. Real food, late at night!

I have to say that while I hate Sonic food, I'm pretty much addicted to lime slushes, which during happy hour are only about 75 cents. Other than that, I'll have to say that I like places like Longhorn and Outback (moocow. . yummm) and Carrabba's. (And it's a good thing that Olive Garden isn't on our side of town--neverending breadsticks and decent salad--would totally eliminate my waist! Even though I'm not in love with their entrees.)

And I can't believe livius doesn't love the freak-o singing Quizno's creatures.
*wildy sings: "they're so good we'd eat em raw, but eating raw subs is barbaaaarrric"*

[livius drusus]

First you mention Olive Garden, bringing to mind chilling images of pasta so overcooked it can only be eaten with a spoon. Then you sing that damn song! I'll never get to sleep now.

[Bella]

Has anyone eaten at a Macaroni Grille? If so, what's your opinion? Olive Garden makes me cringe (did you know they don't have an oven back there, in the kitchen? - makes you wonder how they cook those breadsticks) and if Macaroni Grille is similar I don't want to even set foot in the door.

[viscousmemories]

Has anyone eaten at a Macaroni Grille? If so, what's your opinion? Olive Garden makes me cringe (did you know they don't have an oven back there, in the kitchen? - makes you wonder how they cook those breadsticks) and if Macaroni Grille is similar I don't want to even set foot in the door.
I've enjoyed Macaroni Grill when I've gone, but that was before I started to really appreciate good Italian food ala livius' recipes. I'm quite sure they do their own cooking, though, 'cause you can see the open grill when you walk in. They call it an "exhibition kitchen" on their website (http://www.macaronigrill.com/).

They also do this thing where the put a jug of wine and your table and let you keep track of how many glasses you drink, which I thought was great fun back when I was trying to drink myself to death on a regular basis. Anyway as I said I think the food was pretty good, but then I've always thought the food at Olive Garden was pretty good too. :P

[wildernesse]

Olive Garden makes me cringe (did you know they don't have an oven back there, in the kitchen? - makes you wonder how they cook those breadsticks) and if Macaroni Grille is similar

We were talking about how they cooked the breadsticks today while we were eating them. We settled on par-baked and heated in an oven--but if no oven, then some type of browner/crisper thingy would do.

And poor liv, you could never live with me. After hearing the freak-o critters singing, I run around bursting into their freaky song and breaking into little monster dances for hours. Monster wildy. It's really quite suitable for me.

[livius drusus]

Quiznos: where the wildy things are. Man, I crack myself up. :lol:

[pescifish]

From where I'm sitting, the be-all and end-all of chains is Zankou Chicken. (http://www.zankouchicken.com/)
Hey, thanks for the tip, RevDahlia!

I finally remembered to swing by the Van Nuys shop the last time I was 'down below'. I got a whole chicken "To Go". I had eaten out with a friend earlier in the day and wasn't hungry at the time, but that night I had some for a late supper. It was, indeed, awesome!

My parrot enjoyed it, too. Here she is crunching on a wing bone:

[viscousmemories]

My first and loudest props must go to Sonic (http://www.sonicdrivein.com/index.jsp) which just plain rules all around. I love drive-ins, I love a fine cheeseburger, and I worship and adore Cherry Limeaid.
Been there, done that. A few days ago. :)

Had the cheeseburger, fries, minutemaid lemonade (forgot the limeaid part) and a hot fudge sundae. Very good experience all around. I've always thought the closest thing to a "real" burger was Wendy's single, but this one was even moreso. Worth the 30 minute drive? Arguable. But very good.

Well, I will forever have a deep and abiding affection for Chipotle, despite the fact that I cannot and will not link to their fucking Flash-requiring website.
Had a Chipotle steak fajita burrito for lunch today, along with chips and guac. Everything was excellent. The chips were the saltiest things I've ever eaten, which is a compliment. The burrito was gigantic, but I managed to stuff the whole thing down my gullet. Yum. :)

[Ymir's blood]

Corona mentioned Fuddruckers. The crowd I hung out with in high school (oh so many years ago in Raleigh) was rather fond of it. Mostly I remember that the ladle dipped cheese was rather good. Also it was cool knowing that someone wasn't going to mess up your order. You'd have to do that for yourself.

Golden Corral is pretty good, though somewhat pricey for my taste. The lunch buffet usually has enough vegetable choices to keep me happy, plus some good meats. I especially like the bourbon street chicken.

For fast food, I mainly stick to Wendy's, Arby's and Backyard Burgers. Occasionally, I'll go to Hardees. Their food has improved greatly but the local one has very slow service. McDonalds scares me. Someday, I'll get a sample of their 'hamburger' and send it to a forensics lab for analysis.

The people at Wendy's are annoying for interjecting, "Do you want the combo?" and "Supersize it for $...?" randomly while I'm trying to order. Also, the demise of their old chicken sandwich is puzzling, as the new one is no different except the price. (I order mine with ketchup only) Arby's has gotten annoying with endless pushing of combos as well. :glare:

[godfry n. glad]

I have a challenge. Call it "The godfry Challenge".

I have a diet restriction that is fairly difficult to live with. Basically, its low-sodium, about 65 grams of carbohydrates (equal to 2-3 slices of bread, depending), with small portions of protein and fats (10-15 grams each - dressings and vegetable cooking oil accounts for some of this). Red meats and animal fats are minimized. Fried foods forbidden.

Subway actually does fairly well at this, but I'll admit that the flavor suffers as a result, especially when compared to Quizno's and other hoagie/submarine shops. That flavor is often obtained at unacceptable levels of sodium...which is my big hurtle. I shoot for 500 mgs of sodium per meal and allow myself to stretch - a bowl of soup is off the chart.

Fresh vegetables are usually freebies all the way around, but some, like celery, have noticeable sodium counts. And salad dressings, a must in my book, can add mgs of sodium. Fruits are carbohydrates...fructose.

Fun, huh? It's a hypertensive diabetic's diet.

So...Find me a good order at these recommended restaurants....Most burger joints fall out quickly because of high sodium and fat counts. I'd bet that Wendy's baked potato is a contender, though.

Salads are not a way out, unless one also gets bread, potato or pasta with it. Complex carbs are necessary.

godfry

[squian]

No one has mentioned Rubios?

One summer, I was completely addicted to fish tacos -- no, for those who do not know, it's not a euphemism. Four 99 cent fish tacos a day for 60 days. The main flavors of a Rubio's fish taco are cilantro, lime, and a strange but wonderful white sauce (some derivative of sour cream, I think).

Oh, and lobster burritos. Mm mm mm.

[beyelzu]

I'd have to second the vote for Sonic! Always very good! Another place I liked which I found when I was down south was Checkers (http://www.checkers.com/index.asp)! Yummy! Sure, a bit greasy, but very tasty!!! :chomp:
checkers rules.


I love their fries.


Plus after eating there you can just hear your arteries clog.

ummmm good eating.

[beyelzu]

I have a challenge. Call it "The godfry Challenge".

I have a diet restriction that is fairly difficult to live with. Basically, its low-sodium, about 65 grams of carbohydrates (equal to 2-3 slices of bread, depending), with small portions of protein and fats (10-15 grams each - dressings and vegetable cooking oil accounts for some of this). Red meats and animal fats are minimized. Fried foods forbidden.

Subway actually does fairly well at this, but I'll admit that the flavor suffers as a result, especially when compared to Quizno's and other hoagie/submarine shops. That flavor is often obtained at unacceptable levels of sodium...which is my big hurtle. I shoot for 500 mgs of sodium per meal and allow myself to stretch - a bowl of soup is off the chart.

Fresh vegetables are usually freebies all the way around, but some, like celery, have noticeable sodium counts. And salad dressings, a must in my book, can add mgs of sodium. Fruits are carbohydrates...fructose.

Fun, huh? It's a hypertensive diabetic's diet.

So...Find me a good order at these recommended restaurants....Most burger joints fall out quickly because of high sodium and fat counts. I'd bet that Wendy's baked potato is a contender, though.

Salads are not a way out, unless one also gets bread, potato or pasta with it. Complex carbs are necessary.

godfry
godfry,

you have my sympathies, man.

I dont think I could handle the dietary restrictions.

[lisarea]

I'd have to second the vote for Sonic! Always very good! Another place I liked which I found when I was down south was Checkers (http://www.checkers.com/index.asp)! Yummy! Sure, a bit greasy, but very tasty!!! :chomp:
checkers rules.


I love their fries.

Um, you guys? Checkers is an auto parts store. Don't eat their "fries."

[beyelzu]

I'd have to second the vote for Sonic! Always very good! Another place I liked which I found when I was down south was Checkers (http://www.checkers.com/index.asp)! Yummy! Sure, a bit greasy, but very tasty!!! :chomp:
checkers rules.


I love their fries.

Um, you guys? Checkers is an auto parts store. Don't eat their "fries."

auto parts store you say.


hm, no wonder their fries are so greasy.
:crazy2:

[Shake]

Has anyone eaten at a Macaroni Grille? If so, what's your opinion? Olive Garden makes me cringe (did you know they don't have an oven back there, in the kitchen? - makes you wonder how they cook those breadsticks) and if Macaroni Grille is similar I don't want to even set foot in the door.
Eaten at both, like both. Although I like the option to create your own pasta at Macaroni Grille. It's what I've done every time I've been.

I had a co-worker once who used to go to Olive Garden and fill up on salad and breadsticks and then take the entree he ordered home. Two meals for the price of one!

[seebs]

I am actually fairly fond of Wendy's. Spicy Chicken plain. Just the spicy chicken on a bun. Mmm.

Let's see. Outback Steakhouse is good, as long as you don't expect them to be in any way related to Australia. Ruby Tuesday has my favorite burger ever. Smokehouse burger, medium, swiss instead of cheddar, only mustard. MMmm.

For "small" chains, we have Italian Pie Shoppe (3 or 4 locations, all in the Twin Cities). Also quite good.

I have not been particularly fond of TGIF or Applebee's. Chili's is okay, and at least they're willing to serve actually spicy food if you ask.

[viscousmemories]

I really like The Corner Bakery. Great soups, breakfasts, sandwiches, etc.

However I'm really bumping this thread to reiterate my newfound affection for Chipotle. I've been there numerous times since this thread began (including today) and they really do have awesome burritos. :yup:

[Dingfod]

Atomic Burrito (http://bestoftulsa.com/tulsamenus/atomic_burrito.shtml) makes burritos made to order, beef, chicken or veggie, your choice. Mmmm, good and filling.

[viscousmemories]

I recently discovered the nearby Royal Chopstix, which serves up some damn good American-Chinese food in record time and at very reasonable prices. In other words, I can call them and order two entrees and soup (apprx. $15), then immediately leave the house and the food will be ready when I get there in 5 minutes.

I also recently found out that there's a Sonic about 1/3 of the distance from the last one I went to. It must be new, because it didn't show up last time I went looking. I'll have to go back and give them another try soon.

Also, Texas has a place called Whataburger that's supposed to be a decent fast food joint. I highly doubt it's on par with In-N-Out, but I'll give it a shot and report back as soon as I can.

[Goliath]

I enjoy the HuHot (http://www.huhot.com/) Mongolian Grill. Not too unreasonably priced (about $16...more if you want dessert), and there's a really big variety of stuff to choose from. There's always chicken, pork, and beef and duck, and at least a few seafood items including krab, shrimp, mahi-mahi, pollock, and salmon. There's also a huge variety of vegetables and a lot of sauces for a lot of different combinations.

However, if you do go to one of these, a word of advice: they'll ask you if you want soup or salad...just decline and go for the buffet line (unless you're a major fan of hot & sour or egg drop soup..not really my thing..oh, and the salad is horrible). Another disadvantage is that, in my experience, the place is usually packed, so the lines can be somewhat long. So, don't go to HuHot if you want a quick meal (unless you show up at 3:00pm--4:00pm or something...then lines will probably be short for awhile).

[pescifish]

On the pricey side, I would recommend Roys (http://www.roysrestaurant.com/docs/index.html) if you have one in your area. I took my sister and my niece for dinner to celebrate my sister's birthday. Fresh ingredients, assertive flavors, deliciously wrapped in a Hawaiian state of mindIt is Hawaiian fusion cuisine. Only about 1/4 of the menu is constant; they set and print a new menu every day based on ingredients and chef's choice. Everything about the meal was excellent: service, ambience, food. Which was amazing when I found out the restaurant in the Valley had only just opened 3 weeks prior to our visit!

[Dingfod]

Taco Bueno beats the beans out of Taco Bell.

Not too long ago, I found out Atomic Burrito that I mentioned before was started by the guys that started Chi-Chi's, which I thought was a pretty good chain of Mexican restaurants.

Started about the time I moved here in 2000, a local chain, Mexico Lindo, is better by far than all the others. Then again, everyone working in Mexico Lindo is Mexican. I think they might be violating some EEO regulations of some kind.

[Crumb]

Baja Fresh: Some yummy Mexican food, not too expensive either. Kind of a fast foodish atmosphere though, but you can get your burritos and tacos to go. With yummy Baja salsa and tortilla chips. Mmm.

[viscousmemories]

Baja Fresh is good, and we have one nearby. Lauri and I went to On the Border (http://www.ontheborder.com/index_flash.html) when she was in town, and they made us fresh guac at our table. That was cool and the food was good.

[Dingfod]

On The Border? They suck here in T-town.



The above opinion runs contrary to the evidence of an always full parking lot. I apparently have different taste than the mainstream.

[livius drusus]

I hate On The Border too. They have a relationship with cilantro which can only be described as pathological.

[godfry n. glad]

I hate On The Border too. They have a relationship with cilantro which can only be described as pathological.

Moonbase to liv....Moonbase to liv...Come in, liv....

People who don't like cilantro should not set foot (or any other part or parcel of their body) inside ANY Mexican restaurant.

Get a little reality, girl.

[viscousmemories]

Hey I didn't say it was the best thing since sliced bread, just that it was decent and the fresh guacamole made at my table was a cool feature. I'd take a real Mexican restaurant over any chain any day. That's one of the things I miss about Southern California, actually. I haven't really found any authentic Mexican restaurants near here.

[godfry n. glad]

They don't have any authentic Mexican restaurants in Dallas, Taxes?

What is wrong with this picture?

Isn't Taxes the home of Tex-Mex? Aren't there any "Mexican" parts of town? With real live Mexican-owned, Mexican-run Mexican restaurants?

Hell, I live here where we are over a thousand miles from the Mexican border and I can get superlative burritos (each one which makes an entire meal) for about 3 bucks from a restaurant where most of the staff speaks very broken English (La Sirenita - the best, in my humble non-SoCal background). Really, really good and entirely authentic Mexican food. We even have roving Tres Hermanos vans that served up decent burritos from parking lots throughout the area. Bonified authentic Mexican.

You'd think Dallas was located in Newfoundland or something, the way you talk.

[viscousmemories]

Hehe...

Well I don't actually live in Dallas, but in N. Irving (between Dallas and Ft. Worth). Pretty much everything within a 15 minute radius of here is a franchise. I think Chipotle is as close as I've come to authentic Mexican food.

[wei yau]

Hehe...

Well I don't actually live in Dallas, but in N. Irving (between Dallas and Ft. Worth). Pretty much everything within a 15 minute radius of here is a franchise. I think Chipotle is as close as I've come to authentic Mexican food.

Not that I want to dispute what you're saying, as I've never been to Texas (save for a one-night layover in Ft. Worth). But, are there Mexicans in your neck of the woods?

I ask because they gotta eat somewhere and unless they eat only at these chains, then there's gotta be a restaurant that serves more authentic Mexican food.

It's kinda like how I find a good Chinese restaurant. If the table settings have only chopsticks and you have to ask for a fork, then chances are it's a fairly authentic Chinese restaurant.

[godfry n. glad]

It's kinda like how I find a good Chinese restaurant. If the table settings have only chopsticks and you have to ask for a fork, then chances are it's a fairly authentic Chinese restaurant.

Yeah... I know a good one when, after I'm seated, I survey the customers and find that I'm one of very few pale roundeyes in the place and most of the crowded restaurant is Asian clientele. That goes for Thai and Vietnamese, too.

[viscousmemories]

Oddly, I honestly haven't seen very many Mexicans in this area. Besides White people there are lots of Indians and Asians (and a good assortment of restaurants to match) but not a lot of Mexicans. That changes outside a 15 minute drive radius of course, but I rarely feel like driving that long for food.

[godfry n. glad]

Oddly, I honestly haven't seen very many Mexicans in this area. Besides White people there are lots of Indians and Asians (and a good assortment of restaurants to match) but not a lot of Mexicans. That changes outside a 15 minute drive radius of course, but I rarely feel like driving that long for food.

So, now you tell us you're living in an Anglo ghetto?

[pescifish]

Isn't Taxes the home of Tex-Mex? My experience with Tex-Mex is about 20 years ago, but is Tex-Mex considered authentic Mexican food?

The southwestern states of the U.S. seem to have differing styles of Mexican food (not surprising, considering Mexico is a big country and a rich range of cultures in itself). "Authentic Mexican" can mean many different styles depending on where you are and who is in the kitchen.

(livius, my mother is the only one of her 3 siblings to have married a non-hispanic. Our family gatherings were, presumably, quite authentic Mexican. I never knew cilantro existed until some chain restaurants started in with it in their pico de gallo. This was around the same time my Arabic boyfriend's family used it in some of their dishes.)

[One for Sorrow]

<<<By the way, this is Allan posting. I didn't notice I was logged in to Jess' account.>>>

I used to love Roy Rogers (http://www.royrogersrestaurants.com/) restaraunts, but thought they all closed down many years ago. The vast majority apparently did. Then, purely by accident, I encountered one on a trip to Washington DC, and now I'm optimistic about eating there again and again! While lots of places have breadcrumb-coated chicken and biscuits, theirs was one of the best I've ever tried. Yum.

Unless I was just young and naive at the time.

[Lauri D]

But Tom.... I thought where you lived is "where Latinos liiiiiive!"

:laughcry:

/cracking only myself up with lame joke that won't make sense to anyone else.

[viscousmemories]

But Tom.... I thought where you lived is "where Latinos liiiiiive!"

:laughcry:

/cracking only myself up with lame joke that won't make sense to anyone else.
Hey you cracked me up too! Don't I count? :didi:

[LadyShea]

Nevermind I am a moron

[TomJoe]

Sonic sucks. I live in the same city where Sonic has its corporate headquarters ... so there is a Sonic like every friggin other block here. They all suck.

[Dingfod]

Sonic does NOT suck. Not just my opinion either, umpteen hundred thousand customers like me agree.

[TomJoe]

Sonic does NOT suck. Not just my opinion either, umpteen hundred thousand customers like me agree.

They do too suck!

And umpteen hundred thousand customers still leaves oh, a few hundred million people in the USA who don't go to Sonic ... and I'd bet a percentage don't go there because, well ... Sonic sucks!

I will admit that their cheddar bites are good (though I prefer the cheddar poppers at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY [Home of the Buffalo Wings]), but their hamburgers suck!

I mean ... serving hamburgers with the choice of mayo or mustard? WTF is that? Mayo and mustard? What the hell happened to ketchup?

[Dingfod]

I don't know about ketchup for the hamburgers, I don't go to Sonic for their hamburgers, hamburgers are Carl Jr.'s job. Sonic has good shakes and malts and ice cream sundaes, corn dogs, foot long chili-cheese coneys, etc. Plus, they're fast and they're inexpensive, a winning combination.

[TomJoe]

I don't know about ketchup for the hamburgers, I don't go to Sonic for their hamburgers, hamburgers are Carl Jr.'s job. Sonic has good shakes and malts and ice cream sundaes, corn dogs, foot long chili-cheese coneys, etc. Plus, they're fast and they're inexpensive, a winning combination.

Yes, Sonic has good malts, can't find a better Limeaid anywhere else. However, their sundaes ... I'll go to Braum's instead. Have you tried their Jr. Banana split? I went there on a whim ... the thing is dwarfed by the cherry that sits on top ... pathetic!

Their carhops ... very nice, the ones where I live are really cute too ... though a bit too young for me. Remember to leave them a tip, as they get paid waitress fees.

Overall though, based on their lunch menu and serving mayo on hamburgers ... they suck.

[Dingfod]

Some people actually LIKE mayo on hamburgers. Not me, but my mom and dad do.

[TomJoe]

Some people actually LIKE mayo on hamburgers. Not me, but my mom and dad do.

Those same people probably like ketchup on their hot dogs. :glare:

[livius drusus]

Those people are wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.

[lisarea]

OMFG. You guys and your sandwich dogma. You are so totally not freethinkers!

From now on, I'm just going to call you "Hitlery McNazi."

[Crumb]

I like mayo and BBQ sauce on my hotdogs and hamburgers. Is there something wrong with that? :dunno:

:hotdog: :fastfood:

I have never been to a Sonic before, though.

[livius drusus]

From now on, I'm just going to call you "Hitlery McNazi."

I'll cop to that. :Cartler:

[TomJoe]

I like mayo and BBQ sauce on my hotdogs and hamburgers. Is there something wrong with that? :dunno:


Mayo on hamburgers is horrible ... if you put it on hotdogs ... I think I'm going to barf. Mayo is good to use when you're making tunafish sandwiches, and it goes good in chicken salad, or on sandwiches made with chicken or turkey cold cuts. Otherwise, leave the mayo in the fridge.

BBQ sauce on hamburgers is acceptable, though that's like putting caviar on a saltine cracker. The only thing that should go on a hotdog, is mustard. Spicy mustard at that ... with saurkraut or onions if you wish to get fancy.

[viscousmemories]

Some people actually LIKE mayo on hamburgers. Not me, but my mom and dad do.
Those same people probably like ketchup on their hot dogs. :glare:
I know this is true because I am such a person.

[pescifish]

Three food franchises that I really wish were here in the LA area:
Backyard Burgers (http://www.backyardburgers.com/home.asp)
Ruby Tuesday (http://www.rubytuesday.com)
Pappasito's Cantina (http://www.pappasitos.com/)

Ruby Tuesday commercials keep coming on for their triple prime burgers or the 2-mini burgers and salad bar dinner. It's hard to obey the instant gratification advertising urge when the closest restaurant is 200+ miles away. :glare:

A couple of guys from our Marietta group are out here this week and some of us locals got together with them for dinner last night. Both of these guys had gone to Pappasitos within the last week and were talking about the amazing shrimp brochette: bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack Cheese and jalapeno, mesquite-grilled, served with a creamy garlic butter sauce and pico de gallo. I enjoyed a side order of these when I was out there in July. Delicious!

[Legs]

Swiss Chalet. Every town should have one.

Oh, and a Tim Horton's too.

[Dingfod]

Two restaurants in Salt Lake City that I wish had franchises in Tulsa:

Rodizio Grill (http://www.rodiziogrill.com/) Brazilian-style meat restaurant. I can't think of any other way to describe it. Waitstaff in gaucho pants bring great skewers of meats around to your table whenever you want. They have a giant salad bar with all manner of diverse items on it as well. One price covers all you can eat. There is a similar themed restaurant in Tulsa, The Gaucho, but it pales in comparison, in selection of food and in service as well as having decor more suited to a French restaurant.

La Puente (http://www.lapuenteut.com/) Mexican restaurant, for it's Smothered Burrito with Cheese, a pork, bean and cheese burrito smothered in spicy hot chile verde and sprinkled with cheese served with a side of rice. It is to die for. I had some when I was out there in December. There is nothing like it here in Tulsa, we know, we've tried them all.


There are two Italian restaurant franchises in Tulsa that don't suck:

Johnny Carino's (http://www.carinos.com/) and Zio's (http://www.zios.com/), an offshoot of Mazzio's Pizza, both have great food, great atmosphere and great food. Did I mention they have great food?

[Legs]

Aren't you fond of the Pink Taco, Dingfod?

[Dingfod]

:camel:

[biochemgirl]

Culver's, the food takes a little longer but it is well worth it because it is made fresh. The best burgers and frozen custard in the world. I think it's mainly a midwest chain.

[freemonkey]

Ruby Tuesday (http://www.rubytuesday.com)
[/list]
Ruby Tuesday commercials keep coming on for their triple prime burgers or the 2-mini burgers and salad bar dinner. It's hard to obey the instant gratification advertising urge when the closest restaurant is 200+ miles away. :glare:

We used to go to Ruby Tuesdays when we lived in the midwest and I remember liking it. We recently found one in Tacoma, went there, and it wasn't as good as we remember.

[Moxy]

Culver's, the food takes a little longer but it is well worth it because it is made fresh. The best burgers and frozen custard in the world. I think it's mainly a midwest chain.

There is one of these within walking distance of my apartment, and somehow, I've never gone.

The one I will reccomend is Giordano's (http://www.giordanos.com/main.php). They are mainly in and around Chicago, but there are a handful in Florida. (Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Brandon, and soon in Port Richey and Tampa).

Just thinking about the stuffed (http://www.giordanos.com/stuffed.php) pizzas is making me hungry. :homdrool:

[Artemis Entreri]

There's a chain, I think it's a very small chain now, that is like a much better version of sonic. They're called Bumpers. They have a similar menu to Sonic. Plus they have much better quality and lower prices from my experience. Their cherry limeades put sonic to shame. Also I can remember going to Bumpers when I was a little kid, so I know they've been around for a while.

[TomJoe]

Carvel

[wei yau]

:faint:

TomJoe is Tom Carvel?!?!

[Zehava]

I like mayo and BBQ sauce on my hotdogs and hamburgers. Is there something wrong with that? :dunno:


Mayo on hamburgers is horrible ... if you put it on hotdogs ... I think I'm going to barf. Mayo is good to use when you're making tunafish sandwiches, and it goes good in chicken salad, or on sandwiches made with chicken or turkey cold cuts. Otherwise, leave the mayo in the fridge.

BBQ sauce on hamburgers is acceptable, though that's like putting caviar on a saltine cracker. The only thing that should go on a hotdog, is mustard. Spicy mustard at that ... with saurkraut or onions if you wish to get fancy.

Mayo is acceptable on a burger only if there is no Miracle Whip (http://www.miraclewhip.com/) to be had. Whatever you do keep the Best Foods: Sandwich Spread (http://www.bestfoods.com/products_favorites.asp#spred) away from me (my Dad loves this stuff).

Hotdogs go on a dry bun, add ketchup (Heinz, not the Hunts catsup crap), yellow mustard (French's), finely minced onions and sweet pickle relish. Or topped with warm sauerkraut all by its' lonesome.

[seebs]

I do like Giordono's; I always get one of those when we have a convention in Chicago.

[TomJoe]

:cone:

:faint:

TomJoe is Tom Carvel?!?!

Cookie Puss.

[freemonkey]

Just thinking about the stuffed (http://www.giordanos.com/stuffed.php) pizzas is making me hungry. :homdrool:
STOP THAT!! I miss Chicago pizza so much. My MIL sends us a Lou Malnati pizza now and then, but I don't really care for their slab o' sausage style 'za's What I really liked was Edwardo's Stuffed Spinach Pizza (http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/c-EdwardoAns.shtml?E+scstore+edwardo). We had one sent recently, but its just not the same, frozen and reheated.

[wei yau]

It wasn't always, but it's a franchise now.

Five Guys (http://www.fiveguys.com/)

As the story goes, three brothers were offered by their parents either money for college or money to start a business. They started Five Guys burgers. They had like five restaurants in Northern Virginia when we first moved down here. Then a couple of years ago, they went national and there are franchises all along the Eastern seaboard.

Great food, simple to prepare and delicious.

[seebs]

Just thinking about the stuffed (http://www.giordanos.com/stuffed.php) pizzas is making me hungry. :homdrool:
STOP THAT!! I miss Chicago pizza so much. My MIL sends us a Lou Malnati pizza now and then, but I don't really care for their slab o' sausage style 'za's What I really liked was Edwardo's Stuffed Spinach Pizza (http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/c-EdwardoAns.shtml?E+scstore+edwardo). We had one sent recently, but its just not the same, frozen and reheated.

We used to have a couple of Edwardo's around here, I very much miss them.

[J.T.]

You all are forgetting about the greatest of them all. White Castle (http://www.whitecastle.com)
Greasers, Belly bombers, Slider, Rat burgers, whatever you call them, they are addicting little burgers. Unfortunately, I can only get them frozen in Colorado.

There is also Fazoli's (http://www.fazolis.com/) for Italian fast food.

And we have Papa John's Pizza (http://www.papajohns.com).

[roastelk]

I'll usually head for a donair place....man I love donairs, do you even have them down in the US?... ie King donair, Mr donair, Chomps donair.....

Oh, I've never even seen a white castle.

[TomJoe]

You all are forgetting about the greatest of them all. White Castle (http://www.whitecastle.com)
Greasers, Belly bombers, Slider, Rat burgers, whatever you call them, they are addicting little burgers. Unfortunately, I can only get them frozen in Colorado.

White Castle truly does rock. My fiancee and I are planning a trip to St. Louis in a couple of weeks ... plan to head to The Hill for some good old fashioned Italian cooking ... but I plan on stopping at White Castle for a quick fix as soon as we get within the city limits.

There is also Fazoli's (http://www.fazolis.com/) for Italian fast food.

There's no such thing as Italian fast food. Perish the thought!

[livius drusus]

There's no such thing as Italian fast food. Perish the thought!
Damn skippy!

I've never been to White Castle, but I've had the wee frozen burgers. Wait. We talked about this once before, didn't we, TomJoe? I vaguely recall explaining my intricate method for cooking the frozen ones so they come out perfectly.

[freemonkey]

Other things they don't have here in the Pacific Northwest:

White Castle, while I'm not especially fond of their burgers, the chicken sandwiches, fries and vanilla shakes rocked. Late nights always produce craving for White Castle.

Dunkin' Donuts. Can you fucking believe it? There's no Winchell's Dounts, either.

[Artemis Entreri]

Down here we have Krystals instead of White Castle. But they serve the exact same burgers. I have to control myself because there are two of them within 5 min of my apartment.

[Crumb]

Dunkin' Donuts. Can you fucking believe it?
They used to be here. They have dried up in recent years.

[Cynical-Chick]

Macaroni Grill and Ruby Tuesdays rock, but there's a totally awesome local chain -- www.calhouns.com