CONFESS!!! Chain restaurants that you secretly eat at

[LynneSin]

Arby's. I have to limit myself to one Arby's meal a month or else I'd go hog-wild crazy and eat there every single day

[spinbaby]

1. Panda Express

Greasy not-quite-Chinese food. But it's close to the book store and that orange chicken is sooooo good.

[bigwillq]

23. Did you see the article in Reader's Digest

about the founders of Panda Express? It was a good read. The owners seem to be very employee friendly and have done a lot of charity work.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

38. I think they put

heroine in it because it is addictive. My 8 year old son goes crazy and begs me to bring him home some orange chicken... Jeesh...

[driver8]

51. Our local Panda Express makes the most amazing orange chicken!

It is unbelievable -- and SO good for you!!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

80. I never miss a sample at the mall food court

Wherever there's a Panda Express, there's a worker standing in front of it holding a piece of chicken on a toothpick.

I've always wondered to what extent can I try to come back and sample as many pieces as I could, and if the person would notice my repeat attempts and would actually refuse me. Unfortunately, I'm too "chicken" to actually try. (Ba-da-da!)

[Duer 157099]

117. Have they changed their container sizes at your location?

At mine, a few months ago their take-out container was downsized by about HALF! I'm not kidding, I was shocked, and now I refuse to go there. Plus, they raised the price!

I'd rather they raise a price so you know what's going on, then halve the portion they give.

Now I hate them, I think they are slimy -- and I also love their orange chicken, and their eggplant garlic tofu -- but no more for me.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

124. The chinese place near me switched containers

I use them to take leftovers to work for lunch. But the new containers are slightly different from the old ones and don't stack right. And their tops no longer fit either.

[dembotoz]

2. pretty much any and all

except maybe olive garden

have 2 sons who look down on anything that is not a chain.

[lost-in-nj]

3. Ruby Tuesdys, TGI Fridays

Hollihans, McDonalds, Burger King, On the Border and California Pizza Kitchen

NEVER EVER ate at Olive Garden
ate at Macaroni Grill and I can love it or leave it


lost

[TommyO]

7. California Pizza Kitchen is a great answer

There used to be one at Menlo Park which was my first experience. There's now one at Short Hills, but I haven't eaten at that one yet. Their roasted garlic chicken pizza is incredible.

Macaroni Grill is OK, but Maggiano's Little Italy is wonderful treat from time to time.

Chipotle for their Burrito Bowls

[driver8]

54. I love California Pizza Kitchen. I get the same thing every time --

Thai Chicken Pizza!!

My wife orders a different dish every time and everything she has tried has been great.

[mac56]

4. White Castle

If we had a king instead of a President, the White House would be a White Castle. And you can't have enough of them.

[DemNoir]

20. I approve

White Castle, always and forever the worlds coolest fast food.

[yellowdogintexas]

104. Krystal nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Taco Bell. Culvers. Olive Garden.

I know Taco Bell ain't Mexican, but who cares? It's goddamned delicious.

Toxic, and full of shit, for sure.

But tasty.

Culvers is good food. And yes, I really do eat at Olive Garden a few times a year - their food is palatable, if not inspiring, and sometimes I'm with people who hate eating at a place that isn't a chain, and Olive Garden is a place that one can actually get some good tasting food, decent service, and a fairly decent ambience.

[driver8]

56. I hate to admit it, but I love Taco Bell.

When I want some good ol' greasy food, Taco Bell is my choice! I love the Meximelts!!

[CreekDog]

79. They took away the chili cheese burrito

Color me disappointed.

[spinbaby]

6. Actually, thinking about it...

I ate at a bunch of chain restaurants in Tokyo this spring. I was with my husband who flatly refused to eat anywhere that wasn't an American chain restaurant. TGIFridays, Outback Steakhouse, McDonalds...even Planet Hollywood.

[unpossibles]

8. Subway and occasionally one of the burrito places like Qdoba or Chipotle.

I don't eat out very often, and when I do I prefer Thai so that limits the amount of chains - frankly if there were a decent Thai fast food place here I'd go to it at least to check it out. If you like the food of a chain, then eat there. I can get a decent meal at Subway - one of the few fast food places which has even one vegetarian option and is not all fried like BK - so I go there sometimes for lunch and enjoy it.

[Midlodemocrat]

9. Cracker Barrel, every Wednesday like clockwork.

[spinbaby]

11. Cracker Barrel gives me claustrophobia

The clutter....shudder.

[Midlodemocrat]

15. I LOVE that stuff!!!

Great bargains on some really cute decorative seasonal stuff.

[sasquatch]

114. Yeah, stuff that closeted racist would have

TM is better off with matcom.
:D

[Tommy_Carcetti]

18. My friend's house reminded me of Cracker Barrel

It was a rustic style house with a lot of old antique stuff on the wall. Everytime I went in, I couldn't help but saying that this reminded me of a Cracker Barrel. Which ultimately gave me a craving for the aforementioned sausage biscuits.

[LynneSin]

14. So if I was a stalker it wouldn't be that hard to track you down

of course, first, I'd have to become a stalker, which isn't quite in my career path

[Midlodemocrat]

17. Nope. I get there by about 11:45 to ensure that I get one,

sit in the non smoking section. Sometimes Mr. is with me, sometimes I'm alone. In which case, I would be reading a magazine or a book.

Oh, and I will almost assuredly have on a DU or other liberal tee shirt seeing as that is all I own.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. I love the sausage biscuits at Cracker Barrel

Love them!

Plus the little basket of biscuits and cornbread they give you before the meal. And the gift shop when you walk in.

[terrya]

75. Ok...I've eaten at Cracker Barrel

But only AFTER they abolished their horrible anti-gay employment policies.

[TK421]

81. Tell me more....

Never heard of that, and when did they abolish them?

My post down thread reads that I found their food OK...but not the greatest. Have you ever worked for them? I ordered a turkey dinner special, and there were two small ( and I mean small ) pieces of turkey. I do like the turnip greens, though....sorry to get off track, I know I did

[billyskank]

87. Joani took me to a Cracker Barrel one day.

I wasn't sure if I was breaking some Lounge rule or other.

[TK421]

98. What did you think of it? I thought the food was good, but the portions sucked ass

:shrug:

[Critters2]

132. Okay, I confess. I love the fried apples at Cracker Barrel.

Love them. Really.

You don't have Cracker Barrel across the pond? Give it time, they'll get there.

Thank God for globalization!

[sasquatch]

101. Where you get cornflake breaded fried chicken to go

So you can go home and wash it down with either wine coolers or boxed wine.
:eyes::D:hi:

[SacredCow]

10. Pretty much any of them.....

Sometimes when eating with a group, you get outvoted.

The one that I refuse to step into is Applebee's. :puke:

[Ava]

12. subway

and sometimes whenever we treat ourselves to a family meal out we go to olive garden... yes, olive garden. they have good food, good service, it's family friendly, and affordable.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

13. Secretly?

Like I've got to wear Groucho Marx glasses with a fake nose and mustasche?

That would be none.

But, if you are talking about guilty pleasures, I do admit I am a sucker for all the chain restaurants. Chili's, Friday's, Cracker Barrel, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. Plus all your fast food chains.

And yes, Olive Garden. And I'm not going to deny it. I like Olive Garden. I like their Zupa Tuscana and their breadsticks. And their pasta dishes are decent, too. Not heart-of-Italy-most-incredible-meal-ever, but decent. I know apparently I'm not supposed to like Olive Garden or something, but what can I say? I'm a sucker for the establishment.

So what attracts us to chain restaraunts? It's safety. We know what's on the menu, we know what's good and bad. There are mom and pop places out there who serve a lot better food than the big chains. But there are also mom and pop places out there who serve food that is worse than the big chains.

And if I'm in a town that I don't know about and I walk into some unknown mom-and-pop place, I never know if I'm going to get a) the best food ever imaginable or b) food poisoning. Not that I don't try to find that good mom-and-pop place from time to time, but if you're in a hurry and you don't want to debate whether or not you think the food is going to be any good, the chain restaraunts are a safe bet.

[MissMillie]

19. Chili's makes an outstanding Chambourd 1800 Margarita

which I believe they are now making at The 99 as well.

Chili's
Applebee's
Dunkin Donuts
The 99
Picadilly Pub


I have had good meals at the Olive Garden in the past but the last 2 times were terrible.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

24. I'm angry at Chili's right now

For the past year, they had the Carolina style BBQ Baby Back Ribs on the menu. Then on the last visit, for no reason whatsoever they replaced them with flavors which weren't nearly as good. The Carolina Baby Back Ribs were the main reason for me going to Chili's this past year. Now I'm not nearly as excited about it.

[MissMillie]

26. Pizzeria Unos makes good ribs

:shrug:

[Frank Cannon]

153. Chilis' Mushroom Jack Fajitas are fanfarkingtastic

As well as their Molten Chocolate Volcano Cake, or whatever they call it.

I :loveya: Chilis and I'm not ashamed to say it.

[TreasonousBastard]

39. Yeah! I get screwed 90% of the time with the little places...

when I'm travelling, so the chains it is.

I spent a lot of time in kitchens during the years I was dealing with restaurant cash register systems, and the chains were usually obsessive about cleaniness and suppliers.

Some if the little guys had kitchens to gag a maggot, and you can't tell who's who from the front. You also can't tell if they just got a load of meat "real cheap" from some guy who just drove up in a van.

I love the little guys who manage to keep serving really good food at reasonable prices, but they are getting harder and harder to find. If I know I'm coming back this way, I might take a chance and hope to find a good one, but most of the time I just want some quick food and less of a chance I'll get the runs an hour down the road.

[kath]

141. There are some very good websites to help you find good non-chain restaurants all across the country

Try roadfood.com and chowhound.com. IIRC, both have multiple regional message boards. You can jump in and ask something like "I'm going to be in Cleveland next week for a graduation, Where's a good semi-fancy place to go after the ceremony?" or "where's the best barbecue in St. Louis?" and get lots of very helpful replies.

[ironflange]

21. A couple

Every Thursday at dinnertime, we're on the road, so we hit McDonald's for dinner. Face it, McD's is the easiest to eat when you're driving. We like Subway, too, and there's a Denny's nearby that is a really well-run place, so we're there too on occasion. We have never had the slightest problem at that Denny's, but we steer clear of other ones. Oh, and A & W; it's different here than in the U.S., they brought us back the Burger Family a few years ago, and you damn sure can't beat the onion rings.

When we're in the States, and there's one around, we always visit Sweet Tomatoes, that chicken noodle soup is to die for.

Some Canadian chains we like are Boston Pizza, Cheesecake Cafe, East Side Mario's, and New York Fries.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

25. Sweet Tomatoes

I like Sweet Tomatoes. And because most of it is salad, I don't feel that guilty about going there, either.

[ironflange]

33. That too

They seem to really care about the quality of their product, especially compared to the other buffet places. It's a rare treat for us; we went in Portland last summer (the closest ones to us) and will visit a couple in Orlando at Xmas time.

Well, I can feel a little guilty at dessert time; that apple crisp is a killer, and tapioca is always nice.

[driver8]

58. They are like Soup Plantation -- I love me some Soup Plantation!

Even my children like to go to Soup Plantation!!

[KitchenWitch]

108. Oh yeah!

I love Souplantation's Cream of Mushroom soup!

[TK421]

22. I like Arby's also...but I've recently discovered Ruby Tuesdays

and 99 ( first time I've been to these places ) both last week. Ruby Tuesdays salad bar was quite impressive, and I loaded it with about a half-pound of blue-cheese crumbles and anything else I could get my hands on....could barely finish the main course.

I was really impressed with 99, not just because of the food but I really liked the atmosphere. It felt like I was eating in my house, sans the wall hangings and shit.

I tried Cracker Barrel last month...pretty good, but not the best food I've tasted. Portions weren't anything to write home about.

[Ekirh]

27. I eat at most Chain Restaurants. .

Although some I haven't stepped in for years.. wether it be by choice or just bad location (Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel it's been a few years . . . and I've given up Mcdonalds, Hardees, Burger Kings, Wendys, Taco Bells etc. etc.)

Right now though Ruby Tuesdays and BBWS seem to be the ones I frequent more than any others.

[BarenakedLady]

28. Most all of them

Biaggi's is one of my favorites.

[Richard Steele]

29. My deep & abiding love for Waffle House™ is no secret...

...so I guess that doesn't count. :shrug:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

30. Yeah, Waffle House...

Reminds me of family vacations driving down I-95 to Florida. Plus they make a hell of a waffle.

So count me as a big fan of Waffle House.


Although I've heard Kid Rock isn't a fan of it himself anymore.

[yellowdogintexas]

106. you should go to Memphis, then, I swear there is a Waffle House at

every single exit in Memphis..at least on Interstate 40..I must have counted a dozen of them between Jackson Tn and EAst Memphis AR, as it was very early morning I succumbed and had a nice breakfast at one in West Memphis..5:00 am, perfect time to hit Waffle House !

[China_cat]

31. Sticky Fingers and Ryans

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

32. Applebees now and then (they have some salads I like).

The Chili's at MSP airport -- good burgers, and if you sit in the "outside" area you can watch who goes in the Larry Craig Memorial Bathroom.

Once in awhile, Olive Garden. I like the breadsticks.

[TreasonousBastard]

34. Is no secret...

if I've been on the road and get the munchies there's always the dollar menu at McGreasy's and some $3 deal at the Colonel's.

For sitdown, I'd rather stop at a diner than most of the chains. Chain food seems manufactured, rather than cooked, although it is more consistant when you're in a strange area.

[NewJeffCT]

35. Friendly's is a staple for us

I think they're only a chain in the northeast, as they were founded in Wilbraham, Mass, I think.

But, their kids meals are a good deal - a meal, a side of veggies, a drink and ice cream for $4.99 (well, it's normally a side of fries, but you can switch it to corn or broccoli.)

[Critters2]

85. Fribbles and clam boats

A large part of my diet in seminary.

[regnaD kciN]

147. I miss Friendly's...

I haven't lived in the Northeast in almost thirty years.

But I must admit I'm shocked to see from their website that they now apparently serve their burgers on standard buns, instead of toast. Is nothing sacred?

[Mad_Dem_X]

36. Taco Bell. McDonald's. TGI Fridays.

Applebees. Red Lobster. Ruby Tuesdays. KFC.

[SarahB]

37. We love Outback Steakhouse!

And we're not ashamed to admit it! :D

[begin_within]

43. They gave free lunches to any firefighter or first responder last week

[lildreamer316]

48. The recipe they use for their margaritas is sooo good!

It's one of their 'secret' recipes, but it's just the right combo of lime and sour and etc. I love it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

53. I like their burgers and onion things.

Don't know if I'd pay for a full dinner though.

[bullwinkle428]

134. I think Texas Roadhouse blows away Outback, and

we won't even mention the pathetic excuse for a steak house that calls itself Lone Star...

[kwassa]

40. Chevy's Fresh Mex

sort of Corporate Mexican, but I like it better than the other faux Mexican chains.

There are not lots of mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants here on the East Coast like they have in Los Angeles, so I have to make do.

[driver8]

59. I love Chevy's...they make their own tortillas and their salsa is amazing.

I always get the fajitas...

[KG]

41. Wendy's, if I'm getting something handed to me thru a window.

a single with cheese, (no lettuce) and fries. yum.

[billyoc]

42. Not that I wouldn't, but I live on the West Side of Manhattan,

there's LAWS against the shit. :rofl:

[begin_within]

44. Togo's

Yum.

[av8rdave]

45. Quizno's and Rock Bottom Brewery

Actually, I make no secret of either!

[flvegan]

46. Small Florida chain called Evos.

Rarely, but it's the only one I go to.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

50. What part of Florida?

I've never heard of it.

[ElizabethDC]

61. Tampa area.

I love Evos - it's great! It's healthy fast food.

http://www.evos.com/

[flvegan]

62. Tampa, St. Pete and Sarasota

It's about to go national, and they're opening a bunch more in Florida soon as I understand.

http://www.evos.com/

[ElizabethDC]

65. That's good news! I've been waiting for them to catch on. nt

[lildreamer316]

47. Love Arby's. Also, one other embarassing addiction...

..Burger King chicken sandwitches. Fried. Loaded with grease and a TON of mayo. Wilted lettuce. MMMMMMMMM.

[LeftyMom]

49. Dos Coyotes

makes a mean vegan burrito.

[Digit]

52. My favorite is Chili's

Their ribs with the honey BBQ are yummy!

(messy, tho)

[Radio_Lady]

143. We ate at the Chili's in St. George, Utah last month. We don't usually go to Chili's...but...

my son works for them and we got our meal for free!

How could I resist?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

55. I love Fuddruckers.

But I don't make a secret out of it.

[driver8]

60. The Fuddruckers near us closed.

I was very sad. I love Fuddruckers!!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

63. The one near us went to hell.

They used to be an actual restaurant where you had a reasonably quite table, a waitress, ambiance, and so on.

Now they turned into a sort of family restaurant/sports bar sort of thing with big TVs, pinball machines, you order and pick up at a counter, peanut shells all over the floor, and so on. It's terrible.

But the burgers are still good.

[TK421]

70. There used to be one of those by me that recently closed also

I've never been there, but I hear they are really good. I hope it's not a trend and they're going out of business

[bullwinkle428]

130. Wow, the one near me (eastern Iowa) recently closed as well!

There was a sign on the door that implied that it was an individual franchise decision, but if several are closing, it seems to suggest that the company is in trouble. I tried to go there last night for a bison burger and found out they were gone! I get a very nice dinner at Famous Dave's instead... :)

[appal_jack]

154. those ruddy fuckers!

Sorry driver8, but that chain name always makes me have to shout that, and you created the perfect opportunity.

-app

[judaspriestess]

57. Zaba's veggie burrito is so good

We eat at Pei Wei on occasion, I eat at panda express on occasion too. I only do shrimp and veggie dishes there but when I used to eat meat more often, the orange chicken was tasty. Once in a while I do the meatless nachos from Taco Bell and I'm guilty I like the Vanilla ice coffee from McDonalds.

[LSK]

64. Wendys and Taco Hell

[krispos42]

66. Oh, there are a few...

When I pick my son up, we get either BK or McD. He plays in the Playplace for an hour or two while I read a book.

When I'm by myself... well, I sometimes go to Subway during my lunch break. I can be back at my job with a hot meatball parm in seven minutes flat. It has a drive thru, which is great!

I have a weakness for the Wendy's Baconator combo meal.

Taco John's and Arby's about round it out for my usual places, but I like Culver's, too. For casual dining it's usually Chili's.

The last few times I've eaten out I've tried some local places in town and have had good results.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

69. Taco Johns!

There used to be a Taco John's around where I grew up. My family would go there a lot during the summer, as it was close to the swimming pool we went to. Unfortunately, they closed down. Where are they still located at?

I loved their churros.

[krispos42]

71. Upper Midwest, mostly. I'm in Minnesota

Which appears to be Ground Zero for the place...

http://www.tacojohns.com/locations.asp

[Critters2]

131. Buritos with tater tots in 'em.

Very authentic :eyes: but tasty!

[redqueen]

67. Shoooooot...

I don't eat at any of them regularly... but I wouldn't mind it if it weren't so unhealthy/expensive. It's easy and I'm the opposite of a picky eater, so I love the stuff.

My favorite, I suppose, would be Taco Bueno. Mmmm I love their mucho tostadas... or chalupas... I forget what they're called. :P

[TK421]

68. I also have to mention Cheeseburger in Paradise

there's one of those about ten minutes away, but the last time I went it was possibly the best burger I have ever devoured.

[Ekirh]

97. Ohh I haven't been there in awhile . .

Took my Brother there many months back (I like to say the day before Easter)... I had a very tasty burger. . .

[kwassa]

72. Hamburger Hamlet

an odd little chain

In 1950, Marilyn, a dress designer, and Harry Lewis, an actor, opened the first Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset Blvd; because of their commitment to quality, flavor and "simply marvelous food and drink," it became an immediate success. Hamlet quickly became a Hollywood landmark and was packed with celebrities every night of the week. Over the next 3 decades, Hamlet expanded throughout Southern California and Washington DC; to date, there is still nothing to rival the great food, casual comfort and superb service of Hamlet.

[keroro gunsou]

73. famous dave's

can't beat the 6 pack of bbq sauces on the table...

and for those of y'all that think culvers in the pinnacle of custard, y'all are some sadly deluded peoples.

in wisconsin, frozen custard is a religion, the like church of the green and gold, and the cult of the friday fish fry.

for REAL frozen custard, my money is on Kopps. and they can ship worldwide now too...

http://www.kopps.com/

[Bucky]

74. The local taco truck vendors. They don't have addresses--they just park their trailers & open up.

[Throd]

76. Carl's Jr. double western bacon cheeseburgers

[Adsos Letter]

83. ...me too...

A heart-attack-on-a-bun if ever there was one...and damn tasty, too!

:D

[XemaSab]

77. The Damburger

:bounce:

[Darth Lenore]

78. Oh, Olive Garden...

...my old nemesis. I cannot resist your carb-o-licious siren song.

[Quantess]

138. LOL & welcome!

Are you aware of the generalized group-loathing of Olive Garden, here at DU? If not, you'll see.
I've eaten at Olive Garden twice, I will admit that.
:hi:

[Hobarticus]

82. Subway, KFC, and Long John Silver's

Subway: no other optionsd where I work.

KFC: my wife works a shift now and then, and brings leftovers home to daddy.

LJS: only way to make chicken better? Entomb it in crispy coating.

[GOPisEvil]

84. Pei Wei, Wendy's (for Frostys and fries), the occasional McMeal.

[Dukkha]

86. Pizza Hut for the wings

their flame throwers are the best I've ever had. Pizza's good too.

[quip]

88. Nice post, epicurean inquisition

kick

[SPKrazy]

89. No Secrets

I eat at many different ones at different times

:shrug:

[Bennyboy]

90. Sizzler...love the salad bar and

the bleu cheese dressing......

[regnaD kciN]

148. Sizzlers are great...

Unfortunately, there are nowhere near as many as there used to be. If I recall, they had a food-poisoning scandal sometime in the early '90s and never recovered. There used to be at least six of them in the Greater Seattle area; now, there's only one.

[jakefrep]

91. Taco Bell

Olive Garden
And I find it difficult to resist the lure of Starbucks

[Fox Mulder]

92. Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, Olive Garden...

among others.

I don't feel guilty at all for eating at these places either.

[mvd]

93. OK, since I have food on my mind (dinner is ready)

Wendy's
Pizza Hut (ingredients are good, but sometimes they slap it together too much)
Olive Garden
Texas Roadhouse

[ThePowerofWill]

94. Bojangles.

Love their biscuits, and chicken.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

95. Taco Bell sometimes

For pizza, it's Hungry Howies.
Went to Red Lobster about a month ago. Never, ever again.

[Capn Sunshine]

96. PF Changs and Flemings

both Chains , but we spend a lot of time at each. Oh, and Ruth's Chris. Yummmm.

[AlCzervik]

100. PF Changs here as well and sometimes Buca di Beppo.

[Critters2]

127. Buca di Beppo has the best eggplant parmesan!!

And now they have single portion sizes, so you don't have to get a big freaking party together to go. And then the one in West Des Moines closed, so I'm still screwed.

[bicentennial_baby]

99. Hmmm, ok

BK Cheeseburgers
MCDo Fries
Pizza Hut Veggie Lover's
Texas Roadhouse Steak
Acapulco's Nachos and Margaritas

:D

[alarimer]

102. There's nothing but chain restaurants around here

Well it seems like it anyway. I never eat at Olive Garden. I prefer Macaroni Grill LOL.

[Labors of Hercules]

103. Fast food: I like Hardee's.

I hate fast food, but Hardee's burgers are damn good, and they've got a new Hawaiian chicken sandwich that kicks ass (especially with a buy one get one free coupon)!!!

You'll occasionally catch me at Arbys too, cuz they're close.

[deadparrot]

105. Arby's.

I always treat myself when driving home from college. There's one at just about the halfway point of my trip...I can't help it. Their roast beef sandwiches are my crack. I don't know why, and I'm sure they're awful in every way, but...yeah. :blush:

[bridgit]

107. Johnny Carino's & On The Border...

http://www.carinos.com http://www.ontheborder.com

[JCMach1]

120. Johnny Carino's in Dubai is fabulous

[bridgit]

125. Good to hear from you, JC, hope all going well; Carino's Dubai?

I like the sound of that

[JCMach1]

136. What don't we have: Olive Garden, LOL

We have too many US chains

KFC, MCD's, BK, PHUT, Hardees, Popeyes, Subway, Fudruckers, Applebees, Chili's, TGI Fridays, Baskin Robins, Cold Stone, Marble Slab, Cinnabon, Krispy Kreme, Arbys, Ponderosa, the mentioned Carinos, On the Border, Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, Lil Caesars, Papa Johns, NY Fries., Quiznos.. and the list goes on...

We are doing great. It is strange how food is slightly different over here. Hardees has great burgers for fast food. Chili's is much better than in the US (won't eat it there). Popeyes is the best for fried chicken. Cinnabon is like crack cocaine. There is NO good pizza to be found. Just forget it if you visit!

[bridgit]

137. Ha! Good One!! By that list you got pretty much 'all the stuff' but this is too true...

"Cinnabon is like crack cocaine" :headbang: :hi: oh, and Yay! Johnny Rockets!! i have a coupon for a free malted there yeah buddy!! :9

[JCMach1]

150. Johnny Rockets in UAE SUCKS...

As I said, it is difficult tell which franchises will, or won't suck here.

Hardees, of all places, has great burgers! I hate Hardees in the States... ditto for Chili's

[yellowdogintexas]

109. Pei Wei, Rosa's Cafe, Subway, Popeye's (when I am feeling self indulgent)

since I joined Weight Watchers, I don't go to many fast food joints except for beverages.

Oh I forgot a couple of absolute favorites: La Madeline, Baker Brothers and Corner Bakery ..I have a long time love affair going on with La Madeline and you can eat there w/o totally ruining your WW points for the week and feel very satisfied. The other two have great salads!

Occasionally will hit Olive Garden or Chilis usually with a group,or Jason's deli

Oh yeah, and Krystal

[pokerfan]

110. Pappa Murphy's Take and Bake pizza

Their gourmet veggie pie is awesome! And I'm not even vegetarian.

Taco Time for their crispy burritos.

Arby's is great but it's mostly the horsey sauce. I steal packets when they aren't looking.

Jack in the Box for their Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich which is great hangover food.

[bullwinkle428]

128. Papa Murphy's is damn good, but I also like Nick & Willy's take and bake;

Their Aegean pizza is one my favorites...

http://www.nicknwillys.com/menu_specialty.html

[njdemocrat106]

111. My confession:

I loves me some Olive Garden every now and then. Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo, Stuffed Chicken Marsala, breadsticks; I'm getting hungry just typing this.

I frequent (but that frequently :) ) KFC and Taco Bell as well. Grilled Stuffed Burritos, Chalupas, and Mexican Pizzas especially. It tastes good to me, so I know it's bad for me as well.

If I have to settle for chain pizza, then it's Pizza Hut to the rescue.

I was in Upstate New York a few weeks ago, and I ate in a Ponderosa. The one near me closed several years ago, so I couldn't help but stop in (I was hungry, after all). Still as good a deal as I remember.

OK, so what's my penance? :)

[Akoto]

112. Applebee's, Panera Bread.

I love both of those places. They have healthy options, and unhealthy options for days when I feel that way.

Usually, I try to give my patronage to chains that cut out trans fats.

[Thirtieschild]

113. Outback when I get a chance. Wish we had one here. Olive Garden for the salads and bread sticks.

[Dewlso]

115. Rally's

Unfortunately they dont have them where I live. I hunger for the Big Buford Combo.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

122. How about Checkers?

It's the same place, just for some odd reason, different names.

Just like how Hardee's and Carl Jr.'s are now the same place, but different names depending on where you live.

[Wapsie B]

116. Taco John's or Taco Tico, Olive Garden,

McDonald's, Hardee's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Arby's, Subway

[Critters2]

135. Taco Tico

I love Taco Tico. I miss Taco Tico.

[annonymous]

118. My family eats at Applebees and Outback

We don't eat out much but those chains are my kids' favorite sit down restaurants. My kids also like Burger King and McDonalds, but I don't really care for them.

[regnaD kciN]

149. Outback is a HUUUUGE Publican donor...

...and are thus probably best avoided.

[rbnyc]

119. IHOP

And I love it!

[Ekirh]

121. IHOP was always great

for those just going home from a concert.. shit it's 2 A.M and I didn't eat anything while being crushed against the wall . . . what can I.. HEY IT'S AN IHOP

IHOP: Many a late night after a concert, pro wrestling event meal was had there :).

[Tommy_Carcetti]

123. Was there this weekend.

Their harvest grain and nut pancakes are great.

So were their buckwheat pancakes, but those have gone the way of the Bacon Cheesburger Burrito, Wendy's Superbar, and Chili's Carolina BBQ ribs of dishes I liked which no longer exist. :(

I think I remember a couple of drunken 2 am trips to IHOP with my dorm mates in college.

[JohnnyLib2]

133. Yes! Harvest nut grain (or something) pancakes.

And we have to drive and hour and a half.

[Radio_Lady]

144. IHOP just bought Applebee's -- wonder what they'll call the new merger?

http://consumerist.com/consumer/mergers-and-acquisitions/ihop-buys-applebees-for-22-billion-278782.php

[bullwinkle428]

126. PANCHERO'S! I eat there at least once a week!

Very high-quality Mexican fast-food...trust me - that's really not a contradiction in terms, if your only prior experience with that particular "genre" is Taco Hell...

[grace0418]

129. Chipotle and Ruby Tuesday's. RT's salad bar is quite excellent.

And their turkey burgers are yummy. Chipotle's Burrito Bols are awesome. I leave out the rice and add extra beans for a nutrtional boost.

[Ghost in the Machine]

139. Chain Restaurant - - is that anything like Leather Bar?

Or do they serve BBQ chains, fried chains, steamed chains, cream of chain soup....

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

145. LOL! Ghost in the Machine, that was a good one!

:hi:

[Ghost in the Machine]

146. Thank you Radio Lady!

:hi:

[Quantess]

140. Subway, Quizno's, Taco Time's veggie burritos

and my favorite indulgence: a biscuit from Popeye's.

[WCGreen]

142. The Arby's Martha Vineyard salad is the best fast food salad...

NO doubt...

[YankeyMCC]

151. Well it would hardly be secret if

I announced it here would it :)

Truthfully, when I'm traveling I will at times resort of Subway or Boston Market.

I honestly don't mind Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill from time to time, if it means making the people I'm with happy. I just lower my expectations and some of the meals are just fine regardless of my expectations. I have found I need to avoid the wine there though for the most part.

[QMPMom]

152. My fave fast food one is Taco Bell. Hubby's is A&W. Once in a while, if we are in a

hurry and exhausted, we'll grab a bag of double cheeseburgers from McDonalds and bring them home.

My husband is so pissed off at Olive Garden that he refuses to go there any more. We do like East Side Mario's and on the odd occasion we'll go to Red Lobster.

[JVS]

155. What did Olive Garden do to him?

[QMPMom]

158. Left us sitting there for 45 minutes after taking our order because they

said they had a take-out order that they had to get ready first. We left and have not been back since.

There's really no need to go back since we live in a large city with plenty of authentic Italian restaurants, which we patronize regularly, and, if we want chain Italian, there's East Side Mario's.

Olive Garden was good when you wanted to feed a gang of teens with the never-ending pasta bowl. They would just suck down the food and didn't care if it was authentic.

[Buns_of_Fire]

156. Believe it or not, just about all of them. And I still have most of my stomach lining left!

And there was also:

• Royal Castle -- this was in south Florida; I don't even know if they're still in business. Watched Skipper Chuck and the Popeye Playhouse every day, and REALLY loved them little gutbombers! (Think Krystal and White Castle.)
• Red Lobster -- probably pretty un-PC and I thought the calamari was kinda chewy (but then I've been told that calamari is SUPPOSED to be chewy!)
• WhatABurger (while I was in Dallas), and
• Steak 'N' Shake -- "Cooked in Sight - It Must Be Right" -- everything came on real breakable plates, and they used real flatware (not those gawdawful "sporks")

But can anything compare with the ultimate cheeziness of a good ol' Waffle House? Cheesy eggs, grits that you can stir in lots of butter and pepper and salt and wait until it all solidifies and cut it into little blocks and build little igloos, a side of bacon, raisin toast with apple butter, and a cup of the World's Best Coffee -- and if you're feeling adventurous, another side of hash browns (scattered, smothered, covered, diced, peppered, beaten, chained, whipped, and humiliated, naturally). Ah, Nirvana...

[lips]

157. Taco Bell

I stopped a while ago after the principled tostada was removed and have since returned for the seven layer burritos.