Best and Worst Chain Restaurants

[Beau Geste (imported)]

Just curious about which of the chain restaurants people like the most, and which ones they avoid. Considering that McDonald's, collectively, probably feeds more people than any other organization in the world, and a number of other restaurant chains have literally thousands of locations, I would guess that a surprising number of people eat at them every day.

The only one we go to with any regularity is Subway--usually, we get a couple of sacks of sandwiches there, then take them home and modify and improve them. We rarely eat at McDonald's, occasionally at Wendy's. At one time Sbarro's was close to the office, so I ate there from time to time. I do occasionally eat at Pizza Hut's noon buffet.

As to the main sit-down restaurant chains, we don't eat at them all that often--local eateries owned and run by people in the area, seem to have better and more distinctive food. The food at Denny's has usually been good, the few times I've eaten there, but I've never really liked the place. IHOP has long since ceased to be primarily a breakfast place, but again I'm not really attracted to the restaurant or its theme. A number of people rave about Olive Garden, but I've never actually eaten at one. We occasionally eat at BJs, which is one of the chains that has a salad bar.

The only buffet chain I'm aware of, is Golden Corral. The steaks and pot roast are good, but the seafood is, in my opinion, not particularly good. I'm not a fan of Chinese food, but people tell me that Panda Express puts out some pretty good things.

[kennath7 (imported)]

Special occasions red lobster at least 4 or 5 times a year

El magueys , china garden

buffet chains

I like Ryan’s and golden Corral

other than that

Pizza hut , burger king , mc Donald’s , kfc

[kristoff]

Generally speaking, we don't do chain restaurants. Last one was Famous Dave's with Paolo and Jesus during the last Minneapolis MoM. I prefer to patronize locally owned restaurants rather than chains. Usually better food, better service (though not always); more opportunity for different foods - it is not all the same old stuff.

[randy (imported)]

best chain?...two words, one letter, and two hyphens:

In-N-Out.

[The Lurker (imported)]

Unfortunately, most people reading this board are not exposed to In-N-Out. I agree, Randy, hands down the best fast food.

I love the food and the service at the Hard Rock Cafe.

[Eunuken (imported)]

Unfortunately, most people reading this board are not exposed to In-N-Out. I agree, Randy, hands down the best fast food.

I love the food and the service at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Plix and I both love In-N-Out, and we do love the Hard Rock Cafe, but we did have Awful service at one Hard Rock, but considering where it was you have to take that in to account, it was the Hard Rock Pairs. The Hard Rock in Amsterdam was Great.

We do also Love Red Lobster, and Black Angus.

Ken

[Bagoas (imported)]

I think that this one's confined to New England: Boston Market. I have found the food there to be decent and not overloaded with either fat or salt. The side dishes offer a choice of cooked (steamed ?) vegetables and gravy is optional.

Bertucci's is a chain of Italian restaurants with fairly authentic Neapolitan food and small selection of reasonably good wines. The food is, however, neither fast nor cheap.

I've been told that Houlihan's is a chain, though, to date, I've seen only one. Despite the Irish name, the food is not especially Irish. I'd call it eclectic. Once again, neither fast nor cheap.

I've also heard that J. Gilbert's Steak House is part [a link ?] of a chain. The meat is excellent, expensive, and a bit slow in being served.

Saybrook Fish House is a small chain, but it may be confined to Connecticut.

The seafood is excellent; service is average; and prices are high.

The only thing I ever eat at fast-food restaurants is salads, usually chef's salad or Cæsar salad and mainly when travelling by car.

[StefanIsMe (imported)]

I hate the fact that the only chain restaraunt they put in my home town was McDinks. I feed there (it aint dining, its only hole-filler) about once every two weeks when I'm desprately hungry on supper break at work with no food prepared. However, I found one good use for McDonalds: After my hernia surgery, I just couldn't poop for the life of me (painkillers plus no ability to 'push' due to surgery). Two days after I knew something had to happen... and sent my roomie out for a couple of big macs. Sure enough, half an hour later, ba-woosh!!

Of the chains, I do like Wendys, and I get cravings for Dairy Queens' brazier burgers. Fortunately I don't have to eat Dominos' pizza ever again as my town has an independant restraunt that makes the best damn pizza I've ever had .

[BossTamsin (imported)]

Generally speaking, we don't do chain restaurants. Last one was Famous Dave's with Paolo and Jesus during the last Minneapolis MoM. I prefer to patronize locally owned restaurants rather than chains. Usually better food, better service (though not always); more opportunity for different foods - it is not all the same old stuff.

Bastards! You went to Famous Dave's and didn't take me? I SHALL HAVE MY REVENGE!

For me, I like White Spot, although I haven't been to one in far too long.

[skivvynine (imported)]

I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We do not have an In-N-Out here. At least yet. I used to go to In-N-Out when I lived in Sonoma County, California. And I would agree that they make the best hamburgers. But we do have quite a few resurants. A lot of them are Mexican or New Mexico themed. I go to Subways on Friday for their tuna sandwich, I do not eat meat on Fridays. There is several Boston Markets in town, but I have not gone to any of them.