s/o so what are the good chains around you?

[MrsAxilla]

Lucille's Cajan Cafe
Hacienda Colorado
Vine Street Pub/Mountain Sun
Yardhouse
Beau Jo's Pizza

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

My city got a Chuy's which apparently has caused everyone to get a spontaneous boner for some reason. Apparently it's tasty? I haven't been there yet. We have a few Saul Good's here and that's a favorite. Otherwise I'm not super impressed. My parents have a First Watch like 5 minutes away. I love it. Maybe it's because I think pancakes and crepes are what they will serve in Heaven. With rainbow oreos on the side.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Davanni's (pizza)
Carbone's (pizza)
Red's Savoy (pizza)
Pizza Luce
Famous Dave's (BBQ)
Hell's Kitchen
Key's Cafe
Axel's Bonfire

Those are all local chains, though. We also have a bunch of national chains, but there's only one in the state so I'm not sure I count them (i.e. Oceannaire, Capitol Grille, Melting Pot, Fogo de Chao). Since we live in the suburbs, we have a ton of the "major" chains (Chili's, Applebee's, Fridays, Chipotle, etc.... but aside from take-out places, I rarely go to those).

[EloiseWeenie]

The fancy restaurant in my town is Olive Garden it opened 2 years ago and still has a line everyday for lunch and dinner. eta- it's meh to me, but everyone loves it and always wants to go there.

I personally love Cracker Barrel, although I only order their delicious pancakes or anything with the grilled chicken tenderloins (can't speak for the rest of the menu).

Carolina Ale House, Cheddar's and Buffalo Wild Wings are all being built, so hopefully they will be good. My town seriously lacks local options because the population is so young and transient

[StrawberryBlondie]

When I was growing up, we made trips to Fargo specifically to go to Olive Garden. I remember when I was about 12 or 13, one of my friends had her birthday party there. And Fargo was about an hour drive from my hometown.

[basilosaurus]

Jun 29, 2012 20:28:22 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Lucille's Cajan Cafe
Vine Street Pub/Mountain Sun

I wouldn't consider these chains since I think there are only 3 locations (at least for mountain sun, not sure of lucile's), all local. I don't know if my definition is right, though

Around here, people claim that Zippy's and L&L are good. Apparently Zippy's actually has locally sourced food, so that's kind of great for fast food. I've only tried L&L and didn't enjoy it. Some day I guess I'll try Zippy's just to say I have.

My top pick, hands down, is Roy's. Sometimes we walk there just to get a drink and chocolate souffle for dessert.

[fernane]

We only have 2..KFC or Burger King. Because they're the only options for western comfort food (chainwise) I think they're both good. Although we rarely get BK as it's only in the international departure terminal of the airport, so when we go we have to order by phone outside the security check and have them bring it out.

[thejackpot]

Silver Dinner, Original Pancake House for breakfast

Oh hell, this is TOO hard. I live in the Burbs and we are chain restaurant heaven. I can literally walk to Silver Dinner, Friday's, Chilli's, Don Pablo, Olive Garden. And if I drove for 5 minutes I would hit an Outback, Longhorn, Applebee's, Mimi's Cafe and on and on.

[StrawberryBlondie]

An Applebee's opened in my hometown about 5 years ago. It was apparently a pretty big deal. Sadly, it's usually toward the top of my list of places to go to lunch with my parents when we go visit. And I refuse to go to the place otherwise.

[UMaineTeach]

dudes, still haven't heard of very many of these. you are no more help than the consumer reports article.
I vote for sit down family
Margarita's
Beef O'Brady's
Olive Garden

For fast food
McDonald's
Wendy's

[pescalita]

Mountain Mike's
Rock Bottom

We seriously eat out at one of those two or Taco Bell at least 80% of the time.

[Michelle]

I guess this explains why Houstonians/Texans are so fat:

Churrasco's, America's and Amazon Grill (all by same owner but different spins, multiple locations of the first) (this might not qualify as a chain but rather as multiple locations owned by the same person)
Chuy's (New Mexico style mexican food with a Tex Mex flare on many dishes, heavy on the Hatch Green Chiles from NM)
Carraba's
Gringo's
Lupe Tortillas
Pappasitos, Pappadeaux, Pappas Bros BBQ, Yia Yia's (pappa's Greek food), Pappas Steak House, Pappas Seafood
Goode Co. BBQ
Freebirds
Mission Burritos
Chipotle
Smash Burgers
5 Guys Burgers
Which Wich Sandwiches
Whataburger (fast food hamburger joint for those who have never been in Texas)
Joe's Crab Shack (at certain times of year)
Fuddrucker's Hamburgers
Mimi's Cafe
Pei Wei and PF Changs (mmmmmmmmm)

And heck I like Chili's.

[JLN]

Red Robin
Famous Dave's
Roadhouse
Sweet Tomatoes - but I wish it were closer!

We love Red Robin so we go there a lot. We used to go to Sweet Tomatoes all the time but now we live on the other side of town.

[redheadbaker]

We just got a Shake Shack, which was apparently worthy of a segment on the local news.

[dutchgirl678]

Elmer's for breakfast, Biscuits is second
Red Robin for lunch and dinner. A favorite with my DD
Outback Steak House
Romano's Macaroni Grill

[msmerymac]

In-n-Out
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Del Taco

ETA: I mentioned El Torito in the last thread.

There are a lot of places that have maybe 3-6 locations, but I don't know that I'd say they're chains.

[MrsAxilla]

Fuck you and your In n Out.

#bitterhag

[ESF]

Jun 29, 2012 20:15:38 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Around here, the better chain options that come to mind are La Boulange for breakfast or pastries, Left Bank for french, Lark Creek for american, Pizza Antica for family friendly dinners.

I've only heard of Boulange. Clearly I'm missing out.

I'm at a loss for other chains. I think In and Out is overrated. I'm a bad Californian.

[Deleted]

Shake Shack is where it's at.

[earlgreyhot]

We have shake shack, Le pain Quitodien, daily grill, vappiano. My favorite is a breakfast/lunch place pret a manger.

[marie427]

I don't know if they're "good," but these are the chains that I like:

Outback
Shake Shack
Chipotle
Panera
Dunkin' Donuts (for the coffee)
Pizzeria Uno (Yes, I know I judge people who go to pizza chains in NYC but this is the only way I can satisfy my occasional craving for deep dish when not in Chicago)

[Deleted]

I love Sonic. And Dairy Queen.

I am clearly all about the ice cream.

We did just get a Corner Bakery and I'm so excited.

[eclaires]

SONIC!!!!

We have a Sonic on every corner here and I am a loyal participant in Happy Hour. We also really like Moe's (I love that they use organic and free range ingredients - I am such a stereotype) and Salsaritas. Oh and Five Guys.

For sit down places? IDK... nothing really stands out as "best." I do like Outback and their deliciously bad cheese fries. We also have Red Robin, which I like but MH thinks is overpriced for what you get. We do have some good local places though, which is nice. We tend to go to those more often.

[foundmylazybum]

Jun 29, 2012 20:28:22 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Lucille's Cajan Cafe
Hacienda Colorado
Vine Street Pub/Mountain Sun
Yardhouse
Beau Jo's Pizza

Are these franchised? I'm just curious because while I see how you could get to "chains" due to multiple locations under the same ownership--they also don't fall under the other definitions of a "chain" operation (IE--the franchising, Lucilles doesn't have a totally "prototype" menu at all locations--I've been to the Longmont and Boulder locations and the menus are similar yet still different--while Olive Garden it's completely the same), also the locations give me pause--again Beau Jos, Lucille's and Mountain Sun aren't in the prototypical "chain" locations.

[msmerymac]

Jun 30, 2012 8:24:33 GMT -5 eclaires said:

SONIC!!!!

We have a Sonic on every corner here and I am a loyal participant in Happy Hour. We also really like Moe's (I love that they use organic and free range ingredients - I am such a stereotype) and Salsaritas. Oh and Five Guys.

For sit down places? IDK... nothing really stands out as "best." I do like Outback and their deliciously bad cheese fries. We also have Red Robin, which I like but MH thinks is overpriced for what you get. We do have some good local places though, which is nice. We tend to go to those more often.

We have no Sonics!

I'm jealous of Moe's. That place looks good, but we don't have it.

We do have Baja Fresh, Sharkey's Woodfire Mexican Grill, Wahoo's Tacos and Rubio's Mexican Grill, which are all decent fast-casual Mexican places.

[MrsAxilla]

Jun 30, 2012 8:54:06 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Jun 29, 2012 20:28:22 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Lucille's Cajan Cafe
Hacienda Colorado
Vine Street Pub/Mountain Sun
Yardhouse
Beau Jo's Pizza

Are these franchised? I'm just curious because while I see how you could get to "chains" due to multiple locations under the same ownership--they also don't fall under the other definitions of a "chain" operation (IE--the franchising, Lucilles doesn't have a totally "prototype" menu at all locations--I've been to the Longmont and Boulder locations and the menus are similar yet still different--while Olive Garden it's completely the same), also the locations give me pause--again Beau Jos, Lucille's and Mountain Sun aren't in the prototypical "chain" locations.

I don't know. Sibil asked the same thing. I thought the question was about local chains. Mostly I'm psyched that there's a Lucille's near my new house.

I LOVE Yardhouse!

[crazycakes]

I hate 99% of chain restaurants. I was in hell when we lived in 'burbs. I told my husband that we had to move back into the city because if I had to spend one more Friday night at Applebee's I was going to kill myself.

That said, I really enjoy Taco Mac (regional chain, sports bar), Fogo de Chao (Brazilian Steak House), and Ruth's Chris (steak house). We go to Longhorn with my FIL pretty regularly too. He loves Longhorn.

I'm also embarrassed to admit that I love some Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster. I only go there if it's someone else's suggestion, though, as the rest of the menu sucks.

[laurenpetro]

We ain't got shit up by me. Seriously. I have to drive 25 minutes to get to a fucking UNOs.

Now, within an hour (which is what I now consider a NBD drive) we have a Bobby's Burger Place (bobby flay's joint) and those burgers are fucking uhMAZEballs. I'm trying to connive my way into going there right now, as a matter of fact.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised by how many chains we evidently don't have here. We got our first Red Robin in the state recently, but I haven't been. I heard it was nothing special. It's funny how people get all excited when a new chain moves in - it happened for Cracker Barrel, Red Lobster, Shoney's and Olive Garden. Shoney's and the Red Lobste are long gone but people wait in line for the Olive Garden, which I REALLY don't get in a state with so many better Italian restaurants. I really hate the Olive Garden.

I really liked Cheesecake Factory the two times I went there. I don't know if I picked right or was just really hungry, but my dinner was awesome! This thread reminds me that I haven't been to Friday's in years and I used to like them. Otherwise,it's pretty much Chilis, Uno, South of the Border, Agave's (is that a chain?) or Texas Roadhouse that we'll go to.. And we do have some small chains of our own like Gregg's, Newport Creamery (like Friendlys), and Chelo's that I like.

For fast food, it's Taco Bell for me. Feel free to sneer!