Houston's... there's an excellent place I had forgotten about, not many of them around. First ate there in the late 80's in Houston
What's your favorite franchise restaurant ?
- Thread starter katchthis
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Cheesecake Factory is a good one. They probably have the most extensive menu among chain restaurants. Of course, you have to save room for cheesecake. Their Oreo Cheesecake is one of my favorites.
In N Out is highly overrated imo, tried it about a year ago for the first time, nothing special, Five Guys is better than In N Out. Hardee's/Carl's is the best place for fast food burgers
Applebees in my area is terrible.
There's a couple of levels of chains to me. There's your fast food types. For those, I like Tim Hortons, Steak n Shake, Culvers, and Rasing Canes (not sure any of those are in PA, though). For casual dining, I think O'Charlies is pretty good. Their beef is a bit better than places like Applebees or even Outback. I don't get to the fancy chains much, but went to a McCormak and Shmicks in Indy last year that was pretty good. We have some local chains like the Mitchell's empire in Columbus--and City Barbeque. And I miss G.D. Ritzy's--which supposedly is making a comeback. Mrs KG likes me to take her to Red Lobster for their pina coladas and lobster pizza on a Friday. I also like IHOP for their Swedish pancakes--but the ones around here have iffy service. I'll also put in a nod for IKEA's cafe. Good, inexpensive food. And free coffee if you are an "IKEA Family" member.
Woodmans, the Clam Box, and Farnham's say otherwise....
Mind you, I'm descended from folks from Essex and Ipswich, so I'm rather biased.... But HoJos never served full belly clams--which have the best flavor.
And Farnhams is mentioned in one of the Spenser books, so there's that.
I love a good hibachi restaurant, but for the life of me I can't remember the name. Also, Max and Erma's has a chicken sandwich that is one of the best that I have ever tasted.
Chick-fil-a. Hate their politics, love their food, service, and accuracy. There is not one pizza franchise or Mexican franchise, I would recommend.
Very glad to see there's someone else out there who tries to avoid chains when travelling--I do the same.
Also, shoutout to Fogo de Chao in Center City Philadelphia--love the place.
Frank Pepes has done an amazing job of recreating their original New Haven pizza oven and product at their other locations. They get everything for each location from the same suppliers that they use at New Haven. Pizza at each is as good as it is in the original location, which is to say the best there is.
You live in Columbus and not a "Max & Erma's" fan.... when i lived in Ohio, I used to love their "Garbage Burger"...
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner... Frank Pepe's White Clam Pizza is usually ranked by many publications as a Top 10 Pizza in the country...
http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-pizza-places-us/20
Probably the most consistent of the sit down chains. Good value and good enough food.
I've had Blaze. Even though there is a large selection, I found the toppings rather mundane and low quality. The dough was so so. They use gas ovens to cook. I get the appeal of it, but I didn't consider it a treat. They are fast for a custom pizza. Personally I think there are much better options.
recently Max & Erma's have fallen on hard times, they seem to be either have or are about to file for bankruptcy. It seems their food quality has gone down.
When I moved out to Ohio, they were big. Much like Winston's in downtown Philly (which likely is gone by now). They used to have a office building on I-71 with a giant hamburger coming out the side. But they have fallen on hard times and many of their locations, including the one by my house, are gone now. Still ok, when you can find one, but not my first choice anymore. They also, as I recall, were taken over by out of town interests.
You'll also note that I didn't say much about two other Central Ohio fast food icons: Wendy's and White Castle. I eat at the former and very occasionally at the latter--but they aren't big on my list of "best places"--nor do I hate them.
I don't buy food on the basis of their politics. Otherwise I'd not go to Ted's Montana Grill--but I love bison and I like how they do it. I agree with your note about Chick-fil-a regarding their service. A huge cut above almost any other fast food place--and a lot of standard restaurants.
Go there for lunch from time to time. Good food but small portions for the money IMO.
Five Guys is my favorite that you can find in just about any bigger city. My favorite multi-city restaurant is Devon's Seafood Grille. I stop by the Hershey location whenever I'm in the area. Awesome fresh catch selections.
Had to edit this post and add Chik Fil A. Don't have one in my area, but when I can, I have to get some nuggets and a spicy sandwich. Good stuff. Also love the breakfast chicken biscuit with egg.
Had to edit this post and add Chik Fil A. Don't have one in my area, but when I can, I have to get some nuggets and a spicy sandwich. Good stuff. Also love the breakfast chicken biscuit with egg.
I don't, but I remember the V.I.P. well. Village Inn Pizza was actually a small chain. The one in S.C. was thankfully a smokey dive bar.
So this thread is now three pages in and I've seen no votes for Eat'n Park. I wonder why that could be.
Steak: Ruth Chris
Italian: Carrabba's
Pizza (takeout): Domino's
Pizza (dine-in): not many national type choices, but UNO's is pretty good.
Subs: Jersey Mike's
BBQ: Smokey Bones
Hamburger: 5 Guys
Chicken: KFC
Fish: Long John Silvers
General: Arby's
Acceptable: Applebee's, TGI Friday's, Ruby Tuesday
Italian: Carrabba's
Pizza (takeout): Domino's
Pizza (dine-in): not many national type choices, but UNO's is pretty good.
Subs: Jersey Mike's
BBQ: Smokey Bones
Hamburger: 5 Guys
Chicken: KFC
Fish: Long John Silvers
General: Arby's
Acceptable: Applebee's, TGI Friday's, Ruby Tuesday
Last edited:
I guess I forgot to add IMO. Either way, I like full belly clams and just had some really good ones in a small place I found in Rhode Island. However, HoJo's thick sliced, tender, deep sea clams were the best fried clams I've ever eaten. There are thousands of people on a forum that agree with me. (google HoJo clams forum)Woodmans, the Clam Box, and Farnham's say otherwise....
Mind you, I'm descended from folks from Essex and Ipswich, so I'm rather biased.... But HoJos never served full belly clams--which have the best flavor.
And Farnhams is mentioned in one of the Spenser books, so there's that.
A
anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Chick Fil A, Five Guys (that is a 'once a year' type place for me...), Bonchon, and Jersey Mike's if you're not anywhere north of Virginia.
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