Chain restaurant treasures

[ramonesfreak]

I’m not a fan of chain restaurants at all. However, I have come to love the:

1) southern fried chicken at Cracker Barrel. It is very hard to find this style chicken in New York State. Great bbq? Easy. Southern fried? Nope

2) the fried pork dumplings at PF Changs, heck I love everything I’ve had there. Despite what everyone I know says, I do not find their food too salty. The lettuce wraps are awesome

What chains have a specific item you crave or think is excellent ?

[rusnak]

I've got to hand it to In-N-Out Burger for their Double Double cheeseburger and shakes. They are probably the only big chain restaurant that hasn't created something good, then screwed with it.

I still have not tried a Frozen Custard because we don't have those on the West Coast.

Chilli's used to have a Tortilla Soup that was great. McDonald's used to have the Chicken Parmesan. Taco Bell used to have a great Tostada that came in a flat foil container with cheese and olives on top.

Then there are the obvious upscale choices such as Ruth's Chris, Fleming's, etc for great food.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

2) the fried pork dumplings at PF Changs, heck I love everything I’ve had there. Despite what everyone I know says, I do not find their food too salty. The lettuce wraps are awesome

Chang's wraps and a martini at the bar is my go-to for pre-gaming a trip to the (shudder) mall. Even will dare a sidecar if I see them flinging fresh juices behind the bar. Never disappoints...

Elephant Bar, not as numerous as PF Chang, I've found to be pleasantly OK when I'm stuck in exurb "lifestyle center (i.e. fancy strip mall)" hell, especially if you stick to drinks and snacks.

[look 171]

I love Macaroni Grill, but they are gone from around these parts. The Mac Grills are different in other states I discovered

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by look 171

I love Macaroni Grill, but they are gone from around these parts. The Mac Grills are different in other states I discovered

Early 90s as a college student we went there a lot. I remember it being great. Gone from here too

[stevej37]

Macaroni Grill folded.

[stevej37]

Culvers Butterburger Deluxe

[Jims5543]

I belive NY has Brother Jimmy's best brisket ever that was not made on my BGE.

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[Scott Douglas]

I used to love the Super Heater at 31 Flavors, but I guess that doesn't qualify as a restaurant.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Jims5543

I belive NY has Brother Jimmy's best brisket ever that was not made on my BGE.

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Closest one to me is about 370 miles from me. Bummer

[A930Rocket]

I rarely eat fast food, but when I do, nothing stands out.

[craigster59]

Hot Dog On A Stick has good corn dogs and lemonade.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Early 90s as a college student we went there a lot. I remember it being great. Gone from here too

Last time we were there was about 15-20 years ago. It was not cheap, about 25 bucks per person back then. I jsut looked, there are a couple of them around socal .

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

I’m not a fan of chain restaurants at all. However, I have come to love the:

2) the fried pork dumplings at PF Changs, heck I love everything I’ve had there. Despite what everyone I know says, I do not find their food too salty. The lettuce wraps are awesome

What chains have a specific item you crave or think is excellent ?

PF Changs is decent. I can eat there any time, but I don't much.

Originally Posted by rusnak

Chilli's used to have a Tortilla Soup that was great.

Yep, loved it.

Originally Posted by look 171

I love Macaroni Grill, but they are gone from around these parts. The Mac Grills are different in other states I discovered

We had them here, they were always packed, and then all of a sudden, many years ago, they all shutdown. It was weird and unfortunate.

I like the Dan Dan noodle bowl at Pei Wei.

I used to like the potato soup and Bennigans.

I like some of the stuff at Chipotle.

I eat at chains pretty seldom though, unless maybe they are a small local chain with a handful of locations.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Macaroni Grill folded.

Apparently, not completely

https://www.macaronigrill.com/locations/all-locations

[look 171]

We have, I believe a small chain called Maggiano's Italian restaurant. Its pretty darn good. They are in Orange County and Woodlandhills. Craigster, you been there?

[ckelly78z]

I always get the sweet potato with brown sugar, and butter as a side dish when we go to Texas Roadhouse...the margaritas rock also !

[David]

I really like the cheese curds at A&W restaurants but maybe that’s because there isn’t one near me so I don’t get them very often.

On the other hand, there isn’t a White Castle near me so I was really excited to eat at one only to find out they taste EXACTLY like the frozen ones I can buy from the grocery store.

[vash]

I like the fresh tortillas from Chevy’s. Even that weird blop of corn thing.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by look 171

We have, I believe a small chain called Maggiano's Italian restaurant. Its pretty darn good. They are in Orange County and Woodlandhills. Craigster, you been there?

Mac Grill, Maggiano's, Corner Bakery, On the Border, and Chilli's were started and owned by Brinker International. The founder, Don Brinker, started Chilli's and built it into a chain. I don't know if any or all of these brands were spun off. But still incredible when you think about it. I only liked the Ranch Hand Fillet, Tortilla Soup, and Guitless Chicken Fajitas. All of these are now gone, along with the Chocolate Lava Cake. I only go to Chilli's now in Turlock to check out the waitress with the smoking hot body.