For me, I'd have to go with Bojangles. They're spreading through the southeast and up the east coast, but there's not one on every exit like there is here in the Carolinas. I've found that Bojangles is a less-greasy alternative to CFA
Whataburger
Raising Cane's gets my vote. To their credit, they have expanded nicely but there is a lot of map to cover before they are a Big Time Player.
Honorable mention: The Habit.
Rick
Quote from: sprjus4 on November 06, 2019, 06:28:27 PM
Whataburger
Or, if you're a native Texan, Waterburger!
Quote from: nexus73 on November 06, 2019, 06:30:05 PM
Raising Cane's gets my vote. To their credit, they have expanded nicely but there is a lot of map to cover before they are a Big Time Player.
Honorable mention: The Habit.
Rick
Cane's is really starting to spread. I think there's one or two here in NC, but they're right in the heart of Bojangles/CFA territory, so we'll see how they fare
Krystal and/or White Castle.
Roy Rogers. Best roast beef I've had at this type of restaurant and beats Arby's handily.
Chicken Shack out of Fresno would make for a way better fast wing stop than the typical Buffalo Wild Wilds/Wing Shack crap that is out there.
Quote from: Brandon on November 06, 2019, 07:17:11 PM
Roy Rogers. Best roast beef I've had at this type of restaurant and beats Arby's handily.
I love its burgers.
But I wish Tim Hortons (nationwide in Canada) would expand its U.S. presence beyond the northern tier of the eastern states. Also, that it expand its U.S. locations' menu to match the Canadian locations'.
Quote from: planxtymcgillicuddy on November 06, 2019, 06:26:07 PM
For me, I'd have to go with Bojangles. They're spreading through the southeast and up the east coast, but there's not one on every exit like there is here in the Carolinas. I've found that Bojangles is a less-greasy alternative to CFA
I thought Bo's tasted like a drier, less flavorful Popeyes.
Mine would be Church's Chicken.
Portillo's
I'd settle for fully Statewide in Illinois, first!
Roy Rogers - There are a handful here in the Maryland/Virginia area. Although I think peak market penetration was back in the 80's, it's still holding on even though twice corporate ownership tried to kill it off. Personally I feel Roy's roast beef sandwich is vastly superior to the ones at Arby's. And their chicken is pretty good too.
Smashburger - Been impressed the few times I've stopped there. Especially the Smashtots :)
Some places that aren't in this area yet - Zaxby's and Whataburger. I've hear good things about Culver's, but want to eat at one before adding it to my list.
Sheetz. It's morphed from a gas station to a fast food convenience store over the years. They're slowing expanding south, but I would love to see something close to a Sheetz in California!
Quote from: dlsterner on November 06, 2019, 11:20:56 PM
Roy Rogers - There are a handful here in the Maryland/Virginia area. Although I think peak market penetration was back in the 80's, it's still holding on even though twice corporate ownership tried to kill it off. Personally I feel Roy's roast beef sandwich is vastly superior to the ones at Arby's. And their chicken is pretty good too.
Smashburger - Been impressed the few times I've stopped there. Especially the Smashtots :)
Some places that aren't in this area yet - Zaxby's and Whataburger. I've hear good things about Culver's, but want to eat at one before adding it to my list.
I could have sworn Maryland had Zaxby's
In NJ:
Bojangles
Cookout
In n Out- not because it's particularly amazing but because people would finally shut up about it
Quote from: dlsterner on November 06, 2019, 11:20:56 PM
Smashburger
Oooooohhh! Yeah! Although I'd personally settle for it just coming back to Wichita. They closed down a while ago.
My top pick would be Steak 'n Shake.
Quote from: oscar on November 06, 2019, 08:32:34 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 06, 2019, 07:17:11 PM
Roy Rogers. Best roast beef I've had at this type of restaurant and beats Arby's handily.
I love its burgers.
But I wish Tim Hortons (nationwide in Canada) would expand its U.S. presence beyond the northern tier of the eastern states. Also, that it expand its U.S. locations' menu to match the Canadian locations'.
This reminded me of a scene in the new season of "Jack Ryan" where Ryan and Greer are pretending to set up a coffee exporting business with this Venezuelan lawyer who specializes in setting up shell companies, and when asked for a name, Greer says "Timothy Horton".
Got a chuckle out of that.
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:46:49 PM
Quote from: dlsterner on November 06, 2019, 11:20:56 PM
Smashburger
Oooooohhh! Yeah! Although I'd personally settle for it just coming back to Wichita. They closed down a while ago.
My top pick would be Steak 'n Shake.
Love Smashburger (founded in Denver, BTW).
We lost a Steak 'n Shake location a few months ago, now there is only one remaining in Denver Metro.
I miss Steak 'n Shake chili.
They need to add more Shake Shacks here (there are two).
In n Out is coming to our area, however. And we now have Cane's. They're popping up everywhere.
Speaking of Tim Horton's, I'm surprised sister restaurant Burger King hasn't added its coffee to its menu or offered Timbits as part of its breakfast menu. Tim Horton's did expand into Southern New England about 15 years ago when it took over many former Bess Eaton locations. Even a couple of new ones opened up in conjunction with Coldstone Creamery. However, like Krispy Kreme, Timmy's was doomed by the fact they were impeding on Dunkin's home turf, and now Timmy's is gone from the area. Ironically, a new generation of Bess Eaton arose a few years ago, and now there are a couple locations in the South County RI/ Mystic CT area.
Smashburger has expanded its footprint. We have them here in CT and the one in my town seems to be doing well. The one local chain I was love to see take off is Nardelli's. Great fresh sandwich shop and you get your $$'s worth compared to Subway, plus the meat is sliced fresh and it's like a small deli with some of the offerings.
Quote from: oscar on November 06, 2019, 08:32:34 PM
I wish Tim Hortons (nationwide in Canada) would expand its U.S. presence beyond the northern tier of the eastern states.
Me too; to be honest, they're so mainstream around here that I almost forget they
aren't nationwide, resulting in various "wait, what?" moments when reminded of such while traveling to other parts of the country.
Quote from: LM117 on November 06, 2019, 06:42:58 PM
White Castle.
That would be nice. Although, it's been so long since I've been to one (more than 13 years), it's entirely possible my tastes have changed since then and I wouldn't like it now. But yeah, considering the chain started here in Wichita, it would be nice to have one within 300 miles...
Quote from: ilpt4u on November 06, 2019, 08:55:25 PM
Portillo's
I'd settle for fully Statewide in Illinois, first!
Hellzz to the yeah! Shoot, I'd settle for just Kansas City, so I could stop in once a year or whatever during road trips.
Honestly–taking into account all of the practicalities associated with a nationwide expansion–my answer would be
none.
I can't think of a single chain that is just as good nationally as it is (or was) locally or regionally. And that's before taking into account the fact that national ubiquity makes any previously exclusive experience seem decidedly less special.
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 07, 2019, 01:42:26 PM
Speaking of Tim Horton's, I'm surprised sister restaurant Burger King hasn't added its coffee to its menu or offered Timbits as part of its breakfast menu.
This is a good example. Why is going to Tim Hortons special to me? Because if I'm at one, it generally means that I'm being waited on by a friendly, smiling Canadian in a sparkling clean restaurant in Canada–and getting a slightly different donut that, while not particularly remarkable, is at least fresh (usually) and noticeably different from I'm used to at Dunkin' or a local place.
Burger King's parent (Restaurant Brands International) apparently has been making some effort to push cross-branding. A few years ago, I was surprised to see billboards on US 15 north of Harrisburg proclaiming "Tim Hortons - Now Open" . I stopped to find a Sheetz-sized convenience store, half of which was occupied by a fairly standard Burger King. The other side was a garden-variety convenience store. In this case, "Tim Horton's" was a small plexiglass cabinet haphazardly stocked with about five varieties of donuts and a couple types of Timbits–all of which were hopelessly stale. Beside the cabinet were a couple of carafes of burnt coffee bearing the Tim Hortons logo–just to round out the experience. I packed some Timbits into a box and took it up to the convenience store's register where a sour-faced woman silently took my card and gave me a receipt. The experience was completely devoid of nearly everything that makes Tim Hortons special to me.
Quote from: corco on November 07, 2019, 10:22:59 AM
In n Out- not because it's particularly amazing but because people would finally shut up about it
Went there for the first time this summer. The burgers are really, really good, but the lack of other menu items (have a daughter who likes chicken but not burgers) and the lack of the ability to get bacon on the burger make it a place I wouldn't go to often if it were near me.
Honestly, I never found In-N-Out's burgers to be anything impressive. I ate there a few times a couple years back when I visited California, and I've had it a few times in San Antonio, and it just seemed like any other burger to me. Whataburger on the other hand, beats standard McDonald's or Wendy's any day IMHO.
Quote from: sprjus4 on November 07, 2019, 03:32:17 PM
Honestly, I never found In-N-Out's burgers to be anything impressive. I ate there a few times a couple years back when I visited California, and I've had it a few times in San Antonio, and it just seemed like any other burger to me. Whataburger on the other hand, beats standard McDonald's or Wendy's any day IMHO.
I'm definitely gonna have to try Whataburger. There's a handful that's popped up in the Charlotte vicinity, but I didn't know they had. Will definitely give it a shot next time I'm down Charlotte way!
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 07, 2019, 01:42:26 PM
The one local chain I was love to see take off is Nardelli's. Great fresh sandwich shop and you get your $$'s worth compared to Subway, plus the meat is sliced fresh and it's like a small deli with some of the offerings.
I walk by one in Cromwell (CT) nearly every day. It's in a big shopping plaza across from a Walmart Supercenter. Do they have any in Hartford County? I've only seen this one, one in Waterbury and maybe closer to New Haven.
Quote from: planxtymcgillicuddy on November 07, 2019, 03:59:28 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on November 07, 2019, 03:32:17 PM
Honestly, I never found In-N-Out's burgers to be anything impressive. I ate there a few times a couple years back when I visited California, and I've had it a few times in San Antonio, and it just seemed like any other burger to me. Whataburger on the other hand, beats standard McDonald's or Wendy's any day IMHO.
I'm definitely gonna have to try Whataburger. There's a handful that's popped up in the Charlotte vicinity, but I didn't know they had. Will definitely give it a shot next time I'm down Charlotte way!
The What-A-Burger that's up this way is not the same chain as the Whataburger in Florida, Alabama, Texas, and a couple other states. I've never personally tried What-A-Burger, but I can guarantee you they're different companies and have their own styles of making food.
In-N-Out: No explanation needed. Good, consistent food for a great price. Don't overhype it and expect it to compare with a $15 burger, but for the price it's hard to beat.
Culver's: Honestly not sure if I like Culver's or In-N-Out more, both are great. Culver's does have a location near me now, but just barely.
Dunkin: Hear me out. I know they act like a national brand. But they don't have any locations in the Northwest (Idaho, Washington, Oregon, probably others). And I like them way better than Starbucks and Tim Horton's. Would be towards the top of my fast food breakfast choices (along with McDonalds and a local bagel shop) if they opened here.
Super Deluxe: Only 2 locations, in Portland, and I've only been there once. But I'd describe them as similar to In-N-Out, and I could see them expanding some around Oregon and beyond and doing well.
Dick's: Pretty much the same thing I said above, except in the Seattle area and they've been around a lot longer.
Have not had the opportunity to try Whataburger, Shake Shack, or a lot of the other popular regional chains yet, though. Burgerville is a regional chain worth mentioning and I like it but not quite as good as the ones above IMO.
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on November 07, 2019, 04:19:54 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 07, 2019, 01:42:26 PM
The one local chain I was love to see take off is Nardelli's. Great fresh sandwich shop and you get your $$'s worth compared to Subway, plus the meat is sliced fresh and it's like a small deli with some of the offerings.
I walk by one in Cromwell (CT) nearly every day. It's in a big shopping plaza across from a Walmart Supercenter. Do they have any in Hartford County? I've only seen this one, one in Waterbury and maybe closer to New Haven.
There's one on Queen St (CT 10) in Southington across from Price Chopper that's been there for a few years. They opened one in Farmington near the Five Corners (US 6/Fienemann Rd/Birdseye Rd) a little under a year ago. There's also one on the East Hartford/Glastonbury town line on Main St.
Quote from: nexus73 on November 06, 2019, 06:30:05 PM
Raising Cane's gets my vote. To their credit, they have expanded nicely but there is a lot of map to cover before they are a Big Time Player.
They get my vote as well. Stopped at one in Ohio on my way to Kings Island this past summer. They go as far north as Chicago.
Quote from: briantroutman on November 07, 2019, 02:54:17 PM
Burger King's parent (Restaurant Brands International) apparently has been making some effort to push cross-branding. A few years ago, I was surprised to see billboards on US 15 north of Harrisburg proclaiming "Tim Hortons - Now Open" . I stopped to find a Sheetz-sized convenience store, half of which was occupied by a fairly standard Burger King. The other side was a garden-variety convenience store. In this case, "Tim Horton's" was a small plexiglass cabinet haphazardly stocked with about five varieties of donuts and a couple types of Timbits–all of which were hopelessly stale. Beside the cabinet were a couple of carafes of burnt coffee bearing the Tim Hortons logo–just to round out the experience. I packed some Timbits into a box and took it up to the convenience store's register where a sour-faced woman silently took my card and gave me a receipt. The experience was completely devoid of nearly everything that makes Tim Hortons special to me.
That is an issue with Tim Hortons in the US. One year I searched for them on Google Maps as I was thinking of getting Mom a gift card for Christmas only to have a bunch of Tops locations show up instead.
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 07, 2019, 01:42:26 PM
Speaking of Tim Horton's, I'm surprised sister restaurant Burger King hasn't added its coffee to its menu or offered Timbits as part of its breakfast menu.
Coffee would probably be doable (assuming it could be manufactured to work in the bagged coffee dispensers BK uses), but the typical Burger King doesn't have the equipment needed to cook donuts.
If anything, the lack of doing so is probably because BKC doesn't think the Tim Horton's brand is well-known enough in other parts of the US to bother marketing it alongside Burger King. Would advertising Tim Horton's coffee really draw people to the Burger King in Corpus Christi?
Quote from: planxtymcgillicuddy on November 07, 2019, 09:22:42 AM
Quote from: dlsterner on November 06, 2019, 11:20:56 PM
Roy Rogers - There are a handful here in the Maryland/Virginia area. Although I think peak market penetration was back in the 80's, it's still holding on even though twice corporate ownership tried to kill it off. Personally I feel Roy's roast beef sandwich is vastly superior to the ones at Arby's. And their chicken is pretty good too.
Smashburger - Been impressed the few times I've stopped there. Especially the Smashtots :)
Some places that aren't in this area yet - Zaxby's and Whataburger. I've hear good things about Culver's, but want to eat at one before adding it to my list.
I could have sworn Maryland had Zaxby's
Not quite. They are as far north as Virginia - the closest to me is in Chantilly VA, but still too far to go to on a whim. Plus if I'm in that area anyway, I'm more likely to be looking for Roy Rogers. I do like to stop at Zaxby's when driving down I-95 on my occasional trips to Florida.
Quote from: doorknob60 on November 07, 2019, 05:36:53 PM
Dunkin: Hear me out. I know they act like a national brand. But they don't have any locations in the Northwest (Idaho, Washington, Oregon, probably others). And I like them way better than Starbucks and Tim Horton's. Would be towards the top of my fast food breakfast choices (along with McDonalds and a local bagel shop) if they opened here.
Dunkin' used to be in the northwest, after Winchell's exited and before Starbucks took over. We've had a few incursions of Krispy Kreme, but the Puyallup location went out of business and became a Panera Bread. No, I didn't say I wanted healthier food!
A few former Dunkin' locations exist, still selling sort of the same donuts without the franchise fee: Midway Donuts (https://goo.gl/maps/tMHdzDmedRfpPq4e6), Auora Donuts (https://goo.gl/maps/Yvp4NnrtTiiRXSoZA). When I went to Washington DC I made a point of visiting some locations again. They mostly seemed to be inside government buildings, but luckily there were several in DCA.
Five Guys > In-N-Out :D
Steak 'N Shake would be good, though.
Quote from: cabiness42 on November 07, 2019, 02:58:21 PM
Quote from: corco on November 07, 2019, 10:22:59 AM
In n Out- not because it's particularly amazing but because people would finally shut up about it
Went there for the first time this summer. The burgers are really, really good, but the lack of other menu items (have a daughter who likes chicken but not burgers) and the lack of the ability to get bacon on the burger make it a place I wouldn't go to often if it were near me.
BOOM!
This is why nearly every fast food restaurant lost its identity. They try to appeal to so many people with so many different tastes and restrictions and loud minorities that rarely does a restaurant stick to its core options.
It's also a huge cost issue to deal with these different products: equipment, storage, training, development, condiments, etc. And those costs are passed along to the consumer. So when a restaurant can stick with the basics...in this case, burgers and fries...there's a significant cost savings to the company and to the consumer.
Back when...the options were to go to two different places, or tell the others to find something or starve. In today's coddling society, we tell the restaurants what we want to eat, even though there are other restaurants that already have that very same product. Then we complain we dont like the way they do it anyway.
Quote from: ftballfan on November 07, 2019, 08:26:15 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on November 06, 2019, 06:30:05 PM
Raising Cane's gets my vote. To their credit, they have expanded nicely but there is a lot of map to cover before they are a Big Time Player.
They get my vote as well. Stopped at one in Ohio on my way to Kings Island this past summer. They go as far north as Chicago.
They have a few locations around Minneapolis - St. Paul.
* I'll add my vote for Whataburger
* Zantigos - I've heard they once had a wider presence, but now they only exist around the Minneapolis St. Paul area.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 07, 2019, 10:11:16 PM
Back when...the options were to go to two different places, or tell the others to find something or starve. In today's coddling society, we tell the restaurants what we want to eat, even though there are other restaurants that already have that very same product. Then we complain we dont like the way they do it anyway.
You, uh... you know by "today's coddling society" you mean "capitalism", right?
Quote from: dlsterner on November 06, 2019, 11:20:56 PM
Roy Rogers - There are a handful here in the Maryland/Virginia area. Although I think peak market penetration was back in the 80's, it's still holding on even though twice corporate ownership tried to kill it off. Personally I feel Roy's roast beef sandwich is vastly superior to the ones at Arby's. And their chicken is pretty good too.
Smashburger - Been impressed the few times I've stopped there. Especially the Smashtots :)
Some places that aren't in this area yet - Zaxby's and Whataburger. I've hear good things about Culver's, but want to eat at one before adding it to my list.
And one more that I forgot earlier - Mission BBQ
All our Tim's shut down due to a dispute between the franchise owner and corporate. I'm not the kind of person who regularly frequents their offerings as I rarely drink coffee and don't really like donuts.
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 07, 2019, 11:39:00 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 07, 2019, 10:11:16 PM
Back when...the options were to go to two different places, or tell the others to find something or starve. In today's coddling society, we tell the restaurants what we want to eat, even though there are other restaurants that already have that very same product. Then we complain we dont like the way they do it anyway.
You, uh... you know by "today's coddling society" you mean "capitalism", right?
Yep. And note the irony...
While restaurants are free to sell whatever they want...burgers, fries, chicken, couches, whatever...there are downsides. While the restaurant with everything will win everyone's approval if you're trying to find one place to go to, let me remind you of this, which is the subject of this thread:
The chains that are often cited as those people would like to see expanded stick to one core offering. And that was often repeated in this thread: In-&-Out and Five Guys for example.
I want Roy Rogers back. Used to have them on the Mass Pike, along with the rest area off I-84 at exit 1. There was also one in Vernon CT (I think - it was near the Buckland Hills Mall). I hate that we have such a proliferation of McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's, who combined aren't as good as Roy Rogers.
I also want Krispy Kreme back. Allegedly they were attempting another New England comeback but I've not seen it set in motion yet. Tim Horton's coming back would also be nice, since they used to have a presence in areas along 395 in Connecticut.
Since they went Chapter 11 I doubt those outside of New England will ever see them expand to you, but D'Angelo Sandwich Shops would make for a nice nationwide chain. Their parent company, Papa Gino's, is good, too, but doesn't really stand out as much.
Culver's is another great suggestion. They're a quality, afforable Midwestern version of everything that makes a good burger chain.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 07, 2019, 10:11:16 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on November 07, 2019, 02:58:21 PM
Quote from: corco on November 07, 2019, 10:22:59 AM
In n Out- not because it's particularly amazing but because people would finally shut up about it
Went there for the first time this summer. The burgers are really, really good, but the lack of other menu items (have a daughter who likes chicken but not burgers) and the lack of the ability to get bacon on the burger make it a place I wouldn't go to often if it were near me.
BOOM!
This is why nearly every fast food restaurant lost its identity. They try to appeal to so many people with so many different tastes and restrictions and loud minorities that rarely does a restaurant stick to its core options.
For every consumer icon that's stuck around for decades, there's many more that also closed up for a failure to evolve or didn't keep with changing demands. In-n-Out was also smart not to over-saturate the market, where a lot of companies over-expanded. Eventually, the "new" cools off and business slows down a little. The next new thing comes along and steals away a little more of the action.
Quote
Back when...the options were to go to two different places, or tell the others to find something or starve. In today's coddling society, we tell the restaurants what we want to eat, even though there are other restaurants that already have that very same product. Then we complain we dont like the way they do it anyway.
...and that's how we got more businesses and corporations, for better or for worse. Someone spots the niche and fills it. But it's tough to know what's a trend that lasts and what's just a fad. To avoid floundering, they want our opinion (if it's constructive and/or we throw money at it), but they're not immune from trends and changing tastes.
McDonald's is a huge target for everything that's wrong with fast food, but they keep on trying something new (even if it's just a twice-recycled idea with a watered-down end result) along with their core basics. Probably because they can afford to target markets and try it out.
That said, we're getting a Culver's in the next year, but that makes about 6-7 different fast food hamburger joints in the Huntsville/Madison area. While I'm glad for that, there's something to be said for variety. And thus, the cycle repeats itself...
Quote from: Rothman on November 07, 2019, 10:07:19 PM
Five Guys > In-N-Out :D
Not if you're on a budget. In-N-Out, while not absolutely to-die-for amazing, tastes better than your typical fast food burger and is easily the best burger for value.
Quote from: US 89 on November 08, 2019, 12:43:18 PM
Quote from: Rothman on November 07, 2019, 10:07:19 PM
Five Guys > In-N-Out :D
Not if you're on a budget. In-N-Out, while not absolutely to-die-for amazing, tastes better than your typical fast food burger and is easily the best burger for value.
I really don't know about that. I was really underwhelmed by their burgers the couple of times I've eaten there.
Re: Whataburger
They have good burgers, but I don't like their fries. For me, I can make do with pretty much any chain's burgers (except McD's), so the fries are what I really go by.
Gotta throw this one out there: One or more of the Cincinnati chili chains could expand up this way and I would think I'd died and gone to Heaven.
The single best part of having previously lived in Omaha was the fact I could go to Runza and have a runza. Plus their fries are awesome. I believe they have exactly 3 restaurants outside Nebraska and one of those is in Council Bluffs, which shouldn't count.
For lesser known Nebraska based restaurants, there's Don and Millie's, which is a fast food burger shop which also serves beer.
I've only been in In-n-Out territory once in my life, and there were none near where I was, so I didn't get to try the burger that everyone speaks so highly of. But in retrospect, I'm not sure I missed anything. The appeal of them appears to be some proprietary sauce that I probably wouldn't like anyway. I checked out their menu online and determined that it really wasn't a big deal if I never get to sample them.
Of course, I've pined for Sheetz for years, but I can't really think of anything else that I've heard of out there that I'd love to see here with the possible exception of Roy Rogers or Braum's. I've still never had Tim Horton's, even though there's one a couple of hours from me in an area that I've passed through frequently. Did Whataburger once and was totally unimpressed. (The burger was dry, smaller than I expected, and didn't even come with cheese on it.) Royal Farms' chicken was OK, but I don't get the hype.
We have Cook Out in this area now, and I'm a fan. Zaxby's and Cane's are both in the region. So, too, are both Cincinnati chili places (Skyline recently opened in Lexington; prior to that, the nearest one was in Williamstown, and they have a presence in Louisville but I don't think Gold Star does.). Steak n Shake and Freddy's are both in Lexington (Freddy's is much better) and S n S is opening locations here as quickly as they are closing elsewhere. Culver's has been around here for more than 20 years and I'm convinced it's better than Five Guys, and definitely cheaper. White Castle and Krystal are here, too, if you get a craving for intestinal hand grenades.
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:46:49 PM
Quote from: dlsterner on November 06, 2019, 11:20:56 PM
Smashburger
Oooooohhh! Yeah! Although I'd personally settle for it just coming back to Wichita. They closed down a while ago.
I've had Smashburger, and didn't think it was anything special.
QuoteMy top pick would be Steak 'n Shake.
Apparently, the parent company of Steak 'n Shake is having some financial difficulty. The one that's supposed to open in the Des Moines metro has been delayed by several months due to that (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2019/08/26/first-des-moines-area-steak-n-shake-opening-pushed-back-until-early-2020-date-time-where-fast-food/2098677001/).
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 01:48:50 PM
Quote from: LM117 on November 06, 2019, 06:42:58 PM
White Castle.
That would be nice. Although, it's been so long since I've been to one (more than 13 years), it's entirely possible my tastes have changed since then and I wouldn't like it now. But yeah, considering the chain started here in Wichita, it would be nice to have one within 300 miles...
Yes! I once went to a White Castle in Minnesota (I believe it was the one in Forest Lake) and they gave me a survey to fill out. One of the questions was "what would get you to go to White Castle more often?" and my answer was "open one in Des Moines!" There are none in Iowa, so far as I'm aware.
Quote from: DandyDan on November 09, 2019, 07:14:13 AM
The single best part of having previously lived in Omaha was the fact I could go to Runza and have a runza. Plus their fries are awesome. I believe they have exactly 3 restaurants outside Nebraska and one of those is in Council Bluffs, which shouldn't count.
They have four:
* Council Bluffs, IA (as mentioned)
* Clarion, IA
* Lawrence, KS
* Loveland, CO
There used to be one in Shawnee Mission, KS, and I thought there used to be a second one in Colorado.
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:46:49 PM
Apparently, the parent company of Steak 'n Shake is having some financial difficulty. The one that's supposed to open in the Des Moines metro has been delayed by several months due to that (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2019/08/26/first-des-moines-area-steak-n-shake-opening-pushed-back-until-early-2020-date-time-where-fast-food/2098677001/).
How did you come to that conclusion? The article never said anything about financial difficulties. The location is owned by a franchisee. And it's so common for projects to be delayed for so many reasons that it could be something minor like obtaining road permits from the county or state, or unexpected ground containments that need to be rectified.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 09, 2019, 11:15:59 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on November 09, 2019, 10:18:45 PM
Apparently, the parent company of Steak 'n Shake is having some financial difficulty. The one that's supposed to open in the Des Moines metro has been delayed by several months due to that (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2019/08/26/first-des-moines-area-steak-n-shake-opening-pushed-back-until-early-2020-date-time-where-fast-food/2098677001/).
How did you come to that conclusion? The article never said anything about financial difficulties. The location is owned by a franchisee. And it's so common for projects to be delayed for so many reasons that it could be something minor like obtaining road permits from the county or state, or unexpected ground containments that need to be rectified.
It was in a different article I read (https://www.businessinsider.com/steak-n-shake-losses-spark-concerns-for-future-report-2019-5), and I assumed that had something to do with the delay. Sorry that wasn't clear. (And maybe my assumption is wrong, but it seems reasonable to me.)
(Also fixed the quote author.)
Quote from: webny99 on November 08, 2019, 11:51:33 AM
Culver's is another great suggestion. They're a quality, afforable Midwestern version of everything that makes a good burger chain.
Culver's is more than the Midwest but still not national. It stinks when I am travelling having to settle for McDonald's. I don't see many Culver's outside Wisconsin and Illinois.
A few years ago I would have said 'Culvers', but I do note they are moving that way now.
I'm wondering how long it will be before we start seeing Waffle Houses here in the upper Great Lakes and high plains areas.
Much more locally, 'Tom's Drive-Ins' here in the Appleton, WI area are a nice treat and should start spreading out, perhaps to Green Bay, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, WI and then....
:cool:
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on November 10, 2019, 12:24:28 PM
Much more locally, 'Tom's Drive-Ins' here in the Appleton, WI area are a nice treat and should start spreading out, perhaps to Green Bay, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, WI and then....
:cool:
Mike
There was a Tom's in Howard near Meiger is now, but is closed
Quote from: mgk920 on November 10, 2019, 12:24:28 PM
A few years ago I would have said 'Culvers', but I do note they are moving that way now.
I'm wondering how long it will be before we start seeing Waffle Houses here in the upper Great Lakes and high plains areas.
There aren't any Waffle Houses in Michigan, but there are several in Toledo (which borders Michigan) and some in Indiana. Also, most sizable communities on I-75 between Toledo and Dayton have Waffle House (Bowling Green, Findlay, Lima, Wapakoneta, Sidney, Piqua, Troy/Tipp City). In parts of the south, there are some exits with two Waffle Houses
Quote from: ftballfan on November 11, 2019, 10:26:58 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 10, 2019, 12:24:28 PM
A few years ago I would have said 'Culvers', but I do note they are moving that way now.
I'm wondering how long it will be before we start seeing Waffle Houses here in the upper Great Lakes and high plains areas.
There aren't any Waffle Houses in Michigan, but there are several in Toledo (which borders Michigan) and some in Indiana. Also, most sizable communities on I-75 between Toledo and Dayton have Waffle House (Bowling Green, Findlay, Lima, Wapakoneta, Sidney, Piqua, Troy/Tipp City). In parts of the south, there are some exits with two Waffle Houses
I was just in a brand new Waffle House in the Toledo area. It's at the same exit that US-23 heads south (actually east) after it's wrong way concurrency with I-75. I was talking to the server about how this is one of the most northern waffle house's and said they are all along I-75 between here and Florida especially in Georgia.
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 09, 2019, 11:06:02 PM
Quote from: DandyDan on November 09, 2019, 07:14:13 AM
The single best part of having previously lived in Omaha was the fact I could go to Runza and have a runza. Plus their fries are awesome. I believe they have exactly 3 restaurants outside Nebraska and one of those is in Council Bluffs, which shouldn't count.
They have four:
* Council Bluffs, IA (as mentioned)
* Clarion, IA
* Lawrence, KS
* Loveland, CO
There used to be one in Shawnee Mission, KS, and I thought there used to be a second one in Colorado.
You mixed up Clarinda, Iowa with Clarion. If they had one in Clarion, I'd drive the hour or so it takes to get there from here.
Quote from: DandyDan on November 12, 2019, 06:43:26 AM
You mixed up Clarinda, Iowa with Clarion.
I know this is unrelated to the thread topic, but I mix those two cities up
all the time.
Quote from: doorknob60 on November 07, 2019, 05:36:53 PM
In-N-Out: No explanation needed. Good, consistent food for a great price. Don't overhype it and expect it to compare with a $15 burger, but for the price it's hard to beat.
Culver's: Honestly not sure if I like Culver's or In-N-Out more, both are great. Culver's does have a location near me now, but just barely.
Dunkin: Hear me out. I know they act like a national brand. But they don't have any locations in the Northwest (Idaho, Washington, Oregon, probably others). And I like them way better than Starbucks and Tim Horton's. Would be towards the top of my fast food breakfast choices (along with McDonalds and a local bagel shop) if they opened here.
Super Deluxe: Only 2 locations, in Portland, and I've only been there once. But I'd describe them as similar to In-N-Out, and I could see them expanding some around Oregon and beyond and doing well.
Dick's: Pretty much the same thing I said above, except in the Seattle area and they've been around a lot longer.
Have not had the opportunity to try Whataburger, Shake Shack, or a lot of the other popular regional chains yet, though. Burgerville is a regional chain worth mentioning and I like it but not quite as good as the ones above IMO.
I'm a SoCal guy, so I do make it to In-N-Out whenever I'm in an area that has one. Cheap, good burgers. The fries can be meh, but the shakes are awesome.
We have Culver's basically down the street from me, and I think they're OK. I like their (crinkle cut) fries, as long as they aren't undercooked (or too salty).
Dunkin' is actually an international brand. They're almost as prolific in Berlin as they are in New England. You can't go to a decently-sized train station (especially the ones that have connections between the U-Bahn & the S-Bahn--one of my favorites was Alexanderplatz) and NOT find a DD.
I don't think I ever ate at a Super Deluxe when I lived in Portland. I did eat at Burgerville. Frequently. Their burgers are delicious and their use of locally sourced food and recycled material was an added bonus.
Quote from: ftballfan on November 11, 2019, 10:26:58 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 10, 2019, 12:24:28 PM
A few years ago I would have said 'Culvers', but I do note they are moving that way now.
I'm wondering how long it will be before we start seeing Waffle Houses here in the upper Great Lakes and high plains areas.
There aren't any Waffle Houses in Michigan, but there are several in Toledo (which borders Michigan) and some in Indiana. Also, most sizable communities on I-75 between Toledo and Dayton have Waffle House (Bowling Green, Findlay, Lima, Wapakoneta, Sidney, Piqua, Troy/Tipp City). In parts of the south, there are some exits with two Waffle Houses
The last that I checked, there are also a couple of WHs in Illinois, but that are all in the suburban Saint Louis area.
Mike
In and Out and Whataburger need to be. Bojangles as well, although they were in Central Florida but some executive made an executive decision to leave the market south of Ocala.
Jack In the Box again. They very well can being it was almost 40 years they left the east coast, I am sure they can do better the second time around as a lot of people changed over the years. People of yesterday are not the same as today. I am sure Florida and other I-95 states would appreciate them very much.
^^ Um, Jack in the Box is also a Metro St Louis staple.
Culver's is in the process of expanding here, with plans for a second area location at Collins Road and Parramore Road (near a Costco with a gas station), which is near the notable interchange on the 295 West Beltway. Appropriately enough, this location will be part of a development called Collins Town Center. There is already a location over in Middleburg off of the still-newish First Coast Expressway (SR 23), but that location pretty much serves the OakLeaf Plantation development as well.
I wouldn't mind seeing a few more Portillo's, although I've visited their "satellite" locations Tampa and Scottsdale.
Quote from: formulanone on November 14, 2019, 05:56:57 AM
I wouldn't mind seeing a few more Portillo's, although I've visited their "satellite" locations Tampa and Scottsdale.
I went to one of them in Brandon, Florida (Tampa). It was a bit odd as I spent a minute looking for the entry. The reason being that Chicagoland/Illinois Portillo's always have a revolving door through which one enters The one in Brandon, Florida did not. I kept looking for it before I realized one is supposed to enter through the "normal" doors.
Quote from: roadman65 on November 13, 2019, 09:28:43 PM
Jack In the Box again. They very well can being it was almost 40 years they left the east coast, I am sure they can do better the second time around as a lot of people changed over the years. People of yesterday are not the same as today. I am sure Florida and other I-95 states would appreciate them very much.
Jack In the Box has really gone downhill lately. They are frequently understaffed, and they get my order wrong. They have a large variety of items, and they're frequently out of what I want. I started going again because they have Coke Freestyle machines, so I can have a soda after 5pm without sugar or caffeine and still get to sleep, but twice I went to the machines and they were out of diet anything. The second time is entirely on me because after the first time I should have checked before ordering. They still have a policy of "We don't make it until you order it," but the food doesn't seem as fresh as it used to. It seems like they're contracting in the face of other chains coming in, rather than expanding.
I liked Jack in the Box fries back in the late '90s (post their e coli scandal). But, I haven't been impressed on more recent visits.
Jack in the Box didn't satisfy when I was staying in Charlotte NC on the way to the Pittsburgh Road Meet back in early-mid August. Had to eat at another area restaurant (was Chick-Fil-A despite the line I think). Bojangles, which has (a) location(s) here, isn't that bad, but still, i've had better.
Bumping the thread to nominate the Come Back Shack.......For a burger joint, they really knock it out of the park, but only has three locations, two in the Charleston, SC area and one in Boone, NC near Appalachian State. For fast food options, I'd nominate Pal's Sudden Service
Chains Nationwide:
Tony Packo's Cafe https://www.tonypacko.com/ (https://www.tonypacko.com/): local Toledo East European kitchen, with cabbage rolls, Hungarian hotdogs, dumplings, pickles.
Blake's Lotaburger https://www.lotaburger.com/ (https://www.lotaburger.com/): Albuquerque-based chain I know from Gallup - superb breakfast burritos
Also agree with Culver's - they're expanding to Toledo - makes me very happy.
Overestimated Chains:
Tim Horton's - quality has declined. Baked goods are largely parbaked, gummy, taste stale to me.
Waffle House - good quality, appreciate the simplicity, good when traveling; but I usually find a better local place for breakfast
In-n-Out - good burgers, but like others said, the rest is average
Waffle House...good quality...does not compute...
https://youtu.be/ZzTxvFfBzew
I like a place called Torchy's Tacos. Essentially it's really spicy Tex-Mex street food, but it's really good. They have tacos called the Republican, the Democrat, and even the Libertarian! :-D But on a more serious note, I think their locations are mostly urban spots in Texas, specifically Houston, but they really should expand.
I remember going into a Denver area WH a couple years ago just in time for one customer to shout at whoever he was with that he would fuck him up, and then stormed out of the restaurant.
One Richmond staple that went international but is now back to being regional again is Golden Skillet. I've always liked their chicken (though I'm damn near addicted to Popeyes lol). I wouldn't mind seeing them again when making trips out of town.
There's a gambling place (actually 4 locations) in Virginia called Rosie's, and in their restaurants is a burger called the R Burger. This is one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. The fries are also awesome (automatically comes with the burger). If they were to somehow spinoff the restaurant and go nationwide then they could do some serious damage. But for now it's only available in Virginia and you have to be 21 to get it.
A comment on another forum I frequent put it best: You don't go to Waffle House; you just end up there.
I've always liked to try in and out burgers.
Braums should be, but the main dairy is outside OKC, so to keep product freshness they are keeping all stores within 300 mile reach.
Quote from: westerninterloper on December 13, 2020, 08:52:09 PM
Overestimated Chains:
In-n-Out - good burgers, but like others said, the rest is average
And see, that's the thing for me. There's not a whole lot of difference to me between the BEST burger and a DECENT burger. Doesn't really sway me one way or the other. But, if I don't like the French fries somewhere, then that totally turns me off to that restaurant.
That's precisely why my wife and I don't like Whataburger or Braum's very much. The burgers are fine and all, but I go to a restaurant to eat more than just a burger. And we don't like the fries.
Quote from: plain on December 14, 2020, 03:01:44 AM
One Richmond staple that went international but is now back to being regional again is Golden Skillet. I've always liked their chicken (though I'm damn near addicted to Popeyes lol). I wouldn't mind seeing them again when making trips out of town.
There's a gambling place (actually 4 locations) in Virginia called Rosie's, and in their restaurants is a burger called the R Burger. This is one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. The fries are also awesome (automatically comes with the burger). If they were to somehow spinoff the restaurant and go nationwide then they could do some serious damage. But for now it's only available in Virginia and you have to be 21 to get it.
Golden Skillet is barely hanging on as is.
Local Chain Around Here That You All Would Like: Good Times - Local beef, actually grilled, complimentary doggie ice creams that have a $1 donation to go to the local humane society
Local Chain Elsewhere That I Would Like Here: Gates BBQ (I'd rather have Oklahoma Joe's a.k.a. KC Joe's, but I figured to be a chain, it needed at least five locations.) If you require more than 10 locations, I'd be down to have a Runza here. Mmmmmm.
Chris
Cook Out well above anything else. Perfect combination of "cheap" and "good". The fries are meh, but where else can you get a filling meal for $5 these days? Burgers are almost as good as Five Guys, you can get a second entree as one of your included sides.
Zaxby's is on that list as well. Only get there once a year or so, but I find them to be the best of the chicken tender chains by a longshot.
Quote from: cl94 on December 16, 2020, 05:50:25 PM
Cook Out well above anything else. Perfect combination of "cheap" and "good". The fries are meh, but where else can you get a filling meal for $5 these days? Burgers are almost as good as Five Guys, you can get a second entree as one of your included sides.
Zaxby's is on that list as well. Only get there once a year or so, but I find them to be the best of the chicken tender chains by a longshot.
I loathe Cook-Out. What everyone says about Big Macs not having actual meat in them, Cook-Out is just that. And you gotta be able to suck a golf ball through a garden hose to be able to drink a C-O shake. Massively, massively overrated imo. That's the reason they're most prevalent in college towns: College kids would eat a scab off a dog's ass if you sold it to them for 99 cents.
As for Zaxby's, if they ever stopped being so greasy, I might would like them. But everything is much too greasy for my taste.
Quote from: roadman65 on December 14, 2020, 10:48:57 AM
Braums should be, but the main dairy is outside OKC, so to keep product freshness they are keeping all stores within 300 mile reach.
They can't contract dairies in other states to retain the freshness so they can expand?
Quote from: planxtymcgillicuddy on December 17, 2020, 03:46:24 PM
College kids would eat a scab off a dog's ass if you sold it to them for 99 cents.
Tell a freshman you've found the most amazing hole-in-the-wall restaurant just a mile or so from campus, and that the food will knock their socks off. Then, when they tag along with you and sit down at the booth, insist that they ABSOLUTELY MUST try the dog's ass scabs. They're the BEST! And, at only 99 cents, they're a STEAL!
In fact–better yet–tell them it's a college tradition to get a group of guys together on Friday evening and "make a scab run".
Guaranteed.
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:29:17 PM
That's precisely why my wife and I don't like Whataburger or Braum's very much. The burgers are fine and all, but I go to a restaurant to eat more than just a burger. And we don't like the fries.
Have you had the fries with the complimentary Fancy Ketchup or the Spicy Ketchup? Turns a pretty decent french fry into a great one.
The next decade or two is going to be a very interesting time for Culver's. They're expanding quickly across the country, going beyond their niche Midwestern market. From their commercials it seems like they're not trying to compete head to head with the McDonalds and Burger Kings and Wendy's of the world, as they put emphasis on their hospitality and more unique products like cheese curds and frozen custard.
Quote from: thspfc on December 17, 2020, 08:18:37 PM
The next decade or two is going to be a very interesting time for Culver's. They're expanding quickly across the country, going beyond their niche Midwestern market. From their commercials it seems like they're not trying to compete head to head with the McDonalds and Burger Kings and Wendy's of the world, as they put emphasis on their hospitality and more unique products like cheese curds and frozen custard.
I don't like either from Culvers
Love their burgers and their chili, tho - so that would be Wendys competition, for me anyway
Quote from: CoreySamson on December 17, 2020, 07:53:00 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:29:17 PM
That's precisely why my wife and I don't like Whataburger or Braum's very much. The burgers are fine and all, but I go to a restaurant to eat more than just a burger. And we don't like the fries.
Have you had the fries with the complimentary Fancy Ketchup or the Spicy Ketchup? Turns a pretty decent french fry into a great one.
I hate ketchup in almost all contexts. In my opinion, there are only two places ketchup belongs: on a Whopper, and cooked on meat loaf.
Besides, if the fries need special sauce to make them good, then they aren't good fries.
I eat my fries plain, except for salt and pepper.
Quote from: kphoger on December 17, 2020, 08:30:09 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on December 17, 2020, 07:53:00 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:29:17 PM
That's precisely why my wife and I don't like Whataburger or Braum's very much. The burgers are fine and all, but I go to a restaurant to eat more than just a burger. And we don't like the fries.
Have you had the fries with the complimentary Fancy Ketchup or the Spicy Ketchup? Turns a pretty decent french fry into a great one.
I hate ketchup in almost all contexts. In my opinion, there are only two places ketchup belongs: on a Whopper, and cooked on meat loaf.
Besides, if the fries need special sauce to make them good, then they aren't good fries.
I eat my fries plain, except for salt and pepper.
Heh. A unique set of tastes.
Quote from: kphoger on December 17, 2020, 08:30:09 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on December 17, 2020, 07:53:00 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:29:17 PM
That's precisely why my wife and I don't like Whataburger or Braum's very much. The burgers are fine and all, but I go to a restaurant to eat more than just a burger. And we don't like the fries.
Have you had the fries with the complimentary Fancy Ketchup or the Spicy Ketchup? Turns a pretty decent french fry into a great one.
I hate ketchup in almost all contexts. In my opinion, there are only two places ketchup belongs: on a Whopper, and cooked on meat loaf.
Besides, if the fries need special sauce to make them good, then they aren't good fries.
I eat my fries plain, except for salt and pepper.
I still think Whataburger's fries are above-average, maybe not as good as McDonalds, but definitely better than Burger King or Wendy's.
I really like ketchup, TBH, so that could explain my overzealousness about it. I'll put it on nearly anything salty or savory (ketchup on grilled cheese tastes great!).
But that's just my opinion.
Quote from: Takumi on December 15, 2020, 10:37:41 PM
Quote from: plain on December 14, 2020, 03:01:44 AM
One Richmond staple that went international but is now back to being regional again is Golden Skillet. I've always liked their chicken (though I'm damn near addicted to Popeyes lol). I wouldn't mind seeing them again when making trips out of town.
There's a gambling place (actually 4 locations) in Virginia called Rosie's, and in their restaurants is a burger called the R Burger. This is one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. The fries are also awesome (automatically comes with the burger). If they were to somehow spinoff the restaurant and go nationwide then they could do some serious damage. But for now it's only available in Virginia and you have to be 21 to get it.
Golden Skillet is barely hanging on as is.
Of course lol I just wish their fortune had turned out better. Better than KFC in my opinion (then again, a lot of places are).
Quote from: kphoger on December 17, 2020, 08:30:09 PM
Besides, if the fries need special sauce to make them good, then they aren't good fries.
I eat my fries plain, except for salt and pepper.
THIS.
I very rarely add ketchup to fries and when I do it's because they're meh.
Salt & pepper will do the trick every time, though if I'm in the mood for it (and if I know there's a quality bathroom I can hit later lol) then a cheese sauce *might* be added as well.
Quote from: CoreySamson on December 17, 2020, 08:37:54 PM
I still think Whataburger's fries are above-average, maybe not as good as McDonalds, but definitely better than Burger King or Wendy's.
Wendy's fries used to be pretty good, back before they switched to "natural cut" or whatever they call it. The quality dropped significantly when they did that switch, in my opinion.
McDonald's fries are great when they're hot, and they're terrible when they're not.
Burger King's fries are pretty good, in my opinion, but not really "top tier".
Quote from: plain on December 17, 2020, 10:52:58 PM
Salt & pepper will do the trick every time, though if I'm in the mood for it (and if I know there's a quality bathroom I can hit later lol) then a cheese sauce *might* be added as well.
Chili & onions for me, please. Mustard is pretty good on fries, especially home-fried potatoes. And McDonald's fries pair surprisingly well with honey.
Quote from: Rothman on December 17, 2020, 08:36:30 PM
Heh. A unique set of tastes.
Yes, I am aware. But I have found that there is a surprising number of us ketchup-haters out there. You don't really notice us because what sets us apart is
not using something, which isn't very noticeable.
I do like a good chipotle ketchup, though.
I like ketchup on fries and burgers, but that's about the only thing I use it for. I remember reading somewhere that ketchup on a hot dog is considered gauche in some cities, so I tried mustard on it instead and found I like it better.
Sometimes when I'm eating chicken strips I will use a little bit of whatever sauce I have with the chicken (usually ranch, sometimes honey mustard) on the fries. My wife dips fries only in ranch.
Quote from: planxtymcgillicuddy on December 17, 2020, 03:46:24 PM
Quote from: cl94 on December 16, 2020, 05:50:25 PM
Cook Out well above anything else. Perfect combination of "cheap" and "good". The fries are meh, but where else can you get a filling meal for $5 these days? Burgers are almost as good as Five Guys, you can get a second entree as one of your included sides.
Zaxby's is on that list as well. Only get there once a year or so, but I find them to be the best of the chicken tender chains by a longshot.
I loathe Cook-Out. What everyone says about Big Macs not having actual meat in them, Cook-Out is just that. And you gotta be able to suck a golf ball through a garden hose to be able to drink a C-O shake. Massively, massively overrated imo. That's the reason they're most prevalent in college towns: College kids would eat a scab off a dog's ass if you sold it to them for 99 cents.
As for Zaxby's, if they ever stopped being so greasy, I might would like them. But everything is much too greasy for my taste.
Sacrilege. Cook-Out is fantastic. Just as good as Five Guys, but at half the price.
And I prefer Cane's to Zaxby's.
I don't eat ketchup on fries. For plain fries, salt is my preferred seasoning. Chili cheese fries, or just cheese fries, are good.
Cook-out has now become a must-stop on my trips down 95. Decent food; lots of options, absolutely cheap price.
Most people prefer thick milkshakes. Yeah, they're tough at first, but just let them melt first.
Seems like I need to get back to Cook Out. We stopped once and were overwhelmed by the menu in a busy drive through, but enjoyed what we quickly picked. The main reasons I haven't been back is their overlap along I-95 with Zaxby's and the fact we tend to travel through NC during the late night/early morning hours.
I know we've discussed the chicken strips wars before, but I remain a fan of both Zaxby's and Raising Cane's, but if they're both available I'll go with a Cane's Box Combo.
1. Portillos
2. In-N-Out
3. Tim Hortons
Quote from: hbelkins on December 18, 2020, 05:07:22 PM
Just as good as Five Guys, but at half the price.
I can't justify going to Five Guys any more, because although it's good, it's not good enough to justify two single-patty burgers and one order of fries, no drinks, being over $20. Especially since the burgers, to my taste at least, are pretty close to what Wendy's sells for a much cheaper price. I get that the price includes unlimited toppings, but I tend to like my burgers without a lot of fixings (usually just ketchup and either mayonnaise and lettuce or mustard), so that doesn't really justify the price for me.
Some towns will just flat out refuse the $15 burger places. The town where I work is like that. The Five Guys closed after three years. The Tasty Made (Chipotle's foray into burgers) made it less than a year.
Five Guys opened last week here in Amsterdam, New York. Hard to say how it will do long term, but early business is enough that the authorities were called multiple times because the crowds were violating covid capacity restrictions. I haven't been yet, waiting to test out of my quarantine for having been out of state.
Now that it's close to my house, I figure it's something we'll do once every several weeks, adding it into the mix of things we get for takeout when we want a night off from cooking at home. There's been one near work for a while, but it's generally too big of a meal for lunch for me, so I would only go occasionally when I needed a dinner out that way.
Quote from: GCrites80s on January 06, 2021, 12:56:15 PM
Some towns will just flat out refuse the $15 burger places. The town where I work is like that. The Five Guys closed after three years. The Tasty Made (Chipotle's foray into burgers) made it less than a year.
Fat Patty's (regional burger place in the Ashland-Huntington-Charleston corridor, and site of my 2013 Tri-State Road Meet) effectively put the Ashland Five Guys out of business, from what I'm told.
Quote from: Jim on January 06, 2021, 01:28:57 PM
Five Guys opened last week here in Amsterdam, New York. Hard to say how it will do long term, but early business is enough that the authorities were called multiple times because the crowds were violating covid capacity restrictions. I haven't been yet, waiting to test out of my quarantine for having been out of state.
Now that it's close to my house, I figure it's something we'll do once every several weeks, adding it into the mix of things we get for takeout when we want a night off from cooking at home. There's been one near work for a while, but it's generally too big of a meal for lunch for me, so I would only go occasionally when I needed a dinner out that way.
The thing that's always been entertaining about Five Guys is when you see a family or other group of people who are unfamiliar with the chain placing orders that include a large order of fries for each person.
^most of those fast casual places have some strange ordering protocol like that which instantly brands people as noobs if they haven't been there before.
Fat Patty's (regional burger place in the Ashland-Huntington-Charleston corridor, and site of my 2013 Tri-State Road Meet) effectively put the Ashland Five Guys out of business, from what I'm told.
[/quote]
Fat Pattys huh? They were just getting started when I lived around there. They took over some bar that I liked at Marshall whose name escapes me now. I think it was 2005 when it happened. Of course Fat Pattys has the profitability advantage over Five Guys of having a bar.
I know Shaq owns a lot of Five Guys; I wonder if his locations have been affected by the downturn of Five Guys. I don't know if he owned the Ashland one.
Quote from: I-39 on January 04, 2021, 02:51:03 PM
1. Portillos
2. In-N-Out
3. Tim Hortons
I found Portillos' entrees to be nothing special, but damn are the fries good.
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 07, 2021, 01:42:38 PM
The thing that's always been entertaining about Five Guys is when you see a family or other group of people who are unfamiliar with the chain placing orders that include a large order of fries for each person.
Yeah. My first experience with Five Guys was in Norwalk, Conn., where I stayed two nights while attending the Springfield, Mass. meet back in 2010. I ordered large fries and when I got back to my room, couldn't believe there was entire potato patch in my to-go bag. When I went back the next night, I got a regular order and actually watched when they filled that little metal pan full of fries and dumped it in my bad.
Also odd: a regular burger has two patties. A "little" burger doesn't mean a smaller patty, like Wendy's, but it means you only get one normal-sized patty.
Quote from: GCrites80s on January 07, 2021, 10:31:37 PM
Fat Pattys huh? They were just getting started when I lived around there. They took over some bar that I liked at Marshall whose name escapes me now. I think it was 2005 when it happened. Of course Fat Pattys has the profitability advantage over Five Guys of having a bar.
The Fat Patty's in Ashland took over the location of CJ Maggie's, which is an eatery I've never patronized despite having been in their cities numerous times. That's a shrinking chain. I think their only locations now are in Buckhannon and Elkins.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 07, 2021, 11:11:19 PM
Quote from: I-39 on January 04, 2021, 02:51:03 PM
1. Portillos
2. In-N-Out
3. Tim Hortons
I found Portillos' entrees to be nothing special, but damn are the fries good.
Really? The Italian Beef and Italian Sausage combo is excellent, and each separately, as well
For a Fast Food burger, Portillos is one of the best I've had, including In n Out, Five Guys, Whataburger
To each his own
I'm done with Five Guys. Too expensive for what you actually get. I mean seriously $20 for a burger, fries and no drink? There isn't a burger in the world worth $20 to me.
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 10, 2021, 05:56:10 AM
I'm done with Five Guys. Too expensive for what you actually get. I mean seriously $20 for a burger, fries and no drink? There isn't a burger in the world worth $20 to me.
Hm. Not that expensive in my neck of the woods.
Quote from: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 09:55:14 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 10, 2021, 05:56:10 AM
I'm done with Five Guys. Too expensive for what you actually get. I mean seriously $20 for a burger, fries and no drink? There isn't a burger in the world worth $20 to me.
Hm. Not that expensive in my neck of the woods.
They are pretty expensive though I might of overexerted a little but they aren't inexpensive that's for sure.
I'm not the defender of Five Guys, in fact, I haven't been to one in a couple months, probably. But do some Five Guys locations actually charge that much? At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me. Not a cheap meal, but similar to what I'd spend on a meal at a Panera, and not much more than even a lower-end chain like McDonald's/BK/Wendy's if I ordered one of their high-end sandwiches and a similar quantity of fries and a drink.
Yeah, I might have them 3-4 times a year (though not at all in 2020) in various places but never spent more than $10-12, though I usually skip sodas.
If you're regularly having a large fries and the regular double as a single meal, you might want to consider seeing a doctor.
Quote from: Jim on January 10, 2021, 10:08:33 AM
I'm not the defender of Five Guys, in fact, I haven't been to one in a couple months, probably. But do some Five Guys locations actually charge that much? At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me. Not a cheap meal, but similar to what I'd spend on a meal at a Panera, and not much more than even a lower-end chain like McDonald's/BK/Wendy's if I ordered one of their high-end sandwiches and a similar quantity of fries and a drink.
Then it's not a apples=apples comparison in regards to price points if you're comparing getting Five Guys' cheapest burger to another restaurant's high end burger.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 10, 2021, 11:14:54 AM
Quote from: Jim on January 10, 2021, 10:08:33 AM
I'm not the defender of Five Guys, in fact, I haven't been to one in a couple months, probably. But do some Five Guys locations actually charge that much? At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me. Not a cheap meal, but similar to what I'd spend on a meal at a Panera, and not much more than even a lower-end chain like McDonald's/BK/Wendy's if I ordered one of their high-end sandwiches and a similar quantity of fries and a drink.
Then it's not a apples=apples comparison in regards to price points if you're comparing getting Five Guys' cheapest burger to another restaurant's high end burger.
Pfft. Five Guys' burgers are better than anything you'll get a McDonald's, Wendy's or Burger King, high end or otherwise.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 10, 2021, 11:14:54 AM
Then it's not a apples=apples comparison in regards to price points if you're comparing getting Five Guys' cheapest burger to another restaurant's high end burger.
In my opinion, the cheapest burger at Five Guys blows away the best thing McD/BK/Wendy's has ever sent out the door. Obviously others disagree.
Really, really wish Raising Cane's would make its way past the I-64 corridor and come towards the DC area. I was introduced to them when I first visited Louisiana and never have looked back. I've driven from DC to the Charlottesville and Norfolk locations (yes, day trips to get Cane's....) and love it as much as I did the first time I had it.
I really wanted to like Cane's. It's just..average.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 10, 2021, 06:54:09 PM
I really wanted to like Cane's. It's just..average.
Tbh the sauce is what does it for me...that and the Texas toast they have. It makes it worth the 4+ hour round trip drives for me :-D
For chicken places, Popeyes is alright at best and KFC is not good....at all. So CFA was the only thing around here worth eating (and its good!) When my now-fiancé told me Cane's was better than CFA, I didn't believe it. Then I flew south, tried it for myself, and it was amazing. (Side note: Whataburger really didn't do much for me when I tried it)
For a Massachusetts chain I wish Michigan had Kelly's Roast Beef. I ate there multiple times when I was in Boston and it's better than Arby's.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 10, 2021, 11:14:54 AM
Then it's not a apples=apples comparison in regards to price points if you're comparing getting Five Guys' cheapest burger to another restaurant's high end burger.
Five Guys isn't in the same league as McDonalds and the like - literally. Five Guys is higher-end and is considered a "fast casual" chain, whereas the others are just low-end fast food.
Quote from: formulanone on January 10, 2021, 10:20:22 AM
If you're regularly having a large fries and the regular double as a single meal, you might want to consider seeing a doctor.
Yeah, I consider even their smallest order of fries to be more than I'd prefer to eat. It's one of the reasons I don't go there often even if I think everything tastes very good. Their fries are really meant for groups with multiple people.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 10, 2021, 06:54:09 PM
I really wanted to like Cane's. It's just..average.
Same. Cane's sauce is awesome, and the Texas toast and coleslaw are good, but their chicken is kinda meh (along with their fries).
What should we define as the benchmark for "nationwide"?
It feels like some long-recognized "nationwide" chains (e.g. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes) have only recently made it to the Pacific Northwest, so perhaps a presence in every major subregion should be enough. In any case, we're going to be the last to see a lot of the new generation of national chains because of the logistics issues.
Quote from: GCrites80s on January 07, 2021, 10:23:45 PM
^most of those fast casual places have some strange ordering protocol like that which instantly brands people as noobs if they haven't been there before.
I don't think Five Guys' ridiculously huge portions of fries are a "strange ordering protocol." I think it's just that they serve huge portions. I was glad when they introduced the "little" order of fries (smaller than the regular order). I don't go to Five Guys very often, though, partly because the location nearest to home is a nuisance to get to because of the road layout in Springfield and partially because it's not something I need to eat very often. We sometimes used to stop at one near Verizon Center en route to hockey games, but those of you who have commented on the cost have even more of a point in DC because of the city's 10% tax on restaurant meals (including fast food). Who knows when we'll be able to go to Verizon Center again. We had stopped going to that Five Guys anyway because our hockey season tickets now include a substantial concession stand credit, so to use that up we were getting food at the arena instead.
Now, Starbucks using goofy terminology for their drink sizes instead of just a normal "small, medium, large" is a "strange ordering protocol." You're expected to know their lingo and I've never bothered to figure out what it is. I used to order from the subway using their app (which makes it easy to figure out small/medium/large by scrolling) when I got to the stop before mine so that my coffee would be ready for pickup when I passed the store on the way to work, but now that I don't commute on the subway anymore that's no longer an issue. I still use their app when I'm in New York and I want to go to the location a block away from the office.
Quote from: Bruce on January 11, 2021, 06:03:33 AM
What should we define as the benchmark for "nationwide"?
It feels like some long-recognized "nationwide" chains (e.g. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes) have only recently made it to the Pacific Northwest, so perhaps a presence in every major subregion should be enough. In any case, we're going to be the last to see a lot of the new generation of national chains because of the logistics issues.
One could have a similar experience with South Florida (or Alaska/Hawaii); the Sunshine State is a logistical cul-de-sac. Lots of national brands had a tendency to avoid the area but that's changed over the last 20 years...though that's also due to the homogenization of America and the opportunities of an increasing population center.
Hard to have it both ways.
Quote from: Bruce on January 11, 2021, 06:03:33 AM
What should we define as the benchmark for "nationwide"?
It feels like some long-recognized "nationwide" chains (e.g. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes) have only recently made it to the Pacific Northwest, so perhaps a presence in every major subregion should be enough. In any case, we're going to be the last to see a lot of the new generation of national chains because of the logistics issues.
If it's larger than a broad 'regional' term, then it's nationwide. And by broad regional, "East of the Mississippi", "East of the Rockies", etc. If only a few or couple states are excluded, it's still nationwide.
It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.
Quote from: CoreySamson on January 10, 2021, 09:14:07 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 10, 2021, 06:54:09 PM
I really wanted to like Cane's. It's just..average.
Same. Cane's sauce is awesome, and the Texas toast and coleslaw are good, but their chicken is kinda meh (along with their fries).
Try ordering it "extra crispy". It makes their chicken taste less "wet".
Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on January 11, 2021, 10:01:28 PM
It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.
I found they were more hype than quality. Been to the one in Madison Square Park and others in the greater NYC area.
Quote from: Jim on January 10, 2021, 10:08:33 AM
At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me.
That's still $11.37 without tax ($12.36 with 8.75% Norman sales tax), whereas a meal elsewhere is in the $7—8 range with tax. Also, even the small fry at Five Guys is so big that I can't eat the whole thing myself, so I'm wasting about $1.50 on food I physically won't be able to eat. I'd be happier if they had a Minuscule Fry For Tiny Tiny Babies that was about the same size as an order of fries from other fast food restaurants.
A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.
Quote from: Jim on January 10, 2021, 04:39:01 PM
In my opinion, the cheapest burger at Five Guys blows away the best thing McD/BK/Wendy's has ever sent out the door. Obviously others disagree.
It's better than McDonald's, but to me, the beef tastes more or less identical to that at Wendy's. I haven't been back there since I had covid, but I'd imagine I'd be even less likely to taste a difference now, since I'm starting to become resigned to the fact that I'm never going to have my taste buds back the way they were before I had it. (Which has its upsides; fried food, which I previously loved, now tastes kind of gross, so I've started avoiding things like fries.)
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 12, 2021, 03:28:23 PM
A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.
Drinks and fries are where they make the biggest profit margin. When I worked at a BK, the GM told me one large fry sold paid for three bags of frozen fries, which is why he wasn't too concerned about wasting fries.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 12, 2021, 04:18:36 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 12, 2021, 03:28:23 PM
A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.
Drinks and fries are where they make the biggest profit margin. When I worked at a BK, the GM told me one large fry sold paid for three bags of frozen fries, which is why he wasn't too concerned about wasting fries.
Most of the time, if I am ordering at a drive-thru while on a trip, I will have cold drinks in a cooler. So I typically don't get the drink unless it is part of a value meal of some sort.
The exception is at a place like Sheetz, if they have all drinks the same price and you fill your own cup. I'll get very little ice in my cup and fill it full of pop.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 12, 2021, 04:18:36 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 12, 2021, 03:28:23 PM
A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.
Drinks and fries are where they make the biggest profit margin. When I worked at a BK, the GM told me one large fry sold paid for three bags of frozen fries, which is why he wasn't too concerned about wasting fries.
Not much different than how entrees are priced at many restaurant. Pasta and salads are mostly profit. Steaks are barely profitable. Sodas and Desserts are very profitable. Water...no profit. Alcohol...good profit margin; just a lot of waste especially when it comes to liquors.
If steaks were priced at the same margin as pasta, they would never sell.
Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on January 11, 2021, 10:01:28 PM
It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.
I'm surprised too considering all the wackiness going on in the metro over the last decade as far as national chains goes. On top of a bunch of fast food chains, this area has:
Both Sheetz & Wawa
Both Wegmans & Publix
Both Topgolf & Drive Shack
There's a Shake Shack in Virginia Beach. I'm surprised there isn't one near Richmond yet.
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 12, 2021, 03:28:23 PM
Quote from: Jim on January 10, 2021, 10:08:33 AM
At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me.
That's still $11.37 without tax ($12.36 with 8.75% Norman sales tax), whereas a meal elsewhere is in the $7—8 range with tax. Also, even the small fry at Five Guys is so big that I can't eat the whole thing myself, so I'm wasting about $1.50 on food I physically won't be able to eat. I'd be happier if they had a Minuscule Fry For Tiny Tiny Babies that was about the same size as an order of fries from other fast food restaurants.
A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.
The cup cost a quarter (now 38 cents)? That's a lot! Does that include the lid and straw? 150 Solo cups
retail is $14, so less than 10 cents a cup. I suppose there's a little more to the wax-coated paper used in fast food, though.
Quote from: GCrites80s on January 12, 2021, 10:40:10 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 12, 2021, 03:28:23 PM
Quote from: Jim on January 10, 2021, 10:08:33 AM
At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me.
That's still $11.37 without tax ($12.36 with 8.75% Norman sales tax), whereas a meal elsewhere is in the $7–8 range with tax. Also, even the small fry at Five Guys is so big that I can't eat the whole thing myself, so I'm wasting about $1.50 on food I physically won't be able to eat. I'd be happier if they had a Minuscule Fry For Tiny Tiny Babies that was about the same size as an order of fries from other fast food restaurants.
A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008–2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink—the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.
The cup cost a quarter (now 38 cents)? That's a lot! Does that include the lid and straw? 150 Solo cups retail is $14, so less than 10 cents a cup. I suppose there's a little more to the wax-coated paper used in fast food, though.
I suppose getting the cups printed with a logo and other associated markings also adds a little towards the cost.
Quote from: GCrites80s on January 12, 2021, 10:40:10 PM
The cup cost a quarter (now 38 cents)? That's a lot! Does that include the lid and straw? 150 Solo cups retail is $14, so less than 10 cents a cup. I suppose there's a little more to the wax-coated paper used in fast food, though.
Consumer retail vs business expenses is rarely a great comparison. Restaurant pricing needs to include the entire supply and personnel chain, from the warehouse buildings to trucks to advertising to rent/lease to insurance to delivery to salaries, etc. When someone goes to the supermarket, they look at one thing: the cost of the product. They don't factor in the fuel used in their car. They don't allocate the cost of insurance. They don't pay themselves for their time. They're not subsidizing their healthcare. They don't have a HR department, social media, or CEO. They probably don't have a personal jet. They're not spending money to develop their next product. They're not facing lawsuits from people slipping on wet floors after they spilled their drink. You're not paying someone in your house to pour a drink. You're not paying someone to train you. You're not worried your cashier is stealing money out of the till. The health department isn't stopping in to make sure the cups are stored properly, away from hot grease, making sure the bags are sealed properly, etc. There ain't no 5 second rule if a cup falls on the floor in a restaurant.
I know people love to make these comparisons, but in reality, there is no comparison.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 13, 2021, 09:24:11 AM
There ain't no 5 second rule if a cup falls on the floor in a restaurant.
At the Stop & Shop I worked at, one employee (fresh food, but not naming the department to avoid outing) believed in it. The other employees working in that department had to tell him/her that the "rule" shouldn't be used.
Quote from: plain on January 12, 2021, 08:09:16 PM
Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on January 11, 2021, 10:01:28 PM
It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.
I'm surprised too considering all the wackiness going on in the metro over the last decade as far as national chains goes. On top of a bunch of fast food chains, this area has:
Both Sheetz & Wawa
Both Wegmans & Publix
Both Topgolf & Drive Shack
There's a Shake Shack in Virginia Beach. I'm surprised there isn't one near Richmond yet.
I remember complaining for a while after the Virginia Beach one opened. :-D I feel like a location near the VCU campus would be pretty successful.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 12, 2021, 04:43:58 PM
Most of the time, if I am ordering at a drive-thru while on a trip, I will have cold drinks in a cooler. So I typically don't get the drink unless it is part of a value meal of some sort.
The exception is at a place like Sheetz, if they have all drinks the same price and you fill your own cup. I'll get very little ice in my cup and fill it full of pop.
I do the same thing at Wawa, where they frequently have "any size, same price" sales on drinks. It's a seriously good deal.
Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.
Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 05, 2021, 02:35:42 PM
Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.
"Mainland China" is a pretty broad locale/region.
Quote from: kphoger on February 05, 2021, 02:59:21 PM
Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 05, 2021, 02:35:42 PM
Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.
"Mainland China" is a pretty broad locale/region.
Okay, probably not Tibet and that other place that manufactures imported rubber chickens.
Having lived in southern California for a long time (Oregon now) I certainly would enjoy seeing both The Habit and Fatburger come up here!
Oregon is just starting to get In-N-Out. There's one in Medford, one in Grants Pass, one in Salem, and apparently the Portland metro is next. All of them have notoriously long lines at all times. Having lived in California, been there, done that. I like them but certainly wouldn't wait an hour for "fast" food.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 05, 2021, 10:59:45 PM
Having lived in southern California for a long time (Oregon now) I certainly would enjoy seeing both The Habit and Fatburger come up here!
Oregon is just starting to get In-N-Out. There's one in Medford, one in Grants Pass, one in Salem, and apparently the Portland metro is next. All of them have notoriously long lines at all times. Having lived in California, been there, done that. I like them but certainly wouldn't wait an hour for "fast" food.
The Habit has a few locations around Seattle, and Fatburger has at least one that I know of (in Redmond).
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 05, 2021, 10:59:45 PM
Having lived in southern California for a long time (Oregon now) I certainly would enjoy seeing both The Habit and Fatburger come up here!
Both chains are "national" to an extent. Outside of their California home bases, the two chains have locations spread widely across North America–Fatburger in twelve states and five Canadian provinces; The Habit in thirteen states. Both chains have presences outside North America, too.
That seems to be its own category–chains with a very high density in a certain region and then a spotty presence (or isolated clusters) scattered elsewhere in the country. The similar burger-and-custard chains of Freddy's and Culver's come to mind. They're virtually ubiquitous in their home territories with other isolated pockets of locations here and there.
Quote from: kphoger on February 05, 2021, 02:59:21 PM
Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 05, 2021, 02:35:42 PM
Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.
"Mainland China" is a pretty broad locale/region.
I wish they were in America though :love:
Cook Out. I was intimidated by them at first, but they're pretty good.
Quote from: CapeCodder on February 10, 2021, 02:35:32 PM
Cook Out. I was intimidated by them at first, but they're pretty good.
For what it costs, Cook Out is probably the best value for fast food in the country.
Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 05, 2021, 02:35:42 PM
Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.
More precisely, "Mom's Mother's House" :sombrero:. If the grandma was dad's mother, it would have been "Zu Mu Jia" instead. Gotta love Chinese.
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 01:48:50 PM
Quote from: LM117 on November 06, 2019, 06:42:58 PM
White Castle.
That would be nice. Although, it's been so long since I've been to one (more than 13 years), it's entirely possible my tastes have changed since then and I wouldn't like it now. But yeah, considering the chain started here in Wichita, it would be nice to have one within 300 miles...
Quote from: ilpt4u on November 06, 2019, 08:55:25 PM
Portillo's
I'd settle for fully Statewide in Illinois, first!
Hellzz to the yeah! Shoot, I'd settle for just Kansas City, so I could stop in once a year or whatever during road trips.
You have Braums in your area. They are good.
Quote from: roadman65 on February 23, 2021, 03:45:51 PM
You have Braums in your area. They are good.
I was about to say I don't like crinkle-cut fries. Then I realized both Portillo's and White Castle have crinkle-cut fries, so I got nothin'...
I personally like Braum's fries, but they don't really put much seasoning on them other than salt. So perhaps that's the difference.
Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 03:52:56 PM
I was about to say I don't like crinkle-cut fries. Then I realized ...
... that crinkle-cut fries are the best, so that simply wouldn't make any sense! :biggrin:
Quote from: webny99 on February 23, 2021, 04:17:43 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 03:52:56 PM
I was about to say I don't like crinkle-cut fries. Then I realized ...
... that crinkle-cut fries are the best, so that simply wouldn't make any sense! :biggrin:
NOT what I said! :evilgrin:
When I lived in New York a couple of years (I got back to Texas as soon as I could!) I really missed Taco Cabana.
Where else can you get actual decent Tex-Mex at 3 AM? I mean, it's not El Fenix, but it's way better than its competitors in the "fast food Mexican" space.
Quote from: Stormwalker on February 23, 2021, 07:23:53 PM
When I lived in New York a couple of years (I got back to Texas as soon as I could!) I really missed Taco Cabana.
Where else can you get actual decent Tex-Mex at 3 AM? I mean, it's not El Fenix, but it's way better than its competitors in the "fast food Mexican" space.
I had Taco Cabana my last trip to Texas, at the suggestion of a client. For a fast food place, it was really damn good!
I also had my first Whataburger on that trip. Delicious.
Now when I go to Texas I always stop at a Jack In The Box. The best IMO.
Now that I know San Antonio has In and Out Burgers and one near the airport, I will make that my first stop after landing there.
Yeah, Taco Cabana is an underrated place for Mexican fast food. Get the cabana bowls and the sopapillas, they're the best thing they serve. They also have apple soda at their drink machines, which is one of my favorites.
Quote from: CoreySamson on February 23, 2021, 09:55:31 PM
Yeah, Taco Cabana is an underrated place for Mexican fast food. Get the cabana bowls and the sopapillas, they're the best thing they serve. They also have apple soda at their drink machines, which is one of my favorites.
Their beef enchiladas are shockingly good for a fast food place, too. I would never have thought to order enchiladas there until my uncle recommended them. I've been to a fair number of sit-down Tex-Mex restaurants where the enchiladas aren't as good as Taco Cabana's.
Quote from: Stormwalker on February 24, 2021, 03:41:56 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on February 23, 2021, 09:55:31 PM
Yeah, Taco Cabana is an underrated place for Mexican fast food. Get the cabana bowls and the sopapillas, they're the best thing they serve. They also have apple soda at their drink machines, which is one of my favorites.
Their beef enchiladas are shockingly good for a fast food place, too. I would never have thought to order enchiladas there until my uncle recommended them. I've been to a fair number of sit-down Tex-Mex restaurants where the enchiladas aren't as good as Taco Cabana's.
I was actually really impressed with their tortillas as well. Really good tortillas for a fast food establishment
Quote from: roadman65 on February 23, 2021, 07:45:18 PM
Now when I go to Texas I always stop at a Jack In The Box. The best IMO.
They were a go-to for me about twenty-five years ago after they cleaned up after the e. coli disaster. But, last couple of times I went there, they weren't as good as I remembered.
I've only been to Jack-in-the-Box for breakfast, and I wasn't impressed. People tell me their dinner menu is much better, though.
Quote from: US 89 on February 17, 2021, 12:41:33 AM
Quote from: CapeCodder on February 10, 2021, 02:35:32 PM
Cook Out. I was intimidated by them at first, but they're pretty good.
For what it costs, Cook Out is probably the best value for fast food in the country.
Easily. Combo meal with a decent amount of food runs $5 plus tax. Hard to find that anywhere else unless you have a coupon, plus you can effectively make a second entrée your "sides" if you so desire. It's been a must-stop for me when in their territory since I learned about them on this forum.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on February 24, 2021, 10:13:21 AM
Quote from: Stormwalker on February 24, 2021, 03:41:56 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on February 23, 2021, 09:55:31 PM
Yeah, Taco Cabana is an underrated place for Mexican fast food. Get the cabana bowls and the sopapillas, they're the best thing they serve. They also have apple soda at their drink machines, which is one of my favorites.
Their beef enchiladas are shockingly good for a fast food place, too. I would never have thought to order enchiladas there until my uncle recommended them. I've been to a fair number of sit-down Tex-Mex restaurants where the enchiladas aren't as good as Taco Cabana's.
I was actually really impressed with their tortillas as well. Really good tortillas for a fast food establishment
Yeah, that's a good point. I've been known to ask for some tortillas as a side along with whatever I else I get. They're great.
Quote from: cl94 on February 24, 2021, 11:20:14 AM
Quote from: US 89 on February 17, 2021, 12:41:33 AM
Quote from: CapeCodder on February 10, 2021, 02:35:32 PM
Cook Out. I was intimidated by them at first, but they're pretty good.
For what it costs, Cook Out is probably the best value for fast food in the country.
Easily. Combo meal with a decent amount of food runs $5 plus tax. Hard to find that anywhere else unless you have a coupon, plus you can effectively make a second entrée your "sides" if you so desire. It's been a must-stop for me when in their territory since I learned about them on this forum.
A lot of their locations are in areas (general location, not specific location) known for their cheaper commercial real estate (Appalachia, Mid-South). I wonder how the pricing model would change in areas where it averages above $18/SF.
Quote from: GCrites80s on February 24, 2021, 09:35:04 PM
Quote from: cl94 on February 24, 2021, 11:20:14 AM
Quote from: US 89 on February 17, 2021, 12:41:33 AM
Quote from: CapeCodder on February 10, 2021, 02:35:32 PM
Cook Out. I was intimidated by them at first, but they're pretty good.
For what it costs, Cook Out is probably the best value for fast food in the country.
Easily. Combo meal with a decent amount of food runs $5 plus tax. Hard to find that anywhere else unless you have a coupon, plus you can effectively make a second entrée your "sides" if you so desire. It's been a must-stop for me when in their territory since I learned about them on this forum.
A lot of their locations are in areas (general location, not specific location) known for their cheaper commercial real estate (Appalachia, Mid-South). I wonder how the pricing model would change in areas where it averages above $18/SF.
They have several locations along I-95, off of exits with numerous other businesses. I don't know real estate costs in those areas, but those exits have a mix of various restaurants and stores you'll find off many interstate highway exits.
There's a local chain mainly in the northern and northwestern suburbs of Chicago called Brandy's. Subs, dogs, brats, gyros, etc. The quality is always good no matter which one you go to. I wish that could be experienced everywhere
Fred's Market, a local restaurant in the Tampa Bay Area with one location in East Central Florida should be shared in many markets.
Might it be a good thing for a good chain to remain local/regional? A reason to look forward to going there? Cuisine that's unique to that part of the country?
Quote from: kphoger on March 04, 2021, 10:11:54 AM
Might it be a good thing for a good chain to remain local/regional? A reason to look forward to going there? Cuisine that's unique to that part of the country?
Yes. Yes. And yes. (At least IMO.)
Quote from: webny99 on March 04, 2021, 03:22:23 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 04, 2021, 10:11:54 AM
Might it be a good thing for a good chain to remain local/regional? A reason to look forward to going there? Cuisine that's unique to that part of the country?
Yes. Yes. And yes. (At least IMO.)
Hence my continued complaints about Culver's national expansion.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 04, 2021, 03:29:09 PM
Quote from: webny99 on March 04, 2021, 03:22:23 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 04, 2021, 10:11:54 AM
Might it be a good thing for a good chain to remain local/regional? A reason to look forward to going there? Cuisine that's unique to that part of the country?
Yes. Yes. And yes. (At least IMO.)
Hence my continued complaints about Culver's national expansion.
Yeah, I was actually thinking about Culver's while composing my yeses. That's probably the best example I can think of. In the context of my own area, all I could immediately think of was a bunch of pizza chains, and that seemed kind of lame, so I decided to refrain from citing any examples. :-D
Taco Cabana, located in three Texas Metro Area markets. They only have one outside the SA area, Houston Galveston Megatropolis, and the DFW Metroplex. They could give Taco Bell some real competition if they expanded even to smaller Texas cities and towns outside the aforementioned metro areas let alone other states.
The Culver's that are around me are pretty good maybe it's because I'm in the home region of Culver's being the Great Lakes area. I've only been to one once outside of the Great Lakes area and it was in Florida, I didn't notice any difference really. I haven't tried them outside of the Great Lakes area though. I've ate there in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio other than the one stop I made in Florida.
A chain I'd love to see more of in Michigan and it should be possible is Portillo's. They have one in Sterling Heights and I've been there numerous times now. Love me a Chicago style Italian Beef.
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 16, 2023, 05:57:24 PM
A chain I'd love to see more of in Michigan and it should be possible is Portillo's. They have one in Sterling Heights and I've been there numerous times now. Love me a Chicago style Italian Beef.
In theory there's one coming to Livonia, but the construction's been delayed to the point that they recently had to ask Livonia for a one-year extension on the building permits. It will be on Middlebelt Road south of I-96.
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/2023/03/14/livonia-poised-to-green-light-delayed-portillos-restaurant/70008663007/
I would like to say "Carl's Jr", but... they flopped in the DFW market. I believe they opened up multiple locations in the DFW area in the mid-2010s, but could not complete, and most of the DFW locations closed down by the end of 2019, and the one in Plano had the building torn down. The closest locations to me are in Anna, Rockwall, South Dallas, and Hutchins. All four are attached to Loves gas stations, and are at least a 30 minute drive away for me. So, driving for the pile of sin known as the "Western Bacon Cheeseburger" is out of the question.
Yes, I know that Carl's Jr/Hardees is a national chain, but beyond a handful of locations, they don't exist.
Another local chain is "Jimboy's Tacos" which was founded in Northern California. There are two locations in North Texas, and both are in Fort Worth... an hour's drive away. I miss their enchiladas, but there are plenty of Mexican food places within a 15 minute drive of where I live.
I used to live on Carl, Jr.'s milkshakes when I lived in the Bay Area.
Then, I grew up a learned what real milkshakes were.
As for hamburgers, I like to go to either "Rodeo Goat" which is a eight-restaurant Texas chain or "Liberty Burger" which is a two-restaurant DFW chain. While a bit more expensive, their burgers are quite good.
Quote from: kphoger on February 23, 2021, 03:52:56 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on February 23, 2021, 03:45:51 PM
You have Braums in your area. They are good.
I was about to say I don't like crinkle-cut fries. Then I realized both Portillo's and White Castle have crinkle-cut fries, so I got nothin'...
Braum's is one of those chains that would do well outside of its area, but the reason it is so good is the beef and dairy/ice cream side since they have their own private herd for milk and beef, so I don't see how they could scale it up and keep the quality. My brother just returned to Seattle from visiting us in NWA, and the first thing he does when he leaves the XNA airport when he comes down is make a beeline to the nearest Braum's to get his fix since they aren't in Seattle and he lived in Tulsa, Little Rock, and Fort Smith before that.
The fries are probably my least favorite part of Braum's. I think they are undercooked and floppy and could stand another 3 minutes in the fryer to get a good glaze on the outside.
Braum's could expand and keep the same quality if they operated satellite farms spaced a day's drive from each other. That would have course be quite an expense, but it's not impossible (and would at least be partially offset by lower shipping costs). I know at one point (and maybe still) they had a second farm in Emporia, Kansas, so I'm not really sure why they didn't use that as a base to expand into Kansas City. With that model, though, there would still be parts of the country that are off-limits. I don't know that there's a suitable place for a dairy farm within a day's drive of, say, Salt Lake City, for instance.
I don't really agree with the idea of "local chains are better when they stay local because that makes them unique" at least when applied to Culver's and Braum's. Culver's and Braum's are not doing anything that wouldn't exist if they didn't expand there–Las Vegas has neither, for example, but you can still buy hamburgers and ice cream in Las Vegas. (I assume, anyway. I haven't ever tried to buy ice cream there.) Kingman AZ has a Culver's; does that make it feel like it's unique and special compared to Las Vegas? Nah, not really.
Quote from: roadman65 on August 16, 2023, 05:40:18 PM
Taco Cabana, located in three Texas Metro Area markets. They only have one outside the SA area, Houston Galveston Megatropolis, and the DFW Metroplex. They could give Taco Bell some real competition if they expanded even to smaller Texas cities and towns outside the aforementioned metro areas let alone other states.
I second this nomination. I was disappointed that they finally took the street tacos off their menu, but it's not like you can't get something similar on the menu.
Albuquerque has a half-dozen locations, but it's been a few years since I was in the city for any length of time.
I wish we had a lot of the Southern restaurant chains throughout the country such as Waffle House, Biscuitville, and Bojangles. The South has the best food. Here in the Philadelphia suburbs, we have most of the same bland national fast food chains, although we have gotten some chains expand into our area such as Raising Cane's.
Quote from: Dough4872 on August 18, 2023, 07:42:56 AM
I wish we had a lot of the Southern restaurant chains throughout the country such as Waffle House, Biscuitville, and Bojangles. The South has the best food. Here in the Philadelphia suburbs, we have most of the same bland national fast food chains, although we have gotten some chains expand into our area such as Raising Cane's.
I'm probably some kind of heretic in that I've never eaten at Tudor's Biscuit World.
I heard Rogers in North Idaho is good. I saw their four patty burger on their webpage and looks more than filling. A friend of mine ate at one in Twin Falls and was happy.
Cook Out needs to expand. They got great food for a really great price and awesome milkshakes.
From my trips up and down I-95, it does seem Cook Out is expanding its coverage.
My area (Columbia, SC) now has a whopping 5 Freddy's locations, and their newest location only 5 miles from my house. It appears from their website that they're aggressively expanding across the country, with locations stretching from California to New Jersey, most of the states in between, and as far north as Idaho and Minnesota. Their food seems to be ok, but I'm not sure if it's good enough to withstand the more established competition. Unless it's the frozen custard that's really the draw that's making all of the money for them.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 18, 2023, 01:19:05 PM
Quote from: Dough4872 on August 18, 2023, 07:42:56 AM
I wish we had a lot of the Southern restaurant chains throughout the country such as Waffle House, Biscuitville, and Bojangles. The South has the best food. Here in the Philadelphia suburbs, we have most of the same bland national fast food chains, although we have gotten some chains expand into our area such as Raising Cane's.
I'm probably some kind of heretic in that I've never eaten at Tudor's Biscuit World.
How :confused:
Quote from: Dough4872 on August 18, 2023, 07:42:56 AM
I wish we had a lot of the Southern restaurant chains throughout the country such as Waffle House, Biscuitville, and Bojangles. The South has the best food. Here in the Philadelphia suburbs, we have most of the same bland national fast food chains, although we have gotten some chains expand into our area such as Raising Cane's.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 18, 2023, 01:19:05 PM
I'm probably some kind of heretic in that I've never eaten at Tudor's Biscuit World.
I assure you that you will become best friends with your cardiologist if you ever start going to "Tudie's" on a regular basis (sometimes stylized by locals as "Toodie's"). The "Thundering Herd" biscuit has sausage, egg, hash brown patty and cheese.
Kidd Valley, a Seattle area small chain of currently four restaurants. Plus booths in some stadiums that operate when there's games.
They're cooked to-order so I guess they're stretching the definition of "fast food" a little. Good burgers and fries and onion rings and shakes.
Quote from: Dirt Roads on August 18, 2023, 09:17:52 PM
Quote from: Dough4872 on August 18, 2023, 07:42:56 AM
I wish we had a lot of the Southern restaurant chains throughout the country such as Waffle House, Biscuitville, and Bojangles. The South has the best food. Here in the Philadelphia suburbs, we have most of the same bland national fast food chains, although we have gotten some chains expand into our area such as Raising Cane's.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 18, 2023, 01:19:05 PM
I'm probably some kind of heretic in that I've never eaten at Tudor's Biscuit World.
I assure you that you will become best friends with your cardiologist if you ever start going to "Tudie's" on a regular basis (sometimes stylized by locals as "Toodie's"). The "Thundering Herd" biscuit has sausage, egg, hash brown patty and cheese.
Oh, that sounds good, but you're right, in very limited quantity. I've been to Maple Street Biscuit Company in the South; the food is good but I was a bit shocked at the high price of the meal last time I was in there. There's also Pine State Biscuits, a small Portland OR chain that also has one outlet in Reno, and they are outstanding.
A true Mexican taqueria, not "Tex Mex", that I recommend highly is Roberto's Taco Shop (https://robertostacoshop.com/). They are in only three metro areas: Las Vegas (about 50 locations in the Las Vegas Valley), San Diego County and Reno/Sparks/Carson City. Their carne asada is excellent. They are 24 hours, and a 4 a.m. breakfast burrito will sustain me for a cross-country flight or whatever else I'm doing for most of the day. I don't know that I wish that Roberto's specifically were nationwide, but I'd like to have a list of good 24 hour Mexican/Tex Mex places in as many areas as I can get it. From posts above it sounds like Taco Cabana qualifies, if those are all 24 hours.
Quote from: roadman65 on August 16, 2023, 05:40:18 PM
Taco Cabana, located in three Texas Metro Area markets. They only have one outside the SA area, Houston Galveston Megatropolis, and the DFW Metroplex. They could give Taco Bell some real competition if they expanded even to smaller Texas cities and towns outside the aforementioned metro areas let alone other states.
There was a Taco Cabana in Norman for a few years but it eventually folded and is now a used car dealership.
Quote from: gonealookin on August 19, 2023, 12:52:44 AM
A true Mexican taqueria, not "Tex Mex", that I recommend highly is Roberto's Taco Shop (https://robertostacoshop.com/). They are in only three metro areas: Las Vegas (about 50 locations in the Las Vegas Valley), San Diego County and Reno/Sparks/Carson City. Their carne asada is excellent. They are 24 hours, and a 4 a.m. breakfast burrito will sustain me for a cross-country flight or whatever else I'm doing for most of the day. I don't know that I wish that Roberto's specifically were nationwide, but I'd like to have a list of good 24 hour Mexican/Tex Mex places in as many areas as I can get it. From posts above it sounds like Taco Cabana qualifies, if those are all 24 hours.
We hit up Roberto's last time we were in Las Vegas. It's fucking amazing. Cheap, good, and 24 hours? Hell yes. The only way it could be better is if they had queso dip in the style that Mexican restaurants in OK/TX serve. But it's become a recurring thing for me and my wife to mention when we get the munchies at three AM, "Man, if we lived in Las Vegas, we could get Roberto's right now..."
I would like to bring up a few chains, mostly isolated to the Midwest.
The first is Monical's. It's the only chain pizza place in my memory that has decent Chicago tavern-cut pizza, with an extremely thin crust and slices into squares. It might even be St. Louis style, who knows, but the only pizza chains that are everywhere serve "pizza", with soft slices that don't hold up under toppings. I believe tavern-cut thin-style pizza to be the best there is, and Monical's is literally the only chain I know that does it.
The second is Happy Joe's in Iowa. They make good pizza (although not of the tavern variety), and their rueben pizza is the best pizza I've ever had cold.
White Castle would be nice, mainly because it's cheap stoner food, and I like cheap food. I feel like people outside of the markets it serves are missing out on buying a crave-case and eating it with their friends.
Taco John's should be everywhere because it is Taco Bell but the food actually tastes good.
Finally, the best chicken I've ever had is Charley Bigg's Chicken and Sauce, the example being out of an Acee's gas station in Goreville, Illinois. I wish they were more prevalent, because I haven't seen them anywhere else. Google Maps says there's one location in Oshkosh, and a ton in Indianapolis, but that's it.
Happy Joe's locations are sporadic, mostly in eastern Iowa and western Illinois with a few other scattered locations mostly in the midwest. Heyday was around 1980 when they had a lot more locations. But they are looking to expand internationally to the Middle East.
Watching the Denver Broncos home game on NFL Network, and I see the Denver home broadcast has Culver's as a sponsor.
Quote from: Big John on August 26, 2023, 10:29:48 PM
Watching the Denver Broncos home game on NFL Network, and I see the Denver home broadcast has Culver's as a sponsor.
I consider Culver's to be national now. Strong presences in the Four Corners states, and Florida now has the third-most locations behind Wisconsin and Illinois.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 26, 2023, 10:53:16 PM
Quote from: Big John on August 26, 2023, 10:29:48 PM
Watching the Denver Broncos home game on NFL Network, and I see the Denver home broadcast has Culver's as a sponsor.
I consider Culver's to be national now. Strong presences in the Four Corners states, and Florida now has the third-most locations behind Wisconsin and Illinois.
https://www.culvers.com/locator/view-all-locations (https://www.culvers.com/locator/view-all-locations)
Missing the both the northeast and the Pacific coast, I think Culver's still has a way to go to be national. From where I am, it's probably a few hundred miles to the nearest Culver's. I've been to a few and wish there was one closer.
Quote from: dlsterner on August 27, 2023, 11:34:41 AMhttps://www.culvers.com/locator/view-all-locations (https://www.culvers.com/locator/view-all-locations)
Missing the both the northeast and the Pacific coast, I think Culver's still has a way to go to be national. From where I am, it's probably a few hundred miles to the nearest Culver's. I've been to a few and wish there was one closer.
I put Culvers in the same category as Carl's Jr... they may serve good food (Culvers is better than Carl's Jr), but I don't think it's really worth a 30-45 minute drive from where I live. Same with Jimboy's Tacos here in DFW.
In Canada, I wish there was a good competitor to Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons effectively wiped out the chains that were there before (Coffee Time, Country Style) and Dunkin' Donuts wasn't able to compete with Tim's.
The reason is that Tim's is very mediocre and I believe that has to do with the fact that they have little competition in their field.
McDonald's Canada has indeed taken away some market share from Tim's in coffee in recent years, but other things like donuts, pastries and sandwiches, there isn't really a big competitor.
7-Eleven
To answer the thread's question though, I wish there were more 7-Eleven in eastern Canada. 7-Elevens here generally have the cheapest gas prices.
In Canada, most of 7-Eleven's market share is in the West. In the east, most convenience store market share is taken by Couche-Tard (which owns the Circle K brand).
It's kind of funny, when you drive in Western NY, you can find 7-Elevens almost anywhere, but the moment you cross the border, you have to put in effort to search for 7-Eleven if you wanted to visit one.
E.g.: Niagara Falls, NY: 10 7-Elevens. Niagara Falls, ON: 2 7-Elevens.
Looks like I'm not gonna have to travel to Jacksonville or Atlanta to get Whataburger for very much longer. They are now planning two in the Columbia, SC area. One was previously announced for Irmo (northwest suburb), and today they announced one for Red Bank, which is south of Lexington (western suburb), and less than 15 minutes from my house!!! :bigass: 🍔
White Castle and Krystals they are big in some parts of the country but not known in California.
Only had a Krystal on Bourbon Street in NOLA. It's, well, White Castle.
Quote from: bing101 on October 18, 2023, 10:50:27 PM
White Castle and Krystals they are big in some parts of the country but not known in California.
It'd be nice if they weren't known anywhere.
I've only been to White Castle twice.
The first time was in 2003. A young lady and I had met online a couple of months earlier, and I was on my way to see her in person for the first time. A friend from work and I went and bought some flowers and a vase to put them in, and some vodka and cranberry juice to take back to my apartment and drink before I headed out. After four drinks, I had him drop me off at the Metra station in Wheaton, IL. I took Metra to Oak Park, transferred to the Green Line L, then transferred to the Blue Line at Clark/Lake, got out at Clinton, and walked to the Greyhound station. My bus left Chicago at 1 AM and got to Saint Louis a few hours later. Back in those days, the Greyhound station was (https://maps.app.goo.gl/r3eTSqdxGcanT3tj6) at 13th & Cass (https://maps.app.goo.gl/U14152Xu3PqjtsPn7), which I now know isn't exactly the best neighborhood to be in at 4:30 in the morning. Not knowing that at the time, I walked out of the station in the pre-dawn darkness with my suitcase and vase of flowers, looking to see where I could grab some breakfast before transferring to my next bus to Springfield, MO. A homeless man spotted me and quickly hobbled across the deserted street to me. 'What are you doing out here at this time of night?' he exclaimed. He pointed down the street a block or two. 'See those boys down there? Those are my nephews, and I can tell you, they're up to no good.' He offered me protection to and from the 24-hour White Castle (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dnPMfVoGzZ7179Bb6) a mile up the road, in exchange for my buying him breakfast there. So we walked up there together, had breakfast, and then headed back to the bus station. I don't remember the breakfast food there being noteworthy in any way—neither very good nor very bad. It was just... well, it was breakfast. By the time of our return, dawn was breaking, but I still had an hour or so before my next bus. In my boredom waiting, I went outside again to stretch my legs and get some sunlight. Apparently, word of my breakfast run had spread around the neighborhood, and a man approached me and asked if I would mind accompanying him to the store to buy him a few grocery items, because he couldn't afford it. So I did. On the way back, some young ladies asked if I would mind going with them to the thrift store and buying some secondhand clothes for their kids. It could see things were getting rather out of hand at that point, and my bus would be arriving soon, so I declined and headed back to the station. When I arrived at Springfield, my lady was waiting for me in her car at the bus station, which at that time was (https://maps.app.goo.gl/BeRLLLAsd5aq7moXA) on E. Kearney (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nNp9ZGpJbvUwBnuX9). It was in the parking lot there that she and I first laid eyes on each other. We've now been married for 17½ years and have three sons.
The second time was just some random day when she and I had my daughter (from a previous relationship) for the week-end, and we grabbed lunch at the White Castle at North Ave. and Gary Ave. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/wufZjNFq6sJ5TA3n6) in Carol Stream, IL. That was the first time I'd ever had their sliders. I remember them tasting rather different, seeming rather cheaply produced, but otherwise not bad. They weren't exactly my favorite burger, but also not something that deserved the amount of disdain some people seemed to have for them. They were just cheap burgers with a distinctive flavor.
Regarding White Castle, my dad and I had gone to a White Sox game in Chicago. We had got a hotel in a rather seedy area in Lansing, IL not MI and I was kind of hungry it was around midnight and I was like let's go to the Denny's up in Cal City right by IL-83 and US-6. This was in 2011-2012ish and I thought all Denny's were open 24 hours, well this one closes at midnight so I thought there about to close I'm not going to try to eat here right now. Right after I decided against going to Denny's I spotted a White Castle and thought ok I'll try this. It was the first time I had ever ate at a White Castle and to date is the last time I ate at one as well. I thought the sliders tasted like an overwhelming taste of onions and not much else and I didn't like it but settled on it since I was tired, hungry and just wanted to go back to my hotel.
Also word of advice in that area, don't ever stay at any of the cheap hotels at the Torrance Avenue exit. I know the Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn are pretty bad.
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 20, 2023, 11:14:44 AM
I thought the sliders tasted like an overwhelming taste of onions and not much else
Probably why I didn't mind them. I love, love, love onions.
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 20, 2023, 11:14:44 AM
Regarding White Castle, my dad and I had gone to a White Sox game in Chicago. We had got a hotel in a rather seedy area in Lansing, IL not MI and I was kind of hungry it was around midnight and I was like let's go to the Denny's up in Cal City right by IL-83 and US-6. This was in 2011-2012ish and I thought all Denny's were open 24 hours, well this one closes at midnight so I thought there about to close I'm not going to try to eat here right now. Right after I decided against going to Denny's I spotted a White Castle and thought ok I'll try this. It was the first time I had ever ate at a White Castle and to date is the last time I ate at one as well. I thought the sliders tasted like an overwhelming taste of onions and not much else and I didn't like it but settled on it since I was tired, hungry and just wanted to go back to my hotel.
Also word of advice in that area, don't ever stay at any of the cheap hotels at the Torrance Avenue exit. I know the Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn are pretty bad.
The late 2000s-early 2010s downturn was the beginning of the end for a lot of businesses being 24-hour. By the mid-2010s many were back to 24H but as the late 2010s pressed on it began to decline again as the oversupplied Millennial labor market became less oversupplied. Then COVID.
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 20, 2023, 11:14:44 AM
Regarding White Castle, my dad and I had gone to a White Sox game in Chicago. We had got a hotel in a rather seedy area in Lansing, IL not MI and I was kind of hungry it was around midnight and I was like let's go to the Denny's up in Cal City right by IL-83 and US-6. This was in 2011-2012ish and I thought all Denny's were open 24 hours, well this one closes at midnight so I thought there about to close I'm not going to try to eat here right now. Right after I decided against going to Denny's I spotted a White Castle and thought ok I'll try this. It was the first time I had ever ate at a White Castle and to date is the last time I ate at one as well. I thought the sliders tasted like an overwhelming taste of onions and not much else and I didn't like it but settled on it since I was tired, hungry and just wanted to go back to my hotel.
Also word of advice in that area, don't ever stay at any of the cheap hotels at the Torrance Avenue exit. I know the Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn are pretty bad.
That area is about 2 miles from my house.
Having read all of the posts (and hungry as a result since it's near my dinnertime) -
I would say Five Guys and Mission BBQ.
And both for similar reasons -- they offer vinegar as a condiment. Vinegar as a dip for pulled pork or pulled chicken in the case of Mission BBQ. Malt vinegar for fries in the case of Five Guys. I fell in love with that when in the UK.
Now yes, I have bought malt vinegar in the past for home consumption. It took us at least 10 years to go through the bottle, since it was only used when we made fries at home.
I'm married, and my wife likes both places also -- but I will say that being married does provide a built-in incentive to eat somewhat healthy, and also to not do take-out all the time in order to save money, and as a result these places are not frequented as often by us together as I probably would do if I were still single, but I will heartily partake (and spend accordingly) when we do decide to go.
=====================
I have had In-N-Out burgers on two occasions when in San Diego. I thought they were good. I don't remember much else about the experience. Not sure if I had their shakes.