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Non-Road Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: hbelkins on June 26, 2020, 06:37:17 PM

Title: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: hbelkins on June 26, 2020, 06:37:17 PM
How do you rate two (or more) similar businesses?

Obvious one for me is Sheetz > Wawa.

Also, Raising Cane's > Zaxby's.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: US71 on June 26, 2020, 06:52:35 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 26, 2020, 06:37:17 PM
How do you rate two (or more) similar businesses?

Obvious one for me is Sheetz > Wawa.

Also, Raising Cane's > Zaxby's.

I prefer Cain's to Zaxby's.  I have no personal data on Wawa or Sheetz
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Bruce on June 26, 2020, 07:13:28 PM
Fried chicken: Ezell's > Popeye > KFC > Chick-fil-A

Burgers: Dick's > Wendy's > Jack in the Box > Burger King > McDonald's
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on June 26, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
Burgers: Wendy's > 5 guys > Culver's > McDonald's > Dairy Queen > Burger King > Hardee's > White Castle
Chicken: Chick-fil-A > KFC > Popeye's
General Fast food: Rally's/Checkers > Sonic > Arby's
Big Box Retail: Meijer > Target > Wal-Mart > Kohl's
Big Box Hardware: Menard's > Lowe's > Home Depot
Drugstores: Walgreen's > CVS
Gas Stations: Speedway > Shell > BP
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Rothman on June 26, 2020, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on June 26, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
Burgers: Wendy's > 5 guys > Culver's > McDonald's > Dairy Queen > Burger King > Hardee's > White Castle
Chicken: Chick-fil-A > KFC > Popeye's
General Fast food: Rally's/Checkers > Sonic > Arby's
Big Box Retail: Meijer > Target > Wal-Mart > Kohl's
Big Box Hardware: Menard's > Lowe's > Home Depot
Drugstores: Walgreen's > CVS
Gas Stations: Speedway > Shell > BP
Wrong.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: webny99 on June 27, 2020, 12:14:37 AM
Quote from: Rothman on June 26, 2020, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on June 26, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
[big long list spanning multiple industries]
Wrong.

:eyebrow:

That's me, trying to decide if this is the Most Dismissive Post of All Time ™. Tough choice, but you own it either way (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26942.msg2502628#msg2502628).
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on June 27, 2020, 04:52:50 AM
Burgers: Culver's > Freddy's > Wendy's > Hardee's > White Castle > McDonald's > Carl's Jr. > a toilet seat with cheese and ketchup > Burger King

Pizza: Pizza Hut > Domino's > a rubber tire with marinara > Papa John's

Chicken: Popeyes > KFC > CFA

Others: Taco Bell > Arby's > Taco John's

Diners: Cracker Barrel > Perkins > Denny's > IHOP
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Scott5114 on June 27, 2020, 05:04:29 AM
Quote from: webny99 on June 27, 2020, 12:14:37 AM
Quote from: Rothman on June 26, 2020, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on June 26, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
[big long list spanning multiple industries]
Wrong.

:eyebrow:

That's me, trying to decide if this is the Most Dismissive Post of All Time ™. Tough choice, but you own it either way (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26942.msg2502628#msg2502628).

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=7519.msg169933#msg169933
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: CoreySamson on June 27, 2020, 12:18:53 PM
Chicken: Popeyes > Chick-Fil-A > Canes > KFC > Chicken Express

The top three in Chicken are really close, but Popeyes sandwich and spicy chicken give it the win.

Burgers: Whataburger > InNOut > Five Guys > Sonic >  Carl's Jr. > Wendy's > Jack In The Box > McDonalds > Burger King > Dairy Queen

Other: Arby's > Dairy Queen > Taco Bell > Taco Cabana

Gas Stations: Buc-ee's > everyone else
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: webny99 on June 27, 2020, 01:29:44 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on June 27, 2020, 05:04:29 AM
Quote from: webny99 on June 27, 2020, 12:14:37 AM
Quote from: Rothman on June 26, 2020, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on June 26, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
[big long list spanning multiple industries]
Wrong.
:eyebrow:
That's me, trying to decide if this is the Most Dismissive Post of All Time ™. Tough choice, but you own it either way (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26942.msg2502628#msg2502628).

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=7519.msg169933#msg169933

That's another good one, although it would be better if it was more clear what, exactly, was being yawned at: the thread? life? the preceding post?
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Scott5114 on June 27, 2020, 01:43:45 PM
Quote from: webny99 on June 27, 2020, 01:29:44 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on June 27, 2020, 05:04:29 AM
Quote from: webny99 on June 27, 2020, 12:14:37 AM
Quote from: Rothman on June 26, 2020, 11:59:24 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on June 26, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
[big long list spanning multiple industries]
Wrong.
:eyebrow:
That's me, trying to decide if this is the Most Dismissive Post of All Time ™. Tough choice, but you own it either way (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26942.msg2502628#msg2502628).

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=7519.msg169933#msg169933

That's another good one, although it would be better if it was more clear what, exactly, was being yawned at: the thread? life? the preceding post?

Given the frequency of NE2's "yawn" posts (of which this is the oldest extant example), it'd be safe to assume "all of the above", thus making it the most dismissive post on the forum.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: ftballfan on June 27, 2020, 02:56:53 PM
Burgers: Culver's > A&W > Dairy Queen (Brazier/Grill and Chill locations) > Steak n' Shake > Wendy's > Checkers > McDonalds > Burger King
Chicken: Chick-fil-A > Raising Cane's > KFC > Popeye's
Pizza: Jet's > Papa John's > Pizza Hut > Domino's
Other fast food: Arby's > Taco Bell > Sonic
Big box: Meijer > Target > Walmart
Gas stations: Wesco (regional chain in western Michigan) > Circle K > Speedway
Drug stores: Walgreens > CVS > Rite Aid (yes, Rite Aid is still around in Michigan)
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: SectorZ on June 27, 2020, 04:55:07 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 26, 2020, 06:37:17 PM
How do you rate two (or more) similar businesses?

Obvious one for me is Sheetz > Wawa.

Also, Raising Cane's > Zaxby's.

HB, wanna wager? How long before Sheetz is forced to change its name because 2020...

Also, Wawa is better.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: hbelkins on June 27, 2020, 06:19:23 PM
I can't really compare big-box home improvement stores, because we only have Lowe's in my area. Home Depot isn't as common, and Menards isn't in this region.

As for big grocery chains, Kroger really has no competition around here. I'm just outside Food City territory, and IGA is a network of independent stores, not a chain. And I know everyone loves Wegman's, but I've never been in one.

I purposely didn't get into the burger wars, because I consider Five Guys/Culver's/Smashburger/Freddy's/CookOut and McDonald's/Wendy's/Burger King to be on two different levels.

As for chicken, it's Lee's Famous Recipe > Chick-Fil-A > KFC > Bojangle's. I'm not a fan of cajun spices so I don't do Popeye's. For fish, Long John Silver's > Captain D's.

For me, big-box general merchandise retailers is Walmart > Meijer > Target. If Kmart was still around and in its prime, I'd probably rank it above Target.

For general-merchandise dollar stores, Dollar General > Family Dollar. (Partly because of familiarity; we've had DG in my area since I can remember since it was founded in Kentucky. For "$1 only" stores, Dollar Tree > everyone else.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: US71 on June 27, 2020, 06:28:08 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 27, 2020, 06:19:23 PM

I purposely didn't get into the burger wars, because I consider Five Guys/Culver's/Smashburger/Freddy's/CookOut and McDonald's/Wendy's/Burger King to be on two different levels.

We have a small chain around here "Butcher Boy" which I find better that 5 Guys.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: ilpt4u on June 27, 2020, 06:35:18 PM
Burgers: Portillo's, then all the rest of the standard Fast Food, it is kinda Meh. Maybe Culver's and Five Guys as a 2nd and 3rd before heading down to Wendys, Hardees, McDonalds, and Burger King land

I do miss Meijer. I really am not a fan of Wal-Mart...

Popeye's is way better than KFC for some fried chicken

Casey's = 7-Eleven for Conveinence Stores. I really think Casey's is the 7-Eleven of the Rural Midwest

Kroger > Schnuck's for Grocery Store. When I lived up in Peoria, I thought Hy-Vee > Kroger. When still up in Chicagoland, Jewel >>> (all other grocery competition)

Pizza Hut > Papa John's > Dominos
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: US71 on June 27, 2020, 06:39:03 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on June 27, 2020, 06:35:18 PM
Burgers: Portillo's, then all the rest of the standard Fast Food, it is kinda Meh. Maybe Culver's and Five Guys as a 2nd and 3rd before heading down to Wendys, Hardees, McDonalds, and Burger King land

I do miss Meijer. I really am not a fan of Wal-Mart...

Popeye's is way better than KFC for some fried chicken

Casey's = 7-Eleven for Conveinence Stores. I really think Casey's is the 7-Eleven of the Rural Midwest

Kroger > Schnuck's for Grocery Store

7-Eleven's around here were never that great: tiny, dirty. After Kum & Go took them over, there wasn't much change. Casey's has them beat, IMO.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: bing101 on June 27, 2020, 06:52:41 PM
In-N-out> MacDonalds for California.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Big John on June 27, 2020, 08:21:47 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on June 27, 2020, 04:52:50 AM
Burgers: Culver's > Freddy's > Wendy's > Hardee's > White Castle > McDonald's > Carl's Jr. > a toilet seat with cheese and ketchup > Burger King

Isn't Carl's Jr and Hardee's the same outfit?
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: ilpt4u on June 27, 2020, 10:10:32 PM
Quote from: Big John on June 27, 2020, 08:21:47 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on June 27, 2020, 04:52:50 AM
Burgers: Culver's > Freddy's > Wendy's > Hardee's > White Castle > McDonald's > Carl's Jr. > a toilet seat with cheese and ketchup > Burger King

Isn't Carl's Jr and Hardee's the same outfit?
They split about 2 years ago. They were the same outfit for a while, tho

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/06/19/hardees-carls-jr-split-fast-food-shakeup/715586002/

I will clarify, they still are owned by the same company, but that company decided to separate the 2 Brands into distinct restaurants, whereas for awhile, they were ran and marketed as the same establishment and menu with 2 different Brand Names
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on June 27, 2020, 11:42:35 PM
I ate at Carl's for the first time this week. Their menu is somewhat different and I found it to be an inferior version.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: dlsterner on June 27, 2020, 11:50:11 PM
Just my humble (or not so humble) opinion ...

Burgers ("Fast food"): Hardee's > Wendy's > Burger King > McDonald's > White Castle
Burgers ("Not-quite-as-fast food"): Fuddruckers > Five Guys > Smash Burger > Steak 'n' Shake  (as a general rule these are superior to the "fast" list)
   (Only been to In 'n' Out twice, Culver's once, Cook Out once, so they grade "Incomplete")
   (Also been many decades since being in Whataburger territory)
   (McDonald's does much better when ranking French Fries - although too bad that they dropped the beef tallow years ago)
Chicken:  Zaxby's > Chik-Fil-A > Popeyes > Bojangles >> KFC
   (Heard good things about Cane's, but none in my area)
Roast Beef:  Baltimore style Pit Beef (e.g. Chaps, the Canopy) > Roy Rogers >> Arby's
Subs: Quiznos > Jersey Mike's > Potbelly > Jimmy Johns >> Subway

Grocery stores: Wegman's > Harris Teeter > [most of the others] > Aldi
Big Box Department:  Target > Walmart

(Edited:  Forgot about Smash Burger)
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: RobbieL2415 on June 28, 2020, 12:46:43 AM
Italian (excluding pizza-exclusive joints): Carrabbas > Bertucci's > Olive Garden > Uno

Pizza joints: Frank Pepe > Domino's >  Pizza Hut > California Pizza Kitchen > Premio > Sbarro (its like cardboard with sauce)

Casual American: Wood n' Tap (a chain exclusive to the Hartford area) > Ruby Tuesday > Red Robin > Friendly's > TGI Fridays > Applebees

Traditional fast food: Burger King > Wendy's > Chick Fil A > Dunkin Donuts > Sonic > Subway > McDonald's

Upcharge fast food: Panera > Chipotle > Five Guys > Noodles and Company (I can make better pasta at home) > SmashBurger

Upscale American: Bonefish Grill > Smokey Bones > Longhorn Steakhouse
__

General retail: Amazon > Target > KMart > Walmart

Department store: Penny's > Macy's (Filene's) > Kohl's > Sears

Auto parts: RockAuto > eEuroParts > Advance Auto Parts > Autozone > O'Reilly > NAPA

Grocers: Wegmans > Stop & Shop > Geissler's Big Y > Price Chopper > Shop Rite

Electronics: CompUSA* > Best Buy > Circuit City*
* No longer exist but were subjectively better back in the day. All three did coexist for a time.

Convenience stores: CVS > Walgreens > Rite Aid

Fueling stations (not including stores): Cumbys > Citgo > Shell > Valero > Gulf > Mobil > Sunoco

Fueling station stores: Wawa > Cumbys > Xtramart
__

State service plazas, overall: DE, NY, CT, MA, NJ

Architecture, design and layout: same

Services offered, variety: NJ, CT, DE, NY, MA

Cleanliness: CT, DE, NY, MA, NJ

Nostalgia: NY, MA, NJ, CT, DE 
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: ilpt4u on June 28, 2020, 01:42:37 PM
Quote from: US71 on June 27, 2020, 06:39:03 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on June 27, 2020, 06:35:18 PM
Casey's = 7-Eleven for Conveinence Stores. I really think Casey's is the 7-Eleven of the Rural Midwest

7-Eleven's around here were never that great: tiny, dirty. After Kum & Go took them over, there wasn't much change. Casey's has them beat, IMO.
Part of my thought is that 7-Eleven is kinda the "default" in some urban areas, and Casey's certainly is in some rural areas

Personally I usually liked most 7-Eleven's I've been to up in Chicagoland, both City and Suburbs
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: kphoger on June 29, 2020, 01:54:53 PM
Lowe's = Home Depot
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Takumi on June 29, 2020, 09:35:30 PM
Sheetz for food, Wawa for coffee.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Roadrunner75 on June 29, 2020, 11:16:13 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2020, 01:54:53 PM
Lowe's = Home Depot
Pretty much.  They're interchangeable to me.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: RobbieL2415 on June 30, 2020, 12:05:32 AM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on June 29, 2020, 11:16:13 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2020, 01:54:53 PM
Lowe's = Home Depot
Pretty much.  They're interchangeable to me.
Except Lowe's doesn't have an automotive section.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Roadrunner75 on June 30, 2020, 12:33:30 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on June 30, 2020, 12:05:32 AM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on June 29, 2020, 11:16:13 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2020, 01:54:53 PM
Lowe's = Home Depot
Pretty much.  They're interchangeable to me.
Except Lowe's doesn't have an automotive section.
Home Depot has an automotive section?  The only thing I recall from either place is maybe a small section of an aisle with a few automotive things like oil and a few other car related products.  Much less than my local Walmart would have, and maybe about even with Target.  Maybe that differs elsewhere in the country.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: ilpt4u on June 30, 2020, 02:34:00 PM
Quote from: Roadrunner75 on June 29, 2020, 11:16:13 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2020, 01:54:53 PM
Lowe's = Home Depot
Pretty much.  They're interchangeable to me.
At least Menards usually has an actual, onsite lumber yard
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on June 30, 2020, 02:51:37 PM
Menards has full-fledged grocery sections at some of its stores. I guess enough construction employees need the convenience of grabbing a frozen pizza or a milk jug since they're there already?
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: roadman65 on June 30, 2020, 03:43:26 PM
Walgreens sells tobacco products, CVS does not.

Racetrac: Fresh Brewed Coffee   Wawa:  Brewed constantly but not per cup.

Walmart: Everywhere  Kmart:  No place anymore.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: CoreySamson on January 08, 2021, 08:10:42 PM
Reviving this thread cause some of my tastes have changed. Here are my new comparisons (of all that I've tried):

Chicken Sandwich: Sonic > Popeye's > Chick-Fil-A > Cane's

Chicken Wings: WingStop >>> Buffalo Wild Wings

Chicken Tenders: Popeye's > Cane's > Chicken Express > Arby's

Chicken Nuggets/Popcorn Chicken: McDonald's > KFC > Wendy's > Burger King

Hamburgers: Whataburger > In-N-Out > Sonic > Five Guys > Jack In The Box = Carl's Jr. > McDonald's > Wendy's > Chili's > Burger King > Dairy Queen

Sub Sandwiches: Firehouse Subs > Subway

General Unique Drinks (Smoothies, Slushes, etc.): Sonic > Buc-ee's > Smoothie King

Breakfast: IHOP > McDonald's > Denny's

Mexican/Tex-Mex: Dairy Queen = Taco Bell > Taco Cabana

Megastores: HEB > Walmart = Kroger = Target

Other Sandwiches: Arby's > Dairy Queen > Sonic

Gas Stations: Buc-ee's >>> others
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Takumi on January 09, 2021, 08:31:41 PM
Since this thread has been bumped, I'll update my opinions a bit.

Drugstores: all about the same

Tires: Bridgestone > everyone else. (Full disclosure: I work for Bridgestone)

Sandwiches: boring and overrated

General stores: Target > Walmart
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Scott5114 on January 10, 2021, 03:46:32 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on January 08, 2021, 08:10:42 PM
Chicken Sandwich: Sonic > Popeye's > Chick-Fil-A > Cane's

Either your Sonic has something ours doesn't, or you're crazy. Sonic's chicken sandwich is unremarkably average. I rate it below even Burger King's.

Jack in the Box has a new chicken sandwich that is a clear attempt at aping the Popeye's. It's a perfectly serviceable replacement for me, because I rarely want to go all the way up to I-240 and Sooner for the real thing.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Bruce on January 10, 2021, 04:03:03 AM
In terms of outdoor gear: REI > all others
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 09:57:08 AM
Quote from: Bruce on January 10, 2021, 04:03:03 AM
In terms of outdoor gear: REI > all others
Eh, depends on what you're buying.  Heavy-duty backpacking, probably.  But, people over prepare for dinky dayhikes or simple overnighters all the time (well...yuppies, anyway).
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Flint1979 on January 10, 2021, 10:08:14 AM
Tony's > everyone.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: wanderer2575 on January 10, 2021, 10:35:08 AM
Like so much else in life, it's not just about the food but also the experience.  Example:  The first time I went to a Steak 'n Shake was some small city in Georgia maybe ten years ago when Mrs. wanderer and I road-tripped to Atlanta.  The food was good, but what really struck me was the vibe of the place:  Very alive and very engaged waitstaff.  We mentioned to our waitress that it was our first time at a SnS, and the next thing we knew the store manager was at our table and engaging in a long conversation with us.  Mind you, the place was packed at the time but he gave us his time and attention. 

We've dined a few times at a Steak 'n Shake near us in Livonia MI.  I suppose the food quality is the same but there's no vibe and they seem perpetually understaffed.  Last time we were there a couple years ago, we received the absolute minimum of attention and our food was all but thrown at us.  We're not going back there.  But I'll make a point of stopping at a Steak 'n Shake next time we are down South.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Big John on January 10, 2021, 10:58:21 AM
Quote from: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 09:57:08 AM
]Eh, depends on what you're buying.  Heavy-duty backpacking, probably.  But, people over prepare for dinky dayhikes or simple overnighters all the time (well...yuppies, anyway).
Haven't heard of yuppies since 1984.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: US 89 on January 10, 2021, 11:20:05 AM
Quote from: wanderer2575 on January 10, 2021, 10:35:08 AM
Like so much else in life, it's not just about the food but also the experience.  Example:  The first time I went to a Steak 'n Shake was some small city in Georgia maybe ten years ago when Mrs. wanderer and I road-tripped to Atlanta.  The food was good, but what really struck me was the vibe of the place:  Very alive and very engaged waitstaff.  We mentioned to our waitress that it was our first time at a SnS, and the next thing we knew the store manager was at our table and engaging in a long conversation with us.  Mind you, the place was packed at the time but he gave us his time and attention. 

We've dined a few times at a Steak 'n Shake near us in Livonia MI.  I suppose the food quality is the same but there's no vibe and they seem perpetually understaffed.  Last time we were there a couple years ago, we received the absolute minimum of attention and our food was all but thrown at us.  We're not going back there.  But I'll make a point of stopping at a Steak 'n Shake next time we are down South.

Heh. I haven't been to a Steak 'n Shake in two years because I had such a bad experience with one in Atlanta. It took upwards of 20 minutes for the waiter to even come to our table, and then it took them probably 40 minutes to make our food. And we were the only ones in the whole restaurant.

Maybe I'll try them again at some point in the future, but I'm definitely not going to the one on Northside at Paces Ferry.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 11:23:58 AM
I'm sad about the apparent decline of Steak 'n Shake.  It was a favorite stop of our family's when on vacation -- even up to just a few years ago.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Flint1979 on January 10, 2021, 05:13:31 PM
Has Steak N Shake gone downhill that much? I haven't ate at one in awhile and thought they were pretty good and I'd stop at one if I saw one and was hungry.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: US71 on January 10, 2021, 06:18:45 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 10, 2021, 05:13:31 PM
Has Steak N Shake gone downhill that much? I haven't ate at one in awhile and thought they were pretty good and I'd stop at one if I saw one and was hungry.

Varies location to location, but overall they're not a good as they used to be,
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: SectorZ on January 10, 2021, 06:26:40 PM
I know the former in my comparison is damn near extinct, but...

Bickford's > IHOP or Denny's
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 06:29:56 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on January 10, 2021, 06:26:40 PM
I know the former in my comparison is damn near extinct, but...

Bickford's > IHOP or Denny's
I agree.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Takumi on January 10, 2021, 06:53:46 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 11:23:58 AM
I'm sad about the apparent decline of Steak 'n Shake.  It was a favorite stop of our family's when on vacation -- even up to just a few years ago.
When one opened up here a few years ago, the first few days there were extremely long lines to eat there. What awaited us was small portions of mediocre food. It closed within two years. At first it said "closed for renovation"  but one day all the signs had disappeared. It's now a Taco Bell.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: US71 on January 10, 2021, 07:43:34 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 06:29:56 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on January 10, 2021, 06:26:40 PM
I know the former in my comparison is damn near extinct, but...

Bickford's > IHOP or Denny's
I agree.

Never heard of Bickfords

IHOP > Denny's (at least for breakfast)

Either one >> Waffle House /Huddle House
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: CoreySamson on January 10, 2021, 09:20:49 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 10, 2021, 03:46:32 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on January 08, 2021, 08:10:42 PM
Chicken Sandwich: Sonic > Popeye's > Chick-Fil-A > Cane's

Either your Sonic has something ours doesn't, or you're crazy. Sonic's chicken sandwich is unremarkably average. I rate it below even Burger King's.

Jack in the Box has a new chicken sandwich that is a clear attempt at aping the Popeye's. It's a perfectly serviceable replacement for me, because I rarely want to go all the way up to I-240 and Sooner for the real thing.
I am basing my ranking off the chicken slinger (which is a bit smaller than a normal chicken sandwich), but I see no reason that the normal one would be much different. I had it at two different local Sonics which indicates to me that it isn't just a fluke item that one restaurant happens to get down really well. The chicken both times had the right combination of crunch and meat, plus the ranch and pickles that come on it compliment it nicely.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 10, 2021, 09:47:24 PM
Fast food joints usually have several different chicken patties depending on the type of sandwich (value, full-size, spicy, etc.). The chicken Wendy's uses for breakfast is completely inferior to the lunch/dinner one.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: kurumi on January 10, 2021, 11:20:11 PM
Bon Chon > Popeye's > Chick Fil A > KFC. I think if I can get out to Nashville and have authentic hot chicken that may change.

(Around my area, to start arguments, start comparing TP Tea, Happy Lemon, Q-Cup, ShareTea, TPumps, Tiger Sugar, Fantasia, Quickly, Gong Cha...)
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: hbelkins on January 11, 2021, 03:29:30 PM
Dollar General > Family Dollar.

Most small towns have one of each, and they carry similar items. Overall, I prefer DG to FD because of my experiences at the local stores; plus DG's app is easier to use with digital coupons. However, with FD's merger with Dollar Tree, the dollar section at FD is now better than DG in many stores.

Rite Aid (RIP) > Walgreens.

Many small towns in my area had a Rite Aid that was supplanted by Walgreens. Although I thought Rite Aid was expensive, I'm finding Walgreens to be even more expensive. Plus, the telephone prescription refill system that Rite Aid used was a lot better than Walgreens' is.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: WillWeaverRVA on January 11, 2021, 09:59:13 PM
Coffee: Wawa > Dunkin' Donuts > Sheetz > Starbucks espresso > McDonald's > Sonic > Starbucks regular coffee (tastes burnt)
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Takumi on January 12, 2021, 10:47:50 AM
Quote from: kurumi on January 10, 2021, 11:20:11 PM
Bon Chon >
BonChon is awesome.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: rawmustard on January 12, 2021, 03:29:15 PM
Fried chicken: Popeyes > Lee's > KFC (Popeyes has great sides; I go to Chick-fil-a solely for its grilled nuggets. I definitely enjoyed Bojangles and Zaxby's when in their territories.)
Burgers: Culver's > Five Guys > Wendy's (I never order burgers from the half buns or golden arches. I'm bummed Smashburger never took off in this area.)
Gas station convenience stores: Circle K > Shell/Johnny's > PS Food Mart (most sell Citgo-branded fuel)> Speedway > XpressStop (brand run by Corrigan Oil, sells BP-branded fuel) > C-Store (whatever company runs those, most are Marathon-branded). I do enjoy Sheetz when in that territory.
Big-box/grocery: Meijer > Target > Family Fare > Walmart (Although Target and Walmart are best (in that order) for mobile ordering with in-store pickup, Meijer is just starting to build a similar system).
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: SectorZ on January 12, 2021, 03:53:38 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 10, 2021, 07:43:34 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 06:29:56 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on January 10, 2021, 06:26:40 PM
I know the former in my comparison is damn near extinct, but...

Bickford's > IHOP or Denny's
I agree.

Never heard of Bickfords

IHOP > Denny's (at least for breakfast)

Either one >> Waffle House /Huddle House

Bickford's was a New York/New England based chain initially, but in the 1950's they expanded into a pancake house thru New England. Thru the early 2000's they really started shrinking down. They are now down to a whopping two locations, and even then they're pretty close to each other (Woburn MA and Burlington MA feet from the Woburn border).
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Rothman on January 12, 2021, 06:32:01 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on January 12, 2021, 03:53:38 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 10, 2021, 07:43:34 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 10, 2021, 06:29:56 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on January 10, 2021, 06:26:40 PM
I know the former in my comparison is damn near extinct, but...

Bickford's > IHOP or Denny's
I agree.

Never heard of Bickfords

IHOP > Denny's (at least for breakfast)

Either one >> Waffle House /Huddle House

Bickford's was a New York/New England based chain initially, but in the 1950's they expanded into a pancake house thru New England. Thru the early 2000's they really started shrinking down. They are now down to a whopping two locations, and even then they're pretty close to each other (Woburn MA and Burlington MA feet from the Woburn border).
Too bad the one in Greenfield is gone.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: hotdogPi on January 18, 2021, 07:22:33 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 11, 2021, 03:29:30 PM
Rite Aid (RIP) > Walgreens.

Many small towns in my area had a Rite Aid that was supplanted by Walgreens. Although I thought Rite Aid was expensive, I'm finding Walgreens to be even more expensive. Plus, the telephone prescription refill system that Rite Aid used was a lot better than Walgreens' is.

Rite Aid was expensive, but if you bought enough (which I did through prescriptions), you got 20% off the entire store excluding prescriptions and items already on sale. That's better than employee discounts at many stores.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Flint1979 on January 18, 2021, 07:25:03 AM
I can't stand how the Rite Aid by me is. It was built in 2008 so it is that era of Rite Aid's. The store is confusing the way it's setup.

Anyway here's what it looks like
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4370886,-84.0068372,3a,75y,354.88h,84.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slROf7OVKJCsJAovqJZ62Zg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Bruce on January 19, 2021, 03:00:36 AM
My city has three Rite Aids all built in different eras and using different logos (now that the oldest has been switched to the new logo). Add in Bartells (a local chain that has been bought by Rite Aid), and we'll be up to 4, each with unique designs.

Rite Aid tends to have some pretty decent clearance sales, but lots of their junk is overpriced to begin with. I'll still take them over Walgreens and CVS, but prefer Bartells while it's still intact.
Title: Re: Comparisons of similar restaurants/retailers
Post by: Flint1979 on January 19, 2021, 12:18:02 PM
There are 7 Rite Aid's in Saginaw. Most of them now have the new signage but a couple still have the old signage.

There is one Rite Aid that had signage that looks like it was faded from the sun. This store is located in a pretty rough part of town but they are updating to the new signage now. The marquee at the street is still in the same shape as it was here. Also the Walgreens across the street has closed.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4004033,-83.9126341,3a,47.9y,8.74h,90.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHCeQ9zjVZ4dfbvlbwXR8aw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192