AARoads Forum

Non-Road Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: roadman65 on December 05, 2023, 03:23:24 AM

Title: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: roadman65 on December 05, 2023, 03:23:24 AM
I noticed in GSV that a local eatery in Milford, DE called Grotto Pizza has a store on DE 1 at 10th Street with a billboard nearby listing it as being in several Sussex County cities within Delaware. So I assume it's a regional chain in South Delaware.

Though this thread could be about any small localized chain anywhere, I'm asking if anyone ever tried this brand and how good or bad they are?
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: Rothman on December 05, 2023, 10:41:05 AM
Thought we had an extensive thread already on regional chains.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: webny99 on December 05, 2023, 01:22:03 PM
I'm intrigued by Nautical Bowls, a Twin Cities-based chain that has quickly expanded across the country, but whose only Northeast location is here in Webster, NY. Is it just coincidence that I have ties to both places? Webster is a great choice (where life is worth living!), but not where most chains enter the Rochester market, maybe not even in the top 5. For example, CFA went Greece>Henrietta>Irondequoit, with plans for a 4th location in Penfield.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: index on December 05, 2023, 01:28:07 PM
Everyone tells me I need to try Raising Cane's but they're all nowhere near me.

I finally tried Huddle House in York, SC last year and I thought it was way better than Waffle House. And they have chicken fried steak. I can't get that at Waffle House.

Supposedly we're getting a Sheetz in Boone sometime soon. Will have to try that.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that you're curious about
Post by: 1995hoo on December 05, 2023, 01:43:42 PM
To answer the OP, the only Grotto Pizza I know of is on New Street in New York (around the block from Bowling Green). I don't believe it's part of a chain.


(Edited to correct the subject line.)
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: Hobart on December 09, 2023, 05:50:33 PM
I was very curious about Runza for a while. I ate at one last month on my way home from a job interview at a location in Lincoln, and it was actually quite good. Now I want to go back!
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: dlsterner on December 09, 2023, 09:49:41 PM
I was curious about Raising Cane's due to some discussion here a few years ago.  One finally opened near me (Crofton MD), but for some time after the opening, the turn lanes into it were backed up 10-20 cars onto both sides of the highway (it is located in the median of MD 3).  Wasn't gonna put up with that.  Even now it always looks like close to filled to capacity.  I'll wait a while for the novelty to wear off before trying.

Besides, I get the feeling that it might be basically the same stuff I can already get at Slim Chickens.  Or Zaxby's when I travel.

As far a regional chains I'm curious about, I do have a morbid desire to see what all of the hullabaloo about Buc-ee's is all about.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: hbelkins on December 09, 2023, 10:59:27 PM
Rutter's is one that I'm interested in checking out. I've heard great things about it from Sheetz aficionados.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: golden eagle on December 09, 2023, 11:06:51 PM
Quote from: index on December 05, 2023, 01:28:07 PM
Everyone tells me I need to try Raising Cane's but they're all nowhere near me.

I finally tried Huddle House in York, SC last year and I thought it was way better than Waffle House. And they have chicken fried steak. I can't get that at Waffle House.

Supposedly we're getting a Sheetz in Boone sometime soon. Will have to try that.

Speaking of Boone, there's a restaurant there called Vicious Biscuit. I see they have a handful of locations in the Carolinas and near Jacksonville, FL. I want to see how they will expand in the next 5-10 years.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: epzik8 on December 10, 2023, 07:28:32 AM
Quote from: dlsterner on December 09, 2023, 09:49:41 PM
I was curious about Raising Cane's due to some discussion here a few years ago.  One finally opened near me (Crofton MD), but for some time after the opening, the turn lanes into it were backed up 10-20 cars onto both sides of the highway (it is located in the median of MD 3).  Wasn't gonna put up with that.  Even now it always looks like close to filled to capacity.  I'll wait a while for the novelty to wear off before trying.

The same situation exists at the one in Waldorf at 301 and Plaza Drive.

Quote from: dlsterner on December 09, 2023, 09:49:41 PMAs far a regional chains I'm curious about, I do have a morbid desire to see what all of the hullabaloo about Buc-ee's is all about.

I went to the one in Florence, South Carolina in October and will simply say it's worth the visit.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: DSS5 on December 10, 2023, 10:14:31 AM
Quote from: index on December 05, 2023, 01:28:07 PM
Everyone tells me I need to try Raising Cane's but they're all nowhere near me.

I finally tried Huddle House in York, SC last year and I thought it was way better than Waffle House. And they have chicken fried steak. I can't get that at Waffle House.

Supposedly we're getting a Sheetz in Boone sometime soon. Will have to try that.

Honestly the main attraction at Raisin Cane's is the bread. A tiktoker I used to follow put it best - it must be the bread they served at the Last Supper it's so good. Unfortunately the only one near me is in downtown Madison which is a quagmire I generally try to avoid.

What I can't comprehend is how Boone doesn't have Biscuitville (Visicious Biscuits is from after my time). But the place I'll always miss most in Boone (and I suppose it's a chain because they have two South Carolina locations now) is Come Back Shack.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: GaryV on December 10, 2023, 01:31:14 PM
Quote from: DSS5 on December 10, 2023, 10:14:31 AM
it must be the bread they served at the Last Supper it's so good
That would have been unleavened bread, because they were celebrating the Passover.
Title: Re: Regional Chains that your curious about
Post by: Mr_Northside on December 11, 2023, 03:19:12 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 05, 2023, 03:23:24 AM
I noticed in GSV that a local eatery in Milford, DE called Grotto Pizza has a store on DE 1 at 10th Street with a billboard nearby listing it as being in several Sussex County cities within Delaware. So I assume it's a regional chain in South Delaware.

I'm asking if anyone ever tried this brand and how good or bad they are?

There's a couple in Ocean City (MD) - one in the south end along the Boardwalk, and one in the northern end.   I'm pretty sure I tried the northern one once..... But since I'm not 100% sure, I'll have to say even if I did, it must not have made a big impression either way.