Favorite restaurant chains

Started by ftballfan, August 11, 2011, 02:11:25 PM

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corco

QuoteFranchises are so vanilla and sometimes pretty lousy.  Use Yelp to discover the real good foodie joints at home as well as on da' road.  If you were in Curry County OR, you would have to stop at Langlois Market to discover a quality hot dog and burger made from local organic meats down there.  In Amite LA, it was a gas station's serving of a crossing of Chinese restaurant-style breaded shrimp and peppery spice that delivered the knockout taste.  You need to be more adventurous when traveling to find the tasty treats that are out there just waiting to be discovered!

Rick

I've started doing this lately and it really makes the whole road trip experience a lot more fun. Eating at random holes-in-the-wall is a lot more interesting. Sure, it may take longer, and sure, you may not know what you're getting yourself into, but it's a lot more fun!


ftballfan

All very interesting. I might have to try Sonic sometime (there's a couple within a half hour of my college and their advertisements are all over the place on cable).

Wendy's and McDonalds are good, and they both have locations in my hometown.

For sit-down meals, I forgot to mention Texas Roadhouse. There is a location about five miles from my sister's house, and we almost always go there when I visit her.

realjd

Quote from: huskeroadgeek on August 12, 2011, 03:15:19 AM
Quote from: nexus73 on August 11, 2011, 11:02:07 PM
Franchises are so vanilla and sometimes pretty lousy.  Use Yelp to discover the real good foodie joints at home as well as on da' road.  If you were in Curry County OR, you would have to stop at Langlois Market to discover a quality hot dog and burger made from local organic meats down there.  In Amite LA, it was a gas station's serving of a crossing of Chinese restaurant-style breaded shrimp and peppery spice that delivered the knockout taste.  You need to be more adventurous when traveling to find the tasty treats that are out there just waiting to be discovered!

Rick
I tend to stick to chains because it's what I'm familiar with and I know what to expect. Usually the only time I will eat at a non-chain is by personal recommendation or well-known reputation. But I am considering becoming a little more adventurous-I've heard a lot of stories of little hole-in-the-wall cafes and restaurants even in small towns that serve really good food. I've also kept a lists of places from watching shows like Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network and Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel that interest me.

I'll second yelp. It's practically having a personal recommendation wherever you go.

I'll usually eat fast food for lunch on road trips since I'm in a hurry to get back on the road, but I almost always find a local place for dinner. Pro-tip: most medium sized cities have at least one microbrewery with awesome beer and usually great food.

jgb191

Has anybody ever had Hardees?  We don't have any here in Texas and I would like to give it a try sometime.
We're so far south that we're not even considered "The South"

Roadgeek Adam

Fast Food: Taco Bell, Arby's, Burger King
Sit-Down Restauants: Cheeseburger in Paradise, Outback Steakhouse, Famous Dave's
Convenience Store/Gas Stations: SHEETZ (my favorite of anything on this list), Wawa, Quick Chek and Stewart's (the NY/MA/VT chain)
In your car food: Sonic & Stewart's (the NJ chain)
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mtantillo

Quote from: nexus73 on August 11, 2011, 11:02:07 PM
Franchises are so vanilla and sometimes pretty lousy.  Use Yelp to discover the real good foodie joints at home as well as on da' road.  If you were in Curry County OR, you would have to stop at Langlois Market to discover a quality hot dog and burger made from local organic meats down there.  In Amite LA, it was a gas station's serving of a crossing of Chinese restaurant-style breaded shrimp and peppery spice that delivered the knockout taste.  You need to be more adventurous when traveling to find the tasty treats that are out there just waiting to be discovered!

Rick

Agreed.  Though I'll be first to admit I tend to go to chains when I'm on the road, just because its familiar and I don't have time to research in advance if I have no idea where I'm going to "get hungry". 

Fast food....Subway, McDonalds. 
"Casual dining"....Outback and TGI Fridays. 
"Upscale chains"....Legal Seafoods, Maggiano's. 


I will make a plug for my two favorite non-chain "quick service" places (I'd be hard pressed to call either fast food):

-The Wiener's Circle in Herndon, VA.  Only open for lunch Mon to Sat, basically gourmet hot dogs and a ton of other really really good daily specials.  The owners (who happen to be a  co-worker's parents) also own a catering company, so the food is catering company quality, even though its essentially a lunch take-away place.  Owners take great care to make good food and know most of their customers by name.  http://www.greatfallsgourmet.com/menus/wienerscircle.html

-All American in Massapequa, NY.  Best "fast food" on the planet.  Very inexpensive.  I don't know how they make their fries, but they are absolutely amazing.  Burgers are also juicy (not nasty greasy) and tasty.  Growing up 2 miles away from this place, I took it for  granted.  Now I go each and every time i'm back on LI visiting my parents.  http://allamericanhamburger.us/

Ian

Quote from: jgb191 on August 12, 2011, 11:25:39 PM
Has anybody ever had Hardees?  We don't have any here in Texas and I would like to give it a try sometime.

I have. For a fast food chain, they do have good burgers.
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jgb191

I have to give a shout out to Del Taco.....one of my favorites, but sadly none here in Texas.  I have to go all the way to Mesa, AZ to have some Del Taco.
We're so far south that we're not even considered "The South"

hbelkins

When traveling, I will usually drive thru a McDonald's or Taco Bell for lunch. The quality is generally pretty consistent (although I have gotten some awful fries at a few McD's), it's quick, and not messy (getting McNuggets or McDoubles at McD's or a few burritos at Taco Bell).

However, if I'm in Sheetz country, that is always my first choice for lunch, especially if I need to fill up with gas.

For the evening meal, if there is a Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, Ryan's Steakhouse or Golden Corral nearby, that's what I'll choose, although lately I've been hitting Five Guys when there's one close.

Other fast-food places I like are Sonic, Long John Silver's and Arby's (although I don't like the fact that they only have curly fries now instead of regular fries, I'm not a fan of the seasoning).

In the town where I work, our only fast-food choices are Wendy's, McDonald's, Hardee's and KFC. I like to go grab lunch at eat at my desk, read the day's paper, etc., especially since a couple of times a week I have to make a Walmart run at lunch. So I"m pretty well burned out on all the offerings at those places. The KFC is being replaced with a combo KFC/Taco Bell and I will probably visit that establishment quite often.

Regarding Hardee's, good food but a bit on the expensive side, IMO.
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huskeroadgeek

Quote from: jgb191 on August 12, 2011, 11:25:39 PM
Has anybody ever had Hardees?  We don't have any here in Texas and I would like to give it a try sometime.
Hardee's used to be a little easier to define before they were bought out by Carl's Jr. in the late 90s(some of the restaurants were actually rebranded as Carl's Jr. restaurants). They added some different menu items that made them a little different. I used to think they were pretty much like McDonald's, but after Carl's Jr. bought them out, I think they're better classified as something a little above McDonald's. It's been awhile since I've eaten at a Hardee's so I can't remember exactly what is on their menu(specifically-obviously they are a hamburger chain).

realjd

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Chipotle yet. They're not quite as quick as someplace like Chick-fil-A (my favorite fast food) since you can't really eat it in the car, but if there's a Chipotle around I'll usually stop there.

I'm surprised to see such passion about convenience stores among the northeasterners. I can't imagine a convenience store being that much better than any of the ubiquitous 7-11s, CircleKs, or any other generic store. They all carry the same products.

formulanone

Forgot about Moe's Southwestern Grill. One "Homewrecker" and a drink is a very filling dinner.

Michael in Philly

Quote from: realjd on August 13, 2011, 09:03:16 AM
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Chipotle yet. They're not quite as quick as someplace like Chick-fil-A (my favorite fast food) since you can't really eat it in the car, but if there's a Chipotle around I'll usually stop there.

I'm surprised to see such passion about convenience stores among the northeasterners. I can't imagine a convenience store being that much better than any of the ubiquitous 7-11s, CircleKs, or any other generic store. They all carry the same products.

Ah.  That's because you haven't experienced Sheetz or Wawa.  You can fit about three 7-11s into the average Wawa.  Along with the (usually) clean bathrooms.  Some Sheetzes even have indoor and outdoor seating.  But talking of 7-11, why are they missing in central and southwest Ohio, or did I just not happen on any?
RIP Dad 1924-2012.

realjd

^^^
I typically go to Flying J, Pilot, or similar when traveling if I need something more substantial than a 7-11. They also usually have very clean bathrooms. I'm assuming Sheetz is similar?

Michael in Philly

^^I think of Flying J and Pilot as truck stops.  Wawa started out in suburban Philadelphia as a dairy - you can still see a big facility labeled "Wawa Dairy Farms" west of Media on US 1 - and milk-delivery business.  Had typical stores, but lots of them, into the '90s; then started opening larger locations with gas pumps outside, bathrooms, made-to-order hot food...  I know people who swear by their coffee.  I think Sheetz has a similar history, but they're based in Altoona, Pa.  Sheetz covers most of Pennsylvania but not metropolitan Philadelphia, bits of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio....  Wawa's very thick on the ground from central New Jersey south past Washington but I haven't seen one in Pennsylvania west of Lancaster.  So there aren't many places they're competing with each other.  But I'd put both of them - thanks mostly to the made-to-order hot sandwiches - a notch above Arbys and a couple of notches above McDonalds or Burger King.

Now as to actual restaurants where people take your order and deliver it to your table, I grew up with two Friendlys within a couple of miles and if I want a notch above the better convenience stores, I'll look for one.  I'm surprised they haven't been mentioned yet, but they may be northeastern rather than national.
RIP Dad 1924-2012.

corco

Re: Hardee's vs. Carl's-

When I lived in Wyoming, which is one of the only (the only?) states with both, I used to love going to the Casper Hardee's but I almost never went to the Larmie Carl's Jr- Hardee's has a much tastier burger, although I do enjoy a Western Bacon Star at Carl's

PAHighways

Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 12, 2011, 07:32:12 PMI find it difficult to take Eat'n Park seriously, because of the name.  (And not just because "Park 'n' Eat" would be more logical.)

It started out as a drive-in like Sonic, so people ate and/or just parked.

I know what you mean, I can't take seriously the name of a convenience store that is the same as a sound effect of disappointment.

hbelkins

I've stopped at a couple of Wawas to get gas, and went in and taken a good look at the food selection. Not impressed at all. Sheetz is much much > Wawa.
Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

PAHighways

Quote from: realjd on August 13, 2011, 11:36:25 AMI typically go to Flying J, Pilot, or similar when traveling if I need something more substantial than a 7-11. They also usually have very clean bathrooms. I'm assuming Sheetz is similar?

The old Sheetz stores were typically the size of a 7-11 and had a small pump island out front if at all.  The modern Sheetz locations are like a service plaza or truck stop in comparison.

The difference between an old Sheetz and a new Sheetz can be seen at the intersection of PA 982 and Ligonier Street in Latrobe.

hobsini2

Favorite Fast Food:
Noodles & Company, Subway, Jimmy John's, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Chic-Fil-A, Culver's, Sonic, A & W, Tastee-Freeze (there are 2 i know of in Chicagoland)

Least Favorite fast food:
Hands down it is Whataburger. That was the most disgusting burger i ever had and i will never go back.
Honorable mention for White Castle but it is good hangover food.

Favorite Sit Down Chain:
Gino's East, Olive Garden, Ted's Montana Grill, Famous Dave's, Big Boy

Fovorite Sit Down Place that's gone:
Bennigan's, Shakey's
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Michael in Philly

Quote from: PAHighways on August 13, 2011, 01:09:52 PM
Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 12, 2011, 07:32:12 PMI find it difficult to take Eat'n Park seriously, because of the name.  (And not just because "Park 'n' Eat" would be more logical.)

It started out as a drive-in like Sonic, so people ate and/or just parked.

I know what you mean, I can't take seriously the name of a convenience store that is the same as a sound effect of disappointment.

I'm not sure whether you mean Sheetz (say it slowly with a falling tone) or Wawawawa.  (Which I believe is named after a type of goose.  Hence the logo.  And the town in northern Ontario with that name.)
RIP Dad 1924-2012.

PAHighways

Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 13, 2011, 04:03:50 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on August 13, 2011, 01:09:52 PM
Quote from: Michael in Philly on August 12, 2011, 07:32:12 PMI find it difficult to take Eat'n Park seriously, because of the name.  (And not just because "Park 'n' Eat" would be more logical.)

It started out as a drive-in like Sonic, so people ate and/or just parked.

I know what you mean, I can't take seriously the name of a convenience store that is the same as a sound effect of disappointment.

I'm not sure whether you mean Sheetz (say it slowly with a falling tone) or Wawawawa.  (Which I believe is named after a type of goose.  Hence the logo.  And the town in northern Ontario with that name.)

The latter

barcncpt44

Fast Food- Mcdonald's, Quiznos, Sonic (for its drinks and slushes), Popeye's, Taco Johns (when i go out west)

Sit Down - Long Horn Steakhouse, Golden Corral (just opened), Logan's Roadhouse

I tried Whataburger while in Birmingham and i thought it was okay.

I would love for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to come to the Anniston - Gadsden area to film a resturant.  We have many local resturants with good food and it would be cool to see Food Network here.

A bland smile is like a green light at an intersection, it feels good when you get one, but you forget it the moment you're past it. -Doug Coupland

Brandon

Almost forgot to add:
Giordano's (sit-down, and carry-out), Portillo's, and Rocky Rococo's (Wisconsin).
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Mr_Northside

The closest Sheetz (currently) to my house is still an old-school small Sheetz in McCandless Twp:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=McCandless+Township,+PA&hl=en&ll=40.561743,-80.039349&spn=0.041471,0.123596&sll=40.300214,-79.371071&sspn=0.083265,0.181789&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=40.561819,-80.039301&panoid=ll6vlc-zb_JEYL5N29g4oQ&cbp=12,290.31,,0,6.48
However they're currently working on a new one a bit closer at the intersection of Babcock Blvd & Cemetery Lane.  Also, one just opened up across Business 22 from the office complex I used to work in.  Wish they would've done that 5 years ago, but oh well.

Other than Sheetz, I don't mind Wendy's, cause I can get chili instead of fries; and Subway is OK as well.  I'll do LJS when I have a coupon for the fish combo dinner.  Burger King is acceptable, and I haven't had a non-breakfast meal at a McDonalds in probably over 2 years now.

However, I must say, I do prefer to try non-chain places to chain places whenever possible.  This is especially true when it comes to (A) pizza, and (B) wings.  Last spring, I was on a trip with my brother/parents, and we were staying in Corning (NY).  We decided to get pizza, and there were places on the main drag that I noticed earlier in the day that looked like they would be pretty good; but I got outvoted, and we just ordered from Pizza Hut.  Twas the first pizza I had from there in quite some time, and, while it wasn't bad, it was certainly non-remarkable.  Their wings were also quite underwhelming.
Though I'm a bit pickier about wings.  Some friends and I make it a point to try and find really good wings (occasionally going on "wing tours" of multiple places)... but I'm veering off topic, so I'll leave it at that...
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