# A counterpoint: Chain restaurants we actually like. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2007, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460 "2007-08-22T04:01:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460/141 "2007-08-26T19:30:53Z")
I found \*\*Baja Fresh \*\* absolutely disgusting the last time we went there. The salsa was bland, the chips stale and everything else not worth it even with a coupon. My favorites are **Wendy’s** (when they leave the mayo off the burgers) especially for the chili, **Arby’s** for the roast beef sandwiches and **The Cheesecake Factory** even though its rather pricey. They make a great burger and a fabulous chocolate cake. I’ve had mixed experiences with \*\*Macaroni Grill \*\* and **the Olive Garden**. We’ve eaten at MG’s three times. The first time was fabulous with live opera singing and great entrees. The last two were just meh. **The Olive Garden** is uneven. I love their soups but find nearly anything with red sauce far too sweet. I stick to their other choices which are usually much better. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460/142 "2007-08-26T20:55:23Z")
[QUOTE=nashiitashii] These days, however, I like **Tijuana Flats** , which appears to be an Orlando-area-based chain. A wee bit like Panchero’s, but with more sass and spice. [/QUOTE] I came in to mention them. We’ve eaten at their restaurants twice, once in Orlando(ish) and once over in Tampa. A bit pricier than Taco Bell, but dayum…the sauce bar is amazing. They seem to be regional, but I would crawl on my hands and knees across a field of broken glass for a plate of ribs from **[Sticky Fingers](http://www.stickyfingersonline.com/)**. There’s one in Atlantic Beach and one in Jacksonville, and one of these days I’m going to pester Ivylad enough that we’ll go there. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460/143 "2007-08-26T23:33:43Z")
Most of my faves have already been described in detail, so I’ll just list my entries, in no particular order: **White Castle**. It’s been a long while now since my last “crave attack” but man, sometimes I just gotta have those steamed hams. I mean, hamburgers. **IHOP**. I have always liked their breakfasts, and while I certainly have had better pancakes at various non-chain places, they’re still my personal benchmark for what a pancake is. **Cracker Barrel**. I haven’t gone there for breakfast, only for dinner two or three times in “pull over off the highway on a road trip and find a restaurant” scenarios. But every time, I’ve been amazed at the quality of the food and service as compared to the cost. I mean, I fed my family of five, including dessert, with what I would call pretty good food in a sit-down, table service environment for $50 including tax and tip? Are you kidding me?? **Outback Steakhouse**. A whole thread was devoted to bashing this place, and I won’t say it’s a great “steakhouse” a la Peter Luger’s, Sparks, Smith and Wollensky’s, the Palm, etc., but it’s a far step up from Applebee’s or TGIF or any other similar “family eatery”, at about the same prices. I’ve been to maybe 5 or 6 different locations in different states and the quality has been consistently decent. **Friendly’s**. This may only exist in the Northeast, but it’s great for a burger dinner with ice cream at the end on the road. Consistent quality and relatively cheap prices. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460/144 "2007-08-26T23:35:45Z")
[QUOTE=Helen’s Eidolon] In Quebec, there are no sit-down chains that I can think of, so they were always a treat when we were in the US. [/QUOTE] I’ve been to [St-Hubert](http://www.st-hubert.com/index2.html) a few times in Montreal, and found it pretty nice. I looked them up and they’re a Quebec chain. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460/145 "2007-08-27T01:45:18Z")
[QUOTE=UKCatGirl] Bolding mine. I read that first as “vulva” and was entirely confused there for a minute. On topic, I can’t believe only one other person said Cracker Barrel. Love, love, love it! And after I eat I indulge myself with their pecan divinity from the store. Not quite as good as my great-grandma’s homemade, but way better than my homemade. I also love Waffle House. I grew up eating it though, maybe that has something to do with it. Anytime I’ve taken a friend there who’d never been, they’ve not been big fans. Although I don’t recommend the cheesesteak omlette after a night of heavy drinking, it seems to exacerbate the hangover. [/QUOTE] I am so glad someone else mentioned Cracker barrel and waffle house. Yes I am a midwestern guy heading for a heart attack. ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2007, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460/146 "2007-08-27T02:02:32Z")
[QUOTE=robardin] I’ve been to [St-Hubert](http://www.st-hubert.com/index2.html) a few times in Montreal, and found it pretty nice. I looked them up and they’re a Quebec chain. [/QUOTE] Yes, Quebec does in fact have quite a few sit-down restaurant chains. A few examples: Saint-Hubert, which you mentioned, and which is quite good. Mikes, decent Italian-style food. Chez Cora, way overpriced but does have good breakfasts (for 10$ though :eek: ). Le Coq / Le Coq rôti / Chez Benny, my former girlfriend’s favourite restaurant, but I’m not sure if they count as “sit-down” since not all locations have an eating room. Au Vieux Duluth, Greek-style food, decent as well. I’d probably rather try a local restaurant if I have the possibility to do so, but with any of the above restaurants I know what I’m getting, and I know I’ll appreciate it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-counterpoint-chain-restaurants-we-actually-like/416460.md?page=7)