# Best Chain Restaurant **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 25, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570 "2012-08-25T02:46:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/21 "2012-08-25T13:23:46Z")
Red Robin Five Guys Bonefish Grill Outback Steakhouse Rockfish Grill (only have locations in TX and one in NC) ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/22 "2012-08-25T13:47:41Z")
Another one I forgot about- Pei Wei. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/23 "2012-08-25T14:35:03Z")
Fazoulis - semi fast food, good breadsticks Quiznos - Thier current French Dip is nowhere near as good as thier previous Steakhouse Beef Dip, but still decent. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Surbey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/24 "2012-08-25T14:40:45Z")
another for 5 guys. That place is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/25 "2012-08-25T14:48:25Z")
Steak N Shake is my favorite of the burger chains. Texas Roadhouse is probably the best place to get a steak for under $20. I also like that you can actually see them grilling it when you come in the door. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/26 "2012-08-25T15:19:35Z")
I like the way too expensive Ruth’s Chris Steak House, we go there for our anniversary every year. Cheaper chains - well, I finally managed to get to the west coast and southern fast food places. I did like the waffles at the Wafflehouse, but their bacon tasted odd, almost fishy so I would imagine that they get some extremely cheap brand of bacon that fattens the pigs up on fishmeal. I was underwhelmed by In-n-Out, Carl Jrs/Hardies, thought their biscuit and gravy breakfast has deteriorated from what I remember from when I lived in Norfolk VA. I still found that Bojangles was better than KFC, though Popeyes is a close second. I have pretty much given up fast food unless I am going to be at home or in a hotel room within the half hour, the digestive issues are not worth it otherwise. I am resigned to having to pack sandwich makings for road trips. Not a big deal. Though I really miss being able to head to the nearest Long John Silvers or fried chicken joint with impunity. [well, the runs and also the issue with it really not fitting into what my diabetic nutritionist wanting me to eat. Way too carby and hidden sugary.] ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/27 "2012-08-25T16:33:44Z")
Whataburger for me - great skinny french fries and the table side delivery of your order is a nice touch. Also, their ketchup comes in little tubs instead of squeeze packets for less messy dipping. Oh yeah, the ice cubes are those little pellets that are great for crunching, and their styrofoam cups don’t sweat condensation all over my car on humid days, too. Their burger patties aren’t as flavorful as Burger King or Red Robin, but I’ll still drive a few miles further to make it to a Whataburger. “Fast Food for Adults” - I like that, **Rampant Coypu.** ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/28 "2012-08-25T20:04:04Z")
For burgers, I’m currently on a Culver’s kick. They have fabulous steak burgers called “butterburgers”! YUM Also crinkle cut fries, everything cooked when you order so you have to wait a little longer than a usual burger joint but it is oh so tasty! If that’s not enough they have excellent frozen custard. If you eat inside they come around with a tasting tray of different flavors. ::drooling:: ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/29 "2012-08-25T20:21:09Z")
If you consider chains to be any organization with multiple locations, then: Il Fornaio Roy’s Maggiano’s and their little sister Corner Bakery Cafe ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/30 "2012-08-25T20:25:32Z")
My faves: 5 Guys (can never finish fries though) Panera (love chix caesar sandwich) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/31 "2012-08-25T20:26:27Z")
City Barbecue Pappadeaux\* \*crawfish platter, gumbo ---
**Author:** ![midnight-dreary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@midnight-dreary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/midnight-dreary)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/32 "2012-08-25T21:06:04Z")
Grill’d. They are expensive (9.50 for the most simple burger on the menu) compared to fast food places, but they are amazing. To bad the closest one to me is an hour train trip. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/33 "2012-08-25T21:12:06Z")
Qdobas because they don’t stint on seasoning. Panera’s for the freshly baked bread and soups. Pizzeria Unos because it is only good national pizza chain I’ve ever found. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/34 "2012-08-25T21:12:43Z")
Whataburger and yes… Taco Bell ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/35 "2012-08-25T21:15:01Z")
Local chain from my youth: Mighty Taco. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/36 "2012-08-25T21:31:39Z")
Jet’s has to be the best chain pizza around. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/37 "2012-08-25T21:42:36Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > **Waffle House** a grits & biscuits diner with no pretention of “experience dining.” And they make a policy to hire ex-cons. Huh, same reasons I used in the “Worst” thread! 😃 > [@Rampant\_Coypu](#): > > Taco Cabana. Reliable Tex-Mex in a drive-thru. Texas and Louisiana only. Had one in Las Vegas, right next door to where I worked. You’re right. It was good and I used to eat there all the time. I kinda miss that place… ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/38 "2012-08-25T21:53:03Z")
Sir, obviously the conneseuirship of skanky waitresses is lost to you. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/39 "2012-08-25T22:01:15Z")
Panera and 5 Guys are consistently good. I also have to give a shout out to Bojangles. They make some damn good fried chicken. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570/40 "2012-08-25T22:18:58Z")
National chain, I’ll go with Red Robin. Local/Regional chain, I’ll easily go with Portillo’s. I know Golden Corral is very hit or miss (and usually miss) but the one by us is clean and has decent enough food to make it a value for feeding a bottomless 13 year old and the instant-food convenience of feeding a 2 year old. Also, they once switched out the person on steak duty with a woman who was just terrible at it. Small pieces and poorly cooked. After a couple weeks, my wife mentioned the change to a manager and a week later they had a new cook on it and were back to serving good sized pieces cooked properly. I’m guessing there were more complaints than just ours but the change made me appreciative that they were listening and concerned. We only go for breakfast though so I won’t speak for their lunch/dinner experiences. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chain-restaurant/632570.md?page=3)