# Chain restaurants that are actually excellent **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2015, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834 "2015-06-18T08:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/21 "2015-06-18T13:34:34Z")
Places of Interest, on the Garmin GPS helps so much on car trips. We aren’t limited to the eating places right along the Interstate. We never ventured very far for gas or food. Too easy to get lost and waste valuable travel time. Now with GPS my wife and I can see all the food options and get there without a single wrong turn. We even get gas cheaper by avoiding the higher Interstate gas station prices. gotta love technology. Wish now that I had bought one a decade ago. We waited until 2012 when prices dropped under a $100. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/22 "2015-06-18T13:34:36Z")
Nando’s: > **[Nando's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nando's)** > > Nando's (/ˈnændoʊz/; Afrikaans: \[ˈnandœs\]) is a South African multinational fast casual chain that specialises in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken.\[a\] Founded in Johannesburg in 1987, Nando's operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 countries. Their logo (also seen as a sort of mascot) depicts the Rooster of Barcelos, one of Portugal's most common symbols. > > The restaurant was founded in 1987 in Rosettenville, Johannesburg by Portuguese-born Fernando Duarte and South African-born Robe... ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/23 "2015-06-18T13:40:52Z")
Are we going with national chains only, or can we pick regional chains? In the Chicago area, there are a bunch of **Zaca Tacos** restaurants that have the best burritos I’ve ever tasted. Everything is fresh and tastes like it was made on the spot. In Pittsburgh, there is a **Mad Mex** chain that’s more “Southwest” than Mexican. I am not generally a fan of “Southwest” or “Tex-Mex” style restaurants, but Mad Mex has some damn good food. Everything I’ve had there was really good. Also in Pittsburgh, there are a few **Burgatory** restaurants that have excellent hamburgers. I’ve tried about 6 different burgers there and they were all awesome. All their sides were really good too. Crispy and non-greasy fries with Gorgonzola cheese, jalapeno corn cake, really good milk shakes, they’re awesome on the stomach and a bit hard on the wallet! I’ll throw in a non regional chain: **Hokkaido**. I know there’s a lot on the east coast but I don’t know if they’re national or not. But they have everything you’d want in a Chinese/Japanese buffet: The salad bar (including Kimchee, which I’m afraid to try!), Hibachi, 4-5 different soups, sushi, desert bar, and even some odds and ends like pizza, burritos, etc. We’ve never been disappointed there, everything is always pretty good. [QUOTE=not what you’d expect] I also like Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill. I don’t understand all the hate for Olive Garden. The salad and breadsticks are awesome. [/QUOTE] I hate Olive Garden because it seems to me a pale, watered down, bland, imitation of Italian food. There are a ton of better (IMHO) Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh that I’d rather go to. But my wife does like them and she’s more Italian than I am. So, whatever floats yer boat. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/24 "2015-06-18T13:41:35Z")
El Chico is pretty consistent on our travels. Not the greatest Tex Mex but its still good and a safe choice on a trip. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/25 "2015-06-18T13:48:43Z")
**Johnny Rockets** - I’ll go hella out of my way for a burger there every now and again. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/26 "2015-06-18T13:58:13Z")
My wife and I both got so sick from Cracker Barrel that it is our short cut for how we feel, “I’ve been throwing up, but not Cracker Barrel throwing up.” For burgers, I think Chili’s does a pretty good job and I like Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar once a year or so. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/27 "2015-06-18T13:59:41Z")
I have never been accused of being a culinary sophisticate. I like Cheesecake Factory and Olive Garden. Hell, I like Arby’s and even McDonald’s now and then. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/28 "2015-06-18T14:00:16Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > I love Noah’s Bagel’s. > > I also like Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill. I don’t understand all the hate for Olive Garden. The salad and breadsticks are awesome. We also like Olive Garden, although I would not describe them as exceptional _in the universe of Italian restaurants_. I think haters resent the fact that they are popular with the _hoi polloi_. They do occupy a special niche (and a special place in my heart), which unfortunately makes them problematic for the serious diner- they are one of the few places you can take little kids to eat good food with plates, metal silverware, and cloth napkins! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/29 "2015-06-18T14:17:38Z")
I do love IHOP because I can get a vegetarian meal with no trouble. And they are good. I love KFC potato wedges, cole slaw and oatmeal cookies. I often go into the one right by where I work and order that. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/30 "2015-06-18T14:25:09Z")
Dave Barry suggested a sure fire restaurant concept called “Mr Mediocre”: > [@](#): > > Here it is: the `Mister Mediocre` fast-food restaurant franchise. I have studied American eating preferences for years, and believe me, this is what people want. They don`t want to go into an unfamiliar restaurant because they don`t know whether the food will be very bad or very good, or what. They want to go into a restaurant that advertises on national television, where they KNOW the food will be mediocre. This is the heart of the Mister Mediocre concept. [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-02-09/features/8601180266\_1\_devices-mister-basic-menu](http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-02-09/features/8601180266_1_devices-mister-basic-menu) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/31 "2015-06-18T14:27:52Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > My wife and I both got so sick from Cracker Barrel that it is our short cut for how we feel, “I’ve been throwing up, but not Cracker Barrel throwing up.” > > For burgers, I think Chili’s does a pretty good job and I like Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar once a year or so. My wife and I had a similar experience at Famous Dave’s. We were even able to narrow it down to the coleslaw. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/32 "2015-06-18T14:31:54Z")
As for chains, My wife and I like the food at [Firebirds](http://omaha.firebirdsrestaurants.com/) and [Bravo](http://www.bravoitalian.com/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/33 "2015-06-18T14:36:31Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/34 "2015-06-18T14:37:51Z")
Yeah, Cracker Barrel is fine with me too. We see a couple on regular trips we make and will often set that as the meeting place for everyone. Houstons - Don’t know how widespread it is but always excellent ribs, fish, steaks, burgers, etc. I like the whole Pappas chain, Pappas for steaks, Pappadeaux Cajun, Pappasitos Mexican, etc. I recently was in the jury for a trial where one of Tilman Fettita’s restaurants (includes Landry’s, Mortons, McCormick & Schmick, etc) was being sued and got to listen to the care and quality that goes in to all his chains, of which there are very many. I must say I’ve always had a quality experience in every one I’ve been to so I’ll often search those out when we’re travelling, don’t know the area and one of them is an option. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/35 "2015-06-18T14:51:19Z")
I don’t get the love for **Cracker Barrel**. I don’t think I’ve ever been in one, but driving by I just remember the racism charges from the 80s/90s and just keep driving. Now, **Mad Mex** I love. Their decent draft beer and tequila choices and their seasonal specials are all excellent. They seem to hire from the cool end of the spectrum, also. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/36 "2015-06-18T14:52:25Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I like the whole Pappas chain, Pappas for steaks, Pappadeaux Cajun, Pappasitos Mexican, etc… Word on that. Easily my go-to chain for a nice lunch or dinner out. I thought Olive Garden was excellent for years, based on the one in my home town. That quickly changed when I tried them in other cities. Denver? fail! Houston? epic fail! I’m not sure why the one back home was so good. Just to check and make sure my head was on straight, I ate there recently when I visited the home town. Still excellent. Go figure. I agree that Cracker Barrel, will largely unexciting, is always convenient, easy, and dependable for decent food. Seems like there is always one just off most interstate access ramps. I’ve never seen this chain outside of the Midwest, but I always liked Bill Knapp’s restaurants. I still dream about their cinnamon ice cream on a piece of warm apple pie. Sublime. ---
**Author:** ![Goofus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@Goofus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goofus)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/37 "2015-06-18T15:00:53Z")
I’ve only eaten at a Ted’s Montana Grill once, but the hamburger I had was very good. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/38 "2015-06-18T15:04:06Z")
**Burgers:** Whataburger, Smashburger, 5 Guys, Habit are all excellent. **Italian:** Carrabba’s is the only national chain I would spend my own money on. **Diner/Breakfast Served Anytime:** The Original Pancake House and Cracker Barrel are both pretty solid. Is Cracker Barrel still racist and homophobic in their employment practices? ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/39 "2015-06-18T15:12:27Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I do love IHOP because I can get a vegetarian meal with no trouble. And they are good. > > I love KFC potato wedges, cole slaw and oatmeal cookies. I often go into the one right by where I work and order that. Wow. I could not have imagined vegetarians eating at KFC. Cool. Cracker Barrel has always seemed like good comfort food to me. I started to comment on just getting an egg sandwich there but then remembered my SO sometimes just gets oatmeal. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad steak at Longhorn Steakhouse. All-in-all, I think the OP has put together a nice little list. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834/40 "2015-06-18T15:25:49Z")
For fast food type burgers I like Freddy’s Steakburger. For a sit down type restaurant I enjoy going to Pei Wei, though only because I live in a food wasteland out here compared to the east (or west) coast. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chain-restaurants-that-are-actually-excellent/722834.md?page=3)