Thanks. And I don’t think your story helps me combat my “Athens kinda sucks” feelings…
In-‘n’-Out - the quintessential American fast food cheeseburger (simple perfection), with employees who are genuinely happy to work there and treat you like a valued customer. There’s nothing about In-'n-Out that sucks. (Well, maybe their fries could use a little work. Ordering them extra crispy does help.)
White Castle.
Buy 'em by the sack!
Buy 'em by the sack, spend the rest of the night in the can! 
Seriously, the one time I ate at White Castle (we don’t have one around here–this was in Indianapolis) my stomach felt funny for the rest of the day.
There’s a Mellow Mushroom in Nashville too - at least there used to be; I haven’t been there in a few years. Fits with the college town profile though.
Another vote for Red Robin.
Well, I love Culvers but that’s probably because I get to eat there so rarely (the closest one is 90 minutes away).
Red Robin is usually good (bottomless fries FTW). I had my first Five Guys recently and it was good, but not mind-blowing.
For burgers I also like Fat Mo’s, but I think that’s a local chain.
Q’dobas is good too but I usually go to similar places like Salsarita’s or a local place called Baja Burrito.
Panera. Great soup and even better bread. I like Wendy’s for the chili. Nathan’s has excellent fries. Qdoba also has well flavored soup and nicely put together entrees with a good unstinting mix of spices.
P.F. Chang’s takes a lot of crap for not being authentic Chinese food, even less so than most American Chinese restaurants. And it’s true, it’s not authentic, and I DO enjoy truly authentic Chinese food. But what they do serve, however you want to describe it, is still pretty damn good.
I’m also a big fan of Panera.
Given that their pitch is that they are offering American-Chinese fusion and isn’t intended to be authentic Chinese. It is one of the few major chains that offers true gluten-free, casein-free menu options, so it is also amenable to people with disorders in processing through proteins. Pei Wei (its fast food little brother) is also pretty good.
Stranger
Though I voted for Popeye’s, count me as another Red Robin fan. There used to be one just up the street from me, but it closed down, goddammit!
White Castle is something you either love or hate. I love it, personally, and wish they had one here in Vegas. Yeah, I know you can buy them in the supermarket, but it’s just not the same. Krystal’s was an acceptable substitute when I lived in Florida, but just acceptable.
Another not on the list: Famous Dave’s. Most chain BBQ is meh (Memphis Championship, Sonny’s, Rudy’s etc.) , but Dave’s actually seems to get it right. I loves me a Texas Manhandler sammich with their jalapeno mac ‘n’ cheese.
I like Tim Horton’s and Quizno’s, they make good sandwiches.
Oh man, Famous Dave’s , everything I’ve had there was good, down to the garlic toast and the baked beans. The ribs are delicious. I was so happy when I found out they sell Famous Dave’s barbecue sauce at my grocery store.
http://www.johnnyrockets.com I really don’t care for burgers, fries, or the 50’s, but I ADORE this place. The burgers taste just like the ones at the drive-in my parents used to take us to, before McDonalds came into being.
The food is largely unremarkable, but we love the salsa at Chevy’s.
Explain, please. I love In-N-Out and ate there on almost a daily basis in college (there was one right next door). Good food, good ingredients, clean atmosphere, polite staff, decent prices…I can’t see the problem.
Oooooooo… Not Your Average Joe’s… My FAV!!! Best. Food.Ever!
The food is mediocre. Most overrated food chain in the United States.
Another vote for Chipotle.
I like the way they pay their employees better, treat them better, etc.
I like the atmosphere, the appearance of the place, the whole concept.
I hate their food. Their fries are god-awful, the burgers are terrible. I wanted to like them and I heard people rave about them for years before I ever tried them.
I was so disappointed when I did. Dammit, they just aren’t very good.
Houston has no shortage of Mexican-style food, but Chipotle is still a handy option. And often more convenient for lunch than our many more “authentic” places. I’d like to make one point: