# Favorite Meal at a sit -down chain restaurant **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668 "2012-01-26T01:55:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/21 "2012-01-26T14:14:51Z")
Rattlesnake Pasta at Pizzaria Uno. I get it everytime I have lunch there … and wouldn’t you know it, I have a lunch date with my daughter on Saturday. I think I’m already ready to order. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/22 "2012-01-26T14:23:52Z")
Wafflehouse- pecan waffled, side of bacon, hashbrowns scattered, covered & smothered. Vanilla coke. Crackerbarrel- catfish fillets, turniup greens & home fries. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/23 "2012-01-26T14:44:05Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > I’m all over the turkey burger at Red Robin. For some reason, it just hits all the right notes for me. A little spicy, a little savory, and it’s a turkey burger so I like to feel like I’ve shaved off some calories there. (I probably haven’t, but I \*feel \*like I have.) Wow, I thought I was the only weirdo who prefers their turkey burger. I tend to find their hamburgers too juicy for my tastes; the turkey burger has a great blend of flavor and texture and, yes, is probably slightly less horrible for me. That’s how I justify having more fries. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/24 "2012-01-26T14:54:29Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > My favorite Cracker Barrel meal is the baked haddock with carrots, green beans, and turnip greens. Light and delicious. I used to hate going to Cracker Barrel, but since they added the baked haddock I can easily tolerate it. I love the bison burger at Red Robin’s - but none of the local RR’s have it. ☹ I used to order the mussels at Carrabba’s served over pasta (off menu) - now they’ve added a dish called “Linguine Pescatore” which is similar, but also has shrimp and scallops. It’s nearly $17, though. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/25 "2012-01-26T14:58:44Z")
Keg - Mushrooms Neptune (Appetizer) I don’t know what it is about them - I’ve had basically the same recipe in other places but I believe that the Keg must infuse the cream cheese/crab filling with an addictive drug. ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/26 "2012-01-26T15:16:12Z")
I can’t think of any meals that I keep going back to, but I love the Outback Blue cheese Pecan chopped salad. I don’t always order it, though, because it’s almost 600 calories, and half the daily sodium requirement. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/27 "2012-01-26T15:35:08Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Keg - Mushrooms Neptune (Appetizer) > > I don’t know what it is about them - I’ve had basically the same recipe in other places but I believe that the Keg must infuse the cream cheese/crab filling with an addictive drug. I always get the rib steak at The Keg (comes with sauteed mushrooms and French fried onions) with a baked potato. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/28 "2012-01-26T15:49:35Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Red Robin - Teriyaki Burger > I think that’s what it’s called, the one with teriyaki and pineapple. Makes me feel all devil-may-care. Bonzi Burger. My favorite too. There are not many chains where I live, but we do have a Ruby Tuesdays. I like their Brocolli Cheese soup and the salad bar. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/29 "2012-01-26T15:52:06Z")
I stopped going to Applebee’s when our meal arrived before it could even have been cooked, and at the exact same time as our appetizer (tortilla chips with salsa). It was grilled chicken in pasta and had to have been microwaved. It was also tasteless. My favorite chain is Chili’s. They have good chicken soft tacos and good salads. Olive Garden isn’t bad, I love their salads and soups. TGI Friday’s isn’t bad but I don’t have a food preference there. I think Cracker Barrel has the absolute worst chicken and dumplings I have ever tasted. I gagged trying to eat it (I was a kid and couldn’t simply refuse it). We just got a Chepe’s (Mexican) and their food is pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/30 "2012-01-26T16:18:12Z")
**Olive Garden** - Spaghetti with Sausages and the 5 cheese marinara sauce instead of the regular sauce **Cracker Barrel** - Hamburger Steak with A1, hashbrown casserole and green beans. \*\*IHOP \*\*- TBone steak with redskin potatoes and corn ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/31 "2012-01-26T17:04:07Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > **Olive Garden** - Spaghetti with Sausages and the **5 cheese marinara sauce** instead of the regular sauce Olive Garden will never be taken seriously with items like “5 cheese marinara sauce”. What’s next, cheeseless alfredo sauce? ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/32 "2012-01-26T17:15:44Z")
Those cheese biscuits at Red Lobster. Mmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/33 "2012-01-26T17:40:29Z")
I love the crap out of the Crispy Chicken Crispers at Chillis, though I have to admit that I haven’t been there in over a year. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/34 "2012-01-26T17:49:54Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Macaroni Grill for the Penne Rustica. > . This is a damn tasty dish; but for me its Veal saltimbocca with a side of sauteed spinach instead of pasta. But my husband gets penne rustica and lets me have a bite. The Mac is a-ok in my book. Olive Garden isn’t fit to lick its boots and anyone who says differently may meet me with pistols at dawn. Good day! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/35 "2012-01-26T17:58:05Z")
Blue cheese burger at Red Robin but with regular mayo and no bbq sauce. The chicken ceasar salad at Applebees is worth going in for. I pick one up “curbside” once a week or so. I usually can’t decide at Olive Garden and I’m not usually hungry after the salad and breadsticks so I just get a Tour of Italy. Outback I like their Filet Foccacia sandwich. It’s the only thing I can get there and finish completely that doesn’t make me pukey-full. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/36 "2012-01-26T18:37:26Z")
I ain’t proud, but I love them Southwestern Eggrolls at Chili’s. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/37 "2012-01-26T18:46:30Z")
From Coastal Flats, (part of a regional chain in northern Virginia known as the Great American Resaurants) the filet mignon and crabcake (with the filet cooked medium) is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, they also have shrimp and grits (yes, really) that are to die for. I almost don’t like going there because the decision between the two is so difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/38 "2012-01-26T19:00:36Z")
> [@Interrobang](#): > > Wow, I thought I was the only weirdo who prefers their turkey burger. I tend to find their hamburgers too juicy for my tastes; the turkey burger has a great blend of flavor and texture and, yes, is probably slightly less horrible for me. That’s how I justify having more fries. According to [Redrobin.com](http://Redrobin.com)’s nutrition facts, it’s about a 50 calorie difference. Soooo half a fry? 😛 I do love me a Whiskey River BBQ burger from Red Robin, though. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/39 "2012-01-26T19:30:15Z")
Mmm, Cracker Barrel breakfast. Eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits washed down with iced tea. (Their coffee is not All That, but their sausage is in-freaking-credible.) Lay off the biscuits and use artificial sweetener in the tea and it’s a pretty good Atkins option (the grits come in a small but tasty portion, use plenty of salt, pepper and butter). ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668/40 "2012-01-26T19:56:35Z")
Hard to pick just one… Top 3 are probably: Outback - the Outback Special (steak) Red Robin - Banzai Burger Cracker Barrel - Chicken & Dumplings [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meal-at-a-sit-down-chain-restaurant/610668.md?page=3)