# Favorite restaurants you can't get at home **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 2, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910 "2010-08-02T17:54:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/81 "2010-08-04T18:40:25Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > > [@MTCicero](#): > > > > Apparently, you’ve never tried [Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams](http://jenisicecreams.com/index.html), out of Columbus. I live in the greater-Cincy area, and while Graeter’s is certainly good, it fails to reach the heights (both in flavor and, unfortunately, price) of Jeni’s. > > > > And you do know that, for an arm and a leg (presumably), you can get Graeter’s ice cream [shipped to your door](http://www.graeters.com/ship.aspx), right? > > Fear not! [Graeter’s is going national](http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100721/BIZ01/307210135/1001/BIZ/New-facility-helps-Graeter-s-go-national)! Purity Ice Cream is based in Ithaca. But annoyingly, I live just outside of their sales zone. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/82 "2010-08-04T18:41:07Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > [@Voyager](#): > > > > Also in the Bay Area, somewhere, because they had a big booth at a street fair I was at this weekend. However, they seemed a bit reticent about giving their location, and they never advertise. > > Yes, that is really strange. Five Guys is obviously putting a lot of effort in expanding. But they’re not advertising. Word of mouth is fine but you’d think they’d buy a few ads to let people know they’ve arrived. I’ll be damned, there’s 5 in Phoenix and 1 in Tucson. I would never have thought to check if you hadn’t mentioned that. And not a one of them is convenient to me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Winnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e480ec/32.png) [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/83 "2010-08-04T19:14:51Z")
SONIC!!! There’s not one in a reasonable distance from me (at least an hour in any direction) yet our local tv stations are forever showing Sonic commercials day and night. I’m 4 months pregnant and what I wouldn’t do for a cherry lime rickey… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/84 "2010-08-04T23:42:14Z")
I’m assuming this thread is limited to chains. In that case, In-N-Out is the one I miss the most. My waistline is thankful it’s not located here, but it truly is the perfect fast food burger. Anderson’s (Buffalo-area) for their frozen custard and beef-on-weck. I’m a fan of Charlie the Butcher’s, but it’s not a chain, so I’d settle for an Anderson’s. Kopp’s (of the Milwaukee area) for their frozen custard (and I like their hamburgers, too.) ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/85 "2010-08-05T07:53:37Z")
When we head to the States, fella bilong missus flodnak insists on at least one supper at Long John Silver’s, and the young flodnaks insist on as many meals at Sonic as they can possibly swing. Me, I miss KFC, but not so much now that I found the Top Secret Recipes version of their coleslaw. I also have one question for our resident Swedes: why won’t you share Max with us? What have we done to offend you so? It’s that ice cream thing again, isn’t it. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/86 "2010-08-05T12:26:21Z")
> [@lavenderviolet](#): > > Graeter’s ice cream in Cincy is the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Nothing else is close. > > The area I live in now has every chain restaurant I could want and lots of great local places, but I haven’t found a match for Graeter’s here yet. Graeter’s is indeed the best ice cream on the planet, and not just for the black raspberry chip. Their coconut ice cream is killer. Shit, all their flavors are awesome. > [@Asimovian](#): > > Damn. I was right across the street from one, and my girlfriend said “Oooh, Graeter’s!” But I wasn’t in the mood for ice cream at the time. Now I may never know! _sob_ RE: your neutrality declaration about Skyline and now your nonchalance about Graeter’s ice cream? I’m striking you out of my will! You are dead to me! 🙂 > [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Years ago in Cincinnati, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when the BBQ place (Montgomery Inn) on the corner across from our apartment burnt down to the ground and they built a Tony Roma’s in its place. This is one Cincinnati food that I don’t really get. Sure, its pretty good, but I don’t particularly care for their sweet style of BBQ sauce they use on their ribs. It has legions of fans though. I would have preferred the Tony Roma’s too! I know, sacrilege! ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/87 "2010-08-05T12:37:10Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Graeter’s is indeed the best ice cream on the planet, and not just for the black raspberry chip. Their coconut ice cream is killer. Shit, all their flavors are awesome. Try some [Jeni’s](http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/03/mail-order-ice-cream-jenis-splendid-ice-cream-columbus-ohio.html) brown butter almond brittle, then get back to me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/88 "2010-08-05T14:10:29Z")
For the record, this thread is NOT limited to chains. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/89 "2010-08-05T14:16:46Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’m going to miss Bob Evans, and if I ever move someplace with no Wendy’s I’ll probably cry. If you ever move to the South, do yourself a favor and keep missing Bob Evans. Every one I’ve been to down here sucks beyond belief. Count me in as a big, big fan of Graeter’s black raspberry chip. As for their coconut, I never tried it, but if you can get your hands on [Ciao Bella Coconut Sorbet](http://www.ciaobellagelato.com/#/products/160) (or any other of their delicious gelatos and sorbets), you will not be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/90 "2010-08-05T14:24:04Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > > [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > > > Years ago in Cincinnati, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when the BBQ place (Montgomery Inn) on the corner across from our apartment burnt down to the ground and they built a Tony Roma’s in its place. > > This is one Cincinnati food that I don’t really get. Sure, its pretty good, but I don’t particularly care for their sweet style of BBQ sauce they use on their ribs. It has legions of fans though. I would have preferred the Tony Roma’s too! I know, sacrilege! I liked MI enough, but then I tend to prefer the sweet, smoky sauce to the vinegary stuff most often served around here. I guess I’m sacrilegious, too! But TR was like a comforting reminder of home at a time I needed to rekindle those connections to quell the growing homesickness within. Strangely, TR doesn’t do that anymore and I yearn for Skyline Chili and First Watch! Funny, how it goes. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/91 "2010-08-05T15:56:29Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > For the record, this thread is NOT limited to chains. So, basically, what are your go-to restaurants outside your city? In that case, these are the restaurants I try to always hit up when I’m in the area: Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix, AZ) - pizza Charlie the Butcher (Buffalo, NY) - beef-on-weck Zingerman’s Deli (Ann Arbor, MI) - sandwiches Morris Grocery (Eads, TN) - pulled pork sandwich Toby’s (Coupeville, WA) - Penn Cove mussels ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/92 "2010-08-05T17:49:57Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Zingerman’s Deli (Ann Arbor, MI) - sandwiches Oooh. Good call. here. I’ve only been the one time, but one of my coworkers here in LA used to be an employee there and made sure I stopped there when in town. I will happily make that trek anytime I’m near Michigan. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/93 "2010-08-05T17:52:51Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > As for their coconut, I never tried it Oh, it’s good. _Very_ good. ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/94 "2010-08-05T19:05:09Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > I like Arby’s. There are none in Ottawa. People who are Arby’s adjacent tell me I’m dumb for caring. Other american franchises I’d like to see here: > > -Chipotle (LOVE) > -Papa John’s Pizza > -White Castle Unless you are referring to an Ottawa in the U.S. … [http://web.sa.mapquest.com/arbys/advantage.adp?transaction=locmap&mapstyle=european&recordId=2371&name=Unit%20#2371&address=474%20HAZELDEAN%20RD.&city=KANATA&stateProvince=ON&country=CA&latitude=45.297777&longitude=-75.888975&iconid=32433001&user1=UNIT%20#14](http://web.sa.mapquest.com/arbys/advantage.adp?transaction=locmap&mapstyle=european&recordId=2371&name=Unit%20#2371&address=474%20HAZELDEAN%20RD.&city=KANATA&stateProvince=ON&country=CA&latitude=45.297777&longitude=-75.888975&iconid=32433001&user1=UNIT%20#14) ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/95 "2010-08-05T19:29:08Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Scheiner Boch beer (Texas). Granted, not a beer, but I can’t get it in Michigan. I normally don’t nitpick spelling errors, but it took me a while to understand this. Do you mean Shiner Bock Beer? And are you saying it’s _not_ a beer? Anyway, I haven’t lived in St. Louis since I left to go to college [sub]mumble[/sub] years ago, but I certainly miss: - Ted Drewes frozen custard - nothing like it anywhere else - Rigazzi’s - cheap italian food deep in the heart of mobster land - CJ Muggs - local place in my home town - The Fatted Calf - see above - St. Louis Bread Co. - local equivalent of TOGOs - Naugles - not even sure if they’re around any more - White Castle - count me in on the list of people that say the frozen kind is no substitue. ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/96 "2010-08-05T21:27:36Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > > [@Gulo\_gulo](#): > > > > That’s our favourite Zip’s as well. They use real onions in their onion rings, some of the others don’t. If I moved from here I think I’d miss \*\*Bruchi’s \*\*worst of all. > > > > We’re not huge fast-food fans but my fave unlocal restaurants include **Dick’s Drive-In** in Seattle andf **Burgerville**. When in Canada, I manage to hit an **A&W**. (I don’t like the ones down here. Completely different.) > > > > We’re actually getting some surprisingly good sushi places on this side of the state so I was able to strike that craving from my list. > > Do you live in the Tri-Cities? I grew up there but moved to Chicago six years ago. Maybe we know each other. 🙂 > > Oh, and Bruchi’s is great. I’ve had some really good cheesesteaks here in Chicago (a place called Philly’s Best does authentic Philly food) and I have to say, Bruchi’s does it right. They really do. Yes, I’ve been stuck here for about 10 years now. My husband grew up here so chances would be better (depending on your age, school, and skateboard use) that you know him. 🙂 I’d KILL for a decent ice cream place around here. OH, but I’ll add that the Country Mercantile on Hwy 395 heading north from Pasco, has amazing wraps. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/97 "2010-08-09T06:32:07Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > - Ted Drewes frozen custard - nothing like it anywhere else I’ve never had frozen custard. I’ve had ice cream, ice milk, frozen yogurt, but never frozen custard, despite the fact that my great aunt worked in a frozen custard stand in Lewiston, New York for years… So, what’s frozen custard taste like? ---
**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:** [August 9, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/98 "2010-08-09T13:39:55Z")
Whenever I go back to Saskatoon, I make a point to eat at Taco Time. Mmm…crisp meat burrito and Mexifries… ---
**Author:** ![Notchimine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bcef8e/32.png) [@Notchimine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Notchimine)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/99 "2010-08-09T14:46:36Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > [Nathan’s](http://nathansfamous.com/PageFetch/) - They opened 2 right near me (also Cincinnati area) and then closed them 8 months later. Teases. > > [Ben’s Deli](http://www.bensdeli.net/)- Or any decent Kosher Deli. > > [California Pizza Kitchen](http://www.cpk.com/) > > [Weathervane Seafood Restaurant](http://www.weathervaneseafoods.com/). I was amazed that you mentioned Bens Deli. I didn’t even realize there was more than one. My family and I used to eat at the restaurant in Baldwin LI in the early 70s when it WAS the only one. Since then we have moved out of NY. When we visit, we always make a stop for lunch. When I googled it I was shocked to see how many locations there are currently. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910/100 "2010-08-09T15:32:02Z")
> [@In\_Winnipeg](#): > > I’ve never had frozen custard. > > I’ve had ice cream, ice milk, frozen yogurt, but never frozen custard, despite the fact that my great aunt worked in a frozen custard stand in Lewiston, New York for years… > > So, what’s frozen custard taste like? Similar to frozen yogurt, but with a slight tang. Incredibly tasty. I went to visit a friend in St. Louis 10 years ago, and he insisted I have Ted Drewes. And even though I was in a really foul mood at the time, it was incredibly tasty. You can get it other places, though. I was recently at Progressive Field in Cleveland for a baseball game, and one of their stands had frozen custard. Still good stuff! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-restaurants-you-cant-get-at-home/548910.md?page=6)