# If you had to pick one restaurant for all your meals... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 8, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398 "2016-07-08T15:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/1 "2016-07-08T15:14:39Z")
…which one would you choose? The premise is that all your meals will be paid for, but you have to eat there, _and there only_. Also, the restaurant has to be within twenty miles of your residence. You may expand that radius only if there are no restaurants in that area. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/2 "2016-07-08T15:19:25Z")
I’d go with a diner that’s about 5 miles away. It’s not the best food in the area, but enough variety I wouldn’t go nuts from eating the same stuff day in day out. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/3 "2016-07-08T15:25:02Z")
☹ Stealing my threads? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=797748](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=797748) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/4 "2016-07-08T15:25:57Z")
I’m going to go with tapas. Specifically, I don’t know, let’s go with [Estadio](http://estadio-dc.com/) in Logan Circle, just because it’s the one I’ve been to most recently. Small plates, tons of variety, charcuterie, fancy cheeses, paella, it might take decades before I tired of it. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/5 "2016-07-08T15:31:10Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > ☹ > > Stealing my threads? > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=797748](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=797748) > > 😛 It’s a different question. In yours, one restaurant is free, but you can choose to pay to eat elsewhere. Here, you are required to eat at one place and no others. * * * My first inclination would be a Cheesecake Factory. They have an enormous menu so I wouldn’t be too worried about getting bored of the food. Although it would be quite a drive, because even though they’re within the 20 miles specified by OP, it would still be a 30-40 minute drive from my house. If I was going to go much closer I might pick Waffle House. Still a pretty good variety plus they have breakfast. A bit low on veggies, but presumably I am only required to eat there when I’m not eating at home. EDIT: some of the local buffets would also be a good choice for variety. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/6 "2016-07-08T15:36:03Z")
I know, I’m just busting czarcasm for the fun of it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/7 "2016-07-08T15:37:13Z")
There’s a Red Robin a couple of miles away, close enough for the handcycle 3 times a day.The only other choices are chain restaurants like Applebee’s/Sizzler/Chili’s and various fast foods. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/8 "2016-07-08T15:39:26Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I know, I’m just busting czarcasm for the fun of it. 🙂 And for that, you get Taco Bell for the rest of _your_ life. 😃 I would choose the [Portland City Grill.](http://portlandcitygrill.com/) I’ve eaten in many cities and towns, but never better than at the PCG, and the menu changes regularly. And the view is to die for. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/9 "2016-07-08T15:44:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And for that, you get Taco Bell for the rest of _your_ life. 😃 Excellent! Now I can eat and crap at the same time without worrying about all that pesky ‘digesting’ and stuff - what a time saver. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/10 "2016-07-08T15:48:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > \*\*And for that, you get Taco Bell for the rest of _your_ life. 😃 > \*\* > I would choose the [Portland City Grill.](http://portlandcitygrill.com/) I’ve eaten in many cities and towns, but never better than at the PCG, and the menu changes regularly. > And the view is to die for. Not much of a threat. Eventually, all restaurants will be Taco Bell anyway. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/11 "2016-07-08T15:50:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > …which one would you choose? The premise is that all your meals will be paid for, but you have to eat there, _and there only_. “Why is that strikingly handsome man eating a sandwich in the ruins of that building?” “That’s just Waldo; ten years ago, he chose a restaurant that went out of business.” ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/12 "2016-07-08T16:46:21Z")
Is said restaurant my ONLY source of food? ie: Can I still cook at home? There’s a place not far from me called Black Bear Diner. It’s like Denny’s but not open super late and with a slightly smaller menu. Decent enough variety that I probably wouldn’t go stark raving nuts from the repetition for a month or two, and it’s the kind of place where I suspect once they realize I’m a \*very \*regular customer, they’d be willing to make things for me if I bring in Mom’s cookbook, and even happily accommodate things like “My birthday’s coming up…can I get a lobster and shrimp scampi next Tuesday?” ---
**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:** [July 8, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/13 "2016-07-08T16:48:37Z")
[House of 1000 Beers menu](http://houseof1000beers.com/menu). Chef Brian comes up with daily specials that are amazing. It would be suicide, but I’d go with a smile on my face. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/14 "2016-07-08T16:52:46Z")
Easy choice. A new Cajun food cart opened about four blocks away. It’s authentic and delicious, offering both po’boys and the usual New Orleans fare, including beignets. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/15 "2016-07-08T18:08:17Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Is said restaurant my ONLY source of food? ie: Can I still cook at home? > > There’s a place not far from me called Black Bear Diner. It’s like Denny’s but not open super late and with a slightly smaller menu. Decent enough variety that I probably wouldn’t go stark raving nuts from the repetition for a month or two, and it’s the kind of place where I suspect once they realize I’m a \*very \*regular customer, they’d be willing to make things for me if I bring in Mom’s cookbook, and even happily accommodate things like “My birthday’s coming up…can I get a lobster and shrimp scampi next Tuesday?” 1. Yes, it will be the only source of food. 2. No, you have to eat off of the menu, same as all the other customers. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/16 "2016-07-08T18:39:52Z")
Local place, Blue Star Cafe. American diner food but done with quality and a large variety of ingredients and variations. Heck, just with the build-your-own-omelet selections I could stay happy indefinitely. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/17 "2016-07-08T18:47:04Z")
Cracker Barrel. Can get breakfast, fish, pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/18 "2016-07-08T19:46:55Z")
I would choose a restaurant in the French countryside. Nobody ever says “French food!” when asked about their favorite ethnic cuisine, but the French do EVERYTHING well and have always sought out the freshest, in-season food. I would never get tired of it. Aaaaaaaand I see it has to be within 20 miles of my house. Crap. Okay, a really good Greek diner. Hundreds of dishes to choose from – omelettes to burgers to tuna salad to steaks and chops – and they try their best at Italian, Mexican, and other popular cuisines. ---
**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:** [July 8, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/19 "2016-07-08T20:20:26Z")
**Denny’s,** for sure. Their menu is huge. **Red Robin** is a good choice, but they don’t have breakfast and I might die from never-ending fries. Both of them are kind of a bitch to get to, though, even though they’re just 12 miles away. If I had to pick something in my neighborhood I guess **Panera**. I can see myself living off bagels and sandwiches forever. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/20 "2016-07-08T20:35:16Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I would choose a restaurant in the French countryside. > > Nobody ever says “French food!” when asked about their favorite ethnic cuisine, but the French do EVERYTHING well and have always sought out the freshest, in-season food. I would never get tired of it. Funny, my first thought was La Sardine or Maude’s, both in the west loop in Chicago and within 20 mile too 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398.md?page=2)