# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/21 "2016-07-08T20:45:59Z")
Unos Bar&Grill comes to mind first: they have a good sized selection and I love their pizza. No breakfast plates, though, which would make me sad. Someone said Cheesecake Factory because of their enormous menu but they don’t have breakfast either, I think. ---
**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, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/22 "2016-07-08T21:02:20Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > **Denny’s,** for sure. Their menu is huge. Also, they’re open 24/7, right? ---
**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, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/23 "2016-07-08T21:13:29Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Funny, my first thought was La Sardine or Maude’s, both in the west loop in Chicago and within 20 mile too 😃 Whoa…I’m currently in the area between Chicago’s Little Italy and the UIC campus. Maybe I’ll treat myself. ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/24 "2016-07-08T21:29:58Z")
Wagamamas. I’ve actually had their breakfast before, many years ago, when terminal 5 at Heathrow had just opened. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/25 "2016-07-08T21:31:04Z")
> [@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. > > Aaaaaaaand I see it has to be within 20 miles of my house. Crap. Wait! I’ll choose Café De La Presse in SF… and move there! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/26 "2016-07-08T21:40:36Z")
20 miles, huh. That means no French Laundry for me. ☹ Is that as the crow flies? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/27 "2016-07-08T22:07:20Z")
I would have to go with [Ninja Sushi](http://www.ninjasushiroseville.com/#home)in Roseville. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/28 "2016-07-08T22:51:21Z")
Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant … I’d eat nothing but #34’s the rest of my life … ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/29 "2016-07-08T22:55:04Z")
The folks at my local Honeybaked Ham will witness that a man can live on the Turkey/Ham pesto for all of his remaining days. I recognize we’re not all that fortunate, but that’s my station in life. ---
**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 9, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/30 "2016-07-09T00:54:04Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Whoa…I’m currently in the area between Chicago’s Little Italy and the UIC campus. Maybe I’ll treat myself. If you need company just say the word - I’m always up for a great dinner. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/31 "2016-07-09T01:44:49Z")
A diner called Clarke’s just opened 1.5 blocks away. While not amazing food or anything, they have everything, and it’s a smidge closer to me than the tapas place I like that also serves breakfast-y brunch food. I think fruit and grains are better covered at Clarke’s, too. ---
**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 9, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/32 "2016-07-09T01:58:03Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant … > > I’d eat nothing but #34’s the rest of my life … Would that qualify as food porn? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/33 "2016-07-09T02:02:34Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > 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. I’m in the same boat, only it’s a super club. The ambiance is dated and the clientele is certainly nursing home bound but the wide variety of food available is all above average and while I could get a particular item better somewhere else nowhere else has the total package. It helps also their menu changes regularly. For a national chain it’s a toss up between Wendy’s and Green Mill. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/34 "2016-07-09T02:18:05Z")
If there is only one restaurant within 20 miles, do you have to choose it? Actually there’s a food court nearby (I’m on the Big Island now, not in Jakarta) that has one place with decent food and variety, Paradise Grill. They have tasty salad, fish sandwiches, tacos, pizza, burgers, kalua pork, and veggie burgers, so I guess I’d manage. But I’d like more variety. My real choice is probably a smidge over 20 miles away - I would have to check the map. It’s a new place so given what a risky business the restaurant industry is, there’s no guarantee it will last. But the food is to die for! It makes me think that a world-famous chef has thought to his or herself, “gee, I’m so famous now that everyone thinks I’m great and I can’t fail. But I miss the old days when I was just an eager, ambitious chef starting out. I’m going to go ‘undercover’ and start a new restaurant under a pseudonym, just to see if I’ve still got it.” Anyway, it’s in Waimea, HI, and called Fish and Hog. Should you find yourself on the Big Island at some point, I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve tasted 4 different entrees there, and all of them, plus the sides, are ethereally delicious. I’m pretty sure I could eat the poke burger and a side salad every day forever, so I won’t worry about the variety much, although the menu is reasonably varied. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/35 "2016-07-09T03:24:05Z")
The next town over from me (and within 20 miles) has a tea room called the Waffalata. They don’t serve breakfast, but have stuff like quiche that would work to that purpose. And although they close down by 3:00, I could order all my food in advance and just take it home with me each day for the evening meal. Because overall, they’ve got a decent menu selection, the closest thing we’ve got around here to really interesting fare and it’s all incredibly delicious. Plus, their desserts are divine. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/36 "2016-07-09T04:08:20Z")
Woody’s Library [Menus - Woodys Library Restaurant](http://www.woodyscarmel.com/menus.html) In one of the original Carnegie libraries, the upstairs is an upscale casual restaurant, and the downstairs is a very casual bar. There is also nice outdoor dining for the good weather. They have a very extensive menu that rotates frequently with enough diversity I could eat there for a month or so without having the same thing twice and I could alternate between the upstairs and downstairs (and deck) to feel like I was at different places. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/37 "2016-07-09T05:43:28Z")
[Carbones](http://www.carbonesrestaurant.com/) Normally, I HATE to be one of those “I only go to out of the way, unknown places”, but oh my god, their food is to die for. I have family members who live right in that neighborhood, so they go there all the time. If you’re EVER in that area, you have to try it. The staff is super nice, the owners are cool, and the food is fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/38 "2016-07-09T10:14:37Z")
I’m tempted to say The Napa Rose, in the Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort, but I’m afraid I’d have to skip breakfast every day. AND lunch, apparently, since they’re only open between 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. I’m going to go with the Storytellers Cafe, at the same hotel. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/39 "2016-07-09T10:18:57Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > 20 miles, huh. That means no French Laundry for me. ☹ > Is that as the crow flies? You could move, and THEN answer the thread… ---
**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 9, 2016, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398/40 "2016-07-09T10:27:12Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > [Carbones](http://www.carbonesrestaurant.com/) > > Normally, I HATE to be one of those “I only go to out of the way, unknown places”, but oh my god, their food is to die for. I have family members who live right in that neighborhood, so they go there all the time. > > If you’re EVER in that area, you have to try it. The staff is super nice, the owners are cool, and the food is fantastic. Yeah, Carbones is great! We are lucky to have an equally good, though much smaller Italian place five minutes away, [Anna’s](http://www.annascucinarustica.com/#!contact/c24vq). Both places make me think _Godfather_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-pick-one-restaurant-for-all-your-meals/759398.md?page=3)