# Tell us about your local/regional restaurant chains **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 17, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392 "2022-10-17T22:46:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/181 "2024-09-09T02:37:47Z")
There’s a small pizza chain, with three stores in my city and one about 25 miles away in another town. The original was in my city. It’s called Glory Days. The first time I patronized it I called in an order for pickup, and when I arrived and ID’d myself the girl at the counter’s face fell. Turns out she hadn’t turned in the order for my anchovy pizza. I’ve worked in food service and I _ **know** _ mistakes happen so I told her I’d wait. She rushed into the back and brought out the manager. He told me they were going to give me the pizza for free and a coupon for the next one free. He had some cheese stick that hadn’t been picked up and I got them too. The pizza was great and I became a fan of the place. I don’t often order pizza, but when I do it’s from Glory Days. Making a mistake can happen, it’s how they handle it that matters. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/182 "2024-09-09T21:18:34Z")
One of the more frequently encountered restaurants in SE England - though their range is extending - is Bills. It’s affordable and does things like avocado toast and scrambled eggs and …. Harmless things, really. Nice enough, but surprising that there was a gap in the market for it. But what interests me is this: I knew Bill’s before it was a restaurant, let alone a chain. Back in the day it was a trendy grocery store in Lewes (god, I have posted so many times about Lewes), on the south coast pretty much due south of London. Then they opened up a few tables selling amiable snacks as an extension of the grocery - we used to go there often back then, as it was cheap and rather good. And we have watched with a degree of puzzlement as it grew. Nearing 100 branches now. I would never have thought that would happen with such a simple idea. j ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/183 "2024-09-09T21:53:33Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Interesting, Squeeze In is still around in a similar market (more east + Modesto) but don’t acknowledge each other. And remember how in the OP I mentioned that there was a location in Roseville that wasn’t listed on their website? That restaurant has its [own website](https://squeezeburgerroseville.com/), which claims that _they_ are the former Squeeze Inn, and doesn’t acknowledge the other Squeeze Burger locations. And apparently the food truck is run by the Roseville restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/184 "2024-09-10T16:37:13Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > P.S.- Typical danged Americanized drinks menu – they don’t even have Caesars, pretty much their #1 drink at Canadian locations! 😉 It’s not a particularly obscure drink, even if most people wouldn’t like it. But any bar that specializes in brunch type stuff has Clamato. I’m sure you could ask for it even if not on the menu. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/185 "2024-09-10T20:06:38Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Clamato I’ll speculate that Mexican michaladas or sangrita are just as often what’s keeping Clamato on menus and bar inventories. I love it and all V8s and similar beverages but, it’s soooo salty. Even for me, a salt loving, ~~dyed in the wool~~ brined in the head old salt. I used to sometimes get the Bloody Mary mixer for airline flight complimentary bev, Schweppes or Mrs Ts usually, no liquor, but I was left so thirsty in my seat that Chapstick started to sound like a good ‘drink.’ ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/186 "2024-09-10T20:26:26Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > In the Chicago area: > [@pulykamell](#): > > continuing Chicago area In planning my trip to Chicago in a few weeks, I was looking around for a good hot dog place near Wrigley Field (because baseball and hot dogs just go together). In my search, I found [Devil Dawgs](https://www.devildawgs.com/), which appears to have 5 locations around Chicago. I don’t think they’ve been mentioned in this thread yet, so I am mentioning them. I will defer to the Chicagoans as to whether they’re any good or not, but they appear to have good reviews. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/187 "2024-09-10T20:44:38Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I was looking around for a good hot dog place near Wrigley Field (because baseball and hot dogs just go together) I would suggest Wiener Circle around there, but don’t go at night during the drunk crowd, unless you know what you’re getting yourself into and like that sort of thing. The place is infamous for its rather “all-in-good-fun” abusive late-night vibe, but their hot dogs are some of my favorite hot dogs around, especially if you want to get a char dog (and there, it’s absolutely necessary to try a char dog.) There’s also Red Hot Ranch, highly recommended. Both are about a mile and a half from Wrigley, so I don’t know if that’s close enough for you. I’ve had Devil Dawgs once on South State and it was reasonable. Not my favorite hot dog around here, but it does the job. Byron’s is also nearby and highly rated, but their normal hot dogs are skinless, so a no-go for me. If I’m going out for a hot dog, it’s natural casing or I’m eating something else. Their 1/2 pound Dogzilla is natural casing, but I like the skinny 8-to-1s (1/8 lb) as my hot dog. And if you want a true “dragged through the garden dog,” that’s your place, as they have a hot dog that has the standard 7 toppings, and add fresh cucumber, lettuce, and green peppers to it. Not my style, but if you feel like you need some veggies, go ahead. Wiener Circle will serve the usual Chicago 7, and Redhot Ranch just does what has become to be known as a “Depression dog” here, with mustard, onions, relish, and sport peppers only (this is the dog I grew up with, not the kind with tomatoes and celery salt on a poppy seed bun.) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/188 "2024-09-10T21:04:40Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Both are about a mile and a half from Wrigley, so I don’t know if that’s close enough for you. As long as I can easily get there on the L. That’s a big part of why I was looking at Devil Dawgs – there’s one literally right next to the Belmont L station. It looks like Wiener Circle isn’t too terribly far from the L, so that might be my pick. It also sounds like the kind of hot dog I’m looking for, with the standard 7 toppings. I also noticed a place called Wrigleyville Dogs which looks like the only place that’s actually within walking distance from Wrigley, but they seem to get mediocre reviews from Chicagoans, and more importantly their website includes a picture of a hot dog with _ketchup_ on it, which seems like a big red flag. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/189 "2024-09-10T21:21:46Z")
And I missed the edit window, but since I’m just doing the Wrigley Field tour in the morning and not staying for the game, I’m assuming the concession stand won’t be open yet. But if by some chance it is, I’m guessing I could get one there, too. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/190 "2024-09-10T21:28:47Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I will defer to the Chicagoans as to whether they’re any good or not, but they appear to have good reviews. And I’ll defer to @pulykamell (and any other locals with a POV), as I live in the suburbs, and haven’t been up to Wrigleyville for a game in probably a decade. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/191 "2024-09-10T21:51:18Z")
[_Wildflower Bread Company_](https://wildflowerbread.com) has 16 locations in Arizona (mostly Phoenix area plus Sedona, Prescott, and Flagstaff). A higher quality version of Panera - better soups and some entrees beyond salads and sandwiches. [_Macayo’s Mexican Foods_](https://www.macayo.com/) has 13 locations plus a food truck in the Phoenix area. Claims to have invented the chimichanga (as does El Charro in Tucson). Decent quality Mexican food. [_Maskadores Taco Shop_](https://maskadorestacoshops.com/) 20 locations in the Phoenix area, counter service Mexican fast food cooked/assembled while you watch (Chipotle without the food poisoning). 14 meat choices with pretty much any assembly method you could want. Watch out for the green chili sauce, it’s REALLY hot. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/192 "2024-09-14T13:14:03Z")
forgot Der Wienerschnitzel in So Cal ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/193 "2024-09-16T06:08:31Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The closest one to me is not a drive-in like they used to be, but rather another fast-food joint. May I ask, what’s the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/194 "2024-09-16T11:07:45Z")
We have a number of family-style barbecue restaurants that started in and around Jacksonville, FL, and expanded regionally (or beyond), including **Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q** , **Woody’s Bar-B-Q** , **The Bearded Pig** , and **Sonny’s BBQ** (which started in Gainesville but quickly became a local favorite in Jacksonville). These places focus on serving up classic, no-frills barbecue at affordable prices. Other local Jacksonville-born restaurants that have successfully grown regionally include **Firehouse Subs** (founded by Jacksonville firefighters), **Metro Diner** (famous for its comfort food and hearty portions), **Maple Street Biscuit Company** (known for its creative Southern-style biscuits), and **The Loop Pizza Grill** (serving hand-tossed pizzas and burgers). While **Zaxby’s** and **Hurricane Grill & Wings** didn’t originate in Jacksonville, they quickly gained popularity here and have since expanded across the Southeast. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/195 "2024-09-16T12:39:11Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The closest one to me is not a drive-in like they used to be, but rather another fast-food joint. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > May I ask, what’s the difference? A drive-in, in my mind, is like a Sonic ‘restaurant’, where a customer drives his car into a stall, places his order via a speaker, and receives his food from an employee who delivers his order (commonly called a car-hop). That’s what most, if not all, A&W establishments were when I was a lot younger. A typical fast-food joint, OTOH, is a store like McDonald’s or Wendy’s, where a customer parks his car, goes into the building, places his order, receives his food, and consumes it while still inside, unless he got the order ‘to go’. Of course, virtually all fast-food stores now also have a drive-thru window as well. See the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/196 "2024-09-16T20:09:20Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > forgot Der Wienerschnitzel in So Cal Nitpick: it hasn’t had a “der” in its name for 47 years now. > **[Wienerschnitzel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wienerschnitzel)** > > Wienerschnitzel is an American fast food chain that specializes in hot dogs and other food products. The brand was founded in 1961 by former Taco Bell employee John Galardi and originally named Der Wienerschnitzel. Despite the name, the company does not ordinarily sell Wiener schnitzel, doing so once as a promotion. Wienerschnitzel locations are found predominantly in California and Texas; others are found in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Washi ---
**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:** [September 16, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/197 "2024-09-16T20:57:42Z")
And neither are they only local to SoCal. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/198 "2024-09-16T20:58:13Z")
And it’s everywhere, hardly regional. There’s even one in Ecuador ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/199 "2024-09-16T21:15:07Z")
I don’t think it’s been mentioned yet. [Dinosaur BBQ](https://dinosaurbarbque.com/) in upstate NY, and lately down in the city. Really good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/200 "2024-09-16T21:49:07Z")
Do Wienershnitzels still have the airplane inside? Was that a common thing, or just unique to the only one I’ve ever been to? Growing up in Texas, when still young enough to enjoy it, the Wienershnitzel in Austin, I think on Burnet near Northcross Mall, had a biplane or some such construction in the middle of the restaurant with a few seats in it. It seems like it took up lots of floor space that could be used for tables. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=11)