# 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:** 5
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/81 "2022-10-20T04:34:24Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > [Adalberto’s](https://adalbertosmexicanrestaurant.com/) is another Sacramento one I thought of. Their web site lists 10 locations, but I know there’s one in Folsom that isn’t listed, so I don’t think they keep their site up to date. I’ve only tried them once; it was decent, but nothing special compared to other Mexican places in the area. Looks to me like they’re a 'Berto’s clone. > **[Roberto's Taco Shop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto%27s_Taco_Shop)** > > Roberto's Taco Shop is a chain of Mexican restaurants in California and Nevada, with locations primarily in San Diego and the Las Vegas Valley. It is based in Las Vegas, and it had 77 locations as of 2020. The company originated with a tortilleria that was founded in San Ysidro, San Diego in 1964, by Roberto Robledo and his wife Dolores. They subsequently purchased several restaurants, before renaming them Roberto's Taco Shop around 1970. The chain expanded to the Las Vegas Valley in 1990, and Ro... Roberto’s started in San Diego in the '60s and is pretty much its own style of Mexican food, to the point that there are dozens if not hundreds of copycats in the greater San Diego area that serve a nearly identical menu and have similar names usually ending in “Berto’s” - Alberto’s, Hilberto’s, Ronberto’s, et cetera. They used to be strictly confined to San Diego and Vegas, but they’ve really spread out across the west coast in the last decade. Here in Olympia we’ve got one called Aliberto’s that opened three years ago, and there’s a small chain in Seattle & Tacoma called Memo’s that serves the same style. I recommend the carne asada fries, the rolled tacos with guacamole, the crispy beef tacos, the cheese enchiladas, the California burrito, or the carne asada chimichanga. This is the Mexican food I grew up on, it’s the style I try to imitate when I’m cooking Mexican food at home, it’s the biggest thing I missed when I moved away from San Diego, and I was absolutely _delighted_ when I found out it had made its way up here. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/82 "2022-10-20T04:42:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Looks to me like they’re a 'Berto’s clone. You’re probably right. It looks like they started in San Diego, and then opened a bunch of locations around Sacramento. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/83 "2022-10-20T04:50:42Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I guess Black Bear ain’t anything like ‘regional’. Look at their [web site](https://blackbeardiner.com/locations/). 14 states, spreading across 2/3 of the continental US. There are 2 of them a short drive from where I live, one in Federal Way and the other in Puyallup (Washington State). They even have one in Sequim, which seems to be their northern-most location. (I travel to Sequim on a regular basis since once of the offices I personally support is up there, in fact I will probably be heading up there next week.) > [@Smapti](#): > > On a similar note to Black Bear, there’s Shari’s, which is based out of Oregon and operates mainly in OR and WA, with a handful of locations in northern CA and ID and one in Wyoming. I grew up eating at Shari’s (they first opened when I was 1 year old). I’ve been kicked out of Shari’s on two occasions (though neither time was my fault, it was someone else I was with). It’s also my mom’s favorite restaurant, I wonder if she spends more time there than her own house. They have fantastic pies. There is a Shari’s in my home town, and also one in the town I live in. They are all over the place here. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/84 "2022-10-20T05:27:02Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > I originally came to the thread to throw a mention of [Blake’s Lotaburger](https://www.lotaburger.com/), Blake’s of course is the iconic New Mexican chain. Love it, and especially the locations that serve breakfast burritos all day. There are several others that deserve a mention: [Wecks](https://wecksinc.com/menu/) is a great place for breakfast. The [Range Cafe](https://www.rangecafe.com/menus/) is also quite good. The New Mexican pizza place is [Dion’s](https://order.dions.com/#/menu/bdd050ad-a8db-4dce-bff0-a6dc00f55175/ToGo/Pickup). Special mention to [Allsups](https://allsups.com/), a gas station/convenience store. Sometimes a gas station chimichanga is what one craves. Actually, around here you pick your gas station based on their burritos. But Allsups meets the chain store criteria. The last time I was at a Shakey’s pizza was in Ochos Rios, Jamaica in 1993. Really surprised to find one there. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/85 "2022-10-20T05:48:03Z")
crazy ottos diners are mostly known for their breakfasts and lunch but a couple serve dinner i think there are 5 of them … > **[Crazy Otto's Diners Lancaster CA](https://www.crazyottosdiners.com/)** > > If you're looking for one of the best places to eat in lancaster ca, Crazy Otto's offers the best breakfast in Lancaster ca. Their motto is if "you leave hungry its your fault " ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/86 "2022-10-20T09:57:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Roberto’s started in San Diego in the '60s and is pretty much its own style of Mexican food, to the point that there are dozens if not hundreds of copycats in the greater San Diego area that serve a nearly identical menu and have similar names usually ending in “Berto’s” We have a chain of taquerias here called [Rolberto’s](https://www.google.com/search?q=rolberto%27s&sxsrf=ALiCzsY4sxYFXuXKiqF9FxisoFv1vjsgpA:1666259285648&source=hp&ei=SRlRY4TgNKPZkPIP4eeFgAU&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAY1EnWRJ_D0nvB3kMGaHwsayXxpI2svfM&ved=2ahUKEwjtmczGw-76AhVeLEQIHT-CDmsQvS56BAgOEAE&uact=5&oq=rolberto%27s&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEIAEMggIABCABBDJAzILCC4QgAQQxwEQrwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQkQIyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDILCC4QgAQQxwEQrwEyBQgAEIAEOgQIIxAnOgQIABBDOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoKCC4QxwEQrwEQQzoOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6CAgAEIAEELEDOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToHCCMQyQMQJzoHCAAQsQMQQzoLCC4QgAQQxwEQ0QM6BwgAEIAEEAo6CgguEIAEENQCEAo6BQguEIAEOgcILhCABBAKOg0ILhCABBCxAxDUAhAKOgoIABCABBCHAhAUOg0IABCABBCxAxCDARAKUABYgEVgzExoAXAAeACAAYsBiAH7CZIBBDEuMTCYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:9&tbm=lcl&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=12551203355070567379&lqi=Cgpyb2xiZXJ0bydzSL-U3cLlgICACFoQEAAYACIKcm9sYmVydG8nc5IBD3RhY29fcmVzdGF1cmFudKoBEhABKg4iCnJvbGJlcnRvJ3MoAOABAA&phdesc=mqOXe-1i-cw&sa=X&rlst=f#rlfi=hd:;si:12551203355070567379,l,Cgpyb2xiZXJ0bydzSL-U3cLlgICACFoQEAAYACIKcm9sYmVydG8nc5IBD3RhY29fcmVzdGF1cmFudKoBEhABKg4iCnJvbGJlcnRvJ3MoAOABAA,y,mqOXe-1i-cw;mv:%5B%5B33.6148135,-111.79968059999999%5D,%5B33.4040567,-112.0803407%5D%5D;tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e2!1m4!1u22!2m2!21m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9). I don’t know how many because they don’t have a website, just listings in Yelp or Google. A few years ago there was a contraction and a big chunk of them closed only to reopen, sometimes in a matter of weeks, with a variety of names all ending in 'berto. In a similar vein, we have a Vinchell’s donut shop here, with a yellow and brown sign that shows traces where the left part of the W was removed. I don’t know how they stay out of trouble. Regarding Black Bear Diner, I’d much rather eat there than Denny’s, which I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole after too many bad experiences in them. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/87 "2022-10-20T10:57:22Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > We have a chain of taquerias here called [Rolberto’s](https://www.google.com/search?q=rolberto%27s&sxsrf=ALiCzsY4sxYFXuXKiqF9FxisoFv1vjsgpA:1666259285648&source=hp&ei=SRlRY4TgNKPZkPIP4eeFgAU&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAY1EnWRJ_D0nvB3kMGaHwsayXxpI2svfM&ved=2ahUKEwjtmczGw-76AhVeLEQIHT-CDmsQvS56BAgOEAE&uact=5&oq=rolberto%27s&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEIAEMggIABCABBDJAzILCC4QgAQQxwEQrwEyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQkQIyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDILCC4QgAQQxwEQrwEyBQgAEIAEOgQIIxAnOgQIABBDOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoKCC4QxwEQrwEQQzoOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6CAgAEIAEELEDOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToHCCMQyQMQJzoHCAAQsQMQQzoLCC4QgAQQxwEQ0QM6BwgAEIAEEAo6CgguEIAEENQCEAo6BQguEIAEOgcILhCABBAKOg0ILhCABBCxAxDUAhAKOgoIABCABBCHAhAUOg0IABCABBCxAxCDARAKUABYgEVgzExoAXAAeACAAYsBiAH7CZIBBDEuMTCYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:9&tbm=lcl&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=12551203355070567379&lqi=Cgpyb2xiZXJ0bydzSL-U3cLlgICACFoQEAAYACIKcm9sYmVydG8nc5IBD3RhY29fcmVzdGF1cmFudKoBEhABKg4iCnJvbGJlcnRvJ3MoAOABAA&phdesc=mqOXe-1i-cw&sa=X&rlst=f#rlfi=hd:;si:12551203355070567379,l,Cgpyb2xiZXJ0bydzSL-U3cLlgICACFoQEAAYACIKcm9sYmVydG8nc5IBD3RhY29fcmVzdGF1cmFudKoBEhABKg4iCnJvbGJlcnRvJ3MoAOABAA,y,mqOXe-1i-cw;mv:%5B%5B33.6148135,-111.79968059999999%5D,%5B33.4040567,-112.0803407%5D%5D;tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e2!1m4!1u22!2m2!21m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9). Well, that’s definitely a 'Berto’s alright, but the photos of the place are downright ominous, like some sort of southwest desert gothic nightmare. I get the impression that I’d enjoy my meal there, but that it’d be the last thing I ever enjoyed, and I’d have an extremely long time to reflect on that. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/88 "2022-10-20T11:23:09Z")
I’ll see those requirements and even raise you one more; individual differences despite the fact that they are a chain. 1. Barracos Restaurant - They are mostly Italian but do have a handful of variances. There are three; two on the southside of Chicago and one in Evergreen Park. The one in Evergreen Park is markedly the best, having a larger menu including stuffed artichokes and cannoli. 2. Fox’s Pub - Again, there are three. They are located in Orland Park, Oak Lawn, and the southside of Chicago and have pizza and a medley of other dishes. The one in Orland Park is the biggest and nicest, but the little one on the southside of Chicago has what is to me the best thin crust pizza in Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/89 "2022-10-20T13:18:50Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > [Adalberto’s](https://adalbertosmexicanrestaurant.com/) is another Sacramento one I thought of. Their web site lists 10 locations, but I know there’s one in Folsom that isn’t listed, so I don’t think they keep their site up to date. I’ve only tried them once; it was decent, but nothing special compared to other Mexican places in the area. The one in Folsom is Adanberto’s. Notice the slight difference? And it’s right next door to the aforementioned Jimboy’s, and two doors the other way from Taco Bell. Yes, there are way better options for Mexican nearby, so I am not sure how they’ve stayed in business so long. We usually hit a Shari’s on road trips in the Northwest, and we are not elderly. If liking their pies is wrong, I don’t wanna be right! ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/90 "2022-10-20T14:22:08Z")
I must say, all this talk of Shari’s has me rather surprised. I’ve lived in the Portland area for seventeen years. I’ve eaten at Shari’s a few times, and I’ve always regarded them as on the same level as Denny’s. Meaning, there is a multitude of better dining choices. Including Black Bear Diner. I thought this was the general attitude towards Shari’s, but maybe I’m projecting my own opinion? I’m not into sweets, so I’ve never had their pies. How do people feel about their other food? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/91 "2022-10-20T14:46:48Z")
It could be just that it’s different, something we dont have locally. But yeah, other than the pies, it’s just good. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/92 "2022-10-20T15:00:45Z")
[Swenson’s](https://swensonsdriveins.com/) is a drive-in burger place that started in the Akron area and is slowly adding more locations in Northeast Ohio. They are also now in Columbus, one in Cincinnati, and even one in Indianapolis. People around here go nuts for their Galley Boy burger. To be honest, I’m not a fan of the food but people really do love it. Another Akron-based chain is [Brown Derby](https://brownderbyusa.com/). No, not that [Brown Derby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Derby) in Los Angeles, but the chain in Northeast Ohio, which is officially known as Grives Brown Derby but nobody calls it that. They also had the less-fancy, peanut-shells-on-the-floor [Brown Derby Roadhouse](https://ontarioroadhouse.com/) for a while in the 90s and early 2000s, but they’ve cut back on that and I think there’s only 3. The Brown Derby Steakhouse has those high-backed leather booths, dark lighting and big honkin’ knives. Kinda throwback, but still very inviting to the common person. Every so often I remember the one near me exists and we go for a lovely steak dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/93 "2022-10-20T15:14:54Z")
I lived in the PNW for 7 years and was told by someone that Shari’s was like Coco’s in Southern California. I tried Shari’s once and though the offerings were similar to Coco’s, the quality wasn’t. Coco’s is probably the best “diner prime rib” I’ve ever eaten and the pies are always good. And the breakfast is pretty decent which is high praise in California beach cities where we have the best breakfast places in the world. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/94 "2022-10-20T15:20:49Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I think there may still be one at 47th and Wood, Ah, crap, that wasn’t a Brown’s. That’s a Church’s that is still there. I sometimes get those two confused. Closest one to me is in Oak Lawn, but that’s about a half hour drive for me. @Jophiel’s comments on the fried mushrooms triggered an urge to go there for lunch today. Last time I tried them at their Archer location, I was a bit disappointed, as well, as they didn’t compare to my childhood memories – but they were still okay, if overly salty. My favorite these days – for the Chicago area/Central Illinois dopers – are the battered (not breaded) mushrooms from Ripp’s Tavern in Ladd, Illinois, off of I-80 near Ottawa. Fantastic fried chicken not to be missed, too, if you’re in the area. But this is a bit of a digression, as it’s not a chain. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/95 "2022-10-20T15:30:39Z")
Dallas isn’t exactly a hotbed of _local_ chain restaurants, unlike say… Houston or Austin. I have to figure it has something to do with some large restaurant companies being headquartered here (Brinker), and a huge slew of national chains that started here, but are now nationwide (Chili’s, Wingstop, La Madeleine, Maggiano’s Little Italy, On The Border, and Pei Wei). Even the newer local chains have tended to go national really fast (Rusty Taco, Twisted Root, Flying Saucer, etc…) Or they’re part of a big corporate management company (El Fenix, Snuffer’s) and have lost a lot of the local charm that they once had. There are a few though… Norma’s Cafe, Campisi’s, Zalat Pizza, and Keller’s Drive in that are still small-ish and local, and well loved. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/96 "2022-10-20T16:00:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Like [Rosati’s](https://www.rosatispizza.com/)), Indiana, and Wisconsin. I was surprised to learn that Rosati’s has 71 locations across 14 states. Always thought of them as “Chicago area” and had no idea they expanded that much. And a lot of Arizona locations. I always kind of wonder how it holds up to eat Portillo’s (or Rosati’s) in these franchise states on the other side of the nation. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/97 "2022-10-20T16:01:25Z")
Fourteen? Oh wow. I thought I had checked the website and only saw the four. (ETA: Ah, it was the Lou’s that I spotted the four.) Didn’t look hard enough. They’re … shrug. They do the job I guess. I’ve eaten from one in Chandler, AZ, and it worked for satisfying a Chicago thin crust crave. Vito and Nick’s (my favorite Chicago thin) used to have an outpost in the Phoenix area, but that was like fifteen years ago. Never had a chance to compare. (And I can’t remember whether that was V&N’s or V&N’s II, which is a separate entity and not as good.) ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/98 "2022-10-20T16:04:23Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Maggiano’s Little Italy Started in Chicago, actually, and the first few locations were owned by Lettuce Entertain You (a Chicago-based restaurant company). LEY sold Maggiano’s to Brinker in 1995, which then rolled it out on a wider basis. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/99 "2022-10-20T16:43:10Z")
Fair enough. It does seem though, like the DFW area is some sort of weird incubator for national chains and doesn’t seem to have the same number of small-scale, historic, regional chains that other cities do. I mean, Houston has the Carabba, Mandola, and Pappas families’ restaurants as well as small chains like Hubcap Grill, Pho Binh, Frenchy’s, Goode Company, , Austin has several small local chains (Hyde Park Bar & Grill, Kerbey Lane, P. Terry’s, Conan’s, Double Dave’s, Austin Pizza, Thundercloud subs, etc…) and a few that have gone national (Schlotzsky’s and Chuy’s come to mind). Dallas has a small handful at best that aren’t part of a larger restaurant group- Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, Cowboy Chicken, Liberty Burger, and a few others, but none of them are iconic or particularly old. It’s kind of weird honestly. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/100 "2022-10-20T16:47:26Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > I’ve eaten at Shari’s a few times, and I’ve always regarded them as on the same level as Denny’s. Meaning, there is a multitude of better dining choices. That’s fair. I think they are comparable to Denny’s. They’ve always been that way as far back as I remember (and I’ve been eating at Shari’s since I was a kid). I ate at one not long ago, just a couple of months ago, because I was visiting with my mom and it’s her favorite place. It was okay. The food is edible and not very expensive, but you’re not going to be blown away by it. Many, **many** better dining choices. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=6)