# 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:** 6
**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, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/101 "2022-10-20T16:54:11Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > The one in Folsom is Adanberto’s. Notice the slight difference? So Adanberto’s is a clone of Adalberto’s, which is a clone of Roberto’s… ---
**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, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/102 "2022-10-20T17:38:35Z")
Is there a Rosati schism? Different family members going their own way? > **[About Rosati's Pizza | The Rosati Family Story and History](https://www.rosatispizza.com/how-we-keep-it-real/)** > > We give the people what they want - pizza! Learn more about our tradition of quality and our family’s rich tradition of serving delicious Italian food. > **[The Original Chicago Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant | Rosati's Pizza](https://myrosatis.com/about/)** > > Finding all the right Chicago style sandwiches and pasta dishes is easy with Rosati's, a pizzeria and Italian restaurant chain! ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/103 "2022-10-20T17:50:36Z")
Folks in Oklahoma and parts of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas are very familiar with [Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store](https://www.braums.com/). The company, headquartered in Oklahoma City, has its own private dairy herd, processes and bottles its own milk, and produces its own ice cream. There are over 300 locations in the area, but none are farther than 300 miles from the central facilities. That’s because Braum’s determined that 300 miles is the maximum distance that its fresh products could be trucked and have the trucks return the same day. Braum’s hamburgers are okay, but its ice cream and frozen yogurt are wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/104 "2022-10-20T18:05:04Z")
Thanks for reminding me. Braum’s was always a must-stop somewhere on the road between Omaha and Dallas, or at least some time after we got to Dallas. I concur about the menu: the grill stuff is pedestrian but well executed. The dairy stuff is top-of-the-line and worth the stop. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2022, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/105 "2022-10-20T18:22:05Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Braum’s was always a must-stop somewhere on the road between Omaha and Dallas It seem as if there’s a Braum’s at every exit along I-35 through Oklahoma! ---
**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, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/106 "2022-10-20T19:17:09Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Is there a Rosati schism? Different family members going their own way? I don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me – not too rare with food industry families around here. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/107 "2022-10-20T21:06:11Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Braum’s hamburgers are okay, but its ice cream and frozen yogurt are wonderful. Hehe, I love Braum’s, but disagree here. If my wife wants to go there for an ice cream cone, I’m getting their cheeseburger and fries. Their ice cream is good, but it’s no Blue Bell - and I can get Blue Bell at home, unlike their very tasty cheeseburgers. But note, she thinks I’m weird for lusting after their burgers. So I may be in the minority there. ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/108 "2022-10-20T21:06:20Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > I’m not into sweets, so I’ve never had their pies. How do people feel about their other food? Shari’s chicken fried steak is actually pretty good, had it last time we were there when we bought the wife her new (to us) Mustang in Wilsonville, OR. I’ve been less than impressed with Black Bear, although the only one I’ve eaten at was in Madras, OR. I’ll chime in on Blake’s Lotaburger. Had to fly to Corpus Christi a few years ago to pick up some stuff my dad’s mother left him when she passed. That was the one stop we absolutely had to make driving the U-Haul through New Mexico - twice! In the Portland metro area there are 3 Mike’s Drive-ins, good burgers, sides, and a plethora of shake flavors. Killer Burger just left me disappointed, as has 5 Guys. ETA: Mo’s Seafood & Chowder on the Oregon coast makes a killer clam chowder. ---
**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, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/109 "2022-10-20T21:23:12Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I haven’t been here yet, but a friend tells me they’re good: > [Locations | Kiki's Chicken in the US](https://www.kikischicken.com/store-locator/) > > 16 locations around the Sacramento area. I actually just tried Kiki’s today thanks to this thread. I like to go out to lunch once a week, and use it as an opportunity to try local restaurants. Their chicken sandwich is pretty good. Pretty much the same style as Chick-fil-a, but higher quality. I thought of one more place for Sacramento – [La Bou](https://www.labou.com/). They’re a bakery-cafe along the same lines as Panera. They serve simple sandwiches on fresh baked bread, soups, and salads. ---
**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, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/110 "2022-10-20T21:37:28Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > she thinks I’m weird for lusting after their burgers. So I may be in the minority there. You are, although there are some who really like them. Where they really shine is in their everyday dairy products they sell in the little stores attached to the restaurants. Butter, milk, cheese, yogurt and sour cream are all extremely fresh and good. I tend to think of Braum’s as an Oklahoma thing, but it’s really a ~300 mile radius from their plant in Tuttle, OK. So they’re located in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. Regional, but in a totally arbitrary way. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/111 "2022-10-20T21:45:10Z")
Well, the 300 mile radius isn’t really arbitrary. It’s how far they feel they can deliver those dairy products and still maintain that freshness. I agree, their dairy products in the attached store are great. And even though I’m a weirdo, the thing that attracts me to that cheeseburger is the extremely good cheddar they use on it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/112 "2022-10-20T22:14:34Z")
> [@SirRay](#): > > OK, taking the rather small unknown village to the west of us called New York City, well you have the rather bizarre chains of pizzerias called Rays (fantastic name BTW), or rather since that closed, either Original Rays , or Ray’s Famous (which I believe are still chains). I ate at several of those chains when I was in Manhattan a lot during the turn of the century, and quite frankly they all kinda sucked. There must be some food chain pretty much located to New York…I got it, [Bagel Boss](https://bagelboss.com/) - their bagels are pretty decent… Not sure if you’re kidding about the chains of Ray’s Pizza but I thought all of those, including the Original Ray’s, Famous Ray’s, Famous Original Ray’s, etc., were all independent pizzerias all claiming to be the first one. And I think there are still multiple H&H Bagel stores, so that’s another NYC-based chain. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/113 "2022-10-20T22:23:05Z")
I think Grotto Pizza started in Rehoboth Beach, DE, but it’s spread around a bit. I’ve seen them as far away as Scranton/WB to the north and the western shore of Maryland to the west. Dunno how far they’ve spread, but there are none I’m aware of in the immediate DC area. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/114 "2022-10-20T22:54:58Z")
I do want to mention my past favorite regional restaurant chain, [Bill Knapp’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Knapp%27s). Founded in 1948, they had 60 restaurants in MI, IL, IN, OH. A family style restaurant, it was quite popular in its heyday. Their recipes emphasized cooking from scratch. I loved the joints, with their birthday cakes, their hot biscuits with honey, their au gratin potatoes, and their variety of soups. I even managed to pass that love on to my kids, taking them there on every road trip that took us near one. But in the early 90’s, one restaurant in the chain had a listeria outbreak due to mishandling a product, which set them back. In 1998 was purchased by a California businessman who changed the decor, emphasized _efficiency_ and cost cutting, and changed the recipes on a lot of their favorite dishes. He also wanted to attract a younger crowd, as the typical customer’s age had been slowly advancing. Loud music and video games and TVs were installed. This was their “That was then, this is WOW” campaign. That didn’t succeed too well. It didn’t draw in youth, but it drove away their base. In 2001, a new campaign, announcing “The tradition is back!” was begun, with a restoration of the old menu, and toning down the decor. It didn’t work, and they went bankrupt the next year. All that remains now is an [online store](https://billknapps.com/), where one can buy bakery based on the old Bill Knapp’s recipes. Today, all they seem to offer there is their old famous birthday cakes (which were delicious) and some corn bread ‘toast’ which I’d never heard of. A pity. Meijer’s grocery stores have been carrying these products, for anyone who is interested. The Mrs. and I did try one of the birthday cakes a year or so ago, and it was all I remembered it to be. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/115 "2022-10-20T23:22:52Z")
I can’t believe no one has mentioned [Runza](https://www.runza.com/). I haven’t lived in Nebraska in 15 years but they are still going strong with 80+ stores (mostly in NE). A Runza sandwich is ground beef and cabbage in a kind of roll. They also sell burgers. ---
**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, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/116 "2022-10-20T23:47:22Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > ETA: Mo’s Seafood & Chowder on the Oregon coast makes a killer clam chowder. Everyone always says Mo’s is The Shit. And they’re good, yes! But there’s a seafood place in Seaside called Norma’s, just a couple of blocks from Mo’s, that’s even better. IMHO. However, they are a one-off, AFAIK, so outside the scope of this thread. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/117 "2022-10-20T23:57:13Z")
Northern Virginia here. [Five Guys,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Guys) of course, started in this area. I used to live ~300 feet from their original location, which has since closed. In fact, the entire shopping center doesn’t exist due to redevelopment. [Weenie Beenie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weenie_Beenie) used to be a chain but it’s now just one location. When I first moved up here, my brother the Army vet let me crash in his den. We’d go down the hill to Weenie Beenie every Sunday morning and have breakfast – two grilled cheese & bacon sandwiches for me. [Bob & Edith’s](https://www.bobandedithsdiner.com/) has been around since '69 but only started adding more locations in the past couple of decades. They’re up to six now. Standard diner fare; I’m usually more interested in one of the daily specials. [Lost Dog Cafe](https://www.lostdogcafe.com/) is our favorite restaurant. Subs, pasta, California-style pizza, etc. They used to offer a Monte Cristo sandwich, which they called a Pound Hound. The same people operate [Stray Cat Bar & Grill](https://www.straycatgrill.com/) – at the opposite end of the strip mall where the original Lost Dog is. Stray Cat offers much of the same fare as Lost Dog’s deli menu, only cat-themed. [Haute Dog](https://www.hautedogsandfries.com/) started up pretty recently but has been growing. A new location in North Arlington is expected to open sometime next year. [District Taco](https://www.districttaco.com/) started out as, AFAIK, one food truck and expanded pretty rapidly. There are even two in the Philadelphia area now. _Great_ soda fountain but we prefer Super Pollo for our Mexican food. > [@snowthx](#): > > do you remember [Shakey’s Pizza](https://www.shakeys.com/)? I visited the one in Annandale quite frequently. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/118 "2022-10-21T00:00:05Z")
[Zip’s](https://www.zipsdrivein.com/) is probably the most notable fast-food chain in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. [Brucchi’s](http://www.bruchis.com/) (which specializes in cheesesteaks and subs) started in Spokane in 1990 and now has stores in California. ---
**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 21, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/119 "2022-10-21T01:06:59Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > 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. As of a few years ago, Shari’s owns Coco’s. I’ve ordered delivery from Shari’s a few times and found the food to be overwhelmingly _okay_ - not great, but not awful either. You can upgrade your hash browns to “stuffed hashbrowns” with cheese, sour cream, and bacon in the middle, which is a big improvement over serving them plain, and they serve a decent French dip. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/120 "2022-10-21T03:38:50Z")
In Hawaii we have Zippy’s (Zips to the young’un, and L&L Barbeque. Neither has food that’s outstanding, 6/10 at best, but it’s consistent. Any many locals, myself included just have to have some every once in a while. Zippy’s is known for their chili, which a co-worker from Texas said was good, fried chicken and Zip Pac, a take on the Japanese Bento with rice, a piece of fried chicken, teriyaki beef, fried fish and Spam. You can get a Deluxe, which adds chili. L&L Barbeque has spread far beyond Hawaii, having locations throughout the U.S. and Japan. But its roots is in a small take out located in the middle of the suburban district of Nuuanu, Oahu, Hawaii. [https://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/about/](https://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/about/) Growing up the 60’s in the neighborhood, I don’t recall ever ordering food from there. The only time we’d visit is to buy milk after 8pm when all the stores were closed. There’s nothing special about L&L’s food. It’s the usual local plate lunch;, entree, two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. My personal favorite is the mixed plate. Local style beef stew or beef curry (similar to Japanese curry, but sweeter), hamburger patty with gravy, and slice of teriyaki beef. Enough for two, but a single meal for me. Like Zippy’s, the main draw is that you you know every L&L will have the same offerings, with the same local flavor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=7)