# 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:** 7
**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, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/121 "2022-10-21T03:46:36Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > 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. L&L is pretty much the only option for Hawaiian food out here, and that mac salad is absolutely addicting. When I go there I usually order the kalua pork and ask them to leave out the rice and sub in all mac salad for the side. The only complaint I have about the place is that even the “mini” plate is so big that I can’t possibly eat it all in one sitting. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/122 "2022-10-21T06:25:06Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > There was a Shakey’s in Adelphi, MD. We used to go to it when the two better Pizza places (Ledo and Lenoni’s) were too busy. You missed an easy one. Ledo itself has been a regional chain for about the last 30 years. And not one of franchises (none of the ones I’ve been to, anyway) is as good as the original in Adelphi was. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/123 "2022-10-21T14:56:13Z")
I took the OP literally - I haven’t lived there for 40+ years. But, I always made a point to visit Ledo’s when I went back. And yes, I agree - even the one in College park wasn’t as good as the original. In the 80’s they always had a line to get in. Best pizza ever. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/124 "2022-10-21T15:17:47Z")
Another beloved local chain is [Rosa Maria’s](https://www.rosamarias.com/). Only 4 locations in the immediate area, but their Garbage burritos are a thing of legend. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-Vv6migINl4/hqdefault.jpg "Rosa Maria's Garbage Burrito.mov") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vv6migINl4) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/125 "2022-10-21T16:19:16Z")
I thought about Runza, but I don’t live in Nebraska. They are awfully tasty and a truly unusual fast food option. I’m looking forward to going back when I’m next in Nebraska. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/126 "2022-10-21T16:20:40Z")
That reminds me… Texas has a burrito chain that’s like that. [Freebirds World Burrito | Texas’ No. 1 Burrito](https://www.freebirds.com/) I didn’t realize it was so big now… I was first introduced when they were down to one location a block or so from my dorm in 1991. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/127 "2022-10-21T18:13:17Z")
Oh, sure. I meant arbitrary in the sense of it’s not an already defined “region” like say… Southern California, New England, or the Ozarks. It’s just a radius from a distribution hub/processing plant. ---
**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 21, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/128 "2022-10-21T18:46:40Z")
Runza looks… interesting. That’s one I’ve never heard of before. Looking at their menu it’s a sort of hollowed out roll stuffed with beef and other fillings? It almost looks like a Hot Pocket, but not exactly. I’d kind of like to try one, except I don’t see myself traveling to Nebraska any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/129 "2022-10-21T19:13:15Z")
The birthplace of Detroit-style pizza, Buddy’s. [https://www.buddyspizza.com/](https://www.buddyspizza.com/) I don’t know what to really say about them. If you like that style of pizza, they’re the originators of it, and still the best. Jet’s Pizza which has expanded to more of the country is very similar, but definitely inferior, and doesn’t operate full service restaurants anyway, which most (but not all) Buddy’s are. ---
**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 21, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/130 "2022-10-21T19:32:04Z")
Forgot about [Silver Diner](https://www.silverdiner.com/) – 20 locations around metropolitan DC and one up in New Jersey. More upscale than Bob & Edith’s, Silver Diner has a great selection of standard diner fare and healthful food; it’s our go-to when our vegan friend is in town. ---
**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 21, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/131 "2022-10-21T20:31:19Z")
I’ve never had them one after the other, but Runzas seem similar to some Jamaican beef patties I’ve had. ---
**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 21, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/132 "2022-10-21T21:58:12Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > 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. I’ll have to look them up on our next trip to the coast 😀 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/133 "2022-10-21T22:18:03Z")
We ate there on the way back from viewing the 2017 Eclipse. Good meal, as I recall. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/134 "2022-10-21T22:50:52Z")
The Runza is a version of the Bierock. > **[Bierock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bierock)** > > Bierock is a yeast dough pastry pocket sandwich with savory filling, originating in Prussia. The dish is common among the Volga German community in the United States and Argentina. It was brought to the United States in the 1870s by German Russian Mennonite immigrants. It has developed strong cultural associations with the cuisine of the Midwestern United States. > The soft yeast rolls contain some sugar, butter and eggs, and either warm water, milk, or a mix of both. The filling is a basic mix of... ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/135 "2022-10-21T23:02:59Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > 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. I have been waiting a lifetime for someone to open a Bertosberto’s. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/136 "2022-10-22T00:28:46Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > 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. My mom bought the pies at Coco’s for our Thanksgiving dinner ages ago. They accidentally switched the sugar and the salt. Inedible. And no way to get substitute pies. I’ve steered away from them ever since. My favorite pie chain was Polly’s. They had a great peanut butter pie. Marie Callendar’s was a close second. Polly’s is gone, and MC’s nearly is. > [@Jophiel](#): > > 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. I had to look them up, because there was a local (West Los Angeles) Rosati’s that we used to eat at quite a bit. It was not the same as the chain. It was a real white tablecloth restaurant. Wonderful food. Great manicotti. Table-side Fettucini Alfredo. Sadly, the next generation didn’t want to stay in the restaurant biz, so they closed. ---
**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 6, 2024, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/137 "2024-09-06T08:00:57Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I didn’t like Burgerville at all. It was mediocre at best. Now Killer Burger, a Portland chain that, at last count, has 19 locations in Oregon and up into Vancouver, has won awards for their burgers and rightly so. The news broke this week that Killer Burger is gonna be opening a location in Olympia soon, so I may have an opportunity before too long to determine whether or not you’re right about that. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/138 "2024-09-06T08:22:15Z")
You poor Americans. You don’t have Harvey’s: > **[Harvey's Menu](https://www.harveys.ca/en/menu.html)** > > You know Harvey’s is the place for burgers topped your way, but there’s so much more to the Harvey’s menu! Get poutine, hot dogs, salads, wraps and much more when you order today. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/139 "2024-09-06T11:40:51Z")
PAL’s Sudden Service, a burger chain around Bristol, Tennessee with 34 locations. Really good burgers, fries and shakes. > **[Pal's Sudden Service](https://www.palsweb.com/)** > > Pal's Sudden Service ---
**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:** [September 6, 2024, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392/140 "2024-09-06T12:01:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The news broke this week that Killer Burger is gonna be opening a location in Olympia soon, so I may have an opportunity before too long to determine whether or not you’re right about that. I hope they keep the quality. Seems like when these places start franchising, quality drops. Five Guys is a good example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-your-local-regional-restaurant-chains/973392.md?page=8)