# Top U.S. Chain Restaurants - where HAVEN'T you been? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 10, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674 "2009-12-10T02:17:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/181 "2009-12-11T19:29:46Z")
Never eaten at #4 Starbucks (I don’t drink coffee) Never seen: #15 Jack in the Box Never heard of: #32 Carl’s, Jr. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/182 "2009-12-11T19:34:17Z")
1. Carl’s Jr. Red Robin Little Caesar’s Texas Roadhouse P.F. Chang’s 2. Carl’s Jr. 3. Culver’s ---
**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:** [December 11, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/183 "2009-12-11T19:52:50Z")
> [@Jamicat](#): > > #46 P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, What The Hell Is That? Basically a somewhat upscale Chinese restaurant. Based on some of your other comments, I think you might consider it to be a Yuppie magnet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/184 "2009-12-11T20:00:50Z")
Removed original post since I was talking about The Spaghetti Warehouse but my story was actually about The Old Spaghetti Factory. Lowest on the list was actually #393 Foster’s Freeze. Some off ramp between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Incredibly dirty and disgusting so I’ve never gone to another one though that’s probably not fair if they’re individually operated. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Not_Appearing_on_This_Site)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/185 "2009-12-11T22:18:28Z")
1. Never eaten at #13 Sonic 2. Never seen, but heard of #41 Whataburger 3. I have never heard of #58 Zaxby’s The lowest number I have ever been to is #388 Hot Dog on a Stick, though I only got a Cherry Lemonade (but would not be adverse to getting an actual hot dog on a stick, I love corndogs!) ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/186 "2009-12-11T22:20:12Z")
Out of the top 25, I’ve never been to/ordered from: Pizza Hut Applebee’s Chili’s\* Chick-Fil-A\* Outback\* Red Lobster\* Dairy Queen\* Panera Bread\* Cracker Barrel\* I’ve been to the following three or fewer times: Wendy’s Domino’s Sonic \*-Living in San Francisco, I have no idea if any of these are around. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/187 "2009-12-11T22:36:41Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > Stupidest name, in my opinion: Cheeburger Cheeburger (#357) Silly, but that spelling is coming from a classic Saturday Nigh Live sketch: [http://www.hulu.com/watch/3533/saturday-night-live-the-olympia-restaurant](http://www.hulu.com/watch/3533/saturday-night-live-the-olympia-restaurant) > **[Olympia Café](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_Cafe)** > > The Olympia Café is a fictional greasy spoon that was featured in a recurring Saturday Night Live sketch. The staff, led by John Belushi as Pete Dionisopoulos, were Greeks. Staff also included Bill Murray as Nico, a busboy who speaks very little English (and not in complete sentences), Dan Aykroyd as short-order cook George, and Sandy, a waitress played by Laraine Newman. Series regulars Garrett Morris, Gilda Radner, and Jane Curtin had recurring roles as regular customers. > As various guest st... ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/188 "2009-12-11T23:13:20Z")
1. #4 Starbucks, never been into one. 2. and 3. #21 Panera Bread. Never heard of it, therefore never seen one. #337 (Pasta House) is the lowest one place where I have dined FTR, I live in hicksville. ---
**Author:** ![Robbin\_Hood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Robbin\_Hood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robbin_Hood)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/189 "2009-12-11T23:34:44Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > I’ve been looking at [this](http://www.rimag.com/info/CA6670228.html) list of the Top 400 Restaurant Chains in the United States in 2009, as ranked by Restaurants & Institutions (R&I) in order of 2008 sales. There are many that I’ve never hear of! > > 1. What is the highest ranking chain that you’ve never eaten at (or otherwise visited)? > 2. What is the highest ranking chain you’ve never seen in person (but may have heard of)? > 3. What is the highest ranking chain you never even heard of? Chipotle Mexican Grill fills all categories for me. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/190 "2009-12-12T02:03:54Z")
> [@Wolverine](#): > > 1. #15 Jack-in-the-Box > 2. #41 Whataburger > 3. #53 California Pizza Kitchen > > Lowest one I’ve eaten at: #376 Olga’s Kitchen > > Sidney - if you love real burgers, you need to try Red Robin at least once. Maybe not the best ever, but they have a great variety of good quality. I think this recommendation is for me. So, thanks. I see that there’s a Red Robin very close to where I’ll be staying in Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks. Maybe I’ll get a chance to check it out - I do love a good burger. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/191 "2009-12-12T04:03:24Z")
1. I’ve never eaten at a Sonic. 2. Never seen nor heard of Culver’s Frozen Custard & ButterBurgers. 3. See #2 ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/192 "2009-12-12T04:08:52Z")
Only been to a Starbucks once. 1. #11 Applebees 2. #15 Jack in the Box. I think. I might have seen them when I was in LA for the Rose Bowl, but I can’t remember. 3. #39 Church’s Chicken ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/193 "2009-12-12T04:13:47Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > 1. I’ve never eaten at a Sonic. > 2. Never seen nor heard of Culver’s Frozen Custard & ButterBurgers. > 3. See #2 Lowest I’ve eaten at is #380 Macayo’s. I may have had #391 Native New Yorker before. I know there’s one close to work so I may have been there or had take out from there and just can’t remember it. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/194 "2009-12-12T04:14:07Z")
Never eaten: Sonic Never seen: Sonic (commercials, but never the place) Never heard of: Buffalo Wild Wings ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/195 "2009-12-12T05:14:20Z")
**1. What is the highest ranking chain that you’ve never eaten at (or otherwise visited)?** #44 - Bob Evans. \*\* 2. What is the highest ranking chain you’ve never seen in person (but may have heard of)?\*\* #50 - Perkins Restaurant & Bakery \*\* 3. What is the highest ranking chain you never even heard of?\*\* #61 - Friendly’s (I swear I heard of Culver’s at some point in the past) I can’t believe so many people haven’t heard of Whataburger. Maybe it’s a Texas thing (it did start in Corpus, after all), but they seem pretty common everywhere I’ve been. I’m also a little shocked at the number of people who haven’t eaten at Sonic. I had a chocolate shake from them earlier this evening! ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/196 "2009-12-12T05:27:44Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > 1. What is the highest ranking chain that you’ve never eaten at (or otherwise visited)? > 2. What is the highest ranking chain you’ve never seen in person (but may have heard of)? > 3. What is the highest ranking chain you never even heard of? 1. #22, Panera Bread. Heard of 'em, but don’t even know if there are any locally. 2. Same as 1. 3. #36, Chiplotle Mexican Grill. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/197 "2009-12-12T05:37:57Z")
Amended answers: Since Panera’s is known locally as St. Louis Bread Company, yes, I have seen and eaten there. New Answers: 1, 2, & 3: #36, Chipotle Mexican Grill. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/198 "2009-12-14T15:15:59Z")
1. _Highest ranking chain I’ve never been to?_ #12 Chili’s 2. _Highest ranking chain I’ve never seen, but have heard of?_ #32 Carl’s Junior 3. _Highest ranking chain I’ve never heard of?_ #32 Carl’s Junior _Lowest ranking chain I’ve been to?_ #399 Maggie Moo’s ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/199 "2009-12-14T16:22:01Z")
Never eaten at #13 Sonic, but that may not count since I’ve stopped at them for my wife, who loves their slushies. If that doesn’t count, then it’s #28 Quizno’s. I have no desire to eat cheese covered deli meats of any sort. Never seen a Carl’s Jr. (# 32), although I’ve seen Hardee’s which I understand is nearlt identical. Never heard of #58, Zaxby’s. The lowest ranking chain I’ve been to is the last one, #400 Spaghetti Warehouse. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/200 "2009-12-14T16:26:22Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I can’t believe so many people haven’t heard of Whataburger. Maybe it’s a Texas thing (it did start in Corpus, after all), but they seem pretty common everywhere I’ve been. > > I’m also a little shocked at the number of people who haven’t eaten at Sonic. I had a chocolate shake from them earlier this evening! Whataburger only operates in the southern tier of states (including, obviously, Texas): > **[Whataburger | Order Online with Curbside and Delivery](https://whataburger.com/one_near_you.php)** There are some comments upthread about Sonic. Despite having advertised nationally for several years, Sonic is still not really a national chain. They’ve only started to expand into the northern part of the country in the past few years – I think they’ve believed that their drive-in concept may not work well in areas that get cold and snowy during the winter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674.md?page=11)