# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/61 "2009-12-10T05:46:01Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > #400. Spaghetti Warehouse. I have one near me, and it is very literally a real (former) warehouse. I don’t know if they do it for all of them, but I’ve been to two, and they were both legitimate warehouses. It’s incredibly bizarre. Then again, they were in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, so that just might have had something to do with it. Never eaten at…#25 Cracker Barrel - walked into one, got nauseated from the smell and turned around. Never seen OR heard of…#39, Church’s Chicken. Never heard of…#58, Zaxby’s Everyone who said Panera…whaaaaaat? My hometown of 25K people with little money and even less education now has one. And everywhere I’ve been (all over the US, save for the South just once or twice) seems to have them, mostly nicer strip malls and suburbs. I am genuinely surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/62 "2009-12-10T05:51:21Z")
#1 and #2 - Papa John’s, # 26. I don’t think there are any around here, or any place I’ve lived. I’m sorry to say I’ve eaten in the 25 places ahead of this at least once. # 3 - Golden Corral Buffet & Grill. Is this barbecue or Chinese? Oops, responded after only reading the OP. The lowest I’ve heard of is Big Apple Bagels (#397). There is one within walking distance of my house, and my daughter met her husband there, since a relative of a friend of hers was manager. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/63 "2009-12-10T05:52:28Z")
Phase Two: Lowest number that I’ve heard of: Ground Round Grill and Bar (360). It’s also the lowest number I’ve actually eaten at. I actually held my high school graduation party there. (My folks and two friends. Not a big shindig.) I really loved the place, and miss it terribly. There aren’t any around my Chicago area now, as far as I can tell. And the numbers on that chart are still tumbling. Ah, memories… ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/64 "2009-12-10T06:05:52Z")
Never eaten at: #14 Arby’s, to my knowledge. I’ve never heard anything positive about them. I for sure have never eaten at #15, Jack in the Box. Never seen: #33 Carl’s Jr. Strange that I never noticed one on a my trip to California. On the off-chance that I did and don’t remember, I’ve definitely never seen, of heard of, #38 Buffalo Wild Wings. Extra: Out of the highest numbered (391-400) I have eaten at #392 Crisper’s (it was catered) and there’s a #399 Maggie Moo’s a couple miles away, but there’s a Coldstone Creamery that’s closer and I’d much rather go there. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/65 "2009-12-10T06:16:06Z")
> [@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 - only heard of them a couple of years ago, have never seen one. 2. See above 3. #57 Carrabba’s whatever. Huh? Joe ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/66 "2009-12-10T06:19:11Z")
_1. What is the highest ranking chain that you’ve never eaten at (or otherwise visited)?_ **#22 - Panera Bread** _2. What is the highest ranking chain you’ve never seen in person (but may have heard of)?_ **#47 - Longhorn Steakhouse** _3. What is the highest ranking chain you never even heard of?_ **#58 - Zaxby’s** Great topic, **ataraxy**! ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/67 "2009-12-10T06:19:15Z")
1. #25, Cracker Barrel. Never eaten there. 2. #41, Whataburger. I’ve heard other people rave about them, but never seen one in person. 3. #66, Logan’s Roadhouse. Sounds like a Texas-style steakhouse at Boston’s airport. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/68 "2009-12-10T06:23:00Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > As a corollary, what’s the lowest one you’ve been to, and what’s the lowest you’ve heard of. Lowest I’ve been to: #393 Foster’s Freeze Joe ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/69 "2009-12-10T06:24:58Z")
#13 Sonic for me as well. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/70 "2009-12-10T06:43:03Z")
1. Never eaten at Dunkin’ Donuts. 2. Never seen a Panera Bread. 3. Never heard of Panera Bread. Panera Bread is a sandwich shop? If so, I have to find one! ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/71 "2009-12-10T06:51:56Z")
1. Highest ranking chain I’ve never been to: **#2 KFC**. 2. Highest ranking chain I’ve never seen, but have heard of: **#40 Panda Express** 3. Highest ranking chain I’ve never heard of: **#60 Culver’s Frozen Custard & ButterBurgers** ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/72 "2009-12-10T06:59:21Z")
I can’t guarantee I’ve never eaten at a Panera Bread (#22) but I can’t recall ever having done so, and it’s not my sort of joint. I am more certain I’ve never had Golden Corral (#33) or Buffalo Wild Wings (#38). Chik-Fil-A is my JAM, yo. I would eat it morning, noon, and night. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/73 "2009-12-10T07:04:48Z")
1&2. Panera Bread. They’re doing pretty well for a place so many of us never heard of. 3. Bob Evans, I think, but someone may have mentioned it here. So that means “P.F. Chang’s China Bistro” wins out. I also want to add a few more 4. (Have seen, but never visited): Cici’s Pizza. 5. (Lowest I’ve visited): Pizza Pro. Although I like Pizza Hut, this is much, much better. And you can get ready made full pizzas for $5 at the drive-thru. 6. (top place I want to visit) Church’s Chicken, thanks to you Dopers. Man, I just made myself hungry! ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/74 "2009-12-10T07:10:28Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I intend to find a Cheeburger Cheeburger (#357) and Hot Dog on a Stick (#388)just so I can say I’ve been there. Head to San Diego. There is a Hot Dog on a Stick at the mall and a Cheeburger Cheeburger pretty close by. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/75 "2009-12-10T07:21:22Z")
Oops. Missed lowest I’ve heard of, and forgot to put in numbers. I’ll just redo. Changes besides numbers are in italics. 1. **#22 Panera Bread**. They’re doing pretty well for a place so many of us \* have never visited. 2. (excluding PB, as it seems to be an outlier) **#35 Cheesecake factory** \* 3. **#44 Bob Evans** , I think, but someone may have mentioned it here. So that means **#46 P.F. Chang’s China Bistro** wins out. I also want to add a few more 4. (Have seen, but never visited): **#70 Cici’s Pizza**. 5. (Lowest I’ve visited): **#317 Pizza Pro**. Although I like Pizza Hut, this is much, much better. And you can get ready made full pizzas for $5 at the drive-thru. _6. (Lowest I’ve heard of) **#389 Simple Simon Pizza**. 7._ (top place I want to visit) **#39 Church’s Chicken** , thanks to you Dopers. Man, I just made myself hungry! _(For pizza, apparently)_ ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/76 "2009-12-10T07:22:54Z")
1. Panera Bread 2. Ruby Tuesday 3. Texas Roadhouse More astonishing, I have eaten at at least 116 of the places on that list. :eek: As soon as I can get down to Buena Park, I will be adding Portillo’s. I would be interested in other Doper’s grand totals as well. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/77 "2009-12-10T07:37:24Z")
1. I’m fairly certain I’ve never actually eaten at #11, Applebee’s, though I’ve seen plenty of them. 2. I’ve never seen a Church’s Chicken, #39. (Actually, it’s conceivable I may have, but I don’t remember it.) I’m not 100% certain I’ve ever even heard of them. 3. Zaxby’s, at #58, is the first one I’ve definitely never heard of. Trivia: My dad’s been to the original Bob Evans a few times. It’s apparently right there on the Bob Evans farm, in (Wiki tells me) Rio Grande, Ohio. Further trivia: I once failed to get a manager position at a Bob Evans, shortly after getting out of undergrad. Looking back, I think I’m ok with that. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2009, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/78 "2009-12-10T08:55:03Z")
Highest: Never been there: #4 - Starbucks Never seen: #17 - Chick-fil-A Never heard of: #17 - Chick-fil-A Lowest heard of/been to: #393 - Fosters Freeze ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/79 "2009-12-10T09:26:09Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > I think I’ve heard of #400 Spaghetti Warehouse, but never have been there. There is a #374 Silver Diner close to where I live, and I’ve been there a dozen times or more. That’s the lowest I’m sure I’ve both heard of and eaten at. Crap, now that you mention it, I think it went to a Silver Diner in MD. It was terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/80 "2009-12-10T09:46:10Z")
I’ve never eaten at Burger King (#3). I’ve had food from MacDonald’s exactly once, and it was take-out. I don’t like most chain restaurants - the food is usually awful, and they contribute to the homogenization of the culture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674.md?page=5)