# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/101 "2009-12-10T15:22:02Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Never eaten at :#17, Chick-fil-a > Never seen personally :#41, Whataburger. (at least not that I recall) > Never heard of :#57, Carrabba’s. Seconded, exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/102 "2009-12-10T15:23:20Z")
1. I’ve never eaten at a **Dunkin Donuts** , though I’ve certainly seen them and am aware of the brand. 2. I’ve never actually seen a **Bob Evans**. 3. I’ve never heard of **Hometown Buffet/Old Country Buffet**. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/103 "2009-12-10T15:29:59Z")
The lowest I have eaten at is **The Spaghetti Warehouse** , the one in Dallas. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/104 "2009-12-10T15:30:58Z")
Of the bottom 50, I’ve eaten at #368 - Baker’s (In fact, I’m getting lunch from there today!) #371 - Pizza Factory #383 - Pat & Oscar’s (Don’t bother, they suck.) #388 - Hot Dog On a Stick #393 - Fosters Freeze #400 - Spaghetti Warehouse ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/105 "2009-12-10T15:42:20Z")
I don’t have time to take the test right now, but I have been to Carrabba’s. To the initial restaurant on Kirby Drive in Houston–just after it opened. [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrabba's_Italian_Grill) says it’s still run by the Carrabba family–but might not be part of the official chain. Last time I went, it was still pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/106 "2009-12-10T15:43:30Z")
Never eaten in Cracker Barrel, #25 (and it sounds like I’m not missing much). Never seen a Bob Evans, #44, which isn’t surprising since I’ve never been to Ohio. Never heard of a LongHorn Steakhouse, #47. Did they used to be called something else? [chowhound.com](http://chowhound.com)’s message boards are my way of avoiding chains on road trips. About the only chain I regularly visit is Starbucks, and that only because it’s surprisingly difficult to find a decent cup of coffee on the road. Gas station and truck stop coffee taste like the grounds leftover from someone else’s pot of coffee. Most obscure chain visited: Maggie Moos, #399, in Austin, TX. Although [Amy’s Ice Cream](http://www.amysicecreams.com/) is also in Austin, is a smaller chain than Maggie Moos, and has much better ice cream. Used to visit Foster’s Freeze, #393, frequently when I was a teenager in CA. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/107 "2009-12-10T15:55:00Z")
I’ve never been to Sonic. I have been to one “Starbucks” but it was just a little kiosk in a WV rest stop. I bought a ~$4.50 club sandwich that tasted like crap. Cracker Barrel is great, it’s one of my favorite places to eat. If you like “meat and potatoes” type food it’s a great place. ---
**Author:** ![TheFifthYear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@TheFifthYear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFifthYear)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/108 "2009-12-10T16:00:00Z")
This is an interesting thread. I’m shocked how many people haven’t heard of Panera…if you’re going to eat fast food, you can do a lot worse than that place. Never eaten at: #17 Chick-Fil-A Heard of but never seen: #47 Whataburger Never even heard of: #43 Texas Roadhouse Lowest eaten at: #400 Spaghetti Warehouse ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/109 "2009-12-10T16:09:25Z")
1. What is the highest ranking chain that you’ve never eaten at (or otherwise visited)? #15 - Jack in the Box 2. What is the highest ranking chain you’ve never seen in person (but may have heard of)? #29 Hardee’s 3. What is the highest ranking chain you never even heard of? This is going to sound odd, but I don’t _think_ I’ve heard of #33 Golden Corral, but maybe I have, so it’s either that one or #58 Zaxby’s ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/110 "2009-12-10T16:12:43Z")
As a corollary, what’s the lowest one you’ve been to and what’s the lowest you’ve heard of: For both, #394 - Glory Days Grill. There’s one near my brother-in-law’s house outside Baltimore. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/111 "2009-12-10T16:19:29Z")
Sticking to the top 50, I’m familiar with these restaurants, and they all have outlets here i nAustin, but I’ve never eaten there: #25- Cracker Barrel #36- Chipotle #38- Buffalo Wild Wings #43- Texas Roadhouse #44- Bob Evans I’ve never seen, let alone eaten at, any of these restaurants: #47- Longhorn Steakhouse #48- Waffle House #49- Hometown Buffet #50- Perkins Restaurant ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/112 "2009-12-10T16:23:51Z")
Never eaten at a Carl’s Jr. (32) Never seen or really know much about a Cheesecake Factory (35). What’s a Logan’s Roadhouse (65)? ---
**Author:** ![Loisseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Loisseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loisseau)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/113 "2009-12-10T16:43:19Z")
Of the top ten listed, I haven’t been in or eaten food from: #2-KFC #4-Starbucks #6-Pizza Hut #8-Taco Bell I haven’t even heard of the bottom ten, never mind eating in them. I lead a sheltered culinary life. Eat at Panera all the time -great bread and sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/114 "2009-12-10T16:44:08Z")
> [@TheFifthYear](#): > > This is an interesting thread. I’m shocked how many people haven’t heard of Panera…if you’re going to eat fast food, you can do a lot worse than that place. Panera is called a few different things in different places, so I suspect some people who haven’t heard of it have seen or heard of it under a different name. As someone mentioned up-thread, it’s St. Louis Bread Co. here in St. Louis (or just Bread Co!). There’s also an Atlanta Bread Co., which I think is the same thing, and according to Panera’s website, they also own Paradise Bakery & Café - I’m not sure if they serve exactly the same stuff as Panera/Bread Co. restaurants do, though. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/115 "2009-12-10T16:50:57Z")
Never eaten at: Sonic, #13 Never seen personally: Whataburger, #41 Never heard of: Zaxby’s, #58 There are a _lot_ of fast-food restaurants around NE Ohio, and even those we don’t have, I’ve heard or seen ads for 'em. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/116 "2009-12-10T16:51:10Z")
1. What is the highest ranking chain that you’ve never eaten at (or otherwise visited)? #4, Starbucks. 2. What is the highest ranking chain you’ve never seen in person (but may have heard of)? (Keeping distinct from #3): #85 Chester’s 3. What is the highest ranking chain you never even heard of? #83, WaWa’s ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/117 "2009-12-10T16:55:37Z")
Lowest rank that I’ve eaten at: # 400, Spaghetti Warehouse # 399 MaggieMoo’s I’m going to lose all my SDMB Cool Credits™ for this, but Culvers has excellent burgers and Zaxby’s makes great chicken fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/118 "2009-12-10T16:59:25Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > As a corollary, what’s the lowest one you’ve been to and what’s the lowest you’ve heard of… Spaghetti Warehouse, #400, for both. Can’t get any lower than that! ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/119 "2009-12-10T17:00:11Z")
1. #4 Starbucks 2. #32 Carl’s Jr. 3. #50 Perkins Restaurant & Bakery ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674/120 "2009-12-10T17:03:03Z")
Never eaten at, or seen Whataburger (the latter, that I can recall). I didn’t see anything I hadn’t at least heard of once, somewhere. It’s what I get for living all over the damn place. 😃 On more careful review: there are a few at the very bottom I don’t recomember hearing about before. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-u-s-chain-restaurants-where-havent-you-been/520674.md?page=7)