Author Topic: eating out  (Read 12470 times)

Jake

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eating out
« on: December 21, 2012, 03:22:07 PM »
where do you guys eat out and why? looking for suggestions for national chains of sit down style inexpensive restaurant (applebees, red lobster, etc.). We eat out 1 to 2 times a month (as a family, I eat out a lot when traveling) and it is usually either Sweet Tomatoes, Chilli's or Olive Garden. We all really like sweet tomatoes - I think it is a bit more healthier, plus their coupon deals are pretty sweet. Love that chilli and other soups. Kids like it too.
Chilli's I like because they are consistent; coast to coast - I am almost always very happy with the quality of food and service.

Place I really don't like is TGIFridays: I haven't been there for several places, and probably a handful of times total before that, but it has always been a bad experience.   
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charlie

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Re: eating out
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2012, 03:37:03 PM »
I like BJs. I also like to eat at the restaurant of that name. It's a brewhouse, but not bad for kids anyway. Mimi's Cafe isn't bad and is usually very good with kids (they don't bring out hot plates, they get food to the kids quickly, etc). We like CPK, too. There isn't a Chili's or Olive Garden that's all that close, but we do go to those places if they're around and we feel like chain restaurant food.

We also got to Denny's a lot (and by a lot I mean a couple times a year) mostly because we still remember it from college as the place to go for $3 meals even if they don't have those anymore.

Don't like P.F. Changs, it's way too expensive for what you get. We also haven't gone to Outback in a while, just doesn't do it for us I guess. I'd agree on TGIFridays.

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: eating out
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2012, 06:51:22 PM »
Olive Garden blows IMO. 

National chains worth going to...
Carrabba's
Texas Roadhouse
Outback
Longhorn Steakhouse
Golden Corral (No.  Really.)
Moe's
White Castle and or Crystal (This could be a personal issue.)

Crappy or meh ones...
Olive Garden (You know!  the Italian place that people go to for the salad, because the bread tastes like raw dough and sodium and the pasta dishes are made in a factory and sent to the chain in frozen pans.)
Red Lobster
Applebee's
TGI Fridays
Ruby' Tuesdays
Chipotle (Yeah.  I said it.  Whatcha gonna do about it?)
Macaroni Grill (Used to be good.  Now they are just kind of snooty.)



jkim

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Re: eating out
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2012, 10:18:01 PM »
I am really anti-Golden Corral.

TGIF and Applebee's are only good if you go late for half off apps.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2012, 01:11:45 AM by jkim »

Mike

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Re: eating out
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2012, 10:33:52 PM »
In-N-Out Burger is a must go

jkim

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Re: eating out
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2012, 01:14:55 AM »
Also, it's not particularly cheap and I wouldn't consider it a "chain" (although now that I look at a map, there's a bunch of locations in California), but I really love the Yard House that opened up by me.

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: eating out
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2012, 09:31:52 AM »
I am really anti-Golden Corral.


Why?  Maybe the ones you visit are crappy.  Ours are pretty decent and have the best breakfast offered by a chain that I am aware of.

Jake

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Re: eating out
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2012, 09:42:01 AM »
Also, it's not particularly cheap and I wouldn't consider it a "chain" (although now that I look at a map, there's a bunch of locations in California), but I really love the Yard House that opened up by me.

Yeah, I really like the yard house too...but it is more expensive than the other places we're talking about. But the food (and beer) is really good.
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Jake

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Re: eating out
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2012, 09:43:19 AM »
>>Golden Corral (No.  Really.)
I've been there a few times, usually when out of town. The closest one to my house is about an hour away so that eliminates it.

>>Chipotle (Yeah.  I said it.  Whatcha gonna do about it?)
Yeha why? I do like some chipotle for lunch.
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jkim

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Re: eating out
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2012, 10:14:21 AM »
I am really anti-Golden Corral.


Why?  Maybe the ones you visit are crappy.  Ours are pretty decent and have the best breakfast offered by a chain that I am aware of.

Well there are none in the northern half of New Jersey. I've only been for team dinners on the road to track meets, so probably in the middle of PA, OH, or WV. I don't know. I was always very underwhelmed.

Betazep

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Re: eating out
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2012, 10:54:35 AM »
Is Buffalo Wild Wings a national chain?  It is not the same as the family style restaurants you are talking about... but at the moment I have a strong urge to eat some chicken. :)
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Perspective

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Re: eating out
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2012, 11:01:20 AM »
I like Jack Astors for the beer and cheddar soup. Don't know if they have those down your way.

Jake

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Re: eating out
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2012, 01:21:25 PM »
Is Buffalo Wild Wings a national chain?  It is not the same as the family style restaurants you are talking about... but at the moment I have a strong urge to eat some chicken. :)

bdubs is really popular with guys at work. I swear they eat there 3/4 times a week.
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charlie

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Re: eating out
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2012, 02:51:46 AM »
Hooters apparently has good food. In n out doesn't count cuz it's fast food and we don't want to go there.

Edit: Meaning we don't want to take this conversation in that direction or we'll go way off topic.

Mike

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Re: eating out
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2012, 03:21:22 AM »
Quote
Hooters apparently has good food.
Meh, it is alright but they are down right slow to refill your unlimited wings.

In n out doesn't count cuz it's fast food and we don't want to go there.

Edit: Meaning we don't want to take this conversation in that direction or we'll go way off topic.
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