I’m a Mike’s guy, but I don’t wait in line to spend my money.
1 Like
Ruby Tuesday.
Never liked anything there. The two locations near us have shut down. Not sure if they’re still in business elsewhere.
2 Likes
I don’t get why my kids and their friends are so enamored of Chipotle. It’s not bad, but I would not go out of my way to eat there.
4 Likes
I love Chipotle. I think it fills/filled a niche of a place to get fast food that is not hamburgers and fries and then the added bonus of customizing your order just as you like it.
I’ll add in Subway as a place I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to but it seems people love - including my husband. I haven’t been in ages but the big thick bread (too much!) was always unappealing to me as well as all that lunchmeat. (not a big sandwich person)
2 Likes
Even though breakfast is my favorite meal, it would be Waffle House for personal reasons unrelated to the food.
One of the biggest complaints folks here have about subway is the lack of cold cuts (and the cold cuts themselves, thick and gray). Most subs have 2 - 3 inches of thinly sliced meat and cheese.
I actually like the taste of chipotle (I don’t really like fast food sand just had McDonald’s for the first time in 10+ years recently on a road trip), but no matter what order, I always feel so full and bloated, no matter what I order or how much I eat. It’s strange, and I always say no rice.
This 100%.
As a fast food concept, I love Chipotle. Quick service, and fills me up.
Will I drive miles out of my way for it? Probably not
Another vote for In-N-Out. People will wait in line for 20-30 minutes, even longer in drive thru. I don’t understand the hype.
Milk Bar. Many people rave about it, but I’m not sure why.
Regarding Dick’s Drive-In (local chain in the Seattle area), wilted lettuce in a burger is a turn off. Instead, I would recommend Pick-Quick in SODO.
1 Like
I like Chipotle, but the one near us is badly managed. It’s always messy (food strewn all over the preparation area, tables and chairs not cleaned), trash cans overflowing, etc. So we never go there.
But I do enjoy their food and will visit other locations if we’re in the area.
My wife and I love Jersey Mike’s 
Good, fresh subs that are tasty and reasonably priced.
1 Like
At the risk of sounding like a terrible snob, I dislike virtually all chain restaurants, rarely go to them. Once or twice a year we’ll go to Shake Shack or In-n-Out, usually on a long car trip and both get the job done.
This…and it’s one of the reasons I stopped going to Cheesecake Factory, and Outback. Plus…the food wasn’t that good.
3 Likes
Almost all Waffle Houses are franchised so can vary by location. We went to one in Helen GA that was family run. The line was out the door (good sign for me). We sat at the counter. There were five people behind the counter and watching them work was like watching a ballet and a master class in time management. Very friendly and great food too!
4 Likes
I admit I like Chikfila. I probably go once every 5 years and I only like the basic fried plain chicken sandwich with the pickle.
We have a local Mexican place that has some fame as Julia Child loved it. I’ve eaten there several times and I don’t see the appeal. I do sometimes wonder if I’m ordering the wrong thing.
1 Like
We have a couple restaurants that have good/great food but the chairs are so hard and uncomfortable that I refuse to go. If I’m paying to go out I want a pleasant experience in addition to the food.
1 Like
I’m not sure how popular Schlotzky’s is, but I’ve never been a big fan of the spongy bread, the cheeses they use, or their inclusion of black olives.
Qdoba – Their burrito does not have nearly the same girth as Chipotle or (Iowa chain) Panchero’s, but the price is nearly as lofty.
The one that baffles me most is Panera – what, no ranch or blue cheese dressing for the $14 salad? – but someone beat me to it.
3 Likes
Texas de Brazil, Fogo de Ciao
Great salad bars - forgetting it’s too much meat and your green or red card mean nothing (it’s always coming) - why is all the steak wrapped in bacon?
Why is any steak wrapped in bacon (which I find gross plus I’m Jewish) but it’s literally 90% of their cuts.
2 Likes
I think over the past few years their value to price ratio has gone down a lot.
3 Likes