The Best National Restaurant Chain Thread

[Pheidippides]

I've never heard of Sarpino's so I am guessing not.

I didn't include fast food either. My favorites aren't national: Carl's Jr and Jack in the Box.

I checked: it only has 25 locations in 8 states, but they are going on a major expansion binge. Thankfully, one of the 25 is near me. You can order online like you can with Papa Johns but the pizza is definitely better. Not that it comes close to a slice of the real deal in NY or Chicago, depending on preferences, but it's pretty good for home delivery.

I don't mind Carl's Jr. or Jack in the Box. I don't prefer them, however.

Beck's Prime make my favorite hamburger, but they are neither national nor fast food (local chain in Houston only with five or so locations). Next time any of y'all are in town I will treat.

[Pheidippides]

For those of you who have lived in Japan (Nik,Tim,etc) how would you rate the sushi at Todai's? I like the fact they have a large variety and I can try lots of different things and if I don't like it I don't feel bad for wasting food.

I have never eaten at Todai's. I am very picky when it comes to sushi and have a score of rules that I follow, some of which make no sense. I refuse to eat sushi in any town not within 300 miles of the coast, for example. Actually, I do not eat sushi very much at all - my tastes are such that I am much more likely to get a somewhat-uncommon nigiri rather than a simple tuna roll, and I will only get it from places I trust. Right now, there are three Japanese restaurants and one supermarket chain (!) I will trust to make me sushi in Houston. There are a handful of places in NYC. I'm sure I'd find a few places in LA, San Francisco, Seattle, etc., that would be more than adequate if I were to ever live there.

I have never eaten at any place in Utah that would make me rethink this rule. However, I have moderated my stance on Utah dining due to the fact that I have not actually eaten anything there in some years, and my opinion is thus out of date. Next time I am there, I plan on trying a good restaurant or two.

[YOhio]

Panera Bread is always a decent spot to have lunch. There sandwiches are usually fresh and I like their french onion soup.

[Katy Lied]

Misc American: the Cheesecake Factory/Houstons type places...

I used to live across from Houstons in Woodland Hills, went there all the time. They made a good grilled pork chop.

Flemmings and PF Changs owned by the same guy. The PF stands for Paul Flemming. I prefer Flemmings to Ruths Chris, but probably mostly because Ruths is too crowded all the time.

Whatever happened to that lil SoCal chain, The Cask N Cleaver? I liked the squaw bread there.

[Art Vandelay]

I have never eaten at Todai's. I am very picky when it comes to sushi and have a score of rules that I follow, some of which make no sense. I refuse to eat sushi in any town not within 300 miles of the coast, for example. Actually, I do not eat sushi very much at all - my tastes are such that I am much more likely to get a somewhat-uncommon nigiri rather than a simple tuna roll, and I will only get it from places I trust. Right now, there are three Japanese restaurants and one supermarket chain (!) I will trust to make me sushi in Houston. There are a handful of places in NYC. I'm sure I'd find a few places in LA, San Francisco, Seattle, etc., that would be more than adequate if I were to ever live there.

I have never eaten at any place in Utah that would make me rethink this rule. However, I have moderated my stance on Utah dining due to the fact that I have not actually eaten anything there in some years, and my opinion is thus out of date. Next time I am there, I plan on trying a good restaurant or two.

I have eaten at Todai in Seattle, Portland and Vegas. I know the first two are certainly within your 300miles of the ocean rule, Vegas is probably close (as the crow flys). However, since it's a chain, I don't know where the fish actually comes from. With that said, everyone I have ever taken (assuming the aren't anti-seafood) have really liked the restaurant.

[falafel]

I have eaten at Todai in Seattle, Portland and Vegas. I know the first two are certainly within your 300miles of the ocean rule, Vegas is probably close (as the crow flys). However, since is a chain, I don't know where the fish actually comes from. With that said, everyone I have ever taken (assuming the aren't anti-seafood) have really liked the restaurant.

There's a Todai in Vegas? Is it to-dai for?

[Surfah]

Panera Bread is always a decent spot to have lunch. There sandwiches are usually fresh and I like their french onion soup.

I actually really like Panera. Their fuji apple and pecan salad is great.

Likewise, not national yet, but I really like Paradise Bakery too.

[LiveCoug]

I love this deal at Olive Garden. It is all I order but I will go there just for this.

Falafal, you have a new client.

[falafel]

Falafal, you have a new client.

Great. Is Hot Lunch coming with us as we strategize over salad and bread sticks at OG?

[LiveCoug]

Great. Is Hot Lunch coming with us as we strategize over salad and bread sticks at OG?

Soup! Don't forget the soup! Mmmmmmmm.. Zuppa Toscana.....

[Art Vandelay]

There's a Todai in Vegas? Is it to-dai for?

Don't give up your day job (jello wrestling DH for free-loading CUFFers). Its located in Planet Hollywood. Take a break from the pitas and give it a try sometime.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My favorite national chain is Osho's. Sadly, it is a national chain in Japan.

[falafel]

Soup! Don't forget the soup! Mmmmmmmm.. Zuppa Toscana.....

I just had that on Friday! And it was good! We're going to make a great team.

[Pheidippides]

I have eaten at Todai in Seattle, Portland and Vegas. I know the first two are certainly within your 300miles of the ocean rule, Vegas is probably close (as the crow flys). However, since is a chain, I don't know where the fish actually comes from. With that said, everyone I have ever taken (assuming the aren't anti-seafood) have really liked the restaurant.

Vegas is an exception, because they have a Nobu.

It's actually not really about where the fish comes from (you can freeze it and fly it anywhere in a day); it's about my trust in the local ability to discern good seafood. I am especially picky when it comes to sushi, so, while I'll eat a bad bowl of clam skate wing chowder, I'm not about to roll the dice on some hirame, hamachi or chuutoro.

[falafel]

Don't give up your day job (jello wrestling DH for free-loading CUFFers). Its located in Planet Hollywood. Take a break from the pitas and give it a try sometime.

You got it. I work very close to there.