Chain Restuarants - Page 3 - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

SteelBlue · 07-31-2007, 03:46 AM

I like Cool Hand Luke's as a chain restaurant. Actually, most of the chain steak houses are pretty good. We have a Cattleman's and a Logan's which are both doable.

Surfah · 07-31-2007, 03:57 AM

I like Smokey Bones and Famous Dave's BBQ. Though it must be noted that Smokey Bones is operated and owned by the same group that manages Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Bleh.

I like Ruby Tuesday for their salad bar and Triple Prime Burger.

Chipotle, though that's fast food to me.

I like Bonefish Grill quite a bit.

I used to work for IHOP Corp. so they have a special place in my heart/stomach.

I like CPK.

YOhio · 07-31-2007, 03:57 AM

Benihana's is another good chain.

I second Indy's statement about Baja Fresh. It's not a pretty good Fresh Mex place.

YOhio · 07-31-2007, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

I like Smokey Bones and Famous Dave's BBQ. Though it must be noted that Smokey Bones is operated and owned by the same group that manages Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Bleh.

Smokey Bones has good nachos.

Jeff Lebowski · 07-31-2007, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOhio

Benihana's is another good chain.

I second Indy's statement about Baja Fresh. It's not a pretty good Fresh Mex place.

Never heard of Baja Fresh. I will have to watch for it.

Yes, Benihana's is good. But not so much for the teppanyaki. That's an americanized thing that you would never see in Japan. But their sushi bars are usually quite good.

Jeff Lebowski · 07-31-2007, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

I like Smokey Bones and Famous Dave's BBQ. Though it must be noted that Smokey Bones is operated and owned by the same group that manages Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Bleh.

I like Ruby Tuesday for their salad bar and Triple Prime Burger.

Chipotle, though that's fast food to me.

I like Bonefish Grill quite a bit.

I used to work for IHOP Corp. so they have a special place in my heart/stomach.

I like CPK.

CPK is pretty decent. I was going to mention that one.

YOhio · 07-31-2007, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Yes, Benihana's is good. But not so much for the teppanyaki. That's an americanized thing that you would never see in Japan. But their sushi bars are usually quite good.

The Japanese don't do teppanyaki? Cougarguard really is a place where illussions are shattered.

il Padrino Ute · 07-31-2007, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMCoug

Doesn't just about anything blow away Olive Garden? I can't think of a worse Italian chain restaurant. I'm not Italian food snob ... but Olive Garden is NASTY.

For Italian I like Macaroni Grill, Johnny Carino's, Carabba's.

Yes, Olive Garden sucks, IMO.

I tried Macaroni Grill for the first time when I was hanging with Archaea and his kids, Lebowski and non sequitur and his son after the BYU spring game. It was Americanized, but still pretty good.

As I said, the only reason I like Bucca is because it's like walking into a home in Sicily. The gaudy decorating is awesome.

Parrot Head · 08-01-2007, 04:59 AM

I give a solid thumbs up to Fuddruckers and Chiplotle. (I guess I like large serving sizes. Speaking of, my one trip to Claim Jumpers was excellent.)

Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, any of that ilk are highly overrated.

Having served in Mexico, I make it a point to avoid any "Mexican" place that boldly advertises "No Lard" as Baja Fresh does. If you're ever in Eugene, OR, there are half a dozen Burrito Boys and they have GREAT burritos.

Surfah · 08-01-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrot Head

I give a solid thumbs up to Fuddruckers and Chiplotle. (I guess I like large serving sizes. Speaking of, my one trip to Claim Jumpers was excellent.)

Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, any of that ilk are highly overrated.

Having served in Mexico, I make it a point to avoid any "Mexican" place that boldly advertises "No Lard" as Baja Fresh does. If you're ever in Eugene, OR, there are half a dozen Burrito Boys and they have GREAT burritos.

Claim Jumpers is a good one. Their fresh baked Idaho is great. A giant stuffed potato with all the trimmings. And I always enjoyed Tony Roma's too. Especially when they had the all-you-can-eat ribs going. But most of these have shut down. The last one I ate at was in Orlando two years ago or so.

I also like Fuddruckers. Their honey mustard sauce is great with fries. And their burgers are huge and filling and the fresh condiments are nice.

07-31-2007, 03:57 AM	#22
Surfah Master Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: F'burg, VA Posts: 3,211	I like Smokey Bones and Famous Dave's BBQ. Though it must be noted that Smokey Bones is operated and owned by the same group that manages Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Bleh. I like Ruby Tuesday for their salad bar and Triple Prime Burger. Chipotle, though that's fast food to me. I like Bonefish Grill quite a bit. I used to work for IHOP Corp. so they have a special place in my heart/stomach. I like CPK. __________________ Ernie Johnson: "Auburn is a pretty good school. To graduate from there I suppose you really need to work hard and put forth maximum effort." Charles Barkley: "20 pts and 10 rebounds will get you through also!"

08-01-2007, 04:59 AM	#29
Parrot Head Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 763	I give a solid thumbs up to Fuddruckers and Chiplotle. (I guess I like large serving sizes. Speaking of, my one trip to Claim Jumpers was excellent.) Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, any of that ilk are highly overrated. Having served in Mexico, I make it a point to avoid any "Mexican" place that boldly advertises "No Lard" as Baja Fresh does. If you're ever in Eugene, OR, there are half a dozen Burrito Boys and they have GREAT burritos. __________________ Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude. - Bronco, when asked how to describe PH

07-31-2007, 03:46 AM	#21
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	I like Cool Hand Luke's as a chain restaurant. Actually, most of the chain steak houses are pretty good. We have a Cattleman's and a Logan's which are both doable.

07-31-2007, 03:57 AM	#23
YOhio AKA SeattleNewt Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,055	Benihana's is another good chain. I second Indy's statement about Baja Fresh. It's not a pretty good Fresh Mex place.