Chains. Better, worse or the same?

[Camille]

This week, whilst in Dallas, I went to dinner with a friend. It was a low key, shooting the shit casual type of outing. I really enjoyed myself. The food was great, the ambience in the place was relaxed and the service was very good. I was a bit surprised to find it was a chain restaurant because there are usually little standardized things that give that away...but there was nothing of the sort here. I think the only chain I eat at in MA is legal's and it's pretty good...but the only others that I can think of (in Boston) are stuff like the Smith & W's (dislike) Mortons' (dislike) etc. So I guess my question is, are chains getting better these days or do folks think they are much the same as always? Am I missing out by not looking up more of these places? Recommendations? Also, what do you consider a chain? Multi state diversity or something more simple such as a restaurant that has 3 sites or more in one state?

C x

I know there is a restaurant thread below, but I didnt want to hi-jack that for the specific discussion of chains.

[charlestudor2005]

I think there are multiple levels of chains. To me, a chain is when there is more than one restaurant. I define it that way because I have been in multiple places where I really enjoyed the Mom & Pop stand alone restaurant, but when they built a second one, it didn't have the same tasty food. The original seemed to be unique.

I also think you have to create a grid for this. One axis would be price, of course, while the other will be quality of food. You could create several grids for each type of food: American, Chinese, French, Pizza, German, Seafood, whatever.

You don't say what kind of food you like, nor do you say the name of the restaurant. And I don't know chains well enough to list any here.

I did mention Capital Grille in the other thread, but have only been once several years ago to the one in Dallas. For me, it's pricey, but I suspect on the scale of "good" restaurants, it's probably pretty low on the price scale.

I love seafood, and tend to wind up eating at stand alone hole in the walls near water so, presumably, the fish is fresh. I've been wanting to try McCormick & Schmick's, but can't bring myself to pull the trigger because of the price. I'm a couple blocks from one right now in Chicago. Every time I've considered going I've been alone. If, like you, I had good company, I'd probably go ahead and go. But no one in my family really likes seafood that much.

I suspect the reason that you don't care much for chains is the same reason I don't shop at malls very well: it's the same ole same ole with no variation or originality. Just a thought.

[Sydneyb]

Love Flemings -- Consistently good in any city I've gone to. And Wine. Lots of choices.
Capital Grille: expensive AND sucky, in my opinion.
The Palm: eh, I'll pass. If for no other reason than the cheese factor of the pickup joint factor alone.
Same with S & W.
McCormmick and Schmidts: its okay, but....a tastes like a chain to me.
Del Friscos: The bread is no good - since that's the first thing you typically eat, I never really liked it; interesting calamari dish (and I don't even like calamari)
Houston's: Limited menu and wine, but what they have (food-wise) is pretty damn good.

Where did you eat that you liked so much Camille?

[atlcomedy]

Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

I also think you have to create a grid for this. One axis would be price, of course, while the other will be quality of food.......

Maybe PJ will hook you up....

More than one member here knows one of my favorite places to eat and it isn't a chain....

& all things being equal, I enjoy the uniqueness of a one off eatery....

As a host I like being able to share an experience with my guest that they can only get in the city we are in. Hopefully they have a good time and when they think of that restaurant and tell their friends about it they also think of me.

That said, "chains" do have a raison d'etre. You just flew into Atlanta. you know there are some great places to eat but there is a Ruth's Chris two doors down from your hotel. It is a "safe bet" in that you can be reasonably assured that your meal will be similar to the Ruth's Chris in Indianapolis, which you enjoyed.

Even at a chain, if they are smart they develop their own personality. If you are a regular you can get to know the bartender, maitre d, general manager, etc. and you will get treated with the same service you would at a one off.

While Charlie is doing his grids, let me add one additional axis. What do you call a single corporate entity that owns/manages say 6-10 different concepts in a single city? Buckhead Life is an example here in Atlanta. They all have their own menu and chef but it is corporate down to the point where if you buy a gift card it is valid at any of their locations.

[charlestudor2005]

Originally Posted by atlcomedy

While Charlie is doing his grids, let me add one additional axis. What do you call a single corporate entity that owns/manages say 6-10 different concepts in a single city? Buckhead Life is an example here in Atlanta. They all have their own menu and chef but it is corporate down to the point where if you buy a gift card it is valid at any of their locations.

Some others:
Who doesn't like enjoying a nice meal with good company in a well-run restaurant? Here are the top restaurant chains in the country. Applebee's - Nation's leading casual dining chain.
Benihana - Japanese dining chain.
Bob Evans - Family restaurant chain.
Brinker International - Operates Chili's and Romano's Macaroni Grill
Buca di Beppo - Italian restaurant chain.
Buffalo Wild Wings - Chain known for wings and 14 sauces.
California Pizza Kitchen - Offers gourmet pizzas and entrees.
Cheesecake Factory - Restaurant with large menu and variety of cheesecakes.
Darden Restaurants - Operates Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Smoky Bones BBQ.
Denny's - Largest family-dining chain.
Famous Dave's - Barbecue restaurant chain.
IHOP - Casual chain best known for breakfast and pancakes.
Cracker Barrel - Home-style country cooking and gift shops.
Golden Corral - Leading buffet grill chain.
Outback Steakhouse - Operates Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Roy's
Landry's - Operates seafood restaurants.
Legal Seafoods - Upscale seafood restaurants in Boston and East Coast.
Ninety-Nine - Northeast Casual dining chain.
P.F. Chang's China Bistro - Chinese food in a hip bistro setting.
Red Robin - Gourmet hamburgers and bottomless steak fries.
Ruby Tuesday - Casual dining chain with ribs, steaks and salad bars.
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - Steakhouse chain featuring New Orleans-style cooking.
T.G.I. Friday's - National chain known for drinks and Jack Daniel's grilled food.
Texas Roadhouse - National chain serving steak, chicken and ribs.
Uno Chicago Grill - Chain of restaurants offering deep-dish pizza, steaks, ribs and more.

[John Bull]

Let's all get together and get Charlie a Premium membership so we can bombard him with PM's.

[atlcomedy]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Let's all get together and get Charlie a Premium membership so we can bombard him with PM's.

How many PM's is he getting????

Is he archiving/saving them? I mean I'm a mere "valued poster" and my mailbox will hold 50 pm's.....

[charlestudor2005]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Let's all get together and get Charlie a Premium membership so we can bombard him with PM's.

Originally Posted by atlcomedy

How many PM's is he getting????

Is he archiving/saving them? I mean I'm a mere "valued poster" and my mailbox will hold 50 pm's.....

I really don't know what your talking about since I don't get many to being with, but in light of these posts, I'm going to petition the mods to reduce it to 5.

[Rudyard K]

I think she was talking about higher end chains, CT...not Dennys.

I'm not sure that the "chains" that are good are quite as standardized as one might think. But the chains that I can think of that I enjoy?...

Del Friscos - I like the one in Dallas, but have never been to another.
Lawry's - I like the one in Dallas.
TruLucks - I have been to two of them here locally, but like 'em both.
Palm - It's OK, but I agree with SB...not high on my list.
Morton's - I kind of classify it the same as the Palm...Ok, but not high on the list.
Ocean Prime - I've been to two, in two different cities. I like 'em both, and they are very "high energy" places.
Ruth Chris - Ok also...but not real high on the list.
P F Changs - I've been to several. All pretty good.
Capital Grill - I dunno...I guess the food is ok, but I just never really liked the place.

I think what chains give you...at least the ones listed above...is a good meal in a city that you don't know. At least they are pretty reliable. And the company I am with probably has a lot to do with how much I enjoyed my meal. Being pretty picky as to whom I have dinner with...I guess I have better experiences.

[charlestudor2005]

TY, RK. Aside McCormick & Schmick's I have wanted to try TruLucks, and will try Ocean Prime based on your recc.

I have a personal animus against Denny's so I never eat there. I do think it's overpriced. Breakfast is the cheapest meal to prepare and the price should reflect it.

As far as PF Changs goes, I've never been to one, but have seen their menu, and generally can't believe that their prices reflect Chinese food that is so much better than the average.

[Camille]

Charles:

The reason I don't like the chains I mentioned is that I'm not a steak eater. The alternatives are not that great in those spots (and I'll agree with Syd and add Cap Grille in there for the same reason). I'm also not a junk food person. I really dislike processed foods...which is why I stay away from places like BK, McD's, Dennys, pizza places etc. There are a couple of chains here (one of which I've mentioned, Legal Seafoods) that are pretty good on the fresh and quality food front if you are looking for something more casual. I've also been meaning to try Naked Fish for the longest time, but I always forget because they are in the burbs..and not any burbs that are particularly close to me. I guess with a chain, I'm looking for casual dining at a reasonable price that doesn't rely on processed unhealthy stuff. I'm more fish and seafood than anything else..and I have to say that the Seabass I had in Dallas was as good as the Seabass I've had in Boston...which even my dining partner was surprised at.

C xx

[charlestudor2005]

C--TY.

[Camille]

Originally Posted by Rudyard K

At least they are pretty reliable. And the company I am with probably has a lot to do with how much I enjoyed my meal. Being pretty picky as to whom I have dinner with...I guess I have better experiences.

I'd still eat your arm Rudy, despite your sparkling wit and repartee, if for example we went to Morton's and they offered me a half ass alterative to the 27 steaks on the menu. Nothing against your arm...just when I'm hungry...I'm H*U*N*G*R*Y

C x

[ElisabethWhispers]

Saw this topic and got all excited. Thought you were asking about different types of "chains". You know, the type that you can get at Home Depot, or rather, the Domme Depot ... and you were going to suggest alternative activities. And maybe add some pretty ribbons in the mix!

Damn. Wrong again.

Sorry about that!

Elisabeth

[Camille]

Elisabeth:

Well I've got some silk rope and "leather accessories" that have been collecting dust for the last 7 years. Does that count?

lol..C xx