I mostly dislike chain restaurants, but they do have their place. Basically, they're a way to get consistent, decent food if you're in a locale you're unfamiliar with.

But I do prefer to "eat local," if at all possible.

I dont like Fridays or Applebees either but LOVESSSSS me some Chili's!!

Hate 'em.

Their food usually tastes like shit, and almost always leaves me with a stomach ache. It always tastes like one step up from McDonald's (processed, salty, bland) but at 2-3 times the price. They're a ripoff as far as I'm concerned.

But I do like Chili's black bean burger with Swiss cheese and mushrooms.

Hate them!!! There are so many great places to eat why on earth would anyone come to New York City and want to go to fucking Olive Garden??? And yet that's where friends decided they had to go while they were visiting last week.

I like Restaurant chains. Chili's especially. Decently priced, nice portions, tasty food. I like other restaurants as well though.

Diner-type chain restaurants are better than regular diners, in my opinion. I've been to many a diner in my day, and I've NEVER found a single one that didn't have mediocre to shitty food. I'll stick to Friendly's or Denny's over Mom-N-Pop greasepit diners ANY DAY.

I have refused to eat at Ihop or Village inn anymore... I always leave feeling sick...

Shoewhore said:

Hate them!!! There are so many great places to eat why on earth would anyone come to New York City and want to go to fucking Olive Garden??? And yet that's where friends decided they had to go while they were visiting last week.

Ridiculous.

When I lived in Boston, I never frequented them. There were too many independent, delicious eateries. Now that I live in suburban Florida, where chains are the overwhelming majority, there are fewer independent options. But we still make it a point to seek them out; there's a family-owned Thai place that's just amazing.

tinaz said:

I have refused to eat at Ihop or Village inn anymore... I always leave feeling sick...

I haven't had IHOP in years. The last thing I remember eating from there was a giant plate-sized pancake. It was chocolate with chocolate chips, and had a smiley-face made on it with whipped cream and marachino cherries. I was like, 8, and ate about a third of it.

Haven't been back since.

Asheville has many small locally owned ( that use local grown organic foods ) joints ... I enjoy those

I am not into chain foods ~ matter of fact, less and less

I want it FRESH and real and HEALTHY and LOCAL

Chains = nasty blah food / energy ...

The ONLY reason for me to visit a restaurant that is part of a restaurant chain is if it´s something that does not exist over here, like for instance White Castle, Dairy Queen, Carls Jr., Jack In The Box, Fatburger etc. etc.

Not that I like them but I am a curious person and they are an undeniable part of America so yes, when I visit the USA, I think a visit to those places is okay ( even though most of them, like White Castle, often lead to regret and a moment of "WTF was I thinking?" )

That being said, I prefer family owned diners and I feel relieved that I´m not the only one who misses them.

I felt a bit weird because I have only seen one or maybe two real diners during my stays in the USA and thought it´s just me because they show a diner in almost every American movie but I´m obviously not the only one who misses them.

tinaz said:

I have refused to eat at Ihop or Village inn anymore... I always leave feeling sick...

I hear you. Talk about shitty food, and most of the one's I've visited are dirty to boot. Right now I'm obsessed with Chipotle. They have excellent, cheap, FRESH food. Sure, the menu is limited, but when you feel like a refreshing burrito or salad, you can't beat it. Last time I went to Chilis I was not impressed at all. Matter of fact, the food was fucking horrible, and I left half of it. I refuse to go back. If you want a good, cheap, home-made type dinner, try Old Country Cafe. It's buffet style and the food is decent. The fried chicken and meat loaf are very good. I also like Famous Dave's for ribs.

tinaz said:

I dont like Fridays or Applebees either but LOVESSSSS me some Chili's!!

I like Chili's for their grill chicken salad.

Living in wonderful South Bend, Indiana, all we have are chains. I don't mind some of them, because at least you get decent service. Some local spots don't train properly. My only complaint is lack of a good beer selection.

My favs are:

Red Lobster

Red Robin

Texas Roadhouse

Fridays

Id much rather support local, but options are few and far between.

Chili's -- Yay, because of the grill chicken salad. And I like to go there to watch a few sporting events since I don't have a TV.

Applebee's -- Nay. They have fell off since the 1990's.

T.G.I. Friday's -- Yay. I like their grill salmon on lemon-herb rice. And that vanilla bean cheesecake..... !

IHOP -- Yay, for breakfast food. Nay, for anything else.

Shoney's -- Nay. I like them a lot better in the 1980's.

Golden Corral -- Yay, because of the lunch buffet. But stay away from the dessert section at the bakery! Just saying.

Ryan's -- Read what I said about Golden Corral. ^

Denny's -- Nay. That place is very disappointing.

Olive Garden -- Yay, but on certain occasions. Although their pasta dishes are good, their prices are not always great.

Judging by my list, I really don't have problem with restaurant chains as much as I might have some problems with the things that are on their menus. But that's just me coming from the south and all.

The only one I really like is Pret A Manger. But they're not in the Netherlands, dammit

Shyra said:

tinaz said:

I have refused to eat at Ihop or Village inn anymore... I always leave feeling sick...

I hear you. Talk about shitty food, and most of the one's I've visited are dirty to boot. Right now I'm obsessed with Chipotle. They have excellent, cheap, FRESH food. Sure, the menu is limited, but when you feel like a refreshing burrito or salad, you can't beat it. Last time I went to Chilis I was not impressed at all. Matter of fact, the food was fucking horrible, and I left half of it. I refuse to go back. If you want a good, cheap, home-made type dinner, try Old Country Cafe. It's buffet style and the food is decent. The fried chicken and meat loaf are very good. I also like Famous Dave's for ribs.

ive had alot of people say nothing but good things about chipolte.. Im gonna have to try it...

I will pick a good "Mom & Pop" type diner over a chain any day. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of good "Mom & Pop" diners anymore.

In general, I think they suck. Especially Italian chains. I'd rather eat sawdust than Olive Garden or Buca di Beppo.