Food and Drink America's Best Restaurant Chains - Page 6

Stewie · 07-01-2012, 01:54 PM

From Consumer Reports with 50,000 responses...

First Watch and Le Peep started locally. IMO they both do it right.

What we found

Nine chains earned especially high marks across the board for the seven attributes in our Ratings—taste, value, service, mood, noise, menu, and cleanliness—and were praised for menu variety, cleanliness, and a lack of noise. They were:

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, focusing on big portions and personal attention.

Black Angus Steakhouse, for flame-grilled steaks with an “over-the-campfire flavor."

Bob Evans, for breakfast and homey fare.

Bravo Cucina Italiana, for “upscale affordable dining” in a “Roman ruin” décor.

First Watch, for eggs, pancakes, and sandwiches.

J. Alexander’s, for American classics, sandwiches, salads, and specialties such as grilled fish with mango papaya salsa.

Le Peep, for eggs, crepes, and salads.

Elmer’s, for pancakes and comfort food.

Fatz Eatz & Drinkz, for grilled or fried sandwiches, entrées, and finger foods.

Al Bundy · 07-01-2012, 08:46 PM

J Alexanders isn't bad, one right across the street from where I live in OP

**Bugeater** · 07-01-2012, 08:51 PM

We have a Biaggi's here, but I've never eaten there. It's located in a upscale area so I always assumed it's too expensive for me. As for the rest, they may have well titled the article "Nine great restaurants that you've never heard of and probably aren't anywhere near you anyway".

Oh, and who the **** goes out for eggs?

**007** · 07-01-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

This thread just shows what a difference individual locations can make.

Texas Roadhouse is relatively new to the Des Moines area. It's damn good imo, and extremely popular.

Meanwhile, Longhorn went out of business.

I really like the food at Roadhouse but hate the loud atmosphere.

Deberg_1990 · 07-01-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

This thread just shows what a difference individual locations can make.

Texas Roadhouse is relatively new to the Des Moines area. It's damn good imo, and extremely popular.

Meanwhile, Longhorn went out of business.

This is true. Most new resteraunts do pretty good business, but once the newness factor wears off, it has to be pretty good food or service to keep people coming.

There's way too much competition in the resteraunt biz. I've seen lots of good ones go under. chains and mom and pops.

MOhillbilly · 07-01-2012, 09:22 PM

I eat at the first watch in nkc once in a while, I dig the sports bar across the street as well.

Sfeihc · 07-01-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Get 'Loyal' with my ball-sack.

Red, you such a whining vag. You get the iggy button, super douche, you've earned it.

mr. tegu · 07-01-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8ers

Longhorn is excellent 18oz Outlaw Ribeye... Had one today with a baked sweet potato and a couple of draft beers

Longhorn does everything really well. Most places have a few things they are good at but Longhorn aces everything. Ribs, ribeye, hamburger, chicken sandwich, chicken tenders (best you will ever have), seafood, bread, etc. It's all delicious and reasonably priced. If you don't want a big tab at most sit down places, just get water. Saves stomach space as well as money.

listopencil · 07-01-2012, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sfeihc

Red, you such a whining vag. You get the iggy button, super douche, you've earned it.

I'm so glad that you changed your name from Sfeihcs to Sfeihc.

Pants · 07-01-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

Le Peep...overpriced for what you get, come on it's ****ing eggs!

J. Alexander's ...overpriced. I can go to Texas Roadhouse and get the samething in bigger portions for 1/2 the money

Be fair, though, JA's is way better than Texas Roadhouse.

J. Gilbert's is a better version of JA's though (and owned by the same people, I think).

-King- · 07-01-2012, 10:49 PM

Never been to any of them.

Pants · 07-01-2012, 10:51 PM

The best salmon I have ever had was at JA's BTW. 100% better than Bristol's and McCormick and Schmick's.

BWillie · 07-01-2012, 10:51 PM

I don't know why ppl dog on Outback. I think their steaks are delicious even compared to many 25 dollar+ places. Many people refuse to acknowledge that many chain restaurants indeed have good food.

**cdcox** · 07-01-2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

This is true. Most new resteraunts do pretty good business, but once the newness factor wears off, it has to be pretty good food or service to keep people coming.

I think that keeping the quality high at a given location of a restaurant must be one of the most difficult tasks in business. When a new place opens, everyone is trying to do their best at a new job and everyone wants to make a good first impression. But when you are working your 500th shift after a couple of years doing the same routine tasks, the work has to lose its shine a bit.

As a manager, can you keep the dishwasher on his toes month after month? Cause if the dishes aren't clean, the whole place can go down hill. There are 10 million things that can go wrong in a restaurant and you have to really work at it to keep just a few of them from ruining your business.

**Gonzo** · 07-02-2012, 06:18 AM

I've been to Texas roadhouse twice in my life. The first time I asked for the baby-backs with the sauce on the side and two sides. I received boiled ribs that were not smoked and tasted like an old shoe, microwaved rice and instant mashed potatoes.
The second time I ordered a prime cut of steak, (either ribeye or kc strip can't remember). I ordered it rare with a baked potato. What was placed on my table was likely a two-dollar arm steak from Aldi's that was pre-cooked and smothered with old bay or some shit.
At least the potato was ok.

Anyone that loves Texas Roadhouse has a generic palate and enjoys the whole 'line dance' bullshit and throwing peanuts on the floor. **** Texas roadhouse.
"OH WOWS! TEXAS ROADHOUSE IS SO GUD!!! CAN I GOEZ TO FAMUS DAVEZ NEXT FOR REAL KC BARBEECUEZ? THEY HAZ RIBZ!"

**rockymtnchief** · 07-02-2012, 06:24 AM

Elmers used to be my hangover stop on Saturday mornings. I don't remember if the food was great, but biscuits and gravy with strawberry pancakes made me feel better.

I didn't mind the Black Angus back in the day, but now that I have a little better taste in food, my opinion may have changed.

07-01-2012, 01:54 PM
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $-1610099	America's Best Restaurant Chains From Consumer Reports with 50,000 responses... First Watch and Le Peep started locally. IMO they both do it right. What we found Nine chains earned especially high marks across the board for the seven attributes in our Ratings—taste, value, service, mood, noise, menu, and cleanliness—and were praised for menu variety, cleanliness, and a lack of noise. They were: Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, focusing on big portions and personal attention. Black Angus Steakhouse, for flame-grilled steaks with an “over-the-campfire flavor." Bob Evans, for breakfast and homey fare. Bravo Cucina Italiana, for “upscale affordable dining” in a “Roman ruin” décor. First Watch, for eggs, pancakes, and sandwiches. J. Alexander’s, for American classics, sandwiches, salads, and specialties such as grilled fish with mango papaya salsa. Le Peep, for eggs, crepes, and salads. Elmer’s, for pancakes and comfort food. Fatz Eatz & Drinkz, for grilled or fried sandwiches, entrées, and finger foods.
Posts: 13,833

07-01-2012, 08:46 PM	#76
Al Bundy Damnit Peg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $3531831	J Alexanders isn't bad, one right across the street from where I live in OP
Posts: 23,615

07-01-2012, 08:51 PM	#77
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	We have a Biaggi's here, but I've never eaten there. It's located in a upscale area so I always assumed it's too expensive for me. As for the rest, they may have well titled the article "Nine great restaurants that you've never heard of and probably aren't anywhere near you anyway". Oh, and who the **** goes out for eggs?
Posts: 70,546

07-01-2012, 09:22 PM	#80
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	I eat at the first watch in nkc once in a while, I dig the sports bar across the street as well. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

07-01-2012, 10:49 PM	#85
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $-1214257	Never been to any of them. __________________ 🏁
Posts: 65,458

07-01-2012, 10:51 PM	#86
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $3629900	The best salmon I have ever had was at JA's BTW. 100% better than Bristol's and McCormick and Schmick's. __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,412

07-01-2012, 10:51 PM	#87
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1258759	I don't know why ppl dog on Outback. I think their steaks are delicious even compared to many 25 dollar+ places. Many people refuse to acknowledge that many chain restaurants indeed have good food.
Posts: 52,484

07-02-2012, 06:24 AM	#90
rockymtnchief Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Crazys of Montana Casino cash: $10018968 VARSITY	Elmers used to be my hangover stop on Saturday mornings. I don't remember if the food was great, but biscuits and gravy with strawberry pancakes made me feel better. I didn't mind the Black Angus back in the day, but now that I have a little better taste in food, my opinion may have changed.
Posts: 5,740