What are your FAVORITE restaurants?

[DaFace]

I haven't dug through the other thread in extreme detail, but it seems to me that we've got a bunch of people around here who are too damn picky. So, at the risk of crashing and burning...

I actually like eating at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and Outback just fine. Hell, I even like Famous Dave's. They're not the best food you can ever have, but they serve a hell of a lot better fare than I'm willing to put the effort into at home, and they're not going to break the bank. So there.

(This thread doesn't have to center on chains. Those just came to mind since so many people said they didn't like it in the other thread.)

[seclark]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

OMGWTFISWRONGWITHYOU

sayin...free cakes ftw.
boysenberry syrup ftmfw!
sec

[Shogun]

Jack Stack
Chipotle
Panera
Culvers
Mi ranchito
oklahoma joes

[Frazod]

In Kansas City, Gojos. It never ceases to amaze me how it gets almost no love on this BB. Of course, most of you clowns think Chris ****ing Farley was the funniest part of SNL, so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. Best hibachi grill I've ever been to, and I've been to lots of them.

Locally (Naperville), best hibachi is a place called Shogun. Hibachi is probably my favorite type of restaurant. Sucks that it's so expensive, but we eat there a couple of times a year for special occasions. For seafood, Chinn's Fishery or Bob Chinn's Crabhouse. Great seafood, reasonable prices. I'm a big fan of Noodles & Company, even after I found out it originated in Colorado, and that's saying something. Favorite comfort food is Baker's Square. Favorite breakfast food is Walker Brothers, although the nearest one is about 40 minutes away. Best local fast food is a chain called Portillos - they have really good Italian beef. Culver's is a close second. Favorite Italian is Carrabas. It's a chain, but excellent. Blows away Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill. For Greek food, a local place called Costa's. Better than Greek Islands and all the rest of the overpriced Greektown places. For steak, the closest is Texas Roadhouse, which is okay. There are several places in downtown Naperville which are really good, particularly Sullivan's, but they're really pricey. Personally, I prefer my grill over any of them. Great Thai place call Le Siam near my house, and a fantastic Indian place called Indian Harvest.

[Rain Man]

I mentioned this in the other thread, but some chains that I like include:

Chili's
Black-Eyed Pea (even though I always look around and think, "Am I the only person here who has a savings account?)
Red Robin (even though I always look around and think, "Are we the only table where a ten year-old girl isn't having a birthday party?)
Chik Fil A
Panda Express

These represent varying degrees of "good value" more than "wow food", but I like them. For "wow food" there are some independent restaurants that I like, but no one outside Denver will know them.)

[Frazod]

Good call on Red Robin's. Forgot to list that one.

Panda, however, is McChinese. I eat there only because there's really no alternative for fast Chinese food near my office (which is really hard to believe).

They closed that Thai place we ate at, too. That really pissed me off.

[Nzoner]

Figlio's The Italian Restaurant @ Country Club Plaza,incredible Sunday brunch
The Range Steakhouse in Harrah's NKC
Valentino's
54th Street Grill & Bar

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by frazod

Good call on Red Robin's. Forgot to list that one.

Panda, however, is McChinese. I eat there only because there's really no alternative for fast Chinese food near my office (which is really hard to believe).

They closed that Thai place we ate at, too. That really pissed me off.

I only eat at Panda Express at the airport, and only when I'm on the concourse that has it. Honestly, I've had almost nothing other than the orange chicken, but I can't resist it. I'm sure it's got to be astoundingly unhealthy as sweet and sticky as it is.

Too bad about the Thai place, too. Owning a restaurant seems to be a slow financial suicide for most people, especially in downtown areas.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

Figlio's The Italian Restaurant @ Country Club Plaza,incredible Sunday brunch
The Range Steakhouse in Harrah's NKC
Valentino's
54th Street Grill & Bar

I'll never understand your fascination with Valentino's.

[Saulbadguy]

Valentinos is pretty bad.

[MahiMike]

Chain-wise you can't beat Carabbas or Outback.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I only eat at Panda Express at the airport, and only when I'm on the concourse that has it. Honestly, I've had almost nothing other than the orange chicken, but I can't resist it. I'm sure it's got to be astoundingly unhealthy as sweet and sticky as it is.

Too bad about the Thai place, too. Owning a restaurant seems to be a slow financial suicide for most people, especially in downtown areas.

There were two Thai places owned by the same company - they had identical food and identical menus. I guess they decided to consolidate, but unfortunately the remaining one is too far from my office for lunch.

And orange chicken is the dish I generally get at McPanda as well. I'd get the beef broccoli, but unfortunately their broccoli sucks.

[Jenson71]

Surprised people like Red Robins, but I'm biased because the one time I ate there, I got sick afterwards.

[seclark]

Originally Posted by Literature

Surprised people like Red Robins, but I'm biased because the one time I ate there, I got sick afterwards.

i've only eaten there once, myself. i thought it was ok, but the wife didn't like it at all. i think they put too many mushrooms on her burger.
whatever.
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[crossbow]

What happened to that restaurant in Olathe that was called "the Machine Shop" or something like that? That place seemed to always be full of people and then one day it was closed.

[Frazod]

Oh, and for pizza, in Chicago, obviously Gino's. But like most transplanted Kirksville natives, I LOVE ME SOME PAGLIAI'S. The ronza is the greatest thing ever.