Favorite chain restaurant?

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Old 09-01-2010, 09:48 PM
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Default Favorite chain restaurant?

I travel regularly for business and try to sample local establishments when possible. I do still frequently dine at the chains--Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, Carabbas, Outback and similar steak houses. I have had bad experiences with Red Lobster in different cities. What do Villagers like?
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Old 09-02-2010, 06:00 AM
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I concur with your findings and having just retired to the villages from a job that kept me on the road 75% of the time so I think I have a good basis to comment. Red Lobster is one I have never tried here for reasons you suggest. I do like Carrabas very much. One I wish we had here is Abuelo's. They are on the list of things we miss a lot. A regular 2-3 times a week in Dayton as well as regular visits to Oklahoma City. There are two in Florida, near Tampa and Orlando, which we intend to seek out but a quick trip to the Cincinnati area for a wedding a couple of weeks ago resulted in a visit in norhtern Kentucky during non-meal times, but we stopped anyway. Perhaps our Mexican food desires will be met with the new Mexican restaurant to soon be opened in the Colony shopping area as that is in our backyard.
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Old 09-02-2010, 06:10 AM
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A Big fan of "The Original" El Taco...

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Old 09-02-2010, 06:39 AM
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Texas Roadhouse..mmmmm mmmmmmm!
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Old 09-02-2010, 06:49 AM
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Red Lobster (We usually stick with the fried shrimp so no problem)
Olive Garden
Hooters
Sonny's
Golden Corral
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Old 09-02-2010, 06:56 AM
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I have always found Bonefish to be the most consistent. So they are my first choice. In CA In and Out Burgers, In Buffalo Teds Hotdogs, and I also like Bahama Breeze, but not very many around.
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Old 09-02-2010, 07:36 AM
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"Abuelo's" Actually, it's in Lakeland, rather than Tampa. We like it, the food and service is good.

Had a funny experience there recently. When we arrived, we were told there would be a 15 minute wait and that they would "text" us when our table was ready. We went to the bar and sat. In about 5 minutes or so, a manager came over and said, "your table is ready." So we went with him to our table, ordered drinks, appetizers, then our dinner. Then after about a half hour meal, when the the server came to the table with the "standard phrase," "did you save room for desert," my Iphone buzzed with a text message. The message said, "your table is ready."

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Old 09-02-2010, 07:55 AM
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Red Lobster, Olive Garden & Codys pretty much take care of all my needs.
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Old 09-02-2010, 02:31 PM
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Hard Rock Cafe, anywhere in the world.
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Old 09-02-2010, 04:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb8tpw View Post
I concur with your findings and having just retired to the villages from a job that kept me on the road 75% of the time so I think I have a good basis to comment. Red Lobster is one I have never tried here for reasons you suggest. I do like Carrabas very much. One I wish we had here is Abuelo's. They are on the list of things we miss a lot. A regular 2-3 times a week in Dayton as well as regular visits to Oklahoma City. There are two in Florida, near Tampa and Orlando, which we intend to seek out but a quick trip to the Cincinnati area for a wedding a couple of weeks ago resulted in a visit in norhtern Kentucky during non-meal times, but we stopped anyway. Perhaps our Mexican food desires will be met with the new Mexican restaurant to soon be opened in the Colony shopping area as that is in our backyard.
Abuelo's is my favorite! I really do miss it and put it on the survey TV does every year, so far to no avail. I know of the 2 here in FL (haven't made the trip to try them yet), but would rather have one here. Anytime we go back to Amarillo or Lubbock, we go almost every day. When we lived in Amarillo, it was only a few blocks from our house (that was both good and bad, if you know what I mean.)

Since they have advertised as having Tex-Mex, maybe the new Mexican place in Colony will be the next best thing. We can only hope. As for Red Lobster here, our experience there has always been good. They have an excellent lunch, but we have not been there for dinner so can't say about that.
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Old 09-02-2010, 04:49 PM
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White Castle

White Castle

White Castle


.
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Old 09-02-2010, 05:36 PM
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Outback!

Love that 9.99 special!
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Old 09-02-2010, 06:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckinca View Post
white castle

white castle

white castle


.
yes
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Old 09-02-2010, 08:11 PM
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My wife and I love Red Sauce for Italian and Codys Roadhouse for general eating. Urban Flats is a good choice for something a little different!
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Old 09-02-2010, 09:59 PM
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Bahama Breeze!................................it would be a perfect fit at LSL.
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