National Food Chains You Love

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I'm not a big fan of national food chains such as McDonald's, TGIF, and the like. I do not frequent these places. I find that more often than not the products they offer are obviously designed to appeal to a mass market that is totally fine with mediocrity. I call this food "wash and dry" food or "cookie cutter" food. It's devoid of any personality whatsoever.

Realizing that I'm a confirmed breadaholic I just had to check out a new chain that came to my workplace neigborhood, Panera Bread. I stopped by on my way home from work last night and picked up two miches of bread, one stone milled rye and one whole grain. They each had substantial weight and a good crust. You can have the bread either thin sliced or thick sliced. I got it thick sliced. This joint has more than bread, though. They have almost every concievable type of bread product from bagels to focaccia and everything in between. They offer a variety of soups, conventional sandwiches as well as pannini. They also have the requisite coffees and such. Cakes, pastries, muffins and scones are also offered. You can either take your order out or eat there while enjoying free Wi-Fi. Of course, I realize that Panera Bread is old news to some of you but I've only just discovered this joint. So far, so good. I'm liking it.

When I got home I taste tested the bread. Two thumbs up! Excellent bread. Can't wait to go back and try some more of their products.

Question, is there any national/regional chain that you feel is worth your money and time? Just curious...............

[Scott Dolan]

It's the old St. Louis Bread Company.

Jimmy, you haven't had shit until you try their turkey artichoke.

We dig Panera, too.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

It's the old St. Louis Bread Company.

Jimmy, you haven't had shit until you try their turkey artichoke.

We dig Panera, too.

Is that one of their sandwiches?.......

[Scott Dolan]

Yep.

[Scott Dolan]

They rarely make it, but their portobello bisque stomps some ungodly ass as well.

[walto]

I liked Panera's rye bread until they turned it into some kind of multi-grain thingy a couple years ago.

[Noj]

I love this fine establishment.



This one too.

[Brian Olewnick]

[Chris D]

Qdoba. It kicks butt on Chipotle.

[Noj]

[Scott Dolan]

Outback is cool. I think they are too expensive for what they serve though. We have a Longhorn here, and it seems a little better pricewise.

[Noj]

The Outback in Burbank is a quality establishment. That's the only one I've eaten at. What don't you like, Clint?

In-N-Out Burger, I'll agree, is great. The only thing that can ruin it is a bad crew who doesn't follow through with all of the process--they don't crisp up the buns or leave the french fries under-cooked. The older establishments, such as the ones in Pasadena or North Hollywood, tend to be the best ones.

[clinthopson]

The Outback in Burbank is a quality establishment. That's the only one I've eaten at. What don't you like, Clint?

I've eaten at Outback a couple of times in the past and their meat reminds me of Sizzler. Yuck!

Our local IAOs alway seem to deliver.


I think I have a jones for a double-double.

[claude]

I think I have a jones for a double-double.

Around here that means a coffee with two creams and two sugars (shudder)...

[tippy]

[clinthopson]

Way back in the 50's, my first job out of college was with Dun & Bradstreet doing credit reporting.

Two of my cases were Winchell's and Denny's, for that I apologize for giving them good ratings.

[Mike Goodbar]

+1 for Panera, and add Noodles and Co. to the list.

I confess that when I have the post-gig munchies or need something really quick at lunch, Taco Bell really hits the spot. Trouble is, you end up paying for it twice.

[Robert de St. Loup]

Five Guys is trying to go national. We'll see if their quality control holds up.

[walto]

I think I like Finagle-a-bagel's bagels (say that 8 times fast) more than I do Breugger's, but I'm not really an afficionado.

[Ron Thorne]

My wife and I discovered Baja Fresh and Chipotle a few years ago while visiting our sons in California. They're both definitely a cut above most franchise restaurants in our experience.

We have Qdoba in Anchorage now, but I wasn't knocked out by our one and only visit. We'll give them another try.

I don't know if it's a national or regional chain, but Western Bagel seems to have it together.



Consistency is one of the most difficult things to manage with a food franchise such as we're discussing here.

[kenny weir]

Australia has all the most high-profile chains, but not - heh heh - Outback.

I had grave fears when Starbucks started moving in a few years back, but while there's quite a few about in Melbourne, I'm happy to say it's all been pretty low-key. Overwhelmingly Melbourne's coffee-slurping masses have stuck to their quirky favourites and individuality. This is a great coffee town. In fact, one of the Strabuck's closed down through lack of patronage.

If there was a Popeye's here, I'd be there for sure. Just as well there's none, I guess.

One small Australian franchise I do rilly like is called Grill'd. Very good hamburgers and great fries - so good they hardly rate as junk food.

[Chris D]

We have Qdoba in Anchorage now, but I wasn't knocked out by our one and only visit. We'll give them another try.

Try the poblano pesto burrito.

[tippy]

Say what you will - Winchell's made the best donuts. Better than Krispy Kreme - which are too heavy and sweet and standing TOWERS above that Dunkin' crap which all tastes like stale grocery donuts cooked in rancid oil.

[jesus marion joseph]

that Dunkin' crap which all tastes like stale grocery donuts cooked in rancid oil.

Oddly enough, if you read the fine print on the DD menu board, it discloses that they actually *are* stale grocery donuts cooked in rancid oil!

[GoodSpeak]

[Ron Thorne]

When it comes to ethnic foods, most national chains can't begin to compare with your local or regional offerings.

For example, we have incredibly good Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Mediterranean (broadly) and other international choices, along with one serious Mexican (not Mexican/American) restaurant, in addition to a growing number of Alaskan-style offerings.

[jesus marion joseph]

in addition to a growing number of Alaskan-style offerings.

Stink-meat-on-a-stick?

[kenny weir]

When it comes to ethnic foods, most national chains can't begin to compare with your local or regional offerings.

Agreed.

In fact, I reckon majestic, healing, numinous pho is a worldwide franchise all on its own - in a philosophical sense, rather than a commercial one.

[GoodSpeak]

I disagree.


.

[Ron Thorne]

Look, if Yoshinoya is your idea of a great Japanese dining experience, fine. I'd much rather rely on a Mom & Pop Japanese restaurant in my city for authenticity, variety and taste.



Afterall, Yoshinoya is a Japanese fast food chain, mostly focusing on beef bowls, hardly my favorite aspect of Japanese cuisine.