Author Topic: I think it's time to declare Carrabba's the greatest chain restaurant. (Read 2484 times)

ToxicAdam · « **on:** February 02, 2009, 04:27:00 PM »

So, I just made my 4th trip to the place this weekend and had another great meal. With a bottle of wine, appetizer, and two entrees its about 100 bucks for a meal. Not bad.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2009, 04:46:14 PM »

Never heard of the place.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2009, 04:49:37 PM »

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2009, 04:54:48 PM »

It's good food-my parents take me there when I visit them on holidays-but I do sort of complain about the portion size (pretty huge) and everything on the menu seems totally unhealthy.

then again, it helps that I live in an area that has some of the best restaurants and overall fine dining density in the entire mid-atlantic region. I never want for good food.

Reb · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:00:50 PM »

100 bucks at a chain restaurant? I dunno man...

I prefer local independent restaurants.

demi · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:17:43 PM »

100?? that plate looks like leftovers from the chinese place down the street

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:20:35 PM »

Quote from: demi on February 02, 2009, 05:17:43 PM

100?? that plate looks like leftovers from the chinese place down the street

.

Olive Garden is where it's at

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:29:35 PM »

Quote from: Rebiak on February 02, 2009, 05:00:50 PM

100 bucks at a chain restaurant? I dunno man...

I prefer local independent restaurants.

Yeah, I'd have a hard time paying that much to eat at a chain.

Eric P · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:29:40 PM »

i found out there are two olive gardens in nyc

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:42:04 PM »

We had one Olive Garden in Seattle, but it went out of a business over a year ago. They're still all over in the suburbs, but not in the city.

Eric P · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:44:59 PM »

one of the chain locations is in times square, the other is a bit east of my own place. I found it yesterday when walking home.

Positive Touch · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:56:40 PM »

I generally hate chain restaurants, being vegan and all, but I do have a soft spot for Chevy's

veggie fajita

Greatness Gone · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:58:39 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on February 02, 2009, 05:20:35 PM

Olive Garden is where it's at

Ugh. PD is definitely white irl.

ToxicAdam · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2009, 07:37:19 PM »

Well, the bottle of wine was 30 bucks and the appetizer (mussels) were 12 bucks. The entrees ranged from 12-33 dollars. Not so bad for a restaurant.

DJ_Tet · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:13:44 PM »

You can eat there for $40 for two if so inclined, it's only $1-$2 more than Olive Garden per entree. And it's about 10x better. Their Veal Marsala is amazing

T234 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:24:56 PM »

Olive Garden eats shit, what the FUUUUCK PD

ToxicAdam · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:38:04 PM »

Olive Garden probably has the best marsala sauce I have ever had. It's probably fatty as fuck.

Guybrush Threepwood · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:43:17 PM »

99 is pretty good

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:46:47 PM »

Quote from: ToxicAdam on February 02, 2009, 07:37:19 PM

Well, the bottle of wine was 30 bucks and the appetizer (mussels) were 12 bucks. The entrees ranged from 12-33 dollars. Not so bad for a restaurant.

Or you could go to Cheddar's, get a bottle of wine for 20 dollars, an appetizer for 6 dollars, and entrees that range from 8-15 dollars. Plus the food's better and you get more of it.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:48:54 PM »

Macaroni Grill faggurts

ToxicAdam · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:05:33 PM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on February 02, 2009, 08:46:47 PM

Or you could go to Cheddar's, get a bottle of wine for 20 dollars, an appetizer for 6 dollars, and entrees that range from 8-15 dollars. Plus the food's better and you get more of it.

Cheddars isn't even better than O'Charley's

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:07:54 PM »

Quote from: ToxicAdam on February 02, 2009, 09:05:33 PM

Quote from: Great Rumbler on February 02, 2009, 08:46:47 PM

Or you could go to Cheddar's, get a bottle of wine for 20 dollars, an appetizer for 6 dollars, and entrees that range from 8-15 dollars. Plus the food's better and you get more of it.

Cheddars isn't even better than O'Charley's

That's impossible since Cheddar's is the best restaurant currently in existence.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:08:42 PM »

What the hell are these restaurants?

I mean, I've heard of Macaroni Grill, but I can't help but laugh at the name. Every time I drive by one I think of a big box of Kraft Mac-n-Cheese.

DJ_Tet · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:49:05 PM »

Quote from: ToxicAdam on February 02, 2009, 08:38:04 PM

Olive Garden probably has the best marsala sauce I have ever had. It's probably fatty as fuck.

Ugh, Carrabba's is so much more marsala-y

Olive Garden's marsala is much sweeter imo.

Beezy · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:58:37 PM »

Quote from: distantmantra on February 02, 2009, 09:08:42 PM

What the hell are these restaurants?

I mean, I've heard of Macaroni Grill, but I can't help but laugh at the name. Every time I drive by one I think of a big box of Kraft Mac-n-Cheese.

Mupepe · « **Reply #25 on:** February 02, 2009, 10:42:29 PM »

cheddar's is crap. i once ordered buffalo chicken tenders and it came out and had barbecue sauce all over it. i told the waiter and he took it back and then came back 30 seconds later and said "the chef's says that's our buffalo sauce" fucking lame. even the lady at the next table was like "i can smell that barbecue sauce from here. that's not buffalo"

fuck that place.

J Alexander's is the best chain.

French Dip with shoestring french fries

Akala · « **Reply #26 on:** February 02, 2009, 10:44:31 PM »

Quote from: DJ_Tet on February 02, 2009, 08:13:44 PM

You can eat there for $40 for two if so inclined, it's only $1-$2 more than Olive Garden per entree. And it's about 10x better. Their Veal Marsala is amazing

I agree.
-------
I've only been to Cheddar's once, but it was pretty good. I've been to O'Charley's a few times, and they are terrible. Beer is cheap though.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2009, 11:34:31 PM »

Quote from: Rob Thomas on February 02, 2009, 10:42:29 PM

cheddar's is crap. i once ordered buffalo chicken tenders and it came out and had barbecue sauce all over it. i told the waiter and he took it back and then came back 30 seconds later and said "the chef's says that's our buffalo sauce" fucking lame. even the lady at the next table was like "i can smell that barbecue sauce from here. that's not buffalo"

That's what you get for ordering such a pedestrian meal. You should feel lucky that the chef didn't come out and chop you in half with the cleaver that he used to prepare you measly chicken tenders.

ToxicAdam · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2009, 11:40:42 PM »

J Alexanders is another decent place.

Cheddars is like a step above places like Applebees or Fridays.

xnikki118x · « **Reply #29 on:** February 03, 2009, 02:56:46 AM »

I lovelovelove Chili's.

I've never heard of Carrabba's before tonight. We don't have one around here.

drew · « **Reply #30 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:51:03 AM »

j alexanders is pretty awesome

they took calamari off the app menu tho :{

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #31 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:54:32 AM »

Family loves Carrabba's, but I think it's totally overpriced and mediocre quality food. Although, admittedly, they've eaten at the restaurant and due to time constraints, I've been forced to endure carry-out. Still, if the drop off in quality from table served to carry-out is so high, it's probably not that great anyway.

DJ_Tet · « **Reply #32 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:57:54 AM »

Quote from: ToxicAdam on February 02, 2009, 11:40:42 PM

Cheddars is like a step above places like Applebees or Fridays.

Definitely. Cheddars has amazing chicken tenders and fantastic onion rings. That's all I've ever had there, but it's recommended (and cheap.) The breading sets them apart.

Tauntaun · « **Reply #33 on:** February 03, 2009, 09:06:38 AM »

Quote from: Eric P on February 02, 2009, 05:44:59 PM

one of the chain locations is in times square, the other is a bit east of my own place. I found it yesterday when walking home.

It's crazy big, there's 3 floors I think. When Mrs. Tauntaun and I went we had to take an escalator up to be seated. Was good though.

tiesto · « **Reply #34 on:** February 03, 2009, 09:48:55 AM »

People actually eat at the Olive Garden?

SMH

I have a friend who eats Carabba's every night, and then always lies to me about skipping the gym to gorge on food there. Carabba's is alright but I live in an area where you can't throw a stone without hitting a mom and pop Italian restaurant, most of them being much better than any chain. Not to mention, I come from an Italian family and nothing quite beats the homemade stuff.

Although I had O'Charleys in Columbus a few years ago and I remember it being decent, a step above Friday's. Never heard of Cheddars. I've become such a food snob lately, trying to avoid chains as much as possible. $:-\$

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #35 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:37:55 AM »

Quote from: DJ_Tet on February 03, 2009, 07:57:54 AM

Quote from: ToxicAdam on February 02, 2009, 11:40:42 PM

Cheddars is like a step above places like Applebees or Fridays.

Definitely. Cheddars has amazing chicken tenders and fantastic onion rings. That's all I've ever had there, but it's recommended (and cheap.) The breading sets them apart.

You really need to try the Monty Cristo. Deep-fried sandwich with raspberry dipping sauce.

Lone · « **Reply #36 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:49:11 AM »

Didn't like Cheddars (Could be the hair in the hamburger...)
I did like Carrabba's, but only went to it 3 or 4 times, and haven't been there in a couple years. I do remember the HUGE portions. A friggen Cinder Block of Lasagna

GilloD · « **Reply #37 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:58:40 AM »

$100 for a chain restaurant. Shit, son. You don't even pay that in New York.

DJ_Tet · « **Reply #38 on:** February 03, 2009, 11:05:10 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on February 03, 2009, 10:37:55 AM

You really need to try the Monty Cristo. Deep-fried sandwich with raspberry dipping sauce.

That sounds hot, I may have to hit that up this weekend

border · « **Reply #39 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:17:14 PM »

Maggiano's is best.

Spinach + Chicken Manicotti!

The Family-Style dinner is a pretty good deal if you have a number of people - it's like tapas for Italian food.

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #40 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:48:48 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on February 04, 2009, 02:18:05 PM

smh, bigtime

seriously. what's next- p.f. chang's as the best place to get asian? lol

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #41 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:49:36 PM »

no, panda express

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #42 on:** February 04, 2009, 03:50:28 PM »

The only chain I frequent (once or twice a year) is Bucca di Beppo.

ToxicAdam · « **Reply #43 on:** February 04, 2009, 04:05:25 PM »

The only restaurants I frequent are local authentic places that none of you know about or have access to.

The food is simply divine and it's like eating little slices of heavenly clouds and the atmosphere makes you feel like someone putting warm palm fronds on your testicles.

Pfah, you peasants and your gruel.

Eric P · « **Reply #44 on:** February 04, 2009, 04:09:22 PM »

eating?

you people outside of nyc still eat?

that's almost...charming

demi · « **Reply #45 on:** February 04, 2009, 04:13:27 PM »

Burger King burger shots > Carraba's

BlueTsunami · « **Reply #46 on:** February 04, 2009, 04:23:05 PM »

There's this local chain (can it even be called a chain with only 2 or 3 locations?) that is so delicious. Its called Vinny T's. A Boston based Italian restaurant... its where I got my first taste of Chicken Marsala aka best fucking dish ever.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #47 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:42:52 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on February 04, 2009, 04:12:04 PM

Quote from: ToxicAdam on February 04, 2009, 04:05:25 PM
The only restaurants I frequent are local authentic places that none of you know about or have access to.

The food is simply divine and it's like eating little slices of heavenly clouds and the atmosphere makes you feel like someone putting warm palm fronds on your testicles.

Pfah, you peasants and your gruel.

Pretty much. They're cheap as well!

Yep! Cohen knows the score.

News:

Author Topic: I think it's time to declare Carrabba's the greatest chain restaurant. (Read 2484 times)