Some quick reviews of chains:
-Red Lobster - been to it once or twice, was OK... but I live on an island so there's no shortage of good seafood joints that I'd rather go to
-Outback - super salty and one of the most unhealthy chains there is, steak was bland as hell (even the filet mignon!)
-Famous Dave's - greasy but decent for Long Island BBQ, their different sauces are excellent
-Chili's - extremely salty and the only thing that has a greater chance of giving me the shits is Korean food, most everything on the menu tastes exactly the same
-TGI Friday's - food doesn't taste that great but it's got a better and more diverse selection than most other chains. There are a few decent items on the menu, but it's usually a crap shoot to find these
-Olive Garden - Had it once and it was awful, Italians will never eat here
-Boulder Creek - Local steakhouse chain, decent food at great prices, definitely one of my favorite chains when I don't feel like ponying up for a traditional steakhouse
-Friendly's - Loved it as a kid, but the food isn't very good... Nor is the service (in fact, the service is awful, which is one thing a lot of other chains DO get right). Ice cream is good though!
-California Pizza Kitchen - Not a fan of the pizza, they definitely skimp on the meat if you get one with a meat topping, but the salads are a good value for the cost, and it's kinda hard to fuck up a salad
-Cheesecake Factory - decent appetizers but the main courses are extremely bland and overpriced, most overrated chain ever!!!
-Red Robin - had it for the first time last week, and it was pretty good... I felt my arteries clogging as I ate the burger though!
-Ruby Tuesday - cleaned up their act recently, they used to be extremely mediocre, but their sandwiches at least are a lot better tasting, and a bit healthier than the usual chain fare... plus there's the salad bar
-Charlie Brown's - I think this place went out of business around here (if not everywhere), but their salad bar was top notch, regular meals were a bit on the bland side though
-Golden Corral - nasty, then again I don't like buffets at all
-Old Country Buffet - the worst restaurant I've ever been to, food may be sub cafeteria-level
-Macaroni Grille - closed down by me, been here 2 times but nothing really stood out in a good or bad way enough for me to remember anything about it
-Carrabbas - apart from having too much garlic in the food, there was nothing really wrong with it, but there are SO many places to get cheaper/higher quality Italian on the island that this place is pointless
-Hurricane Wings - this place just opened a few locations on the island... only went there once, the wings were OK, but I lived in Buffalo for a few years so I hold my wings to a VERY high standard... the variety of dipping sauces is excellent and is the reason I'll be going back
-Bennigans - Is this place even around anymore? They closed the one closest to me. Used to go a lot in my college days, and I liked it then... but my tastebuds have changed considerably since those days when chain food was considered a treat.
-Applebees - One of the poorest chains, food all tastes refrigerated. Used to go a lot for half-price appetizers back in the day
-Houlihans - Pretty generic as far as chains go, with their selection... but they serve a decent plate of fajitas and other products. A step above Fridays/Applebees at least.
-Pizzeria Uno - Not a fan of deep dish (the pizza or Dubfire/Sharam), I like my thin crust NY pizza, and what do you know, there are pizza places everywhere on the island!
-Bahama Breeze - Only had this once in Orlando, I think it's a Florida-only place. Serves Caribbean-style food, I really liked what I got there but after spending all day at the amusement parks and waiting so long for food I would say ANYTHING was good
-Texas Roadhouse - Had this a few times in Alabama and Buffalo, couldn't complain... the steak was cheap and not bad, though the atmosphere may be too casual for most, with the peanut shells on the floor
Still haven't tried Legal Sea Foods, Shoneys, Steak and Shake, or Sonic (though one finally opened here after we were taunted by commercials for the past god knows how many years)
