Last week’s Coke vs. Pepsi poll received the most votes of any previous poll with Coke the clear winner (as if there was any way Pepsi would have won). I’m glad that the readers found the last few polls interesting enough to participate heavily in and I ask that you keep on suggesting more so that I can post them. I really fucking hate doing these every week. So go ahead and comment or e-mail your suggestions and I will roll them in as best I can.
So yesterday I was dragged to Chili’s because I didn’t want to listen to Mrs. Marcos bitch about not getting her away. Even though we called ahead an hour beforehand we had to impatiently wait for over 30 minutes because hundreds of chain-loving douchebags would rather flock to a restaurant serving overpriced nachos, shitty hamburgers, and 1 for 1 drinks disguised as 2 for 1s while good restaurants across the state continue to close in this difficult market. So, after that terrible experience I figured I’d find out which one of this genre of restaurant you prefer and why.
I talk a lot about not eating at chains and I try to convince people to stay away from the dark side but yet more often than not people continue to give their hard earned money to establishments that more or less suck and charge them an arm and a leg to eat food that’s nothing more than simply mediocre. Of these restaurants, and there are entirely too many to list so I just went with the three of the top of my head, which one do you prefer the most and why? What is it that makes you join the legions of others that would rather wait and hour or more to eat their food instead of driving across the street to some local restaurant and eat there instead?
I put up Chili’s, Applebee’s, and T.G.I. Friday’s (why the fuck do they all have an apostrophe in the name?) as well as an option for other or N/A for those of you that prefer something else or those of you–like me–that would rather gag themselves with a ninja sword than eat at those places.
Next week, when the poll ends please be sure to subtract one from the Chili’s voting because Mrs. Marcos’ vote doesn’t count anyway. In the meantime, comment on and let us know why you prefer to visit those places over other random places around town. If anything it would be good for up-in-coming restaurants and even those that have been able to compete to know what you think.
Favorite Mass Market Chain Restaurant
- Other (40.0%, 33 Votes)
- N/A (21.0%, 17 Votes)
- Applebee's (16.0%, 13 Votes)
- T.G.I. Friday's (15.0%, 12 Votes)
- Chili's (9.0%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 82
Loading ...So once you’re done with your comments, voting and ignoring Mrs. Marcos’ ranting, be sure to check out our expired polls in the archive or read through the previous posts about polls here.
Dakota Complaints Map
Dakota Inmate Dashboard
March 8th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
CHILI’S IS TOTALLY KICKING ASS!!!
“Chili’s (100.0%, 1 Votes)”
March 8th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
One of the other poll ideas, that I ended up tossing out, was “do you pee in the shower?” So, if you really don’t like this poll and instead want to discuss that one, feel free ;-)
March 8th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I eat quite a bit of fast food, and actually enjoy it on occasion, but I just can’t go to those places you mentioned in the poll. But if I had to pick a chain restaurant, it would be Ruby Tuesday’s, but just because they have 2 for 1 drink specials.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Oh, and yes, I do pee in the shower.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Chilli’s or Flingers. Whoever has more flair and puts more shit up on the walls.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I’m a Chipotle guy. Food is OK and they load on the hot sauce if you ask em. I usually get chicken tacos on a corn tortilla (as God intended) with cheese, lettuce and hot sauce. Not a bad lunch for about $5.
As for peeing in the shower, I have to say no (because Mrs. Moose sometimes reads these comments…)
March 8th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I picked other, wondering if Granite City counts as a crappy chain? Easily, it’s my favorite, though it is “local” based out of St. Cloud.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I’m a slave to my Friday Chipotle run, just so I get out of the office at least one day a week, and don’t end up at Toxic Hell or something. I try and avoid any and all other fast food joints with a passion, except maybe a Subway or Jimmy John’s when I’m drug along with others.
If it’s a sit-down chain, – I’ll lean towards Ruby Tuesday’s, mainly for the salad bar. They mostly all taste the same, and I try to stay away from them as a whole as well, because they are expensive, and not healthy (yes, I can get cheap and healthy, but I have no control in a restaurant, shut up) Applebee’s makes my insides hurt, and there is no Friday’s near me.
Like Bill said, if you’re going to spend 20$ on a meal, go to the little guy that needs all the help they can get these days! The chains will continue to thrive and multiply on peoples stupidity – much like a majority of the population :)
I’m off to bed, after consuming my tasty meal from the little guy Chinese place up the road!
March 8th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I am a Chipotle guy as well.
I’m pretty sure I could eat Chipotle every day for a year and not tire of it. I’d be willing to take someone up on that challenge if they or Chipotle wanted to sponsor me! I literally spend about a mortgage payment a year there anyways.
Being a single man and on the go constantly there is no better value for $6.34 when you combine the convenience (less than a mile away from my house and quick), the fresh ingredients and how filling it is (1028 calories for my burrito is one solid meal and sometimes 2 partial meals).
March 8th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
1) Red Robin, come on they have good burgers and it’s way kid friendly
2) Chili’s
3) Chipotle
4) Hate to admit it, but I like Taco Bell
5) In-N-Out Burger, even tho they’re not here.
Apple Bee’s sucks
March 9th, 2009 at 6:57 am
I’m really uncomfortable in the typical sit down chains – the three in your poll really suck! I do enjoy the food at Chipotle and Buffalo Wild Wings. They both focus on doing one thing really well and I have to admit they do a decent job at it.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Usually, if I go to a chain restaurant, it’s because I’m on the go and a fast food place is all I have time for, or it’s late and other places aren’t open (so I hit up a Perkins, IHOP, etc).
March 9th, 2009 at 7:52 am
I’ll take the ninja sword.
Actually, I tend to agree with some of the suggestions given already. I have no problem eating at Chipotle if I don’t have ready access to a real taqueria. Red Robin’s burgers are above average as well and Ruby Tuesday has some good food (I like their salad bar and white bean chili) although neither are are good value.
I don’t mind when I get dragged to Noodles & Company, nor Famous Dave’s.
Nationally, I think In N Out is vastly overrated. I don’t think it’s any better than a Wendy’s personally. However, Bonefish Grill, the Outback company’s fish place is very good.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:03 am
jf, BW3 used to be a lot better. I miss meaty wings (they have gotten progressively smaller since I began eating there in 1997) and cheap prices. They are more concerned with branding their stale sports bar atmosphere (think Cocktail but instead of pink and blue neon, you get black and yellow instead) than providing the great wings and sauces they once did (where in the fuck is my Smokey Southwest you bastards?)
I gave up on eating them after a terrible experience at the Apple Valley location a few years ago. I recently returned, because of a geocaching event being held in a good friend’s honor, and found that it had actually gotten worse but yet they are supposedly going great guns. It makes me sad that people just don’t know what it used to be like before :(
MSPD, I was excited to try In-N-Out when we were in Vegas in 2006. Unfortunately it was completely unimpressive and I’m really not quite sure what all the buzz is about. While I don’t remember it being like Wendy’s, I just thought to myself, “it’s a fucking hamburger, what’s the fuss?”
March 9th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Bill – I think your points about BW3 are valid. Especially the stale sports bar atmosphere. The Apple Valley location is particularly stale and usually loaded with 16 year olds. This begs the question, where can you get a great order of wingies around here? I’ve heard Dolittle’s are good, but never tried them. I can’t think of any place that is particularly better than BW3.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:12 am
jf,
I like Rascal’s and Major’s (speaking of stale atmosphere) wings in Apple Valley but I have to be honest that I haven’t eaten either since August of 2007. Major’s used to have (and may still) .25 wings on Wednesdays and they were as large as BW3′s legs.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Would it make it easier to do yes/no polls? Just a thought.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Kelly, it’s not so much the type of polls that suck to put up, it’s the topics. So if you have some suggestions for yes/no polls, please let me know and I’ll be happy to use them :-)
March 9th, 2009 at 9:39 am
For wings I like the “Jake Wings” at Jake’s in Eagan (during happy hour only, though!) 12 or so very plump wingies for $5.95. I don’t know if that qualifies as a “chain” with three locations, tho…
Out of the three listed on the poll, I’m not really hot on any of ‘em but the one I dislike the least is Applebee’s. I do like the Oriental Chicken Salad.
March 9th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I get sick to my stomach every single time I eat at Buffalo Wild Wings. It sucks because Mr. Marcos enjoys an occasional night out there but I literally can’t stomach it.
Also, I won’t “out” her on here, but the crazy, constantly in trouble younger sister…she’s one of the waitresses there.
March 9th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Patti – I have a ‘copy-cat’ recipe for the Applebees Oriental Chicken Salad…it is spot on, completely delicious!
March 9th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I think as far as food quality is concerned, I’ll go with Houlihan’s as my favorite chain.
I like Chipotle as well, but for me, taqueria la hacienda is only a few miles further awy and worth the extra effort.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I hardly ever eat out. Sometimes though I do get drug into a few chains. My m-i-l loves them. She gets reward gift cards from her Discover card. I like Chili’s the best. Not as much crap on the walls. One that you missed on your list is Olive Garden. I was just in there a few weekends ago. I hate that place. I think the thing I like the least at places like that is the servers. They are so uninvolved and uninvested. At most smaller places the servers have a little more at stake, i.e. the Thai place in WBL. Good poll.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Oh yeah. I love BW3′s. When I worked with college students, I would do most of my staff meetings there. It was at least a once a week stop. You’re right though about the change. Now they cater to families as much as they do anyone else. We were there the other night in Plymouth and there were some super cool high school dudes drinking water and watching the hockey game. I love the hot wings and the spicy garlic.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Is Famous Dave’s considered a chain? I like that one!
March 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Mrs. M, I went to BW3′s in AV the day before my wedding, and the waitress there came out to the car to look at my wedding dress, does that sound like your sister? :)
Heck yes Famous Dave’s is a chain.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:33 am
I don’t mind Houlihan’s or Granite City. Granite City had a steak salad that I really enjoyed but last time I was there it was off the menu. I like wings and enjoyed BW3 but I agree it’s not what it used to be. Of the chains mentioned, I was in TGI McFunsters last year sometime becasue it was all that was open at the time.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Also, the reason why people go to these places instead of independents is familiarity and predictability. If, like me, you love discovering new places and are willing to risk being disappointed in the hopes that you’ll find something great, chains won’t hold much appeal to you.
However, a lot of folks are much more risk-averse when it comes to dining than I am. It’s understandable, and it’s a rational approach, especially considering that people have limited money with which to eat out and want to maximize it’s value. If they know they will like chain restaurant X, then they’ll go to chain restaurant X, rather than risk independent restaurant Y that they don’t know anything about. Yes, independent restaurant Y may be more affordable and have better quality food and service, but folks don’t necessarily know that. Maybe they don’t know anyone who’s been there, and don’t want to spend time looking up restaurant reviews. After all, just because a place is an independent establishment doesn’t mean it’s good (as has been demonstrated on this blog on multiple occasions).
I would imagine bringing children into the mix could impact the decision-making process as well, though as someone without children, I wouldn’t be familiar with this.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:55 am
especially considering that people have limited money with which to eat out and want to maximize it’s value.
See Sank’s comment on Chili’s value here.
I would imagine bringing children into the mix could impact the decision-making process as well, though as someone without children, I wouldn’t be familiar with this.
I must admit that I’m not either but I know that my children will eat where we eat and will not get to dictate my habits on a regular basis. When I was a kid my parents put food in front of me, including when we ate out, and I ate it. There was no arguments, no fussing, no nothing. Either I ate it or I was in deep shit.
Take for example the terrible options offered to me on a vacation in the Poconos with my grandparents. I ended up with some regular old hot cereal for breakfast–something which I said was making me sick to my stomach. My parents forced me to eat it and when I ran to the bathroom to puke (which I did in fact do), my father followed me to verify that I had indeed thrown up. While I didn’t have to finish what was ordered for me, I didn’t get to eat anything else instead.
I can’t wait to torture my children as much as I was tortured ;-) (hi Mom and Dad!) isn’t that what having kids is all about?!
March 9th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Bill, I saw Sank’s comment on Chili’s value, and I agree. But if people don’t have a frame of reference, they will not see it as overvalued.
And it was the same for food when I was a kid too. No way did I dictate what we ate, ever (except on my birthday).
March 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Red Lobster. I like shrimp (I just get the shrimp), and shrimp from a non-shrimp place sucks so baddly, and shrimp from a good seafood place is so damn much more expensive I cringe. And I used to work at a Red Lobster, so I know what I’m getting when there (having the anal retentive boss made me comfortable with whatever was served)
March 9th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
dawnmarie – the only reason my sister would go outside would be to have a cigarette…so unless she was smoking while she looked at your wedding dress, it probably wasn’t her.
fehler – I LOVE me some Red Lobster too!
Andy – Trust me when I say don’t bring up Olive Garden. I read something last week that made Olive Garden dead to me (and it had nothing to do with the restaurant, just knowing what happened in one of their restaurants ruined them forever for me).
March 9th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Now that people mention Red Lobster, I’ll make an exception for it (there’s better seafood around here, yes, but like fehler said it’s more expensive). And, come to think of it, Ruby Tuesday’s is alright too. I’m also partial to Tony Roma’s’ ribs and I’ve had catered food from Famous Dave’s that was pretty good. I do prefer Buca di Beppo to Olive Garden, though.
So I guess there’s some exceptions to my position. Maybe it’s just the Applebee’s/Chili’s/TGIF trifecta I’m not a fan of.
March 9th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I understand that out here in Minnesota so many people are confused as to what seafood is but do not fucking eat at Red Lobster. Seriously, you aren’t doing yourselves any favors by eating tasteless garbage. Save up your money and eat seafood anywhere else, please!
Famous Dave’s (again w/the apostrophes) is all right. I’m not much of a ribs person but I haven’t ever had a bad meal when I’ve eaten there. I much prefer ribs elsewhere (Tony Roma’s (apostrophe again) never did it for me) but I’m happy to use their bottled sauce when we can’t have BBQ sauce from Montgomery Inn in Ohio shipped to us by Kim’s family.
On another forum that I’ve been involved with for over 12 years recently asked what the difference was between Olive Garden and Buca. Here was my response:
Someone later mentioned the pictures of naked little boys on the walls in the bathroom. I have to agree that it’s a quite disturbing to be taking a leak and have a naked 8 year old stare back at you. I didn’t make a return trip to the bathroom during my first and hopefully last visit and I am going to make damn sure that if I do return, I piss immediately beforehand, even if behind an on-site dumpster, so that I don’t have to repeat that god awful experience ever again.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Mr. Marcos is from the East coast and lived in Boston for 10 years…and he likes Red Lobster. I figure it can’t be TOO awful if he likes it since he lived in a place that features many restaurants where you can order the full lobster pretty much right out of the Atlantic.
I think Lobsterfest is coming up soon! mmmmm
March 9th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Houlihans is pretty good for chain food. I actually think that Applebees has some items that are pretty good value/quality match up… having said that, i have had my share of shite there too… they used to have a Tuscan burger that had fresh mozzarella and pesto on it served on brushchetta type bread… if the kitchen didnt cook it to death… it actually was pretty good.
Chili’s as noted has really fallen, TGIF again has maybe 2 or 3 items that are edible, Famous Dave’s is ok… again above the standard for mass chains.
living South of the River is like living in chain food hell as most of us know.
anyone ever have a chicago hot dog or other at Chris and Rob’s in Minneapolis or other locations? a very authentic Chicago hot dog… i have only been at the SE Mpls location.. they have 3 shops in the cities. and are a local “chain” of ex-chicagoan brothers….. none anywhere near the SOTR area…
March 9th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
ok, of those listed in the poll, I chose Chili’s. I like their drive up service, particularly when hauling a baby around and not wanting to either (a) cook, or (b) get out of the car and sit in a restaurant or pick up a to go order inside a restaurant with said screaming baby in tow. That being said (as she prepares to cyber-duck whilst Mrs. Marcos throws a cyber-shoe at her head), if I had to choose a fast food chain restaurant instead of a sit down service chain restaurant, I would choose Chipotle.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Whit,
OK, as long as you choose Chili’s for a sit down meal ;)
Sincerely,
COKE NOT PEPSI
March 9th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
mrs. m,
sounds like you get sick to your stomach often, for shame!!
March 10th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I’ve had “real”, fresh seafood on the East Coast, in Hawaii, and in Japan, so I’m plenty familiar with it. And yet, I like Red Lobster just fine for what it is.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Fuddruckers! Best chain for a good burger and $1.50 bottle beer open to close, 7 days a week. BW3 and Famous Dave’s are good, but as many have said, BW3 is not what they used to be!
March 10th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Chipolte is great. I could eat there nearly daily.
I also have always enjoyed Buca. I would not really compare the food to Olive Garden. We have had several meals we really enjoyed at Buca, although we dont go often (probably been more than a year). The pepperoni Pizza is good, the Chicken Saltimboca is very good, and they have some sort of angel hair pasta shrimp dish that is good. The salads and the mashed potatoes are great.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
TimW, Fuddruckers was better when they let you get your burger cooked less than medium-well. Yuck.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I haven’t been to Fuddruckers in years but I remember it being decent. I’ll probably never go there again, just because there’s so many other great burger places out there.
Another one I thought of is Green Mill. Much of the menu seems uninspired, but the deep dish pizza is good. It’s not Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s but it’s good for a chain.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I love Old Chicago’s Double Deckeroni (deep dish) but more for the fact that it’s like dodging a bullet when you don’t keel over dead from a coronary after finishing slice #2.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I’ve never had the Double Deckeroni, but Old chicago’s deep dish crust seems buttery to me. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t taste right to me.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I go to the one in Bloomington once a month and I order my burger medium and it “usually” is cooked perfect!
March 10th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I have to say Houlihan’s is at the top of my list for restaurants south o’the river. :) J and I always get their Tillamook Burger–awesome. And, they have great food and their kids meals are actually pretty good–better than most out there that is for sure.
Houlihan’s rocks. ;)
March 10th, 2009 at 10:56 am
bb stacker,
I don’t get you.
Signed,
Confused in Lakeville
March 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am
OMG Giordano’s. With Southwest flying to Chicago now I may make day trips for the pizza. I’m drooling now.
I think Houlihan’s is ridiculously overpriced, IMO.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Our household frequents chains quite often, however not any of those listed on the poll. Our preferences at fast casual are Panera/Chipotle and mid-level are Houlihan’s, Ruby Tuesday’s and Bonfire. However we do not go to Bonfire as often since they changed ownership last summer (bring back brewed iced tea).
The kid’s meals do make a difference on where we choose as all of the above listed restuarants have a good selection with the ability to substitute veggies and/or fresh fruit for fries.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
PSST! Mrs Marcos – quick – we’ve got to get those dismal Chili’s poll numbers up before the poll closes. I’ll distract Bill (oh, look, over there, something shiny!) while you punch up the vote tally. ;)
March 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Whit,
It just goes to show you that those polls aren’t accurate. Everybody knows Chili’s is the best restaurant EVER!!!!!!
The End.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Now that you mention Red Lobster, I have to say I’d eat there just for the cheddar garlic biscuits. As a transplanted boy of the South, I love me some biscuits…. I cain’t figger why you Minnesotans don’t eat em with every meal like we do.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Mrs. Marcos — Looks like Chili’s had better grab on to Norm Coleman’s coat-tails and ride this recount all the way to the Supreme Court…
March 13th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
UpWithTheMooses –
How dare you dirty the sacred name of Chili’s by linking it to that crook?! SHAMEFUL!
p.s. Want to see my picture of me and Al Franken? WOOT!
March 13th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I’ve seen the photo and it ain’t a pretty picture, that’s for sure.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Oh snap.
March 14th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Chipotle, hands down. Consistent, tasty, lots of hot sauce.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Chipotle will give your kid a bowl of rice for free if you ask for it. Mini Whit usually has a cheese quesadilla and eats half the rice out of my salad. (Bummer for me). When I asked what the charge would be for him to get rice of his own, they said it would be free. So, there’s a handy hint for all you Chipotle moms and dads out there!
March 16th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Thanks Whit, thats a great tip.