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What restaurant groups or chains represent quality to you? - Page 3

post #31 of 119
8/21/09 at 12:16pm
J. Alexanders is one of the few mid-price chains I will go to. I will argue Mortons > Ruth's all day long.... but David Burke's is my spot for steak (can't remember the name of their group). If we are talking LEYE, can we call the Myriad group a chain? 'Cuz Myriad kicks ASS over LEYE, and I like LEYE.
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post #32 of 119
8/21/09 at 12:29pm
When it comes to foodservice, "chain" and "quality" are mutually exclusive terms. Chain restaurants exist as chain restaurants so that ownership can cut corners.

Not all independent restaurants offer quality or value, but I've never had a meal in a chain restaurant that struck me as high-quality. Medium-quality maybe, high-quality no.
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post #33 of 119
8/21/09 at 12:31pm
Houstons is my favorite chain restaurant. Have eaten at a Houstons in 4 states and they are incredibly consistent in food and service. They add a local flavor in different locations like adding a sushi bar in Santa Monica. Highly recommend. Do not know if they are part of a group or an independent chain.
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post #34 of 119
8/21/09 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
J. Alexanders is one of the few mid-price chains I will go to.

I too think that J. Alexander's is pretty good for a chain. In my experience, they're also very quick to comp food if there is even the slightest problem.
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post #35 of 119
8/21/09 at 1:14pm
Baja Fresh!
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post #36 of 119
8/21/09 at 1:39pm
Wichcraft is my favourite fast food chain. Vong's high quality is consistent across all restaurants.
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post #37 of 119
8/21/09 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dewey View Post
When it comes to foodservice, "chain" and "quality" are mutually exclusive terms. Chain restaurants exist as chain restaurants so that ownership can cut corners.

Not all independent restaurants offer quality or value, but I've never had a meal in a chain restaurant that struck me as high-quality. Medium-quality maybe, high-quality no.

I will argue that. Tiggy mentioned Flemming's and I mentioned Sullivan's. They are both chains, and while I prefer Sully's over Flemmings, I think they both deliver a quality cut of aged meat, fired properly, for a very reasonable price (minus drinks, easly under $70 per person). They both have a good, if not overly expansive wine list, and most locations usually have a decent lounge.
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post #38 of 119
8/21/09 at 2:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by von Rothbart View Post
Wichcraft is my favourite fast food chain. Vong's high quality is consistent across all restaurants.

Yes that's Tom Colicchio's from Top Chef.
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post #39 of 119
8/21/09 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
J. Alexanders is one of the few mid-price chains I will go to. I will argue Mortons > Ruth's all day long.... but David Burke's is my spot for steak (can't remember the name of their group). If we are talking LEYE, can we call the Myriad group a chain? 'Cuz Myriad kicks ASS over LEYE, and I like LEYE.
Primehouse has the best steak in Chicago for sure. As you know I'm not a big steak house fan but that place is somewhat interesting. Morton's you have to pay me to go. Don't know about Myriad kicking Leye's ass unless you really like Nobu.
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post #40 of 119
8/21/09 at 2:34pm
OK.. kicking ass is an overstatement... L20 and TRU are pretty luminary. Centrico and Tribeca Grill are all better than the run-of-the-mill LEYE stuff like Brasserie Jo, Ba-ba-Reeba, Mon Ami, etc. I did not realize Myriad has shrunk a little lately.. no more Layla, Rubicon I stand corrected.
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post #41 of 119
8/21/09 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Houstons and J. Alexanders are really good and quite similar in style. I like Five Guys as well.
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post #42 of 119
8/21/09 at 5:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas View Post
Believe it or not, I have never been to the Prime Rib in Baltimore, even though it's consistently considered one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, and even though my best buddy lives above it in the same building. I've been immediately above the restaurant easily a few hundred times but have never gone in.

I have only been to the Prime Rib in DC. It was good, but I don't remember it well enough (and I was drinking way too much) to have any real comment.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Teger View Post
Legal Sea Food is meh

I've been to a Fleming's (recently actually) and it was very good, albeit expensive

Douglas do you like the Prime Rib?

Prime Rib in Baltimore is But rather pricey. I think the meal came out to around 100-120 per person.

I agree with these:
Ruth's Chris
Bahama Breeze
Capital Grille
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post #43 of 119
8/21/09 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piobaire View Post
I will argue that. Tiggy mentioned Flemming's and I mentioned Sullivan's. They are both chains, and while I prefer Sully's over Flemmings, I think they both deliver a quality cut of aged meat, fired properly, for a very reasonable price (minus drinks, easly under $70 per person). They both have a good, if not overly expansive wine list, and most locations usually have a decent lounge.
I will give them a try some day. Cuts of meat, baked potatoes, and wine should not be hard to screw up. Maybe the chain steakhouse has a chance. It's been some time since I went to a chain steakhouse. I don't eat out much because I rarely enjoy the expense. And I like to enjoy spending my money when I spend it. When I do eat out it's mainly at a small group of independent places. Independent restaurants are often run with much better oversight. I'd rather have the owner managing the kitchen than a kitchen manager who resents his low salary & the cocaine habit that consumes it. Likewise if it's an independent the menu is usually better tailored to the place and its people.
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post #44 of 119
8/23/09 at 5:49pm
I am not sure if I equate consistency with dining quality, as I don't frequent mid-priced chains; I would rather eat 29 days worth of cheap ethnic meals, cook my comfort food at home, and splurge on one or two really nice meals per month, which in turn doesn't really allow me much breadth for judging any kind of consistency... but I am about to start my way into the Pierre Gagnaire chain by eating at the one locally here soon, and needless to say, I am hoping for something pretty decent...
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post #45 of 119
8/23/09 at 10:40pm
Austin Grill, Qdoba, and Five Guys. I've never been unhappy with food, service, etc with any of these restaurants.
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