Restaurant chains you like

[KCMax]

Oh, that reminds me, they're not in the area, but two chains I have enjoyed out of town are Dunkin Donuts and Jack in the Box.

[LenexatoKCMO]

Oh, that reminds me, they're not in the area, but two chains I have enjoyed out of town are Dunkin Donuts and Jack in the Box.

Oh man, I can't stand the Box - talk about trying to be all things to all people. 

The fast food chain we need here is In-n-out Burger - everything made from scratch with fresh ingredients.  They even have a dude back there cutting the fries from whole potatos.  I doubt we ever see one though - they are west coast and from what I understand they will only franchise to close friends and family.

[chrizow]

Oh man, I can't stand the Box - talk about trying to be all things to all people. 

never had Jack in the Box, but i have enjoyed (drunkenly) Whataburger.  like JITB, it has tacos, breakfast all day, is 24 hrs, etc.  pretty solid greasy nastiness.  i like cheap dirty fast-food tacos - Jim G's in raytown has the best of this ilk imo.

[Boognish]

Jack in the Box.

+1

[staubio]

I'm pretty pro-local but I do have greater tolerance for franchise concepts where there is a local owner. I think my favorites: Goodcents, Planet Sub, Jimmy John's, Dairy Queen, all fall under that model.

I worked at DQ in high school so it is a favorite.

Planet Sub is just plain good.

Second Chriz on the Jimmy John's number 6 on french. Add peppers for even more veggie-popping goodness.

I used to love Chili's in college. Mushroom Jack Fajitas for the win. Haven't been back in several years though.

Panera's breakfast sandwiches are exceptional.

That pretty much rounds out the list on chains I support.

I'm on the Chipotle is horrifically overrated. Of course, you can eat local and have a better burrito and Burrito Brothers.

[KCLofts]

Planet Sub, Chipotle, Houston's, J. Alexanders, Bravo/Brio, Thai Place, Bo Ling's, In-N-Out

[darin]

Haven't seen anybody mention 5 Guys Burgers and Fries!  I think it's outstanding and would choose it over several local burger joints. 

[Maitre D]

Haven't seen anybody mention 5 Guys Burgers and Fries! 

Sounds like a gay bar.

[beautyfromashes]

Taco Cabana

[aknowledgeableperson]

The following casual dining chains are ones my wife and I like for many reasons.  One being we basically eat for free using dining cards from credit card points and with many coupons and offers thrown our way.

Friday's - The Jack Daniels menu items are very good.
On the Border - The build a burrito is a good option.
Chili's
Applebees
Olive Garden - All the salad and breadsticks you can eat
Red Lobster

Don't get dining cards but do receive coupons and offers
Ruby Tuesday's - The salad bar works, especially when combined with the small hamburgers
Minsky's

When in Branson usually try to make it to
Montana Mike's - The $5 for a second plate can't be beat.
Landry's - Lunchtime menu is rather good
Joe's Crabshack - Again, lunchtime menu is a good option
Fudrucker's - I know they might be local but it just seems to be better there.


Fast food chains serve a purpose - food fast and cheap so it just depends on whether you want hamburgers, chicken, seafood, sandwiches, or Mexican.  When available Braums.

For a change of pace, restaurants that might not be fast food but not casual dining.
Fazoli's
Boston Market
Chipolte

[IraGlacialis]

Chipotle: One of the few burrito places where I actually will eat the rice. Love the portion/quality balance.
Sonic: Pretty much go there just for the drinks during happy hour. A lifesaver for long trips and on weekend mornings when I was in
Panera Bread/STL Bread Co: I actually go there for the bread. Also like the desserts.
Quizznos: Like it more than Subway.
Lee's Famous: Prefer it over KFC. Good for a starving college kid who needs indulge once in a while.

Really want to try The Melting Pot.

For expanded local restaurants that some will consider chains (Bo Lings, Garozzo's, etc), I will still only eat at the original.

[butter_breath]

White Castle
Tim Horton's
Fat burger
Whatburger
Jamba juice

[ChefColby]

I wish they had Fat Burger in KC.

[bbqboy]

Oh man, I can't stand the Box - talk about trying to be all things to all people. 

The fast food chain we need here is In-n-out Burger - everything made from scratch with fresh ingredients.  They even have a dude back there cutting the fries from whole potatos.  I doubt we ever see one though - they are west coast and from what I understand they will only franchise to close friends and family.

Aw, JitB is the best. Funny ads,
http://www.hangintherejack.com/#first

2 for a $1.00 tacos, interesting stuff, 24 hours, all menu all the time.
In &  Out isn't franchised, they are all family owned. The stores are determined by the location of the commissary. all fresh ingredients. Our closest is in Redding, 140 miles to the south. we cruise down occasionally for a burger.
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_11683841
  They are now moving into SLC, and we up this way hope they are planning a move to Oregon & Washington next.
 

[KCPowercat]

Chains I can handle...I'm only doing big national chains...most of our local chains (ie. planet sub, gates, bo lings, minskys, etc) I love.  Seems like Max was going for more of the type of places that people assume we all hate so I went that way.

- Houilahans/Bristol
- Wendys (never eat there though)
- Jason's Deli
- Applebees
- White Castle
- Starbucks
- pizza hut
- Gordon Biersch
- taco bell
- panera
- chitople (I never eat their food but I like how they integrate into their surroundings better than most)
- buffalo wild wings
- arbys
- red lobster (for the FANCY dinners )
- McCormick's
- goodcents

I mean I have hit other ones up .....like McDonalds, especially on road trips it seems like that's a quick stop one to hit.

Chains I absolutely cannot stand
- Cheesecake Factory
- Chilis
- Johnny Carinos
- sonic (except their drinks)
- dennys/ihop/etc.
- kfc
- cali. pizza kitchen (just hate they helped move out the original houlihans)
- burger king (used to love them in college)
- olive garden
- any of those buffet places (stockade, etc)
- Fridays

[moderne]

Wish we had El Pollo Loco here.

[heatherkay]

Taco Cabana

This makes me tear up a little. I miss TC.

[ChandraNH]

Wish we had El Pollo Loco here.

Yep.  That and Rubio's are my two favorite chains.

[KCMax]

Haven't seen anybody mention 5 Guys Burgers and Fries!  I think it's outstanding and would choose it over several local burger joints.   

They are outstanding. Forgot them. They need to open one closer to midtown.

[AJoD]

I wish they had Fat Burger in KC.

It may get here before too long.  I know there's one in Omaha.  I have no idea if far flung franchises uphold their quality, it's a good burger though.  And good fries.  I like In 'n Out quite a bit too.