In my head, there is a collection of lists, mostly of food. I rate my restaurants often and would like to now document and share my likings. I did my best with ranking, but the order was difficult because of the variety of options within each place. Food can definitely be a testy subject with people. These are my opinions, but I'm sure there is some reason why I should rank a certain place higher than others. I didn't rate on service, and I know that it can be a final factor in liking or disliking a particular venue. I tried limiting the lists to chain food companies, so there are many great local restaurants I go to regularly that do not make an appearance here.
There are many changes that take place in the restaurant industry. A chain restaurant could close due to bad food causing widespread illness or bad economic times. Menu items are removed, updated or added to keep up with the constant competition and changing tastes from diners. Health kicks start and new location opportunities arise. I may have a new favorite restaurant or menu item due to many of these factors. If I revisit this list a year from now, it will need tweaking.
Top 10 Fast Food Chains (cheap, to counter to order and sit yourself)
1. Taco Bell - I am always in the mood for these tacos.
2. Chic-fil-A - Their chicken nuggets are on the healthy side.
3. KFC - Popcorn Chicken and Biscuits, enough said.
4. Sonic - They now rank below KFC; they discontinued the PB Fudge shake.
5. Arby's - Roast Beef Sandwiches with Arby's sauce.
6. Wendy's - Burgers are pretty good, not mystery meat.
7. Burger King - Double cheeseburgers, onion rings, and shakes, not feelin the new fries.
8. Jack in the Box - It's too bad this chain is not in my area.
9. Five Guys - Not quite 5 stars, but have good burgers.
10. McDonald's - I like their promotions, but not so much the food; Monopoly, Coke Rewards, the Flyerroorange!! Shake, etc.
Others I've been to: In N Out Burger, Popeye's, Checkers, Del Taco, A&W, Nathan's, White Castle, Blake's Lotaburger, Carl's Jr, Long John Silvers, Gino's
Top 10 Fast Casual (still order at counter and sit yourself, but a little spendier/fancier)
1. Tijuana Flats - limited area Americanized fresh Mexican, awesome hot sauce bar
2. Firehouse Subs - Local sub shop has great cheesesteaks
3. Chipotle
4. Moe's Southwest Grill
5. Cosi
6. Subway
7. Bryn and Dane's - healthy!
8. Boston Market - mashed potatoes!
9. Corner Bakery Cafe
10. Panera Bread
Others I've been to: Au Bon Pain, Saladworks, Blimpie, Quiznos, Wings to Go, Baja Fresh, Qdoba
Top 10 Dine-In Restaurants (sit down and be waited on)
1. Chili's
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
3. The Melting Pot
4. The Cheesecake Factory
5. Miller's ale House
6. Red Robin
7. Friendly's
8. Texas Roadhouse
9. Bonefish Grill
10. Fox and Hound
Others I've been to: (Yes, I've included everything I can think of) Hard Rock Cafe, Applebee's, Ground Round, T.G.I. Friday's, Bertucci's, Ruby Tuesday, Longhorn, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Old Country Buffet, Golden Corral, Perkins, Denny's, Pizza Hut, Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Hooter's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Damon's, Bennigan's, Boston's the Gourmet Pizza, Bob Evans, Uno Chicago Grill, Ponderosa, Charlie Brown's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Chi Chi's (closed), Steak and Ale (closed), Sizzler, Hoss's Steak and Sea House, P F Chang's, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Maggiano's, Johnny Rockets, Lone Star, Joe's Crab Shack, KC Prime Steakhouse, Salt Creek Grille, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Houlihan's, Dave and Busters, Cracker Barrel, Smokey Bones, Ninety-Nine, Don Pablo's, Chevy's Fresh Mex, Champps Americana, Bonanza, Carrabba's, J B Dawson's, Chickie's & Pete's, Kahunaville, Olga's Kitchen, Rock Bottom, Buddakan
Top 5 Pizza Chains
1. Papa John's
2. California Pizza Kitchen
3. Pizza Hut
4. CiCi's Pizza - Mac n' cheese pizza.
5. Little Caesars - Oh so far away.
Others I've been to: Dominoes, Chuck E. Cheese's, Fox's Pizza Den
Top 5 Coffee/Bakery Chains
1. Dunkin Donuts - Most convenient.
2. Krispy Kreme - New fav of doughnuts.
3. Starbucks - They always get my order correct.
4 Saxbys - One place you can get a Milky Way flavored latte.
5. The Coffee Beanery - Yep, it's all in the name.
Others I've been to: Yum Yum Bakery, Nestle Toll House Cafe
Top 5 Ice Cream Chains
1. Coldstone - Watch a creation being made.
2. Friendly's - Praying this company will hold out.
3. Rita's - Be cool.
4. Dairy Queen
5. Bruster's
Others I've been to: Baskin Robbins, TCBY
So, in conclusion: mexican, wings, thick pizza, doughnuts, and ice cream sundaes :)
There are many changes that take place in the restaurant industry. A chain restaurant could close due to bad food causing widespread illness or bad economic times. Menu items are removed, updated or added to keep up with the constant competition and changing tastes from diners. Health kicks start and new location opportunities arise. I may have a new favorite restaurant or menu item due to many of these factors. If I revisit this list a year from now, it will need tweaking.
Top 10 Fast Food Chains (cheap, to counter to order and sit yourself)
1. Taco Bell - I am always in the mood for these tacos.
2. Chic-fil-A - Their chicken nuggets are on the healthy side.
3. KFC - Popcorn Chicken and Biscuits, enough said.
4. Sonic - They now rank below KFC; they discontinued the PB Fudge shake.
5. Arby's - Roast Beef Sandwiches with Arby's sauce.
6. Wendy's - Burgers are pretty good, not mystery meat.
7. Burger King - Double cheeseburgers, onion rings, and shakes, not feelin the new fries.
8. Jack in the Box - It's too bad this chain is not in my area.
9. Five Guys - Not quite 5 stars, but have good burgers.
10. McDonald's - I like their promotions, but not so much the food; Monopoly, Coke Rewards, the Flyerroorange!! Shake, etc.
Others I've been to: In N Out Burger, Popeye's, Checkers, Del Taco, A&W, Nathan's, White Castle, Blake's Lotaburger, Carl's Jr, Long John Silvers, Gino's
Top 10 Fast Casual (still order at counter and sit yourself, but a little spendier/fancier)
1. Tijuana Flats - limited area Americanized fresh Mexican, awesome hot sauce bar
2. Firehouse Subs - Local sub shop has great cheesesteaks
3. Chipotle
4. Moe's Southwest Grill
5. Cosi
6. Subway
7. Bryn and Dane's - healthy!
8. Boston Market - mashed potatoes!
9. Corner Bakery Cafe
10. Panera Bread
Others I've been to: Au Bon Pain, Saladworks, Blimpie, Quiznos, Wings to Go, Baja Fresh, Qdoba
Top 10 Dine-In Restaurants (sit down and be waited on)
1. Chili's
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
3. The Melting Pot
4. The Cheesecake Factory
5. Miller's ale House
6. Red Robin
7. Friendly's
8. Texas Roadhouse
9. Bonefish Grill
10. Fox and Hound
Others I've been to: (Yes, I've included everything I can think of) Hard Rock Cafe, Applebee's, Ground Round, T.G.I. Friday's, Bertucci's, Ruby Tuesday, Longhorn, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Old Country Buffet, Golden Corral, Perkins, Denny's, Pizza Hut, Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Hooter's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Damon's, Bennigan's, Boston's the Gourmet Pizza, Bob Evans, Uno Chicago Grill, Ponderosa, Charlie Brown's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Chi Chi's (closed), Steak and Ale (closed), Sizzler, Hoss's Steak and Sea House, P F Chang's, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Maggiano's, Johnny Rockets, Lone Star, Joe's Crab Shack, KC Prime Steakhouse, Salt Creek Grille, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Houlihan's, Dave and Busters, Cracker Barrel, Smokey Bones, Ninety-Nine, Don Pablo's, Chevy's Fresh Mex, Champps Americana, Bonanza, Carrabba's, J B Dawson's, Chickie's & Pete's, Kahunaville, Olga's Kitchen, Rock Bottom, Buddakan
Top 5 Pizza Chains
1. Papa John's
2. California Pizza Kitchen
3. Pizza Hut
4. CiCi's Pizza - Mac n' cheese pizza.
5. Little Caesars - Oh so far away.
Others I've been to: Dominoes, Chuck E. Cheese's, Fox's Pizza Den
Top 5 Coffee/Bakery Chains
1. Dunkin Donuts - Most convenient.
2. Krispy Kreme - New fav of doughnuts.
3. Starbucks - They always get my order correct.
4 Saxbys - One place you can get a Milky Way flavored latte.
5. The Coffee Beanery - Yep, it's all in the name.
Others I've been to: Yum Yum Bakery, Nestle Toll House Cafe
Top 5 Ice Cream Chains
1. Coldstone - Watch a creation being made.
2. Friendly's - Praying this company will hold out.
3. Rita's - Be cool.
4. Dairy Queen
5. Bruster's
Others I've been to: Baskin Robbins, TCBY
So, in conclusion: mexican, wings, thick pizza, doughnuts, and ice cream sundaes :)
Sonic at #4? A delicious travesty to be so low :)
ReplyDeleteReading this reminds me of a decorative plate that my best friend has on the wall in her kitchen. Instead of "Dance like nobody is watching, it says, "Eat like nobody is watching" lol.
ReplyDeleteHey Leslie - I need that plate! :)
Delete