this. can't recall the last time I ate one of these places, probably was the Fridays in the Delta terminal at DFW 5-6 months ago as it was the only option to grab food before travel. Casual dining chains are a last resort and the other impact no one is mentioning in this thread is the internet. Google, Yelp, Urban Spoon, etc lets me know the great local places when I travel. Used to be the chains were "safe bets" you know that your Applebees in Tucson is likely to be nearly identical to the one in Tuscaloosa. If you read Ray Kroc's story this is exactly what he idea was for McD's same thing everywhere so you know exactly what to expect. Now I pull up my phone, or even more likely scout a location I am going to well in advance of my trip and make a point to get to the best local places. Lots of people are like me and that is affecting the chains
Yeah, I was surprised to see that down here.
absolutely. When I have a lunch meeting and someone recommends one I will usually chime in with something local or several options of local. Especially in the great food city that Atlanta has become. What boggles my mind is that there is an Olive Garden smack dab in the middle of Times Square just a few blocks north of Little Italy and the Olive Garden is never empty when I'm in the City. Reminds me of Michael Scott going to Sbaro for "authentic NY Pizza" on an episode of the office.
I do like Revolve Kitchen & Brew. They make excellent Oyster Wings that I doubt I could even remotely duplicate at home.
there is a building near me that has changed types of restaurants 3 times in 8 years
Like i said, before this "millennial problem" 60% of restaurants didn't survive past 3 years. Different time, different excuse. IMO you serve good food and people will show up. I'm really not sure how much of the food at national casual chains is even cooked fresh anymore. I guarantee at least half of the food is frozen and "cooked" in the microwave.
I only order what I won't/don't cook at home. I'll never order a steak (unless it is on a sales guy's dime and we are at a high end steakhouse) because I can go pick up a prime or dry aged prime steak and make one just as good as any restaurant you've been to.
We ate at Taste of Texas in Houston last night for my son's graduation dinner. It is a very high end steak house, but absolutely phenomenal. You can actually pick your own steak. If you make it to Houston, I highly recommend it.
Flash-fried oysters tossed in homemade buffalo sauce accompanied by homemade ranch dressing, house pickled celery, and blue cheese crumbles. Very awesome. We have to order at least three orders because my wife and I and 3 of my 4 kids "fight" over them. Yummy!
It's how we're making America great (in excuses) again:
Hadn't thought of that, but was referring to lots of overweight people eating the worst things on the menu. Lots of salads and Lean Cuisines at my house.
...not to mention Joe's Crab Shack as well.
