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Post by shanni on Jul 22, 2014 20:50:12 GMT
The five-guys thread got me thinking. I live in Utah, and a few years ago we got our first In n Out. People were SO excited that it was coming in, and I had heard so much about it from 2peas, I was excited to try it. We went a couple months after it opened to let the hype die down a bit. I can honestly say I would rather eat at McDonald's than eat at In n Out again. And I loathe McDonald's. It was dry, tiny, and there didn't seem to be many options. I'm not super picky about fries, but these were inedible. My kids wouldn't even finish their meals. We now joke that it's called In n Out because people walk in, try their food, and walk right back out.  I still hear about how much people like this place, and I just don't get it! I keep wondering if there is some secret to ordering and we did it wrong? So now that I've confessed my dislike for In n Out, I'll run and duck while asking; What chain do you think is overrated?  |
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439 
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Jul 22, 2014 20:52:00 GMT
um, most of them? The very nature of chain restaurant food production makes it so they can never really compete with a the quality of food made from scratch on site. Even the good ones aren't as good as a good local version of the same type of food.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 6:15:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2014 20:53:45 GMT
I'd have to say Olive Garden. I don't understand the love for that restaurant. The one that just opened near us has endless lines. I can't believe people waste their time in those lines when there's 3 much better local Italian places within half a mile.
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Post by *christine* on Jul 22, 2014 20:54:14 GMT
Most of them. I did want to try In and Out burger last year when we went to California, but we never even saw one.
I used to like some of the more family chain restaurants, but I really think the quality and service have gone so far down hill, it's just not worth it to me. I'd rather cook at home, or get take out from a local pizza place, or spend the money and take the time to go to a nice restaurant where they cook the food to order.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,618
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jul 22, 2014 20:56:44 GMT
I will second Olive Garden. DH & I went once, never went back. It was terrible.
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Post by hjs on Jul 22, 2014 20:56:44 GMT
Totally agree with OP about in and out burger. Tried it once and thought the fries were cardboard! Would maybe have a burger again but won't waste money on those fries again
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 22, 2014 20:57:42 GMT
I always chuckle when someone asks, "What should I order for my first dinner at Sonic?" The food there is just awful. The Diet Cherry Limeade, however, is worth driving out of your way to order.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 6:15:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2014 20:57:47 GMT
Like posters on the other thread, I think Five Guys is overrated. We go into one once in awhile because my kids like it, but they are never crowded. I wonder how long they will last in these parts. I would much rather have a Meatheads burger.
I also think the do-it-yourself frozen yogurt trend is overrated. I watch my kids so they don't go too crazy with toppings and it's still $4-5 for each kid. I'm so cheap that I'm mentally figuring in my head how much ice cream I could be buying at the grocery store for what we just spent on frozen yogurt with crap toppings.
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Post by thatmarie on Jul 22, 2014 21:00:01 GMT
Jack In The Box. I ate there one time..nastiest fast food i have ever had in my life. It was really awful
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Post by formerpea on Jul 22, 2014 21:04:22 GMT
Five Guys
Smash Burger
AppleBees
Don't understand the appeal.
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Post by eebud on Jul 22, 2014 21:05:30 GMT
I agree that In n Out is overrated based on the hype they get but I still like them better than most fast food hamburgers. OP, you asked if there was a secret to ordering.......I order from the "Secret" menu that is not really so secret. I always order a hamburger animal style. I like their fries enough to order them. They are made with fresh potatoes and I like that they are sliced very small so they crisp up nicely. I don't eat there often but I will choose it over many other fast food burgers and they are open late if I am coming home from a Dallas Stars game and haven't eaten yet. LOL
I think every chain I have ever eaten at has been overrated if people were raving about it. I have been to some that I like ok but nothing that I get overly excited about.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,428
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Post by luvnlifelady on Jul 22, 2014 21:06:00 GMT
I completely agree about "In N Out." I'm in Southern CA and it's as though people make a pilgrimage to go there. I don't like their fries and I think their burgers are too thin and wimpy. The kids and DH like it but I'd just rather eat at home than there (and I like my share of fast food).
DH thinks "Famous Dave's BBQ" is over-rated. I also didn't like "5 Guys" the one time I tried it. Nothing special. We are gettting some of "the Habit" here but I haven't tried it yet (burgers).
We just tried "Buffalo Wild Wings" for the first time and we thought the food was just ok. DH went several times and only one time did he get decent service. The time I went, the service was pretty bad and the tables were too close together.
I thought "Slaters 50/50" was just ok too. We got one of those recently. We're supposed to get "Cracker Barrel" soon. I also think Sonic is just ok. Seems like food out sometimes is just rather blah and not that exciting.
I love our Del Taco french fries though.
We also recently got our first "Rita's." Now that is some good stuff.
We like "Smashburger" well enough but I also forget about it when wanting to go out to eat. They need a drive-thru.
I also agree about the yogurt places that are self-serve. Too expensive for what you get.
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Post by christine58 on Jul 22, 2014 21:07:03 GMT
I'd have to say Olive Garden. I don't understand the love for that restaurant. The one that just opened near us has endless lines. I can't believe people waste their time in those lines when there's 3 much better local Italian places within half a mile. AMEN!!! IF..and I do me IF...I eat there I only have soup and salad. Their pasta is no way fresh and it's gross |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,630
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 22, 2014 21:07:48 GMT
ITA with Olive Garden. It's horrible. Borderline inedible.
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Jul 22, 2014 21:08:27 GMT
I have agree that chains are over rated for the most part. Generally speaking, there is nothing really wrong with them but also nothing special to me. Thus, we don't frequent chain places very often but we're very lucky to live in a place where we have so many choices with lots of wonderful non-chain places to frequent. We can easily avoid the chain places. I will say I don't really get the love for Chipotle. The one near my office often has a line out the door at lunch time.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,355
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 22, 2014 21:09:05 GMT
I agree with many written here. I will add Steak N Shake. People were so excited about it when it first came to DFW, but I didn't think it was anything special.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,363
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 22, 2014 21:11:59 GMT
Chipotle. I'm another who just doesn't 'get' it.
Steak and Shake. Meh.
I was highly unimpressed with Qdoba, too.
I just had In-N-Out for the first time last week. I did love the burger. The bun was nice and soft, the lettuce was fresh, and the sauce and grilled onions were excellent. On the other hand, I thought the fries were some of the worst I've ever had.
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Post by padresfan619 on Jul 22, 2014 21:12:43 GMT
Subway.
I can't believe people voluntarily eat there. The smell alone is enough to make me want to vomit.
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Post by jojam on Jul 22, 2014 21:13:44 GMT
Jimmy Johns. We got one here last winter. Everyone is so excited and ordering sandwiches every day. I had one. It was just a sandwich. I can make a better sandwich at home.
Sonic food. Food is horrible. Cranberry limeade is divine. I would get one every day if I lived near one.
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Post by epeanymous on Jul 22, 2014 21:14:00 GMT
I am not a big chain restaurant person in general, but the Cheesecake Factory is the one that truly baffles me as to its appeal. Of course, I do not really like cheesecake, so, possibly, I am not into their big draw.
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SuPeaNatural
Full Member
AUSTRALIA
Posts: 424
Jun 27, 2014 8:49:11 GMT
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Post by SuPeaNatural on Jul 22, 2014 21:14:19 GMT
Macca's. The only thing I like there is the sausage and egg breakfast muffin and the fish burgers are OK too, but I can make them at home for well under half the McD's price. And their burgers are all so small. Burger King's are lots bigger and they have salad on them, which is the norm for a burger here in Australia.
ETA: I don't consider those types of places to be restaurants, they're fast food joints that have some seating available. A restaurant serves real food, not fast\junk food. Just MHO.  |
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Jul 22, 2014 21:14:37 GMT
I always chuckle when someone asks, "What should I order for my first dinner at Sonic?" The food there is just awful. The Diet Cherry Limeade, however, is worth driving out of your way to order. I give you that...the food isn't great but the drinks I just love! My list would be: Red Lobster Ruby Tuesday's Applebee's Friday's |
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Post by shanni on Jul 22, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
I agree that In n Out is overrated based on the hype they get but I still like them better than most fast food hamburgers. OP, you asked if there was a secret to ordering.......I order from the "Secret" menu that is not really so secret. I always order a hamburger animal style. I like their fries enough to order them. They are made with fresh potatoes and I like that they are sliced very small so they crisp up nicely. I don't eat there often but I will choose it over many other fast food burgers and they are open late if I am coming home from a Dallas Stars game and haven't eaten yet. LOL I think every chain I have ever eaten at has been overrated if people were raving about it. I have been to some that I like ok but nothing that I get overly excited about. What is animal style? |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jul 22, 2014 21:16:40 GMT
At In 'n Out I get chilis on my cheeseburger and I ask for the fries to be extra crispy.
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Post by kelbel827 on Jul 22, 2014 21:17:11 GMT
Cheesecake Factory and PF Changs.
I can't stand either place
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MaryC
Full Member
Posts: 213
Jun 25, 2014 21:52:55 GMT
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Post by MaryC on Jul 22, 2014 21:17:53 GMT
I haven't been to many of these because they don't have them in our area, but I'm not a fan of chain restaurants in general. I'd rather go to a hole in the wall place with great food than a fancy restaurant with mediocre food.
I wonder sometimes if restaurants pay people to write reviews, because I've gone to 4 and 5 star restaurants that had glowing reviews and gotten absolutely terrible food and service.
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Post by shanni on Jul 22, 2014 21:18:44 GMT
I agree with many written here. I will add Steak N Shake. People were so excited about it when it first came to DFW, but I didn't think it was anything special. I got food poisoning eating at a Steak N Shake, so I can't even look at them without my stomach churning. *shudder* My DH loves eating there though! |
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Post by eebud on Jul 22, 2014 21:21:23 GMT
I agree that In n Out is overrated based on the hype they get but I still like them better than most fast food hamburgers. OP, you asked if there was a secret to ordering.......I order from the "Secret" menu that is not really so secret. I always order a hamburger animal style. I like their fries enough to order them. They are made with fresh potatoes and I like that they are sliced very small so they crisp up nicely. I don't eat there often but I will choose it over many other fast food burgers and they are open late if I am coming home from a Dallas Stars game and haven't eaten yet. LOL I think every chain I have ever eaten at has been overrated if people were raving about it. I have been to some that I like ok but nothing that I get overly excited about. What is animal style? Here is a link to the Not so Secret menu. It has animal style on it. I think what I really like about animal style is the grilled onions. I like onions but only if they are cooked so this is perfect for me. In n Out's Not so Secret Menu |
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Post by padresfan619 on Jul 22, 2014 21:21:31 GMT
I feel like I need to defend In N Out because I think it is the best fast food burger. Everything is fresh, never frozen and the secret menu isn't really all that secret, you can look it up online. I will concede that you need to eat the fries quickly because they aren't very good once they get cold. I like to add cheese to mine.
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Post by moveablefeast on Jul 22, 2014 21:23:07 GMT
I don't like Olive Garden but will eat the salad and the apricot chicken if someone really wants to go there (my parents love it).
I'm not wild about Applebees or TGI Fridays.
My husband still loves Chevys but he is nostalgic for the west coast Chevys of 15 years ago where it was actually good. I'll go when he really wants a salsa fix, but meh.
We're big Five Guys fans, like Smashburger, like BGR, like Kraze. Maybe we just like burgers? Except I did NOT like Bobby's Burger Palace.
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I still hear about how much people like this place, and I just don't get it! I keep wondering if there is some secret to ordering and we did it wrong?
