http://www.chow.com/boards/32 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:31:28 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/665513#5164444 Since moving from the Lindstrom area to St. Paul I have become something of a chain restaurant hater. When I moved to St. Paul, I was more than happy to say goodbye to Applebees, Perkins and the like. However, the other day I found myself craving the sour cream dip (for waffle fries) at Champps. Now let me tell you...I was appalled! I'm just curious if anyone else has a particular chain restaurant menu item they find particularly delicious. I also have uncontrollable cravings for McDonalds fries...but that's another post :) Or, perhaps, someone has a particular chain restaurant that really bugs them? I think my most hated chain restaurants would have to be Perkins, Baker's Square and Applebees. I just don't think these restaurants excel in anything. I can't remember ever eating anything decent and I almost always walk away wishing I had just slapped something together at home. Thoughts? Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:31:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665513#5164444 http://www.chow.com/topics/661793#5164373 I feel for you...we go through 2 gallons a week with my 2 year old. I rarely touch the stuff...Costco is a dairy lifesaver! Between milk and butter we more than justify our membership. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:14:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661793#5164373 http://www.chow.com/topics/664816#5164204 I've tried them all. Original, Roasted Red Pepper, Spicy, and Cilantro and Jalapeno. My favorite was the Spicy although the Original was fine was well. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:39:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664816#5164204 http://www.chow.com/topics/665170#5164153 Loved the dark chocolate covered shortbread sprinkled with nonpareils. Hope they're back again! Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:07:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665170#5164153 http://www.chow.com/topics/662950#5164095 I love the Rodeo Bill kettle chips - they are cheap and good! Also awesome is the "legend of Rodeo Bill" printed on the bag: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zU2E4zybwZs/SaM1y1o91VI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/zZrd1S805Js/s1600-h/Legend.jpg Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:34:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662950#5164095 http://www.chow.com/topics/299367#5163824 My choices in SC are pepperoni, 5-cheese and margharita. We tried the pepperoni last week for the first time, and it was good. Our favorite, however, is the margharita, it has fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and large whole basil leaves....yum! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:51:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/299367#5163824 http://www.chow.com/topics/305048#5163765 I gave a rundown of how we prepared the chicken in a previous post. Modern Maid and Golden Dipt both have products on grocery store shelves that are similar to the Chicken Delight batter. Big difference is they instruct you to bread it dry, but if you add water to bring it to a pancake consistency, add pepper and chicken salt and refrigerate overnight prior to cooking you will have a wonderful Chicken Delight experience. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:07:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/305048#5163765 http://www.chow.com/topics/663578#5163746 It may be a franchise-specific thing--I noticed that a lot of San Fernando Valley CJr's had the Big Carl at $1.99 pretty much from the beginning; meanwhile, I think the national ads and the website still say $2.49. What's interesting is that the price for the Big Carl at the store near Sepulveda and Ventura is $1.99 vs. $2.49 at the UCLA store, but the Valley location's price for the Big Carl combo (and most of the other combos) is 10c higher than at UCLA! The real thing to do is collect the coupons that arrive in the junk mail and the LA Times. The most recent set had twelve coupons, with a lot of useful ones like free medium fries and free medium drink with a Parmesan Chicken, upgrade any sandwich to a combo for $1, free medium fries with a Big Carl or an Original $6 burger, free small Original $6 combo with purchase of any size Original $6 combo (that one saves nearly $8), and various twofers. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:52:49 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663578#5163746 http://www.chow.com/topics/646506#5163500 I think GOLDEN GRIDDLE is possibly the worst and 'maple99' described it to a "T"!!! I must be crazy (I know I'm over the hill and remember when it was really pretty decent) I keep trying..last time was this summer, spent overnight in Belleville at a wonderful old Hotel called "The Clarion Suites"...the Breakfast 'restaurant' in the hotel was a Golden Griddle....Can you say BAD!! Very, very BAD! It was filled with American tourists of a certain age on a charter trip to the 1,000 Islands...what a way to start your day and then go on a Boat ride...at least we were just driving to Ottawa! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:45:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/646506#5163500 http://www.chow.com/topics/422464#5163407 I miss Cinnabon. Used to be one of my favorite once in awhile splurges at the mall. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:44:30 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/422464#5163407 http://www.chow.com/topics/662407#5163203 That's too bad...I saw them at the Downtown Vancouver store but I guess it's a popular item maybe call before going if you decide to make the trek..... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:27:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662407#5163203 http://www.chow.com/topics/663374#5161610 There is a Super Target near my office where I shop for all the non-food items that I don't buy at Costco. When I was in a time crunch one day I also picked up some "fresh" produce. I call them "fresh" because when I actually opened the packages, which no doubt should have been my first clue, they had a strange chemical odor and taste. I'm guessing that their produce came from far, far away and long, long ago and had been treated to mimic freshness. I never bought anything edible there ever again, packaged or non. I can still remember the Science Fair aroma of that cabbage. Yuck. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:34:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663374#5161610 http://www.chow.com/topics/420236#5161393 Today I had the Tandoor Chef Vegetarian Pad Thai and it's awesome good. Much better than the Whole Kitchen PT, and better than the Trader Joe's version. (Also, substantially fewer calories than TJ, though substantially more expensive.) I had 2/3 for lunch and will probably finish it off late afternoon. Definitely going to get more of this. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:26:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/420236#5161393 http://www.chow.com/topics/664930#5160633 I have no idea - they'd let you in I guess, but I don't know if the card would work with the computer system. I'd email and ask them.. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:31:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664930#5160633 http://www.chow.com/topics/640256#5160551 As a general rule, yes. But places like Potbelly are lowest-common-denominator spots. The end product fails in both quality of ingredients and execution. Nearly all the places in my area that aren't chains tend to beat them on price, quality and overall satisfaction. So I'm genuinely stumped when I see long lines in the chain locations (and I've tried all the chains at one time or another, usually as a last resort). Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:04:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/640256#5160551 http://www.chow.com/topics/635387#5160206 Thanks for the info, they will be aesthetically pleasing anyway! I'll think of something else spicy to add. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:19:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/635387#5160206 http://www.chow.com/topics/660289#5159436 I not only don't miss the second slice of cheese, I consider the McDouble an improvement over the original. For whatever reason, the thing doesn't drip grease down the side of my hand now when i eat it while I'm driving. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:17:35 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660289#5159436 http://www.chow.com/topics/619985#5159163 They were good, but nowhere as hot as I expected them to be after reading this thread. I'll have them again. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:33:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/619985#5159163 http://www.chow.com/topics/628504#5157208 This place has grass fed beef and real live butchers!!! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:43:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/628504#5157208 http://www.chow.com/topics/663362#5156620 Morton's deal is my favorite, and I really like their bar menu a lot! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:38:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663362#5156620 http://www.chow.com/topics/659657#5156619 I love the diet cherry limeades. And happy hour coincides with me meeting the school bus, so I make it up there at least once a week for a treat... Good stuff! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:37:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659657#5156619 http://www.chow.com/topics/662708#5156595 OK but is the sandwich any good? Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:27:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662708#5156595 http://www.chow.com/topics/664681#5155662 I got some a week or so ago....just like the stuff in the blue box. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:46:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664681#5155662 http://www.chow.com/topics/383886#5154637 yeah, we were mojito simmer sauce fans, too -- even though ostensibly it is so easily "copied" from scratch.... we'd just toss some leftover cooked chicken into it, doctor it a bit, and serve it with rice. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/383886#5154637 http://www.chow.com/topics/662747#5154191 Terrible wings!! I will safely say I won't ever get them again. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:12:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662747#5154191 http://www.chow.com/topics/662434#5154181 It's about the same quality, consistency and cost of generic frozen at a second rate grocery store. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:47:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662434#5154181 http://www.chow.com/topics/661015#5153826 It depends on location. Some add too much pumpkin flavor and others too little. The place I had it this year was pretty much as mdepsmom described ... zilch pumpkin flavor. Still, it was a nice shake ... thick with nice whipped cream on top that I enjoy mixing into the shake. All that and a cherry on top Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:52:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661015#5153826 http://www.chow.com/topics/359092#5151866 Let usknow how you make out newkai Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:20:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/359092#5151866 http://www.chow.com/topics/659679#5151842 Heh I was waiting for that flame too al b darned. Agree with the ordering most of the hounds posted. I took my friend to Applebees and he said the food was worse than the slop served at his high school cafeteria. He was shocked. Tried applebees a few years later with my friend John. I must be a glutton for punishment. Worst chicken caesar salad ever. It was slimy. The one at Costco food court is so much better. Luckily I drink and have a designated driver. I think of all these places as a spot to socialize, drink and snack. Chilis is the best of the three for sure. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:13:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659679#5151842 http://www.chow.com/topics/659767#5149630 I tried The Counter last weekend. Thought the burger was very good and was impressed with the high quality toppings. Can't say the same about the fries or onion strings--maybe I was expecting too much, but I didn't think those were any better than Smashburger's. If I went back I'd try some of the other fries variations or maybe skip them altogether and just get a burger and shake. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:04:51 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659767#5149630 http://www.chow.com/topics/646240#5149358 Can't disagree more with that. They're always sold out at my neighborhood TJ's -- gotta get there early to get some. Everyone who tries them who visits my house is an instant addict. Love 'em. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:39:29 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/646240#5149358 http://www.chow.com/topics/456843#5148280 Funny, I thought I was the only one who preferred the taste of Diet Cola. Though that certainly wasn't the case when I started drinking it. My taste buds must have adjusted over the years. Bit of advice tho, Sunny Select is an off-brand diet cola that just puts Coke and Pepsi to shame. You can find it at Food Maxx and Save Mart. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:41:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/456843#5148280 http://www.chow.com/topics/567018#5146905 Stoney River Towson warm friendly and great food. The shrimp app is killer. Our staek were all cooked perfect. Wait staff and managers making sure all is well. General Manager was thrilled to have us. What a nice addition to steak houses. Chocolate cake is a real killer twist comes with giant knife to stab your chocolate cravings. I have been to the one in annapolis this one is ten times better. people do make a difference Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:16:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/567018#5146905 http://www.chow.com/topics/588846#5146886 O.K. It will be a few days before I follow up, but I'll post the results. Maybe Thursdayish. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:07:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/588846#5146886 http://www.chow.com/topics/662312#5143950 Money money money money.... money! The natural base is a 'souring' agent. Sourdough bread has a longer shelf life and doesn't have to be baked every day. They're cutting labor costs and waste by baking less frequently. Unfortunately, unless you're dealing with a truly artisan bakery, sourdough bread sucks. Even if you're dealing with sourdough from a master baker, it's still a very different animal from 'regular' bread. Personally, I have to be in the mood for sourdough. If I walk into your store with a yearning for fresh non sourdough bread, don't you dare give me otherwise. The irony is that Panera isn't doing too badly financially. Greed seems to be the word for everyone in the food biz these days, regardless of their earnings. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:31:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662312#5143950 http://www.chow.com/topics/660772#5143600 I usually don't tip at Sonic, but it's because there's no space to tip on the receipt if you pay with a credit/debit card. I take this to mean that they earn at least minimum wage, since there doesn't seem to be an expectation that they'll get tips. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:58:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660772#5143600 http://www.chow.com/topics/559435#5143309 Oh yeah, the pudding cups are so creamy and delicious. I've also recently become a fan of their pizzas which make for a solid, inexpensive dinner. Lastly, their cheddar cheese has become a staple in my fridge. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:10:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/559435#5143309 http://www.chow.com/topics/326682#5142300 the only BPA-free canned food brand sold in the US is Eden. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:11:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/326682#5142300 http://www.chow.com/topics/661523#5141945 I've walked into a Krispy Kreme once only to be told they were out of donuts. So...WHY are you OPEN? Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:12:30 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661523#5141945 http://www.chow.com/topics/662608#5141135 I dream about In-N-Out. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:11:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662608#5141135 http://www.chow.com/topics/652365#5139066 I actually tried their BK potato snacks (w/ketchup flavor) out of the snack machine here at work, and I think that given the choice, I'd rather have a bag of those potato snack chips than BK french fries. I really don't eat BK much anymore because between the lousy fries and the awful things their soybean-based oils do to my digestive system, it's not a pleasing nor pleasant experience. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:01:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/652365#5139066 http://www.chow.com/topics/662588#5138876 If you go on a Saturday, be sure to try their Bison BBQ short ribs. They are succulent, meaty, flavorful and don't leave you feeling overly full. Their mashed potatoes and green beans are pretty darn good, too. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:40:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662588#5138876 http://www.chow.com/topics/662717#5135004 Golden Corral is offering a free dinner to Veterans and Military personel on November 16. http://www.goldencorral.com/military/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:55:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662717#5135004 http://www.chow.com/topics/629372#5133398 Thanks, Ill give Thomas' a try. After my disappointing breakfast yesterday, I am craving bagels, lox and cream cheese even more than before. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:42:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/629372#5133398 http://www.chow.com/topics/661882#5131569 Actually, Costco sources its beef from the safe major slaughterhouse operations as other large retailers. However, they're adding some of their own quality control: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010021163_ecoli08.html?syndication=rss Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:06:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661882#5131569 http://www.chow.com/topics/635610#5131019 by accident I discovered at Publix.com you can enter your zip and find the 2 for 1 specials in your area at all the Publixes around you. Well worth it if you want olive oil or other expensive item. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:20:35 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/635610#5131019 http://www.chow.com/topics/662151#5130793 In Miami Beach, we like to sit outside at the bar and have a cocktail or a glass of good wine and order the 1/2 cold lobster . Really nice to have that and watch the cruise ships head out through government cut. Just a suggestion. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:45:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662151#5130793 http://www.chow.com/topics/142319#5129679 Luckily, even if you want an overpriced steakhouse experience, there is no reason to go to this awful, awful place. The equally exorbitant but at least better quality Morton's, Abe and Louie's, Oak Room, and Palm are only a few blocks away from the Boston location. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:12:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/142319#5129679 http://www.chow.com/topics/629163#5127110 Thanks for the clarification; perhaps you, as an insider, can explain to the suits that people make pies and quiches year-round. At the very least, the "season" should begin with the earliest-ripening summer fruits, not with the weeks leading up toThanksgiving. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:11:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/629163#5127110 http://www.chow.com/topics/627149#5125594 Was just at the CF for a friend's birthday. Tried the wasabi crusted ahi tuna. The fish itself was pretty decent but the sauce was weird (did not go at all w/ the fish. it looks like the same sauce from the Ruhlman video...possible they use the same awful sauce for all their fish dishes regardless if it goes well or not) and the wasabi crust was kinda soggy. I think I'll stick to their salads. I also like their shrimp and bacon club but it's often very greasy. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:18:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/627149#5125594