Thread: Please rate Carrabas, Olive Garden and Romano's

"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:[email protected]..

On Fri, 7 Sep 2012 16:57:37 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
>only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
>like to know about the others. Thanks, people.


You can add in Applebees, TGI Friday, Chili's, and most every other
chain restaurant. None rate above a 4 on a good day.

Every place has a dish or two that is decent, many others that are
tolerable, none that are "great, I want to do this at home" All use
ingredients with too much processing and sodium.

Given the wide variety of offerings and the variable of our personal
taste, it is not possible to give a better rating of one over the
other. None are so bad that it is inedible, IMO.

On the road, you can be comfortable knowing what you are in for, but a
more fun time can be trying a local independent establishment.


I agree, Ed. If the OP is staying in hotels/motels along the way, ask the
desk clerk. Heck, ask at a gas station. The "locals" will be more than
happy to point out good eateries.

As for rating the chain places, yeah, I'd rate them mostly a 4. (I'm
convinced Olive Garden's minestrone comes straight out of an industrial
sized can. I've never eaten at Carrabas or Romano's.) There is rarely
anything innovative about chain restaurants. They have to cater to the
masses. And they're often franchise operations so don't count on
consistency.

Jill

"Kalmia" wrote in message
news:[email protected]..

On Sep 7, 11:05 pm, gloria p <gpues...@comcast.net> wrote:
> On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>
> > On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
> > only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
> > like to know about the others. Thanks, people.
>
> In my experience all of the similar chains have slipped. In an attempt
> to keep prices reasonable, the quality, presentation and even the menu
> choices are not what they once were. Even the salads are skimpy.
>
> We used to live Carrabas, went there 2-3 times a month. The last time
> it was very disappointing.
>
> The last time we went to Pappadeaux it was just awful.
>
> I went to OG recently with the ladies for lunch. Meh. I've never seen
> a Romano's.
>
> Outback went from pretty good to mediocre.
>
> We went to some pretty good mid-range restaurants recently when we were
> in California, especially seafood. In my experience, you'd be better
> off looking for local restaurants rather than chains.
>
> gloria p

Yeah, I know that, but sometimes when you're on the interstates,
indies are scarce as hen's teeth.


That's true, but it doesn't mean you have to get stuck eating at McDonalds
(or Olive Garden, etc.). When you pull off the Interstate to fill up the
tank, ask where's a good place to eat? They'll tell you. Ditto if you're
staying at hotel/motels along the way. Ask the desk clerk. I used to do a
lot of travelling and people are always happy to point out the best local
places.

Jill

"spamtrap1888" wrote in message
news:[email protected]..

On Sep 8, 8:12 am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:05:29 -0600, gloria p <gpues...@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>
> >On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> >> On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
> >> only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
> >> like to know about the others. Thanks, people.
>
> >In my experience all of the similar chains have slipped. In an attempt
> >to keep prices reasonable, the quality, presentation and even the menu
> >choices are not what they once were. Even the salads are skimpy.
>
> >We used to live Carrabas, went there 2-3 times a month. The last time
> >it was very disappointing.
>
> >The last time we went to Pappadeaux it was just awful.
>
> >I went to OG recently with the ladies for lunch. Meh. I've never seen
> >a Romano's.
>
> >Outback went from pretty good to mediocre.
>
> >We went to some pretty good mid-range restaurants recently when we were
> >in California, especially seafood. In my experience, you'd be better
> >off looking for local restaurants rather than chains.
>
> >gloria p
>
> Some thirty years ago I tried a Spaghetti Factory resto in Toronto,
> crap food and awful service, only the decor was kinda nice in a kitchy
> sort of way. I've never met a chain restaurant I liked... they're a
> baby step above frozen entries from the stupidmarket, in fact many
> store brand frozen entrees are better. There's a huge restaurant
> supplier a few miles from here that also sells retail to the public.
(snippage)

Along those lines, I see the Schwantz frozen dinner truck in my
neighborhood from time to time.



I think you mean "Schwan's". I used to know someone who thought Schwan's
delivering frozen entrees was the cats meow. Then again, she hated to cook,
so frozen entrees (sold from what is essentially a big ice cream truck)
worked for her. I'm not sure her husband or her kids were thrilled with it.

Jill

Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> On Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:05:29 -0600, gloria p <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> >> On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
> >> only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
> >> like to know about the others. Thanks, people.

I'm always amused how so many complain about fast food restaurants and the
slightly better chain restaurants. If you want really quality food open up
your wallets wide and go to really nice restaurants. You generally get what
you pay for.

For me, I like the cheap ones that offer an all-you-can-eat salad bar. They
can't screw up vegetables unless they are not offered fresh. At a salad
bar, you can pick and choose your meal. Most also offer some fried veggies.
My favorite was always battered and deep fried sweet potatoes.

Also always good were those diner sections in older drug stores where you
sit at the counter on a stool. Remember them? Any still in business? Some
of my best food came from such places. The last one i went to, I ordered a
cheeseburger with the works, fries and a coke. The burger and fries were so
delicious and I was amazed watching the cook make my coke the old-fashioned
way. He took a CC glass, pumped in some cola syrup, add some carbonated
water, stirred it with a spoon, then added ice. That was fun to watch and
it tasted good.

Many towns on the road have privately owned roadside diners. I would try
them vs the chains.

G.

G.

"Gary" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]..
> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:05:29 -0600, gloria p <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> >> On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
>> >> only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
>> >> like to know about the others. Thanks, people.
>
> I'm always amused how so many complain about fast food restaurants and the
> slightly better chain restaurants. If you want really quality food open
> up
> your wallets wide and go to really nice restaurants. You generally get
> what
> you pay for.
>
> For me, I like the cheap ones that offer an all-you-can-eat salad bar.
> They
> can't screw up vegetables unless they are not offered fresh. At a salad
> bar, you can pick and choose your meal. Most also offer some fried
> veggies.
> My favorite was always battered and deep fried sweet potatoes.
>
> Also always good were those diner sections in older drug stores where you
> sit at the counter on a stool. Remember them? Any still in business?
> Some
> of my best food came from such places. The last one i went to, I ordered
> a
> cheeseburger with the works, fries and a coke. The burger and fries were
> so
> delicious and I was amazed watching the cook make my coke the
> old-fashioned
> way. He took a CC glass, pumped in some cola syrup, add some carbonated
> water, stirred it with a spoon, then added ice. That was fun to watch and
> it tasted good.
>
> Many towns on the road have privately owned roadside diners. I would try
> them vs the chains.

I don't understand the appeal of most chain places. I know countless people
who swear by them. Often, the food comes to them frozen and they just nuke
it. And to me, it shows. But other people don't seem to notice this,
perhaps because they never cook from scratch at home.

Few places here have salad bars any more. Mostly chain buffet places.

I did learn of another place that has a salad bar but the lunch that I got
in there was inedible. The salad was not fresh. I can't remember what meat
I ordered. It was either a hamburger patty or chopped sirloin. It was not
cooked through. The fries were cold, greasy and limp. My dad even tried my
food and agreed that it was bad. They did not have the salad bar for lunch
but I've been told that they have it for dinner. I just haven't wanted to
go back.

Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> >I'm planning a 15 day next year across part of the country. Mt.
> >Rushmore, Yellowstone, Lincoln Library are on the route.
>
> I've done those long cross country tips many times when I was a lot
> younger, they require a lot of stamina with all that long distance
> driving, but well worth it, the only way to properly see the
> country... Rushmore isn't very impressive, The Badlands is
> spectacular. Try to fit in Sequia, Yosemite, and Glacier.

One thing I would like to add here for a cross county trip. Try to keep
your timeline flexible. Instead of driving all day to get to your next
destination, allow time for detours. There can sometimes be many things
worth stopping to check out that you didn't know about in advance. Enjoy
the entire trip, not just the destinations.

I would definitely add a few extra days to the trip plan to allow for
unscheduled stops.

G.

On 2012-09-09, jmcquown <[email protected]> wrote:

> You can add in Applebees, TGI Friday, Chili's, and most every other
> chain restaurant. None rate above a 4 on a good day.

I pretty much agree. I don't do chains, as a rule, but have run
across one seeming exception, Mimi's Cafe. Went to one in Central CA
about 8 yrs ago for lunch. I had an asonishingly good Cobb salad.
The salad was huge and came with plenty of great blue cheese dressing.
I could barely finish it, it being so large and bountiful. Easily a
full meal, yet under $10 (then). Haven't been again, but tried to a
couple years later at a new Mimi's jes built where I lived. I was
unsuccessful, as the lunch line was out the door. Hadda settle for a
nearby Appleby's that was nearly deserted, rightly so. Plain to see
which chain the ppl preferred. I don't know if Mimi's still maintains
this level of quality, but I'd love to find out.

nb


--
Definition of objectivism:
"Eff you! I got mine."
http://www.nongmoproject.org/

On Sun, 09 Sep 2012 07:10:35 -0400, Gary <[email protected]> wrote:


>
>One thing I would like to add here for a cross county trip. Try to keep
>your timeline flexible. Instead of driving all day to get to your next
>destination, allow time for detours. There can sometimes be many things
>worth stopping to check out that you didn't know about in advance. Enjoy
>the entire trip, not just the destinations.
>
>I would definitely add a few extra days to the trip plan to allow for
>unscheduled stops.
>
>G.

I try to avoid the interstates when I can. I allow more time for the
lower speed limits and passing through the small town. We often find
better places to eat, but also small museums and interesting things
like canal locks in New York as you can parallel the Erie Canal along
the way.

I grew up on the east coast. Lived in Philadelphia, but traveled to
NY, Was DC and typical congested places. I'd look at maps and the
east is very "busy" with all sort of lines for roads, but much of the
west shows only a couple of lines across Arizona or New Mexico. I
always wondered, what is between those lines, must be something. Then
in 1976 I had an opportunity to drive a car to San Diego and fly back
so I jumped at the chance. That is when I found out there is nothing
between those lines. Miles of nothing!

On 08/09/2012 12:55 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
ime to do it half right. Do you have a route yet?
>>
>> I'm planning a 15 day next year across part of the country. Mt.
>> Rushmore, Yellowstone, Lincoln Library are on the route.
>
> I've done those long cross country tips many times when I was a lot
> younger, they require a lot of stamina with all that long distance
> driving, but well worth it, the only way to properly see the
> country... Rushmore isn't very impressive, The Badlands is
> spectacular. Try to fit in Sequia, Yosemite, and Glacier.


My aunt and uncle retired in Florida years ago and make the trek up her
almost every year. They didn't make it last year and probably won't do
it any more, at least not by car. My uncle is in his 90s. For years they
have been stopping at their favourite places along the 1200 mile route
from West Palm Beach to Toronto. They only travel 150 miles per day,
and all on secondary highways.

I realized my uncle was losing it the last time he was up and he said
much he hated the traffic coming into Toronto from the west. His
solution was to go back across the border and around Lake Ontario and to
come in from the east.



> If you had
> another week I'd strongly recommend the Canadian Rockies, perhaps on
> another trip where you fly out and rent a car...

I agree about the Canadian Rockies. I have seen lots of different
mountain ranges and the they are among the most scenic. One of the most
beautiful drives I have ever taken was the highway from Vancouver to
Whistler.





the two times I went
> I drove, once through the US along the southern shores of the Great
> lakes, the second time all through Canada and included the northern
> shores of the great lakes, saw lots of moose around Thunder Bay.

I have never done the north shore of Lake Superior, but everyone I know
who has done it was impressed.

On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 05:19:56 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
wrote:

> When you pull off the Interstate to fill up the
> tank, ask where's a good place to eat? They'll tell you. Ditto if you're
> staying at hotel/motels along the way. Ask the desk clerk. I used to do a
> lot of travelling and people are always happy to point out the best local
> places.

That's what we do if we didn't spot a place we wanted to try while
scouting out a place to stay.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 9/8/2012 9:50 AM, Kalmia wrote:
> On Sep 7, 11:05 pm, gloria p <gpues...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>
>>> On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
>>> only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
>>> like to know about the others. Thanks, people.
>>
>> In my experience all of the similar chains have slipped. In an attempt
>> to keep prices reasonable, the quality, presentation and even the menu
>> choices are not what they once were. Even the salads are skimpy.
>>
>> We used to live Carrabas, went there 2-3 times a month. The last time
>> it was very disappointing.
>>
>> The last time we went to Pappadeaux it was just awful.
>>
>> I went to OG recently with the ladies for lunch. Meh. I've never seen
>> a Romano's.
>>
>> Outback went from pretty good to mediocre.
>>
>> We went to some pretty good mid-range restaurants recently when we were
>> in California, especially seafood. In my experience, you'd be better
>> off looking for local restaurants rather than chains.
>>
>> gloria p
>
> Yeah, I know that, but sometimes when you're on the interstates,
> indies are scarce as hen's teeth.
>

But typically interstates run through populated areas. Ask at say the
quickie mart for local suggestions when you get off the exit. And today
it is even easier because you can search for suggestions while on the
road and then with a couple taps put it into the GPS so you don't even
need a map to get to that great place that is not far from the exit but
not in the prime real estate but the exit where the industrial places
are located.

On 9/9/2012 5:59 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>
> "spamtrap1888" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>
> On Sep 8, 8:12 am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> On Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:05:29 -0600, gloria p <gpues...@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> >> On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
>> >> only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
>> >> like to know about the others. Thanks, people.
>>
>> >In my experience all of the similar chains have slipped. In an attempt
>> >to keep prices reasonable, the quality, presentation and even the menu
>> >choices are not what they once were. Even the salads are skimpy.
>>
>> >We used to live Carrabas, went there 2-3 times a month. The last time
>> >it was very disappointing.
>>
>> >The last time we went to Pappadeaux it was just awful.
>>
>> >I went to OG recently with the ladies for lunch. Meh. I've never seen
>> >a Romano's.
>>
>> >Outback went from pretty good to mediocre.
>>
>> >We went to some pretty good mid-range restaurants recently when we were
>> >in California, especially seafood. In my experience, you'd be better
>> >off looking for local restaurants rather than chains.
>>
>> >gloria p
>>
>> Some thirty years ago I tried a Spaghetti Factory resto in Toronto,
>> crap food and awful service, only the decor was kinda nice in a kitchy
>> sort of way. I've never met a chain restaurant I liked... they're a
>> baby step above frozen entries from the stupidmarket, in fact many
>> store brand frozen entrees are better. There's a huge restaurant
>> supplier a few miles from here that also sells retail to the public.
> (snippage)
>
> Along those lines, I see the Schwantz frozen dinner truck in my
> neighborhood from time to time.
>
>
>
> I think you mean "Schwan's". I used to know someone who thought
> Schwan's delivering frozen entrees was the cats meow. Then again, she
> hated to cook, so frozen entrees (sold from what is essentially a big
> ice cream truck) worked for her. I'm not sure her husband or her kids
> were thrilled with it.
>
> Jill

They seemed to be previously popular around here but I haven't seen
those trucks in a while. Also they are spendy but I guess less expensive
than going to an industrial restaurant to get similar heat and serve food.

On Sun, 09 Sep 2012 10:05:31 -0400, George <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
> But typically interstates run through populated areas. Ask at say the
> quickie mart for local suggestions when you get off the exit. And today
> it is even easier because you can search for suggestions while on the
> road and then with a couple taps put it into the GPS so you don't even
> need a map to get to that great place that is not far from the exit but
> not in the prime real estate but the exit where the industrial places
> are located.

I have GPS, but no smart phone.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 05:19:56 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>"Kalmia" wrote in message
>news:[email protected]..
>
>On Sep 7, 11:05 pm, gloria p <gpues...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> On 9/7/2012 5:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>
>> > On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of these? I 've
>> > only been to an OG and think they've slipped. If on the road, I'd
>> > like to know about the others. Thanks, people.
>>
>> In my experience all of the similar chains have slipped. In an attempt
>> to keep prices reasonable, the quality, presentation and even the menu
>> choices are not what they once were. Even the salads are skimpy.
>>
>> We used to live Carrabas, went there 2-3 times a month. The last time
>> it was very disappointing.
>>
>> The last time we went to Pappadeaux it was just awful.
>>
>> I went to OG recently with the ladies for lunch. Meh. I've never seen
>> a Romano's.
>>
>> Outback went from pretty good to mediocre.
>>
>> We went to some pretty good mid-range restaurants recently when we were
>> in California, especially seafood. In my experience, you'd be better
>> off looking for local restaurants rather than chains.
>>
>> gloria p
>
>Yeah, I know that, but sometimes when you're on the interstates,
>indies are scarce as hen's teeth.
>
>
>That's true, but it doesn't mean you have to get stuck eating at McDonalds
>(or Olive Garden, etc.). When you pull off the Interstate to fill up the
>tank, ask where's a good place to eat? They'll tell you. Ditto if you're
>staying at hotel/motels along the way. Ask the desk clerk. I used to do a
>lot of travelling and people are always happy to point out the best local
>places.

I'd always pull off the interstate to eat lunch, even a stupidmarket
deli was better than those fast food chains. And most every motor
lodge has a brochure in the lobby with a list of recommended local
eateries, and they'll be happy to make suggestions. Many of the motor
lodges out in the vast nowhere will have a picnic area with charcoal
grills you can use, they even supply the charcoal. In some states the
Interstate rest stops have lovely scenic overlook picnic areas with
charcoal grills but you need your own charcoal. I very rarely ate
restaurant food on a motor trip, nothing ruins a vacation like a case
of the ****s. It was always far more enjoyable make a quick run into
town to shop and then to prepare a nice salad and grill a steak at the
rear of the Super 8. I always asked at the Super 8 to make me a
reservation for a Super 8 at my next stop and I'd ask for one with a
picnic area. If they didn't have grills I traveled with my own, one
of those $2 pie pan tripod grills from John's Bargain Store. In fact
I still have my travel kitchen all packed in its little duffle bag and
ready to go. I strongly suggest that anyone planning a motor trip to
consider very carefully before dining at restaurants, and the fancier
the filthier. And restos also eat up a lot of your travel time... I
never traveled to eat, there's nothing they can serve me that I can't
prepare better myself. And when traveling beware that salad bar (any
salad served), be very ascared. Raw resto produce is the number one
cause of food borne illness.

Julie Bove wrote:

> I don't understand the appeal of most chain places. I know countless people
> who swear by them. Often, the food comes to them frozen and they just nuke
> it. And to me, it shows. But other people don't seem to notice this,
> perhaps because they never cook from scratch at home.

The worst chain restaurant I ever went to was Denny's. I ordered an
omelette. The waitron didn't ask how well cooked it should be, and it
came half-cooked. Gross! The inside was completely liquid, barely
heated at all. I complained and they wouldn't replace it. What a
crappy joint that is.

"spamtrap1888" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

On Sep 7, 7:42 pm, Andy <a...@b.c> wrote:
> spamtrap1888 <spamtrap1...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Sep 7, 4:57 pm, Kalmia <tweeny90...@mypacks.net> wrote:
> >> On a 1 to 10 scale. how would you assign for each of
> >> these? I 've only been to an OG and think they've
> >> slipped. If on the road, I'd like to know about the
> >> others. Thanks, people.
>
> > C: No Data
> > OG: 5
> > RMG: 4
>
> I've never been to any of them.
>
> I only see the Olive Garden TV commercials but never an actual
> restaurant.
>
> "When you're here, you're family." is the suckiest motto. I
> never had to pay for dinner or leave a tip at my house! <G>

Trying to make friends at a new job I arranged for us to meet another
couple for a leisurely meal. His wife's favorite restaurant in the
whole world was Olive Garden.

We tried Romano Macaroni Grill because it was in the same strip mall
as Borders (RIP).


I liked Romano's Macaroni Grill in Germantown, TN, but that was many years
ago. Perhaps the employees and chef weren't yet jaded.

Jill

On Sep 9, 7:59*am, George M. Middius <glanb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Julie Bove wrote:
> > I don't understand the appeal of most chain places. *I know countlesspeople
> > who swear by them. *Often, the food comes to them frozen and they just nuke
> > it. *And to me, it shows. *But other people don't seem to notice this,
> > perhaps because they never cook from scratch at home.
>
> The worst chain restaurant I ever went to was Denny's. I ordered an
> omelette. The waitron didn't ask how well cooked it should be, and it
> came half-cooked. Gross! The inside was completely liquid, barely
> heated at all. I complained and they wouldn't replace it. What a
> crappy joint that is.

I almost always eat in non chain joints. But, three years ago, I had
breakfast in the Denny's next to the motel, because I was pressed for
time. It was delicious. Even the coffee was better than the usual
Farmer Brothers.

Dave Smith <[email protected]> wrote:

>I agree about the Canadian Rockies. I have seen lots of different
>mountain ranges and the they are among the most scenic. One of the most
>beautiful drives I have ever taken was the highway from Vancouver to
>Whistler.

Beautiful, but I do not think those mountains are the Rockies,
which start in the eastern half of British Columbia and continue
into western Alberta.

(Now I'm going to have to consult a map to see if what I just
wrote is correct...)

I love the Pacific Northwest especially including western B.C.,
the islands, and the Sunshine Coast (which I've only been to once).
But, a little difficult to fit in ona cross-continental trip
as it would be a major time diversion. Also, a resident of
California has other opportunities to make it up to the northwest.

Steve

On 9/9/2012 10:37 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 09 Sep 2012 10:05:31 -0400, George <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> But typically interstates run through populated areas. Ask at say the
>> quickie mart for local suggestions when you get off the exit. And today
>> it is even easier because you can search for suggestions while on the
>> road and then with a couple taps put it into the GPS so you don't even
>> need a map to get to that great place that is not far from the exit but
>> not in the prime real estate but the exit where the industrial places
>> are located.
>
> I have GPS, but no smart phone.


They are really handy to have.