The Restaurant Thread

[captmojo]

Sixth place, or worse, is the story of my life.

[cl15876]

Sixth place, or worse, is the story of my life.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Sixth place, or worse, is the story of my life.

I'd definitely give you a higher rating than a six!

[cl15876]

Sixth place, or worse, is the story of my life.

I'd definitely give you a higher rating than a six!

Me too, especially with a TAIL like that!

[bjornolf]

Yeah, but the poor cap'n didn't make anybody's top 5 list.

[captmojo]

Hey, I ain't all hang-dog about it.
I am glad to make somebody's top five.

[Turk]

I would like to get my soapbox out and preach to the brethren and sistren about The Franchise Rule:

"When venturing into strange and unfamiliar territory, never dine at a franchise or chain restaurant when an acceptable independent and local eatery is available."

This has a couple corollaries:

"If stuck with a franchise out of starvation, berserk children, or other equivalent emergency, go with the local chain (e.g. Five Guys) over the national (McWendyKing)."
"A franchise should never qualify for any slot in a Favorite Restaurant list. Ever."

Please don't get me wrong - they have fine steaks at RuthMortonChris... I am not slamming all franchises or national chains as bad quality. Suppose you were on your first ever trip to the Triangle. Why would you really settle for something at a TGI (That Garbage's Inedible) Friday's over some Bullock's or other fine North Carolina 'que? Life's too short for mediocre food, wouldn't you agree? Can I get an "Amen"? or ??

Unfortunately, I don't get out much anymore; but these used to be my favorites:

Whitey's - Arlington, VA (R.I.P.)
Totaro's - Conshohocken, PA
Warmdaddy's - Philadelphia, PA

[TillyGalore]

I would like to get my soapbox out and preach to the brethren and sistren about The Franchise Rule:

"When venturing into strange and unfamiliar territory, never dine at a franchise or chain restaurant when an acceptable independent and local eatery is available."

This has a couple corollaries:

"If stuck with a franchise out of starvation, berserk children, or other equivalent emergency, go with the local chain (e.g. Five Guys) over the national (McWendyKing)."
"A franchise should never qualify for any slot in a Favorite Restaurant list. Ever."

Please don't get me wrong - they have fine steaks at RuthMortonChris... I am not slamming all franchises or national chains as bad quality. Suppose you were on your first ever trip to the Triangle. Why would you really settle for something at a TGI (That Garbage's Inedible) Friday's over some Bullock's or other fine North Carolina 'que? Life's too short for mediocre food, wouldn't you agree? Can I get an "Amen"? or ??

Unfortunately, I don't get out much anymore; but these used to be my favorites:

Whitey's - Arlington, VA (R.I.P.)
Totaro's - Conshohocken, PA
Warmdaddy's - Philadelphia, PA

Amen!

I try to patron local business to keep everything in the community.

[CathyCA]

I would like to get my soapbox out and preach to the brethren and sistren about The Franchise Rule:

"When venturing into strange and unfamiliar territory, never dine at a franchise or chain restaurant when an acceptable independent and local eatery is available."

This has a couple corollaries:

"If stuck with a franchise out of starvation, berserk children, or other equivalent emergency, go with the local chain (e.g. Five Guys) over the national (McWendyKing)."
"A franchise should never qualify for any slot in a Favorite Restaurant list. Ever."

Please don't get me wrong - they have fine steaks at RuthMortonChris... I am not slamming all franchises or national chains as bad quality. Suppose you were on your first ever trip to the Triangle. Why would you really settle for something at a TGI (That Garbage's Inedible) Friday's over some Bullock's or other fine North Carolina 'que? Life's too short for mediocre food, wouldn't you agree? Can I get an "Amen"? or ??

Unfortunately, I don't get out much anymore; but these used to be my favorites:

Whitey's - Arlington, VA (R.I.P.)
Totaro's - Conshohocken, PA
Warmdaddy's - Philadelphia, PA

Here in the sticks of eastern North Carolina, Five Guys would qualify as fine dining. To my dismay, we don't have one.

[cl15876]

... Can I get an "Amen"? or ??

Unfortunately, I don't get out much anymore; but these used to be my favorites:

Whitey's - Arlington, VA (R.I.P.)
Totaro's - Conshohocken, PA
Warmdaddy's - Philadelphia, PA

I will AMEN THAT! also !!!!

[cl15876]

Here in the sticks of eastern North Carolina, Five Guys would qualify as fine dining. To my dismay, we don't have one.

Sorry to hear that, but I know where a few are!!!!! I also hear the internet is good in their area!!!

[craziecat]

OMG, I miss the hell out of the Angus Barn. Great place to eat

Here in Chicago, I love to eat at Millrose, Maggiano's and Houllihans. Cheeseburger is Paradise is always a fun place to eat, drink and listen to live music.

In Hawaii it is Duke's Canoe Club hands down. Great food and the drinks are not ones that we can order here.

Columbia, South Carolina Zorba's has killer Greek Food.

I have lived in so many places, it is really hard to pick one.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'm tossin' in my AMEN. Great post Turk!

[knights68]

Until somewhat recently, Franchesca's on Erwin, a few blocks from Duke Med was THE place! But then they closed up shop (Oh how I miss them!!)
So now, my list is wide open, depending on the faire or specialty.

Crazyfire Mongolian Restaurant has to be in my top three, they flippin rock!
Marvin's Bistro serves some darn good food too, but it is extremely exclusive....
Packo's in Toledo Ohio has some tasty grub, but for the sake of this list, I'll confine my opinions to NC restaurants.
China Wok, southeast Raleigh, has an amazing General Tso Chicken, however Subconscious (in Wolfpack country) has awesome subs (puts Quiznos and the sort to shame).
Best fries is Randy's Pizza (their wings are premier too) and pizza?
That's a toughie. TG and I have become fans of the Italian Restaurant in Durham (Guess Rd I think). Elmos in Durham is good, and takes the place of the now closed George's Garage, both on 9th street in Durham.

And believe it or not, there is this hole in the wall little grill, in a service station a few blocks from Duke Med, that has excellent breakfast cuisine (nothing fancy mind ya, but VERY tasty) but it is a runner up to Bob Evans breakfast (an amazing omelet I had recently with TG... off the charts!)

That's my thoughts

[knights68]

The Franchise Rule:

ah man brudda!!!!!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I would like to get my soapbox out and preach to the brethren and sistren about The Franchise Rule:

"When venturing into strange and unfamiliar territory, never dine at a franchise or chain restaurant when an acceptable independent and local eatery is available."

This has a couple corollaries:

"If stuck with a franchise out of starvation, berserk children, or other equivalent emergency, go with the local chain (e.g. Five Guys) over the national (McWendyKing)."
"A franchise should never qualify for any slot in a Favorite Restaurant list. Ever."

Please don't get me wrong - they have fine steaks at RuthMortonChris... I am not slamming all franchises or national chains as bad quality. Suppose you were on your first ever trip to the Triangle. Why would you really settle for something at a TGI (That Garbage's Inedible) Friday's over some Bullock's or other fine North Carolina 'que? Life's too short for mediocre food, wouldn't you agree? Can I get an "Amen"? or ??

Unfortunately, I don't get out much anymore; but these used to be my favorites:

Whitey's - Arlington, VA (R.I.P.)
Totaro's - Conshohocken, PA
Warmdaddy's - Philadelphia, PA

As a general rule I agree with you and make my choices of restaurants accordingly.

Over the years I've used the Sterns' recommendations to find great hole in the wall eateries (such as Pearl of the Atlantic), asked locals (especially the doormen, bell hops in hotels, cab drivers)for their suggestions or done some exploring on my own. But when it comes to Chicken Marsala, you can't beat the way Bucca di Beppo does it. Bella! Bella! Bella! The chains I would list as favorites are those which tend to have one particular dish that is better than can be found anywhere else.

I'd also note that I look for places which are using local produce as much as possible. Fresh is best and supports local farmers!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I'm really disappointed that Ozzie didn't comment on the rolls from the Great American Restaurants. I figured he'd be all over that.

I've never eaten there.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Marvin's Bistro serves some darn good food too, but it is extremely exclusive....

Since I'm sure they can stand the reduced heat, they outta cater an October Brunchgate.

[DukePA]

I currently have 2 favorite restaurants down here: The Bistro by the Sea in Morehead City and Carltons in Salter Path. Both are upscale restaurants with amazing menus. Carltons recently moved from a very small space to the Ocean Club. Can't wait to try it because they said they would be expanding their menu when they moved. I also like Rucker John's in Emerald Isle. It's good for burgers, steaks, pasta and beer!

[cl15876]

I currently have 2 favorite restaurants down here: The Bistro by the Sea in Morehead City and Carltons in Salter Path. Both are upscale restaurants with amazing menus. Carltons recently moved from a very small space to the Ocean Club. Can't wait to try it because they said they would be expanding their menu when they moved. I also like Rucker John's in Emerald Isle. It's good for burgers, steaks, pasta and beer!

Ya know, I'm archiving this as a TREAT for my girl!!!! ;) Keep them coming, she is WAY WORTH IT and THEN SOME!