Favorite national/regional food joints

[StoneGold]

Man, I'm on a food kick today or something.

But I loves me some Chipotle. Chipotle is the world's greatest burrito chain. I just checked, they're pretty national, although not so much in the south, or some pretty large chunks of the mid-west. They are amazing though. Their spicy salsa is way spicier than any chain joint has a right to be. Their ingredients taste fresh, and their rice has an odd citrusy zest to it.

I loves me a chicken burrito, with rice, beans and fajita veggies, Southwestern corn salsa and hot salsa, cheese, sour cream. Mmmmmmm.

http://www.rachelleb.com/images/2005_03_01/chipotle_burrito.jpg

[Jack Zodiac]

I do like me some Chipotle, but Jesus Christ they're expensive. And they've gone up in price recently. It used to be something like fifty-five cents for guacamolé, and the last time I went it was over a buck.

Anyway, for me, it's Gold Star Chili (again). Everything great about Greek chili, with some cinnamon and chocolate, served over spaghetti, fries, and coneys. Recently, they've stepped up with a footlong coney and started serving rootbeer floats. I haven't loved a place so much since Nifty Fifties.

http://www.sitefights.com/community/spirit/jackzodiac//goldstarchili.jpg

[Tadhg]

Rax Roast beef and I just found out there's still some in existence. Alligator Sippy cups, here I come!

[ragnarok_2012]

Ever since I first watched Pulp Fiction, I've wanted to eat in a Jack In the Box.

At SDCC 2005, I got to eat at one for the first time.

Probably the most satisfying meal I had at the con.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I still haven't eaten at a Jack in the Box.

[ragnarok_2012]

I still haven't eaten at a Jack in the Box.

That's really too bad.

I don't remember who I got to go with me (Bouncing Boy, maybe?), but it was fun.

[Shem the Penman]

We have a Nifty Fifty's near where I live, and I find it deeply overrated aside from the shakes.

Now Five Guys, that's where it's at. Great burgers, great fries.

When I lived in New York, I was also deeply fond of Ranch 1 chicken sandwiches.

[Jack Zodiac]

Oh yeah, their shakes were the best. I seem to remember loving their fries and burgers, though, but then again, I haven't been to one since I was six or seven.

[Rob Allen]

Those in the know around here go to Burgerville (www.burgerville.com).

[K'Nort]

Those in the know around here go to Burgerville (www.burgerville.com).

But McMenamins (http://www.mcmenamins.com) is where it's at.


Once of these SDCC's, I need to try In and Out. Although I guess Thanksgiving will work too.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Papaya King (http://www.papayaking.com/)and Pearl Oyster Bar (http://www.pearloysterbar.com/).

[DubipR]

Visiting the folks in Chicago, gotta go with El Famous Burrito.
Home of the "football shaped burrito"
http://www.burritophile.com/place.php?id=194

[Callie]

We have a few Chipotle Grills here, but I prefer Freebirds (http://www.freebirds.com/).

Amy's Ice Cream is worth a stop if you're ever in Austin. Or any of the Dairy Queens found in small towns in the rest of the state. Yeah, they're all over America, but Texas lurves its DQ and in some towns, it's the only place to go. Some of them have tablecloths and pictures of hometown stuff all over the walls. :D

[clayholio]

Those in the know around here go to Burgerville (www.burgerville.com).
Amen, brother!

And even though it's not regional to the northwest (where I'm at), I eagerly anticipate my yearly trip to Wahoo's in the LA area. I missed it this time around, and that makes me sad.

[Justin D.]

We have a few Chipotle Grills here, but I prefer Freebirds (http://www.freebirds.com/).

Amy's Ice Cream is worth a stop if you're ever in Austin. Or any of the Dairy Queens found in small towns in the rest of the state. Yeah, they're all over America, but Texas lurves its DQ and in some towns, it's the only place to go. Some of them have tablecloths and pictures of hometown stuff all over the walls. :D

Amy's Ice Cream is pure evil incarnate. Last time I was there, I got their Mexican vanilla ice cream mixed with frozen blackberries. It was like I took a bite out of heaven.

[SteelTownr]

I work at a Restaurant called Sam Seltzer's (http://samseltzers.com/main.html) and ya know, it ain't half bad. The Steaks are pretty good and the price is pretty reasonable.

There is a restaurant from cincinnatti Skyline Chili (http://www.skylinechili.com/) where they serve the chili on top of pasta and they have these great little chili dogs that are out of site. For some reason, they have one here in Ft. Myers.

Mark B.

[howyadoin]

We have a few Chipotle Grills here, but I prefer Freebirds (http://www.freebirds.com/).Is it okay to yell "play some Skynyrd!" there?

[Tages]

The Nugget has a restaurant where they serve the "Awful Awful" burger, which is huge and extremely good.

[Bouncing Boy]

That's really too bad.

I don't remember who I got to go with me (Bouncing Boy, maybe?), but it was fun.
Yep, it was me. Maybe someone else went with us, but I don't think so. I've been to several Jack in the Boxes in my time. Carl's Jr. is one of my favorites, especially the Western Bacon Cheeseburger...yum!!!! Though probably the best Burger Joints is In-n-Out Burger. It started in Los Angeles and for the longest time wouldn't go far outside the bounds of southern California. Now they have them all throughout California, and we have some here in Nevada, and apparently theres some in Arizona too. They've got a failry simple menu, but it's good food. I love the fries (but I know people who absolutely hate them). If you go, ask for your burger "Animal Style." It's not on the menu, but it's something they all do, basically it has extra sauce and grilled onions. I don't care for the sauce personally, but I generally don't like anything other than ketchup on my burgers.

[Royal]

That's really too bad.

I don't remember who I got to go with me (Bouncing Boy, maybe?), but it was fun.

with Guapo and me.

I remember it because I wanted to kick the security guard's ass.

[mrc1214]

Im going to say Baja fresh. They have an excellent chicken burrito there.

[Slam_Bradley]

Not quite local, but that's a very relative term in this neck of the woods.

Salt Lake City has an incredible local fast food chain called Crown Burger. I used to eat there at least once week when I lived in SLC. The signature is the Crown Burger, which is a cheese burger piled with pastrami. Their bacon burger is also good...four strips of large thick cut bacon.

Carl's Jr. cited Crown burger as their inspiration when they brought out their pastrami burger. Carl's is a pale imitation.

http://www.extramsg.com/albums/album208/crownburgers6.sized.jpg

[jade_nova]

Man, I'm on a food kick today or something.

But I loves me some Chipotle. Chipotle is the world's greatest burrito chain. I just checked, they're pretty national, although not so much in the south, or some pretty large chunks of the mid-west. They are amazing though. Their spicy salsa is way spicier than any chain joint has a right to be. Their ingredients taste fresh, and their rice has an odd citrusy zest to it.

I loves me a chicken burrito, with rice, beans and fajita veggies, Southwestern corn salsa and hot salsa, cheese, sour cream. Mmmmmmm.

http://www.rachelleb.com/images/2005_03_01/chipotle_burrito.jpg

That sounds like a place in the South called Moe's Southwest. That burrito even looks like one.

[Dreadstar]

Baja Fresh.
Bob Evans.
Skyline.
Arby's.
Penn Station.
Johnny Rocket's.
Rally's.

[Joe Rice]

Anytime my family visited northern Kentucky, there'd be a huge outing for Skyline or Coneys. Oh, man. So good.

When visiting out west, Jack in the Box was good, Carl's Jr. was good but made me sick, and In and Out was a huge, bland disappointment. I don't really go for fast food anymore, so I may not be the best judge.

[JTLauder]

I tried Chipotle once...and never again...It was bland to the point of almost eating cardboard. Those who cite Chipotle as the best burrito have never had a real burrito before.

My favorite local food (Southern California) is Tommy's Burger (http://www.originaltommys.com/).
http://www.originaltommys.com/images/anatomy.gif

[StoneGold]

I tried Chipotle once...and never again...It was bland to the point of almost eating cardboard. Those who cite Chipotle as the best burrito have never had a real burrito before.

What kind of salsa did you have on it? You don't get extra of the spicy salsa on that burrito and call it bland.

[Joe Rice]

Lisa and I also give the thumbs down to Chipotle. Admirable aims, but I'd rather just go to a real Mexican joint.

[StoneGold]

Lisa and I also give the thumbs down to Chipotle. Admirable aims, but I'd rather just go to a real Mexican joint.
Well sure. But they tend not to be regional/national chains, which was the particular point of this thread. Not local restaurants.




Although holy crap, you guys have the shittiest Mexican food on the planet anyways.

[Dreadstar]

The problem with Chipotle is that they make their profit margin better by filling the burrito with rice. THIS is what makes it bland, thins down the taste. Next time, MAKE them go easy of the rice (or drop it altogether) and get the carnitas with the spicy red sauce. Still NOWHERE NEAR the caliber of authentic, but not so bad. I prefer Baja Fresh for my fast food mex fix.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Although holy crap, you guys have the shittiest Mexican food on the planet anyways.

Please! East Harlem has some great little Mexican joints (among other places).

[Joe Rice]

Well sure. But they tend not to be regional/national chains, which was the particular point of this thread. Not local restaurants.




Although holy crap, you guys have the shittiest Mexican food on the planet anyways.

Not when you live in a Mexican neighborhood, trust me.

[JTLauder]

What kind of salsa did you have on it? You don't get extra of the spicy salsa on that burrito and call it bland.

I don't remember what salsa I had, but salsa just covers up the taste, or what is suppose to be the taste, of the food. Yeah, for Mexican food, I much rather go to a real Mexican restaurant....and no, I don't mean Taco Bell. You don't have to go to big sit-down Mexican restaurant either.

There are a number of hole-in-the-wall joints all over the southland, such as this place called "El Tepeyac". A tiny little joint nestled in East Los Angeles. There's always a line and it's authenic Mexican food. If you want burritos, THIS is the place to go. They even have this one humungo burrito that easily feeds 4. Here's the Google Search Page (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=el+tepeyac&spell=1) for the address and reviews on El Tepeyac.

[Joe Rice]

Please! East Harlem has some great little Mexican joints (among other places).

Yeah, the Californians that say that never seem to leave midtown or the Village.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Yeah, the Californians that say that never seem to leave midtown or the Village.
And God forbid they go to--GASP-- the upper west side, to try some delicious Dominican food.

[Joe Rice]

And God forbid they go to--GASP-- the upper west side, to try some delicious Dominican food.

Come to Bushwick and have some lovely abuelita fix some pernil and you'll know happiness.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Well sure. But they tend not to be regional/national chains, which was the particular point of this thread. Not local restaurants.

Thing is, though, even compared to most chain food, chain store Mexican really, really sucks. You can find good chain burgers and sandwiches, and even places like Olive Garden can do some things right, but I've never had passable Mexican food from a chain store. Chi-Chi's, Chili's, Chipolte... I won't bother with any of them. One might as well go the grocery store and get a frozen Old El Paso burrito.

About the only thing that sucks worse than chain Mexican is Sbarro's pizza.

[mrc1214]

The best Mexican food is Mexacali Rose is Montclair NJ. Its probably some of the best food ive eaten ever.

[StoneGold]

I don't think Chilis is Mexican. The closest they come is fajitas, and they didn't start offering those until about a decade ago.

[JeffreyWKramer]

I've eaten great Mexican food all over the country. Just not from chains, other than very small, local/family chains, maybe.

It used to be, the farther you got north, the less likely you were to find good Mexican food, but that's just not the case any more. In the recent past, I've found great Mexican even in small towns in Nebraska and Illinois.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Come to Bushwick and have some lovely abuelita fix some pernil and you'll know happiness.
Definitely before the summer is over.

Curiosity: Any good Cuban Sandwich places in Brooklyn?

Good Cuban Sandwiches = Happy Loveliness

[Joe Rice]

Definitely before the summer is over.

Curiosity: Any good Cuban Sandwich places in Brooklyn?

Good Cuban Sandwiches = Happy Loveliness

I dunno off the cuff, but I'm sure there are. I'll look into it.

[Slam_Bradley]

I've eaten great Mexican food all over the country. Just not from chains, other than very small, local/family chains, maybe.

It used to be, the farther you got north, the less likely you were to find good Mexican food, but that's just not the case any more. In the recent past, I've found great Mexican even in small towns in Nebraska and Illinois.


Truer words. Chain Mexican is terrible. But I can find a half dozen small local places with great Mex here. Of course we have about 35% Mexican population in our county.

[jessecuster3]

Pretty much the only time I eat fast meals is for lunch.

For fast lunch, Chipotle is great, but lately I really prefer Qdoba. They do pretty much the same as Chipotle but better. Their guacamole is actually really good with legitimate chucks of avocado in it.

Potbelly's has the best sandwiches ever. Followed closely by Jimmy Johns. I don't know how they do it at Jimmy Johns that makes it taste so good but they do.

And, I am huge sucker for Panda Express. I have noticed, however, some Panda's taste much better than others.

[StoneGold]

And, I am huge sucker for Panda Express. I have noticed, however, some Panda's taste much better than others.
Yeah, I know it's pathetic, but hardly anyone does orange chicken quite as tasty as Panda.

[Callie]

Truer words. Chain Mexican is terrible.

I dunno. Houston has a pretty good small chain called Berryhill Baja Grill. They make some tasty tacos. Probably one of the few places where you can find Cali-style fish tacos. And they make some decent salsas. The pineapple salsa has some nice heat.

Ninfas isn't too bad either for tex-mex. They're all over the state. Not quite as good as some local joints, but they make an awesome green sauce.

Taco Cabana is pretty mediocre (but better than Taco Bell). You have to appreciate a place where you can get fajita tacos on homemade flour tortillas at 2 in the morning. I have made many a Cabana run after working a late shift or going drinking. :)

[StoneGold]

There's a local pseudo-chain in LA called Campos Tacos, some of which are pretty amazing. Granted, they tend to be fairly different from one another, since they are basically one step up from getting a burrito off the roach coach. But any taqueria that has the weird meat I won't eat, like intestines or brains, usually make a damn good carne asada burrito.

Again, this is lower end Mexican food, hole in the wall joint type stuff, but assuming the right guy is in the kitchen, they make a mean carne asada.

[Merey]

Yeah, the Californians that say that never seem to leave midtown or the Village.


True that. I'm a former Californian who's found some pretty decent Mexican joints in the city (in and out of Manhattan) I've just found a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican grocery store in my neighborhood that makes THE BEST tamales. I've been looking for good tamales in NYC for 4 years now. Now I just need to find a place (other than Burritoville) that makes fresh horchata.

My favorite regional chain is Rubio's (http://www.rubios.com/). It's based in San Diego but it's expanded up into NorCal. Their fish and lobster burritos are so freakin' awesome. I always have one when I'm back there visiting the family.

[howyadoin]

pineapple salsaThat sounds intriguing.

[hoffmandu]

Meh, at least CHipolte's fresh. And their tacos are pretty damn good.

[Nikita]

I still love Taco Bell. Their half pound bean burritos are the shiznit.

[hoffmandu]

I still love Taco Bell. Their half pound bean burritos are the shiznit.

Hell yeah they are, next time try extra cheese and sour cream........very fucking tasty. Yes, I swore cuz it's THAT important.

[StoneGold]

I still love Taco Bell. Their half pound bean burritos are the shiznit.
At 99 cents, there's not much of a better deal. Although for a few cents more, I do like the beef and potato.

[K'Nort]

That sounds intriguing.

It's incredibly good with pork.

[i_mmmchocolate]

It's incredibly good with pork.

Say no more.