A Tuscan foodie in America: Casual Dining chains project

In 2012 I intend to eat in as many American casual dining chains as I can. Why? Because they are a major part of the American dining scene, and this blog is about understanding American cuisine. A longer explanation of what casual dining chains are, of why I chose to do this and how can be found here.

List of restaurants in which I intend to eat (suggestions are welcome):

Applebee's - mainstream American cuisine
Bennigan's - Irish pub
Big Boy - American burgers
Bubba Gump - seafood
Buffalo Wild Wings - sports bar
Buca di Beppo - Southern Italian
California Pizza Kitchen - pizza
The Cheesecake Factory - refined American/international
Chili's - American / Texmex
Cracker Barrell - Southern / Country theme
Denny's - mainstream American cuisine
Famous Dave's BBQ - barbecue
IHOP (International House of Pancakes) - breakfast food
Olive Garden - Italian American cuisine
The original pancake house - breakfast
Outback - steakhouse
P.F. Chang's - Chinese
Red Lobster - seafood
Steak 'N Shake - steakhouse
Texas Roadhouse - steakhouse
TGI Fridays - mainstream American cuisine
Uncle Julio's - Texmex

6 comments:

manogirl said...: Steak n Shake is actually a fast food burger joint. I mean, a waiter does take your order, but they have a drive through.
In the Chicago area (I live here too), here are some other recommendations:
Stir Crazy
Claim Jumper
Brio Tuscan Grille (right up your alley!)
Red Robin (burgers and chicken sandwiches)
Flat Top Grill
I look forward to seeing your thoughts!; January 15, 2012
Tuscan foodie in America said...: Hi manogirl, welcome and thank you for your comment! I thought you had table service in steak n shake, but if that's not true, they are coming off my list.

Thanks for the suggestions! I don't know any of these, with the exception of Red Robin. I am going to add them to the list!; January 15, 2012
Trobairitz said...: Claim Jumper is a big one in Portland, OR. I haven't eaten there but family has and enjoyed it.

I think you have a good list. I have eaten at a lot of them. I can tell you one of the best salad's I've ever eaten was at Bubba Gump's in San Francisco. Yummy. Also you can't go wrong with the cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, but beware their slices are about 1500 calories, just for dessert.

And I do agree that there is a certain consistent quality with the chain casual dining restaurants.

I have no use for fast food chains (ie, McDonald, Burger King et al) and haven't been in one in at least 8 years.; January 16, 2012
Tuscan foodie in America said...: Thanks Trobairitz! Cheesecake factory is such a good all round restaurant!; January 16, 2012
bloggledygook said...: Give Bob Evans a try. I think it's a Midwestern chain (I tried it on a road trip from NYC to St. Louis), and there are still times when I wish I could dig into their pot roast sandwich. Mostly hungover times, but times nonetheless.; January 17, 2012
Tuscan foodie in America said...: Hi boggleydygook, welcome and thanks for your comment. Adding bob evans to the list...; January 18, 2012