Build back better

[Smit]

We have restaurants opening and closing constantly. TGIF closed maybe 10 years ago, more or less. Culvers opened not long ago; I haven't been there yet but I've heard good things about it.

Culver's is pretty good. My grand kids love it. They aren't 5 guys but they're one of the better burgers out there, imo.

[YoDoug]

They've had to implement a 'small portions' menu so they could have some things on the menu that didn't cause sticker shock.

I would love that. Most restaurants give you a days worth of calories in one meal. I would much rather have half the meal at half the price.

[Jim at Gentex]

I also think chain restaurants can vary widely from town to town because of the local manager.
A good example of that in my experience was Denny's.

My wife and I used to take our son once a month on a Friday morning for infusion treatments for his MS, and the place he had to go was about 40 minutes south of home.
Since we had to wait almost 2 hours for his treatment, there was a Denny's and a shopping mall right down the road, so we would hit Denny's for breakfast, then walk around the mall until he was finished.

That particular Denny's was very nice.
It was clean, the servers were always friendly, and the food was always very good.
It was usually packed on a Friday morning, and they always had quite a few people coming in and out for take-out orders as well.
The manager was super friendly, and he always walked around chatting with people and asking if everything was to their liking.   

The Denny's closer to where we live was the polar opposite.
We only ate there once, and it was dirty, the bathrooms were disgusting, the servers were borderline rude, and the food was terrible.
It was poorly managed, and it showed.

So now, if people ask me if I like Denny's, I always say it depends on which one you go to! 

[neurosis]

I would love that. Most restaurants give you a days worth of calories in one meal. I would much rather have half the meal at half the price.

Yea. It's perfect for us. 

When I was in my 20's I ate like a horse. In my 50's I can barely finish a hamburger. My g/f eats like a bird as it is so we were happy to see the additional small portion menu. There are times that we'll go somewhere and split a lunch.

[mowens]

Culver's is pretty good. My grand kids love it. They aren't 5 guys but they're one of the better burgers out there, imo.

I guess I'm an anomaly. I never cared much for 5 guys. I really like Freddy's though. Like I said; an anomaly.

[Smit]

I guess I'm an anomaly. I never cared much for 5 guys. I really like Freddy's though. Like I said; an anomaly.

Freddy's is good too.

When it comes to burgers I gotta say I don't have many I really don't like. Some are just better than others.

[YoDoug]

Yea. It's perfect for us. 

When I was in my 20's I ate like a horse. In my 50's I can barely finish a hamburger. My g/f eats like a bird as it is so we were happy to see the additional small portion menu. There are times that we'll go somewhere and split a lunch.

We actually carry a small cooler in the back of the SUV and when we eat out we just split our meals in half. Then ask for togo container for the food and one filled with ice. Then we don't have to worry about getting home right away to keep the leftovers from going bad. I will literally cut my food in half when it arrives and save half for tomorrows lunch.

[Jim at Gentex]

We had an Uno Chicago Grill nearby that my wife and I used to go to quite often.
They closed right after COVID, and it sat empty for a long time.

Now we see it has recently been torn down and a Chili's is being built in its place.
I miss Uno Chicago Grill, but I do like Chili's ribs! 

[Smit]

I miss Uno Chicago Grill, but I do like Chili's ribs! 

If you ever come to the KC area let me know. I'll take you out to get some ribs that will completely redefine how you think about ribs.

:edit: I like Chili's ok, but not for ribs. 

[YoDoug]

As long as we are turning this into a food thread, this is what I had for lunch yesterday at a vegan restaurant called Organically Twisted in Naples FL. Quinoa, black bean and walnut burger with grilled vegan mac-n-cheese, spinach, arugula and red cabbage, pickled onions, avocado, and a garlic aioli. Served on a grilled brioche bun. One of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life. It was fantastic.

[Jim at Gentex]

If you ever come to the KC area let me know. I'll take you out to get some ribs that will completely redefine how you think about ribs.

:edit: I like Chili's ok, but not for ribs. 

Thanks.
I have heard legends about KC barbecue and would love to try some. 

[Jim at Gentex]

As long as we are turning this into a food thread, this is what I had for lunch yesterday at a vegan restaurant called Organically Twisted in Naples FL. Quinoa, black bean and walnut burger with grilled vegan mac-n-cheese, spinach, arugula and red cabbage, pickled onions, avocado, and a garlic aioli. Served on a grilled brioche bun. One of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life. It was fantastic.

I find it humorous that people who detest real meat always try to make the things they eat LOOK like real meat! 

(j/k Doug.  That DOES look pretty good!)

[RobertELee]

As long as we are turning this into a food thread, this is what I had for lunch yesterday at a vegan restaurant called Organically Twisted in Naples FL. Quinoa, black bean and walnut burger with grilled vegan mac-n-cheese, spinach, arugula and red cabbage, pickled onions, avocado, and a garlic aioli. Served on a grilled brioche bun. One of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life. It was fantastic.

$14 and doesn't even come with a side of bacon? Pass 

[YoDoug]

I find it humorous that people who detest real meat always try to make the things they eat LOOK like real meat! 

(j/k Doug.  That DOES look pretty good!)

I don't detest meat, I just know that there is a health cost to eating it and a cruelty cost to animals. If I could have a choice like that burger at every restaurant I would never eat an animal product again.

[RobertELee]

I don't detest meat, I just know that there is a health cost to eating it and a cruelty cost to animals. If I could have a choice like that burger at every restaurant I would never eat an animal product again.

What about the cruelty to the bugs and animals that live in the fields that get killed so you can grow your beans and arugula?