...along with El Pollo Loco and other mall-food. The only high point in this article is that Waffle House is staying far, far away.
CHAIN REACTION
REGIONAL FAST-FOOD FAVORITES EYE N.Y.C. By REED TUCKER February 28, 2007 -- WE New Yorkers like to claim our city has the best of everything. And when it comes to museums and $400 bottles of vodka, that's true. Our fast-food choices, however, leave a bit to be desired.
What Gotham seriously lacks is outposts of those beloved regional chains that keep stomachs full and arteries clogged in the rest of the country. Places like Texas' Taco Bueno, Iowa's Maid-Rite and California's In-N-Out Burger remain painfully out of our reach.
While none of those restaurants plan to franchise here, some chains are making inroads into the city. Take L.A.'s Pinkberry, a 2-year-old frozen yogurt empire that is so popular out West, its locations often have lines literally around the block. Rows of cars double-parked outside various locations have even provided a boon in ticket revenue for Los Angeles. "Crackberry," as it's affectionately known, recently opened three locations here in New York, including one a few weeks ago on the Upper East Side.
But that's not enough. We want more - maybe because it's getting close to lunchtime. We decided to check in with six popular regional restaurants to see if they had plans to expand their reach to New York City, so we can all stop wondering.
FATBURGER Where is it: In-N-Out's chief SoCal rival currently operates 86 stores in 15 states.
Why it's worth gaining 3 pounds: The Cali-style burgers, made with fresh beef, put bigger chains like Burger King to shame.
N.Y.C. prognosis: Fatties rejoice! The chain plans to open three stores in Manhattan in the next 12 months. One in Greenwich Village, one in Harlem and one in Midtown. Rapper Pharrell Williams (inset) is a partner in the venture.
BAJA FRESH Where is it: The Tex-Mex chain has 298 locations - including a few on Long Island - in 21 states.
Why it's worth gaining 3 pounds: Think Taco Bell, only, you know, good. And without the rats. As the name suggests, the chain uses fresh ingredients and makes most everything to order.
N.Y.C. prognosis: For now, you'll have to keep running for the border. It's "50/50," says director of marketing Meade Wildrick. "There's a lot of things we're trying to get in place."
WAFFLE HOUSE Where is it: Hundreds of locations stretching throughout the South, Midwest and out to Arizona. The closest to N.Y.C. is in Bethlehem, Pa.
Why it's worth gaining 3 pounds: The ultimate in inexpensive roadside diners (and white-trash chic) caters equally to truckers and drunken frat boys. Perfect waffles and hash browns topped with everything in the pantry.
N.Y.C. prognosis: A spokesperson would only say, "It's not going to happen anytime real soon." Now that's not very neighborly.
CHICK-FIL-A Where is it: 1,300 locations in 37 states, including right across the river in New Jersey. (The NYU student center does have one store, but it's not open to the public.)
Why it's worth gaining 3 pounds: The Atlanta-based company claims to have invented the chicken sandwich, and few can do it better. A whole breast filet is fried in peanut oil then served on a soft white bun with pickles. Truly addictive.
N.Y.C. prognosis: Cluck you, New York. A company spokesperson says Chick-fil-A has no plans to land in the city. The question gets asked all the time, but the company won't go into a market unless it can command a "prominent presence."
EL POLLO LOCO Where is it: The "Crazy Chicken" runs 359 stores, mostly out West, though there are some in Connecticut.
Why it's worth gaining 3 pounds: The chain was founded in Mexico in 1975 and serves chicken marinated in citrus and spices, then grilled. Maybe you won't gain weight after all.
N.Y.C. prognosis: Don't count your chickens yet. Although the chain has no plans for the city currently, it did just sign a deal to open 30 outlets in North Jersey and on Long Island by mid-2008.
FIVE GUYS Where is it: There are 137 stores in 12 states, all on the East Coast.
Why it's worth gaining 3 pounds: The burger stand, which launched in Northern Virginia, serves a simple menu of basically three items: hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. The made-to-order burger has been voted tops by Washingtonian magazine for six years.
N.Y.C. prognosis: High-five! The first city location will open in College Point, Queens, next month, with stores to follow in Manhattan within two years.
On the web:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02282007/entertainment/food/chain_reaction_food_reed_tucker.htm?page=0
