Dec.29th Poll- RE: FF Chains that are Roadfood Worthy

When I looked at the list I saw many 'chains' I would consider to be be Roadfood Worthy (in the loose definition)! I voted for In-n-Out, but would have included several others as well, Plus, I would add Culver's to the list. We just had a 5 Guys open up within about 20 minutes of our home. We have not tried it yet, but will soon. We love Rubio's when visiting SoCal, and would add Farmer Boys to the list out there in SoCal as well!  I don't do Waffle House..Not because of the food, but their counter stools and booths are designed for 5th graders, not "Mayor-Sized Gentlemen" If I can't sit comfortably I won't go in! We can pass on several of those on the list...Steak-n-Shake no longer draws our attention, same with Perkins and the other 'family restaurants' like Gold Corral and Ryan's. We enjoy Graeter's, but it is strictly an Ice Cream parlor, and we generally do the drive-thru there!
 
  We love to travel and explore those special places that folks like BB and TTM seem to make a living at explaining to us, and I understand those folks who stick to the traditional tight definition of Roadfood (Mom & Pop Places), but our travel often is of the "Hurry up and Get there" nature, and many times that means eating at a conveniently located food-stop...be it a chain, a truck-stop, or a franchise location. The result is that many of the places listed in the poll are indeed "Roadfood Stops" for us when we travel.

Although I am as anti-chain as the next Roadfooder, I will happily eat at some of the places mentioned in the poll, with Graeter's and Original Pancake House at the top of the list.

Around the Mayor's hometown area, there are now nine Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchens.  No trip to Louisville would be complete for me without a stop at one of these places.

Al-The Mayor-Bowen


I don't do Waffle House..Not because of the food, but their counter stools and booths are designed for 5th graders, not "Mayor-Sized Gentlemen" If I can't sit comfortably I won't go in!  
 

Al, the low counter at Waffle House has regular chairs instead of stools.

Thanks for the note, Michael. I haven't seen the chair-counter yet. We will try a couple to see if they are equipped for me!

What are chains in your part of the country may absolutely delight me being from the West Coast.

In n Out and Rubios are everywhere here but I'm sure you can't get a fish taco in all parts of the country.

At some point, chains do become Roadfood.

I watched the football games yesterday from the bar at a chain called World of Wings.  The food was very good, as was the beer. The franchise owner was tending bar, and I had an excellent time.

Marlene,
   You are correct in saying that 'at some point, chains do become Roadfood'!!  Some of the old traditional independents have Franchised out and could be 'chains' in some folks definition of the term.  One near you is Farmer Boys, the Mexican Burger place. The original used to be located on the old 215 just south of March AFB. We stopped there many times when making a Run to the Border back in the 80's! Then they began franchising and at the same time the new 215 freeway was built eliminating the original building. Now there are 40 or so of the stands around SoCal, mainly in the Indland Empire.

   Back here one that has really got a lot of attention on Roadfood.Com is Doe's, The Steak Place. It has expanded to 7 or 8 locations, and so far all the reports I have read say the quality is holding up. I don't mean to compare it to the Burger stand sort of place, but I can't think of a steak place on the west Coast that comes close to the ambience (or lack of it) and quality of Doe's

   I find it interesting that the regional chains seem to remain just that. When they grow enough to be called National...they seem to lose any quality control or hope of maintaining their original identity. We do look forward on our travels to sampling some of the regional FF availble in various parts of the country !!

Dearfolk,
   As a rule, I DO NOT patronize chain restaurants... I eat at one-location, mom-and-pop, mom-and/or/pop-on-the-premises kind of places. I WILL bend to eat at those chain places that allow their various locations a degree of autonomy, but only when I AM FORCED TO do so or go hungry. For this reason, I voted for the last category of vote, which most accurately represents me here.
   Now, if I were travelling, it might be a slightly different matter. No two Maid-Rites that I've been to had anything like identical menus, although the sandwich itself is the unifying factor (of course!).
  In Atlanta, there are enough one-location eateries (including an absurd number that I've never made it to -- yet) to keep me busy from now until St. Swithan's Day and then some... but here in Athens, those places -- especially ones open hours convenient for me -- are few and far between.
  Waffle House? -- I'll eat there only if it is eat there or starve.
   Huddle House? -- A step more autonomy rules there; I'll eat at the one on Prince Avenue here because the staff has been working together for aeons (ever since Edsels, nearly about!), and it's LIKE eating at a mom-and-pop to go there (plus, I always get hugged by someone!).
   Anyhow, there's my zloty's worth.
      Singing "Unchained Melody" As I "Unchain My Heart" And Set Myself Free, Ort. "Free Bird" Carlton in Lord, Lord Athens, Georgia Is Changing.
P. S. My favorite version of "Unchained Melody" is by Al Hibbler. I have it on the 1955 Decca 45.

   I consider a chain roadfood if I can't make it back from the nearest location in one day. Whataburger, Bojangles, Steak N Shake, Sonic, and Culvers are some chains that are roadfood. Soon Sonic will be removed from that list.

the only ones within a day of me are burgerville at about 250 miles and
in and out

clocking in at 140 miles. Both acceptable.

Bill
  I would add my endorsement of the Burgerville 'chain'. First time I ever enjoyed Sweet-Potato Fries was at one of those stands.

I must add 5 guys in Beaverton (just opened)at 300 miles though I would not waste a food stop
in  Portland eating there.

Ok, Let me answer the following question, once and for all.
 
What is Roadfood?
 
The answer is.....Whatever I say it is! Or whatever The Mayor says it is!  Or whatever Ort. Carlton says it is!
 
See what I'm getting at.  I have been enjoying Roadfood all my life and I only found this site about two years ago.  So to me, it's not how the Sterns or anyone else defines Roadfood Worthy.  What's important is that a place is ROGFOOD Worthy.    I like to try a wide variety of food places and roadfood.com gives that to me, along with a great cast of characters.  As for the topic at hand, the only place I tried was Five Guys.  I didn't like it so I voted Bah Humbug!
 
If you are looking for disagreement, you can find it anywhere in life.  You could disagree with the car I drive or the way I comb my hair.  Far to often people post about what they don't like.  Tell us what you do like.    Some local chains are great, especially when they make an effort to buy as much as they can locally.  Whenever I'm in Waltham, Ma. I always stop at The Chateau.  It's a local chain serving fantastic food. 
 
And if Michael Hoffman says Waffle House is Roadfood.  Case closed, It's Roadfood. 
 
 
 

Al,

Funny that you mention Farmer Boys.  I saw and drove through my first one the day before Thanksgiving.  

I was on my way to Palm Springs to join my family for Thanksgiving. I forgot a certain can opener that I told my mother about so I exited the I10 in Fontana when I saw a Walmart.

Walked in and out of the Walmart but when I saw the Farmer Boys in the same parking lot it hit me that I hadn't had breakfast when their sign definitely said "Breakfast."

I didn't realize it was a chain but it sure looked like one.  I also didn't take it for a Mexican Burger place.  I was thinking the Coffee people opened it up.

I had a breakfast burrito which was like nothing I'd hever had.  I'm not a big chain fan, but I'd sure go back for another burrito but tell them no chili!

Even though it was fairly close to home, I'd still call it roadfood.

And what about my beloved .99 cent Checkers burg?
That is roadfood on the run. Or, was it roadfood that gives you the runs?
Whatever! I like them.

Maid Rite for my vote, although Jim's Ribs is getting close to being a chain.

Hello All,
There were only 3 chains on the list that exist in my area.
I had not heard of most of them, but I am just a country
rustic and still consider fast food restaurants  fancy city
bordellos of erotic, I mean, exotic food.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

Burgerville is committed to sustainable food, uses only local ingredients from the Pacific northwest and provides excellent burgers, salads, fish and breakfast meals. it is the epitome of roadfood and belongs on any list of great roadfood establishments.
     The Original Pancake House is a fine place to eat breakfast and serves high quality food. I have eaten at the original Portland location many times and the Oak Park, illinois branch. First rate quality, local control, roadfood most definitely.
   In N Out is a quality burger(especially Animal style) and a must stop for the Chips family when we are near one. I think they are roadfood because the quality is high and they are regional in nature.
    Waffle House defines the American south for me and I enjoyed visits to them in Arizona as well. I like the  hash browns and raisin toast as exemplars of regional food and Trudy once found a place to get my haircut in Erlanger, Ky by asking  the manager. I also remember eating in one just over the Mississippi line in Horn Lake while visiting  Memphis. The whole Waffle House experience makes it  roadfood for me.

Chains are not roadfood by the Stern's definition on the home page. Saying that, I don't necessarily avoid chains or deride them. I frequently eat at them especially Culvers since they are the closest chain to my house. McDonalds and Starbucks are beacons of reliable comfort and convenience in our RV travels. I do intend to seek out a Waffle House, Krystal, In and Out and any other chain I've never been to, but more out of curiosity and experience. They just aren't roadfood in the spirit of the concept and definition.

I didn't realize that the Original Pancake House was a chain.  They do a pretty good job of hiding it and get my vote.

Joerogo - good answer! I agree, roadfood is whatever your definition of it is.  One of our favorite things to do is to try different chains that we don't have here in CT when we travel elsewhere (some of my faves....In and Out, White Castle, and yes, Waffle House!).  We've recently had a Counter Burger open here, I understand it's a CA chain, and they have a nice burger, so occasionally we indulge.  I also like a chain called Baja Fresh - they'd actually cook your food to order, but unfortunately didn't last around here.

It's true, in principle Jane and Michael Stern reject chains.  But we do want to point out that every one of the chains listed in the current poll have received a favorable writeup by JMS at one time or another.

That's not to say that at this moment they necessarily endorse all, or even any, of these chains (you'd have to ask them); it's just that they saw fit at some point to write favorably about these particular chains.

What they all have in common is that they are regional chains that to some degree express regional tastes in food.  It's probably also true, on the other hand, that whatever these chains do well, some other independent restaurants in the region can do better.

I picked Maid-Rite.  Not only are there no Maid-Rites around here, I don't think that there is a loose-meat sandwich to be had within a thousand miles.  Maybe further.  And, I have never seen nor had one.

JRPfeff


I didn't realize that the Original Pancake House was a chain.  They do a pretty good job of hiding it and get my vote.

me either. Didn't know it started in Portland. I guess I have to add it to the list I wouldn't stop at, as there are too many other places to explore when I'm there.

Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle


It's true, in principle Jane and Michael Stern reject chains.  But we do want to point out that every one of the chains listed in the current poll have received a favorable writeup by JMS at one time or another.

That's not to say that at this moment they necessarily endorse all, or even any, of these chains (you'd have to ask them); it's just that they saw fit at some point to write favorably about these particular chains.

What they all have in common is that they are regional chains that to some degree express regional tastes in food.  It's probably also true, on the other hand, that whatever these chains do well, some other independent restaurants in the region can do better.

 
Well said.  I would not stop eating at Frank Pepe's just because they opened other locations.
 
 

Joe I like your designation of 'ROGFOOD'.  And Field, I think I want whatever fast food you're having. :)

Al/Mr. Hoffman--do you guys not have booths at your Waffle Houses?

I also like Bojangles, and I'd mention Chick Fil A and Zaxby's but those are both mainly in the South, and not exactly Roadfood worthy.  They'll just do nicely in a pinch.  But CFA in particular is square with the regional taste argument.

Nancypalooza



Al/Mr. Hoffman--do you guys not have booths at your Waffle Houses?

All the Waffle Houses I know of have booths. In fact, I got to sit in one recently with my grandson and his wife. But other than that once-a-year sort of thing when he's home I always sit at the counter -- usually the high counter -- because I don't want to take up a booth that someone else might need.

 
 The Waffle House locations we have tried have booths, but the tables always are 'non-adjustable' and the sitting space is usually designed for a small person. I have used a loose chair to sit at the aisle-end of a booth now and then. In some stores this causes a problem for the servers and other aisle users.

I usually have to sit at counters at Waffle House because the booths aren't big enough for my gut.
      The Rubio's that used to be in Portland had an article by the Sterns prominently displayed on a wall near the ordering area. I liked Rubio's, love to stop at their San Diego airport location but have since found other fish tacos I like better and have not seen much of them since their location near where I live closed.
      Runza provided some interesting cuisine while i was in Nebraska and some of the better food options on I-80.
     All these chains seems best when regional in character and I'm  curious to visit 5 Guys Beaverton, Oregon location.

mrchips-
I have found the Rubio's chain can be very inconsistent.  The original location in San Diego was still terrific as of October 2007, but some other Rubio's I have tried (both in San Diego and elsewhere) were not good.  The one at Petco Park was especially bad.

buffetbuster


mrchips-
I have found the Rubio's chain can be very inconsistent.  The original location in San Diego was still terrific as of October 2007, but some other Rubio's I have tried (both in San Diego and elsewhere) were not good.  The one at Petco Park was especially bad.

I was disappointed with the fish taco I had at a Rubio's in Huntington Beach.  After reading reports about the San Diego location(s), I had high hopes.  Stale corn tortilla, limp cool fried fish.  Bleh.
 

 
 

For the most part we New Englanders were left out of this poll. We don't have any of those listed in our area although 5 Guy's have recently started to filter in to the region.
We do have Kelly's Roast Beef a chain now, and Boston Chicken both worthy of stopping at in a pinch.
 As Al points out if I were traveling I wouldn't hesitate to visit a chain listed for convience, but I wouldn't seek one out. Hooters that's a different story. Chow Jim

There are a restaurant few chains out there that our worth our patronage.  Most of the time you can usually find one or two items that a chain does well, but it's hard to find one that does one well across the board.

For the across-the-board category, based on my experience, I would have to say that the Long Horn Steakhouses have earned that distinction.

And for smaller chains, of course, Doe's Eat Place, is a winner hands-down.

I could think of some others, but those two come immediately to mind.

When it comes to a chain, It depends on what you want, how hungry you are, and what you'll put up with.

MiamiDon

buffetbuster


mrchips-
I have found the Rubio's chain can be very inconsistent.  The original location in San Diego was still terrific as of October 2007, but some other Rubio's I have tried (both in San Diego and elsewhere) were not good.  The one at Petco Park was especially bad.

I was disappointed with the fish taco I had at a Rubio's in Huntington Beach.  After reading reports about the San Diego location(s), I had high hopes.  Stale corn tortilla, limp cool fried fish.  Bleh.
 

 
 

wow! That doesn't look very appealing. Sort of like a McD's filet o fish on a tortilla.

OK, I admit it! I prefer roadfood, but if I"m on a long drive and a limited exit highway, I have been known to stop at the Arches for a large french fries and a Coke.  (If they ever switch to Pepsi, I"m outta there!) I do the drive-thru only since I'm in a hurry, but I gotta say, I do like those tasty fries, although less so now that the Vegi-types made them change the oil

There is a Pancho's in Mesquite Texas that makes a real good Green Chile Stew, and sometimes has some good Stuffed Bell Peppers. Pretty much everything if good.

Not all Pancho's are this good though.
Joe

joerogo
Ok, Let me answer the following question, once and for all.
What is Roadfood?
 The answer is.....Whatever I say it is! Or whatever The Mayor says it is!  Or whatever Ort. Carlton says it is!

 
Joe,
   I feel honored beyond words. Thank you immensely.
      Seriously, Ort. Carlton in Stellar Athens, Georgia.

Fieldthistle
... fancy city bordellos of erotic, I mean, exotic food.
Take Care, Fieldthistle

 
Oh, Our Beloved Fieldthistle,
   You are a poet beyond words.
   But you overlooked one thing... if you had said "enotic" instead, it would be using some sort of weird botanical term that I have long forgotten. I once referred to a woman friend of mine who worked her way through college as a stripper (!!) as an ENOTIC dancer, and she thought it was incredibly funny... she even got the joke! (Dadgummit, now I can't begin to remember what "enotic" means, as I said... I must be getting senile mumblemumble....
      Absently, Ort. Carlton in 30601-Land.

 Made it to Five Guys new Beaverton, Oregon location and the Chips family was quite impressed. I loved the free peanuts and Trudy loves her meat well done so she was quite happy with the burgers. The fries were good though i find it a touch snooty to put the home town of the potatoes on a message board. The  double cheese was filling. Trudy and I thought it better than In N out and Burgerville but Trudy did not like what she was sure was velveeta on her burger. I was surprised I liked it so much and Sam wants to know when we can return again.

I wrote this for my website a while ago.
Let's read it together (new notes in red):

GREGG's APPROVED CHAINS
Overall, STAY AWAY FROM CHAINS.  BUT, there are a number of chains that are okay.  In no particular order ...
- Steak and Shake
- Farmer Boys
- White Castle
- El Pollo Loco
- Z Tejas ... It has been a while ... Catfish beignets.  I like them far more than the PF Changs that always seems to be next door.
- Bucca de Beppo  WEB
- Skyline Chili
- Original Pancake House
- House of Blues ... HOB has gone more and more downhill with every visit lately.  They should now be off my list.

- Boston Market
- Pappa-(anything)  WEB
- Bertucci's ... I hear they are going downhill as they get corporate.

I suspect, if I thought about it I'd be able to add a few more ...

Maybe:
- Waffle House
- Stonewood Grill (although I have not been there yet, I trust those who have.)
- Taco Del Mar
- Longhorn (I trust Ellen).

I had my first Gold Star Chili the other day and won't be adding it.

I hear that Pollo Loco is now baking their chickens and only finishing them up on the grill.  I haven't been since hearing this but it might make a big difference in overall taste and texture.

I hope I heard wrong.  It's a chain I've always liked.

Roadfood-worthy chains, huh? Let's see.... Waffle House ( breakfast ONLY ), Huddle House ( same as WH ), Lone Star Steakhouse, Gold Star Chili, Skyline Chili ( much better than Gold Star ), Red Robin, Steak n Shake, Runza, Biscuitville, Hardee's ( breakfast only ), Tudor's Biscuit World ( the " pintos n' cornbread with fried potatoes and onions " lunch is a very KY / WV regional dish ), Zel's Roast Beef, Famous Dave's ( unless non-chain BBQ is nearby ), Red Hot & Blue
( same as Dave's ), Portillo's, Schoop's, Lee's Famous Recipe ( better than KFC, that's for damn sure ), O'Charley's... and that's about it.

wheregreggeats.com


I wrote this for my website a while ago.
Let's read it together (new notes in red):

GREGG's APPROVED CHAINS
Overall, STAY AWAY FROM CHAINS.  BUT, there are a number of chains that are okay.  In no particular order ...
- Steak and Shake
- Farmer Boys
- White Castle
- El Pollo Loco
- Z Tejas ... It has been a while ... Catfish beignets.  I like them far more than the PF Changs that always seems to be next door.
- Bucca de Beppo  WEB
- Skyline Chili
- Original Pancake House
- House of Blues ... HOB has gone more and more downhill with every visit lately.  They should now be off my list.

- Boston Market
- Pappa-(anything)  WEB
- Bertucci's ... I hear they are going downhill as they get corporate.

I suspect, if I thought about it I'd be able to add a few more ...

Maybe:
- Waffle House
- Stonewood Grill (although I have not been there yet, I trust those who have.)
- Taco Del Mar
- Longhorn (I trust Ellen).

I had my first Gold Star Chili the other day and won't be adding it.

Not bad Greg, but you forgot Culver's.

Jim

My lousy memory!! I forgot a really good chain that I definitely consider to be roadfood: the K&W cafeteria chain based down in Winston-Salem NC. Roughly 40 locations in the Carolinas and Virginia, plus one in Bluefield WV. Big handsome cafeterias with great food - I never make one of my twice-a-year roadtrips down to Tarheel-Land without at least one meal at K&W. Recommended!!! 

wheregreggeats.com


I wrote this for my website a while ago.
Let's read it together (new notes in red):

GREGG's APPROVED CHAINS
Overall, STAY AWAY FROM CHAINS.  BUT, there are a number of chains that are okay.  In no particular order ...
- Steak and Shake
- Farmer Boys
- White Castle
- El Pollo Loco
- Z Tejas ... It has been a while ... Catfish beignets.  I like them far more than the PF Changs that always seems to be next door.
- Bucca de Beppo  WEB
- Skyline Chili
- Original Pancake House
- House of Blues ... HOB has gone more and more downhill with every visit lately.  They should now be off my list.

- Boston Market
- Pappa-(anything)  WEB
- Bertucci's ... I hear they are going downhill as they get corporate.

I suspect, if I thought about it I'd be able to add a few more ...

Maybe:
- Waffle House
- Stonewood Grill (although I have not been there yet, I trust those who have.)
- Taco Del Mar
- Longhorn (I trust Ellen).

I had my first Gold Star Chili the other day and won't be adding it.

Boston Market?  It's hard for me to get very excited about anything there, and I have had a couple of bad experiences.  I'm glad it's there, a mile from my house, but there is nothing that I relish on the menu.
 
 

I personally love a small chain of chili parlors in the DC metro area called Hard Times Cafe.  I have heard the quality of the food varies from spot to spot, but the Woodbridge, VA one is awesome.  I love their Terlingua Red chili (served chili parlor style--no beans) on anything from chili nachos (with raw jalapeno and fresh pico di gallo) to a "Chilichanga", a large flour tortilla stuffed with choice of chili & cheese, served with the same pico di gallo and fairly fresh tortilla chips.  They also have a great burger, spectacular onion rings and great chili dogs (including half-smokes, which I discovered recently and will dearly miss now that I'm on the west coast)

They would definitely be roadfood if they didn't have 5 or 6 other locations, I;m sure.  www.hardtimes.com

Ort. Carlton.

Fieldthistle
... fancy city bordellos of erotic, I mean, exotic food.
Take Care, Fieldthistle

Oh, Our Beloved Fieldthistle,
   You are a poet beyond words.
   But you overlooked one thing... if you had said "enotic" instead, it would be using some sort of weird botanical term that I have long forgotten. I once referred to a woman friend of mine who worked her way through college as a stripper (!!) as an ENOTIC dancer, and she thought it was incredibly funny... she even got the joke! (Dadgummit, now I can't begin to remember what "enotic" means, as I said... I must be getting senile mumblemumble.... Absently, Ort. Carlton in 30601-Land.

Fieldthistle; Dearfolk,
   Upon accessing a really good dictionary, I find that "enotic" refers to enosis, which is "union; specifically a movement designed to secure the union between Greece and Cyprus."
   Since that enotic dancer was of Greek ancestry, it must have hit home. My cornucoptic apologies to all the sadly-wronged botanists out there, including my late father.
   Next I'll consult before I peck and chirp.
      UnSlavically Doublecheckfully, Ort. Carlton in The Ever-Amazing Athens, Georgia.

I must be the only one that likes Checkers.
Two can dine for 99 and take turns sharing the teeth.

In Los Angeles we have several Campos Mexican restaurants.

For the most part their food is so - so, but they have amazing guacamole burritos.

Bruce and Sue..I agree it is harder for a chain to do it better because for one thing they have so many more opportunities to do it worse.  But, if a chain can do it and there's a few who can, then I think it should be recognized for that effort...Even on roadfood.com. 

I've always had good luck and consistancy in eating at the places I've mentioned on this site over the years..Houston's, J. Alexander's, Cheesecake Factory,  Carrabba's,  Dustin's, etc.  I'm leaving a few more out...

No, none of them are fast food chains.   I too, only eat at them if I have to and then I really get pissed off I had to!   But, I will give McDonald's some credit for having a decent and very reasonable breakfast.  The one meal where their quality is ok with me. 

I think they use an excellent sausage patty and their eggs are fresh, the English muffin is ok.  Even the pancakes are ok with me. Coffee is ok, too.  It's when they start with lunch that I have to say no thank you.  The meat these guys use...Jeez .  OOPS...There is one exception....WHITE CASTLE.  No, I can't explain it

Baah Ben


I think they use an excellent sausage patty and their eggs are fresh, the English muffin is ok.  Even the pancakes are ok with me. Coffee is ok, too.
 

 
I find McDonald's sausage patty totally lacking in flavor. I really like their coffee, though. But about their eggs:
 
Fresh? No. Liquid? Yes.
 
From McDonald's:
 
"Scrambled Eggs (2):
Pasteurized whole eggs with sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric acid and monosodium phosphate (all added to preserve color), nisin (preservative). Prepared with liquid margarine: Liquid soybean oil, water, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, salt, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservative), artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene (color). CONTAINS: EGG AND SOY LECITHIN"
 


 

Oh Oh.................................no Egg McMuffin for me this morning!

DougS
I must be the only one that likes Checkers.

DougS; Dearfolk,
   Choose your poison herein:
   1) Checkers I liked just fine; it was Richard Nixon I couldn't stand.
   2) I play pretty badly, but maybe we can get together sometime and play a game or two.
   3) If the supermarket would hire a couple of new ones, I'd enjoy going there more.
      Checking My List And Making It Twice, Ort. Carlton, Going Backwards in Athens, Georgia.

Checker's is Rally's, the whole operation is pretty much identical between the two. we have the Rally's version here in Louisville, but I have seen Checkers as far North as Tennessee. Strictly a drive-thru or walk-up-outside Burger stand. Some have picnic tables, some don't.
   We will stop at Rally's when time is important or it's directly on the way to somewhere else for us.

Hey Michael:

When I get their Sausage Egg McMuffin ( 2 for $2 dollars) the white is clearly separated from the yolk so how can that be a liquid egg?  I've opened the english muffin up many times and actually what I don't like is the yellow yolk is almost cooked like a hard boiled egg, but it is distinctly separate from the egg white.  The texture sure seems like an egg that has been placed in some sort of round mold and then fried to a timed doneness.

What gives?  Maybe you are kidding around or just stirring it up as usual?  If want to trash Mickey Dee's..Hey, be my guest, but I sure think I've been eating a fresly made egg in my Sausage Egg McMuffin.

I respectfully disagree with you on their sausage.  One of the best pattied versions excluding a hand made version, of course, IMHO. 
 
But, let's stick to the eggs.....

Baah Ben


Hey Michael:

When I get their Sausage Egg McMuffin ( 2 for $2 dollars) the white is clearly separated from the yolk so how can that be a liquid egg?  I've opened the english muffin up many times and actually what I don't like is the yellow yolk is almost cooked like a hard boiled egg, but it is distinctly separate from the egg white.  The tectuire sure seems like an egg that has been placedin some sort of round mold and then fried to a timed doneness.

What gives?  Maybe you are kidding around or just want to trash Mickey Dee's..Hey, be my guest, but I sure think I've been eating a fresly made egg in my Sausage Egg McMuffin.

I respectfully diagree with you on their sausage.  One of the best versions IMHO.  But, let's stick to the eggs...

Look a little more closely at my post.
 
"Scrambled Eggs (2):"
 
It was about their scrambled eggs. The eggs they use for the McMuffins are cooked in a Teflon ring to get the shape, and they come from actual eggshells. Several years back they used a different product for their McMuffins. The eggs came fully cooked in a long tube (I have no idea how it was done, but there was yolk down the center and white all around the yolk) and they were sliced and heated to order.

Michael Hoffman

Baah Ben


I think they use an excellent sausage patty and their eggs are fresh, the English muffin is ok.  Even the pancakes are ok with me. Coffee is ok, too.
 

 
I find McDonald's sausage patty totally lacking in flavor. I really like their coffee, though. But about their eggs:
 
Fresh? No. Liquid? Yes.
 
From McDonald's:
 
"Scrambled Eggs (2):
Pasteurized whole eggs with sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric acid and monosodium phosphate (all added to preserve color), nisin (preservative). Prepared with liquid margarine: Liquid soybean oil, water, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, salt, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservative), artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene (color). CONTAINS: EGG AND SOY LECITHIN"
 


 

I do like the McDonald's breakfast sandwiches when on the road, but I do not like to yellow folded egg.  so, I just ask for a round egg on any sandwich I order, then I get a real egg, not a folded yellow rubbery egg thing.

One other chain that has been written about by the Stern's is Capt'n Benny's. I believe there are several in the Houston area and i ate at one when i visited Austin last fall, Decent oysters and beer but not  as good as the Acme oyster bar in new orleans or Pal's Shanty in Portland, Oregon.

mr chips


One other chain that has been written about by the Stern's is Capt'n Benny's. I believe there are several in the Houston area and i ate at one when i visited Austin last fall, Decent oysters and beer but not  as good as the Acme oyster bar in new orleans or Pal's Shanty in Portland, Oregon.

I wouldn't consider that a chain.  4 in Houston and 1 in Austin I think.  All owned by family.  I haven't been in several years but I always thought they were pretty good, much better than any fast food seafood place I've ever been too (LJS, Capt. D's, etc).

When did the Stern's comment on it?

dexmat-
It is reviewed in both the 2008 and 1992 Roadfood books.