What's your favorite "chain" restaurant treat?

While I love finding unique desserts here and there, I still have quite a few things I like from the chain restaurants and fast food joints. Here are some of my highlights:

Chili's Caramel Apple Tart - an awesome version of the apple crisp ala mode thing, but it has been discontinued. It was a square pastry, covered in sugared apples, a dollop of vanilla ice cream and lathered in caramel. Good memories.

Red Lobster - Key Lime Pie (w/ Raspberry sauce)
Arby's - Cherry turnover (best of the fast food pastries) and the jamocha shake
Boston Market - Hummingbird Cake (try it!)

I haven't been impressed by a good chocolate dessert from any place - any suggestions?

Dearfolk,
Not to have to patronize chains unless I want to or have to... that's my favorite treat there.
Not To Eat Is To Eat, Third Eye Half Blind Ort.
P. S. Mom-and-pop eateries are the cat's pyjamas!!!

Without a doubt, hands down.....A Oreo Blizzard with a shot of blueberry from Dairy Queen! Yummy!

quote:

Originally posted by Ort. Carlton.

Dearfolk,
Not to have to patronize chains unless I want to or have to... that's my favorite treat there.
Not To Eat Is To Eat, Third Eye Half Blind Ort.
P. S. Mom-and-pop eateries are the cat's pyjamas!!!

Ort. I'm with you! Mom-and-pop joints ROCK. Fuggatabout those nasty chains with the frozen pre-cooked jiz (can't call it food). I wouldn't be caught dead (well I might go to the little girls' room in a McD if there aren't any outhouses around) in one of them much less eat there.

I like about everything sweet the Dairy Queen has.

The new stores they are opening in the south are really nice.

I particularly like their ice cream dipped in caramel or chocolate.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Well, now, I'm not one to promote chains...but...there are times (and you ladies understand) when it is 2 am and a girl just HAS TO HAVE chocolate! The jack-in-the-Box chocolate cake and Fatburger's chocolate milkshake will do in a pinch. In fact, Fatburger has great burgers and you have a choice of skinny fries or fat fries.

None, I don't eat at chains! However, there is a local chain here in Rhode Island called Greggs. They have approx 1/2 dozen locations and are known for their desserts. Their carrot cake is just out of this world!

A large strawberry milk shake at DQ.

Ok ... I'm gonna admit that I like (no .... I love) McDonalds French Fries !!! (oops can I say French yet ???? or are we still using Freedom ???) I don't want to go to jail !!!!

I luv them hot and salty !!!!

Is there a 12 step group I can join ???

Desserts can be hot and salty .... NO ???

The desserts at The Cheesecake Factory are to die for.

Yup, a DQ Blizzard, if you please (chocolate with Heath Bars). Although Mrs. i95 would agree with scbuzz and say McDonald's fries.

This topic should be renamed to "What's is your guilty pleasure?" LOL!

Guilty Chain Pleasures: Waffle, cheese n' eggs, and raisin toast from Waffle House and Onion rings and sauce from Hard Times (a local chain that I think is about to expand nationally).

The seasonal McDonald's milk shakes are good. Our favorite is EGGNOG. Luckily they are not available year-round...

I'd probably have to opt for a Cinnabon. It's a clump of sugar, a clump of dough, and cinnamon. What's not to like?

quote:

Originally posted by Phil J.

I'd probably have to opt for a Cinnabon. It's a clump of sugar, a clump of dough, and cinnamon. What's not to like?

Gosh, how could I forget this one. Best time to get one is in the airport when heading out somewhere!!

A DQ Blizzard with chocolate ice cream and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Unfortunately the DQs in town all closed. I have to go to the suburbs to get one.

The Volcano at the Rainforest Cafe! We split one for my son's birthday last month and three people could not finish it!!! At about $12.00, it's a pricey dessert, but a great presentation and fun to eat, especially for chocolate brownie lovers!

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

DQ. Depends on the mood. Peanut Buster parfait, or a butterfinger blizzard. Although, the chocolate with the heath sounds tasty, i've only ever had it with vanilla.

Peanut Buster Parfait - my favorite!

In addition to the Cinnabon I mentioned earlier, I suppose a steak from Morton's or The Palm would rank high if we consider those places to be chains. Or are they considered franchises?

Go with the Porterhouse, cottage fries, and creamed spinach. Or have the 5lb. lobster.

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

Our office party is next monday at the Palm. I've never Palmed before. Any thoughts or ideas about what I should have?

Not that I know of.

No mashed potatoes?

Their cottage fries are well known and loved.

quote:

Originally posted by CheeseWit

Their cottage fries are well known and loved.

Agreed, CW, but I'd still opt for the Palm's scrumptious spuds. We may just part ways on this one, my culinary friend.

I used to like the parsley sprig served with the roast turkey at HoJo's.

I feel your pain, clothier. LOVED HoJo's. Miss the clam strips.

And the ice cream counter at HoJo's was a favorite stop on vacations....

We had a HoJo nearby until about two years ago, when it was razed and replaced by an Applebum's.

Good gosh, it all sounds good...forgot how much goodness they served!

As a lad, I just could not get enough of the buttered rolls. It was fine dining at it's best for an 8-year old.