What US chain restaurants do you like?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I know that in Thornhill and Richmond Hill they have a Panera Bread, however their prices are less expnensive at their locations across in the United States.

 

[irisesareblue]

My husband LOVES IHOP!!! We can't pass a sign on the Interstate with an IHOP logo without him asking if we can check out yet another one!

My step-daughter loves CiCi's and we ate there twice during our visit last January.

I love Cracker Barrell - can't wait til November and we can go again!

 

[rodeo65]

We also prefer KFC in the US, it is VERY different from Canada's version.

I did not know it was any different and can't stand KFC now compared to when I was a kid. We used to go to the drive in on QEW Bronte and it was awesome! How is the US chain different? Is the chicken less greasy, the breading less mucky? I know there are items you can't get here. I saw an ad once for boneless wings but can't get 'em here.

We like the Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, Cheesecake Factory, Sweet Tomatoes, Waffle House and Applebee's.

Although there is an Applebee's we go to in Pickering/Ajax but there are some differences in their menu. For example in Pickering/Ajax that Applebee's doesn't have the 2 for $20 meal deal they have in the United States and the Weight Watchers items. However my favorite item off their menu is the Fiesta Lime Chicken and in the Pickering/Ajax location you can order 1 or 2 pices of Chicken. In the United States locations you only get 1 piece of Chicken.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bonefish and Carrabbas is awesome too!!

I'm looking forward to trying Cheesecake Factory this trip as well as Bubba Gump Shrimp and I keep hearing about Five Guys burgers so may have to try to find one.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bonefish

Last month when we stayed in Lexington, Kentucky off Interstate 75 we found out there was a Bonefish Grill there off exit 108 which is Man o' War Boulevard, so obviously we had dinner there and when we stay in Lexington this December once again we plan on eating there.

 

[Disney-Chick]

We always eat at Denny's. DF loves it there. We have eaten at IHOP and I enjoyed it. Never done KFC in the states, but im not impressed with McDonald's as they don't have any BLT Bagels for breakfast....mmmm love those!!! I always ask and they never know what im talking about

 

[snickerboo]

My favourite US chain is Olive Garden.

When in FL we always go to Red Lobster. There's one on 192 (I think) right by a big mini-putt and accross from the lobster buffet with the lobster car. This Red Lobster is way better than Canadian Red Lobster, in my opinion. I always order a Pina Colada there because it's a real Pina Colada not a pineapple-flavoured ice drink like you can buy in a pail from Walmart.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I was raised by Wolves .... we like Denny's

 

[rodeo65]

Last month when we stayed in Lexington, Kentucky off Interstate 75 we found out there was a Bonefish Grill there off exit 108 which is Man o' War Boulevard, so obviously we had dinner there and when we stay in Lexington this December once again we plan on eating there.

Great to know, thanks! That will be my next thing to do as soon as my I75 book arrives. I will scout for Bonefish and Carrabbas for our drive down. I wonder if we can push through to KY. Normally we stop either at the bottom of Ohio or just into KY. I can't remember how far in Lexington is.

 

[Susan2771]

Why did they close the Olive Garden here in Canada? Every time we would go, I remembering the locations always being packed! Were they making to much money?

 

[rodeo65]

Why did they close the Olive Garden here in Canada? Every time we would go, I remembering the locations always being packed! Were they making to much money?

Did they close all of them? I thought a couple of years ago there was still one somewhere in the east end?

 

[bankr63]

A smaller chain, actually didn't realize it was a chain until I went to their website, Cantina Laredo. One of the best Mexican meals I've had outside of Mexico. Closest to WDW/US is 8000 Via Dellagio off Sand Lake Road W (about 1/2 mi before S Apopka Vineland on the North Side of the road).

We found this place based on a good review in the Orlando Sentinal. It is a moderate price restaurant, a bit more than Chilis - but much better food. Must have the guac and chips. The guacamole is made right at your table. It is a bit fancier than the chains mentioned here, no real kids menu, but there were a couple of families with young kids when we were there.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Steak N Shake
Chili's
Chick-Fil-A
Sonic
IHOP

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Great to know, thanks! That will be my next thing to do as soon as my I75 book arrives. I will scout for Bonefish and Carrabbas for our drive down. I wonder if we can push through to KY. Normally we stop either at the bottom of Ohio or just into KY. I can't remember how far in Lexington is.

Well there are 193 total exits in Kentucky off I75 and the exit for the Bonefish Grill in Lexington is off exit 108. Also there are no advertisments for it along the way and it's not listed off the restaurant board for exit 108. However if you look up the Courtyard Lexington South/Hamburg Place which is where are staying there on our 1st day of driving and then look up other restaurants located there, it gives the address for the Bonefish Grill. Also should you go there just a warning that the Bonefish is hard to find because it's located in a huge shopping plaza, however if you follow the directions to it then you will be able to find it.

 

[disneyfreak89]

I did not know it was any different and can't stand KFC now compared to when I was a kid. We used to go to the drive in on QEW Bronte and it was awesome! How is the US chain different? Is the chicken less greasy, the breading less mucky? I know there are items you can't get here. I saw an ad once for boneless wings but can't get 'em here.

All of the above. They offer "extra crispy" which makes the white meat (the only kind I'll eat) very moist, tender and juicy, unlike the overcooked, jerky like stuff they serve here, and its not nearly as salty as ours. .....they also offer mashed potatoes/gravy and a really nice (normal) coleslaw, not the glowing neon green guck they serve here!

Lexington, Kentucky off Interstate 75 we found out there was a Bonefish Grill there off exit 108 which is Man o' War Boulevard

Good to know. We stop at that exit to shop all the time.

My husband LOVES IHOP!!!

Forgot to add that one to my list!

We also found a nice mexican restaurant called Qdoba's Mexican Grill on Apopka Vineland Rd. From DTD Disney, once you get to the Crossroads, turn left and its on your left about a mile or so up the road. Very good food, cheap and good portions. www.qdoba.com

 

[rodeo65]

All of the above. They offer "extra crispy" which makes the white meat (the only kind I'll eat) very moist, tender and juicy, unlike the overcooked, jerky like stuff they serve here, and its not nearly as salty as ours. .....they also offer mashed potatoes/gravy and a really nice (normal) coleslaw, not the glowing neon green guck they serve here!

We avoid the nuclear coleslaw too.

 

[glendalais]

I did not know it was any different and can't stand KFC now compared to when I was a kid. We used to go to the drive in on QEW Bronte and it was awesome! How is the US chain different? Is the chicken less greasy, the breading less mucky? I know there are items you can't get here. I saw an ad once for boneless wings but can't get 'em here.

Two words:

That, and coleslaw which doesn't cause one to fall ill when looking at it.

 

[coastgirl]

Aw, c'mon, the neon green coleslaw is part of the whole KFC experience.

 

[rewok]

Applebees, I love the 2 for 20$, the new under 550 calories items, the lunch specials! (and the appetizers, and, ... what do I not love?)

Friendly's, totally not under 550 cal, but the Supermelts are awesome, and they have terrific ice cream.

Chli's, TGIF

Panera Bread, nice salads, when I need some veggies after too many days of American restaurants!

Now you've got me craving these, and I have to wait 2 months until we cross the border!

Have been to IHOP only once (breakfast), and wasn't that impressed, but that might be because we have so many extra nice breakfast places here.

 

[Belle599]

This is a wonderful thread and you all have helped me make a great list to fall back on for our October trip! Thank you to all posters!! Love the dis!

 

[capitalmom]

We love Ruby Tuesday's - especially the salad bar, and they also have some healthy options. For Mexican that's somewhere between fast food and sit-down, we love Moe's - there are a few locations in Canada now, but not nearly enough!!