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The Keg 

Waffle House

That would be another exception for my "I hate chains" list, but only when I'm on the road and can't reasonably find anything better.

I've also "dined" at Huddle House a few times; that's okay too.

For those who don't have them nearby, Waffle House and Huddle House are 24-hr glorified coffee shops/bare-bones restaurants, not really what I'd call a real restaurant. Both cater to the Southern love of "breakfast 24 hrs," both have been around a while (WH is "since 1955" or so), examples of both are typically found dead close to major highways, and neither pretends to be anything other than what it is.

The classic Waffle House menu can be found here, no prices though (too bad; it's pretty cheap):
http://www.wafflehouse.com/menupdf.htm
(Preview can't deal with it, but Acrobat can.)

On the East Coast, the farthest north I've seen a Waffle House is on I-95 in Maryland.

Mmmm.  The Keg.   

Did I miss it or did no one mention applebee's yet.

Fun fact: Waiters almost uniformly refer to that place as Scrapplebees.

For sure. Why put even the least bit of imagination and effort into where you eat? Shoveling down food selected by test markets, approved by accountants at HQ, and made by minimum wagers who don't dive a smurf is really where it's at.

For sure. Why put even the least bit of imagination and effort into where you eat? Shoveling down food selected by test markets, approved by accountants at HQ, and made by minimum wagers who don't dive a smurf is really where it's at.

See what I mean? Hilarious!

I'm placing my vote from Canada, but some may be found in the US too:

Quizno's Subs - mmmmm, a zillion times better than sucky Subway!  Best sandwiches I've ever had.  Yum!

Amato's Pizza - there are three in Toronto that I know of, perhaps more elsewhere.  Anyway, consistently awesome pizza, the slices are a quarter of a large pizza and are cheap!  You can choose from a dozen different kinds, all sososo good.

East Side Mario's - They claim to be an American-Italian Eatery, serving what you'd find in the italian section of New York City.  Anyway, they have yummy italian food, big portions, good prices.

I'd also like to mention 7-11 because they have Slurpees, and Slurpees are yummy.

Pollo Tropical (good local style food)

I've been told that this chain isn't known as "Pollo Tropical" north of approx. Ft. Lauderdale. It's called "TropiGrill" or some lame-ass name like that, I assume on the theory that most Americans would butcher the word "pollo". But yes, I like it too.

I'm not much of a restaurant-goer, so I'm not sure I necessarily have favorites among the chains. I like Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill. Can't say I frequent other chains much. I'm a little surprised, though, that no one's mentioned Hooters yet. 

Waffle House

That would be another exception for my "I hate chains" list, but only when I'm on the road and can't reasonably find anything better.

I've also "dined" at Huddle House a few times; that's okay too.

For those who don't have them nearby, Waffle House and Huddle House are 24-hr glorified coffee shops/bare-bones restaurants, not really what I'd call a real restaurant. Both cater to the Southern love of "breakfast 24 hrs," both have been around a while (WH is "since 1955" or so), examples of both are typically found dead close to major highways, and neither pretends to be anything other than what it is.

The classic Waffle House menu can be found here, no prices though (too bad; it's pretty cheap):
http://www.wafflehouse.com/menupdf.htm
(Preview can't deal with it, but Acrobat can.)

On the East Coast, the farthest north I've seen a Waffle House is on I-95 in Maryland.

NO ONEmakes a bacon and cheese omelet better. I go there for one of those with hashbrowns for lunch every Friday.

Puerto Rico
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Pollo Tropical (good local style food)

DAMN... that's funny considering its owners are cuban. But yeah... it's the closest thing to a local chain food restaurant in the island. I eat there since I hate all burger and fried chicken joints.

No other restaurant can make hashbrowns or an omelet like Waffle House.  I love that place, strictly for the food, but I am giggling about the rich ladies who have been eating there at lunch when I am there and discussing the money they spent on their shopping spree they just had.

WH's are everywhere here. Especially now in the richest areas because all the snobs think it's hip.

I have lived in small towns all my life so I dont know to many so there have got to be better ones than I know.

Arbys. mmm, their original sandwich is ooohh sooo good. dont know about the others, the original is the only one iv'e had.

iHop - When we went on vacation we went there like 3 times for breakfast because of their great deals. They had some sort of all you can eat pancake deal for like 2 bucks so it was great! Good syrups too!

Subway is good but those quiznos 'wiches sound really good.

The only place my wife and I eat at is called Newport Bay Restaurant. There are a few of them here in Portland. They have the best steaks and seafood I have ever eaten.

   

I have eaten there.  Real good food.  But to spendy for me.  All I wish that flying pie was national(best Pizza in the world).  Or the Rhinelander (sp?).  Now that is food.

If I had to pick a national place it would be Damon's