What's your favorite restaurant in USA ?

[Krikit 1,163]

when I was in Florida, I was looking for good and not too expensive restaurants. One I found (very well known though), not too expensive and they have quite a nice choice is Olive Garden. Their food is really good and tasty and the ambiance is fantastic !

Are you moving to Florida? If you are, I totally recommend the Pollo Tropical chain. Let us know where you're moving to and I can be more specific. lol

Okay, I am a really really really picky eater so please don't anyone take any comments I make to heart. They're just my personal preferences and are not a dig at anyone else's preferences. (Can you tell I've been on VJ a bit too long? )

Not a big fan of the 5 Guys here in central Florida. The fries were overcooked and tasted like they'd been fried in grease that had never been changed. Ever. The burgers were a disgusting mess. The young woman who whipped out her ####### and breastfed her baby in front of my husband and I while we were eating didn't help any, either.

Cracker Barrel has really great pecan pancakes.

The Outback sucks big time. Our last three attempts at different Outbacks were a complete washout. The third last time we had to send our meals back twice. We ended up only paying for my glass of wine. We only went back the last time because we had been given a free meal voucher in addition to the free meals we received there one night. That time it was not the food. It was a disgusting portrayal of ignorance and racism by one of the employees. The manager couldn't have been more horrified. At any rate, there is definitely a difference between the Canadian and the American Outbacks. I love their chopped salads, though.

The Cheesecake Factory is awesome. I absolutely love their Thai lettuce wraps. It's yummy in my tummy. Not too fussed on their cheesecakes, though. At least the ones I've tried.

Crispers has some good soups and salads. Haven't tried anything else there, though. And some of the Panera Bread Companies are quite good too. There's a bagel place called Einstein Brothers that have an awesome nova lox bagel that I love. Other than that, my favourite restaurant is Sushi Katana.

[Eternal Love 2]

WASABI

it's a fusion of JAPANESE-CHINESE AND AMERICAN CUISINE

it's BUFFET so you have a lot of choices especially sushi...and the price is so cheap... 20 bucks is too much for the two of you!! only here in MT. DORA, FL along SR 441.....5 minutes drive from our house...he he he .i think there is another one in JACKSONVILLE, FL.

Here is my favorite - one with a seaweed and I love the pickled young ginger.

other choices.

1. Sweet Tomatoes - lots of Salad

2. Ruby Tuesday- just the steak

3.POLLO TROPICAL

4. he he he he he he but I really love KFC chicken with mash potato and coleslaw, i love the KFC Buffet in Pembroke Pines, FL.

5. but wait... in GATLINBURG, TENESSEE..they have the PANCAKE PANTRY. http://www.pancakepantry.com/.that's the best restaurant I have been to outside Florida... that when we got home , my wife is craving for panckaes the same as what we tasted there....

[Krikit 1,163]

WASABI

it's a fusion of JAPANESE-CHINESE AND AMERICAN CUISINE

it's BUFFET so you have a lot of choices especially sushi...and the price is so cheap... 20 bucks is too much for the two of you!! only here in MT. DORA, FL along SR 441.....5 minutes drive from our house...he he he .i think there is another one in JACKSONVILLE, FL.

Hey! We're in Mount Dora too!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't seen a restaurant called Wasabi, though. But if it's a buffet I probably won't go in there. Not a big fan of buffet restaurants. Have you tried Mt Dora Sushi? It is horrible horrible horrible! I can't believe it won a prize for being a great place to eat!

My favourite Japanese restaurant is Sushi Katana. It is AMAZING.

[ozone_1974 1]

Are you moving to Florida? If you are, I totally recommend the Pollo Tropical chain. Let us know where you're moving to and I can be more specific. lol

Yes I will be moving to sunny Florida

I've noticed too that the portions they serve in USA are huuuuuuuuuuuuuge, although I LOVE food and can eat quite a lot, I don't know how they are doing to eat all of it at once .. Most of the time I just can't finish my meals .. lol, so we often bring the leftovers back home to eat it later

[Eternal Love 2]

WASABI

it's a fusion of JAPANESE-CHINESE AND AMERICAN CUISINE

it's BUFFET so you have a lot of choices especially sushi...and the price is so cheap... 20 bucks is too much for the two of you!! only here in MT. DORA, FL along SR 441.....5 minutes drive from our house...he he he .i think there is another one in JACKSONVILLE, FL.

Hey! We're in Mount Dora too!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't seen a restaurant called Wasabi, though. But if it's a buffet I probably won't go in there. Not a big fan of buffet restaurants. Have you tried Mt Dora Sushi? It is horrible horrible horrible! I can't believe it won a prize for being a great place to eat!

My favourite Japanese restaurant is Sushi Katana. It is AMAZING.

it's along 441 next to FROGGERS if you're coming from Leesburg or Tavares

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We have several - for chains we like Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel

There are 4 restaurants that are not chains that we like - for Indian food our favourite is in north Atlanta (Sandy Springs area) called Swapna - absolutely the best Indian food ever - and whenever we go we tend to be among the handful of non-Indian customers so we take that as a good indication of the food's quality.

Locally, there is a really nice French restaurant called "Peche" where the food and service are both excellent (Carla, Gene and I had lunch there), a real Mexican restaurant - not Tex/Mex - called Rancheros - and a local restaurant called "Broadway Diner". The Broadway Diner is a mix of American, Greek, Italian and Mexican - meals are all home made, really tasty and nicely presented - and they have a dessert area with 7 layer cakes! They were closed for re-modeling until 2 weeks ago and we have been back twice since they re-opened.

[ozone_1974 1]

but wait... in GATLINBURG, TENESSEE..they have the PANCAKE PANTRY. http://www.pancakepantry.com/.that's the best restaurant I have been to outside Florida... that when we got home , my wife is craving for panckaes the same as what we tasted there....

I LOVE pancakes Oh and Belgium waffles with REAL (of course the Canadian one) maple syrup too

[Krikit 1,163]

Are you moving to Florida? If you are, I totally recommend the Pollo Tropical chain. Let us know where you're moving to and I can be more specific. lol

Yes I will be moving to sunny Florida

I've noticed too that the portions they serve in USA are huuuuuuuuuuuuuge, although I LOVE food and can eat quite a lot, I don't know how they are doing to eat all of it at once .. Most of the time I just can't finish my meals .. lol, so we often bring the leftovers back home to eat it later

Which area of Florida? (Sorry if I seem like a pest..... trying to give you specifics on good/bad places to eat but there's no point in mentioning them if you're not anywhere close to that area.)

Yes, I agree that the portions are HUGE here. We will usually share a meal or have leftovers for the next day. Sushi Katana you get normal portions.

it's along 441 next to FROGGERS if you're coming from Leesburg or Tavares

Hmm. I know where Froggers is. Haven't been there but I've seen it when I go to Albertsons. I'll have to take a closer look next time. LOL

[BermyCat 1]

We have several - for chains we like Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel

There are 4 restaurants that are not chains that we like - for Indian food our favourite is in north Atlanta (Sandy Springs area) called Swapna - absolutely the best Indian food ever - and whenever we go we tend to be among the handful of non-Indian customers so we take that as a good indication of the food's quality.

Locally, there is a really nice French restaurant called "Peche" where the food and service are both excellent (Carla, Gene and I had lunch there), a real Mexican restaurant - not Tex/Mex - called Rancheros - and a local restaurant called "Broadway Diner". The Broadway Diner is a mix of American, Greek, Italian and Mexican - meals are all home made, really tasty and nicely presented - and they have a dessert area with 7 layer cakes! They were closed for re-modeling until 2 weeks ago and we have been back twice since they re-opened.

Mmmmm....I really like Swapna too.

I'm finding it difficult to find good ethnic restaurants around here. I'd love to find authentic Thai and Chinese food. I've heard that I should be looking aroun Buford highway but iIve no idea where that is. The other thing I'm really missing is a real British or Irish pub. I can't figure out why they were so easy to find in Ontario but difficult to find here.

~ Catherine

[ozone_1974 1]

Which area of Florida? (Sorry if I seem like a pest..... trying to give you specifics on good/bad places to eat but there's no point in mentioning them if you're not anywhere close to that area.)

lol np at all Krikit, I will be moving to Tampa

[DeadPoolX 9]

In Houston, I'd say Tony's, Taste of Texas, Pappadeux, Pappa's Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao and the Melting Pot.

[JillA 2]

In Houston, I'd say Tony's, Taste of Texas, Pappadeux, Pappa's Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao and the Melting Pot.

Hugh Hefner and the girls next door go there quite a bit.... or used to go there, before they split up. It looks really good, always wanted to try it. Hmmm wonder if they have one on the east coast *goes to google melting pot*

Ohhhh there's one in Philly! I am going there SOON!!

Edited February 9, 2009 by JillA

[minnew 4]

Well I had Outback Steakhouse for the first time 2 weeks ago....it was okay....nothing too special about it.

Longhorns steak....mmmm....melt in your mouth! By far the best steak I have ever had!!

Olive Garden is another one of my favourites!

There is a place not too far from where my fiance lives....and I think its a local restaurant but I could be wrong....called Amarillo BBQ. So tasty! and of course messy! The cornbread that comes with your meal and your sides is like the size of your meal...no joke... a BLOCK of it!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We have several - for chains we like Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel

There are 4 restaurants that are not chains that we like - for Indian food our favourite is in north Atlanta (Sandy Springs area) called Swapna - absolutely the best Indian food ever - and whenever we go we tend to be among the handful of non-Indian customers so we take that as a good indication of the food's quality.

Locally, there is a really nice French restaurant called "Peche" where the food and service are both excellent (Carla, Gene and I had lunch there), a real Mexican restaurant - not Tex/Mex - called Rancheros - and a local restaurant called "Broadway Diner". The Broadway Diner is a mix of American, Greek, Italian and Mexican - meals are all home made, really tasty and nicely presented - and they have a dessert area with 7 layer cakes! They were closed for re-modeling until 2 weeks ago and we have been back twice since they re-opened.

Mmmmm....I really like Swapna too.

I'm finding it difficult to find good ethnic restaurants around here. I'd love to find authentic Thai and Chinese food. I've heard that I should be looking aroun Buford highway but iIve no idea where that is. The other thing I'm really missing is a real British or Irish pub. I can't figure out why they were so easy to find in Ontario but difficult to find here.

~ Catherine

Hi Catherine,

My husband has a Chinese co-worker who has taken us to some really good Chinese restaurants in Atlanta. I'll ask him to check with her and get some names for you (I think one was the Oriental Pearl in Chinatown and another was at the other end of the mall area from the Oriental Pearl). We have a really good Thai restaurant down here south of the City but I am sure there are others much closer to you. I also have an acquaintance of a friend who runs one of the few real Irish pubs in the area. I'll try to get the exact address for that as well. We haven't been there but have heard wonderful things about it. I agree though, I miss a good Irish/British pub, too.

Edited February 10, 2009 by Kathryn41

[SapphireDreams 71]

We are big fans of all the amazing local places in NYC and surrounding area and rarely go to a chain, but I do really like most chains. Growing up in the suburbs that's what I was raised on! Swiss Chalet and Jack Astor's!

We love love love steak so we often opt for a steakhouse. Some of our faves are Peter Luger's and Wolfgang's. As well, for burgers we go to an Irish pub in his neighbourhood with the #1 rated burgers in NY called Donovan's - they are absolutely to die for...

We actually went on our first date at The Olive Garden in Times Square...that was quite nice. I do like Olive Garden a lot... especially their salad and breadsticks but I haven't been in forever.

R loves Cracker Barrel, but I've never been... we'll need to go check it out.

Fast food places that I love are White Castle and Chick Fil-A. I wish there was a Chick Fil-A near us in NY, when we were n Florida on vacation we ate it like 3 or 4 times in one week, LOL.