My Favorite Restaurants

I have had the opportunity to visit hundreds of restaurants over the years, many due to business trips my Dad takes. While I would rather eat at home due to the exorbitant cost of eating out, I still enjoy it.

Cracker Barrel

This ever-popular sit-down restaurant brings country cooking to the city- usually next to an interstate exit. I have probably eaten there over 250 times. My family and I like to stop at it during any trips we take. I usually order fried chicken, french fries, and macaroni and cheese. They serve breakfast too, and I recommend getting their pancakes. They use real maple syrup... in fact 6% of the world's supply.
Service and quality have consistently been very good. Prices are around $8-11 per person. They also have a country store at each of the 500+ locations, which have an interesting selection of unique products.

Five Guys

This is my favorite fast food burger joint. They serve great burgers and fries, and not much else. In fact, if you are vegetarian, stay away from this place, as they specialize in burgers, fries, and to a lesser degree, hot dogs. The only other thing on the menu is drinks. Once I got a burger that was overdone, but otherwise I have been very satisfied with my experience... hmm, I'm starting to crave one right now!

Calhoun's

I have only had one opportunity to eat at this awesome barbecue restaurant, as it is located up in Tennessee, and they only have 5 locations. That's my only complaint about them though. I tried their steak, and with all the side dishes, it was one of the best meals I had. My brother has been there twice, and had their ribs both times- and says they are the best he's had. I wouldn't know, as I don't like pork. But they are the only restaurant I have seen that serves beef ribs... which I hope to try someday. Just be sure to arrive for supper, as the beef ribs are not served till after 4pm. The service and quality were great, but be prepared to pay $10-15+ per person.

Olive Garden

I have ate at Olive Garden off and on at least since I was 6, and have always enjoyed their food, particularly the Lasagna. They serve good bread sticks and even a decent salad (I don't usually care for salad). I also like their fettuccine Alfredo. The main thing that keeps me from eating there is price, about $10-15 per plate.

Longhorn Steakhouse

I think Longhorn is home to the world's best Chili- it is genuine Texas chili- no beans about it! (I also hate beans) They have very good steak and chicken fingers. Also served with your meal is their signature whole wheat bread, which I think tastes as good as homemade bread. Their baked potatoes have a unique taste- I can't figure out if it is a smoky flavor or a steak flavor.
If you manage to have room for desert, try their Chocolate Stampede- it is good but BIG. If you just stick to a bowl of chili and the free bread that comes with the meal, you can get by with a small bill, but otherwise prepare to spend $10-15 per person.

Subway

If you are out for a quick but good sub, Subway is my pick. I normally get the meatball sub with cheese and toasted.

Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and Donatoes

I think Donatoes is the better of the three, but it does not have as many locations, and it actually closed its locations in my area. It has the best pizza sauce. As for the other two, Pizza Hut and Papa John's, I can't pick between them. I just love extra cheese pizza!

Bahama Breeze

I have been here a few times, and they always have good food. I particularly enjoyed their Tilapia (fish) with potatoes and green beans. It was one of the most flavorful meals I have had. Unfortunately, they are pricey, at about $15-20+ per person.

Cecil's Barbecue (Orlando, Fl)

Unfortunately this great restaurant has only a few locations in Central Florida. With out a doubt, it serves the world's best beef brisket, topped with the best BBQ sauce. They serve a variety of meats, and you dip up your own sides, and then pay, usually $8-14 per person. You get free ice cream with a meal, which helps if you got too much spicy food. They do have a website, http://www.cecilsbbq.com.

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday served me the best burger I have ever had, the Triple Prime Cheddar. It was perfectly cooked, and came with good fries. However, it is the most expensive burger I have ordered, at $11.

Cheddar's

I do not have a Cheddar's restaurant nearby but on a recent trip I had the opportunity to eat there. The prices were reasonable ($7-12 per person) and the food was very good. The atmosphere of the restaurant sort of reminded me of Olive Garden. Based on that one meal I would definateley recommend it.

Marietta Diner (Marietta, Ga).

This is another place I was also at during a recent trip. It was featured on the Food Netork show Diners, Drive ins, and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri. Their menu is like a book almost, I have never seen so many choices for one restaurant The food and service was good. They also had a impressive selection of cakes and other dessert starring at you as you walk in the door. I would definiteley go back if I was in the area.

Moonlight BBQ (Owensboro, Ky).

This famous BBQ joint is well known for its mutton. I am not particularly a mutton fan, but I do enjoy their buffet. All the food I got there on my last visit, including chopped beef, Macaroni and cheese, mash potatoes, fish, and rolls were excellent. the buffet was a reasonable $11.

That's Not All

This list compiles my thoughts on some of my favorite restaurants- but of course these are not all. Some others include: Smokey Bones, Wendy's, Sticky Fingers, Famous Dave's BBQ, Hot Dog Heaven (a local hot dog shop), and Goodfella's (a local pizza shop).