The Shrine

Okay, from now on, I'm going to order the All-American Melt, just so I don't get the Frisco Melt confused with the Patty Melt. I hate that shit.

I like the frisco melt.

What the hell type crap holes do you eat at? Steak n Shake? WTF is that?

I'd put Steak n Shake at, or just below, the level of something like Friendly's or IHOP. Not as bad as fast food, not as good as a mid-level chain restaurant (Chili's, Outback, Friday's, etc.).

A solid "Meh" in my book.

Never heard of it. It has the type of generic name I expect to hear in movies.

It's always interesting when I travel to the States. I see a kaleidescope of different restaurants and shops that dazzle the eye.

And everyone is the same.

We started getting an influx of these stupid chains up here in the last 5 years. I went to Outback, and Montana's and said "Hmmn, just like Kelsey's." I now avoid these places like the plague, and try and find smaller family owned restaurants.

Benny's and Oscar's here in K-W are sooo much frickin better at doing what these boxrestaurants are trying to do. Owned by the same family, they just concentrate on satisyfing their customers. Good food, cheap and fast.

Zeus may know of them.

the Gray wrote:We started getting an influx of these stupid chains up here in the last 5 years. I went to Outback, and Montana's and said "Hmmn, just like Kelsey's." I now avoid these places like the plague, and try and find smaller family owned restaurants.

I like smaller restaurants too but I can say that the Outback's around where I live are excellent. Great food, great service. I've never been displeased at an Outback. That is rare for a big chain though. I really like Silver Spring Mining Co too but I don't think they're really a chain.

I ponied up the big bucks on Mother's Day and we went to a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.... OMG, best steak on the planet. There really is something about eating the top 1% of beef. I didnt think it would be all that different, but it was amazing.

Heh, we have a Ruth Chris's here. (I didn't know it was a chain.) Some say that it's overrated. The absolute best steak house in town is Del Friscos, if you're willing to spend about $25-30 for a steak. They don't give you a knife, and if you ask for one, they'll ask what's wrong with your steak.

As far as small business restraurants, I find that there are some good gems, but a lot of them are total crap. I remember going to a small Greek place, and the gyro was burned, while the steak inside looked like it was cooked on a grill that hadn't been cleaned in months. That's the downside of a restraurant that doesn't get much business. Then there are places like Buca Di Beppo, which I don't think is a chain, but it's an awesome place (to eat and to look at).

If you need to find a good place to eat, just ask a local. Most people should at the very least tell you good places that they heard from their friends, or ones that they've ate themselves.

EDIT: Buca is a chain, my bad. So what? It's still great food and a unique atmosphere.

Well, if you guys are big into italian food and want to come to STL, here are two places I recommend. Favazza's and Cunettos.

the Gray wrote:It's always interesting when I travel to the States. I see a kaleidescope of different restaurants and shops that dazzle the eye.

And everyone is the same.

We started getting an influx of these stupid chains up here in the last 5 years. I went to Outback, and Montana's and said "Hmmn, just like Kelsey's." I now avoid these places like the plague, and try and find smaller family owned restaurants.

Benny's and Oscar's here in K-W are sooo much frickin better at doing what these boxrestaurants are trying to do. Owned by the same family, they just concentrate on satisyfing their customers. Good food, cheap and fast.

Zeus may know of them.

Try Kypreos for breaky. We go there every weekend. I luvs the smaller places, so much better than the chain crap

We're goin to New Orleans for our Honeymoon..so we need some suggestions for there. We'll actually be there over Thanksgiving Day so need something kinda nice to go to. I think that will be the first time Ive ever actually not had thanksgiving dinner at my grandmothers! :shock: