Overrated restaurants

[Lil' Hannah]

Originally posted by seraphimsprite
There's a "mexican" (well at least it tries to be) restaurant here called Lauriol Plaza that's also completely overrated. It falls into the "good, but not worth the two hour wait" category. But I swear they make the wait that long on purpose because everyone just gets drunk on margaritas while they're waiting.

Cactus Cantina on Wisconsin, just north of Georgetown, is run by the same people. I agree that the food isn't that great but nothing beats sitting outside on a nice summer evening with a pitcher of swirly margaritas. The wait there can be long but it's not too too bad.

[kddani]

<-- committing Pittsburgh blasphemy

Primanti Bros. I just don't get why people like it so much.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally posted by kddani
<-- committing Pittsburgh blasphemy

Primanti Bros. I just don't get why people like it so much.

There....are....no....words




(KR is weeping at the sheer beauty of the Primanti's sandwich)

[33girl]

Originally posted by kddani
<-- committing Pittsburgh blasphemy

Primanti Bros. I just don't get why people like it so much.

Are you eating them drunk or sober? If you're doing the latter, that might be the problem. oh and don't get that steak & cheese crap - try roast beef.

(sobbing quietly)

[Jill1228]

KR-My husband would agree with ya on Cheesecake factory. They messed up his food twice in a row so they are on his isht list...

I love the place (but hate the wait)

I love the Outback. Their lamb and their salads are the bomb but I won't even go near the blooming onion (cause it will bloom on my butt and thighs!)

For WW folx, a blooming onion is about 55 points

I think Red Lobster is overrated

I hate chains. Some chains have disgusting food but some are down-right overrated because the food is OK but not fantastic. Some of these restaurants I am talking about have already been mentioned but I believe they need repeating:

1. Outback
2. O'Charley's
3. Ruby Tuesday's (even though I like their stacked brownies)
4. Applebee's
5. Olive Garden (like their bread sticks and that's it)
6. Longhorn (and any Southwestern/Western-style restaurants like Longhorn)
7. McAlister's
8. Dean and Deluca
9. Red Lobster (come on people this is fake seafood trying to act like REAL seafood)

I personally like the non-chain restaurants like:

1. Capri's (it's a semi-chain . . . it's just known in Easley and Greenville, SC) = best Italian EVER!

2. Stax Restaurants (semi-chain because each different Stax is owned by the same family in Greenville, SC)

3. The Beacon in Spartanburg, SC = the BEST $5.00 heart attack in the nation!

4. The Chesapeake House in Myrtle Beach, SC

5. Dino's Pancake House in Myrtle Beach, SC

6. Cagney's in Myrtle Beach, SC

7. The Varsity in Atlanta, GA

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by aephi alum
Le Cirque: I went there once, many years ago (pre-Le Cirque 2000). Definitely overrated, and the dining room was so packed with tables that it had to have been a fire hazard. The woman at the next table brushed me with her hair every time she turned her head. (Granted, this was the era of big hair.) BTW, AchtungBaby, you'd better hurry up - my understanding is that it's closing at the end of this year.

Le Cirque 2000 is closing, and then reopening at a new location. It hasn't been announced when, or where.

[lifesaver]

Macaroni Grill


It used to be descent when they had wine on the honor system, but even then it was weak.

[FAB*SpiceySpice]

Originally posted by lifesaver
Macaroni Grill

I agree with this, my brother's fiance works at Macaroni Grill and she used to bring me food home all the time from there and it was always awful. No matter how many chances I gave this resteraunt, it just never improved.

Also I don't get the fascination my friends have with Quizno's. Every time I eat there (ok it's only been 2 times but still) I end up getting really sick and throwing up. Plus the stuff I ate there anyway wasn't good at all, tasted like crap.

[bucutie02]

Personally, I really like PF Changs and I do not think they are expensive, but to each their own!

There are two I would like to add:

Cheesecake Factory- we had to wait like 2 hours, ended up sitting at a table in the waiting room just to not have to wait any longer- the food was OKAY but nothing out of this world. By the time we were finished with our food- it was so late, that none of us even wanted to eat any dessert. What is the big deal about this place???

The Philly Connection- Food is okay, not the healthiest of foods, and paying about $22- fast food, lunch, and for 3 people is a bit too much for me. If it's fast food- I do not care to pay for more than $5 per meal.

Houston's is a chain restaurant since we have like 2 of them here in Houston, but I have not been there yet.

Restaurants that are worth the money are: Fogo De Chao and Artista!

Artista, Churrascos, and America's are all by the same owner, but America's has to be the worst one because its very expensive, food not worth the money, and they give you tiny portions- for example you order a $30 steak and that is all you get! no sides or anything, those are extra!

[VIOLETGRL24]

The Elbow Room in West Hartford.

[WCUgirl]

Originally posted by bucutie02
Cheesecake Factory- we had to wait like 2 hours, ended up sitting at a table in the waiting room just to not have to wait any longer- the food was OKAY but nothing out of this world. By the time we were finished with our food- it was so late, that none of us even wanted to eat any dessert. What is the big deal about this place???

Okay, you missed the best part of the Cheesecake Factory then! I haven't tried a variety of their cheesecake that I don't like yet!

[Eclipse]

The Cheesecake Factory for the reasons that everyone else said

Pappadeaux. Fake Cajun. Yuck!

Joe's Crab Shack--You would think they were giving away food with the lines. And call me silly, but I don't need my waitress to stop taking my order after I have waited for 2 hours for a table to dance offbeat to "Come on Ride this Train".

Sylvia's in Atlanta--I've never be to the one in New York, but both times I have been to the one here the rice was crunchy and the cornbread tasted just like Jiffy. How are you going to be in the SOUTH and serve that sweet-a$$ cornbread??? Poor excuse for soul food. double yuck!

[abaici]

I love PF Chang's (it's not expensive at all) and Houston's, but oh well.

THE ELEPHANT BAR SUCKS!!! I hate it (still a little upset with family members who took me there against my will when it's been on the DO NOT RETURN list for at least five months). The drinks are great, but the food...eww. Not a big fan of the Cheesecake Factory either (but I love The Grand Lux).

[KSigkid]

Bumping this one up after a recent experience...

A couple of weeks ago (maybe longer than that), I went to The Fireplace. It's a pretty well-regarded restaurant in the Boston area; I got a gift certificate as a present and wanted to try it out.

It was definitely not worth the price or hype. I tried their signature dish, the spit-fire roasted chicken, and it was dry and chewy. The appetizers were fairly normal, nothing to write home about. I had a roasted turkey, and although some parts were good, most of it was dry as well. The only good thing was an appetizer of short ribs, and even those weren't outstanding.

If you're in the Boston area and want comfort food on that level, there are tons of other places to go (Stephanie's, Bob the Chef's, Redbones, etc.). I would recommend skipping out on The Fireplace.