My girlfriends parents are visiting. So that means the yearly trip to some chain "restaurant"

[Arcanetrance]

This time it's outback steakhouse. Anyone been there can give me some suggestions as to what is edible.

[RebelOne]

1. I don't eat beef, but they have a salmon dish that is very good. n/t

[narnian60]

38. I agree about the salmon.

Their dinner salad is also really good-crisp & cold with tasty dressings.

[hollysmom]

2. why not take them to a nice local business.

I have a friend from NYC - I have been showing her that NJ is not the sticks and we have a lot of nice inexpensive local restaurants with friendly owners.

[Momgonepostal]

4. I second this...

Or do they insist on picking the restaurant?

I think some people stick to chains when they're travelling because they don't want to guess badly and pick a place they know nothing about and might not like. Could you make a few suggestions?

[Arcanetrance]

14. As I said they only do chains even when they are home.

When I went to meet them in Texas I was expecting some awesome texas bbq. Instead I got texas roadhouse

[OriginalGeek]

57. lol, omg that is miserable!

Having grown up in Texas i miss good BBQ beef brisket terribly. But I sure wouldn't get any at a Texas Roadhouse.


Outback has always underwhelmed me but I also have family that insist on it. I like that they have tall beers (We can get Yuengling here but not sure if that's everywhere.) and their wedge salad is actually good but you need a couple of em to fill up. Not always on the menu but their fried mushrooms are usually available anyway and they are good.

Be prepared for fat and gristle on their steaks though. Been there probably a couple dozen times over the last several years and can't recall a single time where I didn't get tough parts on my steak. Even filets.

[Arcanetrance]

61. I will say in defense of texas roadhouse they don't pretend to be a bbq place

But yeah I was excited I had never been to Texas and my girlfriend was always telling me about the great bbq and mexican food there. so for bbq they took be to texas roadhouse than for mexican they took me to papasitos which has the honor of being the worst mexican i've ever eaten

[OriginalGeek]

62. BBQ Beef and Tex-Mex

are probably my two favorite foods in the world. I've never heard of papasitos but I left Texas in the early 80s. I had Mexican friends on the north side of Ft Worth and they always took me to the good food. (Which was different from Tex-Mex but only slightly.)

[Arcanetrance]

63. My girlfriend is from the Houston area

I've been to Texas once a year to visit her parents for the last five years. After the first time my girlfriend started actually taking me on little excursions to see different places and try good places. I went to Austin lots of restaurants there and saw Averse Sefira playing some bar. But personally I wasn't blown away by Austin. But I now avoid summer I don't know how Texas was settled before AC

[Arcanetrance]

8. They don't trust independent restaurants as odd as that sounds

The first time they came to visit I took them to this great Mediterranean place and the whole time they were convinced they were gonna be poisoned. So I let them pick from now on I figure it's once a year so I can put up with it.

[Momgonepostal]

13. That's dumb!

They do know locally owned places have to adhere to the same health codes as chains, right?

At any rate, I get it, it's probably easier to put up with a place you don't like than sit through their food poisoning anxiety. Good luck!

[kurtzapril4]

69. Have you ever seen Kitchen Nightmares or

or Restaurant Impossible? It ain't the chain places whose kitchens and dining rooms are filthy. There are so many mom n' pop restaurants, and so few inspectors, that some restaurants don't get inspected once every 3 years, let alone once or twice a year. Chain restaurants uphold standards, people who own the franchise are accountable to a home office, and people from the home office are sent to inspect them at least once a year, in my experience.

I am very pro-local business, but if I walk into a diner and all I smell is grease and see a dirty carpet, I'm out of there. I'm very happy to support my local diners, Tip Top, and Bulldogs.

[Arugula Latte]

71. Carpet in a restaurant is generally a bad idea.

Think of all the crud in there ... yech.

[hollysmom]

18. It could be that they don't trust Mediterranean food because they are not exposed to what it means

Maybe an Italian restaurant.

Maybe they would accept a diner or a world famous restaurant, if you showed them reviews before hand. I took people to the tick Tock Diner that used to be famous for Bounty towel ads, but now is famous for the murder of the owner. The food is pretty goo there and plenty of American style food. I also like to take people to theme local restaurants like a small local airport restaurant that is themed to be world war 2 bunker - with 40's music and antique planes outside and very American food.

[Ptah]

3. If you all maintain an exaggerated Australian accent,

you get a 10% discount, mate.

[Populist_Prole]

5. Why a chain?

Seriously.

[Arcanetrance]

9. It's really long and stupid and really only makes sense in her parents mind but I explained it in a

reply up thread

[Populist_Prole]

11. Aahh, I see. Their loss.

I know some people kind of like that. Not so much for fear of poisoning, but having a very unadventurous palette: ( well done ) Meat & potatoes. Any seasoning other than salt and pepper is a communist plot.

[Arcanetrance]

12. Such a boring life to lead. I love to be adventurous even if I end up disliking what I picked

Atleast it was something different

[Momgonepostal]

6. Here's a link to the menu

http://www.outback.com/menu/

[LiberalEsto]

7. Go to Doll's

It's a nice restaurant right in New Brunswick. I used to go there for lunch many years ago when I worked at the county courthouse. When I got married and had kids, we used to go there for dinner. My grown daughter, who went to Rutgers for a couple of years, still stops there whenever she's in the area. It relocated a few years ago to Paterson Street.

http://www.dollsplacerestaurant.com/

[Arcanetrance]

10. I'll remember it next time I go visit my aunt

[Arcanetrance]

24. Did you ever try white rose system great cheeseburger with Taylor ham

[spinbaby]

15. Stay away from the Bloomin' Onion

You will have indigestion for a week if touch it.

[Arcanetrance]

17. I love onions but that's a coronary waiting to happen

[BainsBane]

41. I've read its the most caloric, fat filled item

Served at any chain restaurant in America.

[Arcanetrance]

42. I'd definitely believe it. But I'm weird I dislike almost all fried foods

With the exception of Italian dogs

[BainsBane]

43. A fried sausage or hot dog?

I've never heard of that. I think some fried foods. I don't go for frying things for the sake of it, like fried Twinkies, Oreos, and crap like that.

[Arcanetrance]

44. Hot dog personally I prefer them to still have the casing others don't

[ksoze]

16. Go to Carrabbas - its' probably next door to the Outback

Better and less crowded - believe both are owned by same group so where on is the other is usually near by.

[hollysmom]

19. Oh you are from New Brunswick - not too far from me

Have you considered taking them to Bahr's near Sandy hook - huge seafood restaurant, very good and great views of the bay. There is also a very good and busy restaurant on the beach in Point Pleasant, Can't remember name now, but it starts with M - and the food is very good and you have a beach view. Plus you get to take them on the board walk which could be amusing.

[Arcanetrance]

22. While I'm from New Brunswick I'm now residing in NYC

I have a feeling convincing them to hop the train to jersey is more trouble than its worth. The only reason they come here is to visit their daughter. They made it clear if they didn't have to they wouldn't leave Texas

[hollysmom]

25. Never mind

There are great places to eat in NYC, but you would know that very much. Too bad about their attitude. I love eating in NY,but I think it is not so much the chain only as not trusting anything in NYC. Your cross to bear, I have friends from Texas and have met their parents. From some areas they are open minded and some others are so small minded, it totally incriminates the American education system.

[Arcanetrance]

26. You're right about it being more them being in NYC

[Populist_Prole]

46. Wow

"They made it clear if they didn't have to they wouldn't leave Texas"

Well that explains a lot. Not Texas as such, but rather an insularity.

Hope it works out well.

[alarimer]

48. That is unfortunately the attitude of far too many Texans

Like no other state I've ever lived in (and I've lived in a lot of them), Texans are especially provincial because, I suppose, they have it crammed down their throats from day one that no place is better.

Still it's a shame to go to New York or vicinity and avoid all the great local restaurants.

I make it a point, wherever I go, even if it's for work, to eat at non-chain places, if I can avoid it. Sometimes I end up a local chains (restaurants that have a few locations) but never national chains.

Still I guess you can't pick your "in-laws", you just have to put up with them, and hope they mostly stay home.

[OriginalGeek]

58. I like to do that too

Any time I'm more than 40 miles away from my home I try to eat someplace I can't get in my city. We are going to Indy next month and I look forward to finding places I never heard of to eat. And Shapiro's. (I've been there once and plan to go back).

[RevStPatrick]

21. That's just sad...

Come to New York City, and eat at Outback.
Can't you at least get them to go to Peter Lugar's?

Oh well, it's not your fault.
Make the most of it and enjoy the Blooming Onion.

[Arcanetrance]

23. The only plus to it is the outback we are going to I know alot of the people cause it's downstairs

From the culinary school I went to

[RevStPatrick]

27. Ha!

I know exactly where you're talking about.
I was having drinks with friends about a week ago across the street at The Storehouse, which used to be The Limerick.

[Arcanetrance]

31. It's always been a point of amusement that a world famous culinary institute is located above

an outback

[RevStPatrick]

32. And there's an Olive Garden...

...around the corner in the same building!

Why don't they let YOU cook dinner for them?
Or is that all wrapped up in the same issue as why they go to chain places?

Make the most of it...

[Arcanetrance]

33. I'm cooking 6 out of the 7 days they are here

But they consider this a night on the town for her mom's bday and giving me a break

[eppur_se_muova]

55. You went to culinary school and they don't trust your choice of restaurants ?

[Arcanetrance]

56. I admit to picking things that are different from what they would normally eat

But I figure with so many types of restaurants in the area why not have them try something they've never had. So after taking them to a place the very first time they came to visit and they never had that type of food and dealing with their constant worry about poison and such. I decided its easier for me to just let them pick whatever chain since that's all they eat at it's only one night so I can suck it up.

[sharp_stick]

28. The steaks aren't bad

the only iffy part is that you have to hope that the guy doing the cooking is actually someone that knows how to cook a steak. Avoid the crust add on's like blue cheese or horseradish they really overwhelm the meat.

Also, my wife actually likes the lamb there. I'm not much of a lamb eater so I'll defer to her on that.

Good luck.

[Bertha Venation]

68. + 1 on the lamb. n/t

[KamaAina]

29. I've heard good things about the Olive Garden

and it's right in Times Square.

[trof]

66. Instigator.

[Populist_Prole]

67. Consider this

My hard right wing father, who, for all his faults always did have good and discriminating tastes when it came to food, has taken a recent liking to Olive Garden, and Red Lobster...and other mega-chain "Foodco" places. He's completely enamored with the Darden Group and their restaurants, most likely because all the fox business news bullshit he always watches tells him they're great. His political views now dictate his tastes.

[MiddleFingerMom]

70. Right wing... Fox News enthusiast -- that almost certainly narrows ALL mindsets... seriously

[Kali]

30. meat and salad, not that difficult

I avoid chains, in fact barely ever eat out - however last winter I had occasion beyond my control to eat at both an outback and a sizzler. the sizzler had better beef. no idea if that is always the case, but I offer it as an anecdote

don't order beer or cocktails unless somebody else is paying, though

[hunter]

34. My parents refuse to visit chain restaurants.

As kids we ate in some amazing places, especially in Europe and Mexico... usually amazing in a very good way, and very rarely amazing in a bad way but good for stories of the "I survived!" sort. We still eat in places like that when we are traveling together.

I don't understand the chain restaurant people. I live in a town that's mostly Mexican. One day I was walking and this Midwestern-looking couple in a rental car stops beside me and asks me where a Mexican restaurant was. I looked at them incredulously, there were at least three I could see from where I was standing. I also figured they stopped to ask me because I was the only white guy they saw.

Then they said, "You know, like a Chili's..."



I directed them to the box store wasteland on the other side of the freeway, but geez, what's the point of traveling if you are going to eat at chain restaurants?

[Arcanetrance]

37. I never conceived eating at a chain my dad always told me you live in the most diverse

parts of the country go try everything you can. We couldn't afford trips to Europe I didn't go until I was 21. But I always made it a point to expose myself to as much as possible living in the New Jersey NYC area.

[hunter]

39. My parents couldn't afford trips to Europe either.

That's never held them back. We went there on a ship and at times were essentially gypsies.

[srican69]

73. Olive Garden for Italian that is so authentic that you would think nonna Maria cooked it for you

[Arcanetrance]

76. My Nonna is named Gilda and nothing at olive garden could be mistaken for her cooking

[Manifestor_of_Light]

50. Chili's. YUCK!

I had beef and cheese nachos. I told them not to put anything real spicy on them. They must have had some weird spice.

I belched all night and felt horrible. almost!!

[Phentex]

35. It's edible. Just salty and not that great, but it's edible...

I'd get a Caesar salad, small sirloin, and side of veggies. For one night, it will be fine.

I have to eat at chains with my friends occasionally and I just make the best of it. Sometimes, I can order lower sodium items but not very often since the stuff seems to be prepared already.

Have fun and let them pay!

[dr.strangelove]

36. I worked there for a few years

Its a solid place, typical for a big chain. The food is good and the kitchen clean. The steaks are not the highest grade, but taste fine. The fish is shipped frozen, as are the lobster tails, so its not as nice as a fresh seafood place. The salads and bread are actually pretty good. The beer is extremely overpriced. Enjoy.

[tavernier]

40. Take them anywhere

And tell them it's a local chain.

[MiddleFingerMom]

45. I don't get this at all. I'm all for local non-chain restaurants when I go out out to eat, but...

.
.
.
... why the HECK is everyone so insistent on FORCING our standards on them
and making them uncomfortable on a vacation/visit.
.
.
They've got an ingrained chain restaurant mindset. You're not going to help
them have a life-changing revelation by MAKING them go where YOU want
instead of where they want.
.
Personally, I rhink it would be rude for a host to do this to his/her guests.
.
You're got a resource here to find out what's not too bad (even GOOD),
so why not utilize that and make it a treat for THEM -- not for you.
.
.
.
IMneverHO.
.
.
.

[A Simple Game]

49. And finally the most sensible post in the thread. n/t

[hunter]

54. I agree entirely (but I still don't get it.)

And it's the same reason I wouldn't ask my parents to go to an Outback Steakhouse even if I wanted to go to an Outback Steakhouse.

And the same reason that for graduations and birthdays we go to the restaurant the graduate or birthday person enjoys... even if it's the Olive Garden.

[MiddleFingerMom]

64. !!!

.
.
.

.
.
.

[The2ndWheel]

77. Probably because it's the internet age

You can get used to having everything be specific and for you. If something doesn't fit quite right, you may get weird about it.

[Flaxbee]

47. Outback has a chopped blue cheese / pecan salad. It's a side salad, but I'll order dinner size

salad and my husband will get one with grilled chicken added.

Haven't been there in about 2 years, but if it's still on the menu, it's actually tasty, if I remember correctly. Was the only thing there I'd eat.

[ZombieHorde]

51. The one I went to had a full bar. nt

[marzipanni]

52. I find this ironic

my son went to several chains, TGIF is one that comes to mind, with his friend, his friend's dad, and step-mom. This was when the boys were in jr. high or early high school, and the boys would stay up late on a Friday or Saturday playing video games, then stay for the night. More than once there was a mad rush to the bathroom during the night, which the two boys gave tragic/comedic reports of the next day.

[truegrit44]

53. I actually just finished eating there about 4 hours ago.......

Not bad, decent steak but grilled and very salty and kinda spicey not sure why it was just suppose to be grilled and grilled shrimp. Like someone said bread and salad is good and the rest was about a 6-7 on a 10 scale.

[Sancho]

59. Blooming onions are good...

But there's enough salt and calories to give you a heart attack in an hour...

[Orsino]

60. The Flo's Filet, or whatever they call it, is great.

A couple times a year, I want meat, and this filet--tell them to hold the seasoning, which I find too spicy--hits the spot. Needs no sauce, but a little Worcestershire is nice.

My wife loves the salmon.

[mithnanthy]

65. We like the mahi gold medallion dish

Yummy and don't forget to try the "forbidden fruitini" an enjoyable cocktail! Happy hour starts early. 2 for one.

[Orrex]

72. You should make a big show of how disgusted you are at their choice of venue

Really lay it on thick, in true DU Lounge style. If you can make them feel stupid and inferior for enjoying a meal of their choice, so much the better.

Let us know how it turns out!

[lunatica]

74. If you wake up feeling like you have a major hangover tomorrow

You'll know you ate something full of crappy chemicals. That was my experience with that restaurant, but it was more than 20 years ago. I haven't been back since. Hell, eating potato chips makes me feel that way now. The crap they feed us now is just that. Crap.

[a la izquierda]

75. Ugh, yuck.

I hate chain restaurants. I thank the gods that my mother-in-law is adventurous and will eat wherever we think is good. And that means NO CHAINS.