Meanwhile...Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, etc. laugh maniacally as they mow down the competition. I will never understand the enduring appeal of that overpriced junk, but you can’t deny the full parking lots.
re: those chains. I occasionally endure them. Both Outback and Longhorn have a relatively low priced option with a 6oz steak. I think they follow the rule of having a menu choice which keeps the loyal customers coming back, then have choices that entice them to spend more.
Yeah, that's a real mystery. I get all the fresh lobster and oysters one can eat at the summer house in Maine, and for the rest of the year, the lady friend can cook pasta and I can grill steak better than any restaurant we've ever eaten at.
Homemade pizza is problematic, you really need the ovens, but in CT you can get the very best in the nation (not olive garden) if you're willing to drive ten or fifteen minutes in any direction.
There are many great sea food restaurants around. On Cape Cod the region is saturated with them. The 99 has been around for decades. A friend used to own a nice restaurant in Plymouth and that town is good for dining.
In Boston though, there is no real parking and a couple of drinks will set you back more than $20 Bucks. No thanks.
“I will never understand the enduring appeal of that overpriced junk”
Texas Roadhouse treats veterans well, especially on Veterans Day!
I still have gift cards from two years ago for Olive Garden. Every time we try to go, it's about a two hour wait so we drive to somewhere else. Inexplicable. I am underwhelmed with Olive Garden and would only go because I have a gift card and if there is no wait outside.
Red Lobster - couldn't even get me in there with a gift card. I'd give the card to somebody else.
I will wait for the Texas Roadhouse. At least you can munch on free peanuts from a barrel while you are waiting - and they encourage you to toss the shells to the floor! So nice gimmick. Plus the steaks aren't all that bad.