I love Cracker Barrell, The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc, but i do not go very often.
I could dine on OG’s soup salad and breadsticks nearly everyday. They now have an option to add a entree item with it ... I know it’s all prepackaged from Monarch/Sysco or some other restaurant supplier but it’s great stuff.
I don't mind some chains, but when I travel, I tend to look for local restaurants. Most are very affordable and I like to sample the local cuisine. I figure I can go to Applebees or Red Lobster at home.
A couple of years ago, I was in Raleigh and tried a local joint called Big Ed's. The best homestyle southern cooking anywhere. Plus I had enough food left over for 2 more meals.
I have to admit, Cracker Barrel is about as close to home-cooking as you can get. Also the portions are generous.
I don’t like Olive Garden because I’m not a sauce, noodle and bread aficionado.
Haven’t been to a Red Lobster in years but what I remember was good.
My wife and I like Denny’s. There’s one less than a mile from our house that we frequent, and the wait staff know us. We go there every Saturday morning for breakfast - it’s our little routine - a nice quiet time early in the morning to get away, just the two of us.