Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
Quite often, the things on which Consumer Reports reports don't make it online (or it's by subscription only), but since they tested casual dining restaurants - one of the most popular sectors of dining - it's no surprise that the story has popped up. Casual dining restaurants range from lower priced Cracker Barrel and Denny's to more upscale chains, like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. They're popular because not only do they offer a familiar option to hungry patrons, but you generally know exactly what you're going to get and how much it costs before you walk in the door. This can be a huge asset for diners on a budget.
CR grouped the chains by the type of food they offered and their price level, then rated them based on the survey results from 66,000 readers who ate 149,000 meals over the course of a year. If you're familiar with the magazine, you already know that they go into great detail on all the things that they review, so this piece doesn't even cover half of the info in the article. To get the full story, pick up a copy the next time you're out at the newsstand, but I'll share their quick picks for special occasions, where the food and service justify higher prices, and "good food at a good price", where price and quality hit an equilibrium:
Special Occasion Quick Picks:
- The Capital Grille
- Ruth's Chris Steak House
- Morton's Steakhouse
- Houston's
- J Alexander's
- McCormick & Schmick's
- Bonefish Grill
Good Food at a Good Price Picks:
- Claim Jumper
- Romano's Macaroni Grill
- Johnny Carino's
- Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy
- Texas Roadhouse
- Red Hot & Blue
- Famous Dave's
Other noteworthy things that CR picked up on were a focus on rediscovered regional cuisines (Cajun, northern Italian, etc.), an increase in family-friendliness and an upswing in the amount of takeout ordered.
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
6-19-2006 @11:41AM Angela Pitt said... I'm happy to see that none of Darden restaurants made
the list; I avoid them whenever I can. McMormick and
Schmick is a nice surprise. I used to make desserts
for their location in Orlando. Ruth Chris is a winner.
It seems CR is right on the money.
Reply
6-19-2006 @3:13PM Franz Hemingbeck said... I used to work for TGI and Bennigans back in the day, and you don't want to know what goes on in their kitchens.
Reply