A Birthday Meal Submerged In Chaos
I’m still having technical issues here, but won’t go into it today. I’ll spare you. But I think you should know that I’ve officially reached the hand-thru-the-hair stage. That threshold was achieved this morning, around 2:20 am.
I’m about to lose it, man. And when I say it, I mean shit.
Anyway, the younger Secret has a birthday this week. He’s turning 11, and on Saturday Toney told him he could pick a restaurant and we’d go there for dinner that night.
He said he wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse, which sounded good to me. It beats Ret Lopster, which is the way he usually goes with it. Both boys enjoy the novelty of using tools to dismantle creatures from the ocean floor, but I’m not much for the crustaceans. Never have been.
So, we went to the restaurant around 5:30 on Saturday, and it was complete pandemonium. The parking lot was full of cars, and people were standing outside with vibra-boxes in their hands. Grrr… I thought the economy was in a shambles?
I wedged my heft through the crowd inside the front door, and one of the three(!) hostesses told me it would be at least a 35 minute wait. I told her to give me one of them boxes, dammit, and we’d be standing outside. Incredible. At one point I think I had ugly strangers pressed against me on all four sides of my body. And I can’t have that.
Of course, they were playing shitkicker music in that place. You know, because the word “Texas” appears in their name. But Pantera was from Texas, as were the Toadies and the Butthole Surfers. I would’ve much preferred some Butthole Surfers, if you want to know the truth.
And to make matters worse, their CD player kept skipping. The volume was blasting, and the songs kept getting stuck: “I think my son is a faaaaaag, because he drives a Toyota, ota, ota, ota, ota…” And they’d let it go for a long, long time before they’d correct the problem. Then it would happen again.
Toney stayed inside the holding pen, but it was too claustrophobic for me. It was a little cold outside, but the Secrets and I waited on the sidewalk and looked for “celebrities.”
Do you ever do this? We like to spot movie stars and famous musicians, amongst the general public. On Saturday night we saw “Jerry Seinfeld,” and “George Lucas.” They were also standing outside, with vibra-boxes.
Finally, we were summoned — almost exactly an hour after I’d been told it would be 35 minutes. And some chick with a BB stuck to the side of her nose led us to a table inside the bar area.
And the noise level in that place was amazing; I’ve been to Major League baseball games that were quieter. It was just a sustained din, making it nearly impossible to have a conversation.
Our waiter spoke in a voice completely devoid of inflection, and I had trouble understanding him inside that maelstrom of high-volume. At one point he asked what I wanted on my baked potato, and I answered, “Yes.”
But once we were finally seated, and had successfully conveyed our orders to the robo-waiter, everything went from irritating and unbelievable, to fantastic. I got a beer the size of an umbrella stand (Yuengling Lager), and the food was nothing short of excellent.
What’s your opinion of Texas Roadhouse? Have you been to one? I’m no expert, that was only my third or fourth visit, but I think it’s better than it has a right to be. You know, for big-ass mega-chains.
And I’m sure we’ve been through this multiple times, but in the comments please tell us your favorite chain restaurants. Everybody likes to trash ‘em, but what are some good ones, in your opinion? And I’m talking about national, or well-known regional chains — not Jim’s World of Curved Sausage in Montana, or whatever.
I’ve been ordered to work thirty minutes early, so I’m going to have to cut this one short. Here’s an especially funny Mockable from Metten, to take up the slack.
And I’ll see you guys tomorrow.
Filed under: Daily
Could it be? Number one?
Oh, HELL yes!
OK. I’m through now.
so technically I’m 2…. hmmmm. Never been to a Texas Roadhouse, actually have never heard of one before…
It’s a great day for Gregs!
Curved Sausage?
BTW the Bunker Cam…. ewwwwwwwww
I avoid chains nowadays. No reason to go.
Road House is a bit too much of a Charlie Foxtrot for me… And, perhaps it’s just the one here, but their food has never been all that great.
Though, their prime rib was nice and fatty, just the way I like it…
*shrugs*
I’m neutral.
Top 10! Bonefish!
Jeff – The CD player had the Mel Tillis feature turned on. Damn I hate when that happens.
Haven’t been to Texas Roadhouse, but the parking lot is always packed, and I’ve heard good reviews. Along those lines, we also have a Ruby Tuesday’s and a Logan’s Roadhouse, which both suck. The Olive Garden here does a pretty good job, but everything on the menu is really fattening. The Outback is probably my all-around best choice for food, and, they have a great bar.
~other greg, yes, it’s a great day for Gregs!
The Tejas Roadhouse here is basicaaly a crapshoot as to you getting what you ordered. No one can read English or make a rare steak there, they all come out medium well. If you send it back, the next one comes out medium well. If you send it back, the next one comes out medium well. If you send it back, the next one comes out medium well. If I am spending that much money, I will go to Sam Seltzer’s, or even Longhorn Steakhouse.
My wife and I spot celebrities too, but she does not get mine….like Kafka, or J. D. Salinger, or Ian Curtis. It has to be a mainstream celeb for her to play along.
On IPOD right now- “Silence”- Portishead
Texas Roadhouse is a weekly tradition in my family. Tuesday night is kid’s night (as much fun for the tots as it is for me), and we don’t miss it. The scamps get to have “sirloin” tips for a dollar, I get to enjoy a hot meal that I DIDN’T have to cook. The food is always fantastic, the service fast (heaven forbid the screaming tots stay there longer than necessary on Kid’s night), and the price is right! Everybody wins, and we escape with a bill under $25. Not too bad for a steak dinner for a family of three.
Good Afternoon Surf Reporters…..
I’ve been to Texas Roadhouse once before. That’s the place where they have galvanized buckets of peanuts and you just shuck ‘em and throw the shells wherever, yes?
Yeah, that’s the place. Took our server well over a half hour to serve up the beer. The appetizers were another 45 minute wait. Turns out our potato boats had been knocked to the floor and had to be redone. I asked the waitress if they went past the “5 second” rule and she replied “oh yes, way past the 5 second rule. Simply excellent.
I ordered up a NY strip medium rare. As soon as I cut into it (almost an hour later) it mooed. Charred on the outside, blood purple and still breathing on the inside.
Texas Roadhouse can kiss my white Irish ass.
Texas Roadhouse is pretty good. the last time we were there i made them sing happy birthday to my daughter who acted all emberrassed and stuff. they had her stand on a chair and sang some rendention of the birthday song that ended in YEE-HAW!! She was SOOOOOO mad at me. Probably because that was last month and her birthday is in March.
I am a big fan of ret lopster and Olive Garden the food is consistantly good and the prices are fair but mostly because i have worked at both they are owned by the same company and their standards for cleanliness and food safety are VERY HIGH!! I guess that depends somewhat on the manager of the store but in my opinion they are a safe bet.
I forgot about the other part.
Carraba’s (sp?) has always been awesome every time I have gone there. I would eat there every day if I could afford it.
On IPOD right now- “Sex Type thing”- Stone Temple Pilots
I’ve only been to Texas Roadhouse 2-3 times but was never displeased. My favorite place was Skeeters down in Atlanta I believe it was a regional chain that eventually spawned Lonestar. Of course it helped that friends of mine were friends of the Mgr. and meals and drinks were comp’ed, he just asked that we left a good tip which we always did, we would go down once or twice a year for a stretch back in the early ninetys for a few days at a time and the waitresses would damn near fight over our table. We always left the amount of our bill for the tip.
A cold beer the size of an umbrella stand tends to make even the worst experience become more tolerable within seconds.
Yeah. WTF is happening in the Bunker cam?
Never mind. My imagination is probably less frightening than the reality.
I’m home with my slightly sick youngin today. One perk is that I get to see the surf report. hell yeah! Yesterday at work, the stars aligned for one brief moment, and I could see everything, the format was cool, etc. bliss. It all derailed when I hit the ‘comments’ button. From then on it was the malicious content warning. soft sobbing was heard from my cube.
We eat at Outback a lot. We don’t have a great deal of choices around here but they’ve never let us down. well, maybe once when they burned my chicken.
Longhorn Steakhouse, by far!
PS – Glad to see they are wearing safety goggles…
I’ve only been there once but Famous Dave’s BBQ was kick ass, I’d definitely go back. They are national but there aren’t many of them per state, only 3 in PA and 2 of them are in Philadelphia.
I’ve been to Roadhouse once and I don’t believe I was overly impressed. I do like Lone Star though.
In the Kay hierarchy, is “better than it has a right to be” above or below “shockingly good”? I would have said below, but The Lohptser gets a “shockingly good” whereas Texas Outhouse gets a BTIHARTB.
Please clarify.
They opened a new Texas Roadhouse down the street, and I managed to make it in there once. I doubt I’ll ever go again because getting a table was such a clusterfuck, and the loud music and dancing waitstaff irritated the hell out of me. And now that I think about it, the ubiquitous peanut debris may have caused me to develop an allergy. The food was good, but I like my peace while I’m savoring a slab of beef, thankyouverymuch. Plus, in order to build that kitschy monstrosity, they tore down an old greasy spoon dive that held a very special place in my heart, and I’m still bitter about that. Nephew wants to get a job at the Roadhouse because according to a few friends who have already sold their young souls, the tips are REALLY good. I reminded him that he would be forced to endure the humiliation of “the dance” more than once a day, but Nephew is undeterred. Money.
I don’t much like chain restaurants. I will however admit to liking a couple of smaller, mostly West Coast chains – Cattlemens and Claim Jumper. Cattlemens is THE best place to go for a hunk of beef, hands down. The atmosphere is rustic/western, and you don’t have to endure the shtick à la the Roadhouse. Nothing fancy about Cattlemens – just classics like prime rib, seafood and steaks, all served with some form of potato, bread and ranch beans — but they certainly know how to cook a cow and get it right every time. If I want a steak, all I have to do is tell my mother that I think my iron is a little low, and she knows what I’m talkin’ about. She’s a prime rib whore herself.
Claim Jumper serves gigantic portions of home-style food (enough for 2-3 meals) but you really have to save room for dessert (mud pie, cheesecake, crème brulee, carrot cake, bread pudding among others). My favorites are the Whiskey Apple Glazed Pork Loin, and the old stand-by, Chicken Fried Steak. Or you can get a gigantic rack of ribs, a ribeye, or meatloaf if you prefer. Heart patients have no business going to Claim Jumper.
Excuse me while I go call my mother.
I live in Fort Worth, and have never been to Texas Roadhouse. Perhaps we should check it out.
My favorite chain restaurant would be On the Border, though I’ve never strayed from the two items I always order. So what do I know?
Never been to a Texas Roadhouse. The one we had here in the ‘burg actually closed and some other mundane restaurant opened in it’s stead.
I kinda like Outback for my eatin’ out meat. I like mine medium…bleedin’… a little hooves-n-hair….cut a piece off and I’ll ride the rest home…..rare. The boyfriend about gags when he see’s my plate of singed steak.
I also like Olive Garden & Ret Lopster. You can eat like you have an hour to live and still take a doggy bag home to relive the experience. Pass the garlic-butter biscuits..
So, in the bunker cam photo where do you insert the coin(s)?
My mother in law took us to some chain place called “Great American Breakfast” or some such title, can’t remember. It was pretty good – the sizzling breakfast skillets were good, but then again, it’s damn near impossible to fuck up eggs, meat and cheese.
Most U.S. chain restaurants don’t do well in Canada. Over the last 35 years or so I’ve seen Red Barn, Ponderosa, Denny’s, Elias Brothers, Olive Garden, Outback and a few others go face first into the hardpan. Red Lobster still hangs on but apparently there’s only 5 or 6 left up here, and it’s iffy how long they can hold out. Applebee’s is currently trying to set new standards in failure, so I’m sure they’ll soon be a distant memory.
My favorite chain restaurant is The Keg Steakhouse, but I don’t think you guys have them down south. Second favorite would be East Side Mario’s (I think they’re U.S. based).
I’ve only been to Texas Roadhouse once, but it was excellent – thanks for reminding me that I need to plan a return trip immediately. I don’t remember what I ate, though I’m sure it was good. The girly cocktail I had with it? Divine.
My favorite chains would be Uno Chicago Grill (awesome deep dish pizzas) and Chili’s. I’d sell my soul to the devil for their french fries and jalapeno ranch dip alone.
My favorite chain restaurants are:
Gary’s Gizzard Garage
Mary’s Mufalleta Mansion
Barney’s Burrito Bunker
Charlie’s Chili Church
Sherry’s Shirtless Shrimp Shed
Carla’s Casserole Casa
Never been to a Texas Roadhouse, though being vegetarian might have something to do with that.
My favorite chains are Moe’s, Pizzeria Uno, and On the Border. I also enjoy Waffle House and Noodles and Company, but there aren’t any near me.
@Tyrosine we must be picky fu**ers North of the Border you can add Fuddruckers,Pizza Uno,Planet Hollywood,Chi Chi’s & Kenny Rodgers to your failed list! The keg is in half a dozen States now, I work a lot in Fort Worth & they have an excellent one! Big Irony Boston Pizza is a Canadian chain!
Ever notice there are hundreds of chains but all the menus were written by the same guy!! Dishes are always World Famous or Signature! Meat is always Hand cut, Ribs are always fall off the bone!!
at least I live a stone’s throw away from the Anchor bar & Grill they can at least claim the best wings in the world:)
The Texas Roadhouse by us is decent. Met Wally at a Lonestar Steakhouse where we both worked years ago. Sigh. I still get misty eyed thinking about that place. Don’t go there much anymore because they cannot cook a steak now that Wally is not at the helm of the kitchen and I don’t get free shit anymore. I would over look the free thing if they cooked my steak correctly.
Favorite chains, and we have them all; Chili’s, Famous Dave’s, Olive Garden, Ret Lopster, and Biaggi’s.
Oh, might I add that when we worked at Lonestar they were still doing the lame ass line dancing. I was the only bartender that was forced to participate. Yeah, my manager was an asshole.
Now that I think of it, the one chain I do visit on occasion is Ted’s Montana Grill. Where else can you get Bison Meatloaf?
Worst Chain Restaurants (IMO):
Red Lopster
Fudrucker’s
Olive Garden
Pat & Oscar’s
Best Chain Restaurants (IMO):
Outback Steakhouse
Mimi’s Cafe
Claim Jumper (Clam Bumper)
El Torito
BJ’s (and I mean the restaurant!)
Lucille’s BBQ (Best damn BBQ EVER!)
Happy Marine Corps birthday to you!
Pagan,
The problem is that the business conditions are too different for most U.S. based chains to make it up here: No discounting drinks (happy hour), employer paid health care premiums, $8.50 minimum wage even for servers, restrictions on split shifts, higher taxes on liquor (and in general), etc. Restaurants in the U.S. work under entirely different rules. For most chains it’s not worth it to re-tool for the smaller Canadian marker. Those that do generally don’t do well because they can’t operate under the same price structure.
I have a love/hate thing going with Ruth’s Chris. The food & the experience are spectacular, but goddamn….. $100 – $150 for 2 people is too much. But, no screaming children, no obnoxious teens, excellent waitstaff….. maybe it’s worth the price.
Can’t do chains – all the food tastes like a salt lick to me. Perfectly good food, really, they just don’t know when to stop with the salt.
My mom and brother LOVE Famous Daves and drive quite a distance to eat there. I guess they’re finally opening one in San Jose (where they live) so I’ll give it a whirl when it opens.
Brynhildr – where is the Texas Roadhouse around here? I’m assuming it’s in the East Bay?
Happy Tuesday, Surfers!
It would be nice to have a Waffle House in the state that I live in, but out of the 15-20 restaurants that I frequent in my city, none of them are national chains (a couple are local chains, however). .
Oh, I did forget to mention the fact that I ate at a Cracker Barrel 3 times the last time I was in Tennessee. I loves me some Cracker Barrel potatoes. None in California, unfortunately. And the food wasn’t salty, as I remember…
Melissa, gotta agree with you on the Fuckrucker’s. I could never figure out whay after paying so much for a burger, that I had to put all the shit on it myself. They have a racket goin’ on there, I tell ya.
I’m at home now, but STILL, I tell ya, I typed http://www.thewvsr.com in the browser line and STILL go to here. It’s like voodoo or something.
On TV right now- ICarly. Am I the only guy pushing 50 who has some kind of attraction to ICarly? I know it’s sick, but can we have the same “till 18″ countdown we had for the Olsen Twins for this. I apologize in advance.
I am a Texan so we have a lot of good steak joints to choose from and I have always like the Roadhouse. The prices are reasonable and in between 4:30 and 6pm during the week they have pretty good discounted meals. That may be why you had a long wait because the elderly crowd was there to get the discounts + the senior discount…
In the bunker cam I will take the second from the right please. No need for goggles….. Yee haaw
Five Guys for burgers
Cracker Barrel for breakfast
McDonalds for the best Coke
Outback for steak
Jersey Mike’s for subs
Diary Queen for ice cream
Steak and Shake for the best fries
Cheesecake Factory for dessert
Celebrity sighting story and I’m not making this up.
Hanging out at the main bar at the Golden Nuggett with my wife and some friends of her’s that came to town to visit. I’d heard enough about her and Joe (nice guy) and the old days on the road when he was her drummer…so I took a stroll around the bar to see what folks were up to at 3am in downtown Vegas. I wore newer jeans, a black mock turtle neck shirt and my grey micro-suade sport coat. I keep a close cropped greyish beard and a modest hair cut. Raggidey just enough. And I wear glasses with not much of a frame. So I’m walking down the bar, holding my Vodka and Cranberry at the perfect level of elagance. I walked past two very pretty girls sitting there and the one reached out and grabbed my arm and pull me toward her, holding my arm tight next to her. “My God…you look just like Eric Clapton. (I’ve been told that before but I did not want to break the mood). “I love Eric Clapton”, she gushed. I looked for any signs of husbands or boyfriends and decided the waters were safe. The other girl started stroking my sport coat and began to tell me how handsmoe and sexy Eric Clapton is. I looked at the bar to spot any signs as to how liquored up these two were. I saw they each had a Kaluah and cream. I submitted to their pawing and suggestive conversation, soaking it up for all it was worth. Which turned out to be another Vodka Cranberry. Things had gone on long enough when I decided it was time to play my hand. Wife at the bar with friends and me down here with two Eric Clapton groupies. My standup comedian side kicked in. I don’t remember the exact thing I said but it had something to with all of us going up to my room and enjoying a bath together and getting into some hot oil rubs. I guess they didn’t like Eric Clapton as much as they said. And it was a good thing the head of security that night was a good friend of mine. A half assed sax player I woked with twenty years ago. He laughed his ass off.
Sorry…that was kinda long. Couldn’t stop and I’ve never told that story to anyone except my wife and her friends.
On a side note, I am very pleased to announce that shitmydadsays has been picked up for television! But I am extremely dismayed that CBS is the network that picked it up, meaning either Ray Romano or Jerry Seinfeld will be sure to fuck it all up. Plus, how the hell could the dad get away with saying this on CBS?!:
“Remember this: you’re just a lucky fucking guy. If people start telling you your dick looks bigger, remember that it’s not.”
I say put it on HBO or Showtime & you’ve got yourself a viewer!
We pretty much have a policy, support local restaurants over chains when ever possible and that all of those beeper box restaurants get patronized off hours.
A couple years back hubby got a gift card to Texas Roadhouse for X-mas so we went there for a late lunch. The beers are more than ample and if you don’t have a crowd its bearable. they serve peanuts and meat so that keeps the “translucent types” away.
Best Chains
Chilis
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Ruby Tuesday
Dick’s Last Resort
Liberty Seafood
Worst
Red Lobster
Red Lobster
Red Lobster
Any Buffet restaurant
Olive Garden (thanks anyway I’ll be a stranger)
I agree, Melissa, that there’s no way CBS can do justice for shitmydadsays. why bother?
I found out last week that a Five Guys is going in within a 1/2mile from my day job! woot! woot! I just hope they hurry the hell UP!
You actually go out to eat on the first of the month? Brave!
Never Ever go out to eat the first weekend of the month.
And
Never go to Walmart the first week of the month.
I think I wrote this up before on the surf report – the ex and I used to play “celebrity relative” to pass the time at airports, etc.
You start by identifying your “celebrity”, they you give the name and a clue based on how close the resemblance is. So, Jay Leno’s aunt, or Robert DeNiro’s cousin, are good clues. The other person has to find the “celebrity relative”. I have passed hours in public places, often doubled over in laughter, with this game.
I like IHOP and Waffle House for breakfast at 2 pm on a Sunday. Both places make hangovers instantly disappear.
And Outback is excellent – the rack of lamb there is a full rack of NZ lamb, and they often have a nice, relatively bottle of red to go with it. My only beef (lamb?) with them is that sometimes they screw up the cooking. Still, its delicious, something with the herbs they use, I guess.
Been to Texas Roadhouse once while on the road, and it was okay. I had a decent burger but it wasn’t anything that would make me seek it out again.
Several people have told me that on their own personal quests for the perfect burger (in the US at least), the Whattaburger in Russellville Arkansas (off of I-40) is the outright winner. Can anyone here confirm that one? Or another Whattaburger?
I like Ruth’s Chris when I’m in the mood to be pampered. It’s worth it and the wine list is excellent. One of my favorite meals of all time was at a Ruth’s Chris in Raleigh NC, where myself and four other guys got to sit in the “smoking room” for dessert and had big fat cigars lit up for us. I think the tab on that meal was more than $500 ten years ago, but I remember every bite of steak, sip of wine, and and puff of my Macanudo. It was a real sausagefest.
I’ve been to Olive Garden exactly once now, and it was actually pretty good. The portion sizes are out of control, though – that entree was three times as big as it needed to be. I like Ruth’s Chris, but haven’t been to one in 3 or 4 years. The Lopster in my town is mediocre at best.
Seems like I gravitate more to the regional chains like Red Hot and Blue (outstanding BBQ, way better than Famous Dave’s), or Hard Times Cafe (good chili and burgers), or Anita’s (cheap and cheerful Tex-Mex).
And of course Five Guys is always a winner. I guess they used to be local, but have become national.
On xmms right now: “Electric Worry” -Clutch
O’Charleys is great for chicken or ribs. Ribs especially. They don’t drown them in sauce so you can actually taste the meat.
Red Robin for kick-ass burgers.
Old Spaghetti Factory for pasta. I could eat their spinach tortellini every day. The closest one is 2 hours away which makes me very sad but my ass very grateful.
I hate chains, for the most part. Denny’s is okay for breakfast. I know this may sound sacrigious, but I tried 5 Guys a couple times, and it wasn’t as great as I expected.
Best burger in the world used to be on the menu at the Blenerhasset Hotel in P’burg on the menu at lunch time. Absolutely best Italian food is at Bella Via in Triadelphia, WV.
For a steak, St. Elmo’s in Indianapolis can’t be beat, although this little outta the way place called “Charlie’s Down Under” in Defiance, OH cooks up a superb steak at a most reasonable price.
West Coast…can’t beat Dick’s Drive In or Burgermaster for burgers. Both are mini chains (like 3 places). “Jimmie’s on First” at the Silver Cloud Hotel across from Safeco Field in Seattle does everything good…and at a far more reasonable price than one would expect from their location.
Oh…and for ribs? There was this place called “Jilly’s” in Atlanta that I went to back in the 1980’s. If it’s still there, it is a must.
@RNK…Red Robin used to have the most kick ass nachos! Unfortunately, the changed from putting taco meat on top to topping them with canned chili.
Last chain I remember going to was Chili’s or On the Border. Both were ok.
I hit Taco Bell alot but that’s not what we are talking about, is it?
In cincy I like Skyline and La Rosa’s, there’s also a small mexican chain (2 stores, 3 stores) call Rio Grande which is the best thing ever.
In OKC I don’t go to too many chains. Fast food or local bar and grills. Henry Hudsons has like 11 locations so there’s a chain I frequent.
When I was in Cincy last weekend I had a mockable situation (Todays). Afterwards I wanted to frame it, or at least get my picture taken with it like it was a fish I just caught.
Never heard of Texas Roadhouse. I’ve always liked Red Lobster and Ruby Tuesday’s.
Jeez, I forgot about IHOP! Their Chicken Fried steak and eggs breakfast is huge and awesome!
@Joey Jo Jo….damn your soul to hell! I’m in Nome Alaska at 12:38 AM, 1900 miles from the nearest IHOP…and I am really hungry!!!!
Melissa, et. al.,
Good heads up, but just to be clear, shitmydadsays hasn’t been “picked up” yet, by CBS or anybody else. The dicks who produced “Will and Grace”, one of the lamest waste of 22 minutes produced in our 4.5 billion years of evolution, have a go-ahead to complete a script, and, given the “success” of W&G will probably get funded by a production company (probably not the network) to tape a pilot.
CBS Standards and Practices (S&P) is soiling their clothing over this one. This is not the same S&P organization the Smothers Brothers had to take shit from daily forty years ago. It’s both better and worse, but still entirely disconnected from the way real people behave and talk.
So, if a script is written, and a pilot gets funded, and if the pilot gets taped, and CBS wants to pick it up, and S&P says they can work successfully with the production company, one of two things happens next:
1) The producers and the production company produce an edgy 22 minutes a week about an economy in which a grown man is forced to live with his father and finds the generation after “the greatest generation” actually has a sense of perspective and a sense of humor or,
2) The dicks produce a weekly piece of shit indistinguishable from Will and Grace, except the gay guy is a straight guy in his 70s and the woman is a guy pushing 30.
Of course, I don’t know which it would be, but I have a strong fucking hunch.
I agree with you, Melissa, that HBO would be the best fit here. Larry Sanders still makes me laugh really hard even though it’s been off the air these eleven years. And it is exactly the profanity and obscenity that take it from funny to gut-busting.
Hooray for Garry Shandling, Rip Torn. and Jeffrey Tambor.
Fuck Will. Fuck Grace.
jtb
I don’t go anywhere called “Roadhouse”. Reminds me too much of that horrible film. Also, don’t go anywhere that plays countree music. What sort of crowd do you think goes to such places? ugh
Señor…
If you’re talking about the crappy 1989 remake of “Roadhouse” with Patrick Swayze and Kelly Lynch, I couldn’t agree with you more. It lacked charm and, come to think about it, a discernible script.
However, if you’re refering to the 1948 film noir classic with Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde, and Richard Widmark, I have to strongly disagree. Lupino is sultry, sexy, and seductive, and Widmark plays a great demented villain. The writing, acting, directing and score are all top notch. Please watch again and reconsider.
jtb
Tried Texas Roadhouses in WV and NC, pretty consistently happy with ‘em – but they’re not a destination.
Never had a bad meal at Chili’s.
Outback: Overpriced, not that good, visible cockaroaches.
Applebees: Fiesta Lime Chicken and Orange Bowl Chicken are the only things I’ll order anymore, always good (unlike other things I’ve tried)
We don’t eat out much anymore, and if we do it’s looking for a local place we’ve never tried.
I miss the days of eating out. I have 3 boys, age 5 and under so I don’t leave much except to buy diapers. I have some lists for ya!! I actually hate, hate Applebees. ugh gag. yuck!! also not a fan of Logans Roadhouse, as I did work there and have the worst boss in the history of fucking ever.
I miss Ga and wish I still live within walking distance(next to every gas station and 4 way stop) of a Waffle House. Loves Noodles and Co..but not close to me. Carrabas(also nowhere near me). I have an unnatural lust for Fudruckers. My poor heart.
I forgot one!! Does anyone remember Schlotskys Deli?? do they still have those?? loved the Pastrami reuben and it served beer…a sandwich with an ice cold corona. Heaven. Also..this was in Atlanta so who knows where they are now.
I am trying to lose a little weight and this isn’t helping. how long does it take to get from Chicago to Atlanta?? ha!!
casey j, not to f up your diet. but it looks like there are about a dozen shlotsky’s in the burbs. not sure wherein the chicago land area you are. google maps rocks.
I haven’t had time to read the comments, so I don’t know if you guys took this another direction or what. I’ll stick with the chain question.
My favorite chains are (in no particular order):
Macaroni Grill
Ruth’s Chris
Five Guys
Longhorn Steakhouse
Olive Garden
There’s probably more but I have to tear ass. Have a great Wednesday.
Everything at the Texas Roadhouse is caked in salt. OK for a baked potato, no bueno for a steak. I guess they have extra high margins on beer.
Texas Roadhouse started in a stripmall in Clarksville Indiana that pretty much xplains everything!! I guess Indiana roadhouse didn’t quite cut it! Har! Har!
(@tyrosine it seems we have one in Ancaster in the former outback!!)
I am with Melissa and Girlgoyle, I have some serious hate for Olive Garden, have never once had a decent meal there, fortunately the husband shares the hate.
Macaroni Grill has never disappointed, but Cantina Laredo has got to one of the best. Pappadeaux is a fine establishment, also.
Like a lot of you here, I don’t eat at chain restaurants either; mostly go local if I’m actually going to eat something substantial. The last chain I was in (which probably doesn’t count because it is fast food) was Baja Fresh when I was on vacation in California several years back. Driving through the desert with a cooler full of beer, we stopped there and got some tacos. Wasn’t bad from what I remember, except it was crowded as hell.
I forgot to add El Torito for mexican food, which someone else also mentioned. As far as chains go they are consistently good.
There is one in Monterey CA that looks out over the bay – this one brings back good memories, even though a bird shit on me outside in the parking lot on my way in.
Bob Evans
Waffle House
pagan – Yeah, stick Texas in front of it and everybody wants it. Hmmm! Texas Rod. Nope, that doesn’t work for me and my dad is from Texas. They called him Moose, go figure. How many moose have you seen in Texas?
@AngryWhiteGuy –
Really? You think Freddie’s hot enough for a countdown clock?
Sorry….. I couldn’t resist. I’ll be sitting in the creepy old guy section, watching iCarly. Later..
Only been to Texas Roadhouse once and it was absolutely fan-f’n-tastic! Haven’t been back because of the crowd, though.
Longhorn Steakhouse is a regular for us. Very good and consistent.
Cold Stone Creamery.
Hell, I forgot about Bob Evans. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal or experience there. Maybe a little bit of a wait on a Sunday morning, other n that, MMMM biscuits and gravy.
JTB– yes, I meant the 1989 version. I did not know that was a remake, and I will check out the original. Change to South Park voice: “I learned something today!”
thanks!