Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

debm55

(50,276 posts)
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:00 AM May 2025

What is your least favorite chain restaurant? Mine is Chili's. stopped going there years ago. How about you?

62 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What is your least favorite chain restaurant? Mine is Chili's. stopped going there years ago. How about you? (Original Post) debm55 May 2025 OP
Every time I go to Chili's True Dough May 2025 #1
HAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHHAH. Thank you True Dough. debm55 May 2025 #3
I haven't eaten out sincepre-CoViD, and soldierant May 2025 #59
McDonalds -- except for the Egg McMuffin. no_hypocrisy May 2025 #2
Agree, Thank you no_hypocrisy. debm55 May 2025 #5
Five bucks. Used to be on the dollar menu. multigraincracker May 2025 #58
Oh, I remember! no_hypocrisy May 2025 #61
Agreed ILikePie92 May 2025 #4
Thank you ILikePie92. It used to be good when it first opened. Now the food is bland. debm55 May 2025 #7
McDonalds gab13by13 May 2025 #6
Thank you gab13by13 and I agree with you. debm55 May 2025 #8
Wendy's Keepthesoulalive May 2025 #9
Thank you , Keepthesoulalive. I sure do agree with you. debm55 May 2025 #10
as I don't eat out often, I now base my choice on their politics, Wendy's, too maga, McD's close Shellback Squid May 2025 #11
Thank you very much Shelback Squid. I agree. debm55 May 2025 #16
Tough question PJMcK May 2025 #12
Thank you PJMcK, debm55 May 2025 #17
All chain restaurant staff that invade the dining room Submariner May 2025 #13
Haha, Thank you Submariner debm55 May 2025 #18
Applebee's fargone May 2025 #14
Thank you very much, fargone. I agree. Long agree it was the place to go. Not any more. debm55 May 2025 #21
Chick-fil-a EYESORE 9001 May 2025 #15
Thank you very much for sharing, EYESORE 9001 debm55 May 2025 #24
+1000 LoisB May 2025 #50
It's a close race but... McDonalds padfun May 2025 #19
Thank you padfun. I agree that all three are terrible. I hate Wendy's the most. But the other two are very close. debm55 May 2025 #22
Applebees bottomofthehill May 2025 #20
Thank you very much bottomofthehill. Applebee's used to be the place to go around here. Now they suck. I am so sorry debm55 May 2025 #23
Applebees is gross Freddie May 2025 #29
Thank you Freddie. You are so right about Applebee's and TGI Fridays. YUK debm55 May 2025 #32
I haven't been in any of them for years. I think they are all pretty awful but I would LoisB May 2025 #25
Thank you very much LoisB. I agree with you. debm55 May 2025 #33
Popeyes chicken. Chipper Chat May 2025 #26
Thank you Chipper Chat. I have never eaten at Popeyes. I have heard so many bad things about it. debm55 May 2025 #34
This message was self-deleted by its author CanonRay May 2025 #27
When Mr Fallout and I were first marries 30 blah-blah. years ago... FalloutShelter May 2025 #28
Thank you FalloutShelter. We used to eat at TGI Friday's long ago. Went recently and it is not like it used to be. debm55 May 2025 #35
Olive Garden, especially when in NYC! mentalsolstice May 2025 #30
I remember the Olive Garden being recommended in NYC. Thank you for the memories. debm55 May 2025 #36
There it is! flvegan May 2025 #60
Mcdonalds & KFC SheltieLover May 2025 #31
Agree and thank you SheltieLover. debm55 May 2025 #37
A good question would be what people's fav fast food is SheltieLover May 2025 #39
Will do SheltieLover. Thanks for the idea. debm55 May 2025 #40
Yw, Deb SheltieLover May 2025 #43
All of them Clouds Passing May 2025 #38
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA. Thank you Clouds Passing. I agree with you. debm55 May 2025 #42
McDonalds, especially when you get cold french fries. Emile May 2025 #41
Thank you so much, Emile. I totally agree. debm55 May 2025 #44
Once Chili's took their legendary chili-burger off their menu, I was through with them. Paladin May 2025 #45
Thank you Paladin. I totally agree with you. debm55 May 2025 #46
There are only two chains I like, First Watch and Newk's. Phoenix61 May 2025 #47
Arby's. Blecch. catbyte May 2025 #48
I used to go to Applebees. lucca18 May 2025 #49
All of them. pandr32 May 2025 #51
Road Kill Cafe. Second bites (it serves leftovers from other restaurants). The Chum Bucket. underpants May 2025 #52
I don't go to any of them anymore Ritabert May 2025 #53
There are two. OldBaldy1701E May 2025 #54
Long John Silvers. I last ate in one in 1982. rsdsharp May 2025 #55
That's terrible. I can see why you and Mrs. rsdsharp have not eaten at one since 1982 debm55 May 2025 #56
Taco Bell and their sawdust burritos. n/t Jacson6 May 2025 #57
All of them bif May 2025 #62

True Dough

(24,071 posts)
1. Every time I go to Chili's
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:01 AM
May 2025

the staff ask me, "Have you seen debm around? Did we do something wrong? It's been a long time."

I make no promises about your return, but know that they miss you!



As for my least favorite restaurant chain, it's gotta be KFC. Too greasy and salty.

soldierant

(8,859 posts)
59. I haven't eaten out sincepre-CoViD, and
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:51 PM
May 2025

when I did it was seldom - like 4 to 6 times a years - and always locally owned.

But I can still come up with a least favorite chain - Panera - being allergic to wheat.

Shellback Squid

(9,597 posts)
11. as I don't eat out often, I now base my choice on their politics, Wendy's, too maga, McD's close
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:25 AM
May 2025

so for fast Burger king and Red Robin are my goto
To answer your question tho, Texas Roadhouse, also very maga

https://www.goodsuniteus.com/

PJMcK

(24,140 posts)
12. Tough question
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:30 AM
May 2025

Chain restaurants don’t interest us. The bland similarity of the choices don’t excite the palate. We’d rather cook at home. Actually, we sometimes play a game where we’ll make an amazing meal then calculate how much it cost and compare that to what it would cost in NYC. It feels good to see how much money we save.

Still, I’ll play your game. Olive Garden is the worst Italian food I’ve ever had. And forget the stupid bread sticks!

Submariner

(13,054 posts)
13. All chain restaurant staff that invade the dining room
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:33 AM
May 2025

to sing happy f+;+.,% birthday, to some poor slob trying to cut through the gristle of his fried chicken parmigiana, while screaming and clapping loudly in my ear, will be sent on a one way trip to El Salvador if I am elected president.

debm55

(50,276 posts)
21. Thank you very much, fargone. I agree. Long agree it was the place to go. Not any more.
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:45 AM
May 2025

EYESORE 9001

(28,860 posts)
15. Chick-fil-a
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:39 AM
May 2025

I ate there once, before knowing all I do about its horrible owner, and found it no better than any number of alternatives in the ‘chicken place’ market. Suffice to say, I wouldn’t patronize one if I were literally starving. I would follow my personal principles and forage for food in the wilderness before putting coin in that dominionist’s pocket.

padfun

(1,877 posts)
19. It's a close race but... McDonalds
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:43 AM
May 2025

It would be a close race between McDonalds, Wendy's or Taco Bell.

All three made me sick when I ate there. I haven't had any of the three for over 10 years now, but I doubt anything has changed much.

debm55

(50,276 posts)
22. Thank you padfun. I agree that all three are terrible. I hate Wendy's the most. But the other two are very close.
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:48 AM
May 2025

bottomofthehill

(9,234 posts)
20. Applebees
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:45 AM
May 2025

I got Salmonella poisoning at the one in Alexandria years ago. Have not been back to one since. I was sick as a dog. Had to get a couple IV’s because of dehydration. I did not realize grownups could get that sick from Salmonella, I thought it was more of a kids disease. It kicked the literal shit out of me.

Won’t set foot in another one ever.

debm55

(50,276 posts)
23. Thank you very much bottomofthehill. Applebee's used to be the place to go around here. Now they suck. I am so sorry
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:51 AM
May 2025

about your food poisoning at Applebee's.

Freddie

(9,941 posts)
29. Applebees is gross
Wed May 14, 2025, 10:05 AM
May 2025

When Dad was still with us he liked it but haven’t been there since. So many better places to eat. My town is somewhat famous for having the most chain restaurants per square mile but somehow we can’t attract one of the “better” ones (Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse) and other than fast food the only sit-down chains are Applebee’s and TGI Fridays (equally 🤢 .

LoisB

(11,457 posts)
25. I haven't been in any of them for years. I think they are all pretty awful but I would
Wed May 14, 2025, 09:54 AM
May 2025

probably put Wendy's at the top on the no-go list.

Chipper Chat

(10,551 posts)
26. Popeyes chicken.
Wed May 14, 2025, 10:03 AM
May 2025

Maybe it's just the local one. I ordered white meat - got dark meat. Burnt mac n cheese.

debm55

(50,276 posts)
34. Thank you Chipper Chat. I have never eaten at Popeyes. I have heard so many bad things about it.
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:07 AM
May 2025

Response to debm55 (Original post)

FalloutShelter

(13,717 posts)
28. When Mr Fallout and I were first marries 30 blah-blah. years ago...
Wed May 14, 2025, 10:04 AM
May 2025

We did dinner and a movie every Friday night... where else but at... Chachkie's !

?si=NOP-H_m-kPuJ0UTb


I mean TGI Friday's, of course.
The only chain I visit at all and not regularly is Pannera, because my Granddaughters like it.

debm55

(50,276 posts)
35. Thank you FalloutShelter. We used to eat at TGI Friday's long ago. Went recently and it is not like it used to be.
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:10 AM
May 2025

mentalsolstice

(4,601 posts)
30. Olive Garden, especially when in NYC!
Wed May 14, 2025, 10:36 AM
May 2025

If you don’t get it, you haven’t been on DU long enough. It’s like recommending Red Lobster when you’re in my neck of the woods, Gulf Coast.

SheltieLover

(73,033 posts)
39. A good question would be what people's fav fast food is
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:20 AM
May 2025

I hate mcdonalds for their ridiculous cost accounting. Asking for an extra pickle has always thrown workers ingo a tail spin.

And KFC's treatment of chickens is so abhorrent I can't even...

SheltieLover

(73,033 posts)
43. Yw, Deb
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:27 AM
May 2025

Glad to have you back.

Your absence here in the community left a gaping hole...

Paladin

(31,453 posts)
45. Once Chili's took their legendary chili-burger off their menu, I was through with them.
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:29 AM
May 2025

Never paid them another visit or penny. Stupid, stupid decision.

Phoenix61

(18,530 posts)
47. There are only two chains I like, First Watch and Newk's.
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:50 AM
May 2025

And Hardee’s for their biscuits. The rest of the chains are overpriced microwaved crap.

catbyte

(37,623 posts)
48. Arby's. Blecch.
Wed May 14, 2025, 11:52 AM
May 2025

Haven't been there in years so maybe they're better, but I have no desire to see if it is.

lucca18

(1,420 posts)
49. I used to go to Applebees.
Wed May 14, 2025, 12:01 PM
May 2025

After my dear friend retired, we would meet for lunch at Applebees once a month.
We had worked together for many years at the same company.

She would always order a hamburger, fries and dessert; while I ordered a big salad.
She was never sick and lived to 95!

pandr32

(13,340 posts)
51. All of them.
Wed May 14, 2025, 12:27 PM
May 2025

We never go. Worst food for health and they seem exploitative by opening close to schools.

underpants

(192,383 posts)
52. Road Kill Cafe. Second bites (it serves leftovers from other restaurants). The Chum Bucket.
Wed May 14, 2025, 12:31 PM
May 2025

Ritabert

(1,560 posts)
53. I don't go to any of them anymore
Wed May 14, 2025, 01:07 PM
May 2025

High prices and mediocre food. Once in awhile I'll get a tuna salad on a ciabatta at Panera Bread.

OldBaldy1701E

(8,799 posts)
54. There are two.
Wed May 14, 2025, 01:52 PM
May 2025

Ronald's place. (Yuck.)

And, Church's Fried Chicken. (Bear with me.)

There was one in the (big) town near us in rural North Carolina. We went there once. Full disclosure, my father's mother made the greatest fried chicken in the world. Locally, she was a legend for it.

We get the bucket and sit down. I was handed a leg. It was dripping with grease. Like, I could literally wring it out.

I tried to eat it. We finally gave up and went to the drug store and got BLTs and handmade sodas.

rsdsharp

(11,224 posts)
55. Long John Silvers. I last ate in one in 1982.
Wed May 14, 2025, 01:52 PM
May 2025

When we got home to our married student housing townhouse, my wife and I spent 30 minutes desperately taking turns in the one bathroom. I swear to God we got rid of things we hadn’t even eaten yet!

Huuuuuurrrrry up!

Never again!

debm55

(50,276 posts)
56. That's terrible. I can see why you and Mrs. rsdsharp have not eaten at one since 1982
Wed May 14, 2025, 02:04 PM
May 2025

bif

(26,172 posts)
62. All of them
Thu May 15, 2025, 10:23 AM
May 2025

Haven't eaten in one in a dozen years. Actually, I sometimes get a fresh squeezed lemonade from Wendy's. But haven't done that in probably 5 years.

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»What is your least favori...