The one near me is excellent. The service tends to be prompt, the beer is cold and fresh, and the steaks excellent. I am a fan of the 11 oz. sirloin special on Sunday night. It always comes exactly as I ask for it; and the accompanying salad is always fresh and cool.

I've had other stuff there as well, including the fried chicken, catfish dinner, chicken fried steak, roasted chicken, steak tips, and prime rib. The prime rib was a bit fatty, but otherwise delicious.

I can't complain, as the prices are very reasonable. It's not Morton's or Ruth's Chris, but the local one is well run and worth the money.

quote:

Bennigans

Now there's a name I have not heard in a looong time...

Fiance and I go on occasion, usually for their early dine meals ($8.99 for an entree and two sides before 6PM) or Wild West Wednesday ($9.99 8oz. sirloin and two sides). It's worth it at that price.

What cracks me up is that the servers always church shit up and refer to everything by gimmicky names, asking if I want "an ice cold Bud Light," or any of their "made from scratch sides." Give me a break...and a basket of bread and cinnamon butter, please.

I see lots of people mentioning Olive Garden in here. My brother always refers to Olive Garden as "high class food for low class people." I've always liked that saying.

I've been to a local Texas Roadhouse three times. Once was with a large group for a co-worker's going away lunch a few years ago. He liked the place and picked it. The other two times I was meeting a friend who passes through Mobile from time to time for work. Both times he wanted to meet at Texas Roadhouse since it was convenient for him. I've had ribeye steak twice, and it was pretty good both times. Nothing exceptional but no complaints. The time I went for lunch, I had a burger and it was overcooked on a dry bun that fell apart. Each time the place was very crowded, which I can't figure out since we have a lot of restaurant choices around here. It was also a bit louder than I like, closer to a bar than a restaurant. I had no problems with the service. Again, nothing special but no complaints.

I won't eat a steak made by anyone but myself anymore, made that mistake too many times. Ruth Cris is about the only place I'll eat steak out. I can make a better steak in my sleep than any of the steakhouse/roadhouse places.

That is a fluke. I haven't ever had a bad experience there. It is probably because the cooks are new.

Their salads are pretty good, and I hate salad.
I used to live near one and my experiences there were generally positive.

Only slightly better and more reliable than the Sizzler in Athens, TN where I found a 3-inch piece of broken off hypodermic needle in my steak. The business end, if it matters.

Just hard to find a good $5 steak I guess.

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Originally posted by Skins2881:
I won't eat a steak made by anyone but myself anymore, made that mistake too many times. Ruth Cris is about the only place I'll eat steak out. I can make a better steak in my sleep than any of the steakhouse/roadhouse places.

I am the same way, I only buy Prime steaks and usually get them ridiculously cheap at Costco when they're trying to push certain cuts (usually either NY strip or Ribeye), have bought the whole slab or either for $10lb or less for Prime. I do enjoy Ruth Chris as a favorite though.

I have eaten at a Texas Ribeye in Texas and the ribeye steak was fairly good, not great, but wasn't at Ruth Chris prices or quality either. I'd go back if I was in the mood for that. But wouldn't seek one out.

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I have to eat out often (travel for work) and have come to the realization that 90% of Americans don't know how to cook themselves a decent or better meal.

I agree. Not to mention that many people like Olive Garden and their microwaved/heated meals.

People who say “Olive Garden” in response to “lets go to an Italian place” are the same people who say “Taco Bell” in response to “Mexican”.

I mean I have no qualms about saving some bucks on the road and heating up something cheap in the hotel, but if you are going to the effort to go out to eat, at least find a decent place to spend your money.

Same goes for steaks - but honestly if I want a great steak, I stay home - have a better steak for less money.

Only been once, and that was to the one in Tucson (yes on W Irvington). Other than everything too salty, our steaks were fine. It was way better than a recent experience at Outback. Had a filet both times; the TS filet was cooked just right and very tasty; the one at Outback was not at all of the same caliber.
We'll go again but ask for no extra salt. Oh and service was excellent.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I have to eat out often (travel for work) and have come to the realization that 90% of Americans don't know how to cook themselves a decent or better meal.

I agree. Not to mention that many people like Olive Garden and their microwaved/heated meals.

People who say “Olive Garden” in response to “lets go to an Italian place” are the same people who say “Taco Bell” in response to “Mexican”.

I mean I have no qualms about saving some bucks on the road and heating up something cheap in the hotel, but if you are going to the effort to go out to eat, at least find a decent place to spend your money.

Same goes for steaks - but honestly if I want a great steak, I stay home - have a better steak for less money.

TLDR - buy chips

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I have to eat out often (travel for work) and have come to the realization that 90% of Americans don't know how to cook themselves a decent or better meal.

I agree. Not to mention that many people like Olive Garden and their microwaved/heated meals.

People who say “Olive Garden” in response to “lets go to an Italian place” are the same people who say “Taco Bell” in response to “Mexican”.

I mean I have no qualms about saving some bucks on the road and heating up something cheap in the hotel, but if you are going to the effort to go out to eat, at least find a decent place to spend your money.

Same goes for steaks - but honestly if I want a great steak, I stay home - have a better steak for less money.

My parents like Olive Garden and it drives me crazy because if we go out to dinner and They want decent Italian I’m thinking carrabas, but they’d rather have Olive Garden... Olive Garden is not that much cheaper than carrabas and it’s not near as good.

I've never eaten at Carrabas but the nearest one to us is across the street from a trattoria that is excellent. Wife wanted Italian food for dinner one night so I looked in our area. There was a Carrabas and Stefano's Trattoria. Tried the small place and haven't found a reason to go elsewhere.

I personally don't mind Texas Roadhouse. Love their bread, though. I usually get a burger there. You have to adjust your expectations, though.

The food and service isn’t that great but I could sit there and eat 12 dozen of those yeast rolls.

We go to Texas Roadhouse every couple of months. Their steaks are hit-&-miss, usually a bit over-cooked vs what was ordered. Ask for medium rare, get medium.
They do have a very good chicken fried steak or chicken.

quote:

Originally posted by Anarion:
We go to Texas Roadhouse every couple of months. Their steaks are hit-&-miss, usually a bit over-cooked vs what was ordered. Ask for medium rare, get medium.
They do have a very good chicken fried steak or chicken.

I have never had a worse chicken fried steak than the one from Texas Roadhouse. Never. Not even from Dennys or a million other $5 family restaurants. This one was full of gristle.. I couldn't eat half of it.

Everyones experiences may be quite different, but my wife and I are in agreeent, never again. Even my co-workers said it's hit or miss, you may get a meal that's OK or one that is inedible. For the life of me I can't see why they are busy.

Cracker Barrel has a very good chicken fried chicken. That's my go to meal there along with corn, sweet mini carrots and greens. And I still have room for dessert after that.

I travel for a stint of about 12-15 weeks straight per year.... all over the lower 48 .... inevitably I end up settling for one of the places at least once or twice before I learn my lesson.

Best it tends to get in my experience is about mediocre.

Noisy eating estabishments with mediocre food just don’t appeal to me anymore. I agree with Skins2881 and jimmy123x about sticking with home cooked steak. Prime cuts of beef are the way to go. As for chicken fried steak, there’s only one place to get a good one, and that’s at Mary’s Cafe in Strawn, Texas.