ladyofthelake

Well, if Southern style food means bland, tasteless, canteen style slop on your plate, then the Southerners can keep it. I don't think it does though. I'm sure if the same dish was home cooked it would be far better. You yourself said you won't be eating it again

Bob

Not to mention denny's is well dodgy on the racial front...

AlisonPA

First and last time we went to our local Ruby Tuesday's it was disgusting - our burgers and fries came up swimming in grease! Trouble is all the chains that are franchised are only as good as the manager or chef and cooking staff!

NC Penguin

You live in the South too! My chicken and dumplings was not as you describe but nonetheless, I'll skip it because I didn't like the dumplings.




NC Penguin

Eskimo

So that would be bread and water then !
Im not being snobbish but everyone needs to go to Italy once and eat just to realise what a pile of crap the " Italian" food is here. I was lucky enough to have an Italian boss a few years ago and spent a lot of time in Milan ! During his only visit to LA he was taken to the Olive garden - he walked out when the usual 8lb of stoggy pasta with kitchen sink topping was put in front of him.
What pisses me of is their claim to be authentic ! its just like Indian food here -Americanised and watered down for the uneducated / unadventerous palate- whats the point ? just stick to burgers, grits (whatever they are) and hormone injected steak and stop making up "authentic" Italian dishes - I mean Penne Arrabitta with chicken FFS !!

giusto come la madre ha usato cucinare

Pimpbot

Thats more fast food though isnt it. We have them here, but I've never eaten from one.

AlisonPA

Let's face it, if you go to any Italian Chain (Bella Pasta or similar) you will get similar food to the Olive Garden. This isn't Italy after all. However, if you go to a proper Italian restaurant (not a chain) you will get proper Italian food. Little Italy in Baltimore and NY are brilliant obviously because of the Italian population there.

Pimpbot

Denny's is good for cheap and fairly quick food. I usually just do the buffalo tenders with a side of fries. Village Inn is another similar option and also Carrows. I love their breakfast burritos which I became addicted to because the place I always stayed in Vegas had one right next door.

We like Garcia's also. Its not "real" Mexican food, but it's fairly decent and well priced.

NC Penguin

Italian food in the US is generally Italian American food. See the movie, "Big Night" for insight into the morphing of Italian food into Italian American food. Good entertainment, even if you're not into food.



NC Penguin

Pimpbot

I went to a "proper" Italian place a few weeks back and it sucked and I ended up paying double what I would have by going to the Olive Garden. OG's is fine for my unsophisticated tastes. The three meat ravioli is good and the tour of Italy fills my belly.

NC Penguin

I have to disagree about places like Little Italy and other ethnic neighborhoods in NY and other cities.

Due to creating food for the lowest common denominator (economically speaking), even Little Italy contains restaurants that serve non-authentic Italian.

Last time I dined in Little Korea (in NY), the food was authentic but the place I ate at was chosen by my Korean friend (whose father "inaugurated" Little Korea).




NC Penguin

Eskimo

You're right on.... we have great small Italian restaurants here to - thats not my point - its the chains claiming to be something there're not and the public loving it, that winds me up ....

Ash UK/US

I am another one who loves Olive Garden... it may not be Italian but it tastes good... esp the salad and the chocolate lasagna... what more needs to be said. I went to the Outback Steak House a couple of weeks back and that was really good too. I like Applebees too for the burgers... Chilis is OK too.

Ash

AdobePinon

Pimpbot, you got Blake's Lotaburger over that way? Always good for a bit of evening entertainment. Around here, the phrase, "She's got Lotaburger hair!" has real meaning.

OK you lot, hands up if you've been complaining about bread over here AND you like the bread at Olive Garden.

Pimpbot

No, the What-a-burger around here is a fast food place like BK or McDonalds.

OG bread is ok, but the Salad dressing makes it better.