Curious question: Where do you go when you eat out?

[Sugarhilldawg]

We go to Quanto Basta in Cumming/Sugar Hill for dinner every other month, decent and reasonably priced eye-tal-yen, we used to go to Sperata in Buford but they have gotten really expensive and have limited their hours to weekends only. Off the Rails in Buford was decent mexican but it was too expensive for the quality. the price for eating out has gotten insane we used to go to Pure or CT Cantina in Alpharetta but lunch for the two of us with no drinks is 60$ now!

[DawgsGoneWild]

We are empty nesters and eat out 1 or 2 times per week...maybe.  I'll put my comments at the bottom...but, I'm probably well known on here for saying chain places suck.   But, I'm curious as to what you folks do?  (I'm talking dinner here)

Do you eat out at all?  Chain places?  Mom and pop?  What makes a place good or bad?  

We've tried damn near every place in Athens...and there are only a few we frequent.   Chucks is awesome, but, I don't have Kirby's salary and can't eat there every week.  So, we frequent the following:

Tlaloc - if you haven't been...it's hard to beat (ask Toccoa).  Looks like the place you should drive by...without stopping, but, the food and portions are fantastic.  Usually get two meals each out of dinner there.   It's the best Mexican place I"'ve ever been to and it isn't close.  

Cali n Titos - Just solid.  

China 1 - Athens is a hard place to find decent Chinese.   This isn't awesome, but, it's solid takeout.  

Automatic pizza - Again, Athens sucks for pizza.  Automatic is good, but, you pay for it.  

I'll think of some more and add.

Flagpole Restaurant article.  Basically everything is moving to Watkinsville https://flagpole.com/food/grub-notes/202...s-roundup/

[gulfportdawg]

We are empty nesters and eat out 1 or 2 times per week...maybe.  I'll put my comments at the bottom...but, I'm probably well known on here for saying chain places suck.   But, I'm curious as to what you folks do?  (I'm talking dinner here)

Do you eat out at all?  Chain places?  Mom and pop?  What makes a place good or bad?  

We've tried damn near every place in Athens...and there are only a few we frequent.   Chucks is awesome, but, I don't have Kirby's salary and can't eat there every week.  So, we frequent the following:

Tlaloc - if you haven't been...it's hard to beat (ask Toccoa).  Looks like the place you should drive by...without stopping, but, the food and portions are fantastic.  Usually get two meals each out of dinner there.   It's the best Mexican place I"'ve ever been to and it isn't close.  

Cali n Titos - Just solid.  

China 1 - Athens is a hard place to find decent Chinese.   This isn't awesome, but, it's solid takeout.  

Automatic pizza - Again, Athens sucks for pizza.  Automatic is good, but, you pay for it.  

I'll think of some more and add.

We go out to eat almost every Saturday evening and at least once a week for lunch. Almost all places are family owned and operated. Rarely do we go to a nationally known chain.

[ugafan49]

Wednesday night -- Texas Roadhouse

Thursday night------ The Hotdog King

Friday morning ------ Tommy's , Catfish and Grits with all my boys.

Sunday after church, most any place.

[hitdawg]

Box lunch at the Y

winner

---

Live in Lilburn. When we want drinks and dinner we go to 1910 public house. Good food, nice atmosphere. Another place is a little meat and 3 that is rock solid called always fresh. Other than that we eat at home. chain restaurants suck and we avoid them

[DawgNatty]

Box lunch at the Y

winner

---

Live in Lilburn.  When we want drinks and dinner we go to 1910 public house.  Good food, nice atmosphere.  Another place is a little meat and 3 that is rock solid called always fresh.  Other than that we eat at home.  chain restaurants suck and we avoid them

Nice!   Been a long time since I've been in that area.  Nice to know there are some options.   

I know some folks love the chains...it's just a total "does not compute" to me.   It's packaged Sysco stuff that hasn't been fresh in a long time.   One thing about a mom-and-pop place, it MAY be Sysco crap...but a chain is FOR SURE Sysco crap.  

I'm not saying there are not decent chains...but, I'd rather eat at a fast food place than most of them.  (and I RARELY eat fast food).  

My question is...what is the attraction to the chains:  Price?  I believe I can debunk that one.  Convenience?  This one is tough because decent mom-and-pop/private places are harder to find.  It sure depends on where you live.  Food?  Again, I think there are some things folks just get used to eating and want it.   

My personal opinion is people just get into a habit of it and don't want to go out of their comfort zone to find new things.   You can drive down Atlanta Hwy on a Friday or Saturday evening in Athens and every chain place is packed.  Many with an hour wait or more (guessing).  At the same time you can hit many of the private spots and there is very little wait.

[UncleJohnsDawg]

We are empty nesters and eat out 1 or 2 times per week...maybe.  I'll put my comments at the bottom...but, I'm probably well known on here for saying chain places suck.   But, I'm curious as to what you folks do?  (I'm talking dinner here)

Do you eat out at all?  Chain places?  Mom and pop?  What makes a place good or bad?  

We've tried damn near every place in Athens...and there are only a few we frequent.   Chucks is awesome, but, I don't have Kirby's salary and can't eat there every week.  So, we frequent the following:

Tlaloc - if you haven't been...it's hard to beat (ask Toccoa).  Looks like the place you should drive by...without stopping, but, the food and portions are fantastic.  Usually get two meals each out of dinner there.   It's the best Mexican place I"'ve ever been to and it isn't close.  

Cali n Titos - Just solid.  

China 1 - Athens is a hard place to find decent Chinese.   This isn't awesome, but, it's solid takeout.  

Automatic pizza - Again, Athens sucks for pizza.  Automatic is good, but, you pay for it.  

I'll think of some more and add.

I don't "eat out" Too many rude people. I'll do take out though.

[ugafan49]

Wednesday- Texas Roadhouse

Thursday--- The Hotdog King

Friday---- Tommy's , Catfish and Grits, with all my boys


Suday, after church, Steak and Tonic