Having A Ball At A Chain

Anyone who knows me knows I am no friend of chain restaurants. I love the unique and interesting places that are one-of-a-kind, run by an owner who cares and who wouldn't be in business if he (or she) didn't. All my favorite restaurants are "only-children". Sangria, Woodward Avenue Brewers, Ciao, Assaggi, The Blue Nile, Frontera Grill, Little Tree Sushi, New Yasmeen Bakery, and on and on to culinary infinity.

But having said that, there are three chains that I really like. I think they do it right.

The first is Baja Fresh. Even with Mexican town so close to me, I had never had fish tacos anywhere near as good and authentic as the ones I had in Mexico (no cheese, very little breading, cabbage, soft corn tortillas, super-fresh fish)...until I found Baja Fresh. They get it right. And the salsa, by far the best and truest I have had in a restaurant north of the Rio Grande.

The next is In-N-Out Burger. I should have known right away, any place mentioned in "The Big Lebowski" has got to be good. But since every store is owned by the family, they only have locations in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. It's worth the drive, trust me.

But only if you are a carnivore who likes old fashioned burgers. There are no salads on the menu. No chicken anything. No kiddy meals. No fruit pies or pita wraps. They sell hamburgers, cheeseburgers, house-cut french fries, soda pop, and milkshakes. And that's it. And what they make, they make well. Big fat juicy burgers with enough sat fat to put you and anyone within ten feet of you into cardiac arrest. So next time you need a cheeseburger in paradise, head over to that "other" yellow and red burger joint.*

Finally, we have Macaroni Grill. I can't really speak to their menu as a whole, because I only get one thing there: the Chicken Florentine Salad. Full of spinach and smoked chicken and orzo and real Parmigiano Reggiano, and bathing in a lemon vinaigrette, it's the best salad I've ever had away from home. And the wine. They have a simple red Chianti-wanna-be that is incredible and they serve it by the tumbler on the honor system (not perhaps the best combo). This is my favorite place to go to refuel after a grueling photo shoot. Like all good chains, there are not enough of these around.

I am always on the lookout for more chains I like, and I give them a chance before I make up my mind, But it's a rare and treasured find when I run into one I really like.

I've had a couple people say I should try Chipotle Grill, so maybe I will be surprised.

Until then, at least I can get good fish tacos.


* Alisa: no offense meant towards your employer :) Hmm...it has just occured to me that I seem to be apologizing alot in my blog lately.