What's an example of a high-end chain restaurant?

Nobu

Uh, Ruth's Chris. I'm one of the poors -- so why did I have to tell you that? You should already know about Ruth's Chris.

Cheesecake Factory? Olive Garden? Ruth’s Chris? High-end chain seems like an oxymoron.

STK or Del Frisco's

Mid tier chains just have poor quality food. It is frozen dinners but more expensive. Higher end would be Fogo de Chao, ruth chris, chain steak houses in general. I just realized capital grille is a chain.

r3 I have never been to ruth chris but I think it is above cheesecake factory. And olive garden is firmly mid tier chain.

Mortons

Ruths Chris

Mr. Chow

The Palm

Nobu

Del Friscos

Olive Garden is [bold]not[/bold] a high-end chain restaurant.

Rich cunts go

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Sorry - I meant to say This article FOCUSES on mid-tier chain restaurants.

Hell's Kitchen

Well most chain sit down restaurants are mid tier.

Olive Garden has the same parent company as Ruth’s Chris and Capital Grille and several others I have never heard of.

Olive Garden is barely mid-tier if that regardless of whether it's the same parent company as Ruth's Chris and Capital Grille. People only go there because it's cheap. They even have a bottomless pasta option certain times of the year. Come on.

Cheesecake Factory is decent considering how big that menu is, but I wouldn't call it high end. It's an example of a good mid-tier chain.

Also, since when is Denny's mid tier? Millennial here and we used to go to Denny's as a cheap option in high school at 2 AM because they always had those cheap menu deals and nothing else was open that late.

here is a list.

Other Darden restaurants from R14's link:

Longhorn Steakhouse. Mid-tier steakhouse. The kind of place that middle-class suburban couples go to for "date night" or when they want a quieter "more refined" experience than what they would get at Texas Roadhouse.

Cheddar's. Mid-tier homestyle cooking. Not great food, but not bad food. Very solidly average.

Chuy's. Mid-tier iconic Austin Tex-Mex restaurant turned chain. Not bad if you live somewhere that doesn't have many Tex-Mex options. But if you are in Texas, why would you go to a chain when you have so many more authentic restaurants available to you?

Bristol Seafood Grill

Brio Italian Grille

BrickTop's

I deal with wealthy people in my work ($25 million to $5 billion). Most are suburban-enclave residents, and they all eat at these three places as their first picks for lunch. Over and over. And, while Bristol isn't bad, it gets tiresome. They ALWAYS have to have their way.

For dinner it's The Capital Grille, Nobu, Palm.

And depending on the city, at least some have little local favorites.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Legal Sea Foods.

I will submit Sugarfish as part of the Sushi Nozawa group, having locations in California and New York.

If Ruth's Chris is an upscale experience for you, you have the saddest life ever to be documented in human existence.

Buco di Beppo. So chic.

Javier's. 5 locations for swanky SoCal, Cabo, and Vegas patrons.

Yeah, how is Denny's mid level R16? It's Waffle Hut with a bigger menu. Denny's is the type of place you might see a homeless person taking a shit in the parking lot.

[QUOTE]Denny's is the type of place you might see a homeless person taking a shit in the parking lot.

Are you kidding? That was in the '90s. The homeless are now so pervasive that equal opportunity shitting is the norm. My city has both a Morton's and a Ruth's Chris and many upscale independents within a stone's throw of homeless tents or encampment.

Lidia's restaurants

Hillstone/Houstons

Red Lobster

Why so many 'high-end' steak restaurants in the U.S.? I suppose the limiting factor is 'chain.'

Ruths Chris, Morton's, Benihana, Fogo de Chao, Capital Grille, Smith & Wollensky, The Palm...these don't spell out 'high-end' for me, just steakhouses with white tableclothes, big fucking steaks, and high prices. (I know most of these at least offer more than steaks, but for people like myself who like meat in small portions, not as the whole purpose, a steak restaurant is the last place I will ever go on my own accord.

Mr. Chow, Nobu make some sense to me. Chains yes, and expensive, and high quality (though the Nobu in my city is an attractive restaurant with middling food, over reaching in quality.)

A lot of it is in the semantics. A high-end restaurant can have multiple locations (up to a point), but a chain restaurant has a much lower expectaion for me. Too much a formula and it's tainted by the shadow of McDonalds and Olive Garden and the rest.

Business dinners, R30. I used to entertain a lot in mid tier cities and I would be like just book Ruth Chris ferrfuxsake

WOW - I'm lucky I live in RI. We have enough 'top tier' restaurants in every cuisine available to us by local owners, mostly passed down from generation to generation, some from over the past 100 years. Yes, we have our share of 'chain restaurants', but as discussed a few weeks ago in another thread - they don't last more than 20 years, it seems.

'Capital Grille' was actually founded here in RI back in the late 80s, in the 'financial district' of Providence where he reached the tourists, as well. The gentleman who had founded it was a graduate from J&W Culinary, had already opened a successful seafood restaurant in the city (still one of the most respected 40 years later), and was quickly making a name for himself with successful 'boomers' in the 80s, who became lawyers, bankers, real estate investors, university professors and admins, etc in their 30s and 40s and needed a top-notch place to have 'business lunches' and 'business dinners'. It was the successful Reagan era, and he knew what he was doing. Alas, the steakhouse was born by the end of the decade as a 'sister restaurant' to the seafood restaurant.

He had always said he didn't want to open 'chain restaurants', but eventually was pressured to do so by investors he needed to do business with - they wanted him to grow outside of the RI area. By the mid-90s, he sold all his business interest to an investment group and I believe they've been sold over and over again in the past 30 years, with no more local ties to RI. With the exception of the seafood restaurant (which never became part of a chain, always stayed local in RI), these restaurants - including Capital Grille - are just a shadow of themselves as to what his original concept was back in the day.

As for the original owner, he did open a mid-tier steak house restaurant in the early 90s (once he sold his share of the other restaurants to his investors), and it was somewhat successful - it was aimed at the growing families of these aging boomers. He opened two locations (near busy commercial strips) and then ended up selling those off to another chain who wanted them everywhere - and they ended up closing. Last I heard about the original owner, he retired from the restaurant industry due to health issues about twenty years ago (not sure if he's still alive).

[quote]Bristol Seafood Grill Brio Italian Grille. BrickTop's

I live in southern California and I've never heard of any of these. Maybe I'm just not hanging out in the right places but where are they?

r30 I guess the confusion is at the end of the day any chain restaurant is lower end to begin with. So what constitutes "high end" is already low to begin with. And when we say chain we don't mean multiple locations-- but nation-wide chains where there is wider distribution.

Saltgrass

Cheesecake Factory is NOT high end. Period. Despite having 2,000 on the menu, there's really not much to choose from.

Spago.

In today's economy, consumers are mistaking 'high end' with the expensive menu prices attached to the mediocre food and sub-par service they get at the restaurant. Just because the menu prices are expensive, does not mean it's a high end restaurant.

Darden owns some high end restaurants like Oceanaire. You can easily spend more than $100 there.

The majors, though are the high end steak-oriented places like Smith & Wollensky, Ruth's Chris, etc. Even some of those chains have had closures: Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris among them.

Cheesecake Factory is hardly high-end. Denny's get's on the list because it is sit-down and has more than just the specials. They used to be considered part of a category known as "coffee shop" restaurants which would have included HoJos, the various Big Boy chains, and perhaps the pancake places (Perkins which seems to go in and out of business, Original Pancake, IHOP). What remains of those places probably defined the low end of mid-tier.

Seasons 52?

I had a friend who was the night / dinner manager for Fleming's Steakhouse when they opened in my area about 15 years ago. He was there for quite a while. A 'high end' steak house chain located in an upscale hotel, competing with Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris in our area. He told me and my family never to eat there - the chain was owned and operated by the same company which owned 'Outback', and the meats and other food items were from the same vendors. The prime rib and filet mignon you were ordering at Flemings was the same one you were ordering at Outback, only paying double the price at Fleming's. Same standard recipes as well, only described differently in the menus. Same produce going into your salad, same rolls and bread being served at the table, only you're paying a higher price at Fleming's. If his kitchen ran out of a cut of meat (say, sirloin) then he would jump in his car and drive ten miles away to Outback to 'borrow' what they needed for the evening, as it was all the same meats and cuts.

One interesting thing he did tell me: Fleming's was very particular on who they hired for their dining room. They preferred those under 30, everyone had to be in excellent shape (no one overweight), everyone had to be attractive. Female servers worked the lunch shifts, while the men worked the evening shifts. He's bisexual, and when he interviewed the young guys who applied for the job on his shifts, he delighted in 'subtly' checking out their asses when they came into his office or left his office (if they had a cute, tight ass they were as good as hired - that's what they wanted in the dining room). He'd then let them know they would have to carry items of certain weights in and out of the kitchen, or the walk-ins, and asked if they were up to the task. They'd volunteer their gym / exercise routine to him, so he knew they were pretty built and solid under their clothes. They were hired. The 'slender' ones who had no muscles - he'd pass on.

low end chain-- dennys, ihop mid range- cheese cake factory high end- fogo d chao, nobu, capitol grille etc.

PF Changs is mid tier food with high tier prices and atmosphere.

PF Chang does not have high tier prices.

PF CHANGS in my area is substantially higher priced than other local, better family-owned Asian restaurants in my city. Their food is sub-par at best, and their pricing does not fall in line with the food you get or quality of service.

Wolfgang's?

Spago?

OLIVE GARDEN

R47, R37 answered your question in the affirmative.

All chain restaurants are about cheap ingredients and overpriced menu items (and probably underpaying the staff). It's all about corporate profits, why do you think they charge $3 for a glass of Lipton tea?

Don't spend your money in them.

[quote] PF CHANGS in my area is substantially higher priced than other local, better family-owned Asian restaurants in my city. Their food is sub-par at best, and their pricing does not fall in line with the food you get or quality of service.

PF Chang may have higher prices than your local Chinese restaurant, but the prices are still not in the high-end chain range.

They are not trying to offer you the same thing you get at a local Chinese restaurant.

Cheesecake Factory is arguably a fancy diner. You're not going to say their prices should be the same as your local diner.

[quote]PF Chang may have higher prices than your local Chinese restaurant, but the prices are still not in the high-end chain range.

Let me clarify: Their prices are higher than what the market allows for Asian food of their quality in my area. Could be why this restaurant is never 'packed' like other Asian restaurants of the same quality are in my area. Any time of day or night, any day of the week - you can go to PF's and get seated immediately. No wait, no reservations, unlike the other Asian restaurants (of different price points) in my area.

[quote]Cheesecake Factory is arguably a fancy diner.

It is ? I have never seen the word 'diner' describe CF. Diner describes 'Denny's', but no 'CF'. I would say 'CF' is more of a family restaurant (at least that's how they market themselves in my area), and again - subpar food with high prices.

Olive Garden

Denny's is definitely not mid-tier. How much is a Grand Slam? $15?

[quote] How much is a Grand Slam? $15?

For the eldergays and elderstraights that live near me, it might as well be a thousand dollars.

They don't understand why they can't get 20 chicken wings, or a buffet of food, for $5.99 or less. Apparently it's all The Left's fault.

r54 Denny's is not mid tier. But what makes something high end or mid tier is not price but quality. Denny's is at the low end of sit down restaurants.

Bristol is a small Midwest chain. I end up in the ones in Frontenac (St. Louis) and KC, MO.

Brio's places are all over. Naples, Palm Beach.

Bricktop is in Naples, Palm Beach, and Frontenac. The same people who insist on it in Palm Beach also insist in Missouri.

[quote] But what makes something high end or mid tier is not price but quality.

Huh? I wouldn't call Ruth's Chris high quality.

Olive Garden

I would never consider Cheesecake Factory high end. We go to Denny's for post surf breakfasts, so that is definitely not high end.

r58 I haven't been there-- ruth chris but isn't it above cheese cake factory and those type of restaurants?? Maybe it is mid range but still better than other mid range places.

Hillstone aka Houston's aka Palm Beach Grill.

Chili's

Sambo’s

Morton’s, Ruth Chris, Bonefish, Benihana( though it has affordable specials), Fogo de Chao

[quote] ruth chris but isn't it above cheese cake factory and those type of restaurants?? Maybe it is mid range but still better than other mid range places.

Ruth's Chris charges a la carte, so you're going to pay separate for potato, creamed spinach, etc.

The steak, alone, is going to cost around $70.

So, I would consider Ruth's Chris high-end (for a chain) as far a price. Yes, I have eaten there. I would not consider it high-end as far as quality.

Olive Garden

R44 , if I can’t have a dinner for two for less than $100, then that’s high tier pricing. Top tier? No. Hi tier? Yes..

Of course I make less then 80k so I probably have a different scale.

Stouffers microwave slop $30.00 + tip a plate.

R66 Ruth Chris is certainly high end; anyone saying otherwise is an idiot.

Restaurants like Cheesecake and Bonefish aren’t necessarily high end but can feature a handful of menu items with high end prices and upscale dining experience.

PF Changs has the dirtiest bathrooms and laziest rudest staff of any restaurant in my area including Popeyes in the ghetto. Of ANYWHERE.

YOU

BITCHES

ARE

POOR

I'd like to know what CF some of you people go to that offers an upscale dining experience which R70 talks about. The one in my area is in a mid-tiered mall, patronized by unruly college kids and unruly families. Not a place to 'enjoy' by any means, not a place to go with another adult and have a conversation and pleasant experience. Loud, over-priced, with usually rushed service, sub-par food and high prices.

r73 I have never seen Ruth Chris in a mid tiered mall. Im guessing you live in the south in an area with very little upscale malls. Most Ruth Chris exists standalone in a downtown area or upper middle class suburb. Even if that particular Ruth Chris is trashy, this is America after all, them prices aint. Ruth Chris is simply an expensive, high end chain steakhouse. Stop arguing now. High end does mean it has to have a Michelin star.

R74 Read my post again. I said CF - Cheesecake Factory - is in a mid-tiered mall, patronized by college kids and noisy families. The mall is mid-tiered with Macy's and Boscov's as the two remaining anchors.

We had a Ruths Chris which was actually in the lobby of a high end law office building. They closed during the pandemic. They opened around 2010, and struggled those ten years. More people in my area preferred the original Capital Grille.

R75 oh apologies.

[quote] Olive Garden is not a high-end chain restaurant.

It is upper-middle tier like Ruth Chris.

Olive Garden is not high end or upper-middle tier like Ruth Chris. Olive Garden is middle tier, along with Outback, Texas Roadhouse, Red Lobster. Upper middle tier is something like Benihana, PF Changs, Bonefish.

Where would Cooper's Hawk Winery land? Or Cracker Barrel?

Denny’s is about as far from “high end” as you can get.

But, unlike its pitiful competition in the lower tiers (such as iHOP and Cheesecake Factory ), the food is edible and the prices are fair.

Maggiano's is not high end either.

R81 It certainly isn’t.

Spago

R83 is not R37 who is also not R47.

R84 Sorry, I missed that somehow.

I'll go with Wolfgang's other one called "Cut", then.

[quote]Also, since when is Denny's mid tier?

It's not. Denny's is one step up from McDonald's.

What end is Bravo? I eat there occasionally with a friend who goes to a movie theater at a local mall. The food is kind of meh, but much, much better than Olive Garden.

It looks like where you live in America determines what one considers 'high end' or not. If 'Olive Garden' or 'Denny's' is high-end to you, then you really need to hop on a plane ad travel more.

Bonefish

Red bonefish

Yellowbonefish

You have to adjust your expectations to the situation.

I was sad when they closed the Denny's in my town. I enjoyed the breakfast burrito and the Lumberjack Slam.

OTOH, I really don't appreciate IHOP.

There's another pancakes chain called the "Original Pancake House" that I do like.

Private equity is both to blame for running some of them into the ground (Red Lobster) and the winner in buying up some of the failing franchises (Buca di Beppo in November)

I would consider Red Lobster and Olive Garden unappealing.

[quote]What end is Bravo?

It's on the higher end of mid-tier.

Ma’am, this is a Wendy’s.

[quote] It is upper-middle tier like Ruth Chris.

Olive Garden is one half step above a Denny's.

You bitches desperately need to get out more.

R29 they broke and bankrupt, is that like a Donald Trump level of high end?

Waiting for someone to say Panera and Chipotle are high-end chain restaurants. I know it's coming...

Some of these low end bitches are gonna say Checkers and/or Rally's are high end chains!

Ruth's Chris is a step above! So much better than The Olive Garden! Try it sometime..

My personal (limited) experience is that IHOP is better than Denny's. I agree with the person who said Denny's is one step up from McDonald's. (Perkins used to outclass them both but I haven't been in that part of the country in a long time.)

The crème de la crème of upscale chain restaurants is Golden Corral

Olive Garden

[quote]Olive Garden is one half step above a Denny's

I'd prefer Denny's over Olive Garden.

If I had to choose a mid/low-tier Italian chain restaurant, I'd go with Carrabba's. I can't think of a high-end, national Italian chain.

Benihana

Maggiano's is the closest you'll get to high end for an Italian chain.

High end

and

Chain

are mutually exclusive terms.

One of the worst meals I had was in a Wolfgang Puck's in Orlando. It was fish (tuna) and it had a crazy amount of sinew (fish gristle).

Olive Garden

I liked the non-desserts at Junior’s Cheesecake (the high end of low-tier? The low end of mid-tier?) . When I went to my very first Broadway play we ate there. I felt like I was in a Jean Arthur movie.

Bucca di Beppo!

Bucca di Beppo!

Bucca di Beppo!

Bucca di Beppo, especially the Amalfi Room!

[quote] I liked the non-desserts

Non-event toast.

I don’t understand Panera. Their bread is terrible.

Olive Garden

I like to entertain friends at home with Panera Bread!

Buca di Beppo is TRASHHHH

High end- Ruth Chris, Morton’s

Upper mid tier - Benihanas, Cheesecake

Mid-Tier- Fridays, Outback, Olive Garden

Low-Tier- Dennys, Golden Corral

I don’t consider Nobu to be a chain but rather a high end restaurant with multiple locations.

Hardees

Outback Steakhouse is actually pretty expensive. I'd put it on par or higher than Cheesecake Factory, price-wise.

Fridays is utter trash

Yes r123 and is bankrupt too

When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster.

Burger Boy

r120, " with multiple locations" by definition = chain.

R127 I know I know. But it just feels different. Maybe I should just say there is Nobu Malibu and then the other half dozen. There are multiple Peter Lugers but I also wouldn’t consider that a chain either.

OG

Olive Garden is mid-tier, comparable to Red Lobster.

R120 I agree. Always good.

Le Cirque

R119, i completely agree with your rankings, except for Golden Corral. You need a new category for it, beneath low-tier: garbage.

I can't decide which is high, middle, or low end until Oprah weighs in on this topic.

I live in an area that doesn’t have many chain restaurants. They require too much space and real estate/rent is very expensive. Bad restaurants simply can’t survive.

I’ve been to Olive Garden a few times. I really liked the salad but the entrees weren’t very good.

R128 is the type who says he eats at McDonald's Malibu to class it up a tad.

Bahama Breeze is one of the Darden restaurants. Not sure I'd call it high-end, but their salmon and chicken dishes are good.

R136 And you da type that need a joke book. That’s what your type is.

Me, the kids and peepaw and meemaw go to Sizzler and sometimes me and the hubby get steak AND lobster combo. That’s high end.

[quote]I enjoyed the breakfast burrito and the Lumberjack Slam.

You can probably get a Lumberjack Slam on rentmen.com.