What is your favorite steakhouse chain?

[Roy H.]

It's time for a fun topic, and maybe the first in a series.  What's your favorite "family" steakhouse chain?  I'm not talking about places like Ruth's Chris, which are a little more high-end.

Contenders, off the top of my head:

Outback
Texas Roadhouse
Longhorn
Bugaboo Creek (do they have these outside of Maine?)
Lonestar (although many of these closed)
Steak and Ale (currently bankrupt, I believe)

I'm going with Outback, for having the best consistently good food.  The nearest Outback is 140 miles from my house, though, so Texas Roadhouse is a good backup.

[BballTim]

  FYI, I've been to at least 3-4 Bugaboo Creeks in Mass.

  I'll go with Longhorn.

[Yakmanev]

Do they have any Logan's Roadhouses up that way. I've enjoyed my visit there the few times I've been.
Sports bar like atmosphere(of course, most steak houses would be, I guess.) and they have a bucket of peanuts on the table. You can just throw the hulls in the floor when you're done.

In Mississippi there is a very small local chain called Russell's that is very good. Doesn't open until 4:30 and it never fails - there is always a long line waiting outside for them to open. Corinth and Tupelo are the only two I know of though.

[lon3lytoaster]

Texas Roadhouse for sure. I'd be content living off those bread rolls alone for the rest of my life.

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

[Roy H.]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

[Chris]

I used to love Bugaboo, but they changed their menu a bit a few years ago, and got rid of my favorite entre (it was a BBQ chicken breast with ham and melted cheese...so good), and I generally had some bad experiences. So, now I will go with Texas Roadhouse.  Never had a bad meal there, and the rolls and butter puts them way over the top.

[lon3lytoaster]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

I haven't been there in a few years, so I haven't really seen what's been going on there. But good memory, Roy. I'm in the Bangor/Old Town/Orono area.

Where else is there a Bugaboo?

[Kwhit10]

Yea they have a few Bugaboo's in CT (or they did).

But Outback by far is my favorite.

[EJPLAYA]

Texas Roadhouse is great. Lonestar is great. Their ribs actually are some of the very best around so if you haven't tried them you should.

I keep wanting to like Outback, however every time that I have eaten there my steak has been dry. I only like ribeyes usually so there is no excuse for it not being juicy.

We have a Logan's down here in NC and that place is pretty good too.

[Roy H.]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

I haven't been there in a few years, so I haven't really seen what's been going on there. But good memory, Roy. I'm in the Bangor/Old Town/Orono area.

Where else is there a Bugaboo?

The other one I'm familiar with is in Portland, but apparently they're spread into MA, as well.  I don't want to discourage you from going; the food has always been good.

[lon3lytoaster]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

I haven't been there in a few years, so I haven't really seen what's been going on there. But good memory, Roy. I'm in the Bangor/Old Town/Orono area.

Where else is there a Bugaboo?

The other one I'm familiar with is in Portland, but apparently they're spread into MA, as well.  I don't want to discourage you from going; the food has always been good.

Ah nothing ever discourages me from steak or ribs. No worries.

And while I'm speaking of steaks, it isn't a chain and isn't really a steakhouse but if you're ever in the Bangor area you should check out Paddy Murphy's pub, Roy. They have some incredible steak there. That and their Irish nachos. Amazing.

[CDawg834]

I've always preferred Bugaboo over Outback personally.  Now you guys have me seriously craving their BBQ Chicken Nachos.

[Roy H.]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

I haven't been there in a few years, so I haven't really seen what's been going on there. But good memory, Roy. I'm in the Bangor/Old Town/Orono area.

Where else is there a Bugaboo?

The other one I'm familiar with is in Portland, but apparently they're spread into MA, as well.  I don't want to discourage you from going; the food has always been good.

Ah nothing ever discourages me from steak or ribs. No worries.

And while I'm speaking of steaks, it isn't a chain and isn't really a steakhouse but if you're ever in the Bangor area you should check out Paddy Murphy's pub, Roy. They have some incredible steak there. That and their Irish nachos. Amazing.

Yeah, I like Paddy's a lot, although I've never gotten the steak.  I'm pretty bummed that The Whig closed; that was my other consistent downtown lunch option.

[lon3lytoaster]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

I haven't been there in a few years, so I haven't really seen what's been going on there. But good memory, Roy. I'm in the Bangor/Old Town/Orono area.

Where else is there a Bugaboo?

The other one I'm familiar with is in Portland, but apparently they're spread into MA, as well.  I don't want to discourage you from going; the food has always been good.

Ah nothing ever discourages me from steak or ribs. No worries.

And while I'm speaking of steaks, it isn't a chain and isn't really a steakhouse but if you're ever in the Bangor area you should check out Paddy Murphy's pub, Roy. They have some incredible steak there. That and their Irish nachos. Amazing.

Yeah, I like Paddy's a lot, although I've never gotten the steak.  I'm pretty bummed that The Whig closed; that was my other consistent downtown lunch option.

Ok, don't think the Whig and Courier actually closed. I was just in West Market two nights ago and while I didn't happen to really pay attention to it at the time, I don't think they closed.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/144589.html

That article seems to back that up, too. I have never personally been inside there but I know it's pretty much a staple and landmark for downtown and if it ever did just disappear (Like the Coffepot) I'd be disappointed.

[Roy H.]

But Roy, you've reminded me of Bugaboo. I think I'll probably go there with my lady tonight. That place is pretty good, too.

I've traditionally been a big fan of Bugaboo, but the last two times I've been in there, the service was terrible.  If you get the sort of heavyset waiter, ask for somebody else.  (You're in Bangor, right?  Or am I making that up?)

I haven't been there in a few years, so I haven't really seen what's been going on there. But good memory, Roy. I'm in the Bangor/Old Town/Orono area.

Where else is there a Bugaboo?

The other one I'm familiar with is in Portland, but apparently they're spread into MA, as well.  I don't want to discourage you from going; the food has always been good.

Ah nothing ever discourages me from steak or ribs. No worries.

And while I'm speaking of steaks, it isn't a chain and isn't really a steakhouse but if you're ever in the Bangor area you should check out Paddy Murphy's pub, Roy. They have some incredible steak there. That and their Irish nachos. Amazing.

Yeah, I like Paddy's a lot, although I've never gotten the steak.  I'm pretty bummed that The Whig closed; that was my other consistent downtown lunch option.

Ok, don't think the Whig and Courier actually closed. I was just in West Market two nights ago and while I didn't happen to really pay attention to it at the time, I don't think they closed.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/144589.html

That article seems to back that up, too. I have never personally been inside there but I know it's pretty much a staple and landmark for downtown and if it ever did just disappear (Like the Coffepot) I'd be disappointed.

With the Whig, it was scheduled to close in late May, but I know it stayed open.  However, the last several times I've gone down there, there were signs advertising an auction of restaurant equipment, and it was empty.

However, it could very well have reopened yet again.  (As for the Coffee Pot, there's a "new" Coffee Pot Cafe over on Broadway, which I haven't heard good things about.  Some of the former employees, but not the owner, opened it.)