spacemanspiff
Pickerington
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I'm fairly new to Columbus (4 years) and have noticed a pattern of national chain restaurants that are not located in Columbus, but have locations all around Columbus (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, etc.). I moved here from Texas where we seemed to have EVERYTHING, but it seems that Columbus is either a picky market or hard to break into. A few of the restaurants I'm referring to:
IHOP
Chili's - I know they used to be here, but now they aren't
Sonic - only 1?
Jack-In-The-Box
Bennigans
Beni-Hana
cbusSoutherner
Harrison West
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Columbus does have Sonic and they do well although I don't know if they are close to where you live. As for those other places you mentioned, I don't know why you'd bother when there are so many other good alternatives. I don't eat at a Chili's unless I'm out of town and I don't know where anything is.
Try Rise & Dine, or Paul's Kitchen instead of IHOP you will be pleasantly surprised.
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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You can search for threads on this site for a lot of these.
IHOP discussions are pretty common...supposedly they are coming.
Sonic - there are 2 now. Whitehall and Grove City. One at Polaris is under construction and I think Wikipedia has a total of how many are expected in Columbus over the next few years.
Chili's - There was one in the northwest part of town, as of about a year ago.
For the other two we have plenty of alternatives, but I think those are dying chains anyway.
PS - I'm from TX too so I understand when you get a craving for something, but I've pretty much been able to find good, if not better, alternatives for everything....except Tex-Mex!!
enzo
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THANK GAWD WE DO NOT HAVE THE SATURATION OF EVERYDAY /FRANCHISE PLACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is one of my favorite things to do, never go to a franchise becuase there are sooooooooooo many fantastic privately owned places to eat. Lots of talent in the food department in CBUS.
Mercurius
First Avenue
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enzo wrote THANK GAWD WE DO NOT HAVE THE SATURATION OF EVERYDAY /FRANCHISE PLACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That is one of my favorite things to do, never go to a franchise becuase there are sooooooooooo many fantastic privately owned places to eat. Lots of talent in the food department in CBUS.
Amen sister Enzo! Can I hear an Amen from the choir. Check out Nancy's, Creole Kitchen, Tasi's, Lilly's Kitchen Table, Cap City's brunch, Northstar, plus like 1000 more casual places that are better than any chain.
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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Can't you just exchange a place like Bennigan's for Friday's, Chili's, Applebee's, O'Charley's, Ruby Tuesday, Max & Erma's, Red Robin, MiMi's Cafe, Bob Evans, or prepackaged entrees from Kroger's frozen section?
I'm not completely anti-chain...I like Chipotle, Bonefish, Claddagh, and a couple others, but that doesn't mean I want Columbus to be crawling with them.
My suggestion...if you've got a taste for something specific, do a search on these boards. If it hasn't been covered, start a thread and you'll likely find some better options.
dru
IV
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were you from Addison perhaps? every chain restaurant in America for an overnight population of 2000. for those not from Dallas, it's where they filmed Officespace - enough said.
Chili's - already stated, it's up on Sawmill. It is odd we have only 1.
Jack-in-the-Box - none in Ohio
Bennigans - there used to be one connected to the Sheraton 4-Points on the east side. it's apparently no longer there, and probably isn't missed
Sonic - here in Whitehall and Grove City.
Ihop - see the Little Bar on campus. they retreated at one point, but are poised for a new attack.
But we're also not lacking for options in this range. There's always a Damons, Applebees, Red Lobster, Joe's, Olive Garden, etc... around 270.
In some way it's odd, as Columbus has always been known as a test market. But some test here and then leave - see Houlihan's, Fuddruckers, etc... and we're the US home base for so many other chains - see Wendy's, Tim Hortons, Baja, White Castle, Max & Ermas, Mitchells
bonniefide
NE Side
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I wish we had a Chotchkie's or a Flinger's.
HeySquare
German Village
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bonniefide wrote I wish we had a Chotchkie's or a Flinger's.
Yea. Yea. I need to get back to the memo for my TPS report, but wanted to chime in...
I don't really see a lack of chain restaurants in Columbus. I imagine that some of the chains mentioned have better local equivalents, and so failed to thrive in the Columbus area. When I think of Bennigans, I also think TGI Fridays (which I think there are a couple) and then I also think... Max & Erma's for "fun, friendly atmosphere", they pretty much have the Bennigan's niche kind of covered.
And there are so many options: local chains like Claddagh or O'Shaunesseys (forgive any spelling mistakes...) for the ye olde English/Irish pub experience. Or Cheesecake Factory or Spagetti Warehouse for the enormous portion huge menu experience.
Places like Chili's have never really found an identity for me. They seem to be vaguely southwest, but their menu seems to reflect burgers and fries. I've never gotten that.
Anyway... my few random thoughts...
JimL2
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Keep in mind that Columbus is the HQ for Bob Evans, Wendy's (incl. Tim Horton's and formerly Baja Fresh), Donato's, Max & Erma's, and White Castle. Each of these companies is going to push hard on its home turf (see also the amount of Nationwide ads downtown). Additionally, we're far enough into Waffle House territory that WH restaurants choke the city like triffids.
That cuts out your low, middle and "fancy" fast food, fast casual "American" style (knocking back Chili's and Applebee's, thank christ) as well as a significant portion of all hamburger and breakfast sales. Pizza doesn't seem to be affected as much, maybe because pizza is the one fast food that people have historically been willing to order from scuzzy mom-and-pop joints. So it really shouldn't be a surprise that Hardee's, Sonic, IHOP, Denny's, etc. (all of which are somewhat minor brand names in this part of the country anyway) can't find much of a toehold. What is a surprise is the level to which they've been able to stymie major players like Burger King and Dunkin' Donuts.
For reference: Burger King dead zone in East Columbus
More observations who cares already:
Anne
King Lincoln
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What's so great about Chili's? Walker & I went there once, got seated, ordered Cokes and looked over the menu and decided there was absolutely NOTHING on it we wanted to even try. Politely got up and left.
There are much better restaurants here than a lot of the mid-chain market! I love it!
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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The only restaurant on that list I almost wish we had more of is Sonic. Tater tots and cherry limeade is like crack to me. So, I am glad they are only located in places to which I do not drive. Chili's is absolutely bleh.
rave_til_dawn
Dennison Place
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Anne wrote What's so great about Chili's?
You mean besides their awesome jingle...? :wink:
enzo
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osulew wrote The only restaurant on that list I almost wish we had more of is Sonic. Tater tots and cherry limeade is like crack to me. So, I am glad they are only located in places to which I do not drive. Chili's is absolutely bleh.
My son loves SONIC because you drive up to the little stations and order...he thinks it is really great. That does not bother me as much as applebees, chilis and the like.
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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dru wrote were you from Addison perhaps? every chain restaurant in America for an overnight population of 2000. for those not from Dallas, it's where they filmed Officespace - enough said.
Heehee, are you referring to expand your Beltline Road :)
JimL2
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enzo wrote My son loves SONIC because you drive up to the little stations and order.
Take your son to Swenson's. In fact, everybody go to Swenson's! Right now! You (maybe) won't regret it!
Some of the best food I've ever had was off a window-mounted tray at a drive-in A&W, sitting in the back of a car. That's also the site of the best sex I've ever had. Hmm. I wonder what James Burke would make of that...
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