Chain Restaurant Reviews

Whenever possible, I try to eat at independent restaurants. But that doesn’t mean that I never go to chains, either because we are traveling and it’s the most convenient food to find, or because I honestly like the food – as is the case with Elmer’s, a chain of family restaurants from the Pacific Northwest, or burger joints like Nation’s. So here are my reviews. I’ll have to update that for Elmer’s next time I’m in Oregon, though it was just as good as I remembered when I visited in January 2024.

Fast Food

• Chipotle
  Mexican, US nationwide
  Last visited San Leandro location in June 2024. OK.
• Cupid’s Hot Dogs
  Hot Dog chain. Los Angeles
  Visited in September 2024. OK. $
• IHOP
  Breakfast, American, US nationwide
  Last visited Lebec location in September 2024. OK.
• Ike’s Love and Sandwiches
  Sandwiches, western US & Florida
  Last visited San Leandro location in June 2024. Good.
• Little Caesar’s
  Pizza, US nationwide
  Last visited San Leandro location in Sept 2021. Good.
• Nation’s Giant Hamburgers
  Burgers, Bay Area, CA
  Last visited San Leandro, CA, location in March 2024. Very Good.
• Nick the Greek
  Pitas, California & southwest
  Last visited San Leandro location in October 2024. Very Good.
• Panda Express
  Chinese, US Nationwide
  Last visited San Leandro location in May 2024. Good.
• Panera
  Sandwiches, US Nationwide
  Last visited Hayward location in May 2024. Good.
• Popeyes Chicken
  Fried Chicken, US Nationwide
  Last visited Winetka location in May 2024. Good.
• Taco Bell
  Tex-Mex, US Nationwide. Boycott
• Wataburger
  Burgers, Texas & Nearby states
  Visited Natchitoches, LA, location in April 2024. Very Good

Bakeries & Desserts

• 85°C Bakery Cafe
  Chinese bakery. US Nationwide, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia
  Occasionally visit San Leandro location. Very Good.
• Mochinuts
  Mochi donuts & hot dogs. California
  Last visited San Leandro, CA, location in March 2024. Very Good.
• Porto’s Bakery & Café
  Cuban Bakery. Southern California
  Visited Northridge location in June 2024. Very Good.
• Sugar Factory
  American/Dessert, Nationwide
  Visited NYC location in February 2024. Very Good.

Family Restaurants

• Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
  Chicken, Texas
  Visited Burleson, TX, location in April 2024. Very good.
• Bag O’Crab
  Seafood, Bay Area
  Visited San Leandro location in October 2021. OK.
• Black Angus
  Steakhouse, West Coast
  Visited San Lorenzo location in May 2024. Good.
• Bob’s Big Boy
  American, Southern California & Michigan
  Visited Northridge, CA location in May 2024. OK.
• El Torito
  Tex-Mex, CA
  Last got take out from San Leandro location in May 2022. Good.
• Gen Korean BBQ
  Korean, CA, FL & AZ.
  Visited Northridge, CA location in May 2024. Good.
• Pacific Catch
  Seafood, California
  Visited Dublin location in May 2022. Very good.
• The Counter
  Burgers, selected airports
  Visited San Diego airport location in April 2024. Good.
• The Olive Garden
  Italian, nationwide
  Visited Hayward location in October 2024, OK.