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besson3c · Jul 8, 2009, 06:10 PM

I was dragged over to TGI Friday again, so I decided to take shifuimam's suggestion to go for the stroganoff.

Thank you shif! I've found something there that is tolerable, probably the best food I've had there, so I thank you for that. However, I gotta say, it was also pretty meh. The gravy is pretty tasty, but it's too subtle and conservative, it would be better if it were richer and jumped out at you a little more. That's the problem I have with most chains, it's all too safe and bland. The beef cubes were also too bland and just so so.

I don't want to not sound grateful though, and I don't want to make this thread about shif and her food tastes either, obviously this is subjective, but I would be interested in your other suggestions for stuff to try when you are dragged along to a boring ass chain restaurant like TGI, Applebee's, Chili's, etc.

turtle777 · Jul 8, 2009, 06:16 PM

Every now and then, I don't the mind ribs at Famous Dave's.

Also, the thin-crust pizza at California Pizza Kitchen is outstanding.

And Hardy's Thickburger are really good for a fast-food joint.

-t

ShortcutToMoncton · Jul 8, 2009, 06:21 PM

Ugh. TGI's suxxxxxx

besson3c · Jul 8, 2009, 06:21 PM

What state do you live in now, Turtle? Have you gotten away from that company that made you work in Lotus Notes?

turtle777 · Jul 8, 2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

What state do you live in now, Turtle? Have you gotten away from that company that made you work in Lotus Notes?

No, I haven't. I still hate it with a passion, every day.

I'm in Chicagoland now.

-t

besson3c · Jul 8, 2009, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

No, I haven't. I still hate it with a passion, every day.

I'm in Chicagoland now.

-t

Ahhh... I should come and visit you sometime then.

I knew that it would be a matter of time before you ended up in Obama country!

turtle777 · Jul 8, 2009, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I knew that it would be a matter of time before you ended up in Obama country!

Yes, the smell of corruption greeted me even before I crossed the state line.

-t

besson3c · Jul 8, 2009, 06:50 PM

This thread is about TGI's beef stroganoff, not your secret infatuation with Obama Turtle!

ghporter · Jul 8, 2009, 07:19 PM

TGI Friday has some fairly "conservative" items on their menu, that's true. But as with most stroganoff dishes, the whole thing can probably be improved by adding a "little something" at the table. I like black pepper on stroganoff myself. I've seen people whip out Tabasco sauce for the same purpose. The sauce is supposed to be creamy, not necessarily "flavorful." Frankly, the beef should take care of that. But you have to balance the sauce, the noodles and the beef properly, or you lose the balance. But a little kick changes this dish a LOT.

shifuimam · Jul 8, 2009, 07:58 PM

Well, at least you didn't hate it.

besson3c · Jul 8, 2009, 08:02 PM

That's true. Whatever feelings I have for it don't warrant you having to shove it up your ass, I suppose. Your butt escapes dead cow flesh and noodles, for now.

turtle777 · Jul 8, 2009, 10:28 PM

I agree with Glenn, Tabasco can do wonders.

I recommend Green Tabasco on pizza. It's magical.

-t

torsoboy · Jul 9, 2009, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I would be interested in your other suggestions for stuff to try when you are dragged along to a boring ass chain restaurant like TGI, Applebee's, Chili's, etc.

I can't stand eating at Chili's... too much flavor (salt) on some things, and everything else is generally overcooked and/or cold before it gets to my table. I'm sure that is just at the restaurant here, but it has turned me off to them.

I haven't found anything edible at the Olive Garden. My wife seems to love it for some reason, but it is one of my least favorite places to eat.

At Applebees I like the Nachos. They are technically an appetizer, but they are huge. I also like the Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl.

Why do you call the big chain restaurants "boring"? Is it because they are popular, and you like the more hole-in-the-wall places? Or what makes them boring?

besson3c · Jul 9, 2009, 12:34 AM

torso: the food is usually incredibly bland and rarely surprising. Sometimes a little comfort food is okay, but usually I want more than that. In fairness, I find most American (and British) food to be this way, but every once in a while I come across something original that jumps out at me.

Brien · Jul 9, 2009, 12:46 AM

I love all Tabasco. On Burgers, Pizza, Chili... boy do I love it.

Never tried the stroganoff, but their buffalo chicken sandwich is pretty darn good.

Laminar · Jul 9, 2009, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Brien

I love all Tabasco. On Burgers, Pizza, Chili... boy do I love it.

Chipotle Tabasco is fantastic on eggs.

ghporter · Jul 9, 2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

I can't stand eating at Chili's... too much flavor (salt) on some things, and everything else is generally overcooked and/or cold before it gets to my table. I'm sure that is just at the restaurant here, but it has turned me off to them.

I haven't found anything edible at the Olive Garden. My wife seems to love it for some reason, but it is one of my least favorite places to eat.

At Applebees I like the Nachos. They are technically an appetizer, but they are huge. I also like the Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl.

Why do you call the big chain restaurants "boring"? Is it because they are popular, and you like the more hole-in-the-wall places? Or what makes them boring?

I'm still bummed that Chili's got rid of their white chili. Their fajita quesedia is pretty darn good, but they've also changed up how it's served (the beans and rice are separate), which makes it less of a draw-as does the fact that it's WAY loaded with cholesterol, fat and sodium...

Olive Garden's salad dressing is great. I also like their portobello mushroom ravioli. It's not something I'd crawl across the floor to get, but it's really nice.

Applebee's sandwiches are pretty darn good, but they're so big (and kind of over-juicy) that they can only be a "sometimes" entré.

Basically I guess it's just important to be choosy about where you eat, but I think it's VERY important to give places a try, and to try a variety of things from the menu. At some places I stick with what I know I like, but at others, I think experimentation is a good idea. That's just how experience has shaped my restaurant eating habits.

wallinbl · Jul 9, 2009, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I don't want to not sound grateful though, and I don't want to make this thread about shif and her food tastes either, obviously this is subjective, but I would be interested in your other suggestions for stuff to try when you are dragged along to a boring ass chain restaurant like TGI, Applebee's, Chili's, etc.

It's hard to screw up a burger or a chicken sandwich. I've found that those restaurants aren't great at entrees, but that their sandwiches are good.

besson3c · Jul 9, 2009, 05:57 PM

Chili's burgers suck, no flavor at all... It is possible to screw up a burger, you get nasty lettuce, a bad tomato, bad quality meat with no flavor added, a bad ratio of condiments to meat, etc. I've had several really bad burgers.

wallinbl · Jul 9, 2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Chili's burgers suck, no flavor at all... It is possible to screw up a burger, you get nasty lettuce, a bad tomato, bad quality meat with no flavor added, a bad ratio of condiments to meat, etc. I've had several really bad burgers.

I don't do lettuce & tomato on a burger. Cheese, grilled onions, bacon & BBQ sauce.

Stogieman · Jul 9, 2009, 08:06 PM

What about pickles? Do you do pickles on a burger?

Anyways this thread reminded me of an old joke I heard back in high school.

Q: What do you call a cow masturbating?
A: Beef Stroganoff

wallinbl · Jul 9, 2009, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Stogieman

What about pickles? Do you do pickles on a burger?

I like pickles, but not on sandwiches.

Anyways this thread reminded me of an old joke I heard back in high school.

Q: What do you call a cow masturbating?
A: Beef Stroganoff

It would need to be a bull.

besson3c · Jul 9, 2009, 08:25 PM

Pickles are great, lettuce on burgers sucks.

Don't even think of arguing with me, this is pretty definitive and correct. If you disagree you are wrong.

ghporter · Jul 9, 2009, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Pickles are great, lettuce on burgers sucks.

Don't even think of arguing with me, this is pretty definitive and correct. If you disagree you are wrong.

Or not. It's gotta be done right, but lettuce on a burger CAN be awesome. For me, it's usually not a big chunky piece of iceberg leaf (most chains like to use the really chunky, really flavorless part of the leaf on burgers). For me, it's gotta be romaine or some other lettuce with FLAVOR. Along with the onion and tomato (a slice of each, not that chopped up stuff). Depending on how the meat is prepared, it can have either just barely enough mayo and mustard to keep the bun from being dry, or plenty of both. The key, in any case, is how the meat is prepared and cooked.

Lately I've been getting turkey burgers instead of hamburgers. A good grilled turkey burger has a more distinctly "grilled" taste than a good hamburger, and you can go in a lot of different directions dressing them. I'm also partial to "good" veggie burgers. These are not terribly common (a lot less common than veggie burgers in general), but again they can be awesome.