I'm no food snob, but there are a couple places that are just so overrated that I can't see how they stay in business. A local "favorite" is Stanlieo's Sub Villa, off Governor's in Huntsville. They may have been great years and years ago, but both times I've been in there I've waited a looooooooooonnnng time to pay way too much money for a small, bland sandwich. Close 2nd would be Red Robin. Overpriced, small burgers. I like their idea of "limitless" fries but the fries themselves aren't good, and when you ask for more they'll bring you like 5 fries in a tiny basket.

What y'all got?

Thats funny, right when I saw this thread I thought of those two places. I do not enjoy Red Robin at all. And I don't like Stanlios.

Hamburger King in Montgomery. Since I started working in the gump about a year ago I've heard about all the awards and long standing tradition they have as the best burger in town. When I finally tried it I was disappointed. Not a lot to the burger. IMO Vickies Burger Van is the best burger in the gump.

If you want a really good burger and your in Auburn. Sheila C's has one of the best flat grilled burgers I've ever had. It's my guilty pleasure cause I'm sure Its an easy 2000 calorie meal

I was at a BBQ place in Decatur Wednesday night and it was pretty terrible.

I like the Stanlio's hot Kitchen Sink with hot sauce on it. Maybe once or twice a year is good for me.

Red Robin, meh.

Chili's, meh.

Most chain restaurants, meh. Whenever I hear someone say, "Oh, I love Outback (or other chain) because they have great steaks!" it makes my head hurt. They buy in volume just like a Walmart or CVS, hire someone to learn how to cook meat on the showcase grill via their allotted times, and then they sling it on the table.

Gibson's BBQ in Huntsville on South Parkway - meh. The cocoanut pie is good. Never been impressed with anything else.

AU7MM08, if you're referring to Gibson's on 6th Avenue, I've had great meals and WTF? meals there, a few more of the latter in recent years. Went in one night in winter and they were out of Brunswick stew. That's one of their supposed big deals, and they ran out? That's not good. Have had tough dried-out chicken there, too. And have had some meals that were great.

A lot of places live on their past reputations or get involved in other things that distracts them from their primary goal, which is consistently producing good food. IMO that's one reason smaller BBQ places that only do a couple of things -- ribs, chopped pork, stew, pies, little else -- instead of trying to do do too much often stay in business longer. I can think of one like that near my home, and another that I'll drive 25 miles to because it's simple and good.

Chic-fil-a. I just don't get it. Yeah it's ok, but I wouldn't go 50 ft out of my way to get it. Ppl set in the drive through for an hour.

I do like thier values and political views, but I'm not impressed with thier food.

Crawmama's in G'ville...I don't understand how in the hell that place stays open. The food is pricey and pure schit.

Ruth Chris-Service is fantastic, but other than that I wasn't impressed at all with their steak

Down here in Mobile, it's the Dew Drop Inn for me. All of old Mobile loves the place since it's been around since the 20's, but the hot dogs are mediocre, the service is practically non-existent, and their tea sucks.

I'm with you here 100%. Foosackly's has better chicken and will actually fill me up for less than $10

Chris' hotdogs in the Gump. Roach infested with runny bland chili.

I would't wait an hour for ANY fast food. People go because they get what they order from polite servers that are happy to help you. The normal "fast food" is usually wrong, given to you by someone that clearly would prefer to be somewhere else. I never worried that my Chick-Fil-A sandwich has a spit topping!

We went four years ago for Mother's Day lunch. Busy, which we expected, to the point of "Maybe we need to leave." But, we waited.

Finally got water. Then waited and finally gave our orders. VERY simple - steaks, asparagus, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes. We were sharing so it wasn't difficult.

Three plates came out for me and the kids. Wife waited. We waited to begin eating, figuring they were on the way. Finally we let the kids start eating and I FINALLY flagged down the server.

The kitchen "lost" my wife's order. I almost lost it. I mean, lose mine or one of the kids' order, but her's on Mother's Day? Manager came out, profusely apologizing, etc., etc.

Steak arrived in like four minutes. I'm sure someone else's meal was delayed. And then it was all underwhelming, too. Manager knocked off the price of her meal from the bill but that was little consolation.

Haven't been back. Doubt we will. I like a nice restaurant and RC has a good reputation and OK food, IMO. I enjoy being served by people who serve without trying to be chatty; take my order, notice and handle things, quietly and professionally do your business. But if I'm going to spend that kind of money and get Meh service then I can buy ribeyes and food to prepare at home.

Dreamland

Rendezvous in Memphis. Ribs are horrific, tough.

Forgot about Dreamland. The one in Huntsville, has the worst ribs I've ever "Chewed" on. I say chew, because it's like trying to eat a tire.

Dreamland in B'ham and H'sv suck. Dreamland in Tuscaloosa is fun to visit but IMO not the same as in the olden days.

Well we also have Archibalds. So that makes up for Dreamlands crappy tough, over cooked ribs.

Archibalds is awesome. Ill fight anyone who disagrees.

Red Robin.
The worlds most expensive, yet unremarkable hamburgers.

Cracker Barrel. Just don't get all the hype..

Whoa now.
I love me some cracker barrel. I can't pass a cracker barrel without eating breakfast. That's all I order no matter the time of day. Cracker barrel breakfast is outstanding!

One around here is meh..

only underwhelming if you were expecting something different.

it is what it is. and it is great IMO.

I agree on Red Robin. Sucks.

Cracker Barrel is what it is. Good breakfast, pretty good comfort type food for lunch or supper, usually with pretty good service.

I've gotten to be the same about their food. Maybe I'm just burnt out on it.


Jimmy Johns and Momma Goldberg's are horrible.

I went to Jefferson's in Oxford a couple of weeks ago and it was okay. The sports bar by Home Depot was better.

Milo's - one time, Can't do it anymore.
Outback - Nah

Y'all Chik Fila bashers need to try the Peach Milkshake this summer.

I'd take Chris' hot dogs and burgers over Cracker Barrel, or any chain, any day of the week.

I forgot about Outback. At one time it was a winner. Don't know what happened but I've been very disappointed the last couple of times I went so I just quit going. Longhorn has taken their place now if I'm looking for that type place.

What ever happen to Chi Chis restaurant. They were Mexican before it became popular. Still sell stuff in stores.

I agree Outback has gone to pot.

Momma Goldbergs - I just don't get it. Soggy subs. WTH?

Chick-Fil_A - I don't get it either. Pickle flavored chicken sandwich?

The Varsity in Atlanta - WTH!?

Pretty much any touristy "seafood" restaurant on the coast. Hardly any of those places serve actual Gulf seafood.

Almost forgot..RED LOBSTER

I don't know who the genius is that said "Hey, lets put carpet in a seafood restaurant" so when all that seafood smell gets stuck in the fibers, it will smell like a gynecologist office!

The only positive is those cheese biscuits

Ruth Chris and thaat Chinese place at the Summitt...waaaaay over rated.

Damn Chinese place plays every genre of music one after another, and way too loud.

Chili's, Outback, Applebees, all terrible and I just don't go to any of them anymore, oh, Ruby Tuesday...all prepackaged, microwaved sides...no thanks, yep, add Red Lobster to the list.

They're steamed, you hating heretical food snobs. STEAMED! STEAMED!


I attended AU and worked at MGs one summer. Have eaten a lot. Made a bunch. Saw it from start to finish.

Truly, and not trying to be a Yelling at Clouds Curmudgeon, they're not as good as they once were. After they added the front deck, cleaned out the insides and removed the pool table, put in the craft beers and tried to capitalize on the growth ... just like anything else, the food went downhill.

Two summers ago, I worked in Macon 3-4 days a week for a while. It took me about three weeks to weed out all the crappy restaurants close to my hotel off hwy 75. I went to these restaurants every week, and very seldom did I get bad food. When I did, they knew it. They all knew me on first name basis. Best-Texas Roadhouse, 2nd Wild Wings (not buffalo wild wings) in the shopping center, 3rd logans by the Hampton Inn. I got up one night and walked out at Applebees after waiting for like 15 min to get waited on. Place was a ghost town and I understood why.

Panera bread is a over priced chitty place to eat,wimmen will suggest going there.

Costas in Trussville sucks.

To a degree Zaxbys food is meh.

Waffle House is pretty good breakfast but everyone I go in the workers will be at each other's throats behind the counter.

The Jim N Nix in Gardendale sucks,too many democrats that don't give a rat's ass if you get service or the correct food.

now y'all are just naming crappy restaurants. If you are underwhelmed by a crappy chain restaurant, you need to re-evaluate your standards.

PF Changs. I like their hot & sour soup and the lettuce wraps. never noticed the music

PF Changs is it, I don't like the food or the atmosphere. My mother used to want to eat there every Mothers Day.

Momma G's is good. Made even better the later it is and the more draft you've had. Of course, the one in Auburn beats the chains, but a Momma's Love is a good sammich at any of them.

*Bright Star in Bessemer.
*Dreamland, any of them. It's good but just so so, nothing special.
*Green Top BBQ in Dora. TERRIBLE. Definitely not the qualtiy it was 25 years ago.
*Lloyds 280. Food is overpriced and just so so.
*Johnny Ray's BBQ. Any of them.

I know you mean the one on Magnolia, and I agree, but there are actually 3 in auburn now, & one in opelika

Any chain steak house. Never understood why people would go to long horn, Logans, or outback for a steak.

I've never had a steak better than my own

You know you like the fried chicken and onion rings at Lloyd's!

Speaking of food that sends you straight to the pot.

Agree on chains,...

But if you've never had a better steak than your own you should try a good steak house

I am confident in my BGE process, but I can't touch some of the good steaks I've had at good places.

every sit down place ive been told about in mobile. especially butch cassidys

^^ Truth A genuine good steak house, with steaks that have been aged for weeks, will absolutely ruin you on eating those "Good" steaks you cook at home.

I'm not doubting you guys. I'm just saying for what you pay at an outback, logans, or longhorn you come out better just buying your own and probably have a steak just as good if not better.

Mama Goldbergs in Huntsville sucks. Waaaaay to expen$ive for the tiny sandwiches they serve. I'd rather get the mean looks from the old Korean women who work at Subway than ever go back to MG.

X2. My family all love it but the food isn't that good. Rendezvous ribs sucked as well. Dreamland is barely edible. Varsity was awful. I have never had a bad meal at ruth chris though.

Cantina Loredo. Never understood why mexican food cost so much...

Olive Garden. Besides the salad and bread sticks, you can keep the rest.

Someone earlier mentioned Milo's. I thought when they opened in Mobile that someone would make a killing.
Didn't turn out well here or in Foley.

I think you had to have been born in BHam or gone to school there to appreciate the fine culinary experience that is Milo's

I agree with you.

Every Chik-Fil-A I've ever been in provided excellent service and the food was always good. You can't eat it every day or it will kill you, but as far as fast food goes, it's #1 and I like that they don't open on Sundays.

I have eat there twice at two separate locations. Wasn't impressed even by fast food standards either time.

Chic-Fil-a's owner has been very open with his opposition to gay marriage which caused a lot of people and groups to attack him and the chain in general. In responce to those attacks a lot of people, particularly in the south, rushed to support Chic-fil-a. Eating there became a symbolic middle finger to the gay marriage movement. That's when I started hearing about how fantastic their food was. One bite of anything on the menu and you would be locked up in an hour long food orgasm. ETc, Etc. LOL! Me thinks the praise has more to do with politics than the actual food.

Chik-Fil-A was very popular long before the gay marriage debate began and Mr. Cathey has always been upfront about his beliefs and makes no apologies for them. The radical gay people thought they would boycott him out of business and it backfired. Not only did their supporters keep going but it did, admittedly draw some new, but limited in numbers, support from the religious right.

Personally, they have about the best fast food chicken sandwich going, but I don't care to much for the waffle fries.

Dreamland isn't underwhelming, it just plain sucks. So does Big Bob Gibson's

He said genuine good steak house, not places that serve steaks cut from old milk cows.

Hungry Howies and Doughboys pizza. Both are terrible and got me sick. Doughboys should be diarrhea boys. Tried both once and never again.

The two that come to mind when I think of chitty restaurants with rave reviews and an almost cult like following are top of the river and mata's pizza, both in Anniston. Matas pizza is a thick crust with a cracker like consistency, sauce like they put on spaghetti in a school cafeteria, toppings so crappy that they put them under the cheese and finally about 3 lbs of cheese so you can't tell how crappy the rest of the pizza actually tastes. Top of the river, well if I'm paying 20 dollars for a plate of something, it's gonna be something from the ocean that has a shell or part of a cow, preferably a ribeye but definitely not soggy fried catfish that I can catch in the river for free and cook better at home and some canned glory turnip greens that I can buy for a dollar at any grocery store.

I don't see how in the hell wintzells in Guntersville stays open.

Five guys burgers and fries. The fries are good and they give you a ton of them but over all middle of the road burger with high end pricing. Regular bacon cheese burger and regular Cajun fries $13 and change without drink. I've had bigger and better burgers for cheaper.

Jim and Nicks

Texas Roadhouse, maybe I'm too old and sober to find this place amusing?

I've tried 3, so they got the benefit of the doubt in Jacksonville, NC, Savannah, GA, and the one in Hsv. They all had terrible service, really loud music, and unflattering food.

It isn't a dining experience unless you show up with a buzz at this place.

We went to a friends birthday there a few years ago. And I ordered ribs. They get to my table and I start eating them and I was literally having to gnaw them off the bone like a damn dog.

Well the manager comes around with the big smile asking, "How is everything?" So I give him an honest assessment and tell him that these are the shittiest ribs I've ever eaten. And I tell him I'm a cook and they should cook the ribs slower and longer and they would be a lot better. This is exactly what he said, "Well, we quick cook our ribs." I was speachless. I didn't know how I could reply to that.

But yeah, Dreamland is way overrated.

Buffalo Wild Wings and Ruth Chris. I rather eat at Taco Bell

If Hooter's did not have beer and boobs; they would have been out of business a long time ago.

alright....that's it. You and me, outside.


In all seriousness, I've eaten at Rendezvous more times than I can count. It is far and away my favorite restaurant in the entire world. But just like any other place, they're not always going to be perfect. Rendezvous is what I would call "on their game" about 70% of the time, and "off their game" the other 30%.

7/10 times, when they're "On", their ribs are the best in the world.

the other 3/10 times, when they're "Off", they're still good, just not "best in the world" quality. (but still MUCH better than any of this garbage in Tuscaloosa).

but when they're "On", they just can't be beat.

Good sammich. I've good for about 3 per year.

Landrys in Huntsville.

. I don't think they where ever trying to have the best food on the block lol

The quality in other areas is not like it used to be either, at least not locally.

They sell food............?????

I love 5 guys! Especially the Cajun fries.


Cracker Barrel sucks. It taste enough like home just to remind you it isn't near as good as momma cooked it.

Mission accomplished

I agree with all who said Cracker Barrel sucks. My wife and her family love that place, and I haven't figured out why.

So true, I will say the one in T-Town is better than the rest of them, when the old man died and his daughter took over and started adding menu items the food went down hill...

X2

X3

Also, Cracker Barrel ain't special but I love their turnip greens. When I order a dinner I get a meat and three sides of turnip greens and cornbread. A bottle of pepper sauce and i'm happy.

Gotta agree with Gomer on this. Rendezvous is some damn good eats when they're on. Memphis style ribs beat anything in Alabama I've ever eaten - except the ribs I cook on my smoker.

That made me LOL

Can't believe nobody mentioned Subway. I cringe whenever I'm with someone who wants to go there. Why pay $7 for what tastes the same as a baloney sandwich?

Stopped in Prattville a few weeks ago with intentions of swinging by Steak & Shake. The drive through must have been 10 cars deep. Decided to go through Milo's. Not a single car in the drive through. That burger was as bad as McDonalds. It was be an Alabama loyalty thing that keeps them in business.

$7 for a sandwich and chips and a drink isn't a bad price for a lunch.

what are you getting that taste like bologna? they have lots of options. get a meatball sub or a buffalo chicken if you want some different flavor.

I go spicy italian

I agree with PCP, I just don't care for a Subway. And It is a bad price for a terrible sandwich.

Never been to Full Moon BBQ that I thought was very good.
IMO Jim N Nicks is much better.

Preach It!!

Chubway definitely isn't on the same level as Lenny's sub shop or Firehouse, but I think for the money it's a decent lunch, and often is the only option for something halfway-healthy.

agree. I wasn't saying it was gourmet by any means.

in Montgomery, Scott Street Deli is the ultimate for that kind of sandwich/chips/drink lunch. Much like diplomat deli in bimringham, but you'll spend double that at either.

chain stores id say:
Jersey Mikes > Firehouse > Lennys > Quiznos > Jimmy Johns > Subway > Blimpie

but there is something I like at each, and ill eat any of them when on the road and need something to eat.

Absolute worse to me is Beef O'Brady's, I have never enjoyed a meal in there. Second worse is any Mexican restaurant.

chickfila is way over rated. Since they've gotten rid of their spicy chicken biscuit, I haven't been back. Everything else is blaaaaah.

Cock of the walk - the one in opelika, the "award winning catfish" is almost inedible and the service is TERRIBLE.
They also charged my family of 4 an automatic tip and we didn't realize it until after we had already left a tip on the table...won't be going back there.

Any Dreamland besides original. I saw they are opening one in Inverness at 280 and Valleydale yesterday. It's going to flop I'm sure.

Cock of the walk is good over in Jackson, MS

Tough access at that location and a Full Moon in one direction and Jim n Nicks to the other direction; not good idea.

Been to that full moon many times. I'd pick it over DreamLand any day.

It's already open, and they stay packed out. The access isn't bad as you can just go in the Winn Dixie entrance and have a light to get out. I went there the other night at 8 to meet a buddy and they were slammed.

yep, had smoke coming out of chimney yesterday morning when I went by there.

The thread is about underwhelming restaurants. In order to be underwhelmed you have to have positive expectations to start with. I quit having positive expectations from Subway years ago.

Damn,sounds like every restaurant sucks.

They don't suck; just underwhelming.
We could always start another thread about restaurants that truly suck.

Underwhelming= sucks

Winner^^^^^^^ I was reading every post and if someone hadn't mentioned it I was.