After working in the west end of downtown Dallas for 19 years and going to the Palm periodically over the course of those 19 years, I can tell you that the Palm has finally won me over. The huge quantity of food used to intimidate me. But there are some things on the menu that are really terrific. (We take clients there for lunch; I've hardly ever been for dinner.)

On my own nickel, I like Macaroni Grill and California Pizza Kitchen, but I don't really consider them "upscale." Oh yes, I also really enjoy Pappadeaux.

My choices:
Outback and PJ Changs
I didn't include the Cheesecake factory since the only ones I have been in were so much noisier than my above choices that I felt it took away from the dining experience.

"I dont like the new dress code....I can wear cargo pants and sandals but I cant wear my cap?"

Since when do we wear caps/hats inside of public buildings? Might be the teacher in me, but I too would insist you remove the cap if we were dining together.

Agree with most of what is written - with exceptions of Carraba's being good (Twice in Naples, Once in Scottsdale, and Once in Detroit - enough for me).

Also - think that Macaroni Grill can be quite good - one of my favorite chains - along with Changs, Roys, and Baja Fresh.

And who can argue with a bean burrito with extra onions for .99-cents from Taco Bell when you want a snack at a drive through? {Go ahead, I'm ready to get slammed for the mere mention of Taco Bell! lol}

"When you start to actually taste your food, and give a damn about quality vs. quantity, you will not only get better food, but you might drop a pound or two as well."

rjw, if you do not find the above comment by LitespeedChick insulting, you are different than most people I know. I stand by my opinion stated above.

Capital Grille

Cheesecake Factory

PF Changs

Considering how many posters are appalled at the thought of dining at the Olive Garden, I find it shocking that you can never get into one without a wait. The food is okay, not as good as I can make at home, but not horrible either. To each his own.

I've only been to PF Chang's once, but I loved it and would love to try it again.

leelane, I don't find it insulting at all. What's more, it's true; once you do care about the quality of your food, you find you're eating a better, more balanced diet, in realistic quantities, and your health will reflect it. I know-- I'm fighting the battle back to a healthy weight after years of not caring about the food I eat; I now only dine in "good" places where I see fine foodstuffs being prepared sensibly, and I've lost 27 lbs in two months. You won't catch me in an Olive Garden or a TGI Friday's ever again (for that matter, I don't eat out as much as I used to).

Sorry to get on my soapbox (I'll get off in a second), but it's my new "thing"-- getting people to eat better to stay healthy.

Paul that was funny! I too love the Taco Bell bean burritos with extra onions and the green sauce! YUM!

I agree with leelane911 about the remarks from litespeed_chick. Her comments were rude, condesending and just uncalled for and snooty.
Some of us like to go to 'chains' because they are convenient...closer to home.
My favorite is Roy's but it's located downtown, 45 minutes from my house, but Johnny Carino's is only 10 minutes from my house, making that a favorite too.
I also like the Cheesecake and PH Changs, though I've only been once to Pf's.

I like Copeland's. It's not too upscale but not a Cracker Barrel either. My favorite dish is the Catfish Ricochet. The one in Covington LA does a jazz brunch on Sunday & a friend of mine is the strolling clarinetist.

I occasionally go to the original McCormick & Schmick's in Beaverton, Oregon. Pretty good seafood, and with a very "local" feel.

Pappadeux's in San Antonio, and a small chain called Zorbaz which are usually on a lake.

Bonefish Grill!

My favorite fine dining chain restaurant is The Thomas Keller "chain"
of The French Laundry and Per Se!

If all upscale chains could be only half as good...

Enjoy, fun TRAVEL question...my answer is bi-coastal...

Smokey Bones is our newest chain favorite. Great BBQ ribs and pulled pork as well as lots of other tasty menu items.

Oh yea, I love Rubios tacos and In and Out also.

Actually the bread sticks at Olive Garden are awesome. I could make a meal out of just those.

There is a spot for chains. The nice thing is that we have choices. Sometimes, even when travelling, it is comforting to know what you are getting and how much you might have to spend. Especially when travelling with a family. So, the chains serve a purpose.

LOVE PF Changs (and her new little sister, Pei Wei is good, too)

Morton's or Ruth's Criss

Il Fornaio

Haven't tried Roy's and don't have one nearby but now I wish I did

Well, if Le Cirque 2000 is a chain, that definitely gets my vote! I've only eaten at the original and it's fantastic.

Baluchis is an Indian, NYC-only (I think) chain, and I've eaten at many of their different locations...inexpensive and very good food.

Il Fornaio is also excellent...I had no idea that it was a chain the 1st time I ate at their Irvine location.

I can't believe that Outback and Olive Garden are considered "upscale" by some people. I see the people who walk in & out of these two restaurants which are located near my office. If the majority of people are in jeans & sneakers, I wouldn't call it upscale. I've tried each one once. Sure, the price is upscale, but for what you get I think it's a ripoff (I'm talking quality, not quantity).

Litespeed, sure sugar, salt and fat are abundant at fast food chains, and not that I am atating this as one of my favorite chains at all, but an example of fast food with new sides that aren't heavy in these poisonous items you mentioned are some of the seletions on Ruby Tuesday's menu and the opportunity to get a whole grain tortilla, steamed broccoli. You are insinuating that every one on this forum needs to lose weight or that everyone who eats in chains needs to lose weight. Being a nutrition professional, I can tell you that just as much, if not moreso, is the lack of physical activity that could help people to lose weight, and not implying here that anyone does--but physical activity is something that can be done everyday, whereas visiting chain restaurants isn't something most do everyday. Bottom line, an 'occasional' visit to a chain restaurant isn't going send anyone over the top. And again, being in the profession that I am, don't assume for once that trained chefs in the local restaurants aren't adding salt, whole milk, cream and butter to your entrees without your knowledge!

Some of my favorite chains are Panera, Cheesecake Factory and Bravo!

I don't think many chains could be considered upscale! I like the Green Mill restaurants (Midwest) and they are very generous with coupons. Lone Star can be really good, but don't order the salmon.

Olive Garden is lowest common denominator. I got salmonella there in 1991; enough said.

Suzanne, I think most people are answering this question in terms of "favorite chain restaurant" and disregarding the "upscale." Of course, "upscale" can mean different things to different people. If a family can barely afford to eat at Burger King, then Outback is going to be upscale to them.

Roys..

I find it harder to make special requests at smaller places, because removing an ingredient or requesting say dry grilling changes the flavor the chef may have intended - so they are a tad reluctant.

Chains on the other hand could'nt care less and will put things together any old way you ask - I've had tortilla soup - no cheese, no fried tortilla strips or avocado.

It's possible to eat healthy anywhere if you make the right choices.

Used to like Ztejas..unfortunately the Dallas location closed down:(

Carrabba's Italian Grill - it so much better than the Olive Garden. Your food comes out perfect and hot! I've been to five different Carrabba's in five different states - that's how much we like it!!

Not a huge chain, but the Rusty Scupper is great. Best view of the harbor in Baltimore.

....Or the Capitol Grill. Filet mignon is great.

rjw - Olive Garden's minestrone soup is very healthy and very tasty. Just wanted to mention that fact in case you ever have to dine there. It is usually the only thing I eat there. However, I would prefer eating there than Carrabas any day.

Another chain restaurant I forgot to mention that I love is Willys. It is along the same lines as Baja Fresh and Moes but the salsa is better to me. I eat there a good bit because their veggie burrito (no cheese) is to die for.

To comment on another poster's statement, when I mentioned Olive Garden, I did not consider it to be upscale, nor did I really consider any of the chains I mentioned to be upscale. The ones mentioned (Olive Garden aside) were my favorite chains.

OMG, I feel like a deprived child!! I have never eaten in any of these places! :O
OK, Baluchis in NYC, if that is indeed a chain.
and Circo in Las Vegas if it is considered a chain of Le Cirque?
We have a Carrabbas here, but I have to say, having lived in NYC where there are a gazillion small privately owned restaurants and cafes, I never felt the need for an Olive Garden when I could go to Lunas or wherever ~ Now I have to go to Carrabas! and PF Chang? Fancy chain Chinese is better than the little private ones? I saw one somewhere, I will try that too :)

I have to wonder also if the reason that in places like Jax Fl, the vast amount of people who are overweight, are also eaters of chain restaurants every day- all that fat and salt in their food?
Not good places like Carrabbas but all these Bonos BBQ places and all..the number of obese patrons I see coming in and out of these places worries me. What are they feeding these people??

*this -in no way- implies that any poster here is obese! *

Well, I still hold that there's no such thing as an upscale chain. As far as I can tell most chain food is simply ghastly (Olive Garden???) would anyone ever voluntaily eat this months ago frozen and nuked food like matter?

And while there are some chains (Legal Seafood is one) where the food is not so bad - I woud argue that they are still nowhere near "upscale".

to me an "upscale" restaurant is not merely - or even necessarily expensive - (and doesn;t Olive Garden cost about $10 for dinner - this is upscale only vs Miceky D's - a local diner is more) - but one with an actual chef picking all fresh food, preparing daily specials, a sopisticated wait staff (not a bunch of teens clapping happy birthday in the aisles) and with real linens, silver and crystal.

Otherwise the food may be OK - but its definitely not "upscale".

Well, now I'm intrigued. I will just have to plan a trip to Jacksonville to see if indeed, they are the poster children for obesity.

Heaven knows that if you go to a non-chain, truly upscale restaurant and pay a lot of money, there is no fat or salt in their food and the patrons are all bone-thin.

Just because you go to chain restaurants doesn't mean you don't frequent local chef owned spots as well. Quite honestly, a lot of the chains (even upscale) are more family friendly.

I don't think Olive Garden is fabulous, but it's good for the money and great for families. What can I say, I'm a sucker for their breadsticks.

Favorite upscale chains (and I agree Olive Garden isn't particularly upscale) . . . PF Changs, J Alexanders, Palomino, and Roy's (though we went several years ago to one on Maui & I didn't even realize it was a chain!)

Least favorite: CHEESECAKE FACTORY - so many people rave about it but dh & I have yet to discover why. We're going to give it another shot soon since one just opened locally - we'll see!

The OP said "upscale" in the title but also mentions casual dining in the body of the message. The great majority of the places mentioned here fall in the casual category.

I like Big Bowl and PF Chang too. My contribution for a small chain would be Tara Thai with numerous locations in metro DC and now in Richmond.

I think the incongruity of "chain" and "fine dining" is implied by the poster and that he/she was asking for exceptions to the expected chain glop. Seems like a pretty light hearted thread except for a couple of nitpickers and lecturers.

Congrats on the weight loss rjw! That's fantastic!

Oh dear, how could I forget the one I crave . . . RUTH'S CHRIS!!!!

Its' really the qunatity of food that gets people obese - we have a chinese restaurant that we often go to from work - lunch plate has about two cups of the main veg/meat, a heaping mound of rice, a big pile of some noodly stuff, a spring roll and another fried thingy - oh and a bowl of soup with fried wontons.
Now this is way too much carbs, fat not to mention sodium out the wazoo..but people finish every crumb and love the place "value for money" I am told!!

Roy's in Pebble Beach is a favorite of mine. We live in "chain-restaurant" city, so here's my list:

California Pizza Kitchen-BBQ chicken pizza

Elephant Bar & Grill- we just took eight people there for under $100! Their Kona ribs and raspberry mango swirls are pretty good!

Macaroni Grill-the foccacia bread is pretty good here!

Dai Bai Dang- good lettuce wraps and the salmon is usually cooked pretty good here!

McCormick & Schmicks- In Portland, the Harborside & Jake's Crawfish are very good!

Olive Garden- no comment, have only been once about ten years ago, won't go back tho!

Mimi's Cafe- they have a really good key lime pie that I like with raspberry sauce

Panda Express- fits the bill very nicely once a week after water polo games, practices. I like their orange chicken, chow mein and spring rolls!

In n Out Burgers! Going there tonight after a water polo game, I've been thinking about it all week! LOL ***kim*** :)

Scarlett,

I personally think PF Changs is <i> better </i> than most local Chinese places I've been to, although I've never lived in NYC. When I say better I mean I prefer the flavors and textures--I'm sure it's not &quot;authentic&quot; Chinese food. It is very easy to eat healthy at PF Changs (brown rice! edamame! steamed fish!).

O.K., here's my two cents, although I may only like a single dish or two at some of these places:

Samba Room
Il Fornaio
Palomino
Cheesecake Factory

Wow - who would have guessed that people could get so passionate about chain restaurants??

For my part, I try to avoid chain restaurants when I travel because I do prefer to check out locally-owned places. It actually drives me nuts on business trips when my coworker insists on an endless routine of Olive Garden, Fridays, Macaroni Grill, and California Pizza Kitchen.

However, I have to say that (with the exception of Macaroni Grill because I don't really like their bread) - they all offer some pretty good entrees. I can't pass up the soup and salad at Olive Garden, the potato skins (so horrible for me, I know) at Fridays, and the field greens salad at CPK.

The other side of the issue is that, unfortunately, in many locations (the burbs!), chains are often about the only options. I live outside of Pittsburgh and the only non-bar eating establishments are chains...it's not really feasible to drive into town to search for a local restaurant, especially since we have a limited amount of happy time with our 8 month old. So - we eat, and enjoy, what he have locally...

Coconut shrimp and Alice Springs Chicken at Outback (I used to wait tables there and still love it!)

Tres Tacos at Baja Fresh

Giant burritoes at Qdoba

Wings at Quaker Steak

...I'm sure I could go on but I'm making myself hungry just thinking about it!

I like this list it reminds me of some places I've eaten on my travels! While these are all chains, many are regional. I enjoyed Big Bowl while in Chicago, Legal Seafood in Boston, and Baja Fresh and In&amp;Out in CA but don't have them near where I live.

While I'm in general not a fan of chains, I DO like to go to regional ones while I travel.

For Patrick: I am a food snob, I'll admit it. Call me narrow-minded but I really am a pure New England/New York/L.A/SF/Miami food snob. So I do what I can to avoid chains, upscale, downscale or otherwise. Haven't eaten at any of the aforementioned restaurants save P.F Chang's and wasn't that impressed. With many things in life, we all have our own opinion about food and I suppose I should have spared you and other readers mine. No harm done, though (I hope).

Kehsutton, you are condemning restaurants that you have never tried simply because they are part of a chain? That is your loss.

OK, Kehsutton, now I understand. I know lots of people with similar ideas.
LIKE:

All food in London is horrible!
I won't stay in a Four Seasons Hotel because it's a chain.
I won't stay at a Ritz Carlton because they're owned by Marriott.
I won't drink California Wine because they aren't as good as French.

I only wonder how many places you've eaten and loved that you didn't even know had &quot;branches&quot; making it a chain.