Brad Young wrote: I run one of those evil corporate restaurants that many of you on this board, especially the original poster, love to hate.
Hi Brad,
I enjoyed your take on this and honestly I think more people are laid back on this issue than the posts here indicate. People at the extremes just tend to be more vocal. Also, people who like to hear themselves talk (me) just enjoy expressing an opinion. This need not be perceived as threatening.
I read your take this morning just before leaving for a long day on the road. Several times I thought damn I wish I knew where that guy's restaurant is. I want to go there now.
Thinking back, in the last month I've eaten at Drakes, Steak and Shake, Culvers, Buckheads, Rocky's Sub Pub, Market Square, Against the Grain, Blue River Cafe, German Cafe, Silver Dollar, Fireside, NABC Pizzeria, Bank St, NAX, Doc Crows, and Pig Miracle. Today I had a delicious Gyro complements of the Random English Woman in Georgetown. I have no problem with chains.
I occasionally eat at Long Horns, Texas Road House, Panera, McAllisters, Smokey Bones, Popeye’s, JGumbo, Schlotzkys, Red Robin, Aztecas, Puerto Vallarta, and Old Chicago’s. Like your wife, if the place has no good beer, I just don't drink beer. I would definitely go to some of these places more often if they had good beer. It's defining good beer that I find to be the iffy thing.
On Saturday I was at Drakes and they had 24 taps. Here is what was available (Based on their website and my memory). You would think with this many taps the problem would be selecting one from all the great choices right. Not so – to me this is a very safe (and mostly boring) line-up.
DRAKE’SAle
KentuckyAle
Blue Moon
Abita Purple Haze
Sierra Nevada (Can't remember which)
SamAdams Sam Seasonal – Summer Ale and Boston Lager
Magic Hat #9
Falls City
BBC Nut Brown Ale
Bell's Oberon
BassAle
Hoegaarden
StellaArtois
Smithwicks
Stone Arrogant Bastard
Crispin Irish Cider
BBC Bourbon Barrel Stout
Guinness
KY Bourbon Barrel Ale
Hoptimus tap (not active)
Goose Island Urban Wheat 312
Leinenkugel
KY Bourbon Barrel Ale
I drank the 312 as I'm in a wheaty mood right now. My local spot has five craft beers on tap. NABC Black and Blue Grass, Six Point Righteous Ale, Paulaner Hefeweis, Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter, and Stone Arrogant Bastard. For me, this is a great line-up.
I am dying to know where your place is. Tell us and we will come. Cheers Brad!