Best regional restaurant chains

Now I'm thinking about Stories and craving the pecan-encrusted mountain trout, shaved brussels sprouts and cheese grits, with a Duck Rabbit brown ale on the side. And it's 7:45 am and I'm at work about 1,000 miles away. Damn you.

 

I have yet to make it to a Primanti Bros., and they're popping up all around our area. Not particularly wild about a stack of fries in my sandwich, though.

There's a little burrito chain in York County, Roburritos, that swears by fries in their burritos. Uh-uh. I'll take my fries on the side, thank you.

 

I have always always wanted to go to Primanti Bros.....heard it is phenomenal.
There's a burrito joint here that makes "The Beast".....3 different kinds of meat, 2 kinds of beans, rice, guac, sour cream, hot sauce and fries.
Haven't had it yet, but heard it is fantastic.

 

My favorite burrito for years, from the aforementioned Neato Burrito, has no meat.

Jalapeno cheese tortilla
Black-bean hummus
Dirty rice
Lots of cheddar cheese
Jalapeno-and-feta salsa
Sriracha
Onions

It falls apart quickly, but it is oh-so-good.

 

One of the best up-and-coming regional chains around here is Half-Shell Oyster House. They've based in Biloxi, or maybe Gulfport, and they've got about a dozen locations along the Gulf Coast from Sarasota, FL to Lafayette, LA. It's an upscale New Orleans-style seafood restaurant, but they also serve steaks, chicken, po-boys and burgers, and it's reasonably priced.

 

Gosh that sounds good.

 

The ingredients definitely mesh, sir.

 

Yeah, I forgot which thread I was on for a minute. Still, I can't bring myself to support a business that was started in Statesboro, Ga. when I'm back in Boone. It's just not right.

I've never been to The Gamekeeper, but I've always wanted to try it. Try Come Back Shack on Blowing Rock Road for a good, quick burger. Sunrise Cafe on 105 makes a good breakfast.

 

Half Shell is freaking awesome. There's one near us and we love it. Never had a bad meal there.
The gumbo and sweet potato creme brûlée are both to die for.

 

I drive right by Come Back Shack all the time (the only Starbucks around is in the Harris Teeter right behind it and when I'm in town I work out sometimes at CrossFit Postal right across the street). Always been curious -- I'll check it out next time we're down.

 

Red, Hot & Blue BBQ is pretty good here in the MD-VA area. Don't think they have one in DC.

 

Ate there a couple times in NC many years ago. It wasn't bad.