Uncharted Territory??Chain Restaurants!

Over the last year, Dena and I have blasted chain restaurants on more than one occasion.  However, now is the time of our bloggaversary, and after a trip to Nebraska recently I was struck by how chains CAN be charming, and are often a fond memory from a person’s childhood.  Like or not, chains can make represent the culture of a region, and can even be an addiction that people mourn for when they are forced to leave it.

My friends Carol and Amos took me to Nebraska to experience a Husker game, and there was a little chain I saw over and over again, and was lucky enough to eat there on one occasion.  It’s a smaller Midwastern chain called Runza.  Runza is not only the name of the restaurant, but also the name of their signature dish.  It’s a mixture of ground beef and cabbage baked into dough.  It’s REALLY good and it’s a tradition in the state of Nebraska and is a staple at Husker games.  I couldn’t help but notice that the place has a following up there, and it’s most definitely something that Nebraskans pine for when they leave the state.  It’s something adults in Nebraska remember from when they were kids, and it really is something that brings comfort to people.  Which got me to thinking that maybe all chains aren’t evil monopolies slowly killing the American spirit with processed, soulless foods.

Which led me to my next thought, what is MY favorite chain?  Of course I enjoy the basics from McDonald’s and Burger King, but if I had to go with the all around best—-Chik-Fil-A is it.  I remember as a kid going to the one in the mall, and loving the way the breading on the chicken sandwiches tasted and being fascinated by their waffle cut fries.  I was thrilled when central Arkansas starting getting free standing Chik-Fil-A restaurants, and even more ecstatic when I discovered they served breakfast!  The big kicker for me is that no matter where I go I know that the food there is going to be awesome, and the service will be spectacular.  NEVER have I gotten bad service at Chik-Fil-A.  I have never had a mixed up order, or even gotten a bag that was missing a straw.  I have never ever had a worker at one of their stores be rude or act like they hate their life, which is more than I can say for ANY Taco Bell experience I have ever had.  Good food and good service mean I want to go there so much I have to put in a little extra time on the old workout videos, but you know what—-it’s totally worth it.

So in honor of us being up and going for one year, and in honor of a chain that is truly good in every way, we are giving away a $25 gift card to Chik-Fil-A!  All you have to do is post a comment here to be entered!  The contest will run for a week from the date of posting, so leave us a comment and be entered to win!