'Out Of Gas'
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
we almost ate at a very old Buca di Beppo in Eden Prairie, MN
As you know, Bob, Buca used to be a local Twin Cities chain (5 restaurants or so) run by an actual Italian family. And then they went corporate-national. Actually, I find Buca to be rather tasty and amusing, though I'd never eat at the one here.
I don't mind the Olive Garden, I have fond memories of law school days when we used to go stuff ourselves (and our purses) with the unlimited soup salad breadsticks lunch. I actually like Buca a lot. The one here has really good food and it's good for students.
I woke up this morning with the thought of William Shatner guesting on Highlander.
"There.....Can.....BEonlyone."
"It's...bettertoburnOUT...thantofade...away..."
I offer no excuse.
Because there is none.
I like Olive Garden. There's a Carraba's here, but it's way out of my price range. Olive Garden is a pricy restaurant, in my life.
I have as yet to visit nor eat at a Buca, even the aforementioned one is the closest restaurant to my workplace.
Jessica and I have the same full body shudder horror reaction to Buca, it seems.
Still, the chirpy service at a lot of chains is a good use for the giant manly penis-replacement steak knives they seem to want to give you with everything, whether your food calls for it or not.
Though I have gotten takeout from there before - it's a decent option to feed a group and avoids the cringy atmosphere.
I rather like the Macaroni Grill, in terms of semi-common "Italian" restaurant chains. Certainly better than Olive Garden or Buca di Beppo. Delicious bread. I like the pasta selection at the Cheesecake Factory more than any of them, though.
Carrabba's has much yummier food than Olive Garden, but I have enjoyed plenty of their garlic sticks. There was an OG near our old office and we had many a lunch there. Never got sick and enjoyed the comforting pasta.
Chain restaurants have their issues, but there is a certain value in knowing what you are getting. OG worked well with us and the boys. They can eat some bread.