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The tough economy has put diners in the drivers seat to find good meals, good deals and choices for every budget and taste according to Consumer Reports latest Restaurant Satisfaction Survey.
The Capital Grille, First Watch, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Maggiano’s Little Italy and McCormick & Schmick’s earned top marks among Consumer Reports ratings of 101 of America’s most popular chains.
The Consumer Reports National Research Center gathered responses from 70,403 subscribers who made 158,744 visits to 101 restaurant chains between April 2007 and 2008. Diners were asked about their overall satisfaction, and to rate the quality of food, value, service, mood and choice.
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Diners gave 21 chains top marks for food including, The Original Pancake House, Bravo Cucina Italiano, Texas Roadhouse, Bonefish Grill, Morton’s The Steakhouse and Abuelo’s. Five chains earned exceptional scores for value: Black-eyed Pea, Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ, Azteca Mexican Restaurant, Cheddar’s Casual Café, and First Watch.
At the other end of the spectrum, with lower marks across the board, were Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, Joe’s Crab Shack, and Friendly’s.
Where to Eat?
For great meals for less than $20, Consumer Reports readers recommend: Mimi’s Café, Abuelo’s, Cheddar’s Casual Café, Elephant Bar Restaurant and Texas Roadhouse. Those restaurants earned better-than-average marks for food and value. First Watch and The Original Pancake House were also standouts for food and value, but are limited to breakfast and lunch fare.
When dining at a chain for a special occasion, Houston’s, J. Alexander’s, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Bravo Cucina Italiano, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Il Fornaio, Bonefish Grill, McCormick & Schmick’s, The Capital Grille, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and The Melting Pot all earned the highest marks for food, mood, and service.
Not many respondents ordered take-out food, but at more than 70 percent of visits, people who picked up food were very satisfied with the service. Respondents cited Famous Dave’s, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Olive Garden, and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro as better choices.
What’s the Problem?
While respondents were generally satisfied with their overall dining experience, they did have at least one complaint on 43 percent of restaurant visits. On 10 percent of their visits, they had two and on 14 percent, respondents had three or more complaints.
Noise (from loud customers and crowded tables) was the complaint cited most often. The Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, and Hooters were among the chains cited with higher than average noise complaints. Sloppy service (waiters or waitresses were inattentive or slow to bring food or the check) was next. The Rainforest Café, Friendly’s and the Cheesecake Factory were among the eight chains with above average complaint rates.
