Favorite chain restaurant you shop for and why....

I have to say, my #1 is BJ's Brewery for their continuous good food and service. The menu choice is great with something for everyone. I like their small plate and appetizers as well as dinner and dessert...all around excellent chain.

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BJ's is my choice too. From other threads I guess I better branch out on the dessert - I get a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Lazy Dog. I think they are only in the West. I've only done a few shops so far but received terrific service each time. I really enjoy the food and the menu has many interesting choices. It's one of the few restaurants I would consider going on my own and not on a shop.

I have had such poor service at the two BJs that I have shopped in my area that I am reluctant to return. However, now that they do not allow any lunch shops here, I am totally done with them.

But, the one I did in FL was great. Perhaps the local franchisees have a lot to do with the quality of service.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

@kenasch wrote:

Lazy Dog. I think they are only in the West. I've only done a few shops so far but received terrific service each time. I really enjoy the food and the menu has many interesting choices. It's one of the few restaurants I would consider going on my own and not on a shop.

I love Lazy dog and go there on my own..had no idea their shopped, they are 3 miles from me.

Live consciously....

@walesmaven wrote:

I have had such poor service at the two BJs that I have shopped in my area that I am reluctant to return. However, now that they do not allow any lunch shops here, I am totally done with them.

The BJ's lunch service is absolutely the worst. I think lunch is a training period for the new servers. It they can't make it at lunch, they don't get any dinner hours assigned. I'm a frequent eater at BJ's, love the food, love the beer, but the service is definitely spotty. They have some amazing servers and some who are absolutely terrible. My worst experiences with terrible BJ's servers over the years have almost all been at lunch.

I use to see Lazy Dog shops and never took one. I forgot who offered them but if I see one again I will take it this time. I love Lazy Dog.

I really like Tender Greens, perhaps only in Los Angeles. The food is really good and there are so many combos you can make...Plus the report is not as bad as for other full dinner type shops since it is a cafeteria line...but the plate is made up for each person, not from a pan of already made meat or fish just sitting around under a warmer light.

I'm partial to BJ's and BWW.

I forgot about BWW, they have the best wings. I like them too. Also, Lucille's BBQ, their bbq is the best. Love their fried green tomatoes, coleslaw, and rolls.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2016 10:11PM by pegleg2000.

Now for my least favorite, Famous Dave's. Service inconsistent. Many times we are almost ignored. Our favorite dish used to be the Burnt Ends. On our last visit they were literally burnt pieces of fat. No meat at all. They are located in the same area as Yardhouse and Lazy Dog. I don't expect them to last much longer with that kind of competition. Another one in Ventura County closed last year.

Baja Fresh, California Tortilla, Roy Rogers, Smashburger, Five Guys, Nandos, Cava Mezze Grill.

All shops (other than Cava) are either fee plus reimbursement or a reasonable flat fee that allows room to either order more or generate a fee. All are easy, with Roys and Smash requiring a moderate but manageable amount of narratives. I love Cava and eat there often, the reimbursement is enough for two persons.

BJs in my area is reimbursement only, the MSC does not like to pay a fee even when begging for help. I am considering giving them a try but as already mentioned here, their service times during lunch are a major complaint on sites like Yelp and Google reviews. Roadhouse is a similar candidate, same concerns.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

Interesting that the favorite chains are restaurants. I'll sign up for B.J.'s Restaurant as I have not done one yet.

Chains: Blue bank shops simply because they are easy to do. And I seem to get in and out in less than 15 minutes.

Do not read so much, look about you and think of what you see there.
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230

@whosear wrote:

Interesting that the favorite chains are restaurants. I'll sign up for B.J.'s Restaurant as I have not done one yet.

Chains: Blue bank shops simply because they are easy to do. And I seem to get in and out in less than 15 minutes.

The name of the thread is favorite restaurant chains....

Live consciously....

I've been offered coffee and snacks at banks.

I like Texas Roadhouse. Food is great and service good most of the time. Only shop I do that is reimbursement only.

Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.

Can you give a hint as to what MSC does Lazy Dog? I LOVE Lazy Dog but can't find them in any of the companies I work for.

I like Baja Fresh best, because the food is great, not expensive, and there is very little waiting time for food.

I never heard of Lazy Dogs, and I live in the West. The name implies Hot Dogs, and I would never eat hot dogs.

@AZwolfman wrote:

I like Baja Fresh best, because the food is great, not expensive, and there is very little waiting time for food.

I never heard of Lazy Dogs, and I live in the West. The name implies Hot Dogs, and I would never eat hot dogs.

I love Baja Fresh as well. Lazy dog is named because you can bring your dogs and eat on the patio (dog friendly). They are in the subs, maybe 4 or 5 and are relatively new and very good, with an emphasis on healthy...no hot dogs that I've seen.

Live consciously....

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

@AZwolfman wrote:

I like Baja Fresh best, because the food is great, not expensive, and there is very little waiting time for food.

I never heard of Lazy Dogs, and I live in the West. The name implies Hot Dogs, and I would never eat hot dogs.

I love Baja Fresh as well. Lazy dog is named because you can bring your dogs and eat on the patio (dog friendly). They are in the subs, maybe 4 or 5 and are relatively new and very good, with an emphasis on healthy...no hot dogs that I've seen.

Yes no hot dogs. They have a shop where you eat on the patio and have to bring a dog. I wish I could rent a dog for that one!

@kenasch wrote:

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

@AZwolfman wrote:

I like Baja Fresh best, because the food is great, not expensive, and there is very little waiting time for food.

I never heard of Lazy Dogs, and I live in the West. The name implies Hot Dogs, and I would never eat hot dogs.

I love Baja Fresh as well. Lazy dog is named because you can bring your dogs and eat on the patio (dog friendly). They are in the subs, maybe 4 or 5 and are relatively new and very good, with an emphasis on healthy...no hot dogs that I've seen.

Yes no hot dogs. They have a shop where you eat on the patio and have to bring a dog. I wish I could rent a dog for that one!

That one is near me, but I just eat inside...do we live in the same town?

Live consciously....

i second Roadhouse.. IF i have the money, I always go FIRST to LongHorn.. they KNOW HOW TO COOK A STEAK!!!! BJ's here in CO are. well, not anything new on the menu.. we don't go. Haven't been to 5 guys since I was canned frm THAT CO.. I like mom and pop's places better.........

Who's the MSC for BJ's now? Thanks

@rick1695 wrote:

Who's the MSC for BJ's now? Thanks

It is a ICA violation for anyone to post that information or to tell you via PM.

I can't wait to find out who shops Longhorn. Love getting paid to eat steak (and just eat in general)
My favorite shops are Mcdonalds for the stupid pay. Can't wait until they go back to mystery shopping...

@AZwolfman wrote:

I like Baja Fresh best, because the food is great, not expensive, and there is very little waiting time for food.

I never heard of Lazy Dogs, and I live in the West. The name implies Hot Dogs, and I would never eat hot dogs.

Lazy Dog has a large outdoor patio area where they allow dogs. In fact, some of the jobs require you bring a dog as part of the shop. They serve everything and the name has nothing to do with hot dogs.

My favorite right now is "Five Guys." I'm a newbie, and haven't had an opportunity to try many of the sit down restaurants yet. Would love to do a BJs or get paid to eat steak!

Hey Bluebonnet, check out RBG for steak shops. Since you didn't ask for the restaurant name I am allowed to tell you the name of the MSC.

[removed since someone doesn't appreciate my humor ;-)]

Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2016 03:37AM by PasswordNotFound.

Loved Rubios but I don't know if they are shopped anymore. Easy report and always good food even if the fee was low the reimbursement was enough for my favorite tacos. Wing shop was fun and easy with zero amount of stress. Five Guys until I got banned and Shakeys for the short report and generous reimbursement.

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Favorite chain restaurant you shop for and why....

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