Yet another fine dining establishment is struggling

[pubic_assistance]

The 9 worst restaurant chains...

I just ate at an IHOP on Saturday on my way up North of NYC. Although the service is not what it used to be, my blueberry pancakes, eggs and bacon were delicious as always. No real complaints to be made. I continue to support this chain whenever I can. 

Edited Monday at 02:38 AM by pubic_assistance
grammar

[rvwnsd]

On 8/15/2025 at 11:09 AM, Vegas_Millennial said:

I was just talking about Chili's last night.  My family and friends and I used to go to Chili's almost weekly during the 2010's.  We stopped going when they were forced to shut down in 2020.  When we finally went back in 2023, the changes were noticeable.  The decor and atmosphere and clientele was louder, younger, and "cheaper".  It felt like what Chuck E Cheese would do if it served burgers and didn't have an arcade.  We thought it was just an off-night so we went back later to give it another try.  Same thing, it was loud and felt "cheap".

I'm glad they survived the economic shift of the pandemic shutdowns, but the new shift in service/clientele is just not for me and my peers anymore.

I've been eating at Chili's when I take road trips and I'm happy to say they have improved. Their recent attempt at "improving the guest experience" seems to have been sincere. They are one of the few restaurants (of any type) who can steam broccoli correctly. Hot and tender but not soggy. I could probably eat their chips and salsa with a side of broccoli and be happy.

[rvwnsd]

13 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

The 9 worst restaurant chains...

I just ate at an IHOP on Saturday on my way up North of NYC. Although the service is not what it used to be, my blueberry pancakes, eggs and bacon were delicious as always. No real complaints to be made. I continue to support this chain whenever I can. 

There's a very busy mall-turned-power center near me in Central Phoenix that had a struggling outparcel formerly occupied by a Pier 1 and Texas Roadhouse. IHOP moved in and that building took off. It now has a sandwich place and a fish place, in addition to IHOP, and all three are super busy. Quality wins every time.