Buffalo Wild Wings (B-Dubs)

Buffalo Wild Wings, or "B-dubs" is my all time favorite FRANCHISE place for wings, hands down. They have about fourteen regular sauce selections and four different dry rubs or seasonings. I'm not a huge fan of the dry rubs but they are pretty good. I usually go for the sauces, my favorite being the Parmesan Garlic, followed closely by Jammin' Jalapeno. After that I love the Mango Habanero (that's about as hot as I can take!) and the Caribbean Jerk. I always go Traditional wings. For some reason they taste so much better than the Boneless. Their potato wedges are awesome too, and I prefer ranch on the side (not a big fan of Bleu Cheese). I tried their ribs once and was not impressed at all. Most BWW have lunch specials where you can get ten Traditional wings plus fries or wedges for about $8. The location nearest where I work (on Chester Street by Park Meadows in Centennial, CO), however, does an "Unlimited Wings" M-F 11 AM to 2 PM, $9.99 for Traditional, $10.99 for Boneless. You get unlimited fries or wedges too. That usually makes for about a two-hour lunch, though, because I usually do either 18 or 24 wings (you order 6 at a time after the initial 12) plus wedges. Some places don't offer this special, and even this location stops it from time to time. When they have it, though, I put a serious dent in their profit margin for that day! The atmosphere is great too, if you like sports. They usually have numerous TVs with multiple games on. If you join their "Buffalo Circle" on their web site, each year on your anniversary of joining they send you a certificate for six free wings! I love this place!
Web site: www.buffalowildwings.com

 

Buzzard Billy's

One of my favorite places to eat when I go to Waco, Texas for work is Buzzard Billy's. It is a Cajun restaurant right off I-35 with a few crawfish choices I love. I usually start with their Cajun Popcorn, which is fried battered crawfish tails. I ask for a side of New Orleans style Remoulade sauce in addition to the regular cocktail sauce. It is awesome! My favorite entree is their Crawfish Fettuccine Alfredeaux. My second favorite when I am just craving Andouille sausage, chicken, and ham is their Mardi Gras Pasta. These dishes are to die for, and the prices here are very reasonable (everything is under $15). It looks like they have three other locations also, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska, none of which I have been to. This one in Waco is a must though!
Web site: http://www.buzzardbillys.com/

Red Lobster

Everyone loves Red Lobster right? I love Red Lobster, especially when they offer their Endless Shrimp special (which... they just happen to be offering right now!) for $15.99. I haven't had a bad meal here, ever. I would say it is my favorite nationwide-chain seafood restaurant. The prices can hurt a bit, though. That's why I love the Endless Shrimp special. It is what it sounds like, all you can eat. The last time I went, they had five different shrimp entree choices, my favorites in order being 1) Garlic Shrimp Scampi 2) Parmesan Shrimp 3) Hand Breaded Shrimp 4) Shrimp Linguini Alfredo 5) Sweet and Spicy Grilled Shrimp. You start out with two, then order one refill at a time. You can order your first refill when they bring you your initial two. The pictures below (that last picture got distorted somehow) show all five entrees, the scampi making two appearances that night! I also love Red Lobster's garlic cheddar biscuits they serve you while you wait!
Web site: http://www.redlobster.com/

Bone Daddy's House of Smoke

I travel to Waco, Texas quite often for work, via DFW Airport in Fort Worth, where I drive the rest of the way. On my drive to Waco, I usually time out a lunch time arrival at Bone Daddy's House of Smoke. This place caters to men, meaning it isn't exactly family-friendly. It's like a classier version of Hooters. The food is excellent as well: Texas-style barbeque platters, sandwiches, and even salads. I wouldn't say the food is the best BBQ I have had, but it is a contender. Their pit beans are really good, as are their rolls. I haven't had a bad meat here, and their ribs are some of the better ribs I have had. I try to objectively judge the food, but I know I am biased a bit by the treatment you receive. They keep the sauce in a warmer and bring the bottle to your table warm. After your meal you get a steam towel to clean up your face and fingers. And, again, the scenery isn't bad either. There are currently four locations: Three around the Dallas/ Fort Worth area (two of which I have been to), and one in Austin (which I have been to as well). They are all equally good, but the one in Arlington is the most convenient for me during my travels. Trust me, you have to check it out (guys)!
Web site: http://www.bonedaddys.com/

French Quarter Grill

Whenever I have to go to Fort Walton Beach, Florida for work, I always make it a point at least once to head North a few miles to Niceville, where tucked away and somewhat hard to find is a Cajun place called French Quarter Grill. The prices are a bit high, dinner plates start at around $15 and up, but it is worth every penny! These dishes are loaded with flavor! My favorite is the Seafood Nantua for $18 which is "sauteed shrimp and crawfish in a creamy corn and red pepper reduction over grilled catch and a bed of rice". The flavor combinations in this dish are just right. I also like the Crawfish Etouffee a lot. You must stop here if you're in the area!
Location: 714 Howell Rd. Niceville, FL 32578  (850) 678-2604

The Angry Whopper

Burger King occasionally releases the Angry Whopper for a limited time. I am a huge fan of this burger. It is like a regular Whopper, except with the addition of "angry onions", jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and their "angry" sauce. The commercial would make you believe that it is super-hot, but I think it's pretty mild, not very "angry" at all. My forehead barely gets wet when I eat one. It is really tasty, though... one of my favorite fast-food burgers. As with any fast-food burger, however, the real thing doesn't look anything like the advertisement picture as you can see.
Web site: http://www.bk.com/

 

Taqueria Jalisco

Clovis, New Mexico is a place I occasionally find myself in for work. Generally speaking the service at restaurants in this town is the worst you will ever experience. There are a few exceptions, though. Taqueria Jalisco is an authentic Mexican food restaurant located in downtown Clovis. I try to hit this restaurant every time I make a trip there. When the owner (I assume she is the owner) is there, the service is extraordinary. They bring you chips and some of the best salsa right away and the food is cooked fresh and very fast. I have had some lacking service when the "owner" isn't there. Every dish I have ordered there is wonderful, but especially the carnitas platter, which is fried shredded pork, served with rice, avocado, and Mexican salad. I also love the carne al pastor platter (second picture) which is similar to the carnitas platter except they marinate the carne in their red sauce, and it turns out very tasty and juicy. All their food is reasonably priced, usually platters under $10. I love this place!
Location: 217 W 7th St. Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 763-1865

Woody's Pizza

My favorite pizza in Colorado is Woody's Wood Fired Pizza. There are four locations that I know of, but they seem to be not quite the same company. They are all almost the same, though. I used to live in Fort Collins, where there was a Woody's right by CSU campus that I went to a lot. Sadly, I read that this location closed on June 25, 2011 to make space for more student housing :-( What a shame! I have been to the one in Golden, which claims to be the original, and has been voted Best Pizza in Jefferson County. I have also been to the one off Quebec and Evans in Denver. There is another one in Arvada. All of them that I have been to offer an all-day pizza buffet, as well as a salad bar. The cooks are always happy to cook whatever pizza you request. My favorite is the buffalo chicken pizza. The location in Golden, however, usually puts crumbled bleu cheese on it, though, which I don't like. I just ask them to not put that on. I also love their artichoke pizza. The photo below features their California pizza (my second favorite), pepperoni and bacon pizza, and the Buffalo Chicken pizza from the Evans location in Denver. Stop by if you're in the area!
Web site (Arvada and Denver): http://www.restaurantonline.biz/wwwroot/woodys/indexs.php
Web site (Golden): http://www.woodysgolden.com/

Helen Back

I spend a lot of time in the North-Western pan-handle of Florida for work, around Fort Walton Beach. One of my favorite places to go when I am craving pizza is a bar/restaurant called Helen Back. There are a few locations in Florida, but I have only been to the one in Fort Walton Beach. It is located right on the coast of Okaloosa Island and has a huge patio/deck dining area that overlooks the bay, as well as a bar area inside. The pizza at this place is really, really good. The sauce and toppings come almost out to the edge of the crust, and whatever seasoning they put on the crust is awesome. It is nice and salty with a hint of garlic, which I like. I usually get "everything on the top line" minus jalapenos. I have experimented with other toppings but it isn't the same experience. Try this pizza out of you're in the area!
Web site: http://www.helenbackcafe.com/

Health Camp

I have spent a lot of time in Waco, Texas for work. There aren't many good milkshake places around that I have found. There is, however, a mom-and-pop place called Health Camp (funny irony in the name) that serves good burgers, fries, and shakes. It is a legendary restaurant, has been around since the late 1940's (the condition of the building reflects that too). The shakes aren't made from real ice cream. They are the frozen-concentrate type shake, but Health Camp has many different squirt-in flavorings that make a great, unique taste. They are pretty thick too. My favorite is Cherry Chocolate Chip. The prices are reasonable, a large (32 oz) being $4.70. The burgers are really good too... similar to a Five Guys (greasy-type) burger. It's right off I-35 and Valley Mills, so if you're passing through Waco it's an easy and tasty stop.
Location: 2601 Circle Road Waco, TX 76706-3805 (254) 752-2081

Joe's Pizzeria

Joe's Pizzaria is a one-location mom-and-pop local pizza restaurant in Dayton, Ohio. There are many great pizza restaurants in that area, but this one was my overall favorite. They are consistently voted "best pizza in Dayton". Their pizza has a secret and distinct spice recipe that no-one has been able to duplicate. We used to make the trip from work and would call ahead, as they are usually really busy, understandably. We would order a deluxe pizza, light sauce, extra crispy. Some people feel the regular process leaves the pizza a bit soggy, but if you go light sauce extra crispy, it is really good. The picture below is of my old co-worker friend Jeff, about to devour a pie himself! The other pictures are better close-ups of a deluxe, and an extra cheese, pepperoni, sausage pizza. Absolutely incredible stuff!
Location: 4313 Airway Road Dayton, OH 45431 (937) 253-8154 (Call ahead!)

 

Penn Station East Coast Subs

Penn Station East Coast Subs is just what it sounds like, and is only found as far West as Kansas. This was my favorite hot sub sandwich restaurant when I was in Dayton, Ohio. Their Philly cheese-steak was probably the best "near-authentic" Philly I have ever had. They have the best Reuben I have ever had as well. They have fresh-cut fries (they had them before the recent craze that many restaurants have jumped on), and fresh squeezed lemonade which is really good. If you are in the Eastern part of the country, go to their website and see if there is a location nearby. I highly recommend!
Web site: http://www.penn-station.com/

Maggie Moo's

I love a good milkshake. Maggie Moo's is one of the frozen-stone-type ice cream places where you can pick your ice cream and have them mix in various toppings. Between Maggie Moo's and Cold Stone, I like Maggie Moo's ice cream better. Unfortunately it's a bit pricey. A large (32 oz) milkshake under normal conditions will set you back almost $8.00. Fortunately, the location near East Arapahoe and Parker Road offers 1/2 price shakes M-F from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. This is the only location I have found that does this (so far). It makes the price reasonable. I love just a straight up root beer or peanut butter shake, but you can mix in toppings if you like with shakes as well. I visit this Aurora location so often that the girl knows my "usual".
Web site: http://www.maggiemoos.com/