Best NonFranchise Restaurants

FSSL

FSSL

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Gulf Shores, Alabama
I don't know about you, but good restaurants are hard to find! Here is my offering to the list of what I consider one of the "Best Restaurants."

Wildflower Cafe in Mentone, Alabama.
The drive is fun and scenic. If you drive in from the north, you can even drive by the museum for the country group, Alabama :D

They are only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

You can find them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildflower-Cafe/136038716125

Cost... for a family of 5, I drop between $85 to $100 depending on specials.

Gluten-free? This place ROCKS! The owner's wife eats gluten-free and they know how to accomodate.
 
Big Bob Gibson BBQ - Decatur, Alabama
 
admin said:
LuLu's Restaurant, Gulf Shores Alabama

Great location on the intracoastal.

Baskets are big enough for two people.

Gumbo is awesome.

Lucy Buffet, sister of Jimmy Buffet owns this place.

Great family restaurant.
Click to expand...

We always do Lulu's after going on the dolphin boat since it's right on the marina.
 
Swett's Resturant - Nashville, TN

Probably the best meat-n-3 ever, but it is in the full-blown hood.
 
Pizzeria Uno - Chicago, IL
 
As far as I know, it's just the two resturants: uno and deuce. But, I'm not a native Chicagoan, just visited it once.

Edit: Just checked...they are now a franchise. Apparently, I just ate at the original one.
 
Just went last night with four of my favorite people: SHerryH, her hubby, her sis in law, my oldest son, Catfish Dueys!!! in Ft Lauderdale. I  Had fried shrimp, French fries and fried clams!!

Another good place is Too Jays. They have a great Reuben, fried pickles and French onion soup.

On the water is a place called Sailfish Marina. Went there Sat for my daughters college graduation breakfast party with family. Had Eggs Benedict!
 
Nice! When in Florida, I want to expose my kids to some great seafood.

Last February, I asked a local (in Pompano Beach) where the best restaurant was in Pompano Beach, FL.
They said JBs on the Beach.
It was alright. I did not find it to be great.
The fish was not fresh.
Have any of you ever eaten there?
If so, what did you think about it?
 
Keaton's Chicken hands down.

http://www.keatonsoriginalbbq.com/

Been around since the 50s. Doesn't advertise. Never has specials. Limited hours. Foam plates and plastic silverware. Sits in a converted gas station. No air conditioning. Foam stuffing coming out of seats in booths.

But the chicken...Oh my goodness! It is carmelized, not fried. Tender, falls off the bone. Unbelievably delicious!

8)
 
FSSL said:
Nice! When in Florida, I want to expose my kids to some great seafood.

Last February, I asked a local (in Pompano Beach) where the best restaurant was in Pompano Beach, FL.
They said JBs on the Beach.
It was alright. I did not find it to be great.
The fish was not fresh.
Have any of you ever eaten there?
If so, what did you think about it?
Click to expand...

I rarely go south of WPB. My husband travels a lot in south florida, so he would probably be able to name a few. Sherryh's husband knows lots of restaurants too. I would love to find some Diners, Drive ins and Dives!! They are the best!
 
FSSL said:
Nice! When in Florida, I want to expose my kids to some great seafood.

Last February, I asked a local (in Pompano Beach) where the best restaurant was in Pompano Beach, FL.
They said JBs on the Beach.
It was alright. I did not find it to be great.
The fish was not fresh.
Have any of you ever eaten there?
If so, what did you think about it?
Click to expand...

No never been there .............not far from my home is Tiki Bar  in Riviera Beach this area is not safe at night. I would not go alone during the day. The police are trying to clean it up but its still scares me after 30 years. Celebration Cruise ship goes out of Port of Palm Beach right here also....The food is great....I love the smoke fish dip....that is the best ever!! Alot of people will not travel here because of crime. The marina is getting a face lift and that is a plus but still ....

Because we do work in Fort Lauderdale we have eaten there many times...I would get out of a sick bed to go to "Lester's Diner" on 84 the greek salad,pita bread are my favorites,everything is homemade. The chicken soup excellent,reuben is delicious......Jack's Hamburger on US1 the hamburger melts in your mouth. I don't even eat alot of red meat and I had this swallowed in 2 bites LOL! The 17th Fishery right on the water is really cool they feed the fish while you try and eat.Bahama Breeze is another rest. we've grown to love...
 
Even in Pompano Beach, at around 9:30 pm, one night, a McDonald's was swarmed by police. They had nearly a dozen individuals in handcuffs. YET, the drive-thru was still open with an officer behind the window server.

We have been warned to avoid Miami and certain parts of Homestead.
 
I was going to say Pompano but I knew you would understand............yes Miami at night is a different city........Homestead I've only been there in daytime.

We will be living in a nice section of Miami but I still lock my doors and report people walking our street it's dead end so no one needs to be on our street. All of our homes have been broken into ..........with our dog they cut our window out but did not enter ......I would not want to come in on a female doberman.......she is very protective :)
 
Tamarack in WV.  If you ever travel through WV on I-77, it is worth the 30 seconds it takes to exit and park.  ;)  Why they call it a "Food Court" is beyond me.  The chefs are from The Greenbrier and the food is fabulous. 

www.tamarackwv.com
 
JrChurch said:
Tamarack in WV.  If you ever travel through WV on I-77, it is worth the 30 seconds it takes to exit and park.  ;)  Why they call it a "Food Court" is beyond me.  The chefs are from The Greenbrier and the food is fabulous. 

www.tamarackwv.com
Click to expand...


I didn't know The Greenbrier represented there.

I've been there, for the arts and crafts with ALAYWIFE, but we didn't eat anything, much to my chagrin.


And FSSL, I am a steak lover.  I watch The Travel Channel and other variety shows that report on what is the best Steakhouses in the USA.  I've had steak in numerous states, at several highly recommended locations, but hands down the best steak I've ever had is in a little dive of a restaurant in my very own neck of the woods, called The Scioto Ribber.  Best quality, best flavor, best bang for the buck I've ever had.  You make it round these parts and I'll buy.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=the+ribber%27&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theribber.com%2F&ei=Rm6MUan0NeOfiQLEuoDgDg&usg=AFQjCNGNzAkCLUbyV-cWUliSNBX5Tp1rUQ&bvm=bv.46340616,d.cGE
 
FSSL said:
I don't know about you, but good restaurants are hard to find! Here is my offering to the list of what I consider one of the "Best Restaurants."

Wildflower Cafe in Mentone, Alabama.
The drive is fun and scenic. If you drive in from the north, you can even drive by the museum for the country group, Alabama :D

They are only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

You can find them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildflower-Cafe/136038716125

Cost... for a family of 5, I drop between $85 to $100 depending on specials.

Gluten-free? This place ROCKS! The owner's wife eats gluten-free and they know how to accomodate.
Click to expand...

A restaurant that caters to special dietary needs:  Priceless
 
ALAYMAN said:
JrChurch said:
Tamarack in WV.  If you ever travel through WV on I-77, it is worth the 30 seconds it takes to exit and park.  ;)  Why they call it a "Food Court" is beyond me.  The chefs are from The Greenbrier and the food is fabulous. 

www.tamarackwv.com
Click to expand...


I didn't know The Greenbrier represented there.

I've been there, for the arts and crafts with ALAYWIFE, but we didn't eat anything, much to my chagrin.


And FSSL, I am a steak lover.  I watch The Travel Channel and other variety shows that report on what is the best Steakhouses in the USA.  I've had steak in numerous states, at several highly recommended locations, but hands down the best steak I've ever had is in a little dive of a restaurant in my very own neck of the woods, called The Scioto Ribber.  Best quality, best flavor, best bang for the buck I've ever had.  You make it round these parts and I'll buy.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=the+ribber%27&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theribber.com%2F&ei=Rm6MUan0NeOfiQLEuoDgDg&usg=AFQjCNGNzAkCLUbyV-cWUliSNBX5Tp1rUQ&bvm=bv.46340616,d.cGE
Click to expand...


http://www.donovanssteakhouse.com/la-jolla-steakhouse.html

Donovan's Free Philly Cheese Steak During Happy Hour
 
Edley's - Nashville

This place has some outstanding food. And a second one just opened up 5 minutes from my house. :D
 
admin said:
Wow! Just in time. We just landed in Columbia and are planning to go to Nashville with my aunt this week.

Have you been to the aquarium restaurant?
Click to expand...

My parents like it. I'm kind of "ehh" about it.

My brother lives in Columbia. :)
 
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