OK, Here is a thread dedicated to those places that we consider our favorite feeding toughs and/or watering holes.........

Feeding troughs:

1. Outback
2. Olive Garden
3. Quarks (at ST:TE at the Las Vegas Hilton)
4. Almost any buffet in Vegas or Laughlin (I like to eat)
5. Various local establishments, including various types of food
6. White Castle/Krystal (we don't have them in CA, only the frozen version)

Watering holes:

1. Quarks (I prefer the James T Kirk, my son likes the Warp Core Breach)
2. The Giggling Marlin (Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico)
3. First and Last Chance (Jack London Square, Oakland, CA)
4. The Best Western hotel bar in Esilstuna, Sweden (if Henry is tending bar)

I will thinK of others too I'm sure........but

If there are any Covers in the Bay area that are Metrology folks.....then we should plan to meet to measure the angle of the bar. I estimate the high end at approximately 10-12 degrees and the low end at approximately 15-18 degrees, with a measurement uncertainty of approximately 4 degrees. For those who have not been there.....this is the bar where Jack London developed the outline for Call of the Wild. In the earthquake of 1906, the piling that the bar sits on setteled and there is now a dip in the middle of the bar. It is a National Historical Monument and arguably the oldest - ORIGINAL - bar in the U.S..........it still uses the original gas lights, has the original wood stove, etc.......the beer is good too..........

Had a few good sessions in the bar in the Best Western hotel in Eskilstuna, Sweden.....learned a little Swedish (forgotten it by now).....enjoyed looking out over the river (both frozen and not frozen).....and yes, I sang (loose interpretation) with Jagermeister (Claes.....feel happy you didn't have to hear my attempt at singing!).....

Did not write my name on the wall in Cabo San Lucas.....but planning on it next time.....only takes four of the house drink, called a "Sip and Go Naked" which has vodka, gin, rum, Kalua, and brandy.....one does not have to keep it down or be able to walk.....just let the bartender know up front that you want to "write your name on the wall", pay in advance, and down four of the house drink in one hour.

As for the James T Kirk at Quarks.........after a couple of those, I refuse to admit whether I made pass(es) at the female Klingon Warrior.......

Hershal

Some stops from our annual pub crawl through the old time bars in Detroit:

Ivanhoe Cafe - Polish Yacht Club: In the same house since 1909
Cadieux Cafe - Good selection of Belgian beer imports, and I believe the only place in the USA you can feather bowl (great fun)
The Old Shillelagh - Irish pub in Greektown
Suzy's - Hamtramck - little dive bar, but good jukebox and jello
Marinelli's - Madison Heights - My "home" bar for 10 years

Places I have found while traveling:

Louisville, KY - Bluegrass Brewing Co - some of the best microbrews I have ever tasted - great staff. Really miss my consulting assignments in L'ville

Las Vegas - Triple 7 Brewpub at Main Street Station (Downtown) - more great micros. (37 days until I'm back!)

San Diego - Moose McGuillicutty's in the Gas Lamp district - great fish tacos (Vegas location was not as good when I tried it a couple years ago)

Huntsville, AL - Molly Teal's (aka Philby's) - Discovered this downtown alley bar a few months ago - pretty quiet at times, but has potential.

You guys talking about Las Vegas and their many food choices has got me so hungry! And its like 4 more hours to dinner timefor me!

I am from the Metro Detroit area, some of my faves:

Outback ( I totally agree - If Outback is crowed, Texas Roadhouse)
La Shish (Middle Eastern Cuisine) - If you absolutly are in the area try this!
Ike's Family Dining - in Stering Heights, MI Middle Eastern
Under the Eagle - Hamtramack MI - Polish cuisine like Grandma's (Hey President Clinton ate here!)
Kruse & Muer's in Rochester Hills,MI
Andiamo's (any location)
Emeril's DELMONICO STEAK HOUSE in the Ventian in Las Vegas (Incredible! - Service like you can't believe!)
The Spice Market Buffet in the Aladding in Las Vegas

Look this list is getting so long...

Watering Holes:
Fritz's Pub in Mt. Clemens, MI
Military Street Cafe in Port Huron MI
Hamlin Pub- Rochester Hills, MI
Sentimental Lady (AKA "The Shady Lady" - because going there is like being on a reality TV show, you NEVER know what you will see. and one of the best BAR burgers around!), Harrison Township MI

Ok, I have to go and wrestle the vending machine down.... :lol:

I have to add one to the watering holes.....

Quarks at ST:TE......the Borg Sphere........you have to try it........

Hershal

DOWN THE LINE in Barbados
Any pub in Largs, Scotland
Thirsty Turtle in Cocoa Beach FL
Mothers in Chicago
Copper Mug in Walled Lake MI
82 Queen St in Charleston SC
A. W. Shucks in Charleston SC
Mama Mia in Walled Lake
Country Comfort in VA Beach VA
My absolute favorite was the Soup Kitchen in downtown Detroit. They closed it down about 2 years ago now. I lost some of my best brain cells in that place!

I would have to go with:

Ping Di bar and Grill, Ping Di, China. We actually gave it that name, but we don't know what it is really called

Shake Pit, Shekou, China
Buffalo Brew Pub, Buffalo, NY (suburbs actually)
Hops, Hartford, CT. (best ribs in the world)
Hooters, anywhere, sorry lady covers
Most bars in detroit that are still there from 15 years ago. (long story)
Several places in Protland Ore, but can't remember all the names.


Now I have to go get something to eat/drink.


KW

Caseys (no, NOT part of the chain) in Elkhart Indiana. Probably the best (and biggest) steaks available as a normal item ANYWHERE.

Antlers Bar & Restaurant in Sault Ste Marie Michigan. Home of the Paul Bunyan Burger (nuff said).

Rockway Gardens in Kitchener Ontario. Still have old english style fish & chips....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Let me add a couple more that I like.....

English pub in Coquitlam, BC, Canada in the bottom of a high end hotel (I don't remember the name of the place) It has great Shepherd's pie.
English pub in Corvallis, OR (also don't remember its name), right on the river, and also has great shepherd's pie.
Whiskey Pete's and Buffalo Bills at Primm, NV (we call it State Line).

Place not to eat.......either of the casinos in Jean, NV.......bad food, horrible service.....but cheap......

Hershal

This is a regional chain, only in So Cal so far I think.....there has been one in Victorville (where I live) for about 6 months.....finally ate there, based on a recommendation of a lady friend (she's from LA the state).....

Johnny Reb's Southern Roadhouse

Blackened catfish, black eye peas, real mashed potatoes (not the box ones) with gravy, and COLLARD GREENS!!!! As an appetizer I had the fried okry (okra for all non-Southerners), and hush puppies. the hush puppies needed gumbo though.....

The cornbread was pretty good, and the key lime pie was to kill for.....they gave us something they called a biscuit, but it was so pathetic no self-respecting Southerner would eat it or even call it a biscuit. It was the only bad part of the meal.

I was almost home again! :agree1:

Hershal

This is a regional chain, only in So Cal so far I think.....there has been one in Victorville (where I live) for about 6 months.....finally ate there, based on a recommendation of a lady friend (she's from LA the state).....

Johnny Reb's Southern Roadhouse

Blackened catfish, black eye peas, real mashed potatoes (not the box ones) with gravy, and COLLARD GREENS!!!! As an appetizer I had the fried okry (okra for all non-Southerners), and hush puppies. the hush puppies needed gumbo though.....

The cornbread was pretty good, and the key lime pie was to kill for.....they gave us something they called a biscuit, but it was so pathetic no self-respecting Southerner would eat it or even call it a biscuit. It was the only bad part of the meal.

I was almost home again! :agree1:

Hershal

You had me at real mashed potatoes, you had me at real mashed potatoes.... (Think Jerry Maquire) :biglaugh:

For those in So. Cal or visiting here are our favorites:

Captain Jack's - Sunset Beach
Zagat rated "Best Crab in SoCal" great service

Harpoon Harry's - Across the street from Captain Jack's
Sunday Brunch is amazing

El Torito - Long Beach ( a regional chain as well, but good food)
Friday nights for margaritas and tacos

Hush - Laguna Niguel (http://www.hushrestaurant.com)
Awesome food, great atmosphere, friendly owner

Ozuma - Fashion Island, Newport Beach (http://www.ozuma.com)
The Sake bar is incredible, the sushi school is fun as well

The Cannery - Newport Beach (http://www.cannerynewport.com)
Great wine list, good food, awesome view of Newport Harbour

The Clubhouse - South Coast Plaza (http://www.theclubhouse.com)
Holiday Buffets are incredible and reasonably priced (we have done Thanksgiving and a Christmas there)

Chat Noir - South Coast Plaza (http://www.culinaryadventures.com)
Great food, wild atmosphere, hot waitresses (oops, I mean attentive wait staff)

The Blue Parrot - Catalina Island (http://www.blueparrotcatalina.com)
Its catalina, what's not to love?


More to follow (we eat out a lot, so the list is long)

IEGeek, Dor you also like the Spagetti Bender on PCH in Newport Bch?

Going to Sanibel Florida (for the first time) soon. Can anyone give me names of some great restaurants? :thanx:

IEGeek, Dor you also like the Spagetti Bender on PCH in Newport Bch?


Have never been, but will go soon now that I have your endorsement.

We are going on Saturday to The Balboa Bay Club for dinner. Any thoughts? Seems a little snooty (even for me)

The only issue with the Spaghetti Bender is a lack of parking.....oh, and get there early.....it is well worth the wait, but if you are early enough the wait is less.....

Same issue at the Crab Cooker.......

Hershal