the best are the mom and pop places.. We were in "Olive Garden" last week but BB said there were too many people for her. We went to a grandma, grandpa, mom, pop, son, daughter Mexican restaurant instead. BB and I liked the old place.
Can you call ahead and make a reservation? That would help to secure a table but BB will have doubts about going in if there are too many cars (her opinion) in the parking lot.
No Macaroni Grill in our area. We do have a Johnny Carino's Country Italian restaurant but BB doesn't like me changing plans once I say I am going to do something. She wants things based partly on who advertises the most and has the best commercials. Out-Back is one place BB wants to go to and have a blooming onion but she doesn’t like onion rings that much. One word, advertising.
In general, if a place gets some bad press/news she abandons that company.
There is a local, vertically integrated group of cattle ranchers with a feedlot and a restaurant. We rarely go there. They don't advertise, so most likely the place is not on BB's radar.
Your suggestions are well taken. Mom and Pop shops usually have some specialty that earned them a good reputation.
OTH advertising does work with some people. Did I ever tell you what BB buys because it is advertised heavily? You don't want to know.
