I am familiar with traversing the nation for a made-up reason. I saw a football game in every NFL stadium in 2021.
Furthermore, I am a fan of YouTuber Eddy Burback. He has now made two videos where he visits every Rainforest Cafe and every Margaritaville.
Recently, I introduced my brother to the videos, and he said, “This seems like something I should make you drag me around to do.” This introduces a new unreality… What other restaurant chain has locations nationwide that you could visit, all in less than a month?
The key is finding a chain with a reasonable number of locations. For example, Illinois alone has 288 Taco Bells.
The Rainforest Cafe has only 15 locations. Margaritaville has 20 U.S. locations. What are other reasonable options?
Excluded
Too Many Locations
Hooters, TGI Fridays, Cheesecake Factory, Dave & Buster’s, Johnny Rockets, The Melting Pot, Benihana, Buca di Beppo, Rock n’ Roll Sushi, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Fogo de Chão, Main Event, Wahlburgers, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Seasons 52, Texas de Brazil and The Old Spaghetti Factory all had at least forty locations and were eliminated from contention.
Too Few Locations
Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Planet Hollywood and Pirates Dinner Adventure only have two locations. Señor Frog’s is only in Florida.
Too Little To Do With Food
Howl at the Moon, Pinstripes, Punch Bowl Social, and Puttshack are more entertainment-focused and not really what I’m looking for.
Guy Fieri
- Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen & Bar (12 Locations)
- Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen (170+ Locations)
- Chicken Guy (20 Locations)
- Guy’s Burger Joint (2 Locations)
- Guy Fieri’s Tequila Cocina (1 Location)
- Guy Fieri’s Dive Bar & Taco Joint (2 Locations)
- Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho (2 Locations)
- Guy Fieri’s Highball Lounge (1 Location)
- Guy Fieri’s Chophouse (1 Location)
- Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse (2 Locations)
- Guy Fieri’s Pizza Parlor (1 Location)
- Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint (1 Location)
- Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint (1 Location)
- Guy’s Sammich Joint (2 Locations)
Something might be found here if we dig deeper. But this doesn’t fit the narrative I’m creating for this post.
So Close
Bahama Breeze
Founded in 1996 in Orlando, Florida, Bahama Breeze now has over 40 locations, each serving as a portal to the Caribbean. The chain specializes in island-inspired cuisine and world-class tropical cocktails, with a menu centered on jerk chicken, fresh seafood, coconut shrimp, and an impressive rum list.
Bahama Breeze fits my vibe, but it does have a lot of locations and a lot of seafood I cannot eat. It is out.
Joe’s Crab Shack
Launched in Houston, Texas, in 1991, Joe’s Crab Shack has around 40 locations that bring a boisterous beach party to cities across the country. Famous for its seafood boils served in giant buckets, the menu is a hands-on celebration of crab, shrimp, and Southern coastal fare, complete with bibs and mallets.
Very similar to Bahama Breeze, so this one is out.
Kona Grill
Originating in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1998, Kona Grill now operates around 25 upscale-casual locations. The chain is a culinary crossroads, blending contemporary American favorites with a full-service sushi bar and Asian-inspired dishes. The menu is a journey in itself, featuring everything from signature sushi rolls and poke bowls to gourmet steaks and mac and cheese.
This is just a boring chain restaurant that is so middle-of-the-road, I don’t care enough to go.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
An extension of the luxury lifestyle brand, Tommy Bahama opened its first restaurant in 1996 and now operates around 20 stunning locations, typically in upscale resort towns. The experience is fine island dining, featuring gourmet seafood, premium steaks, and handcrafted tropical cocktails in an elegant, relaxed setting.
Island life is my jam, but $12 for a side of asparagus is not.
Rock & Brews
Co-founded in 2010 by KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Rock & Brews has 20 locations that fuse a classic rock aesthetic with a modern beer hall. The menu is packed with American comfort food—artisan pizzas, craft burgers, and wings—all served alongside an extensive list of local and international craft beers.
I don’t care about KISS and I don’t think there’s much excitement to be had.
Sugar Factory American Brasserie
Founded in 2009, Sugar Factory has expanded to 22 locations, turning dining into a dazzling spectacle. The restaurant is famous for its celebrity-endorsed, over-the-top desserts and smoking, candy-filled “Goblet” cocktails. The menu also features whimsical savories like rainbow-colored sliders and monster burgers.
This seems like it was designed for rich Instagrammers who are willing to spend $42 on a goblet drink… for the ‘gram.
Coyote Ugly Saloon
Born from a legendary New York City bar founded in 1993 and immortalized in film, the Coyote Ugly Saloon now has around 8 U.S. locations. It’s less a restaurant and more a high-octane bar experience, famous for its bartenders who sing, dance on the bar, and serve up drinks with a shot of pure, unadulterated fun.
My brother doesn’t drink and I don’t think this fits my vibe.
House of Blues
Founded in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett and Dan Aykroyd, House of Blues operates 11 legendary venues across the U.S. It masterfully combines a Southern-inspired restaurant with a world-class live music hall. The menu is a soulful journey through American comfort food, featuring jambalaya, voodoo shrimp, and gospel-brunch favorites.
I don’t think I’d care for the music or appreciate the ambiance.
The Runners-Up
Hard Rock Cafe
Founded in London in 1971 by two Americans, the Hard Rock Cafe has become a global institution, with 31 locations in the U.S. alone. While known for its legendary burgers and classic American fare, the real draw is the restaurant’s status as a living museum of music history, with walls adorned with priceless memorabilia.
I don’t have a strong affinity for rock music, but it is an odd-themed restaurant.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Inspired by the 1994 film Forrest Gump, the first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. opened in 1996 and now has 21 U.S. locations. The chain is a love letter to shrimp, serving it in every way imaginable, alongside Southern comfort classics in an environment steeped in movie nostalgia.
I’m not eating shrimp, but I am basically Forrest Gump.
Dick’s Last Resort
Established in 1985, Dick’s Last Resort has built its reputation across a dozen locations on one thing: delightfully rude service. This is the place where sarcasm is the special of the day, and servers are trained to roast you while you eat your ribs and wings from a bucket.
Sarcasm was my lifeblood before I had children, so I could see this working.
The Winner
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
With 10 castles across North America, Medieval Times has been transporting guests to the 11th century since its U.S. debut in 1983. The experience is a full-blown dinner theater spectacle, where guests feast on a four-course meal (with no utensils!) while cheering on their knight in a live-action jousting tournament.
When my brother and I were young, my parents said they were surprising us. We thought we were going on a flight to Disney World, but to our shock, we were actually attending Medieval Times. What better way to relive your childhood than doing it in nine different U.S. locations?
It is expensive at $75/person, but you will get a different experience at each location. It would be 72 hours of driving and 5,000 miles, all just so I can watch something I don’t particularly enjoy.
They even offer a vegetarian meal!
