Eatin' Good In the Neighborhood

Who doesn't enjoy a romantic evening out fine dining? Feasting on your favorite gourmet dishes amidst a dimly lit room enhanced by candlelight. Accompanied by the soft music of a grand piano, and the impeccable service from the captain, waiter, sommelier, and maitre d'. However, it does run up quite a bill so many of us are limited to these grand feasts. Fortunately, we have another more affordable option, I am referring to chain restaurants most of which are found right in your local suburban neighborhoods. They are convenient, affordable, and serve up many ethnic varieties of food. With so many to choose from it can be tough to decide. These are 5 of my favorites.

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian themed casual restaurant serving American classics. Founded in March of 1988 with its first location in Tampa Bay, Outback now boasts over 1,000 locations in Australia and North and South America. Not only do they serve great food but they have recently delved into sports branding. The Outback Bowl, part ownership of the Tampa Lightning, along with the sponsorship of several Nascar drivers. The "Bloomin Onion" has become the chain's signature dish. Other must-try dishes include: "Sydney Shrooms", coconut shrimp, and a variety of chicken and steak meals.

Chase them all down with a refreshing Fosters beer. G'day mate!

Carrabba's Italian Grill serves some great Italian-American dishes. The chain started in December of 1986 and really boomed in 1993 after a joint venture with Outback (the predecessor to Bloomin' Brands) in Tampa Bay. Carrabba's has recently opened a location in Brazil rebranding with the name "Abbraccio. Many of the recipes created today were from the original owner Damian Mandola's mother and sister and featured on the PBS cooking show entitled Cucina Sicilia, hosted by Damian and Carrabba. Chicken Bryan is their signature dish. Grilled chicken breast is topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomato, and basil lemon butter sauce. Mangia Mangia!

P.F. Chang's China Bistro is an Asian-themed casual dining restaurant founded in 1993 by Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang. They are currently based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and owned by the Triartisan Capital Advisors Group. Chang's operates over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and over 100 world-wide including several middle eastern countries, the Philippines, and the U.K. The menu features Chinese-American cuisine described by the employees as "Asian flavors". The menu features a nice variety of Asian fare which includes dumplings, noodle bowls, appetizers, and sakes. For the main course, I am always torn between the Mongolian Beef and the Pepper Steak.

Lucille's BBQ was founded in Signal Hill, California in 1999 and features some really great lip-smackin' "Q" along with a variety of southern and Cajun dishes. The south and blues music make-up the theme with the great B.B. King as the featured artist. Unfortunately, they are not the largest chain with 24 facilities in California, Arizona, and Nevada however, we all know everyone gets to Vegas where you'll find one in Henderson at The District. The founder, Craig Hofman, really knows his smoked BBQ and this is reflected throughout the menu. You'll find it all beef and pork ribs, tri-tip, and brisket all smoked to perfection. Have a basket of deep-fried pickles with a cold one on tap.

Texas de Brazil is a family-owned churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) opened in October 1993 in Addison, Texas outside of Dallas. It combines the best of Brazilian cooking technique with some outstanding Texas beef, lamb, sausages, and chicken. The meat is skewered on swords and cooked to succulent perfection over an open-flame grill. Next, they are carved and served tableside by smartly dressed South American cowboys known as gauchos. Get your fill by placing the green side of your card face up at your table. The salad bar is the best I have ever seen featuring cold vegetable and meat dishes along with soup and scalloped potatoes. Caution, don't fill up at the salad bar, and take your time eating.

Typically chain restaurants are built to a standard format meaning you will know the establishment even if it didn't have a sign. A good example would be the wooden facade of Cracker Barrel restaurants or the 11-foot horses outside of P.F. Changs. Branding is very important to these companies as they rival one another for a share in one of the largest industries around the world. What I like most about these dining destinations is that they are always consistent no matter where you dine. The reason, most of the preparation is done at commissaries and then shipped to the restaurants. Your hot and sour soup will taste the same whether you're in Vegas, Dallas, or Phoenix.