For a restaurant that's conveniently running 24/7 and that welcomes you in with its nostalgic, come-as-you-are atmosphere, I really don't take advantage of its hospitality as much as I should. So, I recently stopped into my local Denny's to bask in the casual, family-friendly glow - even if it was just for a minute as I picked up my to-go order - and see how some of its most popular dishes stack up these days.
When you need a quiet place to sink into a book, study, or just exist without a screen, Garden House Cafe in the Outer Richmond is a perfect match. Head towards the back, away from the clutter of overstuffed bookcases, paintings, and a big studio piano near the entrance, and you'll find a sitting area that has a lot more breathing room with overgrown plants and a handful of tables.
I don't know about you, but every time I think of a Sonic drive-in, I still picture carhops on skates, poodle skirts, and Googie architecture. I love that the chain is keeping some of that magic of the '50s alive, and part of its old-school charm is that it continues to march by the beat of its own drum. Case in point, it's still serving all-day breakfast, even while the majority of the fast-food world has taken to flipping its menus come 10 a.m.
Of course, that means making more food at home, but it can also mean looking for better deals when you do decide to dine out. And, if you're heading to Cracker Barrel on a budget, you're going to want to make sure that you don't ignore the daily specials. Cracker Barrel boasts a wide range of specials, including lunch-sized portions of some of its most popular items and "daily dishes" that correspond to certain days of the week.