In this life filled with emotions there is love and there is lust. Jeff D. Lowe loves TV and Film. He has made a career out of it. He is what some would call an expert. Then there is lust. The flame inside may not always be burning bright, but the coals are there and when the wind blows right, those can become ablaze and fill you with fleeting moments of joy and excitement. And that is what sit down chain restaurants are to Jeff. And I would guess, most of us. Do I prefer a meal at a sit down chain? No, 90% of my dining experiences are at a local joint, a bar, getting take out. I rarely am getting food at a sit down chain. That does not mean I don’t enjoy and appreciate a nice sit down chain meal and experience. With a sit down chain you know what you are getting, and if you expect anything more you are doing it wrong. It’s akin to going to a minor league baseball game. Its similar to someone who enjoys a delicious craft beer but can also crush a great tasting less filling Miller Light as whale. There are no comparisons. They are separate experiences and they are both enjoyable. Popping into a chain, ordering some apps, getting a cheap draught or a cocktail, and an affordable meal with family friends is a great time when it goes down, and this was a great draft.
Draft Order: 1. Carl 2. WSD 3. Eddie 4. Jeff D. Lowe 5. Chief
Round 1:
Pick 1: Carl, Benihana: Sushi & Japanese Steakhouse
Grade- SAKI!
I had zero clue what 1.1 was going to be and you are lying if you did. There are certainly first round value restaurants but its such a personal preference draft and is also effected by region, so first off the board was a mystery and I was going in with an open mind just waiting for a natural reaction to the pick, and my eyes lit up when Carl said Benihana. You are not getting Japanese Steakhouse value anywhere else on the board and Benihana is a great meal and an even better experience. Hibachi table is a blast, onion volcano, getting blasted with Saki. Carl doesn’t get Benihana when his second pick rolls around. Everyone at the table give a round of applause.
Pick 2: WSD, Hooters
Grade- BONK!
Can’t find a better place for good wings and breasts. Earlier this week Dave said people were getting Bonk happy in the internet streets (Which is true) but you just cant follow up that take with 2 of the horniest minutes in Dog Walk History. Hooters absolutely has great wings and beer but WSD was drafting this based on Tits alone, and that okay, but got to call a spade a spade, and when WSD’s horny train gets rolling it flies off the tracks.
Pick 3: Eddie, Chili’s Grill & Bar
Grade- ………BBQ Sauce.
Ed got his baby back, baby back, baby back. Chilis was on my first round round radar and is a solid restaurant to be the foundation of your line up. Nationwide name recognition, good menu, good experience. Bright neon logo pops.
Pick 4: Jeff D. Lowe, Outback Steakhouse
Grade- Beauty
Put another shrimp on the barbie! Outback could have gone even earlier and I wouldn’t have been surprised. Blooming Onion makes it a top spot. Their menu names are the best. They have a unique bread. Jeff was very excited to get his top overall selection in the 4 spot and is clearly locked in and taking this draft very seriously.
Pick 5: Chief, Mortons Steakhouse
Grade- Sorry Chief
There was not a Mortons around where I grew up and never have went to it in NYC so I cant give Chief a fair shake on this. I do not doubt it is a fine steakhouse and has first round value but I do think you want to make sure you really nail a recognizable name in round 1 and I don’t think Mortons casts the first round net you need.
Round 1- 4 picks all absolutely first round worthy and possibly a 5th but unfortunately for Chief his first round pick didn’t land with me so he’s quickly behind.
Round 2:
Pick 6: Chief, The Melting Pot
Grade- Melting Away
A 1–2 for Chief that just doesn’t hit with me unfortunately. A big nationwide chain but only 3 in New York and a place that just has never been picked amongst my travels. I love fondue so I am sure Id love it here, but like Mortons, I just can’t touch on it like some other places. I hope theres an audience who can appreciate Chiefs first two more than I can because i’m sure they both good.
Pick 7: Jeff D. Lowe, Cracker Barrel
Grade- High as Their Signs
Cracker Barrel could have been drafted first round on non-food points alone. The tee game, XL checkers and Country Store make Cracker Barrel an awesome place so the food being good is just a plus. If you are driving anywhere you can always count on being able to find an exit with a Cracker Barrel to stop at for breakfast.
Pick 8: Eddie, Texas Roadhouse
Grade- Crack Em and Toss Em
I haven’t been to a Texas Roadhouse in a while so I am going to just assume they still have complimentary peanuts and you can still toss the shells all over the floor because that on its own makes TR worthy of the top half of this draft. The rolls are good. The food is solid. Strong start for Ed.
Pick 9: WSD, Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
Grade- Fogo De Bout Winning
Another place that I just haven’t lived near so have never experienced. Not crazy to have not been to all 25 so I was expecting to miss a few. Sounds like a cool place. I think WSD needs every pick to hit to win a draft so I’m not sure if this will do that, but I cant speak on if it’ll hurt him.
Pick 10: Carl, WaffleHouse
Grade- Iconic
WaffleHouse isn’t a personally favorite, but boy will it play on the graphic. Iconic sign (always a letter or two not lit), cheap menu, 24 hours. Carl chose to pick 1st so its essential to nail the 2nd/3rd wrap around after the long wait. This pick is a great first half of that.
Round 2- So far I am 7 out of 10 for if have eaten at the restaurant which isnt too bad, unfortunately for Chief he just falls off my radar a bit because he has 2 of the 3. Ed, Carl and Jeff are all neck and neck after 2.
Round 3:
Pick 11: Carl, Cheesecake Factory
Grade- You Can Have Whatever You Like
Their giant menu can be a blessing and a curse for people but I for one like a place that no matter what kind of mood you are in you will find something that will satisfy and can wash it down with a slice of Cheesecake. Cheesecake factory name is big time nationwide so Carl now has 3 strong names and a diverse board.
Pick 12: WSD, Lou Malnatis Pizza
Grade- P-Lou
This is an Illinois specific pick and I have not eaten Lous before. I sure the Chicago voters will like and getting Pizza on your board is a nice move, just puts Dave behind the 8 ball with Chief fro my vote.
Pick 13: Eddie, Red Lobster
Grade- What Do Ya Say Shooter?
Dont let WSD’s slander diminish this pick. I think Red Lobster is just fine and the cheddar bay biscuits are flat out delicious. These places aren’t meant to wow you. You get a lobster tank in the entrance, some unique biscuits and some shrimp alfredo and chalk it up as a win. Maybe more of a 4th or 5th round pick but still a fine pick.
Pick 14: Jeff D. Lowe, Bonefish Grill
Grade- Cuckold
Eds Red Lobster pick doesn’t hold up as well when its followed by Bonefish. Bonefish’s food is much higher quality and really is going to dominate Red Lobster on the graphic. Tough for Ed and great for Jeff who really had no separation through the first 2 rounds.
Pick 15: Chief, IHOP
Grade- IHATE
A MASSIVE factor to a breakfast is the potatoes and IHOP hash browns stink. Their pancakes are good and the 4 syrups is cool but I look forward to breakfast potatoes when I am out to breakfast and IHOP does not deliver.
Round 3- Chief and WSD are all but out of the running here. Eds draft is fine but the RL/Bonefish picks here really propel Jeff ahead of him. Carl is in good position through 3.
Round 4:
Pick 16: Chief, On The Border
Grade- Arriba
Chief trying to atleast stay on the graphic with this pick. On The Border is a solid meal. Getting Mexican on the board for Chief and Mexican is always a favorite of mine. I think it’s a little too late for Chief to contend at all but it’s a good 4th round pick.
Pick 17: Jeff D. Lowe, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Grade- 2 First Names
Hate the name like the pick. Ruth’s Chris has always sounded so wrong to me but it is a great steakhouse. Jeff followed up Cracker Barrel with some higher end places and has himself in position to get a winnable percentage of the vote. The guests are on fire drafting recently.
Pick 18: Eddie, Maggiano’s Little Italy
Grade- Maggia-NO
If its a chain restaurant meal Italian is probably last on my list. Im not a food snob, I enjoy all these places, but chain italian just isn’t a favorite of mine. Ed had a strong start but 3 and 4 have him leaving this draft to be won by Jeff or Carl.
Pick 19: WSD, The Capital Grille
(VETO: Joe’s Stone Crab (Only 3 Locations)
Grade- OK
Have had Capital Grille once so I dont have much of an opinion on this one, but like some of Daves other picks, this one just isn’t going to have an impact on him winning or staying on the poll. Outside of Hooters he just didn’t get any big names on the board.
Pick 20: Carl, The Olive Garden
Grade- You’re Family
Unlimited breadsticks and salad are what makes Olive Garden a god pick. Like Eds Maggianos pick, I just dont care for chain Italian so Olive Garden is not a favorite for dinner for me, but a lunch crushing bread sticks and salad and some apps? Im in. I think Olive Garden plays to a larger crowd too.
Round 4- This is a two man fight between Carl and Jeff. Ed fell off in rounds 3 and 4. I just cant relate to most of WSD or Chiefs boards. 5th round could be a deciding round.
Round 5:
Pick 21: Carl, Rainforest Cafe
Grade- THUNDER
Oh boy did Carl put the pressure on Jeff here. Rainforest Cafes entrance is iconic and the decor is very unique. Food is mediocre at best but its a cool overall experience. Carl will challenge Jeff this week for a win.
Pick 22: WSD, Old Country Buffet
Grade- White Trash
Sometimes I think WSD actively tries to find ways off the graphic. According to Richie Webber, resident stat guy of the draft, this could be a record 15 draft losing streak for Dave. He starts off fine and just can’t assemble a full board.
Pick 23: Eddie, Miller’s Ale House
Grade- GTLF
I have been to Millers a few times when in Florida and it is a perfect spot to watch some games while you are on vacation. Your standard bar menu that’s going to do the trick across the board. Big time beer selection and you can get XL pours. I don’t know how big of name Millers is nationally but good 5th round value here.
Pick 24: Jeff D. Lowe, Red Robin
Grade- YUMMMM
Unlimited fries in the 5th round is a heck of a pick. The Burger-Milkshake-Fries combo is one of my favorite hangover meals and Red Robin does just that. Any place with unlimited anything gets a big time thumbs up. Huge cap to a good draft by Jeff D. Lowe.
Pick 25(Mr. Irrelevant): Chief, Yardhouse
Grade- Irrelevant
Mr. Irrelevant has a good run of being an awesome pick in the last few drafts, but that run comes to an end. Yardhouse is fine, but Chief isn’t in contention and Yardhouse doesn’t move the needle enough to give him a boost.
This draft is going to come down to Jeff D. Lowe and Carl and I think Jeff quality of food is better overall across the board. I loved Carls Benihanna lead off and I think he drafted well out of the 1 spot, but Jeffs board just edges him out. Ed started off strong but had bad 3rd and 4th rounds. Chiefs first two picks, although probably fine, just didn’t resonate with me so he fell out of contention early. WSD stinks at drafting. Jeff gets my vote and the guests are on a roll. And thats not a shot at the chicago guys. They are drafting against bonafide experts. They need to draft a perfect team to beat some of these guests and Jeff and Robbie have made them do just that.
