Stan wrote:

> I think most of those heavily themed restaurants are overrated. I place
> the Planet Hollywood chain, Hooters, ESP Cafe, and the Hard Rock Cafe in
> the same boat. Great theming, but lousy overpriced food.
>

I agree with this psot.

RFC is owned by Landry's, a Texas outfit. One of their other "concept"
eateries is the GAWDAWFUL Joe's Crab Shack, where I had the worst resto meal
of my life last summer (I posted my www.chowhound.com review of it here,
google it if interested). Their Chicago location is now closed ("GOOD
riddance to BAD rubbish!"), the space replaced by another resto.

Even Landry's corny site sux - BIG time:

http://www.landrysrestaurants.com/home.htm

I could maybe see going to RFC if I was on a gambling jaunt (like Nancy)
just for the "experience" of it, surely they could make a decent burger.
But a birthday dinner? No way. I'm getting old and crabby and I simply
won't abide loud noise or loose kids in restauarants anymore.

But they have a money - making concept, that's fer sure. I've had out of
towners stop me on the street here in Chicago and ask "Where is the Rain
Forest Cafe?". Such a place now ranks in it's own right as a tourist
destination...there's a bunch of such places grouped on the Near North Side
here, and the places are busy as heck all the time. "Hey! Let's visit
Chicago and visit the Sears Tower and the Art Insitute and the Rain Forest
Cafe and the ESPN Zone!". I know a lot of people from small towns who would
be pretty thrilled to go there....

--
Best
Greg "grew up in a cornfield"