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Every morning at work, I scan the headlines to see what’s going on in the industry. What I find somewhat amusing is the non-industry related stuff that pops up on my screen. Today, I was actually curious about one of them that hinted at the deteriorating state of casual dining chains. Are casual dining chains really on their death beds?

I admit I don’t ever crave Red Lobsters and Outback Steakhouse, but I rather enjoy casual dining restaurants. I have my favorite casual chains, too. The top three are (in no particular order) Claim Jumpers, Macaroni Grill, and The Cheesecake Factory (specifically the one in Marina del Rey). At Claim Jumpers, you get good food in giant portions, and that goes double for the desserts. You haven’t had chocolate cake until you tried a slice of their “Motherlode,” a six layer chocolater cake. I also have a weakness for their deep dish beery pie a la mode. At Macaroni Grill, you won’t get authentic Italian dishes, but you still get a satisfying meal. What I do like about Macaroni Grill most (at least the 3 different ones I’ve been to) has been the singers who go around the tables serenading you an aria or two. The Cheesecake Factory has a special place in my heart for sentimental reasons… that and they serve my favorite dessert drink, “The French Kiss,” a raspberry smoothie with a splash of champagne. It’s been off the menu for years, but every Cheesecake Factory I’ve been to, from Marina del Rey to Providence, Rhode Island, has managed to find the original recipe in the old bartender’s book that they all keep.

So, I challenge you readers to go out to your favorite casual dining restaurant this week. Show USA Today that there is still hope for chain restaurants. Go out and make this “Casual Dining Week,” and let me know where you end up.

By Pauline (see more of her posts).