Best non-chain restaurants in tri-cities? (Seattle, Kennewick: garden, area, building)

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

So you consider Shari's a non-chain restaurant. Okay. If Shari's isn't a chain, then what is?

Shari's is a chain, and I honestly wonder how many people could tell if a plate came from Shari's or Denny's if they were not in the restaurant - but Shari's did start in Hermiston, the Original Shari's is still there. But IMHO they are not much different from Denny's (which I think originated in Seattle, but I digress)

Speaking of chains, there is a very thin national chain of Original Pancake House restaurants, probably something like a dozen, they are very good.

I think a lot of people think of the big national burger chains when we say "chain".

[j_k_k]

I have the sad duty to announce that Casa Mia, long one of our favorites, has changed its menus. Prices way up, which would be okay (been a while) if they hadn't dropped the antipasto salad off the menu. Was the best salad for the money in the TC far as I was concerned. I was so disappointed, I scanned the menu, set it down, got up and politely let them know I'd changed my mind and was leaving.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

I have the sad duty to announce that Casa Mia, long one of our favorites, has changed its menus. Prices way up, which would be okay (been a while) if they hadn't dropped the antipasto salad off the menu. Was the best salad for the money in the TC far as I was concerned. I was so disappointed, I scanned the menu, set it down, got up and politely let them know I'd changed my mind and was leaving.

I had not heard about the change in prices, but have heard the quality has been off for a while. If you are going to the one in Kennewick, on Kennewick Ave, across the street is J's Flaming Grill, which according to friends is much better.

The owners/managers of Casa Mia had better wake up - in the Tri-Cities, you have to have fairly low prices or people won't patronize you. The Russian restaurant Samovar in Richland was good but expensive for about 3 years, then the quality started to falter - not long after that they closed. One can get away with charging more than average if the quality is excellent, but I doubt you can make as much money as with a cheaper price and volume.

Unfortunately if the price is low enough you can thrive even with damn awful chow - various chains come to mind.

[M3 Mitch]

I don't know if you want to consider it a "restaurant" or just a cafeteria, but the one at Kadlec Hospital in Richland is surprisingly good, and very inexpensive. I have heard this is done as a service to local seniors who might not want to cook, or live alone - not certain. But for something different, there you go.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

I don't know if you want to consider it a "restaurant" or just a cafeteria, but the one at Kadlec Hospital in Richland is surprisingly good, and very inexpensive. I have heard this is done as a service to local seniors who might not want to cook, or live alone - not certain. But for something different, there you go.

If so, that would be a unique moment. "Honey, let's go out for hospital food!"

[Count David]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

If so, that would be a unique moment. "Honey, let's go out for hospital food!"

Where I'm from, the local old men would go to the hospital cafeteria for lunch.

I thought it was weird, but it was cheap, and nearly school quality.

[ChappyWhiteGuy]

There's a gas station in Richland that has good potato chips, and I think they're cheap. They also sell delicious soft drinks.

[Moon Waffle]

With comments like these its no wonder we have such a pathetic selection of restaurants...nobody is even trying......

For non-chain I suggest:

Masala (Indian)
Mezzo Thai (new location on Gage)
Fujiyama (Japanese Steakhouse)
Fat Olives (Italian)
Taverna Tagaris (Tapas, wines, entrees)

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by Moon Waffle

With comments like these its no wonder we have such a pathetic selection of restaurants...nobody is even trying......

For non-chain I suggest:

Masala (Indian)
Mezzo Thai (new location on Gage)
Fujiyama (Japanese Steakhouse)
Fat Olives (Italian)
Taverna Tagaris (Tapas, wines, entrees)

I've tried three of the above. Masala I will miss when I move; it's my preferred Indian restaurant. Fat Olives is pretty good, though their expansion into Kennewick was a complete fiasco as far as I can tell. Tagaris is great if one is looking for something upscale, which one sometimes is.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

If so, that would be a unique moment. "Honey, let's go out for hospital food!"

It's been a while since I ate "in-patient" food, but this is way less - institutional, I guess. More chow than cuisine, and cooked with somewhat less salt etc. - but quite good really.