Winnipeg | Restaurants

[WinCitySparky]

I’m a fried chicken fiend and I have been to every major chain just about. As far as “big commercial” chains, Popeyes is basically the best quality right now for that league.

A REALLY good non chain place in town right now that just opened a year or so ago is “Crispy Wing” at Mcphillips and Notre Dame. Among the best wings I have ever had. Priced accordingly. Total knockout stuff. Also a very expansive flavour menu including some ultra spicy options menu, and a cost plus special flavours menu. Killer.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by pegcityboy

Cheesecake factory would be a good get , my wife and I really like it there .

Cheesecake Factory would be a good fit downtown or at the Forks, not in the burbs. It's a draw by itself.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

I’m a fried chicken fiend and I have been to every major chain just about. As far as “big commercial” chains, Popeyes is basically the best quality right now for that league.

Tried Popeyes on St Mary's a few weeks back. Both of us were unimpressed. Might be like comparing A&W on Marion to Deacon's Corner though. Marion is incredible while Deacon's is terrible.

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by Kinguni

Cheesecake Factory would be a good fit downtown or at the Forks, not in the burbs. It's a draw by itself.

Likely, Winnipeg is too small of a market and not affluent enough to support a Cheesecake Factory. Typically, CF tends to locate in the suburbs as part or near large retail centres. There are a few locations in city centres - Seattle and Chicago are two cities which come to mind. The location of their first Canadian location at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto is a good inkling of their Canadian expansion strategy.

[Wpgstvsouth94]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

Are you guys actually excited for all these American chains coming to Winnipeg or am I missing some kind of joke here?

I’m absolutely all for these chains coming here !! Keep them coming.

I’ve been vouching for a Cheesecake Factory and a Dave and busters for years!

[Biff]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

I’m a fried chicken fiend and I have been to every major chain just about. As far as “big commercial” chains, Popeyes is basically the best quality right now for that league.

A REALLY good non chain place in town right now that just opened a year or so ago is “Crispy Wing” at Mcphillips and Notre Dame. Among the best wings I have ever had. Priced accordingly. Total knockout stuff. Also a very expansive flavour menu including some ultra spicy options menu, and a cost plus special flavours menu. Killer.

I wrote this in the Canada section, but our favorite chicken place is now Raising Cane's. We visited them in LA, Chicago and Minneapolis. I find Popeyes to be to breaded and dry.

www.raisingcanes.com

[WinCitySparky]

Originally Posted by Kinguni

Tried Popeyes on St Mary's a few weeks back. Both of us were unimpressed. Might be like comparing A&W on Marion to Deacon's Corner though. Marion is incredible while Deacon's is terrible.

The one on Henderson at Peguis is the one I thought was good. Anyway I only consider them top of the “chain” places, independent type places almost always rank miles higher than the chain places.

[wags_in_the_peg]

I like Mary Browns due to lack of grease. Popeyes chicken sandwich is yummy.

My son and I weren't too impressed with Chik Fil A or Raising Cane while in Chicago in spring. They were good but not blown away like many people talk about them

[Atrial78]

Originally Posted by Biff

I wrote this in the Canada section, but our favorite chicken place is now Raising Cane's. We visited them in LA, Chicago and Minneapolis. I find Popeyes to be to breaded and dry.

www.raisingcanes.com

Raising Cane's is addictingly good. Chic-Fil-A is another one I quite like! Also a Chipotle would be nice. If any of these were to come to Winnipeg I would be stoked.

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by Atrial78

Raising Cane's is addictingly good. Chic-Fil-A is another one I quite like! Also a Chipotle would be nice. If any of these were to come to Winnipeg I would be stoked.

Also add Carl’s Jr. to your list! Regina’s a little far to drive for a burger. There is Hardee’s in Grand Forks. Though it’s part of the Karcher Restaurant group, seems to be a scaled down version of Carl’s.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

The one on Henderson at Peguis is the one I thought was good. Anyway I only consider them top of the “chain” places, independent type places almost always rank miles higher than the chain places.

Pretty sure we both got mild food poisoning too.

[bomberjet]

Some restaurants, the food bothers my tummy. I get that with Popeyes, but only sometimes..

I still think Mary Browns was the bets chain chicken I had ion recent times. But it really does seem like quality for all these places is highly location dependent.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Some restaurants, the food bothers my tummy. I get that with Popeyes, but only sometimes..

I still think Mary Browns was the bets chain chicken I had ion recent times. But it really does seem like quality for all these places is highly location dependent.

Especially when dealing with franchises. We do want to try Mary Browns at some point. Locations aren't convenient to us though.

Worst food poisoning I've had was from the old Champs KFC on Osborne over 20 years ago after a few bites of a chicken burger (The Champ) and discovering it was frozen in the middle. New cook didn't realize they were supposed to be thawed before cooking.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

Anyway I only consider them top of the “chain” places, independent type places almost always rank miles higher than the chain places.

Definitely not the case with Mitizi's where the experience is miles behind what the big chicken chains are doing. A big hint is if you are going for top quality you are not going to be serving Grade B factory made frozen crinkle cut fries. Perhaps they make the chicken fingers fresh in house but they then cook them to the point they are dried out and almost flavorless. Give my chain chicken over them any day of the week.

[craigbagel]

The Fort Garry Hotel's new white-tablecloth Italian restaurant Vida Cucina Italia is opening at the end of September. Looks like they're taking reservations on their website already (menu is up there too).

[rkspec]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

I’m a fried chicken fiend and I have been to every major chain just about. As far as “big commercial” chains, Popeyes is basically the best quality right now for that league.

As a fried chicken fiend myself too, i have to ask if you have tried ClubHouse in south osborne yet?

If not, it wont disappoint. Im not even into potato wedges but the combo of the chicken, wedge and white dipping sauce is amazing.

[BAKGUY]

Church's Chicken is on their way to Winnipeg & looking for multiple locations.
I tried it a couple of time in the T-dot.
Popeye's remains my 1st fave followed by Mary Brown's.
But they gravy is best @ Chicken Chef. Their chicken is good.
I am no fan of Chicken Delight or Original KFC, extra crispy is better.
One of the best independent places for me is Red Top.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by Kinguni

Especially when dealing with franchises. We do want to try Mary Browns at some point. Locations aren't convenient to us though.

Worst food poisoning I've had was from the old Champs KFC on Osborne over 20 years ago after a few bites of a chicken burger (The Champ) and discovering it was frozen in the middle. New cook didn't realize they were supposed to be thawed before cooking.

I guess you must live many miles from Winnipeg where you can choose 10 different Mary B locations.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by BAKGUY

I guess you must live many miles from Winnipeg where you can choose 10 different Mary B locations.

None that are convenient to our drive home via Fermor and #1 east.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by Kinguni

None that are convenient to our drive home via Fermor and #1 east.

There a Mary Brown in Sage Creek, about 5 mins from there