Rally's

I'm always surprised when I like the burgers from the least expensive place in town.

I've been going to Checkers and Rally's since about 1989 when I lived in Philadelphia.  The companies split and while I was in Florida, they merged again.  The menus are the same now, but they're carrying the two names, even in the same metro areas, like Orange County/Los Angeles, California.

They've come a long way since they had the Sirloin Burger (with A1 Sauce!) and the Champ.  I still love their burgers, but they have so many choices.  They have two kinds of fish sandwiches, and they have chicken on a bun, chicken wings, or chicken strips.  To my taste, their chicken strips are equal to Popeyes.  Their double-cooked fries are amazing, as are the milkshakes, and the (mini) apple pies.

What I miss at this franchisee's location would be the special deals.  They offer some of the deals, but they're usually $1.00 more for two sandwiches, so if the deal is 2 for $3.00, expect 2 for $4.00 at the locations in Richmond.  I also miss 69 cent Sundays that Checkers had in Florida.  I could get a chili dog and a promotional-sized milkshake for 69 cents each.  Add 2 of their small apple pies for 99 cents and that's a deal.

As much as I like outdoor seating, and it worked in Florida and Southern California, it doesn't always work so well in northern states.  Of course, adding a dining room, as In-N-Out has done at a few locations, would boost their costs and they wouldn't be able to offer the great deals so often.

Update: I've had some strange situations lately.  I'd go to the window and no one would be out front.  It happened 3 times.  I filed a report with them, and heard from a troubleshooter today.  They're trying to fix their problems in Richmond at both locations, and get things back to where they need to be.