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Phantom Gourmet: Great 8 Chain Restaurants

Just because a restaurant has multiple locations, doesn't mean it can't give you good food and great value. These are 8 Great restaurants giving chains, a good name.

Brio Tuscan Grille
Chestnut Hill

Kicking off the Great 8 is Brio Tuscan Grille in Chestnut Hill. This open, airy space has high ceilings and an open kitchen in the back where all the action happens. Here they serve Italian food, along
with some other creative cuisine. So while you can always get classics like the Lasagna filled with a hearty Bolognese sauce, there are plenty of creative options like the Artichoke Crusted Beef Medallions over marsala sauce, or the plate tipping Tuscan Pork Chops.

Noodles & Company
Burlington, Nashua, Shrewsbury

Noodles and Company is a fast-growing chain with locations in Burlington, Nashua and Shrewsbury. Their claim to fame is piping hot plates of pasta that are made to order, and served quickly. The menu reads like a lineup of carbs from every country, like Pad Thai, Indonesian Peanut Saute, or a classic Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs. For something that will stick to your ribs, try the steak stroganoff.

Brooklyn Water Bagels
Framingham

Another Great 8 winner is Brooklyn Water Bagels. Located in Framingham, this place bakes some of the best bagels outside of New York City. While they're tasty on their own, or smeared with some cream cheese, they can be enjoyed even more as bagel ruebens, bagel pizzas and the biggest, fluffiest three egg bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich you've ever seen.

Miller's Ale House
Watertown

Miller's Ale House in Watertown is a spacious sports bar decked out in dozens of flat screens. When you're ordering at Millers, there's only one thing you need to know - ZINGERS. This is no ordinary
chicken finger. Each one is double breaded, deep fried and tossed in one of Miller's many sauces. If a regular order of zingers isn't enough, the Mountain Melt should do it for you. It's stacked high on a bed of fries with bacon and cheese, with a side of creamy ranch dressing.

Bahama Breeze
Tyngsboro

Bahama Breeze offers a taste of the tropics in Tyngsboro, Mass. This big, colorful, Caribbean spot serves fresh flavors inspired by the islands. From Puerto Rico, there's fried plantains smothered with chicken, peppers, and melted cheese. The refreshing mojitos come courtesy of Cuba. And in the spirit of Jamaica, there's Jerk Chicken with pineapple salsa.

Otto Pizza
Great Boston, Southern Maine

Another Great 8 winner is Otto Pizza. This is a local chain, with several locations throughout Greater Boston and Southern Maine. Otto offers 24 signature pizzas, several of which are offered by the slice daily. There's Pulled Pork and Mango; Mashed potato and bacon; Even apple, bacon, and red onion. But the biggest head-turner in the Three-Cheese Tortellini Pizza.

Firehouse Subs
Woburn, Danvers, Back Bay

Firehouse Subs in Woburn, Danvers and the Back Bay is known across the country for their signature steamed subs. The Firehouse Hero is packed with plenty of premium roast beef, smoked turkey breast, honey ham and melted provolone. Then there's The New York Steamer sandwich, which is a delicious tribute to New York's finest delis, loaded with corned beef, pastrami, provolone, Italian dressing, mayo and spicy deli mustard.

Wegman's
Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Northborough

Rounding out the Great 8 is Wegman's in Burlington, Chestnut Hill and Northborough, a supermarket chain with a lot more than just groceries, and a massive cult-following Their Northborough store is one of the biggest supermarkets in New England. It's also one of the region's biggest restaurants with seating for 300 and fully-prepared food sections for fresh sushi, humongous subs, pizza, burgers, chicken wings, Chinese food, and all kinds of desserts.

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.

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