Shopper Ashley Alfonso browses for clothes at the new Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) store at the newly opened The Americana at Brand retail complex in Glendale, California. Photo: Damian Dovargane.
What We Wish We Had (and the alternatives)
By Lisa Cawley
We now have an IKEA and more than one Chipotle, thank goodness. However, there are still some chain stores and restaurants that we don’t have in South Florida, but wish we had. Here’s our list of 20 places we wish we had, why we like them, how far you have to go to get to the nearest one, and alternatives that you can find down here.
GREASY GOODNESS
In-N-Out Burger
Why we like it: The classic hamburger chain pioneered the drive-thru concept in California 60 years ago.
Nearest location: Tucson, Ariz.
Local alternatives: For convenience, the usual fast food drive-thrus. For taste, Johnny Rockets or Five Guys.
Jack In The Box
Why we like it: The total opposite of healthy fast food, this is the place for greasy indulgence. If you really want to get carried away, add a side of bacon cheddar potato wedges or an egg roll to your sirloin cheeseburger, and then finish it off with a slice of cheesecake. Your arteries won’t thank you, but your tastebuds might.
Nearest location: Greenville, S.C.
Local alternatives: Fuddruckers, Checkers
Sonic
Why we like it: By far the most requested place on our list, the ‘50s-style drive-in restaurant is one of the few of its kind left in the U.S. Delicious shakes, malts, slushes and floats in every flavor are the perfect way to wash down a coney served by carhops on rollerskates.
Nearest location: Once upon a time, there was one in Miami, but now you have to make the hike to Boynton Beach.
Local alternatives: Checkers, Cheeburger Cheeburger, A&W
Uno Chicago Grill (formerly Pizzeria Uno)
Why we like it: In 1943, Ike Sewell founded Pizzeria Uno in the Windy City and Chicago deep-dish-style pizza was born. Since then, the restaurant’s name has changed and the menu has expanded, but Uno remains the place to go for true deep dish.
Nearest location: An hour and a half away in Naples
Local alternatives: Original Big Tomato
White Castle
Why we like it: The first American hamburger chain is famous for its itty-bitty burgers (Slyders), which are available 24 hours a day.
Nearest location: Nashville
Local alternatives: The taste can’t compare, but White Castle burgers are available in the freezer section of most grocery stores.
CAFFEINE ‘N’ CARBS
Caribou Coffee
Why we like it: Good coffee chain that isn’t Starbucks. Need I say more?
Nearest location: Atlanta, Ga.
Local alternatives: Joffrey’s, Segafredo Espresso
Dean & Deluca
Why we like it: The upscale grocery store sells gourmet food, gifts and kitchenware. Think Williams-Sonoma meets Whole Foods.
Nearest location: Charlotte, N.C.
Local alternatives: Epicure
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery
Why we like it: Freshly-baked muffins, pastries and pies set this restaurant apart from other all-American chains like Friendly’s and Village Inn (which we don’t have either).
Nearest location: Lake Worth
Local alternatives: Denny’s, Golden Corral
CHEAP ‘N’ CHIC
Aveda Institute
Why we like it: At Aveda institutes, students are trained using the company’s natural, environmentally friendly hair and makeup products, so it’s good for the environment and your budget. Where else can you get a haircut and manicure for under 25 bucks while enjoying a complimentary cup of tea and hand massage?
Nearest location: Orlando; Coming soon to Davie!
Local alternatives: For price, Hi-Tech The School of Cosmetology or Beauty Schools of America. For products, head to any of the dozen or so stores and concept salons in the area, including Aruj Salon and Spa.
Barneys New York
Why we like it: Designer labels at, well, designer prices. That is, of course, except during one of Barneys’ famous warehouse sales when you can grab your favorite name-brand threads for 50-75 percent off. Will and Grace went to the sale every year; you should try to go at least once.
Nearest location: Dallas, Texas
Local alternatives: Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys Outlet
Filene’s Basement
Why we like it: The 100-year-old Boston-based discount clothing retailer is perhaps best known for its annual “Running of the Brides” event in which hundreds of brides-to-be line up before dawn and then race into the store in a frenzy, clearing racks in less than 60 seconds in hopes of snagging a dress for 70 percent or more off the retail price. But Filene’s Basement is not just for brides. There are bargains for decking out men, women, kids and homes year-round.
Nearest location: Atlanta, Ga.
Local alternatives: Loehmann's, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nordstrom Rack
H&M
Why we like it: The Swedish clothing and cosmetics retailer with more than 1,500 stores around the globe is famous for its low prices and forward fashion for men, women and children.
Nearest location: Alpharetta, Ga.
Online: Unfortunately, online shopping is not available in the U.S.
Local alternatives: Forever 21
Uniqlo
Why we like it: From premium Japanese denim to limited edition t-shirts designed by renowned artists, this Japanese clothing retailer offers cutting edge fashion for men, women and kids at reasonable prices.
Nearest location: There are more than 760 stores worldwide, including several locations throughout the U.K. and Asia, but the only U.S. locale is in New York City.
Local alternatives: Zara, Forever 21
HEALTHY HEAVEN
Evos
Why we like it: A healthy fast food chain? What a concept. Baked fries, soy burgers, wraps and smoothies will satisfy your fast food craving without adding to your waistline.
Nearest location: St. Petersburg
Local alternatives: Natural Chicken Grill, Julio's Natural Foods
Trader Joe’s
Why we like it: A supermarket chock full of unique house-brand products that aren’t just imitating the big boys. All Trader Joe’s products are free of artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, MSG and added trans fats. In addition, labels indicate those that are gluten-free, vegan and heart healthy. With inventive offerings such as blueberry pomegranate green tea, burgundy pepper lamb tips and sunflower seed butter, you’ll forget Publix even existed.
Nearest location: Atlanta, Ga.
Local alternatives: Gardner’s Market, Whole Foods Market, Norman Brothers Produce
Pinkberry
Why we like it: Frozen yogurt, smoothies and shaved ice full of “swirly goodness” in flavors like mixed berries, coffee and green tea. Toppings from fresh blackberries to Fruity Pebbles provide the paint for your ice cream canvas. Go ahead, get creative.
Nearest location: New York City
Local alternatives: Blissberry, YogurBella
Directory of local alternatives
A&W
Aruj Salon and Spa - 3065 Fuller St., Coconut Grove
Barneys Outlet – www.barneys.com; 1800 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Suite 2600, Sunrise; 954-331-1260
Beauty Schools of America – www.thebeautyschoolsofamerica.com
Blissberry - www.blissberryyogurtbar.com; 1650 Alton Road, Miami Beach
Checkers
Cheeburger Cheeburger - www.cheeburger.com
Epicure
Five Guys - 3401 North Miami Avenue, Miami; for more locations, go to www.fiveguys.com
Forever 21 – 11401 NW 12th St, Miami; 305.463.9338; for more locations, go to www.forever21.com
Fuddruckers – www.fuddruckers.com
Gardner’s Market
Golden Corral - www.goldencorral.net
Hi-Tech The School of Cosmetology - 1303 SW 107th Ave., Miami; 305-487-9997.
Joffrey’s
Johnny Rockets
Julio's Natural Foods
Loehmann's -- www.loehmanns.com; 18701 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-932-4207
Natural Chicken Grill
Neiman Marcus Last Call - www.nmlastcallclearancecenter.com
Nordstrom Rack
Norman Brothers Produce
Original Big Tomato – www.bigtomatopizza.net; 12447 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami
Saks Fifth Avenue - www.saksfifthavenue.com
Segafredo Espresso, Segafredo Brickell
Whole Foods Market -- 21105 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-933-1543; for more locations, go to www.wholefoodsmarket.com
YogurBella – 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove; for more locations, go to www.yogurbella.com
Zara – 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura; 305-466-2661; for more locations, go to www.zara.com
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I agree with this review. This is a major city, how do we not have some of these places. How can there be an H&M in the Poughkeepsie Galleria in Poughkeepsie, NY (less than two hours from NYC) but we don't have one in Miami? And the closest Sonic is in Boynton Beach? Please! What about Whataburger or Zaxby's? Let's get some of these places down here! ASAP!!!
Posted by: Kristin on Sun, 2008-08-24 10:01