Sometimes national chain restaurants are hyped up in the minds of western Wisconsinites to such an extent that they can’t possibly live up to everyone’s expectations. In unrelated news, the Chippewa Valley would sure love a Chick-Fil-A. And after that, our appetites are keyed up for a riverfront dining experience in downtown Eau Claire, as nothing complements a nice meal like a flotilla of pasty inner-tubers. And if we can’t have either of those, we’ll take an Indian restaurant that isn’t in the mall, because apparently the type of giant retail center that had its heyday in the latter half of the 20th century makes curry taste funny. –Eric Rasmussen