re: I feel bad for people who's dining experiences are Applebees, Olive Garden, etc.

I eat local way more than I eat chains on average. And I cook even more often than I eat out.

Sometimes you'd have to really go out of your way, or be anti-social, to not eat a meal or two at a chain restaurant. It's not usually worth that to me.

Unless some friends invited me to Olive Garden... then I'd politely decline.