Where's the Roast Beef?

For some reason, I've been craving Arby's lately, and it's frustrating because there are none anywhere near me. I can't justify a trip to downtown Chicago or a remote suburb to buy a sack of sandwiches and maybe some curly fries.

Sometimes I randomly want to go to Chili's to get a burger and great big diet coke out of a mug. I like how they give you the steak knife to saw your burger in two. Again, they only have them downtown or in the burbs.

Bakers Square I like every now and again. I like free pie Wednesday where you get a slice of pie free with your meal. That's not too bad rinsed down with a cup of hot joe, but again, they're only in remote parts of the city. Luckily, I work most days out of the week near one, so finally that worked out.

How about Sonic? They have commercials on television all the time, I'd like to try it to have some chick roller skate out to my car with a tray of nachos like on "Happy Days," but there are zero in the city of Chicago - you have to go to the suburbs.

Why is this? Does Chicago, especially the Lakeview and Lincoln Park areas, think they are too cool for certain chain restaurants?

Does anyone ever crave something they were used to getting in their hometown and can't find nowadays? Anyone want to make a pilgrimage for curly fries?