Denver:

Good Times .. Burgers close to In 'N Out in CA. Frozen Custard like Foster's Freeze in CA...mmm

Fresh Fish Seafood Co .. FRESH, not frozen, $$$, but lots of great buffets through the seasons

Golden Corral - this is buffet, it's fresh, very generous, good steaks and tons of choices. Specials every night of the week.

Sweet Tomatoes - it's the same but called Soup Plantation in CA. S.P. was one of the dirtiest restaurants I ever ate at in Ca. Here, S. Tomatoes is ALWAYS clean, FRESH salad and soup bar, three freshly made pastas, foccacious, about six FRESH homemade soups made DAILY and lots of fresh breads, muffins, baked potatoes........... you cannot go wrong here!!

So. Cal:

Ruby's in Newport? Costa Mesa.. hole in the wall, hard to find. For like $6. you can get a prime rib meal including baked potatoes and salad.. yes, I said PRIME RIB AND SIX DOLLARS.. Only one night a week and the line IS LONG.

Original House of Pancakes.. I vouch for the Laguna Hills one. Ate there once a week, every week for 41 wks.. lol Every wk after my OB visit we went there.. mmm their apple pancake is enormous, takes up a dinner plate and is about six inches high!! Enough for at least two people.. AT LEAST

When Seafood Broiler left decades ago, I was so bummed. Then I found out the original and only Crab Cooker in Newport had the same owner.. I LIVED for mesquite cooked scallop and shrimp skewers there.. mmm