I come from a state where Red Lobster and similar places went out of business because they couldn't compete with the local fare. It's just really weird for me to see chains everywhere and more so to have people say things like "Ooh let's go to the Olive Garden" in all seriousness. Going out to eat in general was rare for me and my family anyway. I'm Italian American (2nd generation) and for most special occasions we cook huge feasts. The only reason to go out to eat was to get something you couldn't make better at home. I also lived in the "little Italy" section of RI (The Hill) for a long time, which has a fantastic selection of pizza shops.
I'm sorry, but I really don't care for Minsky's pizza. There's also a pretend Italian place near me (Italian Delight?) that I thought might be good, but was a big disappointment. My step kids grew up here and they like the local pizza (they love Waldo pizza, which I find complicated inedible) but my husband and I have given up. Last great pizza I had was in Niagara on my way back from a summer trip to the East Coast. I should mention my husband has Celiacs disease so pizza isn't a huge part of our diet or worth trying too many places over, since he usually can't eat it anyway and getting a whole pie for me is just stupid. Papa Murphy's is okay, certainly better than stuff like Domino's as far as chains go. I buy it for the kids periodically because it's convenient and they also sell salads.
Lawerence is about a 45 minute to an hour drive from me, unless I want to take a toll road. Then it's slightly closer. For the most part I sick to Legends and Shawnee Mission. My husband and I have talked about taking the kids there to walk around some afternoon but haven't gotten to it. That area is actually the most like where I'm from, though more spread out and with fewer little weird shops and things and slightly less walkable. It reminds me of a western version of the East Side of Providence.
Sorry if I offended anyone. The food out here is just very different than what I am used to. I know the BBQ out here is supposed to be top notch, my FIL loves it and I brought home random sauces for family this summer and they were very interested in trying them. I just personally dislike BBQ a lot, which is what most of the local restaurants around me sell.