What is Shit-on-the-wall?
1.
(noun) A casual American chain restaurant where the interior walls are almost completely covered in busy, eclectic, kitschy, often discordant and erratically-arranged paraphernalia: pictures, photographs, artwork, license plates, road signs, sports equipment, antlers, newspaper clippings, Christmas lights, etc. Typically found in strip malls, shopping centers and restaurant parks. Cuisine tends to be pan-American. Examples: Chili's, Applebee's, TGI-Friday's, Bennigan's, Red Robin, Buca di Beppo, The Silver Diner, Cracker Barrel, Ruby Tuesday, Chevy's, Joe's Crab Shack, etc.
"Marie wanted to go to eat at this quaint little Italian bistro, but Dave had his heart set on one of those shit-on-the-wall places in Springfield Town Center."
See