Let’s talk about food. Of course, we like home cooked meals and classy fine dining establishments – but let’s face it, sometimes all we want is that tried and true chain restaurant down the block. We know those wings. We can taste that pasta. It is familiar and it is delicious and we will not apologize for it.
As the weather gets a bit colder and we get a bit hungrier, it is time to revisit our favorite chains throughout the U.S.
PF CHANG’S
Established in 1993 in Scottsdale, Arizona, this Asian Fusion giant has ruled every mall parking lot for more than two decades. PF brought the lettuce wrap to America, and we are very grateful.
RED LOBSTER
It’s not all about new. Red Lobster began in 1968 in Florida and has grown into the seafood conglomerate that even Beyonce sings about. And let’s face it, we would sing about those cheese biscuits too.
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
favorite restaurant restaurants
Sure, Buffalo, NY introduced the Buffalo wing, but Columbus, Ohio, introduced the Buffalo Wild Wings in 1982. What is more American than wings, and BWW delivers. (Seriously, some actually deliver to your home.)
MACARONI GRILL
Romano’s Macaroni Grill, an easy but delicious chain offers pasta specials and crayons on every paper tablecloth. Nothing is more fun than watching grandma draw a self-portrait while slurping down arrabiata.
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
We can talk about the steak but let’s skip that. Instead, we will just say two words: Bloomin’ Onion.
FRIENDLY’S
The northeast darling is not just diner food. It is ice cream. And it comes with EVERYTHING. Sandwich, get a sundae with it. Salad? Get a sundae with it. Glass of water? SUNDAE! (Also, shout outs to the sundae peanut butter sauce and the Wattamelon Roll. Life changing, both of them. )
HOOTERS
We tell the wife or mom that we go for the food, but maybe we….actually go for the food. Hooters surprisingly delivers some not-so-great for you fare while establishing a…really nice ambiance.
THE OLIVE GARDEN
The gold standard of chain restaurants, the very utterance of the words “olive” and “garden” make any American drool over unlimited salty salad and breadsticks. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
BOJANGLES
Many might claim this is more of a fast food place than a chain restaurant, but it is so special to Southerners that it is worth the mention. And the mention is biscuits. All the biscuits.
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
The cheesecake factory is cheesecake, sure, but it is also so much more – the menu is a manifesto. With so many options, who could be unhappy?
CARRABBA’S
A relatively newer chain, Carrabba’s Italian Grill was established in 1986, and has since proven worthy of the title “a fancier Olive Garden”.
CRACKER BARREL
Despite the slight stomachaches and the money wasted on country junk, we cannot help but mention the sense of excitement when we see a Cracker Barrel coming up along the highway. The chain, established in Tennessee in 1969, is the greatest option when the last thing you want is “light”.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE
Who knew it started in Indiana, but Texas Roadhouse has become a steak go-to for anyone looking for a casual, meat-centric option and a deal. The owner opened the spot with the aim to “was to own not just a family restaurant and not just a steak restaurant, but a place where everyone, of all ages, could come and have a great meal and great fun for a great price.”
And if that isn’t what a chain is supposed to deliver, than what else is there?
