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I've Eaten At Nearly Every Single Chain Restaurant—These Are The Best Menu Items

Two years later and 20 restaurants down, this is our official list.

By
preview for Best Chain Restaurant Menu Items Of All Time | Julia Tries Everything

People always ask: What are the *best* chain restaurant menu items? Honestly, I've tried too many to count; they've all become a massive blur in my memory. So, to make your lives easier (and, selfishly, mine), I've made the official ranking of the best menu items at each restaurant I've visited. Buckle up y'all.

20

Fettuccine Alfredo, Red Lobster

fettuccine alfredo
Chelsea Lupkin

It truly hits the spot. The cherry tomatoes break up the creamy parm and rich lobster. Bring your sweatpants for this one.

19

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Hard Rock

pulled pork sandwich
Chelsea Lupkin

That's right—a burger didn't make this list for Hard Rock. (We were shocked too.) This pork sandwich comes with creamy, cold coleslaw and a thin slice of apple which gives a lil crunch.

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18

Double Chocolate Pancake Poppers, Denny's

double chocolate pancake poppers
Chelsea Lupkin

One pop of these and you truly can't stop. The cream cheese frosting dipping sauce deserves to be bottled up and sold.

17

Bone-In Natural Cut Ribeye, Outback Steakhouse

bone in ribeye
Alex Rapine

If you're going to get steak—you've gotta head to Outback. And if you're going to Outback, you can only order the bone-in natural cut ribeye. Its seasoning is simple and lets the meat shine through, which, by the way,melts like butter.

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16

Carne Asada Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen

carne asada pizza
Chelsea Lupkin

This was the most popular pizza when we polled our fans and we understand why. The combination of cilantro, steak, and Monterey jack cheese is a huge win.

15

Shrimp 'N Steak Sirloin, Applebee's

shrimp 'n steak sirloin
Chelsea Lupkin

I'd serve this at my wedding. It's creamy, savory, and tastes like luxury yet it doesn't break the bank.

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14

Shrimp Scampi Fritta, Olive Garden

shrimp scampi fritta
Chelsea Lupkin

Truly good luck attempting to share these. The crunch from the breading and the zip of flavor from the lemony-garlic shrimp will keep you coming back for more. And more. And more.

13

Factory Burger, The Cheesecake Factory

factory burger
Chelsea Lupkin

The burger is served on a toasted sourdough roll rather than a soggy burger bun which really gives it an oomph.

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12

Avocado Egg Rolls, The Cheesecake Factory

avocado egg rolls
Chelsea Lupkin

You're not alone in loving these. The fried rolls are the chain's most popular appetizer. The tamarind-cashew dipping sauce sends you to cloud nine.

11

Chicken Crispers, Chili's

chicken crispers
Chelsea Lupkin

You might think the ribs or margaritas would make the list for Chili's—but they don’t stand a chance. The hand-battered chicken is oddly squishy and soft, which, yes, at first sounds like a negative, but when you bite into it, it's an addicting texture. Try one soft chicken tender and you'll never go back.

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10

Chicken Lettuce Wraps, P.F. Chang's

chicken lettuce cups
Chelsea Lupkin

This is the most popular menu item at P.F. Chang's and there's a good reason for it. It's light, super crunchy, and tangy. Definitely order for the table.

9

Fettuccine Alfredo, Carrabba's

fettuccine alfredo
Chelsea Lupkin

This dish was actually made by accident! One of the founders took all the leftovers from the walk-in freezer, threw it together, and created a beautiful medley of creamy, cheesy pasta with moist chicken.

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8

New York Cheesecake Pancakes, IHOP

new york cheesecake pancakes
Chelsea Lupkin

It's stuffed with mini cheesecake bites and topped with glazed strawberries. It's like dessert for breakfast!

7

Mango Habanero Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings

mango habanero wings
Chelsea Lupkin

Do not let the cute name fool you. These are spicy, sweet, and most importantly, they're delicious.

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6

Banzai Burger, Red Robin

banzai burger
Chelsea Lupkin

Hawaiian pizza has a bad rep, but Hawaiian burgers...not so much. The teriyaki glaze on the burger takes the patty over the edge.

5

Full Slab Of Ribs, Texas Roadhouse

full slab of ribs
Chelsea Lupkin

We're not basing this list on quantity, but it's important for you to know Texas Roadhouse's ribs are the size of your entire forearm (and maybe more). They're savory yet sweet and the meat is perfectly juicy.

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4

Fried Apples, Cracker Barrel

fried apples
Chelsea Lupkin

These are a staple! If you ask the servers why they're called "fried" apples, they'll tell you they have no idea; it's a misnomer because they're actually sweet, sticky, and caramelized. If they decide to fry them though...I will be first in line to try.

3

Chicken Pot Pie, Cracker Barrel

chicken pot pie
Chelsea Lupkin

This menu item is so good, it went from only being served on Wednesdays to being available every day of the week. Chicken pot pie is easy to mess up and can turn into a soggy soup, but Cracker Barrel's tastes like your grandma made it by hand the same day.

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2

Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake, Cracker Barrel

double fudge coca cola cake
Chelsea Lupkin

This is the softest, fudgiest cake you'll ever have. It's like a brownie and a cake had a baby.

1

Bang Bang Shrimp, Bonefish Grill

bang bang shrimp
Chelsea Lupkin

If you've ever been to Bonefish Grill, it's pretty obvious this would take first place. It's spicy, creamy, crunchy and impossible to stop eating.

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