20 Of The Most Popular Chain Restaurant Dishes

Food, History, Lists, Other, Travel

We all love a trip to The Cheesecake Factory or a lunch at Steak ‘n Shake. And why not? They offer our favorite dishes at reasonable prices, and always in a fun atmosphere. But how are Americans to know which dishes really are worth their time when they make their way to their favorite fast casual restaurant? Well say no more, we’ve done the work for you. Here are the top 20 most popular restaurant dishes in America, bon appetit!

Original Double ‘N Cheese Steakburger – Steak ‘N Shake

You can’t go wrong with two Steakburgers topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, jalapeños, and mayo all found on a sourdough bun. The original double ‘n cheese steakburger at Steak ‘N Shake comes with a side of fries and, when you wash it all down with a chocolate shake, you’re sure to walk away smiling.

Cheese Biscuits – Red Lobster

When you first sit down at Red Lobster, you’re in for a real treat almost immediately: cheese biscuits. Anyone who has ever been to this chain seafood restaurants knows that you go for the lobster, but stay for the biscuits. This is a simple dish, basically biscuits with cheese baked right into the batter, but sometimes the simplest things are what make us the happiest.

Spicy Grilled Shrimp Tacos – Chili’s

Head on down to Chili’s and order this delicious take on a traditional Mexican dish: the Spicy Grilled Shrimp Taco. When you do, you’ll experience three tortillas stuffed with grilled shrimp, pico de gallo salsa, and sliced avocados for balance. This unique take on a traditional Mexican dish will have you begging for seconds – guaranteed.

Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps – P.F. Chang’s

Everyone loves a trip to P.F. Chang’s. Next time you stop by, be sure and give the chain’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps a try. You’ll be served crisp lettuce cups stuffed with chicken, mushrooms, green onions, and water chestnuts. You’ll almost certainly be fighting the rest of your party to get every bite of this unique and tasty dish.

Tour of Italy – Olive Garden

Next time you’re in Olive Garden, give this dish a try if you’re looking to do a little traveling. You won’t be in Italy, but this scrumptious platter will make you feel like you are. The Tour of Italy combines three awesome dishes into one large platter, and includes Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, and of course Creamy Fettucine Alfredo. Shared with friends and family and you’ll almost certainly walk away smiling.

Famous French Dip – Hillstone’s Restaurant

Who doesn’t love a trip to Hillstone’s Restaurant? Formerly known as Houston’s, this chain of restaurants features a dish every American should try at least once: the Famous French Dip. Featuring shaved prime rib on, of all things, a toasted french roll, you’ll definitely be back again for this unique dish. Don’t forget the horseradish spread!

Louisiana Chicken Pasta – The Cheesecake Factory

One of America’s favorite chain restaurants, thanks to its unique atmosphere and generous portions is the Cheesecake Factory. When you’re there, you should probably give the Louisiana Chicken Pasta a try – you won’t be disappointed. Why you ask? This Cajun-style pasta dish is not only massive, but it features pasta in Alfredo sauce, onions, peppers, and mushrooms all underneath light breading. Guaranteed to be satisfy any pallet.

Crispy Caramel Chicken – Grand Lux Cafe

The Grand Lux Cafe may not feature exclusively American dishes, as its menu features dishes from all over the world, but every American needs to head over to the Grand Lux pronto. Upon arrival, be sure to order the Crispy Caramel Chicken. It’s a dish with moist grilled chicken breast drenched in a spicy Thai caramel-based sauce and a side of rice. Enjoy!

Loaded Potato Skins – T.G.I. Friday’s

Who doesn’t love baked potato shells filled with bacon, and cheese? T.G.I. Friday’s has a lot to offer, but you can’t go wrong with the loaded potato skins as an appetizer while you decide on what to have for the main course. This dish may be simple, but it also might just be perfect.

Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie – Chili’s

The first dessert to grace our list, Chili’s Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie might just be worthy of being a meal on its own. The pie features chocolate chips, coconut, walnut, all drizzled with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and caramel. If you thought you were full after your main course, you haven’t seen anything yet.

The Garlic Rolls – Bertucci’s

Like the Cheddar Biscuits at Red Lobster, this table appetizer acts as a major draw to bring patrons to the Bertucci’s chain of restaurants. The rolls are actually made of pizza dough, which are then dipped in cornmeal and cooked in an actual wood-fired oven. Sound awesome? It is. After all, everyone loves pizza so why not make a roll out of it?

Malibu Chicken – Sizzler

Next time you’re not sure where to go for dinner with the family, head on over to Sizzler for their Malibu Chicken. The dish features breaded chicken breast with ham shavings and topped with melted swiss cheese. Mix in the Malibu sauce and side of fries and you’ve got a real treat on your hands.

Chicken Bryan – Carraba’s Italian Grill

Like Olive Garden, Barraba’s Italian Grill is a chain Italian-food restaurant that features of menu of dozens of dishes worth trying. One of our favorites is the Chicken Bryan: comprised of wood-grilled chicken topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, all drenched in a lemon-butter sauce that’s pretty much to die for.

Hawaiian Ribeye Steak – Hillstone’s

This is a Hawaiin take on an American classic. It’s a ribeye steak marinated in a pineapple soy sauce and served with a baked potato on the side for good measure. This is the second dish from Hillstone’s to grace our list and is definitely worth trying at least once, if not for the steak then for the potato side that is stuffed with cheese, chives and bacon.

Bang Bang Shrimp – Bonefish Grille

If you’re a regular at Bonefish Grille, then you’ve probably witnessed patrons getting the Bang Bang Shrimp not as an appetizer, but even as an entire meal to share. While it is a relatively simple dish, with fried shrimp served drenched in a spicy, creamy sauce, it is not for those of simple tastes. The unique blend of spicy and crunchy shrimp will keep you coming back to this seafood restaurant.

Hashbrowns “Scattered All the Way” – Waffle House

We bet you’re wondering, why aren’t there any breakfast options on this list? Well say no more. Head on over to Waffle House and order this hashbrown-based dish because it’s just plain awesome. Featuring a plate of hashbrowns with onions, covered in cheese, and sprinkled with diced ham, tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers. You have your choice of toppings but we recommend getting everything, just because it is oh-so-good.

Whiskey River BBQ Burder – Red Robin

The burger lover’s ultimate treat: a hamburger drenched in BBQ sauce and served with cheese, onion straws, with optional toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo, all on a grilled sesame bun. Red Robin is famous for it’s multitude of gourmet burger offerings, but this might just be their best option on the menu.

Honey Butter Rolls – O’Charley’s

What can we say? We really love good dinner rolls. For the third such option to grace our list, head on over to O’Charley’s for dinner rolls that feature an interesting kick: honey butter. The risk of course is that you fill up on the rolls so much that you can’t order a dinner, but it’s one you’ll have to take. The Honey Butter Rolls are just that good.

Shrimp ‘n Parmesan Sirloin – Applebee’s

Head on over to Applebee’s Grill and Bar for this awesome seafood and meat dish that will leave you begging for more. Picture a 9 oz. sirloin steak with a side of mixed veggies, all topped off with grilled shrimp and cheese. It’s tempting to simply order a burger the next time you’re in Applebee’s, but why not mix it up with this awesome dish?

Chicken & Dumplings – K&W Cafeteria

This primarily Southern chain of restaurants has something to offer that we simply can’t resist: good old fashioned chicken and dumplings. Hop in line to get your helping of this amazing take on an American classic that is simply out of this world. People come for the chicken but stay for the doughy goodness of the flour dumplings.