This Is the Best Restaurant Chain in America
America’s highway exits are littered with recognizable restaurants like Cracker Barrel, Denny’s and IHOP. But let's face it: An awful lot of these so-called "casual dining" chains fail to deliver a tasty experience. Some are overpriced; others serve terrible food.
So which of these chains are really a good deal? I set out to come up with some answers.
To start, I identified the pool of contenders: I wanted chains with over 100 locations nationwide that serve moderately priced food in a sit-down dining experience, with a wait staff. For the resulting 40 restaurant chains, I asked my Money colleagues to rate their recent dining experiences—and then ranked the top 25 chains by factoring in both the average cost of a dinner entree and the level of customer experience.
As it turns out, Money staffers are tough critics. Some well-known chains like Applebee's, Olive Garden and Red Lobster failed to make the cut at all, simply because their customer scores were too low. (And one staff member is very disappointed about where the Cheesecake Factory landed.)
Here are the results: the top 25 casual dining restaurants for your money. Got a beef? Tweet your displeasure to me directly at @megan_leonhardt.
1. Steak n Shake
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $4.39
- Average Money staff rating: 3.4 (out of 5)
Founded in 1934 in Illinois, the name of this retro style chain says it all: “steak” stands for the brand’s premium "steakburger," and the “shake” is for the hand-dipped milkshakes.
2. Bob Evans
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $6.65
- Average Money staff rating: 3.38
Headquartered in Ohio, this family-friendly Midwest comfort food chain is known for farm classics like the “Sunshine Skillet” (an open-faced omelet filled with sausage, home fries and shredded cheddar) and biscuits and gravy.
3. Waffle House
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $5.04
- Average Money staff rating: 3.27
Open 24/7, this Southern chain has become a cultural icon. Breakfast reigns supreme here, with favorites like hash browns (smothered & covered) and pecan waffles served all day.
4. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $10.53
- Average Money staff rating: 3.38
This gourmet burger chain's menu featuring over 45 different burgers and bottomless steak fries. As the chain’s famous commercial goes: Yuuummm.
5. Johnny Rockets
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $9.15
- Average Money staff rating: 3.27
Still bringing its brand of California cool to guests, Johnny Rockets (founded in 1986) treats diners to 1950s-themed decor, complete with mini jukeboxes at the tables.
6. Buca di Beppo
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $14.73
- Average Money staff rating: 3.83
This classic Italian chain serves family-style meals on red-checked tablecloths.
7. Cici's Pizza
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $6.09
- Average Money staff rating: 2.5
An all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, Cici’s has almost 450 locations in 33 states. Don't forget to save room for their dessert pizza and rich brownies.
8. Buffalo Wild Wings
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $11.43
- Average Money staff rating: 3.6
Buffalo Wild Wings (also sometimes known as "BW3") is the place for three things: wings, beer, and sports. The chain is famous for its Buffalo-style wings, in particular its "Blazin' Challenge": Eat a dozen extremely hot chicken wings in six minutes, and you’ll get a T-shirt and your photo on the Wall of Fame.
9. Friendly's
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $8.56
- Average Money staff rating: 2.92
Known for its homemade ice cream and spectacular sundaes, Friendly’s started in Massachusetts and has been around since 1935.
10. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $8.19
- Average Money staff rating: 2.9
Both a shopping and dining experience, Cracker Barrel specializes in American comfort food and nostalgia. Its menu is full of favorites like country-fried steak and chicken and dumplings.
11. Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $9.72
- Average Money staff rating: 2.89
Started as a pancake house, Perkins still serves breakfast all day long. The chain is also known for its baked goods, pies in particular. (On Pie Society Mondays, diners can get a free slice of pie with any purchase of an entree.)
12. IHOP
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $7.86
- Average Money staff rating: 2.86
The International House of Pancakes says it “welcomes Breakfastarians with open arms.” IHOP also runs National Pancake Day, where the chain gives out pancakes while encouraging donations to charity.
13. Fuddruckers
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $7.90
- Average Money staff rating: 2.8
Billed as the “World’s Greatest Hamburgers,” this Texas-based chain ups the burger game by grinding the meat and baking the buns on-site.
14. California Pizza Kitchen
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $14.21
- Average Money staff rating: 3.38
Known for its iconic Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen has dozens of varieties of pizza, including those with gluten-free and cauliflower pizza crusts.
15. Denny's
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $9.74
- Average Money staff rating: 2.63
Generally found near freeway exits, Denny’s is a family-friendly chain of diners open 24/7. The chain's all-day breakfasts include the ever-popular Grand Slam breakfast (typically a combo of bacon, eggs, toast and hash browns).
16. Mellow Mushroom
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $14.88
- Average Money staff rating: 3.25
Tie-dye decor is the norm for this Atlanta-based pizza chain, and pizza names like Kosmic Karma and Holy Shiitake. While waiting for your pizza, munch on pizza bites serves with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cheese.
17. Romano's Macaroni Grill
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $14.31
- Average Money staff rating: 3.25
In recent years, this Italian chain has focused on its direct-from-Italy ingredients. But most patrons come back for the tables covered in white butcher paper (kids are encouraged to create masterpieces) and the complimentary rosemary peasant bread, served with olive oil and cracked pepper.
18. P.F. Chang's China Bistro
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $13.96
- Average Money staff rating: 3.09
An Asian-inspired sit-down restaurant, P.F. Chang’s has more than 200 locations nationwide. You may see their entrees in the freezer section, but they say everything at the restaurants is made from scratch when you order.
19. Carrabba's Italian Grill
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $15.43
- Average Money staff rating: 3.67
Each Carrabba’s location has a wood-burning grill. Many of the chain’s signature dishes like Chicken Bryan (chicken in a lemon butter sauce, topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil) and Pollo Rosa Maria (chicken stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto) get a spin in the oven before heading out to diners.
20. Bonefish Grill
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $19.75
- Average Money staff rating: 4.2
The highest-rated restaurant by Money staffers, Bonefish Grill is a upscale seafood chain featuring a large menu of seasonal specials.
21. Texas Roadhouse
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $14.10
- Average Money staff rating: 2.83
Hand-cut steaks are the bread-and-butter of the Texas Roadhouse chain. Many diners, however, may be more familiar with the bucket of peanuts offered at every table—though there’s some debate as to whether you’re actually supposed to toss the shells on the floor.
22. Big Boy
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $10.12
- Average Money staff rating: 2.14
This longtime chain is now technically two operations, Big Boy and Frisch's. They have almost identical menus, and share the rights to the original chain's name and signature mascot: a chubby boy in red-and-white checkered overalls.
23. The Cheesecake Factory
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $15.56
- Average Money staff rating: 3.33
This chain has the most extensive menu (by far) of the chains Money reviewed—over 250 items. But make sure to save room for dessert; as the name suggests, these restaurants offer more than 50 different varieties of cheesecake.
24. Ruby Tuesday
- Average cost of a dinner entree: $13.64
- Average Money staff rating: 2.6
Ruby Tuesday edged out out similar chains like Chili’s and Applebee's with a slightly higher Money staff rating. The chain, which serves up modern American cuisine, also runs frequent specials like free kids meals on Tuesday nights.
25. Chili's Grill & Bar
- Average cost of a dinner entree:$11.97
- Average Money staff rating: 2.57
It may come as no surprise that this ubiquitous Tex-Mex chain started in Texas. Its extensive footprint includes locations inside some of the nation’s largest airports, including Chicago, Dallas, Orlando and Newark.
How We Did It
Money evaluated 45 of the biggest casual dining chains in the U.S.—brands that had over 100 locations nationwide. Using sample menus on Ownthemeal.com, Money calculated the average cost of a dinner entree. Breakfast meals were included at establishments that serve all-day breakfast, while pizza prices were included for personal, small and medium pizza prices. Finally, staffers rated each restaurant based upon their recent dining on overall experience, quality of the food, service, and perceived value.
Among the chains that didn't make the top 25: Applebee's, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Chevys Fresh Mex, Dave & Buster's, Golden Corral, Hooters, Joe's Crab Shack, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, LongHorn Steakhouse, Old Country Buffet/HomeTown Buffet, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Pizza Hut, Red Lobster, and TGI Fridays.