What to Order
Dish-by-dish verdicts for America's most popular restaurant chains — what's worth your money, what's merely fine, and what to skip.
What to order at Applebee's
Applebee's judged item by item — why the appetizers beat the entrées, what the steak grade tells you, and the $15.99 order that makes the rest look silly.
Read the verdicts → The Cheesecake FactoryWhat to order at Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory's 250-item menu, cut down to what matters — the dishes worth their giant portions, the traps, and how to save room for cheesecake.
Read the verdicts → Chick-fil-AWhat to order at Chick-fil-A
Honest verdicts on the Chick-fil-A menu — why the original sandwich still wins, which sides earn their price, and the entrées quietly overcharging you.
Read the verdicts → Chili'sWhat to order at Chili's
Chili's judged item by item — why 3 for Me makes the printed menu look absurd, which calorie counts are lying to you, and the $16 sandwich to walk past.
Read the verdicts → ChipotleWhat to order at Chipotle
Honest verdicts on the whole Chipotle menu — which proteins are worth the upcharge, why the bowl beats the burrito, and the one order that doubles your food.
Read the verdicts → Five GuysWhat to order at Five Guys
Honest verdicts on the Five Guys menu — why the Little burgers are the whole game, which fries size is a trap, and what you're actually paying for.
Read the verdicts → In-N-Out BurgerWhat to order at In-N-Out
Honest verdicts on the In-N-Out menu — why the Double-Double Animal Style is the best cheap burger going, how to fix the fries, and what to skip.
Read the verdicts → McDonald'sWhat to order at McDonald's
Honest verdicts on the McDonald's menu — why the McDouble beats the Big Mac, which premium burgers overcharge you, and the fries that justify the trip.
Read the verdicts → Olive GardenWhat to order at Olive Garden
Olive Garden's menu, judged dish by dish — how to play the unlimited soup and breadsticks game, which pastas are worth it, and what to leave on the menu.
Read the verdicts → Outback SteakhouseWhat to order at Outback
Honest verdicts on the Outback Steakhouse menu — why the $16.79 sirloin embarrasses the appetizers, what the Bloomin' Onion costs, and the tenders to skip.
Read the verdicts → Panda ExpressWhat to order at Panda Express
Honest verdicts on the Panda Express menu — which entrees are worth stacking, why the premium shrimp isn't, and the free side swap that saves 400 calories.
Read the verdicts → Panera BreadWhat to order at Panera
Panera's menu, judged item by item — where the You Pick Two actually saves money, which soups are worth it, and the salads that justify the price.
Read the verdicts → Red LobsterWhat to order at Red Lobster
Honest verdicts on the Red Lobster menu — which feast is worth $40, why the fried platters disappoint, and the grilled plate that skips the fryer entirely.
Read the verdicts → Taco BellWhat to order at Taco Bell
Honest verdicts on the Taco Bell menu — which $2 burritos still win, why the Cheesy Gordita Crunch earns its price, and the nachos to skip.
Read the verdicts → Texas RoadhouseWhat to order at Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse judged cut by cut — which steaks punch above their price, the sides that matter, and why the ribeye-versus-sirloin question has a clear answer.
Read the verdicts → WingstopWhat to order at Wingstop
Honest verdicts on the Wingstop menu — why dry rubs beat sauces, the case against boneless, and the sleeper $5.79 order almost nobody talks about.
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