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Olive Garden or Waffle House? Our Fave Fast Casual Restaurants, Ranked

Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Cheesecake Factory are among the restaurants that hold a special place in our hearts.

Thereโ€™s been an endless debate on social media about whether some restaurants are appropriate for a first date. This led to arguments about expectations and quality. Some people even revealed that theyโ€™d never been to establishments that are obviously very popular. So weโ€™re wading into the internetโ€™s ongoing restaurant war with our ranking of the best fast casual food spots.

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15: Buffalo Wild Wings

Photo: Shutterstock Jonathan Weiss

Fast is not a term Iโ€™d apply to Buffalo Wild Wings, but this is the category it falls in. Youโ€™re meant to sit there all day and watch sports, so donโ€™t expect your food to come out in a timely manner. When it finally does, itโ€™s not exactly an unforgettable meal.

14: Outback Steakhouse

The bloominโ€™ onion is so good, but unfortunately, thatโ€™s where the love affair with Outback ends. If youโ€™re in the mood for a steak, there are much better choices, including making your own.

Dennyโ€™s

https://twitter.com/DennysDiner/status/1716894001905934401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Dennyโ€™s can be disappointing for some, but hey theyโ€™re literally everywhere and always open so theyโ€™ve become a mainstay. Though, unless it has special meaning, I wouldnโ€™t recommend taking a date there.

12: Golden Corral

Photo: Shutterstock James R. Martin

Golden Corral is a solid choice if youโ€™re going to dinner with picky eaters. Itโ€™s a buffet, so thereโ€™s something for everyone. Plus the food has slightly more seasoning than Hometown Buffet.

11: IHOP

The International House of Pancakes is as advertised. It has great pancakes. Unfortunately, everything else is subpar. And letโ€™s not even get started on the brown water they pass off as coffee.

10: Sizzler

Photo: Shutterstock MeSamong

For Black kids, if your parents said you were going to Sizzler, it was a big deal. Back in the day, they didnโ€™t really pay attention and two people could eat good if one of you ordered the salad bar.

9: Red Robin

Personally I think Red Robin is underestimated in this space. They have a variety of unique burgers and the delicious french fries are endless.

8: TGI Fridayโ€™s

Photo: Shutterstock GarethWilley

Every once in a while, TGI Fridayโ€™s offers endless appetizers. Free refills on apps is the American dream.

7: Cracker Barrel

If you want a homecooked meal without all the fuss of a dirty kitchen, Cracker Barrel is your spot. According to The Root entertainment writer Shanelle Genai, their pecan pancakes and buttermilk biscuits are โ€œELITE!โ€

6: Applebeeโ€™s

Photo: Shutterstock Artography

Sometimes you donโ€™t need all the fancy trappings. Sometimes at the end of the day you just want good cocktails and appetizers.

5: Cheesecake Factory

https://twitter.com/Cheesecake/status/1717920452826255430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

For all you snobs turning your nose up at Cheesecake Factory, donโ€™t act like you donโ€™t love the brown bread and wide assortment of cheesecakes. Iโ€™m all about the banana cream, but you also canโ€™t go wrong with the turtle.

4: Waffle House

https://twitter.com/WaffleHouse/status/1713543258339418354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

No matter what you hear about Waffle House, the food is delicious. Whatโ€™s a few fights here and there when the trade off is amazing late night food?

3: Chiliโ€™s

Donโ€™t pretend youโ€™re not down with the triple dipper with Southwestern Egg Rolls and Big Mouth Bites. And donโ€™t sleep on the fajitas!

2: Olive Garden

https://twitter.com/olivegarden/status/1717956573861941269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Two words: endless breadsticks! Plus, with Olive Gardenโ€™s portion sizes, you usually get two meals for the price of one.

1: Red Lobster

https://twitter.com/redlobster/status/1716469532233966003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Red Lobster is the official celebration spot for Black families. Birthday, graduation, anniversary, christening, it doesnโ€™t matter, weโ€™re getting some Cheddar Bay Biscuits. If itโ€™s good enough for Beyoncรฉ, itโ€™s good enough for you.

Straight From The Root

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