7 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Pasta Dishes
Many restaurants have stepped up their game with pasta dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences.
The 10 Best Chain Restaurants in America
Big franchise chain restaurants are the unsung heroes of affordable first-dates, anniversaries, and for any bachelors out there whose chef skills begin and end with the microwave. There are a few chain restaurants that stand out from the rest in order of consistency, trademark dishes, and, of course, value. Here are 10 chain restaurants in America that you can’t really go wrong with.
Best Restaurant Chains in the USA
- Texas Roadhouse
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Olive Garden
- P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- LongHorn Steakhouse
- Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
- Outback Steakhouse
- Red Lobster
Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link.
1: Texas Roadhouse
We knew it would be difficult to pick our number one spot, but after careful consideration, we just have to give it to Texas Roadhouse for representing some of the best Americana food and atmosphere out of all chain restaurants, and even most high-end ones. The reason being is that they don’t skimp on the quality, nor the quality, of each dish on the menu. Even the kids’ dishes are good enough for most grown adults. You won’t leave with an empty stomach or feel as though you overpaid for anything.
2: The Cheesecake Factory
This next chain is ironically one of the most popular chain restaurants in America because their entire menu is filled with great food, not just the desserts. If they served below-average entrees, we’d probably still go just for the cheesecakes, but it wouldn’t be nearly as successful. This chain is like Texas Roadhouse, in that they are people-pleasers and will serve generous portions. Their desserts are amazing, of course, it will take you a few years, at least, before you’ve sampled all 50 types of cheesecakes. Better get started right now, eh?
3: Olive Garden
Italian food is often underrated in the States because we have weaved it into the fabric of our country. We expect Italian food to always be good, but the truth is that not all restaurants that serve Italian, or even Italian-American, can serve a good plate of spaghetti or baked bread. Olive Garden is our number three because they have been consistent for decades. Their endless pasta is celebrated by many, even those who would normally act snobbish towards the chain. Funny how a great value is impossible to pass up, no matter whatever notion of “real Italian” food is given as a measurement.
4: P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
This once elusive Los Angeles landmark is now a national go-to chain restaurant for authentic Mandarin cuisine. What sets Chang’s apart from your common Chinese fast-food restaurant is the commitment to using fresh veggies and quality meats that you can taste without having to drown your meal in soy sauce. You can’t call Chang’s “overrated” unless you’ve had the lettuce wraps, this is food you don’t find in your average American Chinese restaurant, and yet the price is about the same.
5: Maggiano’s Little Italy
While Maggiano’s may not have the same level of notoriety as the big boss Olive Garden, they do carry a nice little Italian charm that reminds many people of the actual family-centric restaurants over in Italy. The dishes are simple Italian, but the flavors are anything but that. They have made a name for themselves for being able to bring that homemade flavor and quality out with their lasagna and meatballs, especially. Look for this chain to continue to expand as more cities demand more Italian home-cooked signature dishes.
6: LongHorn Steakhouse
We couldn’t forget about LongHorn’s rise to success on this list. A worthy alternative to Texas Steakhouse, LongHorn is slightly less casual in atmosphere (there’s no shelling of peanuts to be had here), but that certainly doesn’t mean they are light on fun. LongHorn not only has an impressive menu of grilled entrees, they also have one of the best in-house bars of all the chain restaurants in the U.S.
7: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
The name of this next restaurant tells no lies. They do have some great cheddar in the dishes, but, most importantly, they make everything from scratch and prepare virtually nothing in-advanced. This may sound like an exaggeration for a chain restaurant, but they actually hire more cooks than your average restaurant in order to live up to their name. It’s fast service without compromise, and still with fantastic menu prices, to boot. It’s no surprise that this Texas-native chain has rocketed in popularity.
8: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
An American restaurant countdown without a proper burger joint isn’t a real list, so we’ve nominated the burger people-pleaser among them all: Red Robin. You want a juicy burger that is better than the one you could have easily thrown on the grill at home? Well, they have over a dozen signature burgers at any given time, with plenty of room for customization. The meat is juicy and the portion sizes are healthy, it’s the polar opposite of the two global giant’s offerings.
9: Outback Steakhouse
Yes, we know we have three steakhouses on this list, but it just so happens that these restaurants have some of the best food, not just steaks. Outback is a great example of creative dishes that compliment each other, which many restaurants could take some notes from. Their Bloomin’ Onion is a thing of beauty, it melds fast-food concept with restaurant execution. They’ve made their name as being the best place to take a group of friends for a night out at the ‘barby’ and it’s their charm that keeps us coming back for more.
10: Red Lobster
Affordable sea food, particularly lobster and crabs, just isn’t a common sight in the restaurant bizz, outsize of Red Lobster. As with Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster is incredibly successful partly due to having more than just amazing main courses, but also great sides, like their infamous cheddar biscuits. Beyonce’s hit single “Formation” helped a new generation discover this consistently delicious sea food restaurant.
Did you like this article on Best Restaurant Chains in the USA? Then share it with your friends who might love reading it too!
Related Posts:
7 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Pasta Dishes
Many restaurants have stepped up their game with pasta dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences.
The product recommendations in this post are recommendations by the writer and/or expert(s) interviewed and do not contain affiliate links. Meaning: If you use these links to buy something, we will not earn a commission.
Sure, boiling a pot of pasta isn’t hard, but there are just some moments when all you want is a plate of spaghetti and meatballs cooked by someone else. When it comes to satisfying your pasta cravings, you don’t even have to worry about booking a trip to Italy or Asia; many of your favorite chain restaurants already offer some of the best pasta dishes nearby.
Restaurants like Olive Garden and Romano’s Macaroni Grill have been serving high-quality pasta entrees for decades, while places like Noodles and Company are all about bringing more global ingredients and flavor combinations to their local customers. Even the Cheesecake Factory has become a hotspot for pasta fans looking for a bit of savory before indulging in a sweet dessert.
Whether you’re on the hunt for ravioli, looking to indulge in Japanese-style pan noodles, or just want a really good bowl of mac and cheese, many restaurants have stepped up their game with pasta dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. Here are the restaurants whose pastas keep customers coming back for more.
Olive Garden
The bottomless breadsticks are just part of what makes Olive Garden a fan favorite for dining out. This Italian-American chain would be nothing with its wide variety of pasta dishes which truly keep customers coming back for more.
There’s something for everyone at Olive Garden, with classics like Spaghetti and Meatballs and Chicken Alfredo, seafood pasta dishes like Shrimp Scampi, and even a Tour of Italy sampler that includes Lasagna Classico, Fettuccini Alfredo, and Chicken Parmigiana, in case you have trouble choosing your fave.
Olive Garden’s popularity helped contribute to higher-than-expected revenue earnings this past year, and even fine dining chefs are willing to give its pasta credit where credit is due. Ajai Sharma , current sous chef at The Resident in New York City and former chef de partie at Altro Paradiso also in New York, gushes over the Chicken Carbonara in particular. “This dish is rich and delicious,” he explains to Eat This, Not That! “The sauce is cooked and seasoned, and then the whole thing is tossed over a fire—it will always leave you satisfied.”
Noodles and Company
Why have just one kind of pasta dish when you can experience a whole variety of them in one place? Noodles and Company offers some of the best fast-casual mac and cheese, with its Wisconsin Mac and Cheese dish featuring elbow pasta, a mix of aged cheddar cheese and Jack cheese, and a satisfying, creamy cheese sauce.
Diners can also try Asian-inspired dishes like Japanese Pan Noodles, or the restaurant’s own “Leanguini ,” an innovative pasta “with fewer carbs, more protein, and all the same great taste of traditional wheat pasta.”
It’s also a great choice in terms of quality ingredients . The company is committed to clean ingredients, with a prohibited ingredients list, and avoids using artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives across its core menu. Customers can enjoy the Roasted Garlic Cream Tortollini or a bowl of Pasta Fresca without having to worry about where the ingredients came from.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s is considered to be more of an upscale Italian restaurant chain. Still, its welcoming atmosphere and family-style menus make it easy to sample many of its delicious pasta dishes. The restaurant’s Rigatoni “D” is one of the most popular kinds of pasta to try, featuring herb-roasted chicken, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a Marsala cream sauce, but you can always go old-school with Mom’s Lasagna made with seasoned beef, Italian sausage, ricotta, and marinara sauce, baked to perfection each time.
The pasta offerings are so unique that restaurant fans have taken to Reddit as a way to solicit menu advice. “Many things look tasty, but I only have one stomach,” one Reddit user commented, to which others suggested they try any of the seafood pastas or the Eggplant Parmesan.
This Chicago-based chain has expanded across the U.S. since opening in 1991 and currently serves at least 52 locations , according to data from ScrapeHero. So if you’re craving some Lobster Carbonara or Taylor Street Baked Ziti, you might not have to go too far.
Buca di Beppo
This family-style restaurant chain really leans into Italian-American culture with decor straight out of an old-school mobster film set. With over “60 dishes to feed your inner Italian,” according to its website, it’s only natural that the pasta menu would feature some of the most popular customer faves (once patrons have gotten their fill of the mozzarella garlic bread , of course.)
The Stuffed Shells pack in lots of flavors with spicy Italian sausage, spinach, ricotta, parmesan, Alfredo sauce, and homemade marinara sauce. Or, for a lighter option, try the Lemon Shrimp and Zucchini Spaghetti, tossed with roasted heirloom tomatoes, parmesan cheese, zucchini, and shrimp in a bright lemon sauce 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
There’s no skimping on the portion sizes, as YouTuber Vannie Eats discovered when she reviewed the Claremont, Calif., location. She especially liked the Chicken Carbonara for its big chunks of chicken, bacon, and peas. “The carbonara is super creamy,” she remarked, “and so flavorful. This is by far the creamiest carbonara I’ve ever had.”
Carmine’s Italian Restaurant
What started as a no-reservations, family-style Italian eatery in New York City has expanded to reach as far as Las Vegas and even the Bahamas these days. Dishes are meant to be shared, which means trying different kinds of pasta is an option for sure.
Carmine’s is especially known for its chicken parm , made with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. It’s served with spaghetti, but diners definitely don’t want to pass up the housemade penne alla vodka, loaded with a creamy plum tomato sauce, Romano cheese, sautéed onions, garlic, and topped with crushed red pepper flakes.
Carmine’s is also a fan favorite for special occasions because its restaurants are spacious enough to handle big groups. “If you’re trying to have a birthday dinner with 15 of your closest friends, this is also where Carmine’s would come in handy,” one Reddit user stated . Many of the locations offer private dining rooms, so you can enjoy as much pasta as your heart desires on your birthday, anniversary, and more.
The Cheesecake Factory
Before you get a slice of the famous cheesecake for dessert, you have to have some dinner, right? Customers can choose from at least 18 different pasta entrees , and the list includes some pretty creative combinations.
For an appetizer, you can check out the Mac and Cheese Balls (made with a homemade macaroni and cheese recipe), but diners especially love the Louisiana Chicken Pasta, which includes parmesan-crusted chicken served over pasta with mushrooms, peppers, and onions in a spicy New Orleans sauce. “I love this so much,” one Reddit fan commented , agreeing with another user that it was “the best thing on the menu.”
Other pasta choices at the Cheesecake Factory include the Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, loaded with shrimp and chicken s auté ed with tomato, onions, and peppers in a very spicy cajun sauce on top of fresh linguini. There’s also the Shrimp with Angel Hair pasta, which Seattle-based registered dietitian nutritionist and cookbook author Ginger Hultin MS, RDN, CSO , recommends as a healthy option . And if you’re a fan of the pasta sauces themselves, you can buy a bottle from the takeaway section of the restaurant after your meal.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
While it’s fun to draw and color on the paper tablecloths, people typically come to Romano’s Macaroni Grill for the pasta. This Italian-inspired chain restaurant has an extensive pasta menu, with elevated classics like Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs with Spaghetti, made with beef, veal, pork and ricotta meatballs, Romano cheese, and your choice of classic pomodorina sauce or bolognese sauce. But, the restaurant also elevates the options with dishes like its Butternut Tortellacci, stuffed with a four-cheese blend, asiago cream, butternut squash, prosciutto, and parmesan cheese.
Pop singer Olivia Rodrigo once mentioned that her “favorite meal ever” is the Signature Truffle Mac and Cheese at Macaroni Grill, which she pairs with a Coke and the Rosemary Peasant Bread . “I have it every year on my birthday,” she said in an interview for Seventeen . “It is my absolute favorite meal, and anytime I’m feeling sad, I ask my mom if we can go to Macaroni Grill and get that.”
Professional chefs are fans, too. Chef Andrea Frizzi, owner of Il Posto in Denver, likes the restaurant’s seafood ravioli, and Gabriel Glasier , former executive chef and founder of Chef Travel Guide, uses the chain when he needs quality meals but doesn’t have time to cook.
Sign up for our newsletter!
]]>