Leah Groth https://www.eatthis.com/author/leah-groth/ Your ultimate source for expert nutrition tips and health advice, covering wellness, healthy recipes, cooking hacks, food news, style trends and shopping. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:27:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.eatthis.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/ETNT_favicon-1.png?strip=all&cf-bypass&w=32 Leah Groth https://www.eatthis.com/author/leah-groth/ 32 32 195777497 11 Best Fried Fish Sandwiches Across America, According to Diners https://www.eatthis.com/best-fried-fish-sandwiches-according-diners/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:30:05 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=912219 Since Lent is still going on, it is fried fish season at your local fast...

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Since Lent is still going on, it is fried fish season at your local fast food chain. Almost every fast food brand has its own version of the classic breaded, seasoned, and deep-fried filet of fish. However, they aren’t created equal in taste. Some are much higher-rated than others, according to the people who eat them. Here are the best fried fish sandwiches across America, according to diners. Note that some are only available for a limited time during the year.

Popeyes Spicy Flounder

 

Popeyes Spicy Flounder

Popeye’s specializes in fried chicken, but the Louisiana-based chain serves a real fried fish sandwich that is equally delish: The Flounder Fish Sandwich. It starts with “responsibly sourced, wild-caught fish,” the chain told TODAY. “Our sourcing follows NOAA standards and goes through regulations to ensure we maintain the species. The population levels of our fish are above normal, and we don’t anticipate running into any inventory issues.” Our reviewer maintains “the size and obviously fresh and real flounder cuts are big pluses,” but it’s their ‘hand-battered then hand-breaded’ technique that “makes this sandwich another winner.” You can also get a spicy version with the Louisiana-style breading.

Culver’s North Atlantic Cod

Culver's North Atlantic Cod Sandwich

Culver’s is famous for ButterBurgers, but the Midwestern chain’s North Atlantic Cod Sandwich is the freshest catch in fast food land. The fish, caught in the North Atlantic, is hand-cut, battered, and cooked to order, then topped with a Culver’s family recipe tartar sauce, crisp lettuce, and Wisconsin Cheddar, and served on a lightly buttered, toasted hoagie roll. Our reviewer calls it “ingenious.”

RELATED: 7 Chain Restaurants With the Best Fried Fish and Chips

Culver’s Northwoods Walleye

Culver's Northwoods Walleye Sandwich

Fish lovers are impressed that Culver’s Northwoods Walleye sandwich, available during Lent, sources the seasonal Midwestern specialty fish. “Each filet is hand battered, then cooked to order. Topped with our special recipe tartar sauce and crisp shredded lettuce. Served on a lightly buttered, toasted hoagie roll,” reads the menu. “I like Culver’s regular menu cod sandwich, but the lent menu walleye sandwich is so huge that I am glad I got it before lent, because it was so generous and huge. the flavor was good, but not spicy, but the fish was very meaty,” writes a Redditor. “They have the best fish sandwiches in fastfood,” another says.

Burger King’s Fish’N Crisp and Big Fish

Burger King Fish'N Crisp

Burger King’s Fish ‘N Crisp and Big Fish sandwiches, both made with fresh fish, are popular with diners. The “succulent” Fish’N Crisp sandwich features a fish fillet topped with a slice of American cheese and tangy tartar sauce between a toasted sesame bun, and is a solid Lent-friendly fish sandwich option. The chain recently bought back the popular Big Fish sandwich, which also features wild “white Alaskan Pollock with crispy panko breading, sweet tartar sauce, lettuce and crunchy pickles on a toasted potato bun,” BK says.

Arby’s Crispy Fish or Spicy Fish Sandwich

arbys crispy fish sandwich
Arby’s crispy fish sandwich is basically as OG as they come – a crispy fish fillet served on a toasted sesame bun with shredded lettuce and tartar sauce. But according to diners, it’s simply delicious. While they aren’t always on the menu, when you see them, order them immediately. Our reviewer tried the spicy version, maintaining it is “loaded with ingredients” and flavor. “It greets you on first bite with a sense of warm, sweet heat, thanks to a spicy dust they call ‘fiery seasoning’ and diced roasted jalapenos held in place by a generous swipe of tartar sauce. There’s shredded iceberg lettuce and tomato to cut the mild heat, although their benefit is perhaps only a token since the juices can cause sogginess,” they wrote.

RELATED: 8 Best Frozen Fried Fish Sandwiches at Grocery Stores

Wendy’s Crispy Panko Fish

wendy's wild-caught alaskan fish sandwich

Lots of diners, including one of our reviewers, are fans of Wendy’s wild-caught Alaskan pollock sandwich smothered in dill tartar. Our reviewer calls it a “game changer.” They note that “there’s so much to love” about the sandwich, including “excellent dill-speckled tartar sauce that tasted like fresh herbs, fat half-sour pickle chips, enough melted cheese, and a toasted-on-the-outside but steamy-on-the-inside sweet premium bun that held its photo-ready form,” they write.

Portillo’s Breaded Whitefish

Portillo's Breaded Whitefish

If you live near a Portillo’s, the Breaded Whitefish sandwich is a must-order. It features a breaded wild-caught, haddock filet on a fresh brioche bun with American cheese, chopped lettuce, and tartar sauce. “I never knew how good the portillos fish sandwich was. It makes me think of a better BK fish from the 90s,” one fan says.

McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish

mcdonalds filet o fish

McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is a classic, sparking serious nostalgia with customers. At the core is a wild-caught, crispy fish filet (Alaskan Pollock) sourced from sustainably managed fisheries, topped with melted American cheese and creamy tartar sauce, served on a soft, steamed bun. Our reviewer notes that “for better or worse, there’s no mistaking this sandwich for anybody else’s; every component has a distinctive signature to it,” they write. “The sponginess of the bread, is lovely and doughy when fresh. The tartar sauce is the absolute best on the market. It’s thick, sour, acidic, and assertive–bold and pronounced against the meek and sugar-skewing versions everyone else seems to lean toward. The very light, un-greasy square of crunchy, golden-fried fish stick-tasting Alaskan pollock. While many competing fillets are made of pollock as well, this has its own flavor from the oil they use to fry it, with traces of that comforting McDonald’s fries fragrance embedded into the patty. Sure, once it cools, it has a compressed, processed, and grayish look to it that dulls next to walleye, cod, and flounder, but small as it is, it’ll be gone before you reach that point.”

Dairy Queen Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich

dairy queen wild alaskan fish shttps://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/Menu/Food/US/Combos/Favorites-Sub-Category/Wild-Alaskan-Fish-Sandwich/andwich

Dairy Queen uses real whole fish for their Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich. “Always quite the catch, the Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich features crispy wild-caught Alaskan pollock that is lightly coated to deliver a pleasingly crunchy outside with a tender inside,” the company says on their website. “Along with the crispy Alaskan Pollock, the Wild Alaskan Fish Sandwich features fresh lettuce and tangy tartar sauce on a toasted bun. This is a catch that’s sure to hook any fish sandwich connoisseur.”

Church’s Texas Chicken Fish

Church's Texas Chicken fish

The Church’s Texas Chicken fish sandwich is a sleeper favorite with diners. It features a crispy, panko-breaded wild-caught Pacific Pollock fillet on a honey-butter brioche bun, topped with tartar sauce and pickles. According to fans it is a flaky, flavorful option compared to other fast-food fish sandwiches.

Checkers/Rally’s Deep Sea Double

Checkers/Rally's Deep Sea Double

Checkers and Rally’s Deep Sea Double has double fillets and double cheese, offering more bang for the buck than other options. “Y’all should check out Checkers for the deep sea double. I’m not saying it’s better than Long John’s but it’s easier to find. And it’s bigger, cheaper, and tastier than the crappy McD filet o’ fish,” one Redditor says.

Long John Silver’s Classic Fish

Long John Silver's Classic Fish

Long John Silver’s Classic Fish Sandwich is considered a top contender among fast-food fish sandwiches. Ifeatures a crispy, battered Alaskan Pollock fillet, tartar sauce, and pickles on a bun, offering a “classic” taste. According to one Redditor, “they delivered on this fish sandwich. Some tangy pickles and lettuce, maybe it was a slaw? And the fish was perfect, maybe a little small if I’m honest. Despite that, it was honestly the best fish sandwich I’ve had in YEARS. If you like fish sandwiches, this one is top 3, maybe the best.”

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7 Best LongHorn Steakhouse Dishes to Order This Week https://www.eatthis.com/best-longhorn-steakhouse-dishes-order/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:45:53 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=912178 I’ve made it no secret that LongHorn Steakhouse is my favorite casual dining chain. I...

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I’ve made it no secret that LongHorn Steakhouse is my favorite casual dining chain. I have such hit-or-miss experiences at most chain restaurants, with inconsistent food quality and service. I’ve never had an awful dinner at my local LongHorn in Jenkintown, PA. And let me preface: I am a food snob. In fact, the first time my neighbor, Alex, mentioned he regularly dined at the chain, I literally laughed out loud. I gave it a shot a few years ago, and my kids and I have been regulars ever since. What should you order at LongHorn? Here are the 7 best LongHorn Steakhouse dishes to order this week.

Flo’s Filet

longhorn steakhouse flos filet
Flo’s Filet, a 6- or 9-ounce serving of filet mignon, is my usual order. It isn’t the best filet I’ve ever had, but I challenge you to find a better filet for the price. I also like that it comes in two sizes. The smaller size is under $22 and includes two sides. Sometimes I do the shrimp add-on, but keep reading for my thoughts on that.

The LongHorn Porterhouse

The LongHorn Porterhouse

On a recent visit with my boyfriend, our server, Soniya, recommended the LongHorn Porterhouse, one of the priciest items on the menu at $36.29. “It’s the best of both worlds,” she told me, as the 22-ounce chunk of meat combines a bone-in New York strip with a generous filet mignon. It was honestly delicious and so big that there were plenty of leftovers. It was seasoned to perfection, rich, and fork-tender.

Renegade Sirloin

Longhorn Steakhouse Renegade Sirloin

The most popular steak at LongHorn is the Renegade Sirloin, starting at $16.29. Why? It’s the cheapest option and gets the job done. The  “lean and hearty center-cut top sirloin” is generously seasoned with their signature Prairie Dust, “grilled to perfection,” and comes with two sides.

Redrock Grilled Shrimp


I’ll let you in on a secret: LongHorn Steakhouse has the best shrimp of any chain restaurant. I am super picky with shrimp because I can’t stand the fishy smell or taste that it often comes with. But the Redrock Grilled Shrimp, which can be ordered as a side or entree, tastes so clean. It includes jumbo shrimp that are marinated and grilled on skewers, then glazed with a smoky tomato butter sauce and served over rice.

The Texas Tonion

longhorn steakhouse texas tonion

All the apps at LongHorn are amazing, but the Texas Tonion is perfection. This is how I remember the OG Bloomin’ Onion at Outback tasting: Super fresh, perfectly seasoned, cooked to perfection on the inside, and crispy breading on the outside. I like that the onion petals are separated, because there are no soggy bites. And, the “zesty dip” it comes with is super tasty.

Strawberry and Pecan Salad

longhorn steakhouse strawberry pecan salad

All the salads at LongHorn are great, including the side salad (I get it with ranch) or the Caesar. My boyfriend recently tried the Strawberry and Pecan as one of his sides. It was delicious, a bed of farm-fresh field greens topped with fresh-cut strawberries, grapes, mandarin oranges, candied pecans, feta, and a refreshing raspberry vinaigrette.

RELATED: 7 Best LongHorn Steakhouse Steaks, According to Diners

Chocolate Stampede

longhorn steakhouse chocolate stampede

If you still have room for dessert, order the Chocolate Stampede. The huge, calorically high treat is basically a sampler of all things chocolate. It comes with six different kinds of chocolate, paired with two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. It’s honestly big enough for a huge table to share.

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3 Chain Restaurants Serving Award-Winning Prime Rib https://www.eatthis.com/award-winning-prime-rib-chain-restaurants/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:46 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=909068 You can get prime rib at a number of steakhouses across the United States, including...

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You can get prime rib at a number of steakhouses across the United States, including chains like LongHorn, Outback, and Texas Roadhouse. Sure, they will serve you delicious, tender, savory, and thick slices of the meat with all the fixings, including au jus sauce, horseradish, and some type of potato. You can also get prime rib on special occasions at a lot of swanky restaurants, country clubs, and supper clubs. However, if you want to enjoy award-winning prime rib, there are only a few places to go in the country. And here’s an interesting fact: All of them have “prime rib” in their names. If you want to try the best of the best, Eat This, Not That! has you covered. Here are 3 chain restaurants serving award-winning prime rib, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Lawry’s The Prime Rib is one of the most famous prime rib-centric restaurants in the world, with locations in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, and all over Asia. One location was voted TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best – Fine Dining. “This award is TripAdvisor’s highest honor and features the very best by combing through reviews, ratings and saves from travelers all over the world. We are proud to be the top 1% of restaurants worldwide for this honor. Thank you for your support. We will continue to serve with excellence and bring the grand dining experience to all who walk through our doors,” they wrote in an Instagram post.

House of Prime Rib

House of Prime Rib is another famous restaurant in San Francisco that serves the delicacy. It has received tons of praise over its lifespan, including the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality in 2026. It has gotten several other awards, including SFGate’s.com Best Steakhouses in the Bay Area and OpenTable’s Top 100 restaurants in the US.

RELATED: 5 Chain Restaurants With the Best Smothered Steak

The Prime Rib

The Prime Rib is a swanky meat joint in the Northeast with locations in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. It has received lots of awards, including the Silver Plate Award from the National Restaurant Society, Top Five Romantic Restaurants in the US from Food & Wine, and #1 Sreakhouse in Washington, D.C. by Zagat.

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7 Best Texas Roadhouse Menu Items Diners Call Hidden Gems https://www.eatthis.com/best-texas-roadhouse-menu-items-hidden-gems/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:45:16 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=911644 Texas Roadhouse is the number one dining chain in the United States due to one...

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Texas Roadhouse is the number one dining chain in the United States due to one reason: The Lone Star State inspired brand offers delicious food in huge portions for competitively low prices. If you are heading to one for the first time or want to try something new, there are some items that come highly recommended by regulars. Here are the 7 best Texas Roadhouse menu items diners call hidden gems.

Bone-In Ribeye Steak

Meat eaters swear by the Bone-In Ribeye, a 20oz., a “juicy, flavorful ribeye served on the bone for extra flavor,” the menu reads. The steak is cooked to your preference and served with choice of two sides. “I almost always order the ribeye and it’s never disappointed,” one diner said. “I went to Texas Roadhouse back in January for the first time in like 15 years and was blown away by how good it was for the cost. 16oz ribeye, two sides, couple of drinks and got out for $45 with tip,” writes another fan.

Prime Rib

Prime rib is “the hidden gem of Texas Roadhouse,” according to one fan. “Great flavor, and it’s way more consistent than the steaks in terms of quality and doneness. I’ve been eating it for several years and it’s great. One of my favorite meals out from a chain.” Another diner recommends eating it with creamy horseradish, “and save one of those rolls for dessert and dip in that horseradish au jus,” they say. “It’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten. Perfect blend of savory and sweet.”

Steak Kebabs

Texas Roadhouse Marinated Steak Kebabs

The steak kebabs are another sleeper item on the menu, offering a decent portion of meat and veggies at a great price point. “For me, at least, the real hidden gem is the kabobs. Somehow, they always seem to nail the cook, and I love the charred veggies,” reveals one Redditor.

Tater Skins

texas roadhouse tater skins

As for an appetizer, the “potato skins are legit!” confirms one Redditor about the item, actually named Tater Skins. It comes with 8 baked potato skins, smothered with melted cheddar cheese and bacon bits, and served with sour cream for dipping.

Filet Medallions

texas roadhouse Filet Medallions

In one Reddit feed, a Texas Roadhouse fan revealed that they swear by the Filet Medallions, which comes with three, 3-ounce medallions of filet, “which is a total of 9 oz of Filet that costs $1 less than the 8oz Filet,” they write. The Medallions are served on a bed of rice and come with two sides and a choice of sauce. “You can also pay a small upcharge to add 1x more 3oz medallion which price varies but is a great way to ensure leftovers or a very hearty meal for a great bang for the buck and is very easily slept on menu item,” they reveal.

Chili

Texas Roadhouse's Texas Red Chili

And, don’t forget to order chili, which is one of the most high-value items. “I know it sounds dumb as a side, but if you’re a meat lover, it’s worth mentioning,” the same Redditor says. “TXRH handcuts all of their steaks. Those trimmings are not wasted,” they continue, adding that this chili is “one of the most expensive chili you could make at home because it is ground Filet, ribeye, strip, and sirloin meat,” they write. “I’m a big fan.”

The New York Strip

Texas Roadhouse New York Strip Steak

You also can’t go wrong with the 12 oz NY/KC strip. “If you want to ensure your steak is cut to order (instead of precut that morning like many 6/8/11 oz Sir) you can always request a specific size as long as it is bigger than the largest size on the menu. For example, 16oz ribeye + 2oz for an small additional cost per oz that varies per restaurant/region and you will get an 18 oz that will be cut the moment that server puts in the order,” one fan said.

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6 Chain Restaurants Where the Ribs Are Actually Smoked Over Hickory Wood https://www.eatthis.com/chain-restaurants-ribs-smoked-hickory-wood/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:30:15 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=907967 Fun fact: Not everything that claims to be “hickory smoked” is actually smoked over hickory...

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Fun fact: Not everything that claims to be “hickory smoked” is actually smoked over hickory wood. While natural hickory smoke lends a bold, savory, and bacony smell and taste to meats, some people take shortcuts by using a fake liquid hickory smoke, which is more cost-effective and quicker. If you want real-deal hickory-smoked ribs, there are a handful of chains smoking them the authentic way. Here are 6 chain restaurants where the ribs are actually smoked over hickory wood.

Famous Dave’s Pit Ribs

Famous Dave’s serves competition-level smoke flavor, hand-rubbed with spices, slow-hickory-smoked in a pit, and basted in scratch-made sauces. A former pitmaster for Famous Dave’s maintains that “the ribs are smoked for approximately 3 hours with pure hickory. The rub in restaurant is primarily smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, garlic, and a little cayenne pepper. The celery seeds are added after the rib rub and only on the top side of ribs,” the informant writes on Reddit.

Red Hot & Blue

Red Hot & Blue in Annapolis, Maryland, is an authentic smokehouse that serves up some of the most succulent and flavorful ribs you can find. They start with the “finest cuts of pork,” which are “carefully chosen to ensure a beautiful balance of meat and fat, essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness,” they write on the website. “But what truly sets these ribs apart is the smoking process. The ribs are slow-smoked to perfection using a blend of seasoned hickory woods. This method imparts a rich, smoky flavor and tenderizes the meat, making it fall right off the bone.”

Hickory River Smokehouse BBQ

Hickory River Smokehouse BBQ uses real hickory for its dry-rubbed ribs. “Every cut of Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Pork Shoulder, Turkey Breast, and Half Chicken are carefully selected and Hand-Rubbed with our Signature Spice Blend. Then, we slowly smoke them over Hickory Wood in our on-site smokehouse for a Juicy, Award-Winning Smokehouse Flavor. It’s all served up with our own Special Recipe Barbecue Sauce and our Famous Sides,” they write.

RELATED: 7 Chain Restaurants With the Best Honey BBQ Ribs

City Barbeque

City Barbeque is a Midwestern chain that has expanded into Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It authentically smokes meats in one of three hickory burning smokers to slow cook meats, including brisket and St. Louis–cut pork ribs to “bite off the bone” perfection. “We don’t limit ourselves to any particular region or style, but instead try to showcase the breadth and depth of barbecue found across the country,” the restaurant says.

Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ

Lucille’s Smokehouse uses hickory smoke and the best seasonings and BBQ’s bold sauces to get its meats tasting delicious. The chain has three branded BBQ sauces that keep customers coming back for more: Original, Hot & Spicy, and Memphis. Lucille’s Original BBQ sauce “might be my favorite bbq sauce,” writes a Redditor. “Their Memphis style sauce was good also but very vinegar heavy which I didn’t mind.”

Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ

Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q serves up high-quality meats and scratch-made sides for reasonable prices, using hickory smoke and slow cooking methods. For under $20, you can enjoy a plate of any meat aside from brisket, which is $21.99. The meal comes with two “trimmings” and two of the chain’s famous biscuits.

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5 Popular Restaurants Serving the Best Chicken Parmesan and Garlic Bread https://www.eatthis.com/restaurants-chicken-parm-garlic-bread/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:45:01 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=908745 I love chicken parm. It’s not the most complicated Italian dish in terms of flavor,...

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I love chicken parm. It’s not the most complicated Italian dish in terms of flavor, but it is certainly a crowd-pleaser. What makes a juicy chicken breast with crispy, outside-breading, topped with gooey cheese and flavorful marinara, even more delicious? Garlic and butter-drenched bread. The combo of garlic bread and chicken parmesan will never get old, which is why restaurants usually serve the two together. Where can you get the delicious duo? Here are 5 popular restaurants serving the best chicken parmesan and garlic bread.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Maggiano’s Little Italy recently upgraded its regular chicken parm to The Grand Chicken Parmesan, “bigger, bolder, and better than ever,” the chain wrote in a social media post. The dish is topped with freshly sliced whole-milk mozzarella and fresh basil, a “reimagined, and ready to be savored” version of the already popular dish that has kept guests returning to the upscale Italian chain for decades. And, the garlic bread is legendary. “Fun Fact: our Garlic Bread is filled with truffle butter & cheese which makes it 100% delicious,” the chain recently shared on Instagram.

The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheescake Factory’s version of chicken parm, the Crusted Chicken Romano, features a chicken breast coated with a Romano-Parmesan cheese crust, served over angel hair pasta and topped with an indulgent layer of marinara and cheese. If you want to experience it with garlic-like bread, you will have to order it as a sandwich.

RELATED: 5 Italian Chains With the Best Chicken Parm, According to Diners

Olive Garden Chicken Parm

The classic Chicken Parmigiana from Olive Garden is a fan favorite, served with a hearty side of spaghetti and plenty of melted cheese. According to our reviewer, Matt Kirouac, the “texture is amazingly crispy, resembling a well-fried schnitzel, while the interior remains plump and succulent. Some of the edges were a little burnt, but not really in a bad way,” he explains, adding that there is also a “blanket of gooey cheese.” As for garlic bread, eat as much as you want with the chain’s trademark never-ending breadsticks.

Bravo! Italian Kitchen

Bravo! Italian Kitchen’s chicken parm is traditional but perfect, crispy hand-breaded chicken, zesty marinara, creamy mozzarella, and herb linguine. The parms are so popular that an entire section of the menu is devoted to them, with eggplant and veal options as well. Diners also love the garlic breadsticks, which come with a delicious side of oil.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Carrabba’s crispy, juicy chicken cutlet, topped with its signature pomodoro sauce and melted mozzarella, is Kirouac’s go-to chicken parm. “Everything about this looked amazing, from the even layers of ooey, gooey cheese, hot and fresh from the oven, to the herbaceous sauce, crispy edges on the perfectly plump chicken, and the fact that the staff thoughtfully split the order in half,” he says. Overall, he says the dish is “pretty great.” The chicken, “which was just thick enough, boasted a pleasant crispy texture that held up well under the cheese and sauce—succulent and tender on the inside, while retaining a golden-brown crunch around the edges. There’s a great ratio of cheese-to-meat here, and the sauce lends an acidic zing that helps balance everything out.” The chain serves its famous Italian bread with a garlic olive oil dip, allowing you to make your own version of the classic.

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6 Best Deli Meats in Grocery Stores, According to Chefs https://www.eatthis.com/best-deli-meats-grocery-stores-chefs/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:15:57 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=908365 The deli section is one of the most popular spots in the grocery store. Whether...

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The deli section is one of the most popular spots in the grocery store. Whether you’re building the perfect sandwich or grabbing something quick for lunch, it’s an easy go-to. But with so many options behind the counter, it can be hard to know what’s really worth it. To help narrow down the choices, Eat This, Not That! asked chefs for their top six picks. According to culinary pros, these are the deli meats worthy of putting in your cart.

Boar’s Head


Boar’s Head has built a reputation for quality and flavor over decades, and it’s a brand that gets a chef’s stamp of approval.”I like it because it doesn’t matter which grocer you purchase it at, you will always get the same quality product,” says Chef Andres Kaifer of Customshop and Emmy Lou’s in Charlotte, NC. For Melanie Portman, chef and recipe developer with Droolrecipes.com, there are two types of Boar Head deli meat she recommends: Ovengold Turkey and Genoa Salami. The Ovengold Turkey has a smooth texture without being “rubbery” she says. “It has a clean roasted flavor that works in everything from sandwiches to a quick chef’s salad,” Chef Melanie adds,  “It slices thin without tearing, which sounds small but makes a real difference when you’re layering a panini.” The Genoa Salami is another favorite. “The pepper and garlic balance is perfect, and the quality is reliable no matter which grocery store I grab it from,” Chef Melanie explains.”It’s my go-to when I need salami for a muffuletta or a quick pasta salad.” Home chefs swear by the brand, too. “Despite the listeria scares from a few years ago, I’ve always found Boar’s Head to be an above-average deli meat and the one I gravitate towards,” notes Lisa Lotts, home chef, recipe developer, owner and publisher of Garlic and Zest.”The flavors are solid, and I love the variety. The look and texture are good without being rubbery or too watery. It’s a higher-priced option, but it makes a meaty sandwich and sub. Bonus, Boar’s Head sliced cheeses take any ‘wich to the next level.”

Columbus Italian Dry Salame

Columbus Italian Dry Salame combines authentic flavor, artisanal quality, and versatility, making it stand out on both grocery shelves and charcuterie boards. “This is what I reach for when I’m building an antipasto board,” says Chef Melanie. “The fat-to-lean ratio is spot on — it has that authentic Italian salumi flavor without being greasy.   I’ve served it next to imported salami and guests can’t tell the difference.”

Dietz & Watson Black Forest Ham

Dietz & Watson Black Forest Ham hits a sweet spot between traditional flavor and cleaner ingredients that many shoppers care about. According to Chef Melanie, it has a “rich, smoky flavor that doesn’t taste artificial.” She explains, “It holds up in cooked dishes too — I use it in my ham and gruyère crêpes, and it caramelizes beautifully without  releasing too much water.”

Applegate Naturals Roast Beef


Applegate Naturals Roast Beef delivers an unforgettable beef flavor and everyday versatility that many consumers find hard to beat in the deli aisle. It’s one of Chef Melanie’s go-tos because of the “cleaner ingredients.” She says, “It actually tastes like beef, not the salty mystery meat you get from cheaper brands. I use it for French dip sandwiches and it stands up   to the au jus without falling apart.”

Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm is a brand that’s consistent, accessible, familiar, and affordable—qualities that matter most for everyday eating. “Silly, but I appreciate the packaging – it’s easy to get into and reseal, instead of those zip-top packages, which always seem to fail,” says Lotts. “Additionally, the lunchmeat itself is neither too thin nor too thick, though the slices are larger than those of other packaged cold cuts, which is great for folding over on itself for a thicker, meatier-looking sandwich.” She adds, “The flavor is balanced with a light salt and smoke flavor in the turkey and ham. It’s a solid option. I use it in my “Knife and Fork Grilled Cheese” recipe.”

Citterio Parma Ham

Citterio Parma ham delivers what many consider the gold standard of deli meat: simple ingredients, authentic Italian tradition and a delicate, craveable flavor. “It’s sliced paper-thin (so thin, it comes separated by sheets of plastic), buttery, and you don’t need a lot to bring a punch of true Italian flavor,” says Lotts. “Citterio has other ham varieties as well that are also very good for lunch.”

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6 Chain Restaurants Serving the Best Fish and Chips With Coleslaw https://www.eatthis.com/chain-restaurants-best-fish-chips-coleslaw/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:30:52 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=908130 One of the most traditional dishes from the United Kingdom is fish and chips. While...

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One of the most traditional dishes from the United Kingdom is fish and chips. While incredibly simple, it’s also simply delicious, usually consisting of fried fish strips paired with French fries. The only way to make a good meal even better? By adding coleslaw to the equation. The refreshing side, usually a concoction of shredded cabbage, creamy mayo, and tangy vinegar, balances out the flavor in the best way. Where can you get the trio? Here are 6 chain restaurants serving the best fish and chips with coleslaw.

Culver’s North Atlantic Cod

Culver’s North Atlantic Cod fish and chips meal features hand-battered pieces of fish with fresh daily slaw. “It’s hand-breaded fish, really good when it’s fresh,” a Redditor says. “Culver’s 3pc fish and chips is better than most sit-down restaurants,” a Redditor declares, calling the meal, which includes a side of coleslaw, “impressive.” “Ive always loved their burgers, but I recently had the 2pc cod dinner and my god the breading was phenomenal and the fish was delicious. Slaw on the side was seasoned well and cold, got a pile of hot salty fries, two lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and added on a small cheese curd with ranch which are s tier,” another adds.

Cracker Barrel Friday Fish

Cracker Barrel’s Friday Fish Fry is legendary. You get four hand-battered and fried country-style cod fish fillets with tartar sauce, fresh lemon, and two sides. One of the most popular is the southern-style slaw, a mix of green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots tossed in a coleslaw dressing

Red Lobster Fish & Chips

Red Lobster Fish and Chips is just $19.99 and includes beer-battered wild-caught cod, Chesapeake fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies. “Red Lobster’s Fish and Chips soooooo gooood. About $20 and my curbside order was ready in 15 minutes!!! Came with biscuits, hush puppies, seasoned fries, slaw, and a huge piece of fish! If you havnt been by in a while, ya need to!” a Facebooker declares. “Batter was not too thick, fish is cooked well & tasty! Another bite of the fish with malt vinegar, better!” a Yelper says.

Bob Evans Fish Fry Platter

The Fish Fry Platter at Bob Evans features three hand-cut Alaska cod fillets with a light, flaky, pub-style batter, served with tartar sauce, a lemon wedge, and sides, usually French fries and coleslaw. According to diners, the slaw is a creamy, tangy concoction of shredded cabbage, carrots, and a hint of green kale bathed in a sweet-and-sour dressing containing mayo, milk, sugar, vinegar, and a dash of Tabasco.

RELATED: 7 Chain Restaurants With the Best Fried Fish and Chips

Long John Silver’s Combo

Long John Silver’s battered fillets are legendary. “Long John Silver’s Batter Recipe brings back memories of my childhood, especially when my dad would take us out for fish and chips—crispy, flavorful, and absolutely addictive!” one Facebooker writes. “One of my favorite guilty pleasures,” another says. “The fish was nice an crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside,” a Redditor reveals. The coleslaw is so good, there are endless copycat recipes for it online.

Bonefish Grill Fish & Chips

Bonefish Grill’s Fish & Chips features crispy, tempura-battered North Atlantic cod served with French fries and a tangy-sweet, artisanal slaw with finely shredded cabbage, carrots, and often sliced green onions or red onions. Diners love it.

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7 Chain Restaurants Serving Award-Winning Steaks https://www.eatthis.com/chain-restaurants-award-winning-steaks/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:45:35 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=908105 You can get a steak at almost any restaurant, ranging from Denny’s and The Waffle...

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You can get a steak at almost any restaurant, ranging from Denny’s and The Waffle House to 5-star restaurants. However, if you want to enjoy a consistently excellent steak dinner from an award-winning restaurant, there are only a handful of places you should go. Some chains have won top honors for their next-level meats, sides, and wines. Here are 7 chain restaurants serving award-winning steaks.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris Steak House has become one of the biggest and most successful fine dining chains internationally for a reason: it serves consistently good food. It has also won an impressive number of awards for its steak, wine, and service. Several locations have received the Quality Business Awards: Best Fine Dining. It has also received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award, and the Consumer Choice: Best High-End Steak award.

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille is another fine-dining chain that has been wildly successful thanks to its unparalleled commitment to serving and cooking the most delicious meats and sides. It has won the American Business Awards: Best Dining and numerous other awards. The Capital Grille, Newtown, a newer location, was recognized with Wine Spectator’s prestigious 2025 Restaurant Award of Excellence.

RELATED: 5 Chain Restaurants Serving the Thickest Cuts of Prime Rib

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Morton’s The Steakhouse has also won a slew of awards over the years, including the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award (2025) and recognition as “Best for Steak” at various locations, including King of Prussia, PA. Multiple locations have also been chosen as the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice and have won regional awards from local magazines and publications.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, a slightly more affordable and low-key chain, has also won lots of awards. It has been honored for its wine program excellence with awards from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator for its wine list. It also frequently wins awards for best steakhouse or restaurant from local publications, including Main Line Today.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and Grille

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and Grille are highly decorated, consistently winning prestigious honors for their wine programs and dining experiences. The chain has won several Wine Spectator Grand Awards and Best of Award of Excellence for its extensive wine lists. Other awards include OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards, and the Del Frisco’s Grille in New York scored the Concierge Choice Award.

Fogo de Chão

Fogo de Chão, my favorite Brazilian steakhouse, has also scored several awards, including Nation’s Restaurant News: Hot Concept Award, Zagat: Top-Rated International Steakhouse, and the 2024 MenuMasters Award for Best Menu Line Extension (Torresmo Pork Belly. It has also been recognized for its wine selection, earning a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award as the 2025 winner.

The Palm Steakhouse

The Palm steakhouse, acquired by Landry’s in 2020, is hailed for its USDA prime-aged steaks and iconic celebrity caricatures. The chain has historically received numerous Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards. It has also been recognized as a top airport sit-down restaurant.

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7 Best New Trader Joe’s Spring Snacks Hitting Shelves This Week https://www.eatthis.com/trader-joes-spring-snacks/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:45:52 +0000 https://www.eatthis.com/?p=908206 The first day of spring has come and gone. If you want to get into...

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The first day of spring has come and gone. If you want to get into the spirit via snacking, run to your local Trader Joe’s. The cult-favorite grocery store has so many delicious new treats lining the shelves, ranging from savory to sweet, all perfect for in-between-meal munching. What should you buy right now? Here are the 7 best new Trader Joe’s spring snacks hitting shelves this week.

Danish Oat Sandwich Cookies

Danish Oat Sandwich Cookies

Trader Joe’s List shared about some new cookies. “Trader Joe’s snacks keep surprising me and this is the latest one. These Danish Oat Sandwich Cookies are crispy, buttery oat cookies with dark chocolate in the middle — kind of like a mix between an oatmeal cookie and a lace cookie. They’re sweet, crunchy, and honestly really good with coffee or ice cream. They’re only around late winter through spring, so grab them if you see them,” they wrote.

Ranch Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips

Ranch Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips

Trader Joe’s List shared about a new chip. “New flavor of one of Trader Joe’s most popular chips,” they wrote. “The Ranch Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips just dropped — the creamy, herby version of the famous Chile Lime chips. I tried them and gave them an 8/10. Super crunchy with strong ranch flavor. I think they’d be really good with guacamole or a dip too.”

Trader Joe’s Spicy Cheese Crunchies

Trader Joe's Spicy Cheese Crunchies

Trader Joe’s List shared about another item returning to the chip aisle. “They’re back,” they wrote. “Trader Joe’s Spicy Cheese Crunchies have officially returned. Crunchy corn snacks coated in cheddar, garlic, and chili pepper for that fiery kick. If you like spicy snacks… you’ll want a bag of these.”

Garlic Butter Nut Mix

Trader Joe's Garlic Butter Nut Mix

Do you like garlic, butter, and nuts? Run to Trader Joe’s for the Garlic Butter Nut Mix. “Omgeeee so so so excited for this! I love all their mixes and can’t wait! Stay tuned for more Tuesday drops!” Trader Joe’s Obsessed shared.

Springle Jangle

trader joe's bag of springle jangle

Trader Joe’s Obsessed also shared about the return of Springle Jangle. “I’ve been waiting for this welcome back. I grabbed two bags $4.49 each. Yay I love making some fun recipes with these stay tuned and happy Easter soon,” they captioned the post. “OH NO my weakness has made a return,” a follower commented. “Always so good,” added another.

Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn

Trader Joe’s So Obsessed shared about Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn. “Welcome back!!! This is one of my favorite popcorn 🍿 flavors! It tastes like spicy cheese bbq and it’s so yummy! Are you a fan?” they wrote. Lots of people said yes. “Love this popcorn,” one wrote. “The Best!” added another.

Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers

bag of trader joe's cheery lemon animal crackers

Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers are another returning item that shoppers are loving. “Welcome back! These are super delicious and not too sweet and only $.99 a bag perfect for your Easter basket,” Trader Joe’s Obsessed shared. “Love these but they need to package them in a bigger bag,” a follower commented. “Absolute delish,” added another.

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