Whether it’s burgers, fried chicken or sandwiches, there's a chain for everything - but some
just might be a little over-hyped. Well, here are the Top 10 Most Overrated Chain Restaurants
In America.
Panera Bread There used to be a time when everybody was
praising the freshness and deliciousness of Panera Bread, and the chain could do no wrong.
You've probably been told more than once how the food is divine, the atmosphere is relaxing,
and the service is simply top-notch. Well, we're here to destroy the illusion: it's not
always the case. As a “fast-casual restaurant," Panera Bread is technically supposed to be a
step up from fast-food chains like McDonald's, but when it comes down to it, there aren't
many differences. Yes, you get your food quickly, but at what price? Not only do you get relatively
small portions for the price, but most of the time, the food's been pre-made and heated
up in the microwave. Often described as "cardboard on a plate," Panera's bland and dry food just
isn't what it used to be. It's also been dubbed as one of the most overpriced quick-service
chains in America - which, when you pay $10 for three scoops of mac and cheese and a teeny
tiny salad - is kind of justifiable. A piece of advice: don't let yourself be fooled by
those who swear it's the best restaurant out there - because it's really not.
White Castle Ah, White Castle: an American treasure, a
pioneer in the fast-food industry, and seller of its products at grocery stores. While we
owe a lot to White Castle for what it did for the fast-food world in general, it's time
to set the record straight: it's not all that. In fact, it's really nothing special at all.
Let's look at their signature Sliders, for example. You can get a bunch of them for pretty
cheap when you visit the restaurant, and they taste pretty good - and that's perfect if
you're looking for a quick meal to fill you up. Then, you can get a bunch of them in your
local grocery store's frozen section, and they also taste pretty good - the real issue
is that they both taste exactly the same. A good thing for the grocery store, but a
horrible realization for the actual restaurant. Why would you bother going to White Castle
if you can get the same quality from something you bought from the frozen food section? Since
the chain has been around for ages, a lot of people have formed a kind of unbreakable
bond with their Sliders and will refuse to admit the undeniable: White Castle hasn't
been able to keep up with the newer, fresher fast-food chains. Despite all things pointing
toward an imminent White Castle nosedive, it is still one of the most beloved fast-food
chains in America. All some people are saying is: maybe it shouldn't be.
Chipotle Okay, cue the angry Chipotle fans about to
jump down our throat to defend their precious fave. Settle down, it's not what it looks
like. Well, maybe it is a little. It's true that back in Chipotle's heyday, when it was
the new kid on the block, it was revolutionary. The concept, the food, the novelty: everything
was designed for this Mexican-inspired chain to soar - and for a while, it did just that.
Only now, it seems like Chipotle might have run out of Pixie Dust and is running on fumes.
No longer the "next big thing," it might be time for the chain to reinvent itself and
try something new - but it doesn't seem like it's going to do so anytime soon. When you
go to Chipotle, you do get great flavors and quality - depending on the location, of course
- but the same pretty much applies when you go to other similar Mexican fast-food joints.
Take the Qdoba restaurant chain, for instance. It does everything Chipotle does - and even
more - and arguably better. It has all of the basic fresh ingredients like rice, beans,
meats, and cheeses, but it also has several varieties of sauces and peppers you can add
to your burrito, quesadilla or even nachos. In comparison, it makes Chipotle look extremely
bland and pretty boring. Another thing Qdoba does better? You don't have to pay for extra
guac: Chipotle, take note.
Panda Express Getting Chinese food takeout when you're too
lazy or tired to cook is one of the most convenient and delicious pleasures in life. With so many
Chinese restaurants available - depending on the area you live in - you have plenty
of choice. So, with that in mind, why the heck would you ever choose Panda Express over
a real, authentic Chinese restaurant? While it’s a pretty popular choice, it's a little
unclear why. More often than not, the meals are mushy, dull, and way too expensive, at
least, according to many angry Redditers. Despite its reputation, the chain has still
managed to open over 2,200 restaurants all over the world, even in Asia. In Panda Express's
defense, it has often been argued that it serves Chinese food that better suits the
American palate. But still. Next time you're thinking about stopping by Panda Express:
ask yourself this: is this your best option to satisfy your Chinese food craving, or can
you keep driving and find something better? Chances are, your local take-out place will
have cheaper, more flavorful food and will be made to order instead of sitting in a warmer
for hours. Oh, and it will probably be a little healthier too: stir-fried candy? No, thank
you.
In-N-Out Burger In-N-Out is one of those burger chains that
have one of the biggest followings. Seriously, it's almost like it's become some kind of
cult at this point. And, don't get us wrong, a burger at In-N-Out is very tasty, but is
it really worth all the hype? For some, it sure is. For some, it's the best thing that
could ever happen to your taste buds, and it will simply "change your life." For others
though, it's just a burger. They don't see what the fuss is all about because, well,
it is just another hamburger. It's happened countless times to so many people: they hear
about In-N-Out, they let themselves be completely transported into the fantasy and build up
unrealistic expectations in their heads, and when they finally get to try it: it's meh...so-so.
Long lines - and in some cases - long travel - for a burger seems a little extreme, but
there's a rather logical explanation behind it. It's all about exclusivity and limited
availability. Since only people on the West Coast get to experience In-N-Out, it creates
something somewhat unreachable; it almost immediately becomes exclusive - even if the
food is not that great to begin with. Plus, the whole thing about the secret menu is also
overdone. If there's a "right way" to order your food, it's a good indication that it
might be overrated. There are plenty of other burger chains out there that won't require
you to stand in lines for hours or to know all the ins and outs - and will most likely
be way tastier.
Subway This one you've probably seen coming from
a mile away. Subway just isn't the best option for a tasty sub anymore, and not a lot of
people can argue about that. Formerly the largest fast-food chain in the world, in the
last few years, Subway has definitely lost some of its appeal. Before, it was known as
the"healthy" fast-food restaurant. You know, the place you could eat at and still feel
good about yourself because it was all made with fresh ingredients and had plenty of veggies.
It had so many successful campaigns, like the now-famous $5 dollar Footlong, and just
kept on expanding every single day. Subway really had it all. But that was until the
truth about its supposed health benefits came out, and no one wanted to eat there anymore
- and for good reason, too. If you compare Subway with other sandwich chains like Jimmy
John’s, Jersey Mike’s, and Penn Station, it simply can't hold its own. Not only is
the quality and freshness of the toppings better anywhere else, but it's usually much
cheaper, too. But cheap prices aren't the only thing Subway is missing. The so-called
"healthy" menu the chain claimed to offer isn't actually all that healthy. In fact,
it might be one of the worst fast-food options on the market. Artificial preservatives, calories,
and high sodium levels are what's waiting for you at Subway.
Arby’s When it comes to fast-food chains, they're
usually pretty much all the same: a menu of burgers, fries, and soda. While the recipes
change from one place to another, there aren't that many menu variations. This is where Arby's
comes into play in hopes of saving the world from drowning in a sea of burgers. At least,
that's what it was supposed to do. Priding itself on its signature roast beef sandwiches,
Arby's really stands from the crowd - but it's not always in a good way. Since the "special"
meat has a distinctive taste and texture, it's mostly a sink or swim type of deal for
most people: you either love it, or you can't stand the thing. Over the years, there have
been countless stories and myths surrounding the meat and how it's really prepared, which
didn't help the chain when it comes to image. From liquid meat to meat-shaped lumps made
from gels, Arby's has seen it all. Yes, those ended up getting debunked, but still, not
off to a great start. The main complaint frequently brought up about Arby's, however? The fact
that it's so underwhelming. It's not that it's bad, per se; it's just not as good as
it could be. Often described as tasteless, dry, and disappointing, the sandwiches are
not always worth it.
Five Guys Five Guys are known for their giant, juicy,
customizable burgers, their French fries cooked in peanut oil, and of course, their baskets
of peanuts to munch on while you wait for your food. Ever since the 1980s, Five Guys
has been an absolute favorite among burger lovers and has gathered quite the following
over the years. With that being said, it might have received a lot more praise than it actually
deserved. Again, we're not saying that Five Guys isn't good - because clearly, it's done
something right - but only that maybe the hype, long lines, and long wait times is a
little much - especially for what you're really getting. People online have a lot to say about
the quality of the meals they get at Five Guys, and it's not always the best. Some say
the patties are always burned and dry, while others say they're always too greasy and runny,
which makes for a messy meal. And, when it's not about the quality of the food, it's about
the time it takes to get it. Most of the time, since the restaurants are usually quite busy,
getting your burger can take a while, and it's not everyone who's willing to wait that
long for a mere burger. Some don't even qualify Five Guys as a fast-food restaurant anymore.
Basically, it's overrated in the sense that no one should have to wait that long for a
single burger that may or may not taste the way you want it - it's a gamble that's up
to you.
Olive Garden There was a time when the Olive Garden was
synonymous with "fancy," "authentic," and "high class" Italian food. It used to be seen
as the pinnacle of Italian cuisine, the ultimate destination for a quality, elegant night.
How far have we strayed away from that image, huh? Today, a lot of people still see Olive
Garden that way, but a lot of people have also opened their eyes and realized that this
chain restaurant is about as far from an authentic Italian restaurant as it possibly could be.
Not only does the chain serve things that have absolutely nothing to do with Italian
food, like Spanish tapas, fried foods, and soggy pasta, but the prices have drastically
increased as the years have gone by. Bland flavors, weird meal combinations, and overall,
a very disappointing experience is most likely what awaits you if you visit the restaurant. The
only truly good thing at Olive Garden is the free breadsticks, but even those can't save
an entire restaurant. Another thing the chain has to get better at? Its customer service.
Apparently, in some locations, people don't exactly receive the best of service. If you
truly want tasty Italian food, there's no point in going to an Olive Garden: just go
to one of the thousands of true Italian restaurants in America, and we'll guarantee you'll be
much happier.
KFC KFC used to reign over the fried chicken industry
with its top-secret blend of herbs and spices and iconic red-and-white-striped bucket. Without
any real competitors for a very long time - KFC seemed to put the business on cruise-control.
However, nowadays, it's not the only player in the game. Even though KFC was once the
number one spot for fried chicken, as more chains began popping up and spreading all
across the world, it slowly but surely lost its appeal and didn't try very hard to get
it back. Giants like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A have been running the show for quite some
time now and have been adapting to a new clientele - unlike KFC. Sure, the prices are pretty
decent - especially considering how filling the meals are - but it doesn't make them any
better in terms of quality. It's simply not the best option around anymore. Maybe if
the chain went back to basics and improved the quality of everything from the chicken
to the sides, it would have a chance at getting back on top of its game, but so far, it looks
like it just keeps on sinking lower and lower.
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