Finding a restaurant that can deliver all that on one of the busiest dining days of the year isn't easy. That's why we did the work for you and found restaurants across the county with excellent food and service—and that special something that makes for a romantic evening.

Topping the list for indulgent meals were the best steakhouses, seafood restaurants, and Italian spots around the U.S., all with enough variety to suit most palates and tastes. We looked for restaurants that offered interesting wine lists, tempting cocktails, and exciting menu additions. We found quite a few with excellent, shareable specials, including a tomahawk steak for two, heart-shaped lasagna, and lots of delightful desserts. Here are the restaurants where you'll want to take your special someone on the most romantic day of the year.

Buca di Beppo

You'll love this Italian chain for its quirky decor and charming atmosphere, which makes it a clear choice for a fun Valentine's Day dinner. In addition to the regular menu, the chain will offer a special dinner for two that includes a choice of mixed green or Caesar salad, along with garlic bread. The next course is the iconic heart-shaped lasagna, which features layers of meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan. Finally, order something sweet to finish: cannoli with heart-shaped sprinkles.

RELATED: The Most Romantic Restaurant in Every State

Brio Italian Grille

With about 60 locations around the U.S., this upscale, but still casual, Italian chain is perfect for a cozy romantic meal. This year, the restaurant is offering a Valentine's Day dinner for two, in addition to its regular menu. Choose from a chopped or Caesar salad to start. For an entrée, the choices include lobster and shrimp fettuccine, pasta bravo, chicken caprese, or grilled salmon. The meal ends with a caramel mascarpone cheesecake adorned with a chocolate heart to share.

The Capital Grille

This beloved steakhouse offers aged cuts of beef, Dirty Goose martinis, and impressive seafood towers, all of which add up to a pretty stellar evening, especially on Valentine's Day. The restaurant's full menu will be available, along with its extensive wine list. Your meal will be followed by complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries to share with your special someone.

RELATED: 7 Aphrodisiac Foods To Boost Your Libido & Get You in the Mood

Chart House

The upscale seafood chain—with locations from Boston to Portland, Ore., and lots of places in between—is offering a luxurious prix fixe meal for two, with a choice of clam chowder, strawberry salad, and seafood salad to start, followed by a choice of Key West sea bass, seared scallop and lobster risotto, or a surf and turf with a 7-ounce filet and petite lobster tail. Save room for dessert as the restaurant is offering a red velvet hot chocolate lava cake to share.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

When you want one of the fanciest restaurants on a list of fancy, romantic restaurants, you go to Del Frisco's. You won't go hungry after trying the special tomahawk steak for two, which is available the entire week of Valentine's Day. The 32-ounce bone-in steak comes topped with jumbo shrimp and will be served with an amuse-bouche plus three courses (these vary by location). You can also toast your sweetheart all month with the Forbidden Fruit cocktail made with Wheatley vodka, Cointreau, pomegranate syrup, grapefruit juice, and prosecco. Half bottles of Champagne will also be available.

RELATED: The 13 Best Dessert Chains in America

Eddie V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

Promising the freshest seafood and excellent service, Eddie V's is hosting live jazz-inspired music at many of its locations this Valentine's Day. You can amp up the romance with the special bourbon cocktail "With Love, Eddie," which comes with a personalized love letter. The restaurant's full dinner menu will be available, including oysters, Norwegian salmon, a center-cut filet, and bananas Foster prepared tableside to finish.

Il Fornaio

With about 20 locations in California and Las Vegas, this smaller chain strives to offer diners "the most authentic Italian experience outside of Italy." Its restaurants are known for their award-winning wine lists and will offer their classic menus for Valentine's Day. This elegant chain tailors the menu to each location, ensuring fresh ingredients paired with traditional Italian cooking techniques. On most menus, you'll find high-end shareable pizzas such as the Calabrese with spicy salami, Gorgonzola, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and oregano and fresh, handmade pasta.

RELATED: 10 Signs You're at a Top-Quality Steakhouse, According to Chefs

Morton's The Steakhouse

This steakhouse has widespread success across the country, and is a well-known romantic destination. Morton's famously attentive and friendly staff will be serving a special dinner for two that includes choice of a salad to share, a 28-ounce bone-in strip and two twin cold-water lobster tails with choice of toppers, two accompaniments for the table, and a dessert for two. This all comes in Morton's elegant setting, with extensive wine and cocktail selections.

Ocean Prime

What's sexier than fresh seafood? With about 20 locations around the country, including New York City, Denver, Kansas City, and Beverly Hills, this restaurant chain guarantees a great meal thanks to its 30-year commitment to sourcing the best ingredients from both land and sea. For Valentine's Day, Ocean Prime will serve its full menu, with selections including Chilean sea bass with lobster ravioli and the Ocean sushi roll with tuna, salmon, hamachi, avocado, and chili garlic oil that is sure to please.

RELATED: Krispy Kreme Just Released 4 Adorable New Doughnuts for Valentine's Day

Striphouse

This sexy steakhouse, with locations in New York City and Las Vegas, has a red velvet decor that puts romance on the menu before you even order. The regular menu will be available, but you and your date can also feast on day-boat scallops, an 18-ounce chateaubriand for two, a 7-ounce American Wagyu filet mignon with soy caramel sauce, and, to finish, and a red velvet cake with cream cheese gelato on the big day.

STK Steakhouse

For a chic, modern steakhouse dinner with a dash of glam, look no further than STK. The chain has grown to about 20 locations worldwide that feature high-end steaks, specialty cocktails, and fresh seafood. For the the week of Valentine's Day, the restaurant chain is offering all of its menu favorites, along with Wagyu filet, caviar, bottles of Dom Pérignon, and chocolate lava marshmallow cake.

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To enhance its burgers, the fast-food giant has implemented more than 50 changes. Some of these include offering softer buns, adding white onions to the beef patties while they're still on the grill, and cooking the patties in smaller batches for a better sear. McDonald's customers will also notice "meltier" cheese and more Big Mac Sauce.

RELATED: New Report Shows McDonald's Massive Impact On the U.S. Economy

The updated burgers first hit restaurants in international markets like Australia, Canada, and Belgium, sparking "rave reviews," at least according to a 2023 announcement from McDonald's. The burgers then rolled out to locations on the West Coast and later, restaurants in the Midwest.

To promote these new burgers, McDonald's has tapped its beloved Hamburglar mascot for a new campaign. This week, the fast-food chain announced that the Hamburglar is driving across the U.S. in a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, playfully named the "Burgercuda," to attempt "the ultimate burger-stealing heist." Those who spot the car can scan the vehicle's code to unlock an Arch Card—also known as a McDonald's gift card—and Hamburglar-inspired swag.

RELATED: McDonald's Customers Are Outraged Over 'Insane' Egg McMuffin Prices

The Hamburglar's car features the mascot's signature black-and-white stripes across the interior and exterior, burger-themed details like a spare tire disguised as a giant cheeseburger, and Hamburglar's catchphrase, "robble robble," represented by "RBL RBL" on the hood scoop and license plate.

Customers can also enter for a chance to win free McDonald's burgers for a year by visiting the Hamburglar Watch Sweepstakes website. Participants must complete the entry form by Feb. 25, 2024, and can only enter this contest once.

RELATED: Ex-McDonald's Chef Claims You Can Buy 2 Popular Dipping Sauces at the Grocery Store

According to Nation's Restaurant News, McDonald's kicked off its Hamburglar campaign last weekend for fans who opt into the chain's text messaging campaign. The McDonald's account texted these participants that the "Hamburglar was on the loose" and shared the mascot's license plate. The message then encouraged fans to share their city if they spot the mascot and offered them a chance to win a prize pack or free burgers for a year. There hasn't been a response yet, according to the news outlet.

McDonald's previously tweaked its Quarter Pounder with Cheese in 2018, making the switch to fresh beef that's cooked to order. The chain also got rid of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives in its burgers that same year.

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On Jan. 27, the New York-based Bespoke Investment Group posted a photo on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) of a receipt from a recent McDonald's run. The receipt showed that a McDonald's location in Fairfield, Conn., was charging a whopping $14.58 for two Egg McMuffins, which breaks down to $7.29 per sandwich.

RELATED: New Report Shows McDonald's Massive Impact On the U.S. Economy

"$7.29 for one McDonald's Egg McMuffin. What has the world come to??" the photo was captioned.

$7.29 for one McDonald's Egg McMuffin. What has the world come to??

These were 2 for $2 pretty recently. pic.twitter.com/YgRfVgaUBG

— Bespoke (@bespokeinvest) January 27, 2024

The receipt also showed that a Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle was selling for $7.19 at the Fairfield McDonald's. The grand total for the two Egg McMuffins and the one Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle came out to $23.37.

The Bespoke account was far from alone in its shock over the cost of the breakfast items. The post has received more than 800 comments from other X users, many of whom slammed McDonald's for its prices.

"That is insane," one user commented.

"Stop going to McDonald's until they lower prices!" wrote another.

It's important to note that the Fairfield McDonald's is located inside a rest stop, where the chain's prices are generally higher. Prices for the same items may also vary drastically between different McDonald's stores. A location near me in central New Jersey, for example, is currently charging $3.39 for an Egg McMuffin.

Still, for many consumers, Bespoke's viral post only underscored how expensive McDonald's has become across the board lately.

"I don't eat [at McDonald's] because the price is outrageous," an X user commented.

RELATED: 10 Major Changes McDonald's Made in 2023

Luckily, many X users offered tips in the comments section to help McDonald's customers avoid handing over too many of their hard-earned dollars. Several suggested taking advantage of the deals and promotions offered through the McDonald's app. For example, when I checked the the McDonald's app on Jan. 31, I spotted a BOGO deal that would get me two breakfast sandwiches for the price of one.

Some X users also pointed out that it may even be more cost-effective to make a copycat Egg McMuffin at home, though that also depends on the grocery prices in your area.

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The post McDonald's Customers Are Outraged Over 'Insane' Egg McMuffin Prices appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Chicken wings on their own are a healthy protein—and the challenge of getting the meat off the bones can make for more mindful eating. But that doesn't mean that everything at Buffalo Wild Wings is good for you. As a nutritionist, I've rolled up my sleeves and dug into BWW's menu to determine the 21 best and worst orders for your health—so you don't have to wing it when ordering.

Wings & Tenders 

Best: 6-count Boneless Wings

Boneless wings offer all the tasty meat of regular wings without the effort of pulling it off stubborn bones. Fortunately, Buffalo Wild Wings' boneless wings are a decent choice. Six of these pop-able bites have a moderate 360 calories and 19 grams of fat.

RELATED: 10 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Buffalo Wings

Best: 3-count Naked Chicken Tenders

BWW's naked chicken tenders are simply seasoned chicken breast—one of the leanest, highest-protein meats around. Though they're not totally naked (with a high sodium count of 1,490 milligrams), they're still a good choice to promote feelings of fullness.

Signature Sauces & Dry Rubs 

Best: Desert Heat Dry Rub

If you want to keep things low-cal at Buffalo Wild Wings, opt for their dry rubs over their signature sauces. All the dry rubs have significantly less calories, fat, and saturated fat than the sauces. The Desert Heat version is the best of the bunch with the lowest sodium of all BWW's dry rubs.

Best: Lemon Pepper Dry Rub

Lemon and pepper are a classic flavor combo for their juxtaposition of sour and savory. At BWW, you can choose this tasty dry rub on your wings for a minimum of calories, no fat or sugar, and moderate sodium.

Best: Chipotle BBQ Dry Rub

Not only does the chipotle BBQ dry rub coat your wings with fiery spice, it contains none of the top nine most common food allergens, making it a great choice for people with allergies. Some research even shows that eating spicy foods like red or chipotle peppers can increase thermogenesis, the body's heat mechanism that burns calories.

Best: Buffalo Dry Rub

With "Buffalo" right there in its name, the Buffalo dry rub is one of BWW's signature menu items. Go ahead and enjoy it on your wings—it'll only set you back 5 calories and 1 gram of carbs.

Worst: Lemon Pepper Signature Sauce

Though the lemon pepper dry rub is a good choice, the same can't be said for the lemon pepper signature sauce. Despite sharing a name with the rub, it's dramatically higher in just about every nutrition category.

RELATED: The 10 Unhealthiest Chicken Dishes At Major Restaurant Chains

Worst: Thai Curry Signature Sauce

Holy sodium! One side of BWW's Thai curry signature sauce contains 56% of the recommended daily limit of 2,400 milligrams of sodium. It also contains six of the most common food allergens—so steer clear if you're sensitive to dairy, eggs, soy, tree nuts, wheat, or gluten.

Worst: Parmesan Garlic Signature Sauce

On their own, garlic and parmesan are excellent ingredients for healthy, low-calorie food flavoring. Unfortunately, BWW's parmesan garlic sauce manages to turn these simple seasonings into a calorie-laden topping that's heavy on the sodium.

Worst: Original Buffalo Signature Sauce

If you're craving that signature Buffalo flavor, get it from BWW's dry rub, not their signature sauce. Or dip your wings sparingly—this sauce contains a surprising amount of fat and salt.

Bird Dawgs + Burgers 

Best: Southwestern Black Bean Burger

It's hard to go wrong with the plant-based protein of black beans, which boast plenty of fiber to support digestive health and reduce cholesterol. Though BWW's Southwestern black bean burger is high in sodium, it makes up its health factor with plenty of fiber and protein.

Worst: Smoked Brisket Burger

A buttery bun, bacon aioli, and an epic pile of beef don't add up to a healthy choice—especially for your heart. Eating higher amounts of red and processed meats like the ones in the smoked brisket burger has been linked with higher risk of heart disease.

RELATED: The #1 Unhealthiest Burger at 13 Major Restaurant Chains

Worst: Cheese Curd Bacon Burger

Order this one to split! This way, you and a friend can halve the calories, fat, and sodium in this cheesy burger. With a garden salad on the side, you're still likely to get full.

Sandwiches & Wraps + Greens

Best: Saucy Chicken Sandwich

Who could have guessed the saucy chicken sandwich would be among the best choices at Buffalo Wild Wings? Though experts usually advise steering clear of entrees with "saucy" in their name, this chicken is the exception that proves the rule. It's pleasantly low in calories and high in protein.

Best: Brisket Tacos

The brisket tacos are a good choice for their fresh pico de gallo topping and fiber-rich avocado spread. Plus, since there are three of them, they're easy to separate for portion control. Take one home for tomorrow's lunch!

RELATED: 8 Best & Worst Tacos at Taco Bell, According to a Dietitian

Worst: Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad with Bleu Cheese Dressing

The least healthy choices among Buffalo Wild Wings' sandwiches, wraps, and salads aren't what you'd expect. Psst… They're salads! Even a green salad can be made into a calorie bomb with the addition of breaded Buffalo chicken, bacon crumbles, and bleu cheese dressing, as in this whopper of an entrée.

Worst: Chopped Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing

The chopped Cobb at BWW isn't a whole lot healthier choice than the crispy Buffalo salad. Though it cuts back on sodium and total calories, it's still got outsized amounts of fat and saturated fat. Believe it or not, you're probably better off ordering tacos.

Appetizers & Sides

Best: Garden Side Salad

Compared to Buffalo Wild Wings' entrée salads, their garden side salad is practically angelic. Without dressing, this mix of greens, fresh tomatoes, carrots, and cheese has a mere 80 calories and 100 milligrams of sodium. Add it to any meal to a refreshing dose of veggies.

Best: Carrots and Celery with Ranch Dressing

Veggies with Ranch are a beloved side for wings—and it's hard to top their excellent nutrition! Besides their fiber content, carrots contain ample amounts of vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties that could help lower inflammation. Celery, on the other hand, is one of the lowest-calorie veggies on the planet. Go easy on the Ranch to make this side dish even lighter and healthier.

Worst: Onion Rings with Southwestern Dressing

Onion rings don't usually make the cut as a healthy appetizer, and that's certainly true at Buffalo Wild Wings. As a fried food, they're a beast of an app you'd do well to avoid. Fried foods have been associated with poor heart health and even poor mental health. The only saving grace here is 12 grams of fiber and 21 grams of protein.

Worst: Cheddar Cheese Curds with Southwestern Ranch Dressing

The cheddar cheese curds with southwestern Ranch give new meaning to the term "heavy apps." These cheesy bites provide more than enough saturated fat and sodium for an entire day's worth of eating. If you order them before dinner, be sure to share them with the whole table.

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Burger King just launched a brand-new Candied Bacon Whopper at restaurants nationwide on Jan. 29, and announced plans to debut a new Fiery Big Fish sandwich on Feb. 14. Both of the new menu items will only be available while supplies last, so don't wait too long to sample them if they pique your interest.

RELATED: Big Mac vs. The Whopper: Which One Tastes Better In 2024?

In addition to the candied bacon and garlic aioli, the new Whopper features a half-pound of flame-grilled beef, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon jam, and crispy onions on a sesame seed bun. The launch of the new burger shows that Burger King continues to make progress with its Reclaim the Flame campaign, a sweeping $400 million initiative to improve the chain's brand and restaurants. A key part of the initiative, which was announced in 2022, is introducing interesting new Whopper flavor extensions.

Burger King has added several other variations on the classic Whopper to the menu in the past year. For example, the chain brought back its fan-favorite Ghost Pepper Whopper for a limited time in October 2023. It also tested another Whopper loaded with bacon jam and brisket in Las Vegas and Minneapolis back in April 2023.

Meanwhile, the Fiery Big Fish features a fried fish fillet, lettuce, pickles, tartar sauce, and a spicy glaze on a brioche-style bun. The sandwich will hit menus on the same day that Lent kicks off, giving those who choose to abstain from meat during the annual 40-day religious observance an extra meal option.

RELATED: 6 Chains That Use Real Whole Fish in Their Fish Sandwiches—Not Glorified Fish Sticks

Even if you're not a fan of spicy food but still want a meat-free sandwich, Burger King has you covered. The chain's classic Big Fish sandwich—which is identical to the Fiery Big Fish aside from the spicy glaze—is available to order year-round.

Burger King did not provide pricing information for either of the new sandwiches.

Burger King fans should stay tuned for another major announcement in the coming days. The chain's website and app are currently teasing that "big Whopper news" will be unveiled on Feb. 5. Unsurprisingly, Burger King is being intentionally vague about what the news entails, but it does say that customers will soon "be able to put your spin on the iconic flame-grilled Whopper."

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Available at participating restaurants nationwide, the 2 for $6 Mix 'N Match deal includes a choice of two sandwiches from the following options: Crispy Fish, Fish 'N Cheddar, and Classic Roast Beef. This deal, along with the two fish sandwiches, will only be offered at Arby's for a limited time.

RELATED: 8 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Fish Sandwiches

The Crispy Fish Sandwich features a crispy fish fillet, shredded lettuce, and tartar sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun. The Fish 'N Cheddar sandwich is made with the same combination of ingredients, along with the addition of cheddar cheese sauce.

Rounding out the sandwich trio is Arby's signature, permanent menu item: Classic Roast Beef. This popular sandwich option includes thinly sliced roast beef piled on top of a toasted sesame bun.

Arby's usually charges a little more for its Mix 'N Deal—it's typically $7, according to Brand Eating. Additionally, Arby's notes on its website that the chain refreshes its 2 for $7 Everyday Value offerings on a regular basis.

RELATED: The 10 Best Sandwich Chains in America

The 2 for $6 Mix 'N Match deal isn't the only promotion at Arby's right now. Rewards members can also get 50% off their next order until Feb. 11. Customers can only apply this discount once, and they cannot combine it with another coupon or offer.

Arby's brought back its Crispy Fish and Fish 'N Cheddar sandwiches at the end of December. In addition to the sandwiches being available individually and as part of the Mix 'N Match deal, customers can also order these limited-time menu items as a meal with a choice of a side and a drink.

Aside from Arby's, Burger King also has its own fish sandwiches launching soon. The burger chain recently confirmed to USA Today that it will release a Fiery Big Fish sandwich—a spicy take on its classic Big Fish option. The new menu item will hit restaurants nationwide on Feb. 14.

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Texas Roadhouse, founded in Louisville, Ky., gets most of the attention these days, with its record-setting traffic and rapid growth. But, LongHorn Steakhouse, which first launched in Georgia, has been around, well, longer and boasts a similarly impressive national footprint, with 566 company-owned restaurants and another 18 franchised locations around the country.

Like its fellow Texas-themed rival, LongHorn is one of America's top-selling restaurant chains, reporting over $2.6 billion in sales last year. And it continues to stamp its steer-head logo on ever-more buildings across the U.S. Currently part of the Olive Garden family, aka Darden Restaurants, LongHorn has added 50 new locations over the past five years, with at least 15 more planned for fiscal 2024, according to the company's annual report.

LongHorn founder George McKerrow once attributed the chain's success to "the simplicity of the menu," telling the Atlanta Business Chronicle: "I saw the other steakhouse chains get away from their core business model and diversify their menu to try to keep customers."

But it got a little help from Hollywood, too. "At the time we opened the original Longhorn it was 1981 and the 'Urban Cowboy' movie was hot," McKerrow said, referring to the romantic Western drama starring John Travolta—a film often cited for making country music popular with mainstream audiences. LongHorn's "Honky Tonk atmosphere came along at the right time," McKerrow noted.

The cinematic connection is one thing that LongHorn shares with America's other major casual steakhouse chain, Outback Steakhouse, which launched in the wake of the popular Australian-themed 1986 action comedy "Crocodile Dundee."

Yet, unlike Outback, which is now banking its beef-searing future on high-tech cooking equipment, LongHorn still promotes the skills of its actual human cooks. For years, the chain has sponsored an annual Steak Master Series cooking contest, whereby grill workers from around the country compete for a $15,000 grand prize.

Of course, not every LongHorn cook is championship-caliber, as I duly found out while dining at different New York and New Jersey locations in recent weeks. Indeed, your steak-eating experience can vary wildly, depending on the location, the cooking method, and even which cook is wielding the griddle flipper on a given day.

Having now tried all seven steaks on the LongHorn menu—each ordered to my preferred temp, medium rare—I have some strong opinions about which items are most deserving of your hard-earned dollars. Here's how every steak stacked up, ranked in descending order from my least favorite to the most sumptuous cut of all.

Ribeye

Fatty and flavorful, the ribeye is a very popular piece of meat. LongHorn offers two versions of this particular cut. One is seared on a flat-top griddle, the other is char-grilled. This one is the lesser of the two. The 12-ounce seared steak cost me $25.79—about an ounce smaller and a few bucks cheaper than a similar ribeye at the nearest Outback. Upon arrival, it weighed 10.2 ounces on my digital scale and measured about 3/4 of an inch thick.

The look: Evenly seared but not exactly enticing. I am partial to grilled steaks, especially at a steakhouse, and this is a good example of why. You can get a griddled slab of beef pretty much anywhere, and this one looked like the steak special at your local jack-of-all-trades diner. That's a shame, particularly for a high-quality cut like a ribeye.

The taste: Spicy. Perhaps my biggest quibble with LongHorn in general is its tendency to go overboard with seasonings—often to the point where you can barely detect the natural beefy taste of the meat. With this ribeye, in particular, the heavy spices hit on first first bite and you can actually feel the pepper in the back of your throat. The meat was moist and a little chewy in places, while the fattier parts were quite tender. But, I would prefer much lighter seasoning and some char from a real flame. I ranked this dead last because, frankly, a quality ribeye deserves more respect.

RELATED: I Tried Every Steak at Outback Steakhouse & There Was One Clear Winner

Fire-Grilled T-Bone

As with the ribeye, LongHorn also serves two versions of t-boned steaks. Conversely, both are cooked the same way: on the grill. The smaller Fire-Grilled T-Bone is still pretty substantial, listed at 18 ounces. This one cost me $27.99. After cooking, the hulking steak weighed about 15 ounces on my scale. The bone itself accounted for just over four ounces, leaving nearly 11 ounces of actual meat on the plate.

The look: Big and blackened with tell-tale grate marks from its time on the grill. The t-bone notably combines two of the most popular beef cuts: the strip and the filet. Here, the strip side dominates with just a sliver of filet on the opposite side of the bone.

The taste: Strong—both in terms of spice and char. I like a little of that smoky flavor that comes from a sizzling, flame-kissed grate but this was almost like licking a grill brush. Heavy seasoning only compounded the intense taste. Salty, peppery, and smoky notes largely overpowered the beefy flavor of meat. Texturally, it seemed fine: the filet side felt super soft, while the strip side was firmer and slightly chewier. But again, the heavy-handed flavoring detracted from what otherwise should make for a top-notch steak.

The Renegade Sirloin

The Renegade Sirloin is by far the cheapest steak at LongHorn. The 6-ounce cut cost me $16.79—less than half as much as the chain's biggest-ticket steak, the 22-ounce porterhouse. (A bigger 8-ounce portion is also available for a higher price.) The economical steak weighed a little over 5 ounces when it arrived at my table.

The look: Plump and glistening with juice. Outside, the steak showed spots of dark char, while inside, it struck a luscious red color.

The taste: Forcefully flavored, much like the t-bone. According to the chain's website, the sirloin is "generously seasoned" with what the restaurant calls its "signature Prairie Dust"—it's much too generous, if you ask me. The meat itself is very juicy, but here again, the dusting feels more like a downpour. The aftertaste lingered long after I left.

RELATED: How to Make the Best Steak Sandwich, According to Chefs

Flo's Filet

Filet mignon is unquestionably one of the most beloved steaks across America, even if hard-line meat aficionados tend to turn up their noses at the delicate, mild-flavored cut. LongHorn offers this popular steak in two sizes: 6-ounce and 9-ounce portions, priced at $23.99 and $28.99, respectively. Both options cost less than similar-sized filets at my local Outback. I tried each cut during separate visits to different locations, and they seemed more or less the same. Most recently, I carved up the bigger cut, which weighed in at 7.3 ounces when it arrived at my table and measured close to a full inch thick.

The look: Very similar to the sirloin with ample body and largely uniform charring, indicative of flat-top searing. Inside, the meat presented reddish pink.

The taste: Savory and more self-restrained. The first bite of this filet tasted beefy, not spicy like many of the others. And while the seasoning became more noticeable the more I chewed, I appreciated the lighter touch with the spice shaker. The filet is also far more tender than the sirloin, and no doubt costs more as a result, making it an overall better bet—as long as you're willing to pay for the privilege.

New York Strip

The classic New York strip is my favorite cut to cook at home, so I'm a little reluctant to order it when I'm dining out. But, LongHorn's version is causing me to reconsider that stance. While the chain primarily char-grills its bone-in steaks, the boneless strip is a standalone exception, and that flame-kissed flavor really makes a big difference with a noble cut like this. The 12-ounce strip cost me $24.79 and weighed about 9.6 ounces upon arrival.

The look: Long and slender with visible grill marks and a distinctive shimmer from its juiciness. Inside, it reveals a glorious, rosy center.

The taste: Rich and succulent. This strip was immensely satisfying, perhaps because it offered the lightest touch of seasoning of all the LongHorn steaks I tried, allowing more of that natural meaty flavor to shine. When I asked the server if the strip is seasoned differently than the others, she explained that it really depends on who's doing the cooking. It turned out that the restaurant's most talented chef was on duty that day, and it showed. Frankly, I would hesitate to order this strip again, simply for fear that a less skilled cook might ruin it like so many others.

RELATED: 10 Steakhouse Chains That Serve the Best Desserts

The LongHorn Porterhouse

The porterhouse is LongHorn's most massive hunk of meat, weighing about a pound and a half—a good four ounces bigger than the chain's other t-boned steak. So, naturally, this signature cut is bestowed with the restaurant's own name in its title. It's also the most expensive steak on the menu, costing me $34.49. The mammoth cut measured about an inch and a quarter thick and weighed over 18 ounces after grilling. Cutting out the bone left me with a good 14 ounces of pure beef.

The look: Colossal and darkly charred with a noticeable juicy sheen.

The taste: Lush and smoky. The flavor from the grill was particularly evident with this giant cut, especially on the strip side, which seemed to attract more of the fire and took on a darker, more charred look and taste. Meanwhile, the less-singed filet side tasted soft and buttery. Like other more fortunate steaks in this survey, the porterhouse also benefited from just a gentle touch of seasoning. In short: LongHorn's eponymous steak lived up to its star billing, but there was still one cut that I enjoyed even more.

RELATED: 10 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Steak Salads

Outlaw Ribeye

The bone-in ribeye has become my go-to order at any steakhouse, thanks to its well-earned reputation for ample marbling and added flavor from that distinctive bone. LongHorn's take, the so-called Outlaw Ribeye, has only strengthened my case. At 20 ounces, it's nearly as substantial as the porterhouse and just as thick, yet it rings up at a substantial savings: my most recent order cost me $29.99. I've had this steak several times now, and the latest one, after I removed the bone, actually came in a little meatier than the chain's trademark porterhouse—14.5 ounces of actual meat.

The look: Sumptuous. It's expertly grilled with a darkly charred crust outside and a juicy pink interior, and that curvy bone at the back adds a primal element to its visual appeal.

The taste: Exquisite. Char flavor and beefiness dominate with just a smidge of spices enhancing, not distracting, from its natural meaty taste. It's the absolute juiciest, most tender steak on the menu. And while it may not be the best bone-in ribeye in casual dining at large, it certainly takes top honors at LongHorn.

Why spend $5 more on a puffed-up porterhouse? You'll be equally satisfied, if not more so, by opting for the eminent Outlaw instead.

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The post I Tried Every Steak at LongHorn Steakhouse & One Juicy Cut Stood Out appeared first on Eat This Not That.

This regional brand is Bagger Dave's, a Michigan-based full-service chain that serves burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and other tavern-style fare. BT Brands, which currently owns nearly 40% of Bagger Dave's, announced in a Jan. 26 press release that it is now exploring "strategic alternatives" for the chain.

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Bagger Dave's restaurants will continue operating normally for now, but BT Brands expects to begin converting the locations to another concept later this year, the release said. So if all goes according to plan, the conversions would mark the end of the road for Bagger Dave's.

Per Restaurant Business Magazine, Bagger Dave's was once an up-and-coming chain expanding quickly in the Midwest. The very first Bagger Dave's opened in Berkley, Mich., in 2008 and the brand grew to more than 25 locations across three states.

However, the chain ultimately began to struggle with declines in sales and customer traffic and ended up shuttering numerous locations, Restaurant Business Magazine reported. There are currently only six remaining Bagger Dave's restaurants in the United States, with four located in Michigan, one in Fort Wayne, Ind., and one in Centerville, Ohio, according to the press release.

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"All six stores are in excellent locations representing an original investment of more than $5 million. The stores range from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, carry full liquor licenses, and are in excellent physical condition," BT Brands CEO Gary Copperud said in a statement. "We have had several restaurant professionals look at the locations over the last year, and all agree the units provide an outstanding footprint for a conversion opportunity."

"We look forward to identifying a dynamic growth opportunity, providing potential career growth for all current employees of Bagger Dave's," he continued. "We see the opportunity for Bagger Dave's shareholders, including BT Brands, to earn significant returns from a successful conversion."

RELATED: 4 Regional Burger Chains You're About to See Everywhere

Bagger Dave's isn't the only burger chain that has contended with hard times in recent years. Back Yard Burgers, a Nashville-based fast-casual burger brand, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2023 amid declining sales and store closures. This past November, Burger King also revealed that it had closed nearly 200 older and underperforming locations in one year to improve the health of its overall system.

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The post A Struggling Regional Burger Chain Could Disappear For Good This Year appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Perhaps because it has become such a universal part of American diets, fast-food frequently finds itself at the center of controversy. Shocking rumors and claims have plagued some of America's biggest fast-food chains for decades, taking aim at everything from their food quality to company policies. But are any of them true? To help separate fact from fiction once and for all, we've dug into all of the most prevalent fast-food rumors and compiled the ones that turned out to be nonsense.

Read on for 35 supposed "facts" about your favorite fast-food chains that are actually false!

KFC's founder was a real colonel

Colonel Harland Sanders, KFC's legendary white-clad founder, is one of the most recognizable faces in the world of fast-food. But despite what his title implies, he was never actually a bonafide "colonel."

According to the History Channel, Sanders enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1906 and served in Cuba for a few months before he was honorably discharged. It wasn't until 1935 that Kentucky's governor at the time, Ruby Laffoon, issued a decree that celebrated Sanders as an honorary colonel. So, while he technically bears the "colonel" title, he didn't receive it by moving up in the army's ranks.

RELATED: The Top 50 Fast-Food Chains in America in 2024—Ranked by Popularity

MSG is proven to be bad for you

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has a troubled place in the world of fast-food. Many chains, such as Chick-fil-A, use it the salt-like substance as a flavor enhancer to give their food an addictive umami kick. However, it developed an unsavory reputation after consumers began claiming that they experienced unpleasant side effects like headaches, fluttering heartbeats, chest pain, nausea, and weakness after eating food that contained MSG.

Consumers are certainly free to avoid MSG if they wish. But the truth about this controversial ingredient is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognizes it as safe in food. Furthermore, researchers have never been able to find definitive proof MSG causes those symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists are just deep fried pasta

For more than a decade, Taco Bell has contended with rumors that its Cinnamon Twists are just rotini pasta that has been deep fried and tossed with cinnamon sugar. The rumors had something of a resurgence in 2019 when a viral TikTok video revived the claim once again, according to the fact-checking site Snopes.

The confusion seems to stem from the fact that in pictures allegedly showing the Cinnamon Twists before they're cooked, the treats do resemble dried pasta. However, just because the uncooked twists look similar to pasta doesn't mean they're actually the same as dried noodles sold at grocery stores. It also doesn't mean that you can perfectly recreate Cinnamon Twists at home by pouring boxed rotini into a deep fryer. According to the Taco Bell website, the "twist" element in the Cinnamon Twists is made from wheat flour, yellow corn meal, rice flour, and salt.

RELATED: 9 Major Changes You'll See at America's Most Popular Fast-Food Chains In 2024

KFC serves lab-grown meat

In June 2023, regulators in the United States approved two California companies to start selling "lab-grown" chicken (aka cultivated meat, which is grown using chicken cells) for the very first time. Soon after, posts began circulating on Facebook that KFC had either already started serving lab-grown chicken in its restaurants or had partnered with lab-grown meat companies.

The claims immediately horrified customers, but fear not! They're far from the truth. A spokesperson confirmed to USA Today that KFC Russia once experimented with cultivated chicken in 2020 when the chain used to operate in the country. However, that "was just a one-time experiment and not part of a long-term strategy," the spokesperson said. KFC doesn't currently serve lab-grown meat at its restaurants in the United States or beyond.

As previously noted, American regulators only approved two companies to start selling lab-grown chicken back in June. KFC was not one of them.

Arby's serves meat made from "liquid" or "gel"

Arby's has long been dogged by unsettling claims that its famous roast beef isn't real beef. These rumors have alleged that Arby's actually uses a liquid, gel, powder, or paste that has been reconstituted and shaped into something resembling real meat.

However, Snopes looked into the claims back in 2005 and declared them false. An Arby's spokesperson confirmed to the fact-checking site that the chain's roast beef consists entirely of beef and a self-basting solution. Actual Arby's employees also told Snopes that the beef arrives in bags that contain a gelatinous broth, which some might mistake for the meat itself.

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Burger King admitted to selling burgers that contained horse meat

Don't worry—the meat in your Burger King meal doesn't actually come from a horse. But a false news report that circulated a few years back wanted you to believe the opposite.

In 2015, an unreliable website called Before It's News claimed in an article that Burger King had "now admitted after continuous denial that it has actually been selling UK customers both burgers and Whoppers that contain horsemeat."

In actuality, Burger King never admitted anything of the sort. According to Snopes, which fact-checked the article and declared it false, Burger King did announce in 2013 that trace amounts of horse DNA had been discovered at one of its suppliers' plants. Burger King never actually found any horse DNA in its actual burgers, but immediately cut ties with the supplier out of caution.

The Before It's News post intentionally misrepresented the years-old horse DNA story to make it seem like Burger King was currently selling burgers with horse meat to customers, Snopes said.

McDonald's was caught using human meat

Just imagine the mania that would ensue if McDonald's were actually ever caught using human meat. An article published in 2014 made that very allegation against the company, claiming that both human and horse meat were discovered inside the freezer at a McDonald's meat factory in Oklahoma City.

Luckily, this report was easy to debunk. Snopes declared the claim false and noted that the article was published by Huzlers, a website known for publishing satire news. Moreover, no credible news sites ever reported the false claim as true, though multiple have fact-checked it.

RELATED: 18 Discontinued McDonald's Items Customers Want Back

Wendy's is going out of business

Posts began circulating on social media last year that implied Wendy's was shutting down for good—but, of course, you shouldn't believe everything you read online.

According to Snopes, two misleading advertisements popped up on Facebook and Instagram in October and November 2023 that featured a photo of Wendy's founder Dave Thomas. Both advertisements included the caption "Closing Time: All The Restaurant Chains Closing," so the use of Thomas' picture implied that Wendy's was one of the chains purportedly going out of business.

However, one of the advertisements linked to an old article that didn't mention Wendy's at all. The other linked to an article that mentioned a former Wendy's franchisee had sold its restaurants to another operator, but noted that Wendy's itself isn't going out of business, Snopes said. So, rest assured that you won't lose access to Wendy's Baconators, Frosty treats, or fries anytime soon.

McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are made from pink slime

Rumors and questions have long abounded on the internet regarding whether McDonald's uses so-called "pink slime" or "pink goop" in its Chicken McNuggets. You might have even seen photos or videos of the paste-like, finely ground meat concoction that could easily be mistaken for strawberry ice cream. However, McDonald's has repeatedly confirmed that its nuggets do not contain pink slime, and that those images and videos have absolutely no connection to McDonald's.

"Each and every one of our Chicken McNuggets is made with USDA-inspected boneless white-meat chicken—cut from the chicken breast, tenderloins and rib meat," McDonald's said in a 2021 statement.

McDonald's Canadian arm even released a video back in 2014 showing the entire nugget-making process, and indeed, there was no pink slime in sight.

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In-N-Out has a secret menu

In-N-Out Burger's "secret menu" is practically just as famous as its original menu—and for good reason. It's not really a secret at all! The chain proudly lists several of the most popular options from its "Not So Secret Menu" on its website, including Animal Style, Protein Style, and even the Triple Triple.

KFC breeds six-winged, eight-legged chickens

With more than 29,000 locations scattered throughout the globe, KFC certainly has to produce a lot of chicken in order to feed the fast-food-loving masses. However, contrary to some widely circulated rumors, the company isn't so committed to keeping its restaurants well-stocked that it breeds mutant chickens with extra meat.

Several years ago, false claims and doctored photos emerged on the social media platform WeChat alleging that KFC served genetically modified chickens with six wings and eight legs, the Washington Post reported. The chicken chain has categorically denied those rumors, and parent company Yum Brands even successfully sued three tech companies for helping to spread the misinformation by allowing the claims and photos to be posted on social media.

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McDonald's makes its soft serve with pig fat

It's not exactly clear where this odd myth originated, but it's out there nevertheless. For years, the internet has been rife with rumors and confusion about whether McDonald's soft serve contains pig fat. But fear not, dairy lovers! The company lists the ingredients for its vanilla soft serve, as well as for every other menu item, on its website. Spoiler alert: pork fat is not one of them.

Popeyes' chicken was once laced with cocaine

Don't worry—that addictive quality you might detect in your Popeyes' fried chicken doesn't come from illegal narcotics. Back in 2017, a false online news report claimed that a Popeyes manager was arrested for dipping chicken into a "cocaine based-flour" in order to boost sales. Snopes looked into the matter and discovered that the fake report had been posted on a prank news generator site, thus debunking it once and for all.

RELATED: 10 Restaurant Chains that Serve the Best Chicken Sandwiches

McDonald's French fries are vegan

McDonald's fries are salty, crispy, and golden brown when executed right. But, one thing the fries aren't is vegan—a fact that has shocked McDonald's fans who believed otherwise in the past.

The chain cooks its fries in an oil blend with a beef flavoring that contains hydrolyzed milk, according to the ingredients statement on the McDonald's website. So, if you follow a vegan diet, you'll want to steer clear of McDonald's fries.

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes contain dangerous chemicals

Back in 2014, a graphic was posted on social media making the serious allegation that Starbucks' famous Pumpkin Spice Latte contained harmful toxins. However, Snopes looked into the claims and declared them false. For example, one of the allegations was that a caramel coloring ("caramel color IV") used in the coffee drink at the time was carcinogenic. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that it doesn't believe that the substance presents any immediate or short-term health risks.

For the record, Starbucks lists the ingredients for all of its menu items online, so you can always check if you want to confirm exactly what's in your food and drinks.

RELATED: 9 Coffee Chains That Experts Say Serve the Best Quality Coffee

McDonald's food won't decompose

If you know where to look online, you'll encounter rumors and claims that McDonald's food never decomposes. There have been reports in the past about McDonald's food that remains remarkably well-preserved long after it was made. For example, one McDonald's customer in Iceland reportedly stashed a McDonald's burger and fries and found that they still looked surprisingly similar years later, per TODAY.com.

However, that doesn't mean that any food item from McDonald's will stay perpetually intact and unblemished. McDonald's addressed the claims on its website in 2020, saying that its food could decompose "in the right environment."

"But, in order to decompose, you need certain conditions – specifically moisture. Without sufficient moisture – either in the food itself or the environment – bacteria and mold may not grow and therefore, decomposition is unlikely," McDonald's continued. "So if food is or becomes dry enough, it is unlikely to grow mold or bacteria or decompose.  Food prepared at home that is left to dehydrate could see similar results. Look closely, the burgers you are seeing are likely dried out and dehydrated, and by no means 'the same as the day they were purchased.'"

Wendy's Chili is made from grill scrapings

Contrary to rumors and questions that have permeated the internet, Wendy's famous chili is not made from the unwanted bits left over on the grill after cooking burgers. In fact, the chain is very transparent about its chili-making process. According to the Wendy's website, founder Dave Thomas came up with the idea to prevent leftover burger beef from going to waste by turning it into chili. This means that you'll find the same kind of beef in your Wendy's chili as you will in your Wendy's burger.

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McDonald's Apple Pies aren't made from apples

As the biggest fast-food chain in the country by sales, it should come as no surprise that McDonald's is at the center of more than a few fast-food myths. Yet another example is the years-old rumor that the chain secretly uses potatoes rather than apples in its Baked Apple Pie, presumably because the tubers are cheaper substitutes for the fruit.

However, McDonald's does not list potatoes in the ingredient statement for its Baked Apple Pie. Both Snopes and McDonald's have debunked the claim as well.

"McDonald's apple pie has real diced apples. The exact variety can vary from season to season, but we look for apples that are sweet and slightly tart," McDonald's said in a statement in 2021.

Taco Bell serves low-quality "Grade D" meat

The old rumor that Taco Bell served "Grade D" beef made from lower-quality parts of the cow was unsettling, to say the least. But, in actuality, there's nothing to it.

As the USDA explains on its website, the United States doesn't grade most ground beef. Also, the kinds of beef that do get graded don't even receive letter grades. Instead, they're referred to as either Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, or Canner.

Here's the truth about Taco Bell's seasoned beef, straight from the chain's website: it's made from 100% beef that's cooked, drained, seasoned, packaged with water for added moisture, and then shipped to restaurants.

RELATED: 10 Fast-Food Chains That Use the Highest Quality Beef

McDonald's burgers use worms as filler

The rumor that McDonald's tries to protect its bottom dollar by using worms as cheap filler has circulated for decades, but has never stopped being false, according to Snopes. One of the most recent instances in which the rumor flared up again was when the faux news site Daily Buzz Live posted an article reviving the claim in 2017. But, per the McDonald's website, the burger patties only contain 100% beef with no fillers or extenders.

Starbucks has a secret menu

The internet is rife with chatter about Starbucks' best "secret menu" options, or drinks that the chain doesn't advertise but will make for you if you ask.

But, in reality, there isn't a list of secret beverages that only Starbucks employees and insiders know about. Most "secret menu" items are just existing Starbucks drinks with a couple of smart customizations. A perfect example is the Pink Drink, a former option on the so-called secret menu that was eventually added to the real menu. The drink is just a Strawberry Açaí Refresher mixed with coconut milk instead of water. You could just as easily claim that a latte with an extra pump of flavor syrup is a secret menu item.

RELATED: The 15 Best Coffee Chains In America

KFC changed its name because it doesn't actually serve chicken

Remember that other KFC myth about the chain serving genetically modified chickens with six wings and eight legs? Believe it or not, that's not the only time that KFC has been accused of using mutant birds.

In 1991, the chain formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken officially shortened its name to KFC. Rumors emerged online years later that KFC made the name change for a very unexpected reason.

According to Snopes, people claimed that KFC was using chickens that had been genetically modified so they didn't have beaks, feathers, or feet. Supposedly, this was to eliminate the need to pluck the feathers and remove the beaks and feet from the birds. The rumor also alleged that the birds had a shrunken bone structure so KFC could get more meat out of them.

So, when the USDA allegedly stepped in and told KFC that it couldn't legally market the mutant poultry as "chicken," the chain tried to sidestep the issue by removing any mention of "chicken" in its name, menu, and marketing, the rumors alleged.

KFC vehemently denied the claims, and Snopes also declared them as false. The fact-checking site noted that those types of genetic modifications weren't feats that the science of the time could achieve. If you look at the KFC website, you'll also see that the word "chicken" is mentioned numerous times.

In reality, KFC changed its name for several reasons, including to distance its brand from the word "fried," Bloomberg reported at the time.

McDonald's burgers contain eyeballs

Will the rumors about undesirable ingredients in McDonald's food ever cease? Quite like the false claim that McDonald's secretly used worms as filler in its burgers, rumors that McDonald's blends cow eyeballs into its beef patties have been around for decades.

But, as previously mentioned, the McDonald's website reveals that the burger patties only contain 100% USDA-inspected beef with no fillers or extenders. And as Snopes pointed out when it fact-checked the claims and declared them false, the USDA doesn't allow random cow parts to be marketed as "beef."

RELATED: Big Mac vs. The Whopper: Which One Tastes Better In 2024?

Taco Bell serves horse meat

Taco Bell did discover traces of horse meat in the ground beef from one of its European suppliers back in 2013, according to CNN. However, contrary to rumors you might find online, that doesn't mean the chain as a whole serves horse meat to its customers.

Taco Bell acted immediately after discovering the horse meat traces and took beef off of the menu at its outlets in the United Kingdom until the issue was remedied. It also assured its American customers that none of its restaurants in the United States were impacted because they didn't serve meat from Europe. So, even though the horse meat discovery was certainly an unsettling development, it's not a continuing issue at Taco Bell.

Popeyes served a rat head

In 2016, a Popeyes customer shared an image on social media showing what she alleged was a rat head that she found in an order of fried chicken. The claim was subsequently shared widely on social media, so Snopes contacted Popeyes regarding the issue

A Popeyes spokesperson told the fact-checking site at the time that the customer initially arranged to meet with someone from the company to give them a sample of the alleged rat head for testing. However, the customer postponed the meeting, so they weren't able to obtain a sample to confirm it was a rat head, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that Popeyes had spoken with suppliers about the issue and they believed the supposed rat head might have actually been a chicken organ. While it certainly wouldn't be pleasant to find a chicken organ when you weren't expecting it, it's still much less unsettling than finding a piece of deep fried rat.

RELATED: I Tried the Wings at America's 4 Most Popular Chicken Chains & One Reigns Supreme

Starbucks refused to provide coffee to the military

In 2004, a message began circulating via email with some serious—and false—allegations about Starbucks. The message alleged that Starbucks refused a request from Marines serving in Iraq at the time to provide them with free coffee grounds. Starbucks also allegedly said that it didn't support the conflict there and anyone who participated in it.

However, according to Snopes, the person who initially sent out the email sent out a retraction soon after. Starbucks has also vehemently denied the rumor.

Jack in the Box serves kangaroo meat

Rumors and questions are plentiful on the internet regarding whether Jack in the Box's food contains kangaroo meat, but is there any truth to them? Well, the chain did have a brush with controversy in 1981 when horse meat from Australia labeled as beef was discovered at a processing plant for one of Jack in the Box's suppliers, according to a report from The New York Times archives.

However, no reports mention that kangaroo meat was also discovered at the supplier's plant. The confusion might have something to do with the fact that Australian authorities found kangaroo meat in beef shipments heading for the United States around the same time, per the Times report.

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In-N-Out is heading to NYC

In-N-Out Burger fans have been begging the beloved regional burger chain to expand beyond the West for years. So, when people spotted a sign in New York City in 2010 proclaiming that In-N-Out would open there that summer, it was major news.

However, In-N-Out confirmed to Gothamist at the time that the sign was just a joke and it didn't have any plans to open in NYC. So, those on the East Coast still have to travel to California, Texas, or one of the handful of other states In-N-Out operates in to get their fix of burgers and fries for now.

Arby's name stands for roast beef

In a now-deleted tweet from 2018, one user on the X social media platform (then known as Twitter) claimed that Arby's name was just the phonetic spelling of the chain's popular roast beef, Business Insider reported. However, Arby's quickly shut down the rumor by responding to the post with the following message:

"Most people think that, but our name is actually based on the initials of our founders, the Raffel Brothers," the chain wrote.

RELATED: 22 Best Secret Menu Options at Your Favorite Fast-Food Chains

KFC once served a customer a fried rat

Out of all the myths plaguing the world of fast-food, this one is probably one of the most infamous. In 2015, a consumer set off a firestorm when he posted pictures on social media of an alleged fried rat, tail and all, in his KFC chicken tenders.

KFC proclaimed it as a hoax soon after, according to Snopes. And when the customer's lawyer handed over the supposed rat for testing at an independent lab, the tests revealed that it was just chicken all along, the Independent reported.

Tim Hortons' coffee contains nicotine

Tim Hortons is a massive player in the world of coffee chains, with nearly 4,000 restaurants across Canada alone. But despite some claims that you might find online or via gossip, the secret to the chain's success isn't an odious one. Years ago, Tim Hortons got caught up in a conspiracy that its coffee was laced with nicotine, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or even an unusually high amount of caffeine to keep customers coming back again and again.

However, Snopes fact checked the claims and declared them false. It noted that, like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration we have in America, Canada has its own regulatory agency that ensures the food that consumers eat is safe. The agency certainly would not allow a restaurant chain to serve substances as notable as those without making the public aware of it.

RELATED: The Best & Worst Menu Items at Tim Hortons, According to Dietitians

A Wendy's customer found a finger in the chili

If you were tuned into the news cycle in 2005, you might remember when a Wendy's customer made the shocking claim that she found a piece of severed human finger in her chili, something that could put anyone off of eating fast-food for life. The news made major headlines and reportedly resulted in tens of millions of dollars in lost business for the burger chain, but the whole thing turned out to be a scam.

The Wendy's customer who made the allegation, Anna Aayala, later admitted that she planted the severed finger as part of an extortion scheme with her partner. Police ultimately discovered that Aayala's partner had gotten the finger from an associate who lost it during an industrial accident. Both were charged and faced years of prison time over the crime, The New York Times reported.

McDonald's funded the IRA

This fast-food myth was born from an unfortunate misunderstanding that had some serious ramifications. According to a 1989 piece from The New York Times, a rumor circulated for months that McDonald's was giving financial assistance to the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the paramilitary group that fought to remove British rule from Northern Ireland and reunify Ireland. McDonald's, which wasn't even sure where the claim had originated, repeatedly denied the claims.

People eventually learned that the rumor began when a financial talk show discussed McDonald's contributions to its employees' Individual Retirement Accounts, which is also commonly referred to as an IRA, the Times reported. Thus, the misunderstanding was born.

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Starbucks employees try to spell your name wrong

If you're a Starbucks regular, you've probably had a barista misspell your name at least once. The fact that it's such a universal experience among Starbucks customers has led some people to theorize that the company directed its baristas to do it on purpose. The reason? Because customers often post pictures of their humorously misspelled names on social media, thus driving more brand awareness for Starbucks.

However, Starbucks confirmed to Thrillist in 2016 that it never directed its employees to misspell customer names on purpose. Starbucks employees have also explained online that it's easy to misspell names in such a loud, hectic, and fast-paced environment, especially during busy times of day when there's a line out the door.

McDonald's shelled out a million dollars over a spilled drink

Of all the fast-food lawsuits that we've seen over the years, perhaps none are more famous than the one surrounding a spilled cup of coffee.

When Stella Liebeck took legal action against McDonald's after spilling a cup of the chain's hot coffee on herself, many people dismissed it as a frivolous lawsuit. However, this wasn't your average coffee spill. The coffee was so hot that it scalded the then-79-year-old Liebeck's legs and gave her third-degree burns.

Liebeck initially offered to settle the lawsuit for $20,000 just to cover her medical bills, NPR reported. But when McDonald's only offered her $800, the lawsuit went to court. According to the American Museum of Tort Law, experts testified that McDonald's coffee was 30 to 40 degrees hotter than what other companies served. The jury also learned that hundreds of other McDonald's customers had suffered burns from its coffee before.

The jury ended up siding with Liebeck's claim that the coffee was unreasonably dangerous and awarded her damages. So, when you know the true details of Liebeck's injuries and her legal battle, it's clear that the lawsuit wasn't really frivolous at all.

This story was originally published in June 2018. It has been updated with new information.

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The post 35 Fast-Food 'Facts' That Are Actually False appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Aside from being known for their breakfast items, both chains serve lunch and dinner in casual, family-friendly environments. The two also have their own merch—or as Denny's calls it, "Diner Drip."

There's no denying the notable overlap between both restaurant concepts. However, they each have their own unique qualities and menu items that help differentiate them from each other. The next time you're deciding on a breakfast chain, you'll want to keep a few elements in mind before grabbing your table. From menu items to rewards programs, here are five differences between Denny's and IHOP.

Store footprint

Both IHOP and Denny's have a strong presence in the breakfast chain world, with IHOP having the larger footprint between the two. As of June 2023, there are some 1,790 IHOP locations all over the globe. This includes restaurants across all 50 states, two U.S. territories, and 13 additional countries.

Meanwhile, Denny's is slightly smaller and has 1,573 locations as of December 2023. Within its restaurant portfolio, the chain has locations across all 50 states and two U.S. territories and operates in 12 additional countries.

RELATED: The Best & Worst Menu Items at Denny's, According to Dietitians

Rewards programs

If you find yourself becoming a regular at either of these breakfast spots, you might want to consider becoming a loyalty member. Last summer, Denny's gamified its rewards program, so customers can unlock perks after completing various challenges. Denny's rolls out these challenges every month, and the rewards become available the following month or at the expiration of the challenge window, according to the chain's website.

Meanwhile, IHOP Rewards is centered around its "International Bank of Pancakes." Through this program, customers earn one PanCoin for every $5 spent at the breakfast chain. These PanCoins can be redeemed for various menu items and perks, with three PanCoins earning customers a short stack of three pancakes.

RELATED: The 10 Best Breakfast Chains In America

Menu items

Yes, both Denny's and IHOP offer a lot of the same diner-style menu items. Pancakes, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, you get the gist. However, there are some offerings one chain offers that the other restaurant lacks.

Take IHOP, for example. The breakfast hotspot serves a variety of sweet and savory crepes, ranging from cinnamon bun to chicken pesto. Denny's, on the other hand, only offers a sweet option. IHOP also has a bigger selection of biscuit options. A few chain-specific items you can find at Denny's include the Brisk-It-All Melt, Bourbon Chicken Skillet, and Mac 'N Brisket Skillet. As always, menu item availability can vary by location.

RELATED: I Tried the Pancakes at McDonald's, Denny's, & IHOP—and Only One Chain Makes the Best Stack

Pancakes

If you look closely at both chains' pancake options, you'll find some differences that go beyond the flavor—a quality repeatedly assessed in various taste tests. At IHOP, you can choose from varieties like Cupcake, New York Cheesecake, and multiple protein pancake options. Denny's doesn't currently offer these pancake choices. However, it does serve Salted Caramel Banana Pancakes in addition to Hershey's Chocolate Pancake Puppies—two menu items you won't find on IHOP's menu right now.

Additionally, IHOP recently launched its new "Pancake of the Month" program. On the first of every month, the chain will release a new, limited-time pancake flavor, available for the calendar month as a full stack, side, or as part of a pancake combo. To encourage customers to try the new pancakes, IHOP has added a "loyalty challenge" to its program. Those who order the Pancake of the Month at least twice in one month will earn 10 PanCoins for that month. Customers who order the new pancake at least once a month every month for the entire year will score 100 bonus PanCoins. 

RELATED: 10 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Pancakes

Pricing

Chain restaurant pricing can vary by location, but you may notice one spot to be friendlier on your wallet. When comparing a few menu items at a New York-based Denny's and IHOP, Denny's came out on top as the less expensive option.

Specifically, Denny's Super Slam, which includes two buttermilk pancakes, two bacon strips, two eggs, and hash browns costs $10.99. Meanwhile, the IHOP Smokehouse Combo, which includes the same breakfast items minus the strips of bacon, costs $17.75. The Philly Cheesesteak Omelette at Denny's is $15.99, while the similar Big Steak Omelet at IHOP is  $18.99. The trend continues with kids' menu items, too. For example, the Jr. Cheeseburger at Denny's costs $5.19, while the IHOP variety is $9.29.

With that being said, pricing could be even lower depending on the restaurant chain's available deals. For instance, IHOP is currently holding IHOPPY Hour, which kicks off at 3 p.m. at participating restaurants. With this deal, customers can score various menu items—like Chicken & Pancakes or the Classic Steakburger—starting at $6.

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The post Denny's vs. IHOP: 5 Major Differences appeared first on Eat This Not That.