I compared 3-course meals at Chili's and TGI Fridays. The prices were nearly identical, but the differences in the food were stark.

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intercut photos of meals from chili's and tgi fridays
I had three-course meals at Chili's and TGI Fridays.

Steven John

My family of 4 tried Bonefish Grill for the first time. Our $120 meal was so great that this might just be our new favorite chain.

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Selfie of the writer wearing large-lens sunglasses and a blue shirt in front of Bonefish Grill, which is a gray building with black detailing
My family of four and I went to Bonefish Grill for the first time.

Terri Peters

I ordered the same meal at The Capital Grille and LongHorn Steakhouse. The bigger chain definitely offered the better value.

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On the left, a small cheesecake with caramelized sugar on top. On the right, a small cheesecake topped with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, and pecans.
I ordered French onion soup, steak, and cheesecake at both The Capital Grille and LongHorn.

Amena Ahmed

Former Outback Steakhouse employees share the best things to order — plus what to skip

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green check next to buttered wheat bread from outback steakhouse and red x over a bloomin onion
Three former Outback Steakhouse employees gave their menu suggestions.

Irene Jiang / Business Insider; Oliver Tsang/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

The 15 biggest fast-food chains in the US, ranked

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McDonald's franchisees are upset by new royalty hike
McDonald's ranked as the biggest fast-food chain in the country.

Nancy Luna/Business Insider

The 15 biggest chain restaurants in the US, ranked

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Olive Garden
Olive Garden ranked among the top chain restaurants in the US.

Sarah Schmalbruch/Business Insider

We tried and ranked every Chili's burger, and we think it's the chain to watch

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the author at chilis and a close up of the chilis double old timer
We sent three reporters to Chili's to try every full-sized burger on the menu.

Maria Noyen/Business Insider; Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I ordered Chili's Triple Dipper, which is going viral on TikTok. It was the best $17 I've ever spent at a chain restaurant.

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chili's triple dipper appetizer combo platter
TikTok users have posted about ordering Chili's Triple Dipper appetizer platter as their meal. I thought it was a great value.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Meet Chili's culinary director who creates new dishes for a living and has the best 'secret menu' hack

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Brian Paquette at Chili's headquarters in April 2024 and chilis triple dipper
Brian Paquette and his team develop new menu items at Chili's Grill & Bar.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I tried Red Lobster's $30 endless shrimp for the first time. I see why the deal might have contributed to the chain's bankruptcy.

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the author and the red lobster endless shrimp
I tried Red Lobster's endless shrimp promotion and thought it was an excellent deal — but could see why it proved disastrous for the chain.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

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