It’s that special time again. We’re rounding up some of our top coverage of the past, and this go-round, we’re taking a look into the best of our previous chain (ahem, franchise) dining coverage and its ilk.
The Top 10 Dishes (Other Than Cheesecake) at The Cheesecake Factory
Opening the menu at The Cheesecake Factory is like opening an encyclopedia. Spiral-bound, it’s filled with nearly 200 menu items and 50 types of cheesecake. You’d think a restaurant named after the creamy dessert would have more flavors of cheesecake than entrée options.
As you flip through the monstrosity that is a dining menu, you might find yourself torn between a couple…or five…dishes, leaving your head hurting and your stomach growling. I know I have fallen into this conundrum, and often I resort to asking my waiter or waitress what his or her favorite dish is — and it’s always something different.
Copycat vs. Real Deal: La Madeleine Tomato Basil Soup
I remember the first time I had La Madeleine’s tomato basil soup. It was freakishly cold in February of 2004 in Austin. We got almost two inches of snow on Valentine’s Day, the most snow Austin received at one time in the past decade.
Most people go to Starbucks for their daily coffee fix, but I visit in order to feed my addiction to sweets. The chain’s desserts have improved greatly in the past five years and some even stand up to the small-batch treats found at local bakeries. Try one of my five favorites some afternoon when you need some sugar with your caffeine.
Whataburger Monterey Melt: Your Cardiologist Will Thank You
By now I’m pretty accustomed to being shocked and/or horrified by the nutritional information I find on fast-food websites, but the Whataburger Monterey Melt really sent me over the edge — and directly to the drive-thru window at my nearest Whataburger.
Jack in the Box’s Late-Night “Munchie Meal” Ignores Entire Population of Wake-and-Bakers
In theory, you really can’t go wrong with the new Jack in the Box “Munchie Meal.” It’s a box full of junk food, available between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., that is designed to crush even the most heinous case of the munchies. The ad campaign is pretty clearly targeting giant potheads — the commercials always feature a bleary-eyed dude who looks like he just stashed his roach. Dude’s hungry, Jack in the Box has the answer. AND! It’s in a box!
This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2017.
