12 best dishes to get at a Casual Dining restaurant

There are so many different casual dining restaurants all around the country and even in the world! Here in the United States, we’ve surely got our fair share of casual dining establishments.

From Chili’s to Applebee’s to Olive Garden, we are going to dive into the top four dishes to get at each casual dining place and tell you why you need to go try them ASAP!

Whether it’s an appetizer, and entreé, or a dessert, you’re sure to find something on this list that will make you craving it again and again, over and over.

What’s your favorite casual dining dish? Let us know down in the comments!

In no particular order, here are the best dishes from casual dining restaurant one: Chili’s!

1. 3 for $10.99

What to Get: Arnold Palmer, Baked Potato Soup, Just Bacon Burger or Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas

This is such a great meal deal for literally anyone! There are red meat options, chicken options, and even something for those that prefer not to eat any sort of meat. While their options have gotten slimmer since COVID-19 hit, it’s still delicious and they’ve kept the classics for sure!

What you saw up above is my personal favorite combination. I love a good Arnold Palmer (I mean, come on now…who doesn’t am I right). Their Baked Potato Soup is just perfectly creamy and legit to die for. Their Just Bacon Burger is classic and delish all in the right spots. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas is something that even kids will enjoy with the adults alike! Dig in!

2. Roasted Street Corn

Yes, this is a side. Yes it’s a dollar upgrade. But let me tell ya…it’s one million percent worth it. It even comes wrapped in foil. Yes, it’s messy. Yes you will get it all over you and the table and floor around you. But once again…it’s worth it!

3. Margarita Grilled Chicken

Here’s a bit more of a lighter option for those searching. I believe that this is also a part of the meal deal as discussed more in depth up above, so be on the look out for that!

Here’s what it comes with: pico, tortilla chips, Mexican rice, black beans. Their website even says the following thing most perfectly about this particular dish: “It only tastes like a guilty pleasure.”

4. Queso Burger

Now this particular burger used to be my official go-to on the whole 3 for $10 deal from earlier on in this pieces. However, they have since changed that, made me sad, and even made me cry and contemplate not ordering that particular meal deal…ever again. It’s cheesy, it’s delicious, it’s creamy…

Still not enticed yet? First of all…wow. Second of all, here’s what it comes with: smothered in white queso, crunchy tortilla strips, and pico (I get mine on the side – too much for me with it on). Enjoy!

We’ve been to Chili’s…now, in no particular order, here are the best dishes from: Applebee’s!

1. 2 for $24

What to Get: BBQ Boneless Wings and Classic Bacon Cheeseburger

Whaaaat?! Yup, folks…here we are with yet another super saver meal deal. It’s perfect to share on a date, just like me and my wonderful boyfriend have shared quite a few times now. Each person part of it gets a main dish and you both share an appetizer (if you can’t decide on just one, take my advice…just get the second one and pay the price…the ones later on down this particular restaurant’s list are worth it…trust me, okay).

The boneless wings are pretty self-explanatory, but here’s what’s in the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger just for good measures: your choice of not one but two cheese slices, and two strips of Applewood smoked bacon. Fix-ins/veggies all come on the side – no need to ask for it without!

2. Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip

This is one of those particular apps that falls into the category that we’ve discussed up above…the just get the extra app(s) anyway. It’s hot, warm, gooey, super cheesey, slightly beer-y, and just overall super delicious.

Here’s what the cheesy, salty pretzel sticks are just so nicely all about: soft, Bavarian-style pretzel sticks, BLUE MOON white cheddar beer cheese dipping sauce, and honey dijon mustard sauce (ask for extra beer cheese – I didn’t and I was sorry…good thing you won’t be)!

3. White Queso Dip & Chips

There’s not really a whole dang lot to say about this one. Except for the fact that it was super delicious, warm, hot, creamy, cheesy, and literally any other positive adjective out there as well!

Here’s what it’s made all out of and why to get it: melty white queso and freshly made tortilla chips. Only have a budget of one thing from this list? Get. This. One. Please and thanks.

4. Whiskey Bacon Burger

Gotta talk about a burger, am I right? Any place that has one has just got to be reviewed and tried if you ask me…thoughts? Anywho……It’s super smoky, cheesy, meaty, saucy and delicious!

Here’s what’s in it and why it’s one of the best…anywhere on this menu and just anywhere in general as well…P.S. get excited, y’all…it’s not good it’s great stuff: not one but two slices of Pepper Jack cheese, crispy onions, not one but two smoky strips of bacon, and fireball-infused Whiskey barbecue steak sauce. Delish…and very Western vibes!

We’ve been to both Chili’s and Applebee’s…now, in no particular order, welcome in: Olive Garden!

1. Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo w/ Grilled Chicken

Like everything else on this particular restaurant’s list in particular, I can go on for ages about how freaking good their food is (and that’s coming from someone who is very Italian and almost always prefers homecooked Italian food over the mostly boring and tasteless and acidic restaurant stuff).

Here we go… this is super cheesy, creamy, pasta-y and overall a not-to-be-missed dish here over at Olive Garden. Here’s what it (super) deliciously consists of: asiago-filled tortelloni, baked in alfredo sauce, very cheesy Italian cheese blend, toasted breadcrumbs, topped with sliced and freshly grilled chicken strips. Don’t miss out…or you’ll cry!

2. Breadsticks w/ Alfredo Dipping Sauce

Keeping it super short and sweet over here again…not much to say when it’s just that good!

Everyone gets breadsticks that come to the table…never-ending, remember? Anyways…what has just recently been added is the fact that you can get some dipping sauces now. Forget about the other two…get the Alfredo sauce one. It’s the same sauce that comes with the tortelloni up above!

3. Stuffed Ziti Fritta

Here’s an appetizer that will seriously blow your freaking socks right off your feet…yes it’s just that great!

It’s stuffed pasta noodles…as an app…say what?! Here’s what it super simply and super deliciously consists of nonetheless: crispy and fried stuffed ziti noodles, filled with not one but five different cheeses, served with alfredo and marinara dipping sauces…for if you’re like me and can legit never decide properly one just one type of sauce anyway!

4. Grilled Chicken Margherita

This is something that is delicious and on the slightly healthier side of things!

Here’s is what it’s delicious all made out of and something that my dad can eat while eating out here since he doesn’t eat pasta like I’m sure many other diners don’t as well: two pieces of grilled chicken breasts, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, classic basil pesto sauce, and lemon garlic sauce (we ask for ours on the side…mostly). It’s also served with garlic parm broccoli (now that particular sort of garlic flavor I can handle I’m sure it’s super light anyways, right?!

How do you think that we did on this list of the best casual dining dishes? Have some personal faves of your own?