Food History

Whether it's cooked up at home or served at a restaurant, Americans love food. When it comes to talking about it, we often assume that some of our most <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/answers-to-questions-about-food/melissa-sartore">burning questions regarding culinary experiences</a> in the US can be met with a simple response: "That's just the way it is."Why do <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/different-pizza-styles-in-america/setareh-janda">Americans love pizza so much</a>? Why are salt and pepper considered staple seasonings? Why is fast food sometimes cheaper than fruits and vegetables? It turns out these questions actually have answers, and they're a lot more fascinating and rooted in history than we might initially think.This list answers some of the questions we've always wondered about restaurants and food. &nbsp;

Questions We Always Wondered About Restaurants And Food Finally Answered

Food

Questions We Always Wondered About Restaurants And Food Finally Answered 

Lauren Glen

Go-To Restaurant Chains

Chain Restaurants

A list of bar &amp; grill restaurant chains. Sit down bar and grill chains from throughout the United States are included. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-restaurant-chains-in-america" target="_blank">Restaurant chains</a> offer a familiarity through their decor and menu throughout all of their locations. As such, they tend to be most popular in areas where one would find travelers or tourists. This list focuses primarily on sit-down restaurants and bar and grill restaurant chains.

<a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-fast-food-brands" target="_blank">Fast Food establishments</a> will receive their own list, as will <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-high-end-restaurant-chains/restaurant-chains" target="_blank">upscale restaurant chains</a>. That said, a few fast food restaurant chains have been included. The idea of a chain restaurants is widely credited to Harland Sanders, more famously known as &quot;Colonel Sanders&quot;. By &quot;franchising&quot; out his secret recipe, restaurants that served his food had an advantage as travelers knew what to expect. Today, nearly every cuisine imaginable has a restaurant chain attached to it.

What the top bar and grill restaurant chains? What are the best bar &amp; grill chains in America? That depends entirely on your point of view. Vote for the best bar chains in America that have good food and add any to the list that may be missing.&nbsp;

Check out more lists like <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-adventure-travel-companies/places-to-go">Best Adventure Travel Companies</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-travel-destinations-in-the-world/places-to-go">Top Travel Destinations in the World</a> and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-fast-food-chicken-nuggets/ranker-food">Your Favorite Fast Food Chicken Nuggets</a>

Uno Chicago Grill

The Best Bar & Grill Restaurant Chains

Company

Best Sit Down Restaurant Chains | List of Bar & Grill Chains

Restaurant Chains

Restaurants

List of Italian restaurant chains, including Macaroni Grill, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-olive-garden-dishes/ranker-food" target="_blank">Olive Garden</a>, Carraba&#39;s and all of the best Italian food chains. Italian restaurant chains are some of the most popular family restaurants in America--and while many chain restaurants get a bad rep for having bland food, the italian restaurants on this list are actually pretty good. Restaurant chains offer a familiarity through their decor and menu throughout all of their locations. As such, they tend to be most popular in areas where one would find travelers or tourists. This list focuses primarily on sit-down Italian restaurants. Today, nearly every cuisine imaginable has a restaurant chain attached to it, but in the USA at least, few types of sit down restaurants are more popular than Italian food - pizza, pasta, breadsticks - yum!

And if you&#39;re looking for the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-pizza-delivery-chains-in-the-world" target="_blank">best fast pizza delivery</a>&nbsp;or the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-pizza-places/the-working-man" target="_blank">best pizza places</a> to go to, we have&nbsp;lists on that too.

The Top Italian Restaurant Chains

Best Italian Restaurant Chains | List of Italian Chain Restaurants

When large groups of Italians migrated to the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mafia members and organized crime professionals traveled with them. Many made men entered the bootlegging business during <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ways-people-hid-alcohol-during-prohibition/kellen-perry">the Prohibition era</a>, then moved to other forms of illegal enterprises, like gambling, racketeering, drug smuggling, and prostitution rings, once the US repealed Prohibition in 1933. Throughout the 20th century, these often-rivaling mobs continued their underground operations as they fought for dominance in their respective communities.While these crime families, known collectively as Cosa Nostra ("Our Thing"), <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/til-facts-about-the-mafia/will-morgan-1">spent most of their time hustling in their illicit enterprises</a> or whacking family rivals and finks, they also appreciated a good meal. Many dons and bosses enjoyed mixing business with pleasure, and regularly held sit-down meetings at their favorite Italian joints around town. Often, these restaurants, lounges, and bars were mob-owned. But now and then, the Goodfellas just found a spot they enjoyed visiting and became frequent patrons.&nbsp;From cozy, country-themed diners to exclusive and upscale New York eateries, this collection features some of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-gangster-stories/kate-gardner">most notorious mobsters</a>' favorite dining haunts, along with details of some of the dirtiest business practices that took place there.

Restaurants Across The US We Were Surprised To Learn Had Mafia Connections

Location

Restaurants Across America We Were Surprised To Learn Had Mafia Connections

Fans are coming to the defense of the seafood chain <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/red-lobster-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">Red Lobster</a> (among others) after one Twitter user decided to tweet this nonsense. We've rounded up some of the funniest and best responses; check them out and vote up the best ones!<div data-oembed-url="https://twitter.com/anothercohen/status/1568649086667980801?s=20&amp;t=2OUcxlNh5eubr_0DOAMAuQ"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">I don’t understand how the following restaurants are still in business: - Chilis - Applebees - Olive Garden - Red Lobster&mdash; Alex C (@anothercohen) <a href="https://twitter.com/anothercohen/status/1568649086667980801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>

20 Hilarious Tweets That Prove Red Lobster Fans Are Ride-Or-Die

General

Jane LaCroix

Ha Ha Very Punny

Puns

When it comes to great restaurant names, true beauty is in the Thai of the beholder. The key is to Thai one on for size and see how it feels. Once you've&nbsp;tested the name and asked you're closest friends for their approval, you're officially ready to Thai the knot. Kind of&nbsp;like these&nbsp;funny Thai restaurant name puns. The owners of these restaurants clearly saw an opportuni-thai to spread joy through their local communi-thai with their hilarious names. Thai.&nbsp;

The Funniest Thai Restaurant Name Puns

Funny Thai Restaurant Name Puns That Are En-Thai-Rely Awesome

Nathan Davidson

Funny

Rainforest Cafe rose with the boom of themed restaurant chains in the 1990s and early 2000s. Even though there seemed to be a lull in attendees in recent years, the brand still maintained over 15 locations in places like Las Vegas and Disney Springs in Florida. In recent weeks, the lull has shifted and Rainforest Cafe is once again on the map for those of us who once loved the restaurant in all of its animatronic glory. The internet has shined a spotlight on the cafe once again, proving it just as wild as it has always been.

20 Posts That Prove The Rainforest Cafe Is As Wild As Ever And We're Making Reservations ASAP

morganthomas

Lists to rank all things ice cream, fro-yo, gelato, popsicles, and other treats you store in the freezer.

I Scream, You Scream

Ice Cream

A list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ice-cream-brands-v1/werner-brandes?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best ice cream</a> and frozen yogurt chains. In the mood for a delicious dessert? Try browsing through our detailed list of the best ice cream and frozen yogurt shops in your area. If your favorite ice cream chain isn’t on the list, go ahead and add it. If you know of a new popular frozen yogurt place, add it too. If your favorite ice cream and frozen yogurt places aren’t ranked high on the list, vote for them to move them to a higher spot. Ice cream and frozen yogurt shops are becoming more popular as new flavors become available to try. Imagine going into an ice cream chain and being able to pick from a hundred new and different flavors. You would never tire of visiting that special ice cream shop and would be able to try something different each time. Frozen yogurt is also becoming more popular, and favorite frozen yogurt shops are popping up in convenient places like malls, making it easy to grab a delicious snack in between shopping.Browse through our list of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-ice-cream-flavors?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">popular ice cream</a> and frozen yogurt chains to find a new favorite dessert place in your area. From tutti-frutti to plain and yummy vanilla, it’s time to relax with a special ice cream or frozen yogurt dessert.

The Best Ice Cream &amp; Frozen Yogurt Chains

A list of all the Wingstop flavors to be voted on (by wing experts like you) to determine the best wing flavor. The flavors are for classic wings, boneless wings, boneless strips and gliders from Wingstop. The flavors range from atomic at the hot end of the spectrum to teriyaki on the low end. The list poses the question, &ldquo;What is the best flavor from Wingstop?&rdquo;

Every flavor of Wingstop has a picture next to it, to show what the wings look like with the sauce on them and to see the colors of the sauces to determine the spiciness of the flavor of the sauce. The list is of 11 flavors includes Hickory Smoked BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Mango Habanero and more. Each flavor can be voted on as your favorite with the list order changing with every vote that&rsquo;s cast. You can even share your opinion on the two new Wingstop flavors, Ancho Honey Glaze and Harissa Lemon Pepper.

Wingstop opened in 1994 with the sole purpose of selling wings, strips and Gliders to customers with exceptional value and customer service. The company has sold over 2 billion wings to date. The company makes fresh, made to order wings with chicken as their main selling ingredient. What review would you give to each of their popular flavors? Make your voice heard by voting below!

The Best Wingstop Flavors

Best Wingstop Flavor | List of All Flavors of Wingstop Wings

Ranker Food

Lists of bizarre real headlines and 100% true actual news stories from the physical world in which we all really live that are stranger, scarier, and more depressing than any fiction writer could ever dream.

Unbelievable News

For and about people who handle your food and beverages.

Serving and Waiting

Waiting tables is no easy task. That&#39;s why these stories of the biggest tips left for waiters and waitresses are so uplifting. Many of the generous people who gave huge gratuities to service people are just everyday, average folks. However, some of these unselfish, open-handed individuals are celebrities like David Beckham, who dropped $1,000 at a Los Angeles bar when the bill was only $100. From $400&nbsp;into the millions, these tips are certainly more than 20%, and all show genuinely kind humans&nbsp;spreading the wealth, paying it forward, and thinking of others.

The big tippers listed here range from local restaurant regulars to pop stars like Taylor Swift, who made the list with a $500 tip in Philadelphia, PA. Actors Russell Crowe and Johnny Depp left epic tips that were extremely appreciated by their servers. One of these generous gratuity stories was even turned into a feature film starring Nicolas Cage.

Read through the list to find out just how charitable people can be, and remember these true stories the next time you run into an exceptional service employee!

&nbsp;

The Biggest Tips Ever Left For Service Employees

Biggest Tips Ever Left for Service Employees

Mel Judson

Lists that showcase the best trending content Ranker has to offer.

The Best of Ranker Trends

They say not to date anyone who's rude to a waiter. Unfortunately, judging by the posts on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Serverlife">r/Serverlife</a>, plenty of people are still out there leaving bad tips. These posts may not get servers their 20%, but at least they're making each other (and us) laugh. Be sure to vote up your favorites.&nbsp;

31 Funny Posts By Restaurant Servers Who Are Fed Up With Rude Customers And Bad Tips

Mark Rennie

Fails

When it comes to the dining experience everyone is trying to do something new and unique. However, these places take it to a whole new level! With much respect to the creative spin sometimes we just wish we had a plate. Vote up the craziest ones you see!&nbsp;

25 Times A Restaurant's Aesthetic Had Us Questioning How To Eat Our Food

lucirose

Lists of things to think about when all you want is a tortilla with meat, cheese, and vegetables. 

Let's Get Tacos

Mexican Food

The best Mexican restaurant chains list includes fast food Mexican restaurants like La Salsa, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-rubios-menu-items/ranker-food" target="_blank">Rubio&#39;s Coastal Grill,</a> and Chipotle as well as sit down Mexican chains like Acapulco and Chevy&#39;s. Mexican chain restaurants include any <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-fast-food-tacos/ranker-food" target="_blank">taco restaurant</a> where you can order Mexican cuisine. While not for everyone, Mexican chain restaurant dining is a popular dining destinations for families all across America who love the spicy flavors of Mexico and the comfort of chain restaurants.

What are the best chain Mexican restaurants? Compared to taco stands in Mexico,&nbsp;Mexican chain restaurants in the USA often serve tacos, burritos and salsa that is more adapted to American tastes than authentic&nbsp;food.&nbsp;Mexican food chains also offer a familiarity through their decor and menu throughout all of their locations. So, what is the best Mexican restaurant chain? Where do you go if you are looking for Mexican food in the US? This list focuses primarily on sit-down restaurants, but feel free to add your own favorites.

Baja Fresh

The Best Mexican Restaurant Chains

Mexican Restaurant Chains | List of Best Mexican Food in US

Fast food secret menus have the hidden gems that you want! These lists feature the best secret menu items from your favorite fast food restaurants like In-N-Out, KFC, and more. Dive in, and find your favorites. 

Fast Food Secret Menus

Snacks

As with other <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-drive-thru-restaurant-chains/restaurant-chains" target="_blank">fast food joints</a>,&nbsp;In-N-Out offers an array of secret menu items for true fans of the food to get their fix. There's a reason why some of these In-N-Out off-menu items are even more popular than regular In-N-Out orders: it makes you feel like part of an exclusive club. What's on the In-N-Out secret menu? Any items on the In-N-Out Burger <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-secret-menu-items-from-any-restaurant/secret-menu-items?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">secret menu list</a> are highly coveted because they make going to the restaurant kind of a cult activity, something only the &quot;cool people&quot; can do. Now everybody can be one of the cool kids.What's on the secret menu at In-N-Out? The In N Out hidden menu probably the most legendary of hidden menus and if you're not particularly feeling a shake with your burger you can make a stop at Jamba Juice on the way home because the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/jamba-juice-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">Jamba Juice secret menu items</a> look replenishing! But, if caffeine is what you're looking for I suggest taking a look at the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/starbucks-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">Starbucks secret menu items</a>. Apparently there are so many secrets and not enough time... Enjoy!

The Best In-N-Out Items That You Won't Find on the Menu

In-N-Out Secret Menu Items

In N Out Burger Secret Menu: List of All Off-Menu Items at In N Out Burger

Secret Menu Items

There&#39;s way more to mangia at Domino&#39;s besides pizza (though they offer tons of different <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-tastiest-pizza-toppings/chef-jen" target="_blank">types of pie</a>). From sweet breadsticks to scrumptious sandwiches and more, it can be hard to settle on a winner. Fortunately, this list ranks all the best things to eat at Domino&#39;s, with the calorie count for each.

Founded in 1960, the international pizza chain features a surprising amount of entrees, and although the menu varies by region, all the best and most popular options are listed below, including all the new Domino&#39;s menu items. From their specialty MeatZZa Pizza to their Sweet Mango Habanero Wings and Stuffed Cheesy Bread, there&#39;s enough variety to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters. What&#39;s your favorite thing to eat at Domino&#39;s?

Vote up all the best items on the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/dominos-30-minutes-or-less-lawsuit/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">Domino&#39;s menu</a> (including all the new menu items and those oh-so-decadent Domino&#39;s desserts), and if your favorite food options are missing, add them to the list.

The Best Things To Order From Domino's, Ranked

Restaurant

The Best Food At Domino's, Ranked By Foodies' Votes

Heading to Panera but don&rsquo;t know what to order? We&rsquo;ve listed the best menu items from Panera Bread along with the calorie count for each. With an expansive menu that offers everything from soups and salads to sandwiches and pasta bowls, there&rsquo;s more food to explore at Panera than just, well, bread.

While Panera may be known for its breakfast dishes, the popular fast-casual chain also serves up lunch and dinner options. The Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with Chicken is a great low-calorie dish, and the Chipotle Chicken and Scrambled Egg wrap is as delicious as it sounds. In the mood for something a little lighter? No problem! Panera also offers healthy snack options like the Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries. What&rsquo;s your go-to meal when you visit Panera?

Vote up the best things to order at Panera, and if your favorite menu item is missing, add it to the list.

The Best Things To Eat Panera Bread

The Best Panera Sandwiches, Salads & Other Top Food On Their Menu, Ranked

Restaurants lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of restaurants lists and rankings

Restaurants lists on Ranker

Fast Food

The Taco Bell <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-secret-menu-items-from-any-restaurant/secret-menu-items" target="_blank">secret menu list</a> is small partly due to loyal customers who demand discontinued items back onto their regular menu. What&#39;s on the secret <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-taco-bell-menu-items/ranker-food" target="_blank">menu at Taco Bell</a>? However, that makes this list of Taco Bell off-menu items even more enticing. Taco Bell, which over the years has shown it knows how to <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/taco-bell-menu-history/dave-schilling" target="_blank">evolve its menu</a>,&nbsp;has a great policy of creating custom items as long as the restaurant&nbsp;has the ingredients on hand. Depending on the location, you may be charged extra for additional ingredients, but a few cents here and there is a small price to pay for the delicious goodness of Taco Bell menu items. What&#39;s on the Taco Bell secret menu? Fair warning: Ordering some of these items by name, like The Hulk and The Superman, may be met with strange looks. But politely asking for custom orders, including what you&#39;d like on your item, shouldn&#39;t be a problem.

So enjoy these exclusive Taco Bell hidden menu items... one secret Taco Bell item at a time. If it&#39;s not a quesadilla or gordita crunch you&#39;re looking for, I&#39;d like to suggest the Frings from the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/burger-king-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items" target="_blank">Burger King hidden menu </a><a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/burger-king-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">items</a>&nbsp;list, or anything from the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/whataburger-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">Whataburger secret menu</a> or even the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/chick-fil-a-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">Chick-fil-a hidden menu</a>. Or&nbsp;you can always go back to the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/subway-secret-menu-items/secret-menu-items">Subway hidden menu items</a> to feel a tad healthier. And if you didn&#39;t know, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-taco-bell-breakfast-menu-items/ranker-food" target="_blank">Taco Bell&#39;s breakfast menu</a> will also help you live mas.

Taco Bell Secret Menu Items

Taco Bell Secret Menu: List of Taco Bell's Hidden Menu Items

The List of Top Restaurant Chains in America includes famous restaurant chains from throughout the United States. Restaurant chains offer a familiarity through their decor and menu throughout all of their locations. As such, they tend to be most popular in areas where one would find travelers or tourists. From fast food, to drive-thrus, and even some <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-top-bar-and-grill-restaurant-chains/restaurant-chains" target="_blank">sit-down franchises</a>, there are a variety of restaurants on this list, each serving different international cuisines or their own takes on American classics.

The idea of chain restaurants is widely credited to Harland Sanders, more famously known as &quot;Colonel Sanders.&quot; By &quot;franchising&quot; out his secret recipe, restaurants that served his food had an advantage as travelers knew what to expect. His restaurant, KFC, is now one of the largest in the world. Today, nearly every cuisine imaginable has a restaurant chain attached to it.

Vote up your favorite chain restaurants below, or vote down those you&#39;ll never go back to again. Looking for more of a sweet treat? Check out lists of the Best Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Chains.&nbsp;Cook up some mediocre Italian food at home using this list of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/olive-garden-recipes/shutup-barry">Olive Garden recipes</a>, and take a look at other delicious lists like, the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-japanese-foods/ranker-food">Best Japanese Foods</a> and the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-brain-foods/ranker-food">Best Brain Foods</a>.

Chili's

The Best American Restaurant Chains

Best American Restaurant Chains | List of Top US Chain Restaurants

Ranker Community

Chicken (Food)

Chick-fil-A is without question a great place to grab a bit on the go, offering a wide variety of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-chick-fil-a-menu-items/ranker-food" target="_blank">different menu items</a> (all including chicken, of course). But did you know that there&#39;s a Chick-fil-A secret menu? Yep. Many times, you can order items off-menu and your servers won&#39;t bat an eye -- the trick is knowing what some of these items are, so you can choose wisely. Read on to learn more about what the best Chick-fil-A <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-secret-menu-items-from-any-restaurant/secret-menu-items?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">secret menu items</a>&nbsp;are!

Root Beer Float

Chick Fil A Secret Menu Items

Best Chick-fil-A Secret Menu Items, Ranked By Fans

Funny things made by creative people who had silly ideas and seized their diems.

Clever Clever Things

Pop Culture

Jokes are awesome. Food is awesome. Jokes + Food= SUPER awesome. It doesn't make any sense, but food that comes from restaurants with funny names always tastes better. Slice of pepperoni pizza from Domino's? Mediocre. Slice of pepperoni pizza from Slice of Life? Awesome (+1 if you get the Dexter reference). Pulled pork sandwich from KFC? Gross. Pulled pork sandwich from Forrest Rump? Awesome. Point is: restaurants with pun names are the best.This <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-restaurant-chains-in-america?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">list of restaurants</a> with pun names is a collection of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/funny-mexican-restaurant-signs/nathandavidson?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">funny restaurant signs</a> and names from around the world. Are there brunch puns? You better bellini it. Burger puns? Lettuce tell you about it. Puns about Vietnamese cuisine? You pho it. Ok, enough. There are a plethora of clever restaurant names for you to peruse, so get to it.If you're into food and funny, don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/13-funniest-sexy-foreign-food-commercials/michael-gibson">funny foreign food commercials</a> and the greatest food abominations of all time. If that's not enough cool food for you, have a donut and carry on.