I'm an extremely picky eater. Out of every chain restaurant, these are the 2 that I visit regularly.
- I'm an extremely picky eater who always eats at Outback Steakhouse and Cracker Barrel.
- Both offer simple, plain dishes that are also extremely tasty and consistent.
For me, picky eating was never a phase.
My parents could never get me to try new foods as a kid, and even at 27 years old, I still don't stray far from chicken tenders and pizza. Even when I try a new restaurant, you can bet I thoroughly peruse the menu online beforehand.
So it might not be surprising that I usually turn to chain restaurants when I want to eat out. After all, they're the same everywhere you go.
But even then, there are two spots that I prefer over all the rest and recommend to finicky eaters like myself.
Outback Steakhouse and Cracker Barrel are my go-to chain restaurants
I've been eating at the Australian-themed dinner spot and Southern-style breakfast joint for as long as I can remember.
Cracker Barrel, in particular, is a place I remember stopping at with my family during long drives to Disney World for family vacations. But while you might think nostalgia makes me a loyal customer, it's actually the food.
As a picky eater, I never have to worry about my meal options at Cracker Barrel.
There are so many choices on the menu, including lots of simple dishes like deep-fried chicken and sirloin steak. And if nothing catches my eye, breakfast is served all day — meaning I can order pancakes, biscuits, or other items that are generally more plain than dinner options.
Everything I've tried at Cracker Barrel is also extremely tasty, filling, and fairly priced, in my opinion.
Outback Steakhouse is another longtime favorite and picky-eating safe space of mine. I've even had most of my birthday dinners there over the years.
Despite having Australian decor, the restaurant's menu is pretty American. I usually order chicken fingers, mac and cheese, coconut shrimp, and a Chocolate Thunder from Down Under for dessert.
My meal is nothing bold, but the food is always delicious. And most important for a picky eater, it's also consistent. I've been eating at the chain since I was a child, and my favorite meals have barely changed.
Picky eating isn't easy.
For me personally, my eating habits stem from an anxiety-based condition I have called ARFID, or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. To explain it simply, I have sensory aversions and a phobia of most food.
But when I visit Outback Steakhouse and Cracker Barrel, most people wouldn't suspect that I live with something like that. There are so many simple yet tasty options at both restaurants, all of which I can order straight off their menus.
So as long as I'm a picky eater, both spots will have me as a customer.