Nonsensical Power Rankings: Chain Restaurants

I've decided to arbitrarily rank stuff I like. Could become a recurring series if it goes well. Doubt it.
Chain restaurants evoke a range of emotions from various people. Some enjoy them for reasons such as familiarity or reliability, while others don't like them at all - feeling as though they "settled" on their dinner location choice or aren't patronizing the local cuisine scene. I've been a member of both groups from time to time, but there are a few chain restaurants stand out to me as top-notch dining experiences. Without further ado, here are my Power Rankings for chain restaurants:

5. P.F. Chang's 
A very solid dinner option and one that I may have ranked higher if there were more in my local area. For appetizers, I'm partial to Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Crispy Green Beans, though there are a lot of other good options as well. However, as we enter the entrees, P.F. Chang's, ultimately, is more-expensive Chinese food - which can usually be found at decent quality locally for a reasonable amount of money. It's great, don't get me wrong - I absolutely love going there. Unfortunately, I'm probably going to be hungry sooner than I would like after my meal is over. For that, P.F. Chang's is 5th.

4. Outback Steakhouse 
One of my most visited chains, as there is one right by my house. The bread alone is reason enough to go - ask for Honey Butter to accompany it and you may not even make it to your meal. The Bloomin' Onion is always a solid start, while really any steak is always a tasty meal. Even the Kookabura Wings are decent. Outside of a steak though, you might be a little disappointed. It's not the flashiest restaurant chain, but Outback is filling and delicious. 4th on this list seems fair.


3. Chili's
"You can't have a bad time at Chili's" is something I've said on many occasions and will continue to say until I do, in fact, have a bad time there. 2 things I highly recommend to start: Chips with Queso Dip (bottomless!) and the Buffalo Wings (not a bad lunch by itself). After that, go nuts. Most of the food is awesome. I like the Baby Back Ribs, but there are plenty of other reasonable options to sink your teeth into. Good prices, food, drinks, and atmosphere for the 3rd place on this list.
 
2. California Pizza Kitchen
No knock on Chili's, but CPK is incredible. I need to go there more often. What really makes them jump up this list is the high quality options beyond awesome (and quite creative) pizza. For appetizers, it's hard to pick between Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Tortilla Spring Rolls, and Sesame Ginger Chicken Dumplings. Even as a budding soup aficionado, I'm usually torn between Tortilla and Pea & Barley. My lovely girlfriend, Katie, swears the Thai Crunch Salad is to die for. Note that I haven't even gotten to entrees yet, where you really can't go wrong no matter what you pick. Order anything here and you won't be disappointed (especially if its pizza!). Definitely the most versatile and high-quality chain I've been to. On most other lists, it might be first....but it isn't here, as you will see in a moment.

1. Buffalo Wild Wings
Never have I felt that a chain restaurant was so painstakingly created for my own enjoyment. As someone who sadly proudly order piles of buffalo wings to enjoy at home on a regular basis, this place is a no-brainer. There are dozens of different flavors and combinations to mix and match (6 wings/flavor). That alone is enough for me. However, Buffalo Wild Wings also is home to awesome soft pretzels with cheese and mustard dip, all the sports you can watch (seriously, if its on somewhere, its on at Buffalo Wild Wings), and (now that I'm 21), a quality selection of fine beers (a surprising amount of them on tap as well as in bottles). Their motto is "Wings. Beer. Sports". Those are all great, but really, Buffalo Wild Wings, you had me at "Wings". There's one about 20 min from my house and its worth the drive every day and twice on Sunday (especially if the Eagles are playing). It's easily #1 for me.

So there you have it, my Chain Restaurant Power Rankings. Agree, disagree, take heed, or shrug...I don't really care. Write your own rankings in the comments if you wish (especially if you have a recommendation). Eitherway, next time you're looking for a meal - seek one of these places out. I might even see you there.