Cheddars is a popular American casual dining restaurant chain known for its large menu of Southern comfort foods. The restaurant was founded in 1969 in Austin, Texas and has expanded to over 200 locations across the United States. Cheddars is famous for serving up traditional Southern and Southwestern dishes in a lively, friendly atmosphere.
Some of the things that Cheddars is most well-known for include their scratch-made food, hand-breaded chicken tenders, house salads, and homemade desserts. Cheddars has built a reputation for using quality ingredients to create dishes inspired by Southern home cooking. Their menu features favorites like jambalaya, chicken fried steak, fried green tomatoes, and chicken and waffles.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the signature menu items and qualities that Cheddars is celebrated for. Understanding what makes this restaurant chain unique can help explain its widespread popularity across America.
Scratch-Made Food
One of the qualities that diners rave about at Cheddars is that many of the dishes are made in-house from scratch. While some chain restaurants rely heavily on pre-made or frozen ingredients simply reheated and served, Cheddars takes pride in preparing items fresh on-site.
Their scratch-made ethos starts with dishes like chicken tenders, which are hand-breaded each morning so they come out crispy and full of flavor. Soups like baked potato soup and broccoli and cheese are prepared fresh in every restaurant location. Even basics like croutons and salad dressings are crafted daily using quality ingredients.
By making food fresh, Cheddars is able to achieve a homemade, comfort food taste with every meal. Customers appreciate that they can taste the effort put into every bite. Eschewing shortcuts like microwaves and factory food preparations allows Cheddars to deliver exceptional flavors.
Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders
One of the most popular appetizers at Cheddars are the hand-breaded chicken tenders. Many fans proclaim them to be among the best chicken tenders they’ve ever tasted. They even rival the tenders served at chicken-focused chains.
So what makes Cheddars chicken tenders stand out? It starts with the use of whole, never-frozen chicken breast fillets that get trimmed and cut into strips. Each tender is hand-breaded to order using the restaurant’s signature breading recipe that utilizes a custom blend of spices.
The chicken gets coated in seasoned flour then shaken in a paper bag to add the breadcrumb coating. The tender is then fried up so that it achieves a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a moist and juicy interior. The tenders are never cooked in advance or left sitting under a heat lamp, unlike many chain restaurants.
Cheddars serves their chicken tenders classic-style with your choice of dipping sauce like honey mustard or barbecue. You can also enjoy inventive creations like the Chicken Tender Caesar Wrap which incorporates the beloved tenders into a fresh wrap. Diners say the handmade difference is noticeable and makes these tenders truly irresistible.
House Salads
While Cheddars is beloved for comfort food classics, they also offer lighter options like their house salads. These fresh salad recipes have become signature items due to their generous portions and tasty ingredients.
Some of the most popular house salad choices include:
– Texas House Salad – Mixed greens, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, corn, chopped bacon, croutons, and diced eggs served with ranch dressing on the side.
– Southern Fried Chicken Salad – Hand-breaded chicken tenders served atop fresh salad greens with eggs, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, croutons with honey mustard dressing.
– Pecan Chicken Salad – Grilled chicken, salad greens, broccoli, sweet peppers, shredded cheese, bacon, pecans, tomatoes and croutons served with homemade honey pecan dressing.
– Fried Chicken Cobb Salad – Breaded chicken tenders, rows of chopped bacon, avocado, eggs, diced tomato, and shredded cheese served with blue cheese dressing.
These house salads are served in large portions that can be a meal in themselves. The salad fixings are fresh, bountiful, and topped with proteins like chicken or bacon. Signature homemade dressings like ranch, honey mustard, and honey pecan provide big flavor. Cheddars house salads provide a satisfying meatier alternative to standard fast food side salads.
Homemade Desserts
To satisfy that sweet tooth, Cheddars is renowned for its homemade desserts prepared fresh in-house. Their bakers whip up classic Southern-inspired desserts like pecan pie, cream pies, and cobblers using time-honored recipes.
Some drool-worthy dessert selections you can expect on a Cheddars menu include:
- Warm peach, apple, or cherry cobbler topped with ice cream
- Slice of pecan, chocolate, coconut cream, or Key lime pie
- Banana pudding made with fresh bananas and vanilla wafers
- New York style cheesecake with strawberry topping
- Milkshakes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or Oreo
Patrons say these comforting desserts remind them of homemade treats from grandma’s kitchen. The flavors are nostalgic while also being freshly prepared. Cheddars desserts provide the perfect sweet ending to a satisfying down-home meal.
Jambalaya
One of Cheddar’s most unique and popular menu items is their jambalaya, a flavorful Cajun-inspired rice dish. This spicy, hearty entree sets Cheddars apart from more mainstream chain restaurants that stick to American classics.
Cheddars jambalaya starts with a flavor base of the “holy trinity” of onions, bell peppers, and celery sautéed in a spicy mix of Cajun herbs and spices. Savory Andouille sausage, chicken, ham, and shrimp get tossed into the savory rice mixture creating delightful textures and flavors. The jambalaya is cooked until the rice absorbs all the seasoning and broth creating a wonderfully bold dish.
This Cajun classic is both satisfying and complex in flavor. Diners love the unique regional taste that reminds them of New Orleans cooking. The generous portion size also makes it perfect for sharing. Jambalaya is a one-of-a-kind item you can only find at Cheddars, making it a signature menu offering.
Chicken Fried Steak
No Southern-inspired restaurant would be complete without chicken fried steak, and Cheddars executes this comforting dish exceptionally well. It starts with a fresh beef cube steak hand-breaded and fried until golden and crispy. The steak is smothered in creamy homemade white pepper gravy for added richness and flavor.
Chicken fried steak is served with two sides at Cheddars, ideally mashed potatoes and green beans to round out the homestyle meal. While simple in concept, well-executed chicken fried steak requires proper thin pounding of the steak and ideal seasoning of the breading. Cheddars nails the preparation and delivers a chicken fried steak that patrons say rivals even Texas roadhouse versions. It’s a must-try comfort food for any Southern food fan visiting a Cheddars.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are a quintessential Southern specialty, and Cheddars puts their own scrumptious spin on this appetizer. Sliced green tomatoes are expertly breaded then fried until crispy and golden brown. They are served piping hot alongside Cheddars’ secret recipe remoulade sauce for dipping.
Foodies appreciate how the tart green tomato flavor pairs perfectly with the cornmeal breading. The remoulade adds zesty, creamy flavor to balance the tartness of the green tomatoes. This appetizer provides textures from creamy to crunchy in each bite. Fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce make for an addictive opening act to a Cheddars meal.
Chicken and Waffles
One of the most buzzed-about items at Cheddars is their chicken and waffles, combining breakfast and dinner onto one plate. This mash-up starts with a fresh Belgium waffle cooked until crisp then topped with hand-breaded fried chicken tenders. It’s served drizzled with maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
The blend of flavors and textures between the savory chicken tenders and fluffy sweet waffle makes this dish a standout. Customers say Cheddars executes chicken and waffles perfectly with premium ingredients. The signature item attracts both Southern food aficionados and curious newcomers. It’s a unique dish that has cemented Cheddars’ reputation for playfully reinventing comfort classics.
Popular Sides
No Southern-inspired meal is complete without some classic side dishes, and Cheddars offers plenty of beloved recipes. Some of their most popular side options include:
| Side Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Baked Potato | Russet potato with butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese, and chives |
| Mashed Potatoes | Creamy potato puree with gravy |
| Mac and Cheese | Elbow macaroni in creamy cheese sauce |
| Coleslaw | Freshly prepared cabbage slaw |
| Fried Okra | Crispy breaded okra slices |
| Collard Greens | Southern-style slowly simmered greens |
These classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and collard greens perfectly complement Cheddars’ entrees. The recipes taste like they came straight from grandma’s kitchen thanks to the care put into their preparation. Even the sides at Cheddars have that scratch-made difference.
Lively, Friendly Atmosphere
In addition to the food, one of the things that keeps customers coming back to Cheddars is the lively, welcoming restaurant atmosphere. Servers aim to make every guest feel right at home with their genuine hospitality and good ol’ Southern charm.
The environment at Cheddars locations is bright and upbeat with a warm, rustic-ranch style decor. Families appreciate the casual, upbeat setting where kids feel comfortable and welcomed. Sports fans like the many TVs usually playing games in the bar area. Groups like to take advantage of the shareable menu options making Cheddars a friendly spot for dining together.
While the food takes center stage, Cheddars’ atmosphere enhances the experience. The service aims to provide an experience tailored yet laid-back, with servers attentive to your needs but never overbearing. Cheddars successfully evokes the hospitality of the American South whether you’re dining in Dallas or Delaware.
Conclusion
Cheddars has earned a devoted following by mastering the core qualities of Southern home cooking – freshness, generosity, and comfort. Their famous dishes strike a perfect balance between familiar and inventive. Homemade classics like chicken fried steak and jambalaya mingle with clever creations like chicken and waffles on the menu.
Attention to detail elevates each dish, from the hand-breaded tenders to the scratch-made desserts. While diners crave the indulgent flavors, lighter salads and sides provide options for balance. Top it off with friendly hospitality, and every Cheddars location truly feels like an extension of the South.
For those seeking traditional Southern fare served up with flair, Cheddars deserves its reputation as a go-to destination. The chain has cultivated a personality that shines through in each genuine interaction and flavorful bite. When you want a taste of cozy comfort food done right, Cheddars’ famous flair for Southern cuisine never disappoints.