28 Popular Chain Breakfast Restaurants, Ranked Worst To Best

If you don't feel like cooking for yourself in the morning, it's easy enough to get in the car and find somewhere to eat nearby. One great thing about eating out for breakfast is the ability to try new dishes. Even if all you want is a plate of bacon and eggs, though, it's an undeniable fact that practice makes perfect with even the simplest of dishes so there's a reason why these things always taste better in a restaurant.

While the breakfast restaurant options are numerous, not all the chains are worth getting out of bed for. In fact, there are some chain breakfast restaurants that you might want to steer clear of, assuming you have any alternatives available in your area. Others, however, are worth taking a trip for, which you may need to do as not every restaurant on this list is a nationwide chain (Apologies if we missed your favorite regional one). Here's our ranking of breakfast restaurants ranging from the so-so to ones that could make for, as Tony the Tiger would say, a grrrreat way to start your day.

If you go to Denny's for breakfast, you may enter the restaurant with high hopes and leave completely underwhelmed. While Denny's has the famous Grand Slam breakfast, everything about it is overrated. The Original Grand Slam is more like a strikeout — the two buttermilk pancakes are virtually flavorless, the pair of sausage links are on the small side, and the two strips of bacon tend to be limp and greasy.

Skipping the overrated Grand Slam doesn't solve all the problems with Denny's breakfast menu as the rest of it is equally blah. From its Belgian waffles to its toast and hash browns, it's amazing how this restaurant has been able to remove the joy from even the most basic of breakfast items. It's probably best you go somewhere else for breakfast since if you dine at Denny's, you're due for disappointment unless it brings back the cheesy Eggs in a Basket (originally introduced as Hobbit Holes) that were by far the best thing Denny's had to offer at any time of day. This delicious dish is no longer on the menu, and we're still pretty bummed. Bring those back, Denny's, and all is forgiven. Well, you'll at least move up a few places on the list.

In theory, a trip to Tim Hortons for breakfast makes a lot of sense. The Canadian chain is known for its coffee, and it has a variety of breakfast sandwiches on its menu. Plus, our friendly neighbors to the north do tend to go on and on about their beloved Timmies. Makes perfect sense, eh? Maybe not so much, at least not anymore. Tim Hortons has had its struggles as of late with the quality of its food and drinks falling as its prices go up. 

Some blame Tim Hortons' downfall on the fact the chain was taken over by Burger King, but whatever the reason may be, even Canadians are feeling disappointed with their former favorite. If you loved Tim Hortons in the past, going there today may be something you'll regret. The glory years of this chain are in the rearview mirror, and they aren't coming back anytime soon. If coffee and a donut is your idea of breakfast, there are much better fast-food coffee chains from which to choose.

The Original Pancake House, which is a chain with locations in more than 25 states, sounds like the place to go for some yummy pancakes, but sadly, expectations do not match up with reality. While OPH's portions are impressively large and its prices are reasonable, the taste and texture of its pancakes leave a lot to be desired. For one thing, the pancakes have an overwhelmingly floury taste no matter which variety you order. What's more, the texture of the pancakes can be best described as chalky. Even if you opt for something that sounds pretty flavorful like the Hawaiian or Coconut Pancakes, the sub-par taste and texture are still quite noticeable.

While it may sound counterintuitive, you should probably skip the signature item at The Original Pancake House and go with crepes instead. Crepes are lighter and thus less floury, so something like the Cherry Kijafa Crepes will make for a reasonably tasty breakfast.

Bakers Square is a chain best known for its pie. Pie for breakfast may be an unusual choice, but it's not without historical precedent as apparently, it was somewhat of a thing in the 19th century. Pie is great, pie for breakfast is a-okay with us, and Bakers Square does make a mean pie. Why is it so low on this list, then? Because it appears to be quietly going out of business, that's why.

Per Nation's Restaurant News, American Blue Ribbon Holdings, the parent company of Bakers Square as well as Village Inn, emerged from bankruptcy in 2020 (it filed pre-pandemic, go figure), but it has had to close a number of restaurants. As of May 2022, Bakers Square is down to just nine stores across five Midwestern states, although it also peddles its pies at a handful of Famous Dave's locations. If you come across one of the last remaining stand-alone Bakers Squares, make sure to go on a Wednesday, as you can get a free slice of pie with your meal. 

Speaking of breakfast, the restaurant does serve it all day, though there's nothing to get too excited about. The build-your-own breakfast is probably your best option — you can get the usual bacon/eggs/hash browns type of thing, go healthy with yogurt, sliced tomatoes, and cottage cheese, or even try something a little out of the ordinary by opting for a breakfast burger (sans bun).

Marie Callender's is another chain that's known for its pies. The thing about these pies, though, is that they are super-easy to come by — no need to go to the restaurant if you want a breakfast (or lunch or dinner) slice of pie since Marie's pies are prominently featured in just about every supermarket freezer case. Sure, fresh-baked pies may taste better, but the grocery store freezer case ones last way longer, and they're also a whole lot cheaper.

If you still feel you must visit Marie Callender's to try its pie in its native habitat, you'll need to be out west since the only remaining locations are in California, Utah, and Nevada. If you'd like some additional breakfast to go with that pie, the menu is pretty standard stuff with run-of-the-mill pancakes and ho-hum egg dishes. The banana cream pancakes, though, do make for an interesting (if sickly sweet) spin on a classic pie filling while the Big Country Smasher Skillet's tater tots add a bit of texture to this otherwise unremarkable bacon, egg, and cheese mashup.

Coco's, though not nearly as well known as Marie Callender's due to not having a similar frozen food business, is yet another so-so family restaurant chain redeemed by the fact that it, too, has a bakery capable of producing decent pies. Its pie selection isn't nearly as extensive as Marie Callender's or Bakers Square's, but it gets bonus points for jumping on the popular "pie shake" trend.

Assuming you don't want a shake for breakfast (although if you do, who are we to judge?), Coco's also does a pretty darn decent cinnamon roll which you can also get in the form of French toast. There's a full day's worth of calories in that (1,970 to 2,100), though, so you might want to opt for the somewhat lighter, less sugary brioche French toast instead or go with the brioche eggs benedict for something on the savory side. The accompanying hollandaise with this latter dish isn't a true version of the classic French sauce, but it's a reasonable facsimile that is on par with what you'd expect from a breakfast chain.

Many breakfast chains have their specialties — one does pancakes, another waffles, while others are all about eggs. One such specialty restaurant is Tudor's Biscuit World, a regional chain primarily located in West Virginia and Ohio but with outliers in Western Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Its specialty, no surprise, is biscuits, although for biscuit haters its breakfast menu does offer a pancake platter and even a low-carb platter with nothing but eggs and meat.

As for Tudor's biscuits, they are huge and fluffy and available with a wide variety of toppings. The best of the bunch is the Tootie — which comes with country ham, egg, and cheese — but we're also partial to the melted cheese and pepperoni Peppi as it somewhat resembles West Virginia's pepperoni rolls, one of the most famous foods in all of the 50 states. If you want the true Tudor's Biscuit World experience, though, you'll have to get the gravy platter. This consists of a biscuit smothered in creamy country-style sausage gravy, and it comes with a caveat (from us): If you do get one, you'd better eat it quick. The biscuits aren't at their best once they've grown soggy, and the gravy is kind of gross when it starts to congeal.

Biscuitville is another regional chain, with its region primarily consisting of North Carolina and Virginia. Like Tudor's, it specializes in — wait for it — biscuits. Yes, the name does not lie. While the biscuits are slightly different from Tudor's, we'd be hard-pressed to pick between the two of them. Biscuitville, however, does have a slight edge due to its famous "biscuit window" that lets you see a fresh batch of biscuits being made every 15 minutes. Plus, foodies take note: It also posts the provenance of its ingredients, particularly the flour that comes from a local grain mill that's been supplying the restaurant for decades.

You're going to want to get a biscuit at Biscuitville, of course, since why else would you visit an establishment by that name? If you're a true fan of regional cooking, you may wish to experience its version of biscuits and gravy here. For a less messy, more portable breakfast, however, we recommend the country ham biscuit. If you've never had country ham, it's pretty much the American version of prosciutto. While Biscuitville offers an "Ultimate" version topped with a fried egg and American cheese, the plainer biscuit and ham combo is pretty perfect all on its own.

If you live in Kolache Factory Ground Zero, which is to say in the state of Texas, then you probably already know all about kolaches. If you're just passing through or perhaps visiting one of the few "outlier" Kolache Factories outside the Lone Star State, then a little explanation may be due as to why you should want such a thing (and trust us, you will want one). Kolaches are yeast buns stuffed with sweet or savory fillings, and while they are Czech in origin, they really caught on in Texas.

The only reason why the Kolache Factory comes in the middle of our list is because it sticks pretty closely to its niche. In fact, if you're avoiding carbs, there's really nothing on the menu for you. The chain's few non-kolache offerings also come in the form of pastries, and even the Polish sausages are wrapped in dough. If you're not afraid of a carb or two (dozen), then we suggest the sausage, jalapeño & cheese kolache, a true Texas original. If you want something sweet for breakfast, you can't go wrong with the delightfully flaky raspberry strudel.

Though you won't experience a "wow!" moment when dining at Le Peep, it's a perfectly acceptable breakfast destination. The best thing this chain has going for it is the wide array of options on the menu. Options range from the sticky-sweet Gooey Buns (broiled English muffins with cinnamon, brown sugar, and almonds) to the savory Harvest Hash (turkey, onions, sweet potatoes, green peppers, and broccoli topped with eggs and avocado slices), so you'll probably find something to your liking.

Be warned, though, that not everything on Le Peep's massive menu is worth ordering. The Mexican food, in particular, isn't all that great, and while the pictures of the breakfast burritos and enchiladas look appetizing, what you actually see (and taste) on your plate can be a bit of a disappointment. If you want Mexican food for breakfast, go to a real Mexican restaurant instead of settling for the mediocre Mexican-ish fare you'll find here.

Another Broken Egg Cafe is a breakfast restaurant chain that is growing quickly. It began in Louisiana in 1996 and now has over 100 locations around the country, although most are still in the South. The atmosphere at this chain is pleasant, and the food looks pretty when it arrives at your table. However, there is one real issue with Another Broken Egg Cafe that relegates it to the middle of our list — the prices are way too high.

Everything on Another Broken Egg Cafe's menu is overpriced, both food and beverages. What's more, the food is more about style than substance. While it's no doubt very Instagram-worthy if you're into documenting your meals, unfortunately, it doesn't taste quite as good as it looks. Not that the food is bad by any means, but it fails to meet the high expectations raised by its high price point. If you're willing to pay top dollar for a high quality breakfast, there are likely some non-chain restaurants in your area that would do a better job.

While Village Inn serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant chain is known primarily for its breakfast. Not only does it have plenty of tasty breakfast options, but it also serves breakfast all day long at dozens of locations in the United States. Unlike a place like Le Peep, the Mexican-inspired breakfast choices at Village Inn — such as the Tres Huevos Rancheros and the Smothered Breakfast Burrito — are actually not too bad. The restaurant also gets bonus points for having a kids menu with options that should satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. We're not sure if non-kids can order off that menu too, but the Bucky's Mini-Hotcakes are something that would probably be pretty popular with tiny food fans as well as children. 

That being said, nothing really stands out on Village Inn's breakfast menu. Most options are good enough to satisfy you, but the food here isn't all that memorable. Unless Village Inn is the closest, most convenient breakfast option, it's not really worth making an effort to hit up this restaurant. 

First Watch was opened in 1983 with breakfast as its sole focus. In fact, the first restaurant closed at 2:30 in the afternoon each day, so it really wasn't interested in doing dinners or even late lunches. That focus on breakfast remains the same today, although operating hours may vary by location. 

Overall, First Watch could best be described as adequate, but one area where it really shines is with its bacon, which for many is the best part of breakfast. If you want to try the bacon for yourself, The Traditional makes a good showcase for it. This combo, as its name implies, is your basic eggs/toast/potato platter, but the bacon makes it special. Another area where First Watch separates itself slightly from the pack is by offering a wide variety of nutritious breakfast options. If you're still into the avocado toast trend, you'll find it here in an egg-free version, with other healthy choices including a turkey/egg white omelet, granola, and steel-cut oats. You could even order even a glass of kale juice should you be so inclined.

If you wake up starving, Bob Evans is an okay place to go for breakfast. Though the quality of its food isn't the top of the line, the servings are enormous, and you're quite likely to leave the restaurant no longer hungry unless you have an appetite that rivals that of Andre the Giant. For your hungriest mornings, go with the aptly named Whole Hog meal. This gargantuan breakfast comes complete with two sausage patties, two slices of bacon, a slice of ham, a hotcake, a slice of French toast, two eggs, and a choice of fries or hash browns. Sure, this breakfast has nearly 2,000 calories, but you'll do an extra workout later, right? You'd best make sure you're ravenous before going Whole Hog, though, since otherwise, you might not be able to finish it. 

The only real issue with Bob Evans is the quality of its hotcakes, as their menu calls them. While they are quite filling due to their size, they really aren't all that flavorful. Still, they make for a serviceable side as long as they're not the main attraction on your breakfast plate.

Mimi's is a somewhat French-influenced restaurant chain that once belonged to Bob Evans but was later sold to a restaurant group that also owns several other French-ish chains including La Madeleine, Brioche Doree, and Michel's Baguette. Among the French-accented dishes on Mimi's menu are two different quiches — the classic Lorraine style with its bacon and cheese and a Florentine one made with spinach and tomatoes. It also has ham and Swiss crepes, a great option if you're the kind of person who can never decide whether you want pancakes for breakfast or something less sweet.

While overall Mimi's food is quite tasty, the restaurant does have one fatal flaw that moves it way, way down on our list — the menu discloses that it tops its waffles, French toast, and griddlecakes with margarine. Quel horreur! Switch to butter, Mimi's, and we promise you'll move up a few places once you do.

If you live in the South and you enjoy a good hearty breakfast, you've probably visited Huddle House a time or two, maybe more. Since its first location opened in Decatur, Georgia, more than five decades ago, this restaurant chain has been serving up some darn tasty Southern breakfast food. Today, you can visit one of its hundreds of locations and be confident that the quality should be fairly high.

If you've never been to Huddle House before, a good introduction would be the Country-Fried Steak Stuffed Hashbrowns. This meal begins with a big slab of country-fried steak topped with American cheese and scrambled eggs layered between a double dose of hash browns and smothered in sausage gravy. While this dish may sound complicated and messy, it does make for a satisfyingly savory meal. If you prefer something sweet, though, you may be in for a disappointment. Huddle House's breakfast menu features but a single waffle platter while pancakes are only available as a side with the MVP combo platter.

While IHOP might not have much cool cred, it's always a good breakfast safety pick. For one thing, there are IHOPS all over the place, and the quality of the food is pretty consistent. True to the name, it does make a decent pancake. Okay, there are better ones out there, but IHOP offers a pretty impressive array of options for a chain restaurant. The Original Buttermilk Pancakes are plain but classic, although if you're a real sugar addict you might want to venture further afield into options like the Tres Leches Pancakes, a dish so sweet it needs no syrup. If you're not a pancake person, IHOP also does an okay omelet (or "omelette," as it styles them) — not so great that it needs to go changing its name to IHOO, though.

What makes IHOP rate as high as it does on this list, besides its ubiquity, is the fact that it's generally pretty affordable, especially when you factor in all the promos like its rewards program and IHOPPY Hour. When times are tough (and when aren't they, really?), sometimes low, low prices really do trump most other factors.

The Eggs Up Grill doesn't have the largest breakfast selection out there, nor does its menu have any really standout items that are sure to wow. The signature dish, it seems, is a corned beef hash made with the founder's own recipe, so if corned beef hash is the kind of thing you get excited about, then Eggs Up may be your kind of place. It also a few interesting breakfast sandwiches including a fried egg BLT and an egg and cheese on a waffle while the omelets include one made with shrimp and grits (Yes, this chain's locations are all in the South, so grits are on the menu).

What really sets the Eggs Up apart from an IHOP or a Denny's, however, is the fact that it has mimosas on the menu. There are actually three different ones, the first being the standard orange juice kind, the second made with cranberry juice, and the third flavored with chocolate and strawberries. Something else offered by Eggs Up that you don't see everywhere is a pair of non-alcoholic breakfast sparklers, one made with OJ, club soda, and grenadine and another with lemonade, club soda, and strawberries. These drinks make for a fun change from the standard juice or coffee if you're not looking to booze it up at breakfast.

The Egg Harbor Cafe is pretty much IHOP for foodies — its mission statement makes use of words such as "all-natural," "organic," "cage-free," "fair trade," and "sourced from the finest small family growers," and of course, the menu features gluten-free and vegetarian options. It doesn't really offer too many plant-based options, though, but with a name that includes the word "egg," you wouldn't expect it to be a chosen destination for vegans. While Egg Harbor's fluency in buzzwords might lead you to believe it's a California-based chain, it actually started up in Illinois in the '80s, and most of its restaurants are still in that state with a handful in Georgia and one in Wisconsin.

Egg Harbor's menu offerings lean toward the trendier side of the breakfast spectrum — it has avocado toast, of course, as well as shakshuka and a quinoa berry bowl. The food quality, however, isn't exactly on par with the indie hipster bistros Egg Harbor seems to be trying to emulate. You're better off sticking to more traditional breakfast items that chains typically do well — the breakfast skillets are quite good, particularly the Mexican-inspired ones with carnitas or chorizo. The pancakes are also a good bet, especially the lemon poppyseed and the Swedish ones that come with a side of lingonberries.

Imagine if Denny's underwent a makeover and decided to rebrand itself as being a French café. Well, that's pretty much what you get with La Madeleine, which is a step up from Mimi's. La Madeleine actually does have roots in Brittany, though the chain itself was founded in Dallas, Texas, and its vibe is pretty much chain restaurant in a beret.

La Madeleine's food is really very good, if not the kind of thing that Julia Child would acknowledge as French cuisine at its finest. While this restaurant may never be your go-to weekly breakfast spot, it makes for a fun change every once in a while. Play along with the French theme by ordering the croque madame (ham and Swiss with an egg on top). Although it's part of the all-day breakfast menu, this dish comes accompanied by a side salad, so it's got kind of a brunch-ish feel to it. 

If you want something more standard, though, the Country French Breakfast is your basic bacon and eggs with a hash brown patty (pardonnez-nous, it's a "potato galette"), with the only really French thing about it being the croissant that takes the place of the standard American toast or pancakes. While you can get champagne to go with your breakfast at La Madeleine, don't get too excited about it as it's just a mini bottle of J. Roget that comes with a carafe of OJ. The cost is only $6 for two mimosas' worth, though, so that's not bad.

Honey Berry Cafe is pretty new to the breakfast chain world — its first restaurant opened in 2019, and to date, it's only got 13 locations. Nearly all of the Honey Berry Cafes to date are located in the Midwest, most in the Chicagoland area with a few in the Milwaukee suburbs, but there are outposts in Texas and Colorado.

While Honey Berry may still be growing, it's definitely a chain to keep an eye on. The portions are generous, the food is high quality, and the extensive menu caters to a number of different diets with gluten-free, vegan, and heart-healthy offerings. Where Honey Berry really shines, however, is with its specialty pancakes, French toast, and waffles. Try the Banana Coconut Cream Crepes, the Blueberry Danish Pancakes, or go for broke with the breakfast/dessert French Toast Sundae — yes, it's French toast topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup, and it's worth every last calorie.

The Broken Yolk Cafe started out as a standalone restaurant (as most chains did, once upon a time) in San Diego back in 1979, but in its 30th year of operation, the chain had its first brush with nationwide fame. Adam Richman paid a visit to tackle the Iron Man Omelet, which consists of a dozen eggs, half a pound of cheese, and a bunch of veggies and comes accompanied by a pound and a half of home fries. This episode aired during the third season of "Man vs. Food," and suddenly, the cafe was a huge hit. Expansion followed, and it now has over 40 locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Idaho.

We're not sure whether you can still follow in Richman's footsteps by tackling the Broken Yolk's enormous omelet, although there are videos online of people competing in this challenge as recently as 2023. If your appetite is less gargantuan, though, Broken Yolk's menu has plenty more to offer. If you've got a sweet tooth, don't miss the Tiki Toast, which is grilled Hawaiian bread topped with berries, coconut, and caramel. Savory more your thing? The Border Benedict puts a Southwestern spin on the brunch classic by using corn cakes, carne asada, and poblano sauce. If you can't make up your mind between sweet and savory, though, you can always have a little bit of both with a scrumptious raspberry-sauced Monte Cristo sandwich.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe is another nouveau-trendy breakfast chain with a down-home hipster vibe. It started up in Georgia in the '90s, but over the past few decades, it's grown into a modest regional chain with over 30 locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. One of the best things about the Flying Biscuit's menu is the fact that it does offer a more extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian items than is typical for a breakfast chain — it's even got Beyond biscuits and gravy. It also stays true to its roots with Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. What we like best are the Southern-inspired breakfast dishes like the Southern Style Benedict with pimento cheese and the Georgia Peaches and Cream Waffle Breakfast.

The Flying Biscuit also has a beverage menu that goes above and beyond what you find at most breakfast chains. In addition to juice, coffee drinks, teas, and smoothies, it also has a selection of mimosas including such out-of-the-ordinary offerings as mango, pineapple, and passion fruit. The brunch crowd also has the option of ordering beer, micheladas, sangria, or Bloody Marys made with sake. While the reason for this variant version is likely because the restaurant lacks the license to serve hard liquor, the sake does make for a surprisingly tasty, umami-rich alternative to vodka.

Snooze is a chain with a somewhat paradoxical name — if you're snoozing in the morning, you're not likely to have time for a leisurely breakfast, are you? And make no mistake, Snooze subtitles itself "An A.M. Eatery," so no late-night after-party breakfast/dinners here. So what does Snooze have that's worth waking up for? It does what it calls "creative twists on breakfast," which means trendy-yet-fun offerings like the Sweet Potato Bacon Smash Up with avocado, hemp seeds, pickled onions, and sriracha maple syrup topped with a poached egg (cage-free, of course).

The real draw at Snooze, however, may be its full bar. Not only does it have sparkling wine-based drinks like mimosas, but it also offers bloodies with hard liquors including vodka, tequila, and gin, as well as Irish coffee complete with whiskey. If you like to follow your snoozing with some serious boozing, then Snooze is the breakfast spot for you.

Hash House A Go Go is our favorite next-gen breakfast chain, in part because of its groovy mid-century name but mostly because it's doing a hipster Midwestern kind of thing with its "twisted farm food." While the Midwest may have provided the inspiration, the chain does not actually have any locations in this region — instead, this small chain (just 10 locations) has restaurants in the West (California, Nevada, and Utah), South (Florida), Northeast (Connecticut) and Mid-Atlantic (New Jersey). What's more, one of Hash House A Go Go's founders is actually a California boy. The other's from Michigan, though, so it's not entirely faux-Midwestern.

No matter the restaurant's provenance, Hash House A Go Go's décor is super-cool, and the food is road trip-worthy. The enormous pancakes (the size of a tractor's steering wheel) are a must-try, and they come in fun flavors like bacon, red velvet, and Snickers. For something slightly less carbalicious, opt for the fried chicken eggs benedict of "Man vs. Food" fame or have the best of both worlds with a fried chicken and waffle tower topped with bacon, fried leeks, and a "syrup reduction" that's much fancier (and also less messy) than the non-reduced kind. The menu claims this waffle stack is "an Indiana tradition" — whether or not they do this sort of thing in the Hoosier state, we couldn't say, but if not, they ought to.

Celebrity endorsements don't usually figure into our calculations, but we make the occasional exception, one of these being for the late, great and hungry Randy "Macho Man" Savage. While Savage was a big fan of Perkins' egg white omelet, something that no longer appears on the menu, the restaurant does offer plenty of other great options. Perkins' pancakes, waffles, French toast, and crepes do tend to be on the small side, but the quality is unquestionable. The Belgian waffles are made from scratch and the blueberry pancakes are packed with fruit. 

Whenever you visit a Perkins location, getting something from its bakery is highly recommended, even when you're visiting for breakfast. Plus, as we've already established, pie is practically a breakfast food anyway. For a breakfast to go, though, you could just order one of the mammoth muffins, as they're so big there's a chance they might fill you up all the way to dinner. While Perkins' chocolate chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, and blueberry muffins are all pretty tasty, if it's strawberry season, you should definitely go with the strawberry cream cheese.

Macho Man may have been one of the squared circle's biggest chain breakfast fans, but he was far from the only one. If there's anyone who's well qualified to judge the merits of such an establishment, that would be someone who spends long hours on the road, works a non-standard schedule, and needs to take in a lot of calories to keep up their energy. Chris Jericho, the one and only wrestling rock star (or rock star wrestler), certainly fits the profile, and he guest-starred on an episode of "Fast Foodies" to share his love of Cracker Barrel. 

We've got to agree with Jericho here since not only does the place serve some pretty amazing breakfast food, but it dishes it up all day every day and it has locations all over the place (A huge plus, particularly if you do a lot of traveling). Cracker Barrel's breakfast options aren't that extensive, but just about everything on the menu is a winner. Some of the standouts include the eggs-in-the-basket — the basket being a slice of toasted sourdough -– and the cheesy hashbrown casserole. Granted, Cracker Barrel has been struggling a bit lately, but nevertheless, we still want to order the Momma's Pancake Breakfast with fried apples, turkey sausage, and eggs as much as possible.

If you're looking for a breakfast spot that will never, ever let you down, that would have to be Waffle House, a place that keeps its doors open through all but the worst of natural disasters. In other words, you can get your waffle fix 24/7 come rain, snow, or hail.

Waffle House earns its place at the top of this list by providing cheap, reliable breakfast food day or night and because it's practically a cultural institution. What's more, its menu also delivers what could be considered the quintessential breakfast chain experience. The signature waffles, of course, are always a great bet. (The people's pick is the chocolate chip, but we're pretty partial to pecan.) Waffle House also does a surprisingly great steak and eggs — did you know it serves more T-bones than any other restaurant in the world? — but other egg-cellent egg partners include chicken, pork chops, or salty country ham. If you want to go all out, though, the All-Star Special comes with eggs, meat, toast, hash browns, and, yes, a waffle.