Appetizers are supposed to set the stage, but some steal the whole show. Across the U.S., certain starters have earned cult status that overshadows the entrees that follow. You have probably ordered them intending to share, then guarded the plate like a dragon with treasure. Let’s dig into the crisp, cheesy, saucy favorites people swear are the real reason to book a table.
Chili’s Grill & Bar – Dallas, Texas
Some nights you go to Chili’s for a burger, but the skillet queso reroutes your plans in minutes. It arrives bubbling, a nostalgic blend of creamy cheese and chili that feels like a tailgate in a bowl. Scoop it with salty chips and the main course suddenly becomes optional.
Add the Southwestern Eggrolls for good measure and you are officially committed to appetizer dinner. They are crisp, peppery, and dunk beautifully into avocado ranch. You get heat, crunch, and comfort in every bite, and somehow there is always room for one more.
Order a round for the table and watch conversations loosen. This is the Dallas origin story of snacking supremacy, and it still slaps.
TGI Fridays – Valley Stream, New York
TGI Fridays has a reputation for party platters, and the loaded Potato Skins are the ringleaders. Crisp shells cradle molten cheddar and bacon, then sour cream cools the edges. You promise yourself two and somehow eat four while the entrees get cold.
The Mozzarella Sticks here are textbook golden and stretchy like a cheese commercial. Dip them in marinara and the table falls quiet in appreciation. You could build a whole meal out of these and nobody would complain.
In Valley Stream, the appetizer trio is the power move because it lets everyone sample. It is friendly, indulgent, and exactly what you hoped for on a casual Friday. Save room, but you probably will not.
The Cheesecake Factory – Los Angeles, California
The Cheesecake Factory menu is a novel, yet the Avocado Eggrolls deserve their own chapter. They arrive crisp with creamy avocado, sun dried tomato, and onion, then meet that sweet tamarind cashew dipping sauce. You think you will share, but sharing gets difficult fast.
In Los Angeles, the vibe is glossy and the plates are generous. Pair the eggrolls with Hot Spinach and Cheese Dip and dinner becomes a formality. The chips are sturdy, the dip is lava hot, and timing that first bite is a sport.
When cheesecake finally appears, you will negotiate bites like lawyers. But the appetizer moment is what you will remember. It is creamy, crunchy, and a little glamorous.
P.F. Chang’s – Scottsdale, Arizona
P.F. Chang’s built a fandom around its famous Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps. The filling is savory, a little sweet, and perfectly crumbled for maximum scoopability. Wrap it in a cool lettuce cup and the texture balance clicks.
In Scottsdale, the sun sets and those wraps vanish fast as a desert breeze. Add the Dynamite Shrimp for a creamy heat that hums. You get crisp batter, rich sauce, and a slow build that keeps you reaching.
Entrees are great, yet appetizers feel like the main event because the flavors are focused. They are light but satisfying, ideal for sharing and snacking. You could stop here and feel complete.
Outback Steakhouse – Tampa, Florida
The Bloomin’ Onion is chaotic good, and Tampa knows it. A colossal onion is battered, fried, and served with zesty sauce that begs for dipping. Pulling petals becomes a ritual that delays any steak order.
It is crunchy, salty, and strangely elegant in its mess. You get spice and sweetness from the onion while the sauce adds a peppery kick. Share it and the table turns into a team effort.
Pair with Aussie Cheese Fries if you feel bold and forget about entrees entirely. This is comfort food with swagger, engineered for crowds. When the plate empties, applause feels appropriate.
Texas Roadhouse – Louisville, Kentucky
Texas Roadhouse is famous for warm rolls and cinnamon butter that short circuit your dinner plans. Tear one open and steam escapes, taking willpower with it. Before the steaks arrive, the basket is mysteriously empty.
In Louisville, those rolls have a cult following and the butter is silky and sweet. Add Rattlesnake Bites for a jalapeno cheddar kick that pairs perfectly. The crunchy exterior gives way to molten cheese and a playful burn.
Appetizers here are not fancy, just joyfully effective. You feel welcome, full, and slightly reckless about the main dish. Order another basket and call it a win.
Red Lobster – Orlando, Florida
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are the headline act at Red Lobster, and Orlando crowds know it. They arrive hot, garlicky, and impossibly tender with that cheesy edge. You reach for one, then another, and suddenly the seafood feels secondary.
Pair them with Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp for a sweet crunch and tropical sauce. The contrast is pure fun. Salty butter, flaky crumbs, and a hint of coconut keep you hooked.
These starters deliver comfort and nostalgia without trying too hard. Share a basket and watch the table relax. Entrees may be tasty, but these bites steal the spotlight every time.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant – Orlando, Florida
Unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden are the universal love language. Warm, soft, and brushed with garlic, they invite endless dipping. Alfredo sauce on the side turns snack time into a celebration.
In Orlando, soups like Zuppa Toscana or minestrone make the perfect pairing. You alternate sips and bites, realizing the main dish can wait. Salad bowls keep the table refreshed with crunch and tangy dressing.
It is simple, satisfying, and strangely ceremonial. You pass baskets, refill bowls, and chat like you have got forever. By the time pasta arrives, everyone already feels complete and content.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse – Huntington Beach, California
BJ’s appetizer game hits hard with Avocado Egg Rolls and Spinach Artichoke Dip. The rolls are crisp and creamy with a sweet tangy sauce. That dip is hot and stretchy, begging for sturdy chips.
In Huntington Beach, the brewhouse energy pairs perfectly with shareable plates. Toss in Parmesan Crusted Brussels sprouts for a salty crunch. You end up grazing like a pro while the pizza waits patiently.
It is the kind of spread that makes a night feel easy and social. You eat, sip, and keep the conversation rolling. The entrees still land, but the appetizers do the heavy lifting.
Buffalo Wild Wings – Columbus, Ohio
Wings are the star, but the street corn and fried pickles are secret MVPs. You chase heat with charred sweetness and crunch, calibrating every bite. Sauces line the table like a palette and creativity takes over.
In Columbus, the vibe is game day all week. Pretzel knots with beer cheese arrive and nobody objects. The cheese is velvety, the salt crystals pop, and the share factor is high.
Suddenly the entree becomes more wings, and that is fine. Appetizers blur into mains and the table strategy evolves. You leave full, happy, and a little saucy.
Yard House – Long Beach, California
Yard House turns appetizers into an art form with Poke Nachos. Wonton chips stay crisp under silky tuna, avocado, and spicy drizzle. It is fresh, crunchy, and wildly addictive.
In Long Beach, add the Fried Calamari and Truffle Fries to make it a feast. You get ocean breeze energy and a beer list that stretches forever. Share plates and the table becomes a mini festival.
The mains are solid, but the starters play brighter and faster. You nibble, sip, and never lose momentum. This is where happy hour becomes dinner without regret.
Bonefish Grill – Tampa, Florida
Bang Bang Shrimp is Bonefish Grill’s mic drop. Crispy shrimp wear a creamy, mildly spicy sauce that keeps you reaching. The heat is gentle, the crunch is bold, and the plate empties fast.
In Tampa, pair it with Ahi Tuna Sashimi for a cool contrast. You get bright sesame notes and a clean finish that resets the palate. It is the perfect one two punch.
Order another round and call it dinner, because nobody will complain. The simplicity is the secret. When appetizers deliver like this, mains become optional.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill – Tampa, Florida
Carrabba’s Calamari makes a strong first impression, light and crisp with a squeeze of lemon. Marinara brightens each bite while the texture stays delicate. It is the appetizer that convinces you to linger.
In Tampa, the Mozzarella Marinara joins the party for pure nostalgia. The cheese pull is dramatic and the crust is well seasoned. Dip, smile, repeat, and the table falls into a rhythm.
Before you know it, your entree feels like a formality. These starters deliver warmth and familiarity in every bite. You could happily stop right here and feel satisfied.
LongHorn Steakhouse – Atlanta, Georgia
LongHorn’s Wild West Shrimp comes sizzling with peppers and a zesty dip. The crunch is serious and the seasoning rides that perfect line. You start snacking and forget about the steak for a minute.
In Atlanta, the Parmesan Crusted Asparagus adds a classy crunch. It is salty, tender, and shockingly addictive. Between bites, the table debates sauce loyalty like it matters.
These appetizers are bold without being heavy. They wake up your palate and keep things lively. When the mains arrive, you are already grinning.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews – Seattle, Washington
Red Robin’s Towering Onion Rings is a spectacle that tastes as good as it looks. Crunchy rings stack high with tangy campfire sauce. Pull one free and the table turns into a cheering section.
In Seattle, pretzel bites with beer cheese join effortlessly. The combo is salty, warm, and exactly what you want before a burger. Except you might stop right there without regret.
Appetizers here are playful, shareable, and surprisingly filling. They pair perfectly with bottomless fries and a milkshake detour. The main course becomes optional in the best way.
Maggiano’s Little Italy – Chicago, Illinois
Maggiano’s Stuffed Mushrooms are rich, garlicky, and comfort in miniature form. The filling is herby and buttery, landing with a savory thud. You slow down, sip wine, and plan the next bite.
In Chicago, the Calamari Fritte doubles down on crisp texture and lemon brightness. Marinara keeps things lively and balanced. Sharing plates becomes a cozy ritual you hope never ends.
The pasta may be iconic, but these starters set the tone. They are generous, familiar, and a little celebratory. You could make a meal of them and walk out thrilled.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store – Lebanon, Tennessee
Cracker Barrel’s Biscuit Beignets are a sweet kickoff that flirts with dessert. Dusted with sugar and dunked in butter pecan sauce, they vanish fast. You think about breakfast and smile.
In Lebanon, the Country Fried Pickles bring the twang and snap. They are tangy, crisp, and oddly irresistible with ranch. You trade bites and stories like a front porch evening.
These appetizers remind you of road trips and comfort playlists. They are simple, generous, and made to share. By the time entrees arrive, you are already glad you stopped.
Dave & Buster’s Corporate Office – Coppell, Texas
Even if it is the corporate hub, the sampler spirit defines Dave and Buster’s. Think crispy chicken, pretzel dogs, and loaded tots circling a field of sauces. You taste, compare, and build your own greatest hits.
In Coppell, the energy reads arcade meets boardroom and still feels fun. The Buffalo wings lean tangy, the queso is smooth, and the bites keep rolling. Sharing is the default setting.
By the time mains are suggested, you already feel complete. Appetizers deliver variety and momentum that carry the night. You will leave buzzing like you just won a prize.
California Pizza Kitchen at Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills, California
CPK’s Spinach Artichoke Dip is smooth, tangy, and perfectly engineered for warm chips. It is that familiar flavor you crave before deciding on a pie. One scoop and conversation slows to appreciative nods.
In Beverly Hills, the Wontons with Chicken and Lettuce Cups add a fresh counterpoint. Light, crisp, and just saucy enough, they make sharing easy. You build little bites and feel like you are snacking smart.
Before long, the pizza is an afterthought. These starters carry the evening with balance and flair. You could wrap here and feel completely satisfied.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen – Irving, Texas
Honey Butter Croissants at Cheddar’s arrive warm, glossy, and wildly fragrant. Tear one open and the honey butter drips down like a promise. It is dessert disguised as a starter and nobody minds.
In Irving, the Santa Fe Spinach Dip brings creamy heat and a sturdy chip. You alternate bites, sip sweet tea, and forget about timing. The table energy shifts to relaxed and happy.
These appetizers deliver simple pleasures with generous portions. They feel homemade in the best way. When the entrees land, you will already be smiling and full.