You may be surprised.
As home cooks, hitting the drive-thru or a favorite restaurant can feel like a much-needed break for those nights when we don't want to cook—or even a way to treat ourselves. So, knowing how we feel about getting out of the kitchen, would it surprise you to learn that even professional and highly regarded chefs enjoy a trip to a chain restaurant now and then? Because, believe it or not, even Gordon Ramsay can't resist an In-N-Out Double-Double burger.
Recently, Allrecipes culinary editor and former "Top Chef" contestant, Roscoe Hall, did what some might call the unimaginable: he tried every item on the Texas Roadhouse menu.
Braving the restaurant's menu is quite a feat, given its size and the number of meat-heavy dishes the chain is known for. Yet, Roscoe completed the task with minimal "meat paranoia," as he jokingly called it, and he even planned his order for his next few trips to Texas Roadhouse.
After eating the entire menu, we'd call Roscoe a solid Texas Roadhouse expert, so what would he order again? These are the five best things on the Texas Roadhouse menu, according to the chef.
The Best Texas Roadhouse Menu Items
5. Big Ol' Brownie
How Roscoe had room for dessert, we'll never know, but thank goodness he did, or else we wouldn't have known to finish our meal with this chocolaty brownie à la mode. The Big Ol' Brownie is a gooey, decadent warm chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. It's a classic dessert, and, clearly, nothing beats a classic.
4. Country Fried Sirloin
Country-fried steak is a popular Southern dish, so it's no surprise that Texas Roadhouse does it well. Even though the restaurant's sirloin, which is hand-battered and fried to a crispy, golden brown, is named "Country Fried," you can actually get both the traditional country-fried steak way, topped with brown gravy, and the traditional chicken-fried steak way, topped with creamy gravy.
Roscoe said the sirloin is delicious and tender, and that the breading has the "perfect blend of salt and black pepper."
The Country-Fried Steak may rank fourth overall, but Roscoe said it's the first thing he'll order next time he's at Texas Roadhouse—along with a side of seasoned rice and green beans.
3. Prime Rib
No need to wait for a special occasion or holiday for a delicious, "juicy" slab of prime rib. Texas Roadhouse's prime rib is available in 12-, 14-, and 16-ounce portions and is served with your choice of au jus, horseradish, or creamy horseradish.
"It has a smoky flavor—the prime rib is fire," Roscoe said.
2. Chicken Critters
You may be shocked that Roscoe chose the chain's chicken tenders as one of his top five, but when chicken fingers are so good that Texas Roadhouse has its own trademarked name for them, it's not surprising. The crispy Chicken Critters are served with your choice of dipping sauce, including BBQ, ranch, hot sauce, mild sauce, and honey mustard. Roscoe opted for honey mustard and raved about the delicious, house-made sauce.
1. Cactus Blossom
While the Chicken Critters may have surprised you, Texas Roadhouse's famous Cactus Blossom in the first place position should not. The chain is known for this fried onion appetizer, served with a Cajun horseradish sauce or ranch for dipping.
"I would come here just for this," said Roscoe. "[The] spicy ranch is insanely delicious."
Along with the beloved Cactus Blossom, Roscoe gave an honorable mention to Texas Roadhouse's Rattlesnake Bites and Texas Red Chili, which he said together would make the perfect "happy hour plate."
We know what you're thinking: no love for the legendary rolls and cinnamon butter? Well, Roscoe couldn't fill up on the bread, like so many of us are guilty of when we dine at Texas Roadhouse, but he did still shout out the "perfect" rolls and whipped butter. Plus, since they come with the meal, of course, they'll make the order next time he's there.
Read the original article on Allrecipes
