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Recipes & reviews

Five copycat restaurant recipes worth the work

So much has changed over the past year, including the dining experience. Many restaurants temporarily suspended their in-house dining services in response to the pandemic. As a result, many people learned how to recreate their restaurant favorites at home, and that it’s no coincidence “homemade” and “happiness” begin with the same letter. Check out a few of these top-rated restaurant copycat recipes below.

Tastes of Lizzy T: Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls (4.9 ⭐ from 1.1K Reviews)

The scent of Cinnabon in the air while you make a lap around your local mall is a shared memory for many. Even though their rolls may be available to grab and go, who wouldn’t want to savor Cinnabon in their own home? After all, there’s something unmistakable about that classic cinnamon and sugar combination. Satisfy that sweet tooth with this amazing replicated recipe.

Crème de la Crumb: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup (4.8 ⭐ from 230 Reviews)

Food.com: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings (5 ⭐ from 81 Reviews)

RecipeTin Eats: Copycat IKEA Swedish Meatballs (5 ⭐ from 118 Reviews)

IKEA is known for offering sleek and simple home furnishings at affordable prices. Even if you haven’t had the opportunity to shop at IKEA, you may still be familiar with their famous Swedish meatballs. Though they’re small, these poppable portions are salty, starchy, and full of flavor. While a frozen option is available for purchase in store, we recommend mastering these meatballs at home for a true DIY dining experience.

The Cheesecake Factory Recipes

Often imitated, never duplicated. Some copycats just can’t replace the original recipe, and luckily for us, The Cheesecake Factory released a handful of their very own recipes. From Blonde Brownie Cheesecake Sundaes to Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, this one-of-a-kind establishment is sharing a behind-the-scenes look into their extensive menu.

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Food videos

Five LEGO stop-motion recipes come to life

If you want to let your imagination run wild, LEGO is the perfect toy for you. Kids of all ages enjoy constructing characters, scenery, and even recreating their favorite foods with these interlocking bricks. Multiple channels on YouTube offer a unique perspective on the culinary arts with these tiny toys. Featuring stop-motion animation, these short-and-sweet videos showcase how to prepare a delightful meal where the main ingredient is LEGO. Don’t worry, every video ends with a disclaimer reminding viewers LEGOs are not intended for consumption. A meal literally built for you awaits! What will they create next?

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Potluck

Five fan-favorite fast-food drive-thrus

We know. It must feel silly to see an article about fast-food drive-thrus on a webpage that normally offers counsel on cookbooks and recipe recommendations. However, we understand life is busy, and so are you. Sometimes, grabbing a quick, indulgent (or just plain greasy) bite to eat is the best option for the evening. For those days where cooking dinner just isn’t happening, check out this short list of fast-food drive-thru experiences as ranked by fans across the country.

Chick-fil-A

When the immediate response from employees to any customer request is, “My pleasure,” that’s how you know it’s a good. Chick-fil-A is famous for their outstanding customer service, food quality and flavor, and their unforgettable branding. As a result, their drive-thru lines are longer than expected. Momentary wait aside, this fast-food chain continues to innovate this rather mundane experience featuring multiple lanes and assigned employees who can accept orders and payment via tablets. In addition to the second window for transferring food products, CFA employees also run orders up the line of cars and to the designated order-ahead parking spots. Ranking highest for order accuracy, the wait is certainly worth it.

Culver’s

Many Midwesterners would consider Culver’s a regional delicacy or, at the very least, a staple. From the “Flavor of the Day” creamy custard to the infamous Wisconsin deep-fried cheese curds, it’s easy to understand why Culver’s consistently ranks among the top-performing fast-food restaurant franchises in America. As another well-received drive-thru experience, the speed of service and high-quality customer service set this restaurant apart from the rest. Recently, the chain adopted an online/mobile order-ahead model; it might sound cheesy, but the corresponding parking spots are lovingly reserved for “curdside” pick-up. So yeah, we’re melting.

Dunkin'

From your traditional coffee and donuts to sandwiches, wraps, and a wide variety of snacks (We’re looking at you “Snackin’ Bacon”), Dunkin’ is proving they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. When a chain features a slogan like “America runs on Dunkin’”, it’s only fair this food and beverage company appears among the most-loved drive-thru experiences. The Dunkin’ mobile app now allows customers place an order at the location of their choice up to 24 hours in advance. Once your order is placed, all you need to do is confirm when you’re in the drive-thru to pick up your order! Embracing technology allows Dunkin’ to enhance the customer experience while maintaining efficiency one order at a time. Understandably, Dunkin’ ranks highly for speed of service and customer service, according to recent surveys.

Panera Bread

While not every Panera Bread includes a drive thru, more cafes are adapting their business models and renovating their restaurants to include this quick-and-easy option. Ironically, Panera Bread consistently scores well with customers in almost every category aside from speed. The drive-thru still delivers high levels of “cleanliness and sanitation” in addition to high-quality menu items and menu-item availability. Good food that “brings out the best in all of us” is certainly worth the wait.

Wendy’s

Similar to other fast-food establishments on this list, Wendy’s is continuously adopting new technology and evolving the order process to meet customer needs; in November 2020, Wendy’s CEO Todd Penegor even teased a drive-thru only restaurant model. This chain fares particularly well with customers when it comes to menu-item availability, menu-item quality, and order accuracy. From a newer selection of breakfast menu items to the option for mobile pay and drive-thru-exclusive offers, it’s no wonder why Wendy’s reigns as queen for so many things.

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Recipes & reviews

Five copycat restaurant recipes worth the work

Food videos

Five LEGO stop-motion recipes come to life

Potluck

Five fan-favorite fast-food drive-thrus

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