Sometimes you’re not looking for “small plates.” You’re looking for big plates—the kind of meal that fills you up now and still shows up in your fridge tomorrow like, “Hey, remember me?” If you’re trying to stretch your budget, feed hungry people, or just love leftovers, certain restaurant chains are famous for serving massive portions at prices that feel fair.

Below are well-known chains that are consistently mentioned for generous serving sizes, shareable platters, unlimited sides, or meals that easily turn into two (or three) servings—plus smart ordering tips so you get the most food per dollar.

What Counts as “Most Food”?

The best “big portion” restaurants usually do one (or more) of these:

  • Large entrées that can be split or saved
  • Unlimited add-ons (bread, soup, salad, sides, tortillas, etc.)
  • Family-style platters built for sharing
  • Combos that pile on sides + mains in one order
  • Value bundles that feed multiple people

Let’s get into the chains that tend to win this category.

1) The Cheesecake Factory (Portion Size: Legendary)

If you’ve ever eaten at The Cheesecake Factory, you already know the portions can be absurd—in the best way. Many entrées arrive looking like they were designed for someone who just finished a marathon.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Pasta dishes (they’re often huge and reheat well)
  • Entrées with a side + extra sides or add-ons
  • Anything that’s “crispy” + “creamy” + “served with” (translation: more food is coming)

Max-value move:
Split an entrée and add a side or appetizer. For a lot of people, that’s dinner and lunch tomorrow.

2) Olive Garden (Unlimited Breadsticks + Soup/Salad = Full Meal)

Olive Garden is a portion/value classic, and the unlimited breadsticks are basically their entire personality (respectfully). The best value tends to come from combos that include unlimited soup or salad.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Soup + salad + breadsticks (especially if you’re not trying to spend a ton)
  • Pasta entrées (big plates + filling carbs)
  • Entrées with a side of pasta included

Max-value move:
If you’re eating in, pace your breadsticks and soup/salad so the entrée becomes tomorrow’s lunch. (Yes, this is strategy.)

3) Texas Roadhouse (Big Steaks + Sides + Those Rolls)

Texas Roadhouse is a heavy hitter for food volume, especially because you get a full entrée plus sides—and their warm rolls (and cinnamon butter) have a fanbase.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Any steak + two sides (especially if you pick hearty sides like mashed potatoes)
  • “Roadhouse” style combo plates (when available)
  • Larger cuts or steak-and-shrimp type combos

Max-value move:
Choose two dense sides (mashed potatoes, baked potato, mac & cheese) for maximum “food weight” on the plate.

4) Outback Steakhouse (Hearty Entrées + Big Side Options)

Outback Steakhouse is another chain where you reliably get a substantial meal: protein + sides + often bread. If you like steakhouse portions without fancy steakhouse pricing, this is a common pick.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Steak or chicken entrées with sides
  • Combo-style meals (steak + another protein)
  • Entrées that include soup or salad as an add-on

Max-value move:
Turn a big steak entrée into two meals by ordering an extra side and splitting the protein.

5) Chili’s (Combo Culture = Lots of Food for the Price)

Chili’s is built around hearty portions and combos—often the easiest way to get “a lot of food” without ordering multiple items.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Fajitas (sizzling platter + tortillas + sides)
  • Big burger + fries combos
  • Triple-style appetizer samplers (great for sharing)

Max-value move:
Fajitas are a leftovers cheat code. Build what you want, then pack the rest—easy second meal.

6) Applebee’s (Big Plates, Comfort Food, and Shareables)

Applebee’s is known for classic comfort food portions—lots of fried, saucy, or cheesy options that come in generous servings.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Riblets/BBQ-style plates
  • Chicken + sides platters
  • Appetizer sampler (if you’re sharing)

Max-value move:
If you’re with friends, split a sampler plus one entrée. You’ll still probably have leftovers.

7) BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse (Deep Menu, Big Portions)

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is one of those chains where the menu is huge and the portions often match it. Pastas, pizzas, and comfort food plates can easily become two meals.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Pasta dishes (big + reheatable)
  • Deep-dish or specialty pizzas (sharing friendly)
  • Combo-style meals when available

Max-value move:
Order one large pasta and one pizza for the table—this is the “everyone eats and there’s leftovers” formula.

8) Red Robin (Bottomless Sides = Big Value)

Red Robin is a go-to for people who want maximum quantity because they’re famous for bottomless fries (and other bottomless side options at many locations).

Best “most food” picks:

  • Burgers + bottomless sides
  • Meals where you can swap or upgrade sides
  • Large burgers that come stacked and messy (usually the most filling)

Max-value move:
If you’re eating in, bottomless sides can turn one burger into a long, satisfying meal—especially if you share the refillable fries.

9) Buffalo Wild Wings (Wings + Fries + Big Share Platters)

Buffalo Wild Wings can be a lot of food fast, especially if you go for bundles, larger wing counts, or shareable combos.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Larger wing orders + fries
  • Party packs / bundles (best food-per-dollar)
  • Appetizers like large nachos (often massive)

Max-value move:
If you’re feeding more than one person, bundles are usually the best deal—wings scale well with groups.

10) Panda Express (Two/Three-Entrée Plates Are Sneaky Huge)

For quick service, Panda Express is famous for giving you a lot of food in one box, especially with the bigger plate options and filling sides like chow mein or fried rice.

Best “most food” picks:

  • The Plate (bigger than the bowl)
  • Chow mein or fried rice as a base (heavier than veggies)
  • Double up on your favorite entrée if you’re planning leftovers

Max-value move:
Choose the most filling side and one “dense” entrée. You’ll be shocked how far it goes.

11) Chipotle (Big Burritos + Bowls That Can Be Two Meals)

Chipotle Mexican Grill is famous for burritos the size of small dogs (and bowls that can be loaded if you order smart).

Best “most food” picks:

  • Burrito bowls (easy to pack heavy)
  • Extra rice/beans (usually boosts volume a lot)
  • Add fajita veggies and multiple salsas for more bulk

Max-value move:
A fully loaded bowl can become two meals if you add your own tortillas or chips at home.

12) QDOBA (Loaded Bowls + Generous Toppings)

Like Chipotle, QDOBA is a popular “build your own” chain where you can often stack your meal with toppings, turning one bowl into a serious portion.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Big burrito bowls with multiple toppings
  • Extra rice/beans + fajita veggies
  • Add-ons that increase volume (like queso, if you’re into it)

Max-value move:
If your goal is “most food,” focus on rice/beans/veg volume first, then protein.

13) Golden Corral (Buffet = Maximum Quantity by Design)

If “most food” literally means “I want options and I want a lot,” Golden Corral is buffet life. You’re paying for access, not portion sizes.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Anything you can build as a plate meal: protein + sides + vegetables
  • Soup + salad + entrée + dessert (buffets are built for variety)

Max-value move:
Go for balanced plates (protein + sides) instead of only snacky items. You’ll get more real value.

14) Cracker Barrel (Hearty Comfort Food Plates)

Cracker Barrel is the king of “it’s basically Thanksgiving on a Tuesday.” Their plates often come with multiple sides and filling portions.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Meatloaf / chicken-and-dumplings style entrées
  • Country fried meals with sides
  • Breakfast platters (usually a lot of food)

Max-value move:
Breakfast platters can be one of the best deals—especially if you’re not ordering drinks/dessert.

15) IHOP (Stacked Breakfast Combos That Keep Coming)

IHOP does big breakfasts very well: pancakes, eggs, meat, hash browns, toast—classic “how is this all one order?” energy.

Best “most food” picks:

  • Combo breakfasts with pancakes + eggs + meat
  • Any “sampler” breakfast that includes multiple items

Max-value move:
If you’re trying to get two meals, order a big combo and box half the pancakes immediately. (Yes, immediately. Save yourself.)

How to Get the Most Food at Any Restaurant (Quick Tips)

Even if a chain isn’t known for huge portions, you can still maximize value with a few tricks:

1) Pick combo formats

Fajitas, platters, “pick 2” meals, and family bundles usually give the best volume.

2) Choose dense sides

Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, rice, beans, fries, and baked potatoes tend to add the most filling power.

3) Order for leftovers on purpose

Pick foods that reheat well: pasta, BBQ, rice bowls, soups, and saucy dishes.

4) Share strategically

One appetizer sampler + one large entrée can feed two people better than two separate entrées.

5) Watch for “big” that isn’t actually filling

Some dishes look huge but are mostly lettuce, chips, or airy breading. Not bad—just not always “most food.”

Final Take: The Best Big-Portion Chains

If you want the most food reliably, these chains are hard to beat:

  • The Cheesecake Factory (huge entrées)
  • Olive Garden (unlimited breadsticks + soup/salad)
  • Texas Roadhouse (protein + sides + rolls)
  • Chili’s (fajitas + combos)
  • Red Robin (bottomless sides)
  • Chipotle / QDOBA (loaded bowls)
  • Golden Corral (buffet quantity)