7 Chain Restaurants Boomers Still Love That Serve Massive Portions

With so many modern restaurants leaning towards family-style menus and smaller plates, there's something refreshing about being able to order a massive plate of rich pasta for the same price. Younger generations might see a menu that never changes as a negative, but not Boomers. After all, folks born between 1946 and 1964 watched casual dining flourish in America. They'll choose comfort and consistency over trend and hype any day. Simply put, Boomers are faithful customers.

The Baby Boomer generation grew up during what felt like a constant celebration. After decades of rationing, postwar America was all about abundance, and that extended to chain restaurants. Whether it's the all-you-can-eat salad bar or a 1-pound deep-fried onion, none of these eateries will leave anyone hungry, and that's arguably why Boomers have remained such lifelong customers. As creatures of habit, the Boomer generation still frequents these adored chain restaurants to honor family traditions, but also for the massive portions and great deals.

Olive Garden is known for its big — and in some cases, endless — portions. The Italian-American restaurant first opened in 1982, when plenty of Boomers were already in their 30s, but the entire generation can't get enough of those never-ending breadsticks. During the early days of Olive Garden, when Boomers were establishing careers and raising families, the Italian-American chain was putting out hearty, homestyle Italian food that was not only affordable, but approachable for families living in the States. Families could feast on Italian classics without leaving the country, and never feel intimidated by long wine lists or unfamiliar dishes. The restaurants can be found in shopping centers across the country, and there seems to always be a table available. As the chain shouted in its commercials for 14 years, "When you're here, you're family."

Now, four decades after its first location opened in Orlando, the family-friendly chain is still thriving, with a lot of thanks to Boomers. Olive Garden serves much more than just pasta, like eggplant Parm and stuffed chicken Marsala, and those born between 1946 and 1964 continue to indulge on the regular. YouGov research shows that, as of Q3 2025, 67% of Boomers have positive opinions about Olive Garden.

Florida has a long stretch of coastline — meaning delicious seafood is abundant — but the unlucky landlocked cities weren't always as fortunate. In 1968, Bill Darden opened Red Lobster in hopes of bringing fresh fish inland at a price the community could afford. Boomers, who were somewhere between four and 22 when Red Lobster first opened, are very familiar with the leading seafood chain, and they'll never willingly say goodbye.

Older diners have stayed loyal to the chain, and many still consider Red Lobster as the place to celebrate special moments. A YouGov survey in 2018 found that a staggering 60% of Boomers held Red Lobster in high regard, ranking it their 19th favorite restaurant. The well-known Red Lobster name has brought some favorites to the grocery store, like its packaged Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix and frozen coconut shrimp bites, but there's nothing like dining in, according to Boomers. It's certainly easier to indulge in Red Lobster's messy feasts, like the family-sized seafood boils, 3-lb snow crab dinners, and fish fry family meals. The massive portions make up for the mini splurge, as the bill will still be far less than the average sit-down seafood restaurant.

Founded in Tennessee just before the 1970s hit, Cracker Barrel brings a little taste of home to Boomers. The cozy restaurant feels like a quaint roadside country store, which is exactly the intention. Packed with rocking chairs and wood-paneled everything, the idea behind Cracker Barrel was to provide warmth and hospitality to those on the road. The restaurant, or "country store," as the sign reads, offered travelers a nice, warm meal; a homestyle feast that would actually fill them up and prepare them for the long drive ahead. Monday through Friday, the restaurant runs a dine-in special that starts at $19.99 and comes with two full-sized entrées and one dessert. While the promo may be designed for two people, it makes for a one-person feast at an unbeatable price these days.

Those over age 65 make up the bulk of the homey restaurant's clientele, according to a 2023 Cracker Barrel investor presentation. Southern classics like chicken-fried steak and country ham fill entire plates, or even hang off the edge, and Boomers adore the hearty, comforting dishes that remind them of simpler times. When Cracker Barrel announced plans for modern renovations in 2024, loyal fans fought back, pleading the company to hang onto the early 20th-century antiques and old-timey charm. Boomers spoke and Cracker Barrel heard them loud and clear, ultimately shutting down all renovation plans, claiming in a press release: "Your Old Country Store is Here to Stay."

Waffle House started in Georgia in the mid-'50s, meaning it was part of Southern Boomers' lives from the beginning. It has become an Americana cultural icon, cemented into history through films like "Tin Cup" and Hootie & the Blowfish's 2000 album "Scattered, Smothered and Covered." The chain's consistency over the years has secured the hearts and stomachs of the Baby Boomer generation. Friendly service and enormous breakfast platters, including waffles bigger than most people's heads, keep them coming back for more.

The majority of Boomers still have a soft spot for Waffle House, with 58% endorsing the all-night breakfast spot in Q3 2025, as reported by YouGov. That generation doesn't have to worry about bumping into the rowdy 2 a.m. Waffle House crowd, as that's way past their bedtime. Younger diners might be willing to wait in line for brunch, but those born in the '50s would likely choose fast service over trends any day. Despite being a national chain with nearly 2,000 locations, Waffle House still always seems to evoke that small-town diner vibe. Regulars lurk at the counter, servers know not just your order, but your name, and the back of house and front of house banter is the street's favorite source of entertainment.

Outback Steakhouse is one of the newer chains on the list, opening in 1988, but still celebrating over 30 years of Australian meats and Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie. Like Olive Garden, Outback is another Floridian-born chain that emerged in the '80s with a loyal Boomer fan base. Portions don't get much bigger and more elaborate than the restaurant's Bloomin' Onion, a signature favorite that takes up an entire plate. As delicious as the hearty steaks are, some of Outback's favorites are unexpected, like the ahi tuna. With the novelty decor and very generous portions, it's no surprise that 69% of Boomers rated the Aussie-themed steakhouse highly as of Q3 2025, according to YouGov.

As Outback Steakhouse expanded into the early '90s, many Boomers were in their peak earning years, and the affordable steaks and inviting atmosphere made the chain a favorite pit stop. Sadly, some folks may have to say farewell to their local Outback, as several locations have reportedly closed as of the date of publication.

The first IHOP, or International House of Pancakes, opened in Toluca Lake, California a few years after Waffle House debuted in the South. IHOP has always specialized in breakfast fare with a focus on pancakes — lots of pancakes. IHOP's menu features many different types, with seemingly infinite ways to customize your breakfast stack.  The breakfast conglomerate is just as much for quantity as it is variety. IHOP's Ultimate BreakFEASTS are enough to feed a small army. The Classic BreakFEAST Sampler is complete with all the signature breakfast items, like eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, both bacon and ham, and, of course, a stack of pancakes. The other BreakFEASTS include even more goodies, like extra meat or French toast.

YouGov reported that 66% of Boomers feel positively about IHOP as of Q3 2025. IHOP provides all the mediocre drip coffee one could ever dream of, massive breakfast platters at any time of day, and a nostalgic 1960s charm that Boomers naturally find comforting. Going out for breakfast is a big treat, and an accessible one at that. Boomers who may be extra squeamish at the rising prices of today will find comfort in IHOP's single-digit value meals.

This chain, founded in 1958 in Culver City, California and originally called "Sizzler Family Steak House," became a West Coast treasure and notably started the entire salad bar movement in casual dining. The family-approved restaurant helped define the 1980s dining scene, appealing to both vegetarians and ravenous diners looking to try surf and turf for the first time. The restaurant's memorable unlimited seafood campaign in the '80s got people talking and sales growing, and the huge portions certainly helped. 

For Boomers, Sizzler embodied affordable indulgence. The beloved all-you-can-eat salad bar eventually evolved into an elaborate buffet featuring every dish, from pasta and tacos to soups and sweets. As one of the most popular restaurant chains in the 1980s, Sizzler is a Boomer cult classic. In hopes of connecting with its day-one customers back in 2023, Sizzler tapped into nostalgia and aired remastered 1980s commercials. 

The original Sizzler owners, Del and Helen Johnson, wanted to provide affordable steak dinners to the average American family, which is a tradition many have kept close. Buffets are becoming increasingly rare in today's economy, so Boomers are clutching onto the steakhouse for dear life. There are still plenty of Sizzler locations left on the West Coast and a few in Puerto Rico, but fingers crossed they don't go anywhere.