Not Texas Roadhouse Or Applebee's: This Is Gen X's Favorite Casual Chain In 2026

With no shortage of options to choose from when it comes to casual dining, one chain stands out for Gen X diners. According to data from YouGov's Best Bites 2026: U.S. Restaurant Brand Rankings, Olive Garden was the most considered casual dining brand overall. When participants were separated by generation, 30% of Gen Xers chose Olive Garden, compared with 29.8% for Texas Roadhouse and 23% for Applebee's. While the three chains offer different takes on casual dining, Olive Garden's familiar comfort food, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere may help explain its appeal to this generation. 

Born roughly between 1965 and 1980, Gen Xers have spent much of their adult lives with the casual Italian chain. The first Olive Garden opened in 1982 in Orlando, Florida. Gen X diners reportedly eat out at least once a week, according to industry surveys. In addition to value, these diners are said to look for memorable experiences and lively, social atmospheres when making choices, while also being mindful of their budgets. This combination of value and occasion may help explain why Olive Garden's familiar menu and welcoming dining room appeal to these diners. The restaurant was the first to coin the concept of unlimited menu items and has become associated with the offerings. Olive Garden's affordable dinner options, like its unlimited soup and salad, add to the value, while its familiar dishes may evoke a sense of nostalgia for those who have visited the chain for years. 

Gen X isn't the only generation with a soft spot for Olive Garden. The chain was the most-considered casual dining brand among adults ages 30 to 44, while 33.8% of adults 65 and older said they would consider dining there, the highest share of any age group. Gen Z was the only exception, choosing Chili's as its top pick, but by a narrow margin of 0.9%. These findings suggest that Olive Garden's reputation extends across generations, even if the reasons for choosing the restaurant can vary by age group.

Olive Garden also claimed the top spot for service and dining experience among all Americans surveyed, beating out Texas Roadhouse and The Cheesecake Factory. In the same report, the chain ranked first for value perception among casual dining options. These findings reinforce the idea that it isn't just food diners look for when they head to a restaurant. An enjoyable experience that feels worth the money matters. At Olive Garden, unlimited breadsticks, generous portions, and a familiar atmosphere offer that kind of reliable recipe. Serving an astonishing number of breadsticks a day, the data speaks for itself.