Top 9+ chain restaurant biscuits, ranked worst to best

9. Cracker Barrel

No one is more surprised than me that Cracker Barrel's biscuits are at the bottom of my list. Cracker Barrel is an iconic Southern comfort food establishment. The fact that it offers such a poor quality biscuit is near shameful. But, I feel like the quality of Cracker Barrel as a whole has been slipping over the years. 

When you order biscuits at Cracker Barrel, you get four for the same price as a single biscuit from another chain. However, my biscuits were visibly overcooked and were too dark on top. And while they didn't taste burnt, they were dry and hard on the outside. I did not want to take more than two bites. 

I was pleased that my order was accompanied by small packs of softened butter and both blackberry and strawberry preserves. That is some biscuit hospitality. And I would like to give Cracker Barrel credit for always having higher-shelf jams and jellies in a variety of flavors. It is not something you find at most chains.

7. Burger King

Burger King's biscuits were very flat, almost as if they had been smashed or stacked under something heavy. They were very fragile and did not hold together well. And while it was a plain biscuit, it tasted strongly of sausage. Perhaps it had been browned on the same grill as the meat.

It was, however, pleasingly crispy on the outside and gave way to nice airy bubbles. It was buttery to bite into, too. While the inside was a tad dense, it had a nice texture. And it was a surprisingly hearty couple of bites.

Overall, I was confused by the taste of this biscuit when I ate it solo. If I had ordered a sausage biscuit, I don't think I would have been disappointed in my breakfast choice. Although, I would have been covered in biscuit crumbs, which was not a fun part of this experience.

4. McDonald's

McDonald's is known for its iconic menu items. And while the McMuffin may be at the top of the breakfast list, the biscuit does have a decent following of its own — and for good reason. McDonald's biscuits are done well.

There is a flaky layer on the outside, which is accompanied by a brush of rich butter. The biscuit is not too big or too small, and it's hearty and fluffy on the inside. The butter taste doesn't sink too far past the crust either, which means the soft middle can serve as a great accompaniment to any breakfast pairing. Whether it's stuffed with butter and jelly, bacon, egg, and cheese, or a sausage patty, this biscuit knows its place as a middle of the road option.

But there is really nothing special about McDonald's biscuit — and it doesn't seem to work too hard. All of the right elements are there, but they're just at a "good enough" level. McDonald's could definetly improve the taste and density of its biscuits by offering more butter, more crust, and more fluff in the middle. Then, it might take home the gold. 

2. Denny's

Denny's is a great place for an early morning or late-night breakfast. While I haven't visited the chain for several years, I don't think the place has changed very much. And I'm happy to report that sentiment applies to its biscuits.

I don't know how much I appreciated Denny's biscuits until I tasted them alongside its competitors. I had tried a few before this one, so I can say I was wowed by it. The word "decadent" came to mind immediately. The outside crisp was much more delicate than the other biscuits. Plus, the top was incredibly airy and carried just the right amount of butter; it didn't leave a greasy feeling or an aftertaste. The biscuit was rich, with a dense middle that remained soft and fluffy.

After tasting all the biscuits on my list, I returned to this one just to make sure my palate had not been turned off by the lower-ranked items. I found, yet again, that Denny's biscuit was an absolute treat. This biscuit fought hard for the number one spot, but was just slightly outdone in terms of  homemade quality and taste. While I would be happy to have these on any table where I had a chair, there was one biscuit that was just a bit better. But if number one isn't available, I would be happy to offer this biscuit up as an option to any first timer and would be proud to say, "That's a good biscuit."

1. Popeyes

I wasn't introduced to Popeyes until I was an adult. It's not a place I frequent because it's a bit out of the way and I don't eat a lot of fast food. Although, I remembered that I had always been happy with what I'd ordered, including the biscuits. Though, the biscuits themselves didn't stand out. But, boy, was I surprised to see how they tasted this go-round! 

I was happily offered both honey and jelly with my biscuit — which is something I appreciate — though I found that neither one was needed. This biscuit is so delicious and comes close to some of the best homemade biscuits I've ever had. 

The biscuit is a nice size and is golden in color. When I broke it open, I found a visible ring of butter that saturated the crispy crust and encircled the puffy inside. And while the outside offers a texture that hints at a crunch, the inside is dense with an airy texture and taste.

I am shocked by my oversight of these biscuits, as I could have been enjoying them for years. I am glad I know now how good they are. Even if Popeyes offered nothing else on its menu, I would still venture out of my way to get another helping of these biscuits.