10 Disappointing Things To Avoid Ordering At Denny's & 10 That Always Taste Good
Denny’s Orders Decoded
Denny’s is the kind of place that’s always there when you need it. Midnight breakfast, post-road-trip cravings, or just an everyday meal—you’ll find something on the menu that hits the spot. But here’s the deal: not everything is worth your appetite. Some dishes sound better than they taste, and others are the reliable favorites regulars swear by. To save you the trial and error, first, here are ten Denny’s orders that are better left untouched.
1. T-Bone Steak
The 13-ounce T-Bone looks like a solid upgrade compared to the usual 8-ounce cuts, but appearances can be misleading. Once it hits the table, you’ll likely run into tough gristle and bland meat that begs for steak sauce.
They served us a raw T-bone steak from Denny's by Pistol pete THEDARKBLADE309
2. Turkey & Dressing Dinner
On paper, the Turkey & Dressing Dinner checks every box: sliced turkey tenders, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, two sides, and garlic bread. In practice, though, it falls flat, as the stuffing lacks moisture, the gravy is overwhelmed with salt, and the cranberry tastes canned.
3. Garden Salad
Denny’s Garden Salad comes in at 170 calories, making it slimmer than the Chicken Caesar (470) and Cobb (700). Yet the ingredients—iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a sprinkle of cheddar—don’t always deliver much satisfaction, with many guests calling it too plain to stand out.
How to make Garden Salad by Charlie Andrews
4. Triple Chocolate Pancakes
These buttermilk pancakes promise an indulgent chocolate lover's fantasy, with chocolate chips stuffed within and a crowning glory of chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Yet many customers report a harsh reality of artificial flavors, cloying sweetness, and synthetic aftertaste that falls short of expectations.
No machine-readable author provided. Dgjon assumed (based on copyright claims). on Wikimedia
5. Strawberry Banana Bliss Smoothie
The Strawberry Banana Bliss Smoothie mixes fruit juice with the classic duo of bananas and strawberries. At 250 calories, it may look like a smart choice for health-minded diners. Unfortunately, many complain the drink tastes overly sweet and artificial, drowning out the fruit’s natural appeal.
Banana Strawberry Smoothie from Denny's by Svetlana Soloveva
6. Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae
From a value proposition standpoint, this sundae combines three classic elements: a cookie base, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. Yet feedback suggests misalignment with customer expectations. The dessert's nutritional metrics, including 860 calories and 82g of sugar, outweigh perceived portion size and quality benefits, positioning it below competing menu alternatives.
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Sundae for Two! by Coley Cooks
7. Grilled Tuscan Chicken
Take a trip to sun-drenched Tuscany, where rustic cooking means fresh herbs and olive oil, creating simple, authentic flavors. However, hop over to Denny's kitchen, and their Tuscan Chicken sandwich loses its way, as it is bland, dry chicken buried in ciabatta with lettuce and tomato.
8. Loaded Veggie Omelet
The protein structure of eggs provides an ideal foundation for incorporating vegetables, but Denny's execution falters in this Swiss cheese omelet. On top of that, its watery texture suggests improper moisture control during cooking, leading to consistently bland results.
Denny's Loaded Veggie Omelette ASMR by ManBehindACameraASMR
9. Santa Fe Bowl
At 770 calories per serving, Denny's Santa Fe Bowl presents notable nutritional concerns, particularly due to its high sodium content and substantial grease profile. Despite incorporating fire-roasted peppers, mushrooms, and onions, this moderately spicy skillet's limited fresh vegetable composition may disappoint health-conscious diners.
Santa Fe Sizzlin Skillet Breakfast Recipe by Homestead Goddess
10. Sizzlin' Skillet Breakfast
Served in a traditional cast-iron skillet, Denny's signature breakfast promises a sizzling medley of seasoned potatoes, fresh-sautéed peppers and onions, melted cheese, and eggs. Yet this homage to classic American diner fare often falls short, with diners reporting skimpy portions and uneven ingredient distribution.
Sante Fe Sizzlin skillet & endless breakfast @ Denny’s by Lovelove Holmes
Now, let’s take a look at ten dishes that actually make Denny’s worth the stop.
1. Grand Slam Breakfast
Just like a baseball slugger rounding the bases, Denny's Grand Slam Breakfast has been knocking it out of the park since 1977, when they christened it in Hank Aaron's honor. This heavy-hitter loads all four bases: two buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, bacon, and sausage links—though some ballparks swap in local favorites.
2. Original Grand Slamwich
Since its debut in 2008, the Original Grand Slamwich has earned a loyal following across the U.S. Built on buttery grilled sourdough with a maple-spice spread, it’s stacked with scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, bacon, shaved ham, and layers of melted cheeses.
Denny's Grand Slamwich Review by 5 Minute Eats
3. Lumberjack Slam
Perfected through Denny's signature low-and-slow egg preparation method, the Lumberjack Slam showcases breakfast engineering at its finest. This mid-1980s creation loads the plate with two buttermilk pancakes, grilled ham, bacon strips, sausage links, hash browns, and toast—a time-tested combination that keeps drawing crowds.
4. Pancake Puppies
These golden, bite-sized spheres transform classic pancake batter into something magical through the art of deep-frying. Each warm Pancake Puppy releases enticing wisps of cinnamon and nutmeg, while its delicately sugared exterior gives way to a tender, buttermilk-rich center.
Denny's Pancake Puppies Review by Daym Drops
5. Chicken Strips
Made with premium boneless, skinless tenders, these golden-brown beauties are expertly breaded and fried to crispy perfection. Paired with your choice of ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce for dipping, it's no wonder that Chicken Strips rank as one of Denny's most recommended dishes.
Trying Denny's ENTIRE APPETIZERS MENU! Every Single Item! by Timmy's Takeout
6. Chocolate Milkshake
Though its original debut remains lost in the pages of Denny's history, this quintessential Chocolate Milkshake has evolved into a masterpiece of precision craftsmanship. Each location faithfully blends premium ice cream, fresh milk, and rich chocolate syrup, crowned with pillowy whipped cream, which shows Denny's commitment to milkshake perfection.
denny's chocolate shake by Jason Hobbs
7. Cobb Salad
Through meticulous standardization across locations, Denny's crafts each Cobb Salad to exacting specifications, layering grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh avocado with precision. Every bowl showcases perfectly arranged grape tomatoes and potato sticks over crisp iceberg mix, finished with your preferred dressing selection.
8. Sizzling Skillet Fajitas
The sound hits first—a sizzling skillet making its grand entrance. Beneath the steam lies a base of crispy potatoes, topped with tender sautéed chicken tenders, colorful bell peppers, and caramelized onions. Melted cheddar blankets it all, inviting you to finish with guacamole, salsa, or your favorite toppings.
Sizzling Skillet Chicken Fajitas by The Stay At Home Chef
9. Philly Cheesesteak Melt
Drawing from Philadelphia's iconic sandwich tradition, Denny's crafted its own interpretation of the cheesesteak with strategic modifications. While authentic versions typically feature provolone or Cheez Whiz, Denny's preparation combines thinly sliced seasoned steak with American cheese.
Best Philly Cheesesteak by TipBuzz
10. Moons Over My Hammy
This Denny’s classic gained extra fame when Peter Griffin ordered it on Family Guy in 2019. Its playful name nods to Miami, as the sandwich is delivered with ham, scrambled eggs, and melted American and Swiss cheeses pressed between buttery grilled sourdough to golden perfection.
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