Warning: The 25 Most-Complained-About Restaurants

And from the ever-growing Master List of Lists comes this, from Consumer Reports: the 25 most-complained-about chain restaurants.

For context, the ratings are based on 170,838 reported visits to 238 full-service restaurant chains (so no McDonald’s or Burger Kings). Some are regional, but many have a national presence, and thus might well be among the dining options for travelers visiting areas with fewer independent restaurants.

The offenders, beginning with the worst, as measured by the most complaints per 100 visits:

1. Fricker’s
2. Dave & Buster’s
3. Taco Mac
4. Native Grill & Wings
5. Quaker State & Lube
6. Buffalo Wild Wings
7. The Green Turtle Sports Bar & Grille
8. Huddle House
9. P.J. Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant
10. Joe’s Crab Shack
11. Hurricane Grill & Wings
12. Wild Wing Cafe
13. Hard Rock Cafe
14. Rainforest Cafe
15. Iron Skillet
16. Texas Roadhouse
17. Buffalo Wings & Rings
18. Dick’s Last Resort
19. Logan’s Roadhouse
20. House of Blues
21. Bar Louie
22. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
23. Waffle House
24. Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill
25. Duffy’s Sports Grill

Among the complaints’ causes, excessive noise was cited most often, followed by poor service and badly prepared food. Survey participants who dined at Fricker’s, for instance, dinged the chain for noise (22 percent of respondents), service (22 percent), “dirty environment” (22 percent), and food (12 percent).

The complaints report is part of Consumer Reports’ comprehensive Restaurant Buying Guide, which also includes ratings of 238 chains, tips on getting good value (10 or 15 percent AARP discounts at some popular chains, for example), healthful eating, restaurants that serve antibiotic-free meats, and so on.

Reader Reality Check

What are your most and least favorite restaurant chains?

More from SmarterTravel:

• Points or Cash Back for Your Hotel Stays?
• Warning: These Are the World’s 10 Busiest Airports
• The Best U.S. Mileage Program, and the Worst

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.