There is a certain kind of restaurant that does not get talked about nearly enough. Not the trendy spot downtown with a three week waitlist. Not the chain that spends millions on Super Bowl commercials. Just a solid, honest, generous restaurant where the food is made from scratch, the portions make you feel respected and the bill at the end does not make your heart sink. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is exactly that kind of place.
Walk in on any given weeknight and you will find families celebrating birthdays, coworkers grabbing dinner after a long day, couples on casual dates and tables full of regulars who have been coming in for years. Nobody is there to be seen. They are there because the food is genuinely good, the portions are genuinely large and the prices make the whole experience feel like a win before you even take a bite.
Owned by Darden Restaurants since 2017, the same group behind Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s has managed to keep its identity intact while growing to over 165 locations across the country. That is not easy to do at scale, and it is one of the reasons loyal customers stay loyal for a very long time.
This is the complete 2026 menu guide with updated prices, honest descriptions and everything you need to plan your next visit.
Why Cheddar’s Still Stands Out in 2026
The phrase scratch kitchen gets thrown around a lot in the restaurant industry these days. It has become almost meaningless at some chains that slap the label on their marketing without much to back it up. Cheddar’s actually earns it.
The soups are made fresh every morning. The bread comes out of real ovens inside the building. The pot pies are assembled by hand and baked to order. The sauces are not poured from industrial jugs. When you taste the difference between a scratch-made Alfredo and a reheated one, you understand immediately why Cheddar’s has the kind of loyal customer base that most chains spend decades trying to build.
Add in portions that consistently surprise first-time visitors and prices that sit well below comparable quality at other casual dining spots, and you have a restaurant that genuinely deserves more attention than it gets.
🥐 Honey Butter Croissants — Before We Even Start
Every single conversation about Cheddar’s eventually comes back to the honey butter croissants. These warm, flaky, perfectly golden croissants arrive at your table before your meal with a small dish of whipped honey butter that melts into the layers the moment you spread it. They are the kind of bread that makes you forget you ordered anything else.
Many regulars will admit that on some visits, they have filled up on croissants and barely touched their entree. Nobody judges them for it. The croissants are that good.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Butter Croissants | Freshly baked warm croissants with whipped honey butter, served before your meal | Complimentary with meal or $2.99 – $3.99 separately |
🍽️ Appetizers — Portions Big Enough to Share
Ordering an appetizer at Cheddar’s requires a certain level of strategic thinking. The portions are so generous that an appetizer and a cup of soup can legitimately be a full meal for most people. If you are sharing with the table, that is great. If you are ordering one just for yourself, pace yourself because the entree is still coming.
The spinach and artichoke dip is a consistent fan favorite that has been on the menu for years. The sampler platter is the smartest order for groups of three or more.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach and Artichoke Dip | Warm house-made creamy dip with fresh spinach and artichoke hearts, served with tortilla chips and salsa | $9.99 – $11.99 |
| Queso Dip | Rich house queso with seasoned ground beef and pico de gallo served with warm chips | $9.49 – $11.49 |
| White Queso Dip | Smooth white queso with roasted peppers and fresh tortilla chips | $9.49 – $10.99 |
| Loaded Potato Skins | Crispy potato skins generously filled with cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon and green onions, served with sour cream | $10.49 – $12.49 |
| Chicken Tenders Appetizer | Hand-battered chicken tenders served with your choice of dipping sauce | $11.49 – $13.49 |
| Onion Ring Tower | Thick cut onion rings stacked tall with your choice of dipping sauce on the side | $8.99 – $10.99 |
| Nachos | Tortilla chips loaded with warm queso, seasoned beef or chicken, jalapeños, sour cream and fresh pico de gallo | $11.49 – $13.49 |
| Chicken Nachos | The same loaded nachos built specifically with grilled seasoned chicken | $11.99 – $13.99 |
| Mozzarella Sticks | Golden fried mozzarella sticks with a crispy exterior and gooey interior, served with warm marinara | $8.99 – $10.49 |
| Sampler Platter | A generous combination of onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and spinach dip all on one plate | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Guacamole and Chips | Freshly made house guacamole with warm tortilla chips and house salsa | $8.99 – $10.49 |
| Shrimp Cocktail | Chilled jumbo shrimp served with zesty cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges | $10.99 – $12.99 |
| Fried Pickle Chips | Thinly sliced dill pickles in a seasoned batter, fried until crispy golden and served with ranch | $7.99 – $9.49 |
| Quesadilla | Grilled flour tortilla stuffed with melted cheese, served with salsa and sour cream | $9.49 – $10.99 |
| Chicken Quesadilla | Same quesadilla loaded with seasoned grilled chicken and extra cheese | $11.49 – $12.99 |
🥗 Salads — Big Enough to Be the Main Event
Cheddar’s salads are not side-dish salads dressed up in a bigger bowl. They are full entrees built with real ingredients, house-made dressings and enough substance to leave you satisfied. The Santa Fe Chicken Salad is one of the most ordered items in the entire restaurant, not just in the salad category, which tells you something important about how good it is.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Chicken Salad | Grilled chicken over fresh mixed greens with black beans, roasted corn, pico de gallo, tortilla strips and Santa Fe dressing | $13.49 – $15.49 |
| House Salad | Fresh mixed greens with tomato, cucumber, croutons and your choice of house dressing | $5.99 – $6.99 |
| Caesar Salad | Crisp romaine hearts with house-made Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan and golden croutons | $7.99 – $9.49 |
| Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken | The full Caesar with a grilled chicken breast laid right on top | $13.49 – $14.99 |
| Honey Glazed Salmon Salad | Fresh Atlantic salmon with a honey glaze served over mixed greens with candied pecans and citrus vinaigrette | $16.49 – $18.49 |
| Grilled Chicken Salad | Grilled chicken breast over mixed greens with tomato, cucumber and your choice of dressing | $12.99 – $14.99 |
| Crispy Chicken Salad | Hand-battered crispy chicken over mixed greens with all the classic fresh toppings | $12.99 – $14.99 |
| Strawberry Fields Salad | Mixed greens with fresh strawberries, candied pecans, crumbled feta and a sweet poppy seed dressing | $12.49 – $14.49 |
| Shrimp and Avocado Salad | Seasoned grilled shrimp over mixed greens with fresh avocado slices, mango and a light citrus dressing | $15.49 – $17.49 |
| Cobb Salad | Classic Cobb with grilled chicken, bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, tomato and blue cheese crumbles | $13.99 – $15.99 |
🍲 Soups — Made From Scratch Every Single Morning
This is where the scratch kitchen promise pays off most clearly. Cheddar’s soups taste the way homemade soup tastes, and that is because they essentially are. The broccoli cheese soup has its own devoted following and the baked potato soup is the kind of thing people drive across town for on a cold afternoon.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli Cheese Soup | Thick and creamy cheddar cheese soup loaded with fresh broccoli florets, made from scratch every morning | Cup $4.99 – $5.99 / Bowl $6.99 – $7.99 |
| Chicken Tortilla Soup | Hearty chicken and vegetable soup with crispy tortilla strips, shredded cheese and sour cream | Cup $4.99 – $5.99 / Bowl $6.99 – $7.99 |
| Baked Potato Soup | Creamy potato soup topped with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon and sour cream | Cup $4.99 – $5.99 / Bowl $6.99 – $7.99 |
| New England Clam Chowder | Classic thick and creamy chowder with tender clams and soft potato pieces | Cup $5.49 – $6.49 / Bowl $7.49 – $8.49 |
| Chicken Pot Pie Soup | A soup version of the beloved pot pie with chicken, vegetables and cream sauce topped with a flaky pastry crust | Bowl $8.99 – $10.49 |
| French Onion Soup | Deeply caramelized onion soup with melted Swiss cheese over a thick crouton, browned under the broiler | Bowl $6.99 – $7.99 |
| Soup and Salad Combo | A cup of any soup paired with a fresh house salad, one of the best lunch deals on the menu | $10.49 – $12.49 |
🍗 Chicken Entrees — The Most Ordered Category on the Menu
If you ask a Cheddar’s regular what they always order, there is a very good chance they say the chicken tenders. These are not fast food tenders or freezer-to-fryer shortcuts. They are hand-battered in the kitchen, cooked to order and served in a portion that genuinely impresses people the first time they see it come out of the kitchen.
The variety in this section means you can eat chicken at Cheddar’s for weeks without repeating yourself, and each preparation feels distinctly different from the last.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-Battered Chicken Tenders | The signature dish of the restaurant. Thick tenders hand-battered to order and fried golden, served with your choice of two sides | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Chicken Tenders Dinner for Two | A large shareable platter of hand-battered tenders with four sides, perfect for splitting with someone | $24.99 – $27.99 |
| Grilled Chicken Platter | Seasoned grilled chicken breast with two sides and a honey butter croissant | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| Chicken Marsala | Pan-seared chicken breast in a rich Marsala wine sauce with sautéed mushrooms served over pasta | $15.99 – $17.99 |
| Chicken Parmesan | Breaded chicken breast with homemade marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, served over pasta | $15.49 – $17.49 |
| Nashville Hot Chicken | Crispy fried chicken coated in Nashville hot sauce, served with pickles and creamy coleslaw | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Lemon Pepper Chicken | Grilled chicken breast with bright lemon pepper seasoning and a finishing touch of herb butter | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| Chicken Alfredo | Grilled chicken over fettuccine tossed in rich homemade Alfredo sauce with fresh Parmesan | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Chicken and Waffles | Crispy hand-battered chicken served over a fluffy Belgian waffle with real maple syrup | $14.49 – $16.49 |
| Buffalo Chicken Platter | Crispy chicken tossed in buffalo sauce served with ranch dipping sauce, celery and two sides | $14.49 – $16.49 |
| Honey Butter Chicken | Pan-seared chicken glazed with a sweet house honey butter sauce, served with two sides | $14.49 – $16.49 |
| BBQ Chicken Platter | Grilled chicken basted in house BBQ sauce with two sides and fresh baked bread | $14.49 – $16.49 |
| Chicken Piccata | Thin chicken breast in a lemon caper butter sauce over pasta with fresh parsley | $15.49 – $17.49 |
| Stuffed Chicken | Chicken breast stuffed with spinach and cheese, baked and served with two sides | $15.99 – $17.99 |
🥩 Steaks — Quality Beef at Prices That Surprise People
The steak section at Cheddar’s is one of the most underappreciated parts of the menu. Most people do not expect a casual dining chain to do steaks well, but Cheddar’s consistently delivers hand-cut beef cooked properly and priced at a level that makes genuine steakhouse quality accessible on a regular night out rather than a special occasion.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 oz Sirloin | Six ounce hand-cut sirloin seasoned with the house blend and grilled to your exact preference, served with two sides | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| 10 oz Sirloin | Ten ounce sirloin for a more substantial steak dinner, grilled to order with two sides and fresh bread | $18.99 – $21.99 |
| 16 oz Ribeye | A sixteen ounce ribeye with rich natural marbling, grilled to order and served with two sides | $26.99 – $29.99 |
| 8 oz Filet Mignon | Tender and buttery filet grilled to your exact specification with two sides and bread | $24.99 – $27.99 |
| New York Strip | Twelve ounce strip steak with classic seasoning and a good sear, served with two sides | $22.99 – $25.99 |
| Steak and Shrimp | A grilled sirloin paired with your choice of grilled or fried shrimp and two sides | $19.99 – $22.99 |
| Steak and Chicken Combo | Sirloin alongside a grilled chicken breast for those who want both and cannot decide | $18.99 – $21.99 |
| Chicken Fried Steak | Tenderized beef steak in a seasoned crispy coating with country cream gravy and two sides | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Steak Tips | Marinated steak tips over creamy mashed potatoes with savory gravy and green beans | $16.99 – $18.99 |
| Steak and Ribs Combo | Half rack of baby back ribs alongside a six ounce sirloin with two sides | $23.99 – $26.99 |
🦐 Seafood — Fresher Than You Might Expect
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Glazed Salmon | Fresh Atlantic salmon fillet with a house honey glaze finished under the broiler, served with two sides and bread | $17.99 – $19.99 |
| Grilled Salmon | Simply seasoned salmon fillet grilled with lemon butter and served with two sides | $17.49 – $19.49 |
| Fish and Chips | Beer battered white fish fillets served with thick cut fries, house tartar sauce and creamy coleslaw | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Fried Shrimp Platter | Large portion of crispy golden fried shrimp with cocktail sauce, fries and coleslaw | $15.99 – $17.99 |
| Grilled Shrimp Platter | Seasoned grilled shrimp skewers with two sides and fresh baked bread | $15.99 – $17.99 |
| Shrimp and Chicken Combo | Grilled shrimp alongside a grilled chicken breast with two sides, a solid option when you cannot choose | $16.99 – $18.99 |
| Tilapia Platter | Pan-seared tilapia seasoned well with a lemon butter finish, served with two sides and bread | $14.99 – $16.99 |
| Shrimp Pasta | Sautéed shrimp over linguine in a garlic butter white wine sauce with fresh herbs | $15.99 – $17.99 |
| Cajun Shrimp and Rice | Boldly seasoned Cajun shrimp served over dirty rice with Andouille sausage and a colorful vegetable mix | $15.49 – $17.49 |
| Crab Cake Platter | House-made crab cakes with remoulade sauce and two sides, one of the more premium options on the menu | $17.99 – $19.99 |
| Shrimp and Steak Surf and Turf | Grilled sirloin paired with grilled shrimp for the classic surf and turf combination | $21.99 – $24.99 |
🍝 Pasta — Comfort in a Bowl
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fettuccine Alfredo | House-made Alfredo sauce tossed over fettuccine with freshly grated Parmesan cheese | $12.99 – $14.99 |
| Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo | The same rich Alfredo with a grilled chicken breast added right on top | $15.49 – $17.49 |
| Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo | Alfredo pasta with sautéed shrimp for a satisfying seafood pasta dinner | $15.99 – $17.99 |
| Pasta with Marinara | House-made marinara sauce over spaghetti with fresh basil and Parmesan | $11.49 – $12.99 |
| Chicken Parmesan Pasta | Breaded chicken with marinara and mozzarella over penne, combining two classics in one dish | $15.49 – $17.49 |
| Baked Mac and Cheese | House-made macaroni and sharp cheddar cheese baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbling | $12.49 – $13.99 |
| Loaded Baked Mac and Cheese | The same baked mac taken up a level with crumbled bacon, pickled jalapeños and extra cheddar on top | $13.99 – $15.49 |
| Pasta Primavera | Fresh seasonal vegetables sautéed in olive oil and garlic over linguine with Parmesan | $12.99 – $14.49 |
🥧 Pot Pies — The Dish That Proves the Scratch Kitchen Promise
The pot pies at Cheddar’s are the clearest demonstration of what scratch cooking actually means. There is no shortcut version of a good pot pie. The crust has to be made and baked. The filling has to be prepared fresh. The whole thing has to come together in the oven while you wait. Cheddar’s does all of it, and every single pot pie that comes out of that kitchen reflects genuine effort and care.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Pot Pie | A classic American comfort food done right. Chicken, carrots, peas and potatoes in a creamy sauce under a golden scratch-made pastry crust | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| Beef Pot Pie | Tender slow-cooked beef with root vegetables and a rich brown gravy under a freshly baked flaky crust | $14.49 – $16.49 |
| Vegetable Pot Pie | Seasonal garden vegetables in a creamy herb sauce under a scratch-made pastry crust, a genuinely satisfying meatless option | $12.49 – $14.49 |
🍺 Baby Back Ribs — Slow Cooked Until They Give Up
The ribs are the other dish that Cheddar’s is genuinely famous for among people who know the menu well. Slow cooked for hours until the meat pulls away from the bone without any resistance, finished with the house BBQ sauce that has a balance of sweet and smoky that works perfectly with pork. A full rack is a commitment. A half rack is a satisfying dinner for one generous appetite.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Half Rack Baby Back Ribs | A half rack of slow-cooked baby back ribs with house BBQ sauce and your choice of two sides | $18.99 – $21.99 |
| Full Rack Baby Back Ribs | The full rack for serious rib enthusiasts, slow-cooked the same way with two sides and fresh bread | $26.99 – $29.99 |
| Ribs and Chicken Combo | Half rack of ribs alongside a grilled chicken breast with two sides, a satisfying combination for those who want both | $20.99 – $23.99 |
| Ribs and Shrimp Combo | Half rack paired with grilled or fried shrimp and two sides | $21.99 – $24.99 |
| Ribs and Sirloin Combo | Half rack alongside a six ounce sirloin for the ultimate combination platter with two sides | $23.99 – $26.99 |
🍔 Burgers and Sandwiches — Honest Food Done Well
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Cheddar’s Burger | A half pound beef patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and house sauce on a toasted brioche bun | $12.99 – $14.99 |
| Bacon Cheeseburger | Half pound patty with crispy bacon strips, melted cheddar and all the classic toppings | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| Mushroom Swiss Burger | Half pound patty topped with sautéed mushrooms, melted Swiss cheese and roasted garlic aioli | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| BBQ Bacon Burger | Beef patty with house BBQ sauce, bacon, crispy onion strings and melted cheddar | $14.49 – $16.49 |
| Jalapeño Burger | Spicy beef patty with pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese and a smoky chipotle mayo | $13.49 – $15.49 |
| Turkey Burger | Seasoned ground turkey patty with fresh avocado, lettuce and tomato on a toasted wheat bun | $12.99 – $14.49 |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | Marinated grilled chicken breast with lettuce, tomato and honey mustard on a toasted bun | $12.49 – $13.99 |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich | Hand-battered crispy chicken with pickles, lettuce and mayo on a fresh brioche bun | $12.49 – $13.99 |
| Club Sandwich | Classic layers of turkey, ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato on toasted sourdough | $12.99 – $14.49 |
| Patty Melt | Beef patty with slowly caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese on grilled marble rye bread | $12.49 – $13.99 |
| French Dip | Thinly sliced roast beef on a hoagie roll with a warm au jus for dipping | $13.49 – $14.99 |
| BLT Sandwich | Thick cut bacon, crisp lettuce and fresh tomato with mayo on perfectly toasted sourdough | $10.99 – $12.49 |
| Philly Cheesesteak | Thinly sliced beef with sautéed peppers, onions and provolone on a toasted hoagie | $13.99 – $15.49 |
🍽️ Sides — The Supporting Stars That Steal the Show
The sides at Cheddar’s are not an afterthought. Several of them have independent fan followings and the mashed potatoes in particular come up constantly in conversations about why people love this restaurant. Every entree comes with your choice of two sides, which is one of the most generous standard inclusions in casual dining.
| Side | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Mashed Potatoes | Creamy scratch-made mashed potatoes with real butter, finished with brown gravy | $3.49 – $4.49 |
| Loaded Mashed Potatoes | The same mashed potatoes piled with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon and sour cream | $4.49 – $5.49 |
| Mac and Cheese | House-made creamy macaroni with sharp cheddar cheese baked golden | $3.99 – $4.99 |
| Seasoned Rice | Long grain rice with herbs, butter and a light seasoning blend | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Steamed Broccoli | Fresh broccoli lightly steamed and finished with a touch of butter | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Green Beans | Southern style slow-cooked green beans with bacon and onion | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Corn | Sweet corn on the cob or creamy creamed corn depending on the season | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Coleslaw | House-made creamy coleslaw with a balanced sweetness and good crunch | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| French Fries | Classic golden fries with a light seasoned salt finish | $3.49 – $4.49 |
| Sweet Potato Fries | Crispy sweet potato fries served with a cinnamon honey dipping sauce | $3.99 – $4.49 |
| Onion Rings | Thick breaded onion rings fried until golden and served with ranch | $3.99 – $4.49 |
| Fried Okra | Cornmeal breaded okra fried until perfectly crispy, a Southern staple done right | $3.49 – $3.99 |
| Side Salad | Small fresh salad with your choice of house dressing | $3.99 – $4.99 |
| Baked Potato | Large baked potato fully loaded with butter, shredded cheese, bacon and sour cream | $3.99 – $4.99 |
| Sweet Potato | Baked sweet potato with brown sugar butter and a marshmallow topping | $3.99 – $4.99 |
| Pasta Salad | House pasta salad with fresh vegetables and Italian dressing | $3.49 – $3.99 |
| Dirty Rice | Seasoned rice with vegetables and a Cajun spice blend | $3.49 – $3.99 |
🧒 Kids Menu — Real Food for Real Kids
| Product | Includes | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Kids Chicken Tenders | Two hand-battered chicken tenders with one side and a kids drink | $6.99 – $7.99 |
| Kids Mac and Cheese | House-made creamy mac and cheese with one side and a kids drink | $5.99 – $6.99 |
| Kids Grilled Cheese | Classic grilled cheese on white bread with one side and a kids drink | $5.99 – $6.99 |
| Kids Burger | Small beef patty with cheese and ketchup on a soft bun with one side and a kids drink | $6.49 – $7.49 |
| Kids Hot Dog | All beef hot dog with ketchup and mustard, one side and a kids drink | $5.99 – $6.99 |
| Kids Pasta with Marinara | Small pasta with house marinara sauce and one side and a kids drink | $5.99 – $6.99 |
| Kids Grilled Chicken | Small grilled chicken breast seasoned simply with one side and a kids drink | $6.49 – $7.49 |
| Kids Corn Dog | A kids size corn dog with one side and a kids drink | $5.99 – $6.99 |
| Kids Apple Slices | Fresh apple slices as a healthy side option | $0.99 – $1.49 |
🍹 Drinks — Something for Every Preference
| Product | Size | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Drinks | Regular | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Lemonade | Regular | $3.49 – $3.99 |
| Strawberry Lemonade | Regular | $3.99 – $4.49 |
| Sweet Tea | Regular | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Unsweetened Tea | Regular | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Arnold Palmer | Regular | $3.29 – $3.79 |
| Orange Juice | Regular | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Apple Juice | Regular | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Milk | Regular | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Chocolate Milk | Regular | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Coffee | Regular | $2.99 – $3.49 |
| Hot Tea | Regular | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Bottled Water | Regular | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Sparkling Water | Regular | $2.99 – $3.49 |
🍸 Bar Menu — Worth Timing Your Visit Around
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Draft Beer | Rotating selection of domestic and craft beers on tap | $4.99 – $6.99 |
| Bottled Beer | Domestic and imported bottle selection | $4.49 – $5.99 |
| House Wine by the Glass | Red, white or rosé poured generously | $6.99 – $8.99 |
| Classic Margarita | House margarita with fresh lime juice on the rocks or frozen | $7.99 – $9.49 |
| Strawberry Margarita | Sweet frozen or on-the-rocks strawberry margarita with a salted rim | $8.49 – $9.99 |
| Mango Margarita | Tropical mango margarita with fresh lime and a salted rim | $8.49 – $9.99 |
| Peach Margarita | Fresh peach margarita with a sweet and slightly tart finish | $8.49 – $9.99 |
| Long Island Iced Tea | The classic five-spirit version with cola and lemon | $8.99 – $10.49 |
| Mojito | Fresh muddled mint with lime and rum over crushed ice | $8.49 – $9.99 |
| Sangria | House red or white sangria loaded with fresh cut fruit | $7.99 – $9.49 |
| Rum Punch | Tropical fruit punch with rum and a splash of grenadine | $7.99 – $9.49 |
| Whiskey Sour | Bourbon with freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup | $8.49 – $9.99 |
| Vodka Lemonade | House vodka mixed with fresh squeezed lemonade over ice | $7.99 – $9.49 |
| Paloma | Tequila with fresh grapefruit juice and a salted rim | $8.49 – $9.99 |
| Moscow Mule | Vodka with ginger beer and fresh lime juice served in a cold copper mug | $8.99 – $9.99 |
🍰 Desserts — The Finish Line Worth Racing To
Most restaurants treat desserts as an afterthought. Cheddar’s does not. The desserts are made in house and they are sized for people who saved room on purpose. The Chocolate Lava Cake is the most ordered dessert on the entire menu and that reputation is completely deserved. The warm molten center hitting the cold vanilla ice cream is one of those simple combinations that never gets old.
| Product | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Lava Cake | A warm chocolate cake with a perfectly runny molten chocolate center, served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream | $7.99 – $8.99 |
| Caramel Cheesecake | Rich and dense cheesecake with a thick slow-poured caramel topping and a buttery graham cracker crust | $7.49 – $8.49 |
| New York Style Cheesecake | Classic dense New York cheesecake served with a house strawberry topping | $6.99 – $7.99 |
| Brownie Sundae | Warm house-made brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top | $7.99 – $8.99 |
| Triple Chocolate Cake | Three layers of deeply rich chocolate cake with smooth chocolate frosting and a warm chocolate drizzle | $7.49 – $8.49 |
| Carrot Cake | Moist spiced carrot cake with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting | $6.99 – $7.99 |
| Apple Pie | House-made apple pie with a cinnamon crumble topping, served warm with vanilla ice cream | $7.49 – $8.49 |
| Peach Cobbler | Warm Southern-style peach cobbler with a buttery crumble topping and a scoop of vanilla ice cream | $7.49 – $8.49 |
| Banana Foster | Sliced bananas sautéed in a brown sugar rum sauce, served warm over vanilla ice cream tableside | $7.99 – $8.99 |
| Ice Cream | Two generous scoops of vanilla ice cream with your choice of topping | $4.99 – $5.99 |
| Seasonal Dessert Special | Ask your server about the current seasonal dessert made fresh in the kitchen | $7.49 – $8.99 |
📊 Calorie Reference Guide
| Product | Approximate Calories |
|---|---|
| Hand-Battered Chicken Tenders 3 piece | 890 kcal |
| Honey Glazed Salmon | 620 kcal |
| Full Rack Baby Back Ribs | 1,340 kcal |
| Half Rack Baby Back Ribs | 720 kcal |
| Classic Cheddar’s Burger | 880 kcal |
| Chicken Parmesan | 1,100 kcal |
| Chicken Pot Pie | 980 kcal |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | 1,040 kcal |
| Spinach and Artichoke Dip | 760 kcal |
| Broccoli Cheese Soup Bowl | 380 kcal |
| Santa Fe Chicken Salad | 540 kcal |
| Chocolate Lava Cake | 820 kcal |
| Caramel Cheesecake | 780 kcal |
| 10 oz Sirloin | 540 kcal |
| Fish and Chips | 980 kcal |
| Chicken and Waffles | 1,050 kcal |
| Nashville Hot Chicken | 870 kcal |
| Loaded Potato Skins | 640 kcal |
| Loaded Mac and Cheese Side | 420 kcal |
| Brownie Sundae | 890 kcal |
The Insider Tips That Regular Customers Already Know
The honey butter croissants are bottomless at most Cheddar’s locations. This is not advertised loudly, but your server will bring more if you ask. Most regulars know this going in and plan their hunger accordingly.
Lunch hours, which run until 4pm at most locations, offer smaller portions of several popular entrees at noticeably lower prices. If you are eating alone and do not need the full dinner portion, the lunch size of the salmon or the chicken tenders is more than enough food and gives you the same quality for less money.
Happy hour at the bar brings down drink prices significantly and includes discounts on several appetizers. Arriving between 3pm and 6pm on a weekday gives you access to the spinach dip and queso at reduced prices alongside a discounted drink, which makes for a genuinely excellent and inexpensive early evening meal.
Check for daily specials when you arrive. The kitchen rotates limited-time items based on what came in fresh, and some of the best dishes at Cheddar’s are specials that never appear on the printed menu. Ask your server directly what the kitchen is excited about that day.
Final Thoughts
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen earns its reputation every single day through the food it puts on the table. It is not a perfect restaurant and it does not try to be. What it is, consistently and reliably, is a place where the food is made with genuine effort, the portions treat you like an adult and the price does not punish you for wanting a real meal.
The chicken tenders, the baby back ribs, the pot pies, the broccoli cheese soup, the honey butter croissants and the chocolate lava cake are all better than they have any right to be at this price point. That gap between expectation and reality is exactly why first-time visitors become regulars so quickly.
All prices in this guide are approximate national averages for 2026. Your local Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen may vary slightly. For the most current menu and exact pricing at your nearest location, check the official Cheddar’s website or ask when you arrive.
