Cracker Barrel becomes Nashville area readers' King of Casual Chain Restaurants in a walk

• Cracker Barrel handily beats Chuy's by getting two-thirds of the votes in the final round
• Cracker Barrel beat out Tennessean critics' fave First Watch

It wasn't even close − Lebanon, Tenn.-based Cracker Barrel destroyed 31 competitors to become the champion in our Tennessean tourney for favorite national chain restaurant in Middle Tennessee.

In the final round, Cracker Barrel, known for country charm and comfort food, captured two-thirds of the vote to destroy Tex-Mex chain Chuy's and its magnificent Chicka-Chicka Boom Boom sauce.

More than 3,000 votes were cast over five rounds in the tournament that includes national chains as varied as Bonefish Grill and Waffle House. The only rule: the restaurant had to have table service to be included.

Cracker Barrel practically pranced into the championship, destroying Hooter's in round one by a 90-10 margin in our bracket-style tournament of 32 chain restaurants. Then Cracker Barrel easily knocked off critic's fave First Watch before taking out Waffle House and, last week, Maggiano's by a wide margin.

Why, Cracker Barrel practically pranced into the championship, destroying Hooter's in round one by a 90-10 margin in our bracket-style tournament of 32 chain restaurants. Then Cracker Barrel easily knocked off critic's fave First Watch before taking out Waffle House and, last week, Maggiano's by a wide margin.

It was a rockier road for the other finalist, Chuy's Tex-Mex, which had a tough time getting by Mellow Mushroom and Carrabba's before sneaking by P.F. Chang's, 55% to 45%, to get into the championship round.

But Chuy's couldn't pull the upset,

Power rankings:Eating Nashville: Which are the best (and worst) chain restaurants? Our power rankings.

2022 picks:The top 25 restaurants in Nashville in 2022

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