Biscuits and gravy: a humble Southern classic that has somehow made its way onto breakfast menus across America — from cozy diners to fast-food counters. When done right, it’s pure comfort on a plate: golden, flaky biscuits smothered in peppery, sausage-laced gravy that warms you to your core. But when it’s wrong? It’s dry, bland, and depressing — the kind of breakfast that leaves you wondering why you didn’t just stick with pancakes.
That’s where this ranking comes in.
We rolled up our sleeves (and loosened our belts) to try biscuits and gravy from eight major chain restaurants — some beloved, some unexpected, and a few that should’ve stayed out of the kitchen. This wasn’t about nostalgia or brand loyalty. We judged each contender purely on biscuit quality, gravy flavor, sausage presence, texture, and overall satisfaction. The results? Let’s just say some chains seriously impressed us… and others barely limped onto the list.
You’ll be surprised who lands near the bottom (yes, even breakfast giants can miss the mark) — and who rises to the top with buttery, flaky biscuits and rich, from-scratch gravy that tastes like Sunday morning at Grandma’s house.
Whether you’re a true Southerner with high standards or just a gravy-curious diner looking for your next favorite breakfast stop, this definitive ranking will guide your cravings. From the disappointingly dry to the downright divine, here’s how eight biscuit-and-gravy offerings stack up — from worst to best.
1. McDonald’s Biscuits and Gravy
McDonald’s attempt at this classic dish falls flat in almost every way. The biscuits arrive dry and crumbly, lacking the buttery richness that makes a good biscuit great. Their gravy resembles pale wallpaper paste more than the peppery, sausage-studded sauce this dish deserves.
The flavor profile is remarkably bland, with barely a hint of seasoning to wake up your taste buds. It’s clear this menu item exists as an afterthought rather than something crafted with care. Even drowning it in hot sauce can’t save this disappointing breakfast option.
Available only in select regions, McDonald’s biscuits and gravy might fill an empty stomach, but it won’t satisfy your craving for authentic Southern comfort food.
2. IHOP’s Country Biscuit & Gravy
IHOP’s version misses several crucial marks despite coming from a breakfast-focused chain. Their biscuits have a strange, almost cake-like texture that feels wrong against the roof of your mouth. The gravy arrives lukewarm more often than not, with an artificial flavor that lingers unpleasantly.
Small, sparse sausage pieces appear occasionally in the gravy, but they lack the seasoning and punch needed to elevate the dish. The portion size disappoints too – you’ll get one lonely biscuit split in half with barely enough gravy to cover it.
While IHOP excels at pancakes, their biscuits and gravy seems like an obligation rather than a passion. Skip this and stick to what they do best.
3. Bob Evans’ Sausage Gravy & Biscuits
Bob Evans occupies the middle ground in our biscuits and gravy showdown. Their biscuits have a decent flakiness but sometimes arrive overdone around the edges. The gravy boasts a silky consistency with a peppery kick that wakes up your taste buds.
One standout feature: generous sausage chunks distributed evenly throughout the gravy. You’ll never wonder where the meat is hiding! However, inconsistency plagues this dish – one visit yields perfect gravy, while the next might bring something overly salty or floury.
Bob Evans earns points for portion size, serving up two substantial biscuits absolutely smothered in gravy. Not bad for a chain restaurant, but not memorable enough to crave specifically.
4. Denny’s Biscuit & Gravy Breakfast
Denny’s offers a surprisingly decent take on this Southern staple. Their biscuits strike a nice balance – substantial enough to hold up under gravy but tender enough to soak up flavor. The gravy itself has a silky-smooth texture with just enough thickness to cling to each bite without being gloppy.
Flavor-wise, Denny’s brings more seasoning to the party than expected. Notes of black pepper, sage, and a hint of thyme come through in their sausage gravy. The sausage pieces themselves are plentiful and actually taste like real meat – a welcome surprise!
Consistency across locations remains Denny’s biggest challenge. Some serve this dish with pride while others treat it as an afterthought, leading to its middle-of-the-pack ranking.
5. Waffle House Biscuits & Gravy
Waffle House delivers honest, no-frills biscuits and gravy that tastes like it came from a Southern grandma’s kitchen. Their biscuits arrive golden-brown and slightly crusty outside while maintaining a tender, steamy interior. The gravy strikes the perfect consistency – not too thick, not too runny.
What truly elevates this dish is the sausage gravy’s depth of flavor. Loaded with black pepper and savory sausage drippings, it carries that distinctive homemade quality chain restaurants rarely achieve. The sausage itself comes in hearty, irregular chunks that remind you it was actually hand-crumbled into the gravy.
Served 24/7 and always consistent, Waffle House proves that simplicity often beats pretension when it comes to comfort food classics.
6. Hardee’s Made from Scratch Biscuits & Gravy
Hardee’s biscuits deserve their “made from scratch” billing – they’re buttery, flaky marvels with crisp exteriors giving way to tender, layered interiors. These biscuits would stand strong even without toppings, but they shine brightest under a blanket of their peppery sausage gravy.
The gravy itself contains a generous amount of finely-ground sausage distributed evenly throughout. Its consistency hits the sweet spot – thick enough to stay put but not so dense it becomes paste-like. The flavor profile leans heavily on black pepper and sausage drippings, creating a savory depth that keeps you coming back for more.
Available only during breakfast hours, this dish represents fast food breakfast at its finest. Hardee’s clearly takes pride in this menu staple.
7. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Biscuits n’ Gravy
Cracker Barrel’s rendition comes remarkably close to homemade excellence. Their buttermilk biscuits arrive fresh-baked with a golden dome and tender, fluffy interior that pulls apart in delicate layers. These biscuits achieve the perfect balance – substantial enough to hold up to gravy yet tender enough to melt in your mouth.
The sawmill gravy deserves special praise for its velvety texture and complex flavor profile. Studded with plenty of crumbled sausage and seasoned with black pepper, it carries subtle notes of sage and thyme that elevate it above most chain offerings.
Consistency across locations remains impressive – whether you’re in Tennessee or Oregon, the biscuits and gravy taste virtually identical. This reliability combined with quality ingredients earns Cracker Barrel a top spot.
8. Biscuitville Fresh Southern Biscuits & Gravy
The regional chain Biscuitville claims our top spot with biscuits that would make any Southern grandmother proud. Each biscuit is handcrafted every 15 minutes, resulting in a transcendent texture – crisp exterior giving way to impossibly light, fluffy layers that practically float off the plate.
Their sausage gravy achieves perfection through simplicity. Made with local pork sausage, butter, flour, milk and black pepper, it delivers rich flavor without unnecessary additions. The sausage itself comes from regional producers, giving the gravy a distinctive freshness you can taste in every bite.
Found only in North Carolina and Virginia, Biscuitville’s version represents the gold standard of chain restaurant biscuits and gravy. Their commitment to fresh, local ingredients and traditional preparation methods creates an unbeatable breakfast experience.
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