4 Illinois Chains That Fail Hard at Pot Pie & 4 That Bring True Comfort
Nothing warms the soul quite like a perfect pot pie, with its flaky crust and steaming, savory filling.
As an Illinois native who’s braved many winters, I’ve made it my personal mission to track down the best (and avoid the worst) pot pies our state’s restaurant chains have to offer.
After countless forkfuls of disappointment and delight, I’ve compiled this definitive guide to help fellow pot pie enthusiasts navigate the comfort food landscape.
1. Applebee’s: Where Pot Pies Go To Fade
The last time I ordered Applebee’s chicken pot pie, I nearly wept with disappointment. The crust resembled a soggy paper towel rather than the flaky, buttery dome I’d been dreaming about all day. Beneath this sad exterior lurked a filling that could only be described as mystery meat swimming in wallpaper paste.
The vegetables were so overcooked they’d surrendered their identities entirely. What once was carrot? Who knows! The seasoning seemed to consist entirely of salt, with perhaps a whisper of pepper if you concentrated really hard.
My dining companion actually pushed his portion away after three bites, declaring it “worse than the frozen pot pie I burned in college.” When Applebee’s pot pie makes a scorched microwave meal seem appealing, you know something has gone terribly wrong.
2. Olive Garden’s Pot Pie Pasta Flop
Olive Garden committed the cardinal sin of pot pie creation – they tried to reinvent the wheel with their “Chicken Pot Pie Italiano.” I’m all for culinary innovation, but some classics shouldn’t be messed with. Their bizarre pasta-pot pie hybrid features fettuccine noodles drowning in a cream sauce that’s somehow both bland and overpowering.
The “crust” is just a thin sheet of puff pastry haphazardly thrown on top, often arriving at the table already sinking into the soupy mess below. My Italian grandmother would roll over in her grave if she knew this creation was masquerading as both Italian cuisine and pot pie.
The chicken chunks are few and far between, like survivors on a sinking pasta ship. Save yourself the heartache and stick to their breadsticks instead.
3. Denny’s Pot Pie: A Breakfast Chain’s Misguided Dinner Attempt
Denny’s should stick to what they know – pancakes and late-night hashbrowns. Their venture into pot pie territory is like watching someone try to ice skate for the first time – awkward, painful, and likely to end in tears. The filling has the consistency of school cafeteria gravy, with chicken pieces so tiny they seem like an afterthought.
During my last visit, I found exactly three peas and one carrot chunk in my entire pie. The crust shatters into dust at the slightest touch of a fork, creating more of a pot pie powder than the satisfying break of proper pastry.
The worst part? The temperature gradient that ranges from nuclear-hot edges to a still-frozen center. How they achieve this culinary magic remains a mystery, but it’s certainly not one worth solving with repeat visits.
4. Panera’s Sad Excuse For A Pot Pie
I had such high hopes for Panera. Their breads are fantastic, so surely their pot pie crust would be divine, right? Wrong! What they serve is essentially soup with a bread bowl lid – not a pot pie. The “crust” is just a disk of sourdough plopped on top of their regular chicken soup.
My first bite revealed the tragic truth – this was a hastily assembled imposter. The filling lacks the creamy richness that defines a proper pot pie, instead offering a watery broth that soaks into the bread, creating a soggy mess within minutes.
The vegetables maintain their identity at least, but they’re the same ones swimming in every other Panera soup. A true pot pie should stand on its own, not rely on bread bowl gimmicks to mask its fundamental flaws. My advice? Skip this disappointment and order their mac and cheese instead.
5. KFC’s Surprisingly Stellar Pot Pie
Who would have thought a fried chicken joint would master the art of pot pie? KFC’s version has been my guilty pleasure since college. Their golden-brown dome of crust puffs up like a proud soufflé, cracking perfectly when your fork breaks through to reveal a steaming, creamy interior.
The chicken chunks are generous and tender – clearly the Colonel knows his poultry. Vegetables maintain just enough bite to remind you they were once fresh, while the gravy strikes that perfect balance between rich and not-too-heavy.
Last winter, during that brutal February cold snap, I drove 20 miles through snow just to get my hands on one of these beauties. The cashier recognized me and laughed, “Third time this week, huh?” Worth it every time. For fast food, it’s remarkably consistent and satisfying – proof that sometimes the best comfort food comes from unexpected places.
6. Cracker Barrel’s Time-Tested Classic
Stepping into Cracker Barrel feels like visiting your country grandmother, and their pot pie lives up to that homey promise. My family’s post-road trip tradition always includes ordering their chicken pot pie, served in a cast iron skillet that keeps it bubbling hot throughout the meal.
The pastry achieves that elusive balance – substantial enough to hold its shape but tender enough to yield easily to your fork. Inside, the filling is thick without being gluey, with a peppery kick that wakes up your taste buds.
What really sets Cracker Barrel’s version apart is the vegetable-to-meat ratio – perfectly balanced, like all things should be. During one memorable snowstorm, we got stranded near Bloomington and ended up at Cracker Barrel. Their pot pie turned what could have been a travel disaster into a cherished memory. Sometimes comfort food really does comfort.
7. Lazy Dog’s Rustic Pot Pie Perfection
Lazy Dog Restaurant might be a newcomer to Illinois, but they’ve quickly established themselves as pot pie royalty. Their “Chicken Pot Pie Rustico” arrives at your table looking like it belongs on a magazine cover – a copper pot bubbling over with filling, topped with a bronzed puff pastry hat that rises a good three inches above the rim.
The sauce achieves that velvety texture that only comes from patience and real butter. I once tried to recreate it at home and failed spectacularly. Their secret weapon? Herbs that taste garden-fresh and a splash of white wine that adds complexity without overwhelming.
My brother-in-law, who claims to hate pot pies based on childhood trauma involving frozen versions, converted after one bite of Lazy Dog’s creation. “This isn’t a pot pie,” he declared, “it’s an experience.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.
8. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: The People’s Champion
Cheddar’s homestyle chicken pot pie has saved me from countless bad days. After getting a flat tire during a downpour last fall, I dragged my soaking wet self into Cheddar’s. One bite of their pot pie later, and suddenly the day didn’t seem so terrible after all.
Their version features a crust that’s clearly hand-formed – slightly irregular in the best possible way, with those beautiful browned spots that only come from real butter. The filling strikes a perfect balance between creamy and substantial, with vegetables that maintain their identity and chicken that clearly came from an actual bird.
What makes Cheddar’s stand out is the hint of rosemary that perfumes each bite. At under $10, it’s also one of the best comfort food values in Illinois. The portion is generous enough that I always have leftovers, which honestly taste even better the next day.