6 Ohio Chain Restaurants That Miss The Mark On Chicken Pot Pie And 6 That Nail Grandma’s Recipe
Chicken pot pie is comfort food royalty in Ohio. Nothing beats that perfect combination of flaky crust, creamy filling, and tender chicken that reminds you of grandma’s kitchen.
I’ve eaten my way through countless Ohio chain restaurants searching for the perfect pot pie, finding some that made me nostalgic and others that left me disappointed.
Here’s my honest breakdown of which chains nail grandma’s recipe and which ones should go back to cooking school.
1. Marie Callender’s Restaurant Version Falls Flat
My expectations were sky-high walking into Marie Callender’s. Their frozen pies are decent supermarket options, so surely the restaurant version would be amazing, right? Wrong!
The restaurant pot pie contains pathetically small chicken chunks swimming in what I can only describe as wallpaper paste. The vegetables turned to mush, lacking any distinct texture or flavor.
One bite and I was reaching for salt, pepper, hot sauce—anything to wake up my taste buds. Even my grandmother, who believes all food deserves praise, would struggle to find something nice to say about this bland disappointment.
2. Boston Market’s Cakey Crust Catastrophe
Last Tuesday, I ordered Boston Market’s chicken pot pie after a friend swore it was “decent in a pinch.” That friend is no longer making food recommendations for me.
The top crust had a bizarre cakey texture instead of the flaky layers pot pie deserves. Biting through revealed a filling that tasted like someone forgot every seasoning except salt.
The most unforgivable sin? No bottom crust! A proper pot pie needs that soggy-yet-essential bottom layer to hold everything together. Without it, you’re basically eating chicken stew with a sad hat.
3. KFC’s Inconsistent Gravy Flood
KFC’s pot pie reminds me of my uncle’s fishing stories—sometimes amazing, other times completely disappointing. On good days, it’s a decent fast-food version of the classic.
Too often, though, it’s drowning in gravy that tastes suspiciously like the same stuff they pour over mashed potatoes. The chicken-to-gravy ratio is way off, making you hunt for protein like you’re on a treasure expedition.
My last visit featured a pie with exactly three chicken pieces. Three! The rest was gravy soup with the occasional vegetable floating by like survivors of a culinary shipwreck.
4. Potbelly’s Soupy Impersonation
Potbelly calls their offering “Chicken Pot Pie Soup,” which is like calling a swimming pool “slightly wet ground.” Technically accurate but missing the point entirely.
The chicken chunks transform into mushy shreds after sitting in the broth, losing all textural interest. Without that essential pastry crunch contrasting with creamy filling, you’re just eating chicken soup with extra steps.
My grandma would shake her head at this identity crisis in a bowl. While it might satisfy a pot pie craving in desperate times, real pot pie lovers know this soup version is merely a distant, watery cousin to the real thing.
5. Jason’s Deli’s Half-Hearted Soup Attempt
I was genuinely excited to try Jason’s Deli’s pot pie soup last month. The menu description promised all the flavors I love in a convenient soup form.
While creamy and thick enough to coat a spoon properly, it fundamentally misses what makes pot pie special—that magical pastry-to-filling interaction! The measly oyster crackers sprinkled on top are a poor substitute for proper golden-brown crust.
The soup itself tastes fine, but calling it pot pie is like calling a picture of a swimming pool a refreshing swim. It’s missing the essential experience that makes the original special.
6. Metro Diner’s Unremarkable Offering
Metro Diner’s pot pie arrived at my table looking picture-perfect. The golden dome of crust puffed impressively, and steam escaped enticingly when I broke through.
Sadly, looks deceived. The filling tasted like someone forgot to season it beyond a whisper of salt. The vegetables and chicken seemed to be having an awkward first date rather than a harmonious flavor marriage.
The crust, while pretty, lacked that buttery richness that makes you scrape your plate for every last flake. I wanted to love it—the presentation promised so much—but this pot pie was all style, no substance.
7. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen’s Home Run
Holy moly! The first bite of Cheddar’s pot pie transported me straight to my grandmother’s kitchen. The chunks of chicken are generous—actual pieces you can identify, not mysterious meat confetti!
Their scratch-made approach shines in the sauce: velvety, properly seasoned, and clinging perfectly to each vegetable. No soupy mess here. The vegetables maintain their integrity while still being tender.
But that crust! Buttery layers shatter delicately with each forkful, creating that perfect textural contrast pot pie lovers dream about. This is the pot pie I measure all others against now.
8. Lazy Dog’s Daily Fresh-Made Marvel
Stumbling into Lazy Dog after a rainy Ohio afternoon was the best accident ever. Their pot pie arrives in its own cast iron skillet, still bubbling from the oven—no mass production here!
The roasted chicken tastes like it was actually roasted, not boiled into submission. Seasonal vegetables add color and texture variations that keep each bite interesting. Even the peas maintain their bright green pop!
The crust deserves special mention—it’s clearly made with real butter, creating those heavenly layers that flake apart on your fork. This is what happens when restaurants actually care about comfort food classics.
9. Cracker Barrel’s Time-Tested Classic
Whenever I visit Cracker Barrel, I’m surrounded by rocking chairs, country store knickknacks, and the smell of comfort food. Their chicken pot pie fits perfectly into this nostalgic atmosphere.
The filling features slow-simmered chicken that clearly wasn’t rushed. Vegetables maintain their identity without turning to mush. While some might wish for more adventurous seasoning, the simplicity is part of its charm.
The pastry top (no bottom crust here) puffs up beautifully and offers that satisfying crack when your fork breaks through. It tastes like something your grandmother would make if she wasn’t feeling particularly adventurous but still wanted to show her love.
10. Mimi’s Cafe’s Bistro-Style Perfection
Mimi’s Cafe’s pot pie arrived with a dome of pastry rising majestically above the rim of its ceramic dish. The server warned me to let it cool—advice I ignored and immediately regretted as steam escaped like a delicious dragon’s breath.
The crust achieves that perfect balance between substantial and delicate. Each bite shatters just right, melting into the filling without becoming soggy too quickly.
Inside, the filling strikes an ideal balance between creamy and chunky. Nothing is mushy, nothing is undercooked, and the seasoning brings out the natural flavors without overwhelming them. This is the pot pie for people who appreciate nuance.
11. Claim Jumper’s Old-School Treasure
Claim Jumper doesn’t mess around with portion sizes—their pot pie arrives looking like it could feed a small mining camp! I audibly gasped when it landed on my table.
The herb-infused cream sauce binds everything together without drowning the ingredients. Mushrooms, carrots, onions, and peas maintain their distinct textures and flavors. Some locations execute this better than others, but when they get it right, it’s magnificent.
The real showstopper is that impossibly fluffy crust that somehow remains substantial. It’s like a golden cloud hovering over your meal. This is comfort food that doesn’t apologize for being exactly what it is.
12. Jason’s Deli’s Surprising Soup Redemption
Wait, didn’t I just criticize Jason’s Deli? Yes, but hear me out—some people actually adore their pot pie soup approach! My friend Mark refuses to order anything else.
For soup lovers, the rich, velvety broth captures the essence of pot pie filling without pretending to be something it’s not. The flavor profile hits all the right notes: savory chicken, sweet carrots, and that herb-forward finish.
While I personally need crust in my pot pie experience, I must admit this soup version delivers exceptional flavor. If you adjust your expectations and embrace it as “pot pie inspired soup” rather than actual pot pie, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.