Soft pretzels have long been a beloved snack, with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Originating from an Italian monk and popularized by Germans, these twisted treats have become a staple in American cuisine, particularly through the influence of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Today, soft pretzels are a common sight at sports stadiums, street vendor carts, and chain restaurant appetizer menus. However, not all soft pretzels are created equal, leading to the undertaking of a rigorous taste test across five prominent U.S. chains: BJ’s Brewhouse, Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin, and Applebee’s.
BJ’s Brewhouse: A German-Style Pretzel Experience
BJ’s Brewhouse offers a pretzel with a distinctly German twist, presented in a classic shape and baked in a pizza oven. Priced at $10.99, this pretzel is accompanied by two dipping sauces: cheese made from BJ’s Brewhouse Blonde beer, and honey Dijon mustard. At first glance, the pretzel might suggest a traditional German beer hall with its twist shape and color. However, a bite into it reveals a different story; the pretzel’s texture is denser and drier than expected, leaving it rather bland. The promise of a delightful German pretzel experience fell short due to this inconsistency.
Despite the primary component being underwhelming, the dipping sauces significantly contributed to the overall taste. The house-made beer cheese was a saving grace, delivering a creamy and salty flavor that added sorely needed depth. The honey Dijon mustard brought a tangy contrast, but this combination couldn’t elevate the experience to meet expectations for an authentic German-style pretzel. Although the appearance held promise, the dense and dry pretzel ultimately made the appetizer less enjoyable, relying heavily on the quality of the dips to provide the necessary flavor.
Cheesecake Factory: Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Fondue
At Cheesecake Factory, patrons are treated to pretzel bites priced at $14.95, paired with cheddar cheese fondue for dipping. These bites, though initially promising with their baked and warm presentation, fail to impress upon closer examination—coming out nearly burnt on the underside. Each bite is dense and lacks significant flavor, a disappointing revelation that the cheddar cheese fondue struggles to compensate for, despite its effort to enhance the bites’ taste.
Misleadingly advertised as a portion suitable for two to three people, the modest serving size was more fitting for an individual, casting doubts on the value. The dense texture and burnt appearance detracted from the dish’s overall charm. While the cheese fondue was a thoughtful addition, it failed to overcome the fundamental flaws of the pretzel bites, unable to transform them into a satisfying culinary experience. The portion size overpromise, combined with the flavor shortcomings, made this offering one that fell short of expectations.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Everything Pretzel Knots
Buffalo Wild Wings, popularly known as B-Dubs, brings a unique twist to the table with their Everything Pretzel Knots. These pretzels, priced at a reasonable $8.99, come adorned with everything bagel seasoning and are served with two dips: honey mustard and beer cheese made with New Belgium Fat Tire beer. The freshness of the knots stands out immediately, with a delightful contrast between their crispy exterior and their soft interior. While the concept of everything bagel seasoning is inventive, the seasoning itself was unevenly distributed and lacked the punch it promised.
Despite this minor shortfall, the accompanying dips excelled in flavor. The beer cheese and honey mustard added a rich and tangy dimension that greatly complemented the knots, masking the inconsistency of the seasoning. The exceptional quality of the dips helped salvage and even elevate the overall pretzel-eating experience. Thus, even with the uneven seasoning, the Everything Pretzel Knots proved to be a satisfying and memorable appetizer, thanks largely to the standout dipping sauces.
Red Robin: Buttery and Pillowy Pretzel Bites
Red Robin, known for its gourmet burgers, also stands out with its delectable Pretzel Bites, priced at $8.49. These bite-sized nuggets are puffed up and lighter in both color and style compared to those at Buffalo Wild Wings. Served alongside the New Belgium Fat Tire beer cheese, the pretzels are praised for their buttery, soft, pillowy texture, making them not only delightful to the touch but also to the taste. The taste closely resembles the much-loved Auntie Anne’s pretzels, especially due to the buttery richness.
Although the salt application could be more even, it did not significantly detract from the overall experience. The full-flavored cheddar cheese sauce further elevated these bites, crafting a superior snacking choice. The combination of light texture and buttery taste created an appealing and memorable appetizer. Red Robin’s Pretzel Bites showcased how balance in flavors and textures, coupled with a standout dip, might transform a simple appetizer into a restaurant favorite.
Applebee’s: Bavarian-Style Pretzel Sticks
Applebee’s offers its Bavarian-style pretzel sticks at $9.99, presenting a substantial challenge to other competitors in this taste test. The pretzels are characterized by a significant amount of salt and a melt-in-your-mouth buttery softness, balancing chewiness with each bite. The sticks, almost resembling baguettes, exhibit a far more flavorsome profile compared to their counterparts. The Blue Moon white cheddar beer cheese that accompanies them, however, did not leave as bold an impression, being runnier and less intense than expected.
Despite the dipping sauce’s mediocrity, the pretzels themselves stood out for their addictive flavor profile and ideal texture. The buttery richness permeating these sticks made them a highly satisfying appetizer that matched well with the right level of saltiness. Standing out in terms of taste and texture, Applebee’s Bavarian-style pretzel sticks ultimately received the highest marks, providing an unbeatable pretzel-snacking experience at a family-friendly price point.
Observing Trends: Dips and Textures
In examining the pretzels among the five chain restaurants, several discernible trends underline this taste test. Firstly, the quality and flavor of the dipping sauces play a critical role in the overall pretzel experience. All sampled pretzels were served with cheese or mustard-based dips, with the beer cheese variants notably receiving high praise. Dips from BJ’s Brewhouse and Buffalo Wild Wings were particularly memorable, enhancing the flavor profiles significantly. Meanwhile, Cheesecake Factory and Applebee’s fell slightly short of the expected bold flavors in their dips.
Secondly, there is a noticeable trend in texture and seasoning inconsistencies. Cheesecake Factory’s dense, nearly burnt pretzel bites lacked the pleasurable chewiness that characterizes a good pretzel. Similarly, BJ’s Brewhouse offered a pretzel that was denser and drier than desired, while Buffalo Wild Wings struggled with consistently distributing the bagel seasoning on their knots. Each establishment had unique flavors, but the perfect soft pretzel remained elusive due to these common texture and seasoning issues.
Conclusion and Insights
Soft pretzels have been a beloved snack for generations, with a history stretching back to the Middle Ages. They are believed to have originated with an Italian monk and gained popularity through German influence, becoming an iconic part of American cuisine thanks to the Pennsylvania Dutch. In today’s world, soft pretzels are a ubiquitous presence at sports stadiums, sold by street vendors, and featured on many chain restaurant appetizer menus. However, the quality of soft pretzels can vary greatly depending on where you get them. To get a better understanding of these differences, a detailed taste test was conducted across five well-known U.S. chains: BJ’s Brewhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin, and Applebee’s. The purpose was to determine which establishment offers the best soft pretzel experience. While all these venues serve soft pretzels, each has its unique style, recipe, and presentation, making the taste test an intriguing and delicious endeavor to embark upon.
