If you haven’t heard the news…Denny’s is struggling.
Whether it’s getting rid of beloved fan favorite foods…
Or the fact that Denny’s is closing a startling 150 restaurants in the near future as they try to contain costs…
There’s a lot going on.
If your local Denny’s is closing, I want you to know:
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With 150 restaurants closing in 2025 – about 10% of Denny’s total – there will be plenty of communities bereft of their local favorite breakfast spot soon.
Now, unlike a decade or two ago, fortunately there are quite a few good breakfasts to be had for a few bucks.
They’re not Denny’s, by any stretch, but they each bring their own unique charm, and each has elements of what makes Denny’s so special.
Here are just a few for you to consider:
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Where you’ll find them: Unlike Denny’s, IHOP is everywhere and isn’t closing a bunch of locations – so chances are good there’s one local to you! IHOP is in every state and many foreign countries (so if you’re an expat in Mexico or Canada, drive on up!)
What makes them special: There’s a reason IHOP is short for “International House of Pancakes” – their pancakes really are that good! What’s more, they’ve got lots of value options that are low-priced, filling, and delicious – the perfect combination for the discerning customer.
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Where you’ll find them: Cracker Barrel is in 44 states having recently also closed several underperforming locations.
What makes them special: No surprise that Cracker Barrel is on this list. When you think of warm, filling, great southern cooking, Cracker Barrel has gotta be up there with Denny’s. Their bacon n’ egg hashbrown casserole reminds me of Denny’s Grand Slam if you put it all together and baked it.
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Where you’ll find them: Silver Diner is a regional chain in the Mid-Atlantic, so it’s in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and New Jersey…for now!
What makes them special: Great diner food (and plenty of healthier options too), plus they are renowned in the allergy community for being great with food allergies. If you’ve ever had a waiter or waitress roll their eyes when you told them about dietary restrictions – go to Silver Diner, you’ll have a much better experience.
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Where you’ll find them: Waffle House is in 25 mostly southern and midwestern states.
What makes them special: For Denny’s analogues, you’re gonna want to go with their hashbrowns “all the way” – they mix hashbrowns with melted cheese, ham, tomatotes, mushrooms, onions, peppers, chili, and gravy. Or you can just get a waffle (try the chocolate chip waffle if you’ve got a sweet tooth).
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Where you’ll find them: 47 states, including Alaska and Hawaii! Unless you live in some truly remote areas, chances are good there’s a Sonic in driving distance.
What makes them special: I know that “fast food” isn’t really in the same class as “sit-down restaurant”, but I had to mention Sonic because their breakfasts hit that same trifecta as Denny’s:
– Great value
– Lots of food
– Greasy and delicious
Their ultimate meat and cheese breakfast burrito is like a Denny’s Grand Slam in a burrito.
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Where you’ll find them: Bob Evans is in 18 states and has over 400 locations, with big pockets in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio.
What makes them special: Bob Evans might be the closest analogue to Denny’s out there. Their platters are really reminiscent of Denny’s, especially the Farmer’s Choice and the Homestead Farmer. And get the cinna-biscuits if you want to indulge your sweet tooth!
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• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
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Where you’ll find them: Tupelo Honey Café is still just getting started – they have 24 locations total across several states, with the highest concentration in North Carolina (where they have four). You’ll find one in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Boise, Denver, Indianapolis, Des Moines, and a handful in South Carolina and Tennessee.
What makes them special: You’ll get a filling, indulgent breakfast that checks all the boxes – and usually with a fun twist added. For example, you’ve had chicken and waffles…but have you ever had banana pudding creme chicken and waffles? Go to Tupelo, they’ll take care of that for you.
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None of these seven are an exact one-for-one match with Denny’s.
There’s no one who can exactly replicate the experience you get at your local breakfast spot.
But each of them has some of the elements that really make Denny’s special, and if you’re about to be left without, I hope one of them can bring you lots of joy.
So that’s my list –
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What did I miss?
Any great breakfast chains I should be sure to highlight when I update this article?
Let us know in the comments!
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