Restaurant Brands on Grocery Store Shelves
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Which Are Worth the Money?
It's become more and more common to see restaurant-branded items on your grocery store shelves. But how do the supermarket versions compare to the "real deal" you get at the restaurant? Does California Pizza Kitchen pizza that you buy from your grocer's freezer measure up to what you'd get if you visited your local CPK? How close do frozen White Castle burgers come to their fast food counterparts?
View our gallery as AOL Money & Finance editors review 20 items and give their verdict: weak imposter or worth the money?
First Up: Restaurant Item No. 1More Popular Features:
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Wendy Buckley
At the Restaurant:
California Pizza KitchenItem: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Price: $12.71
Editor's Review: The molten hot pizza arrived at our table within minutes of ordering and we dug in with much delight. The chicken atop the pizza was juicy and succulent and the cheese mixture of mozzarella and smoked gouda melted in my mouth. My favorite combination of toppings were the red onions and drizzled BBQ sauce. It brought back childhood memories of grilled BBQ chicken in the hot summer sun.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Wendy Buckley
At the Grocery Store:
California Pizza KitchenItem: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Price: $5.99 From Target
Editor's Review: From the look of this pizza out of the box I was disappointed. It looked too small and the toppings were sparse. Where's the chicken?! The end product was delicious and deceptively filling, but it lacked the explosion of flavors that we had experienced in the restaurant.
Verdict: If you're starving and too tired to cook, then this pizza with some home-pimping of spices and cheese will do just fine. But, don't expect restaurant quality.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 2More Popular Features:
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Justin Cleary
At the Restaurant:
Boston MarketItem: Turkey medallions with green beans and mashed potatoes
Price: $7.45
Editor's Review: All the food was acceptable quality and tasted good, though the mashed potatoes had a bit of a chemical aftertaste.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Justin Cleary
At the Grocery Store:
Boston MarketItem: Turkey medallions with mashed potatoes, carrots and green beans
Price: $4.29 at Safeway
Editor's Review: Everything looked a little gooey and rubbery, but it actually tasted good. As far as frozen meals go, this was as good as you can expect. The portions were reasonable and the price was pretty good.
Verdict: It's as good as any other fast food and the frozen version stands up to the store-bought food quite well.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 3More Popular Features:
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Ian MacFarlane
At the Restaurant:
Ben & Jerry'sItem: Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
Price: $5.76 for 1 pint
Editor's Review: Ben & Jerry's stores have more going for them than getting a pint of ice cream at the grocery store. There are more choices, more sizes, and it has a fun atmosphere. The ice cream itself tasted delicious and didn't melt too quickly. There were plenty of nuts and bananas, and everything tasted great.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Ian MacFarlane
At the Grocery Store:
Ben & Jerry'sItem: Chunky Money ice cream
Price: $3.50 for 1 pint
Editor's Review: The carton was slimy around the seal where the ice cream had spilled over, probably due to getting overheated in the truck while being shipped. However, the ice cream itself tasted exactly the same as from the B&J store. It was harder and more difficult to dig a spoon into. There seemed to be more nuts and bananas.
Verdict: If you're craving Ben & Jerry's and there isn't a store near you, buying a pint from the grocery store works great.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 4More Popular Features:
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Barry Summerlin
At the Restaurant:
Nathan's FamousItem: Original Frankfurter
Price: Around $3
Editor's Review: At the original Coney Island stand, my hot dog was delicious and fleeting -- I could have eaten three or four. At a Nathan's Famous franchise restaurant it was a different story. In order to create something more substantial, Nathan's had to tinker with its signature product. The result? A plumper, brinier, hot dog. Some diners might be sold on this, but I'm not. I was unpleasantly tasting this dog for another two hours.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Barry Summerlin
At the Grocery Store:
Nathan's FamousItem: 16 oz. 8-pack Original Skinless Beef Frankfurters, plus store-brand buns
Price: $4.99 for franks only
Editor's Review: This meal faced a disadvantage, it was my third meal of hot dogs in one afternoon, plus I wasn't enthused by the franchise dog. To my surprise, the store-bought frankfurters were remarkably close to the Coney dog -- insubstantial and modest, just how I like them.
Verdict: I'd go back to the original Nathan's or buy the supermarket dogs, but will not revisit a Nathan's Famous franchise.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 5More Popular Features:
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Allan Halprin
At the Restaurant:
Carvel Ice CreamItem: Lil' Love ice cream cake
Price: $10.99 (serves 6-8)
Editor's Review: I bought the smallest ice cream cake which had vanilla ice cream, chocolate crunchies in center and icing on top. The store says the cakes are made daily in the store. It tasted very good -- creamy and fresh. Personally, I did not enjoy the icing on top of the cake.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Allan Halprin
At the Grocery Store:
Carvel Ice CreamItem: Lil' Love ice cream cake
Price: $11.99 (serves 6-8)
Editor's Review: I was surprised the store cake was more expensive. It was in the same exact box as the store cake. It tasted very similar, but slightly less creamy. This one had both chocolate and vanilla ice cream (the store version had only vanilla) and that may be what accounted for the slight difference in taste. (In the photo at left, the cake had begun to melt.)
Verdict: I would buy it at whichever location was most convenient.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 6More Popular Features:
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Beth Pinsker Gladstone
At the Restaurant:
Friendly'sItem: Happy Ending Sundaes
Price: $3.49 each
Editor's Review: You wouldn't think it would make a difference, unless we're talking about super-premium homemade, but ice cream is all about texture. Stored at a proper temperature at the restaurant, the vanilla was creamy and smooth and the mint chocolate chip had a nice bite and good distribution of chocolate. The ice cream was kind of beside the point, however, as the toppings are what it's all about at Friendly's. Their selection has to beat any pantry beside Willa Wonka's.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Beth Pinsker Gladstone
At the Grocery Store:
Friendly'sItem: 1/2 gal. vanilla & chocolate chip mint
Price: $1.88 each at Pathmark
Editor's Review: There was nothing bad about either flavor, and neither was icy, but both were bland. The vanilla was muted and on its own. The mint had adequate flavor but had very few chocolate chips at the top of the carton, a negative of mass production. But for volume, you can't beat the price.
Verdict: On sale, Friendly's is a fine supermarket buy, but the restaurant is the place to go for a fun sundae.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 7More Popular Features:
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Amber Porter
At the Restaurant:
Phillips SeafoodItem: One Crab Cake (appetizer)
Price: $12.99
Editor's Review: Served with tartar sauce, a tiny salad, a cup of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, this was a big crab cake, delicious and fresh, not greasy or too fishy tasting. Big flaky pieces of crab, seriously delicious. **Note, this crab cake was much higher quality than the ones served at the seafood buffet ($29.99 for all you can eat) at the restaurant. Those were small, greasier, and not nearly as tasty.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Amber Porter
At the Grocery Store:
Phillips SeafoodItem: Six Frozen Crab Cakes
Price: $11.99 for six at Costco
Editor's Review: They came in their own little compartments, so were very well-shaped and not frozen together. They looked exactly like the kind in the restaurant, just slightly smaller. I baked/broiled as directed and the crab cakes came very close in taste to the restaurant version.
Verdict: I would definitely get the crab cakes at Costco again, such a great deal. The taste was so similar, they did a great job of getting the same flavor in both versions.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 8More Popular Features:
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Allan Halprin
At the Restaurant:
Cheesecake FactoryItem: Oreo Cheesecake
Price: $6.25/slice
Editor's Review: The dessert was very creamy with oreos mixed in the cheesecake. It also had an oreo crust and whipped cream on top.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Allan Halprin
At the Grocery Store:
Cheesecake FactoryItem: 12-slice Cheesecake (assorted)
Price: $15.99 at Costco
Editor's Review: The restaurant version had more cheesecake while the supermarket version had a lot more Oreo's in each slice. Also, the store version had less whip cream and slices seemed a tad smaller.
Verdict: If you like a lot of Oreos, then the best bet is the grocery version. I liked them both equally.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 9More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski, AOL
At the Restaurant:
Mrs. FieldsItem: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Price: $1.59 for one
Editor's Review: I have a massive sweet tooth. No trip to the mall is complete or satisfying without a stop at Mrs. Fields for a cookie (or two) and a large Diet Coke. Though I normally opt for the M&M version, I went with milk chocolate chip for an apples-to-apples comparison. Mrs. Fields did not disappoint. Though not fresh out of the oven, it was still moist with just the right amount of that delightful chocolatey sweetness I crave.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski, AOL
At the Grocery Store:
Mrs. FieldsItem: Chocolate Chip Cookie
Price: $.89 for one
Editor's Review: This wasn't even close. I shared my cookies with our photo editor as a reward for taking these last-minute shots. After the first bite of the store-bought cookie, we split the one I got at the mall and called it a day. As much as I adore cookies, I couldn't finish this one or give it away. It tasted nothing like the mall version and wasn't at all tasty or fresh.
Verdict: The store-bought version is one very yucky cookie.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 10More Popular Features:
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Brendan Cleary
At the Restaurant:
White CastleItem: Hamburger
Price: $.70 each
Editor's Review: The burgers were typical fast food burgers only much smaller. The buns of the burger maintain a nice fluffiness that makes them look appetizing. The standard burger comes topped with onion pieces, ketchup and a pickle. (The onions are barely noticeable.) The patty adds a texture that makes each burger feel like more than just dressed up bread.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Brendan Cleary
At the Grocery Store:
White CastleItem: Frozen box of 6 hamburgers
Price: $4.79 (or $.80 each)
Editor's Review: They look like a hungover version of a restaurant burger. These burgers lack the pickle and ketchup of their counterpart and therefore much of its flavor. In fact, the only flavor comes from the bread, which tends to be mysteriously hard in random spots, like it has gone locally stale.
Verdict: The frozen burgers are no trade for the real thing, but if you have ketchup and sliced pickle you can get pretty close. At either place, you aren't going to get a beefy flavor.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 11More Popular Features:
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Cassandra Shie
At the Restaurant:
TGIFItem: Mozzarella Sticks
Price: $6.89 for six
Editor's Review: The appetizer slices were large. They tasted delicious, crunchy outside and gooey cheese on the inside with a strong basil tomato dip.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Cassandra Shie
At the Grocery Store:
TGIFItem: Mozzarella Sticks
Price: $6.99 for 21
Editor's Review: The store-bought version gives you 21 smaller slices (thinner slices and not as wide as the restaurant version). They cooked well and tasted the same, but the tomato basil dip was different.
Verdict: I'd rather buy the grocery version because the price value in the end is stronger.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 12More Popular Features:
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Deedra Allison
At the Restaurant:
StarbucksItem: Latin American Blend
Price: $2.12 for 12 fl. oz.
Editor's Review: No matter what I order from Starbucks, I need at least a couple shots of half-and-half to temper the bitter flavor and cool it off a bit. The coffee is still strong -- but in a good way.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski
At the Grocery Store:
StarbucksItem: Colombia Medium Latin America ground coffee
Price: $9.99 for 12 oz. bag
Editor's Review: used the same amount of coffee grounds as I always do (and I don't make weak coffee), but the strong, stout, "wake up!" flavor just wasn't there. Maybe I needed to double the amount of grounds. Or maybe part of the "taste" of Starbucks coffee is getting it there and paying $3.
Verdict: I'm going back to Maxwell House.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 13More Popular Features:
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Wendy Buckley
At the Restaurant:
Dunkin' DonutsItem: Large Drip Coffee
Price: $2.19
Editor's Review: Unfortunately, buying coffee these days is more about the atmosphere and the experience than it is the good old cup of joe. Dunkin' Donuts keeps it real with its tasty drip coffee and fried dough aromatherapy. Which leads me to this, you can't just buy the delicious coffee at Dunkin' Donuts without purchasing donuts as well! The drip coffee tastes robust on its own, but paired with a chocolate glazed donut -- heaven!
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Wendy Buckley
At the Grocery Store:
Dunkin' DonutsItem: Medium Roast, Whole-bean
Price: $7.99 for 12 oz. bag
Editor's Review: Brewed at home, using our French press, the coffee was both aromatic and pleasant to the palate. We enjoyed many cups with our Sunday paper at a fraction of the price.
Verdict: If I'm looking for an excuse to buy a donut or 12, then Dunkin' Donuts coffee from a franchise store is the sure winner. If I'm looking to "economize" my coffee spending habit, then the Dunkin' Donuts coffee made at home will surely fit the bill.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 14More Popular Features:
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Ian MacFarlane
At the Restaurant:
HootersItem: Hot Wings
Price: $13.99 for 20 wings
Editor's Review: The hot wings I ordered weren't really spicy, but they were fresh and hot temperature-wise. They were tangy and flavorful, but didn't have the kick I'm used to when ordering hot wings at other restaurants. The wings had a satisfying crunch on the outside and were tender and juicy on the inside.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Ian MacFarlane
At the Grocery Store:
HootersItem: Hot Wings & Sauce
Price: $4.99 for sauce, $6.49 for 4 lbs. of chicken wings, $11.48 total
Editor's Review: The sauce flavor tasted the same as from the restaurant, but the wings I made were nowhere near as good. The sauce didn't soak into the chicken and it just congealed on the chicken. I could barely eat them.
Verdict: The restaurant is the better choice here by far.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 15More Popular Features:
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John Brunkhart
At the Restaurant:
Bob EvansItem: Breakfast Sausages
Price: $2.39 for 3
Editor's Review: These sausages were nicely browned, but somewhat greasy. They were mild and tangy, and not very smokey.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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John Brunkhart
At the Grocery Store:
Bob EvansItem: Breakfast Sausages
Price: $5.19 for 12
Editor's Review: While the sausages were slightly greasy and burnt, that is almost certainly due to the cook's incompetence, and not the product. They were mild, as breakfast sausages go and more sweet than smokey.
Verdict: The home-cooked sausages were nearly identical in flavor to their restaurant counterparts.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 16More Popular Features:
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Allan Halprin
At the Restaurant:
MargaritavilleItem: Coconut Shrimp
Price: $14.95
Editor's Review: Served with orange marmalade horseradish, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, the six large plump shrimp were perfectly fried. They were very tasty and fresh. The sauce was great, but I wished there was more. I ran out after eating a few of the shrimp.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Allan Halprin
At the Grocery Store:
MargaritavilleItem: Coconut Shrimp
Price: $6.99 for 8 shrimp
Editor's Review: The shrimp were smaller than the restaurant version. They didn't get as crispy and were actually a little mushy. They smelled great, but only tasted okay.
Verdict: Skip the supermarket and head to the restaurant -- it had a cool theme, fun atmosphere and friendly staff.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 17More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski
At the Restaurant:
Wolfgang PuckItem: Margherita Pizza
Price: $12
Editor's Review: It was a small, personal size pie cut into 6 small slices. Lifting a slice to my mouth, my nose received the first hint of what was to come. The multiple cheeses together created a wonderful combination for both my noise and finally my mouth. The basil and tomatoes were fresh and tasty. The crust was great ... not too thick, not too thin. It was a great pizza and you can't beat a wood-fired oven.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski
At the Grocery Store:
Wolfgang PuckItem: Frozen Margherita Pizza
Price: $7.19 at Whole Foods
Editor's Review: Compared to other frozen pizza brands, Wolfgang Puck's are more expensive and smaller. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in taste. The toppings were large, sliced and not overly-processed. Crust was OK and not too doughy.
Verdict: For a frozen pizza is was pretty tasty, but pales compared to the restaurant pizza pie.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 18More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski
At the Restaurant:
Krispy KremeItem: Original Glazed Donut
Price: $.89 for one
Editor's Review: It was interesting to watch the donuts being made and traveling along a conveyer belt inside the dount shop. Good, fresh and very sweet, the original glazed Krispy Kreme donut is always a good choice.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski
At the Grocery Store:
Krispy KremeItem: Original Glazed Donut
Price: $3.19 for box of 6
Editor's Review: Donuts are sold in packages (boxes or bags). As you might expect, the Original Glazed was not quite as fresh and the glaze was a bit sticky and droopy.
Verdict: The store-bought donut was good if you need a sugar fix, but they can't beat the freshness of a newly-made donut from the Krispy Kreme shop experience.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 19More Popular Features:
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Vicki Passmore
At the Restaurant:
Panera Bread Co.Item: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Price: $3.69 for 8 oz.
Editor's Review: Even on a humid 90-degree day, this soup was enjoyable. It was very creamy and thick, and had a rich cheese-y taste. In addition to the fine bits of broccoli there was a few shards of carrot. It was very flavorful and delicious.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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Vicki Passmore
At the Grocery Store:
Panera Bread Co.Item: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Price: $8.99 for (2) 20 oz. tubs at BJ's
Editor's Review: It looked very watery pouring it from the saucepan into the bowl. Once prepared, it was still much, much less creamy. It was not thick and lacked any of the cheesy richness of the "real deal." Also, oddly the carrots were much more pronounced, not in number, but in taste. I could definitely taste the carrots in this version. It was very bland and run-of-the-mill.
Verdict: I would definitely order the soup at Panera again. I would not buy it at BJ's.
Next: Restaurant Item No. 20More Popular Features:
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Amey Stone
At the Restaurant:
Sylvia's RestaurantItem: Black-Eyed Peas
Price: $3.50 for side dish
Editor's Review: This mellow, filling side dish is somewhat bland, but a satisfying companion to the Queen of Soul Food's famous fried chicken or zesty bar-b-cue ribs. When visiting New York City, this venerable Harlem institution is well worth a trip uptown.
Next: How Was the Grocery Version?More Popular Features:
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David Rogowski
At the Grocery Store:
Sylvia's RestaurantItem: Black-Eyed Peas
Price: $1.49/can at Pathmark
Editor's Review: The canned beans have a smokey barbecue tang and a little hot sauce kick. Quite tasty with much more flavor than the restaurant version, even if it is just to mask a hint of tinniness.
Verdict: I will definitely buy the canned black-eyed peas again for family dinners -- my son loved them -- as well as visit the restaurant on special occasions.
More on AOL: Restaurant TricksMore Popular Features:
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More on AOL:
I Spy ... Restaurant Tricks
Now that you've seen our comparisons of restaurant items and their grocery-store counterparts, check out these diners' claims.
We asked AOL users to share how their favorite eateries were cutting costs -- and boy, did they share!
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Recent Comments
TexSChic87 02:09:50 PM Jul 22 2008
Whatever happened to home cooked healthy foods...... these foods are recipes for heart attacks, high cholestrol, diabetes, etc........ why would you eat this or feed it to your families? this is why america is soooooo overweight. These foods are packed with perservatives and artificial colors. people need to start thinking before they start eating.
supersizedsumo 02:08:56 PM Jul 22 2008
Store bought Mrs. Fields taste good if you microwave them. And the butterfly shrimp was actually very good. I think you may just be a bad cook.
SpeshalKay1 01:31:01 PM Jul 22 2008
I'm amazed that restaurants try to sell items for home preparation that require deep-frying! That's why the chicken wings are better in restaurants: deep-frying makes the skin crispy while keeping the meat inside moist. Ditto for coconut-battered shrimp and mozzarella sticks. You simply cannot get the same texture in an oven or even with pan-frying, as both methods allow moisture to evaporate from food while it cooks.Countertop "deep-fryers" are available - however the amount of oil required makes them sort of impractical for everyday use. But if you want to make restaurant-quality wings, mozz sticks, and potato skins for your next party, that's the way to go. (To coat wings evenly with sauce, do it the restaurant way: immediately after deep-frying, put wings into a Tupperware with sauce, put the lid on and shake gently for a few seconds.)
LANDIMOMX2 01:18:24 PM Jul 22 2008
I worked at a white castle all through high school and all sliders are steamed on a bed of onions then a pickle slice and a dab of ketchup is added to EVERY one before being boxed.
Aaw32887 01:10:33 PM Jul 22 2008
yeah seriously where the hell did they get sliders that come standard with ketchup?? Great article though! I appriciate the advice and will use it when making my frozen food purchases. The TGIFridays cheese sticks are great! Try the wings, potato skins, and especially the spinich dip! I've pretty much had appetizer partys that felt like we were at TGIfridays. Its also great that you can have Fridays at 3 in the morning in you PJs!
Mypartyofive 01:02:02 PM Jul 22 2008
I think the frozen white castles taste just like the fresh. Only, they don't have that "fresh" taste, which is something you should be expecting anyway.
HOOSHURFAN 12:55:26 PM Jul 22 2008
DanyelZ24...............You ARE CORRECT !!I have been eating "Sliders" (White Castle Burgers) all my 49 years.I've NEVER had one with ketchup.......((((((( YUK!! ))))))))Never! I've never even heard of ANY White Castle serving them up WITH ketchup already on them.A TRUE SLIDER only comes with onions and a pickle slice. That's it. Nothing else!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Have a great day!
Paradaddy9111 12:05:43 PM Jul 22 2008
White Castles is good but give me Culver's anyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mattdaniel07 11:30:20 AM Jul 22 2008
well I guess if they made their products to taste as good frozen from a grocery store as they taste when they are fresh from the actual place they wouldn't have a very good business most likely. but when you can't go eat out every night and still want some at least good food then frozen ones are the way to go right?easy and fast to make and taste similar at least haha.
bobeich1 05:29:09 PM Jul 20 2008
I've always been reluctant to buy packaged food products since I've been disappointed so many times. This feature was very helpful and interesting. It would be nice to see frequent followups to this type of info.PS I traveled on business frequently, and there was nothing more comforting to find a White Castle and grab a bag take out burgers back to the hotel.