The 18 Coolest Chain Restaurants to Watch a Bowl Game In

There are probably a thousand reasons to load up in the minivan and find an outside venue to watch a few choice bowl games.

First, an approved restaurant or sports bar is going to offer the number of televisions necessary to watch a multitude of games at the same time.

Second, why not leave the confines of a quiet home to join other gridiron enthusiasts in the viewing of said bowl games, and in the process amp up levels of spirit and enjoyment?

Third, why not treat yourself (it is the holiday season) to a fascinating and tasty array of food and spirits not available in your home (and who is going to serve you at home or clean up the mess)?

Lastly in our brief thesis, and perhaps the best reason to venture out to an upstanding establishment for bowl screening, is the opportunity to leave the confines of “in-law ville” and “family city” for but a few brief, yet oh-so-refreshing moments (and watch college football in the process).

Yes, why not leave the threshold of your house, your mom’s house, your sister-in-law’s house or your step-father-in-law’s house to pause for reflection and contemplation destined to make you a better family citizen (and order a big heaping helping of greasy chicken wings while somebody pummels somebody else on the gridiron)?

The following slideshow gallantly identifies 18 of the coolest chain restaurants in our great nation in which to go out and watch a bowl game.

This list gives options to both the home-bound and the brave holiday traveler who has packed their wrapped gifts, their candied nuts and their celebratory socks and travelled to a foreign shore of family fun.

Chili's

Founded in Dallas in 1975, Chili’s boasts 1,400 locations, meaning it’s going to be one of the easiest places to find across our great football nation.

Chili’s televisions (and therefore sports viewing) are focused in the bar area, where a wide array of food, beer and drinks can be ordered.

The upside to watching the bowl season at Chili’s is you know what you’re going to get, the food is going to be tasty and if you’re on the road, you’ll more than likely going to be able to find one on your GPS.

Hooters

A chain that really needs no formal introduction, Hooters has been "hooting it up" since 1983 and now has 460 locations worldwide.

What’s impressive about Hooters' reach is that it has an address in 44 of our 50 nifty United States, making it a sure-fire destination wherever you may land.

Hooters has a full menu, but is best known for its fully-breaded chicken wings and its display of feminine wiles, but don’t let those standout offerings detract from the fact that it is a sports-watching destination.

Dave and Buster's

Dave and Buster's is a virtual sports-a-palooza, where within its massive confines the lover of games can get their fill of competition on a mind-blowing level.

The D&B cocktail consists of one part arcade, one part sports bar, one part restaurant and one part awesomeness, mixed to perfection.

Here’s another place where you can take the family to eat and play, while you watch every bowl game ever contrived by the postseason wizards.

The only drawback with Dave and Buster's is that they offer fewer than 60 locations nationwide, making it desirable but less accessible.

Outback

Though Outback Steakhouse might not seem like a top-rate bowl-viewing destination, don’t sell the stateside Aussies short in offering up a prime, though smallish, arena for your watching pleasure.

Each Outback is equipped with a full restaurant and also includes a bar area that is worth mentioning not only for its bank of TVs.

Yes, it’s well-prepared meat, fried onions that look like flowers and a really big beer…all served to your liking while you take in the bowl action.

Add to this over 1,200 locations and a college bowl sponsorship, and suddenly the Aussies are patrons of the great American gridiron.

Fox and Hound

The Fox and Hound and Bailey’s Sports Grille nationwide locations are operated by the Fox and Hound Restaurant Group, which hails from scenic Wichita, Kansas.

Offering a slew of sites, the two brands serve up sports, billiards, a wide array of beers and drinks and truly delicious foods.

This is a superior destination for you to personally partner with during bowl season.

Bennigan’s

Even though Bennigan’s corporate-run locations were shut down in 2008, over 140 Bennigan’s still welcome thirsty and hungry patrons into their re-branded, yet still delicious, establishments.

Bennigan’s menu has always been chock full of goodness, and its beer selection remains outstanding, which make its well-stocked bar a natural place for sports enthusiasts.

Home of the “true pint” and a guaranteed underwriter of a full six-ounce serving of wine, Bennigan’s is committed to a glass that doesn’t short change your otherwise pleasant bowl frolic.

Just follow me to the green striped awning friend…yes, we’ll have a good time, regardless of who is playing.

Damon’s Grill

Boasting 45 locations in 14 states, Damon’s Grill offers an impressive range of food to-go along with a generous TV offering.

 Yes, along with the usual “casual restaurant” fare, you’ll find ribs, prime rib, steaks, seafood and salads to fill your tank as you take in a full menu of bowl fanfare.

Damon’s is a place that emphasizes sport on all levels, which does nothing but please the serious college football aficionado.

Bar Louie

Ever heard of Bar Louie?

Well, it’s located in 18 states and if you want cool infused with big ole’ sandwiches and classy drinks, this is your place.

Bar Louie definitely has more of a club atmosphere than that of a family eatery or sports tavern, but don’t let that fool you because the plasma screen-appointed walls often have high grade sports on display down at the Louie.

This is the spot that throws chic, hip, clubby and college football into a blender and serves up one of the most distinctive concoctions on our list.

Smokey Bones

Offering up BBQ, burgers and more in a laid-back yet cool setting, Smokey Bones raises the bar for the bowl-bound fanatic.

Born in 1999 in the Sunshine State, Smokey Bone’s has flourished to 68 locations which are primarily spread across 17 eastern-situated states.

Smokey Bone’s interior hearkens a mountain lodge feel, but gets a huge leg up on other true restaurants on our list by virtue of filling not just the bar but also the seating areas with TVs and adding the complimentary bonus of audio boxes at each table/booth.

Smokey Bones is a solid chain contributor and should be taken seriously in terms of consideration for your bowl viewing needs.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings has taken the art of fusing the concept of “sports bar” and “family restaurant” in a franchise setting to an entirely different level.

BW’s boasts over 680 locations nationwide, and beyond an impressive variety of wings and sauces, their menu serves up enough variety to please even the pickiest eater in your pigskin party.

What’s unique about Buffalo Wild Wings is that it’s a chain that is a real sports bar, but it’s one you can take your entire family to. While you watch college football, they can play video games, eat quality food and even throw an obnoxious number of quarters into the game systems installed in some of the booths.

Hey! You’re a family man and still you’re watching like seven games in high def at the same time…

Living the dream.

The only detraction to the otherwise-wonderful foundation of BW’s is the fact that it was founded by a couple of guys from Buffalo, NY who were looking for wings while judging a figure skating competition at Kent State University in Ohio.

Figure skating…really?

Applebee’s

In the same vein as Chili’s and Bennigan’s, TJ Applebee’s is a full service restaurant that has a bar that offers up drinks, eats and several TVs for the sporting enthusiast.

Applebee’s was founded back in 1980 and boasts over 2,000 locations across the land, making it one of the most far-reaching establishments on our fine list.

Applebee’s is another place where you know what you’re going to get: variety in terms of food and drink, but the comfort of a basic formula that works.

ESPN Zone

Perhaps the Cadillac of sports themed restaurants, the ESPN Zone is where good food meets a premier sports-watching experience.

Yes, there is an arcade and hey, that’s a nice gift shop, but what sets ESPN Zone apart is its superior options for game watching.

Recliners with swing tables, booths with TVs and audio selectors that allow the savvy patron to select commentary and a wall of monitors featuring virtually every sporting event in the world in living color.

Sadly, only two ESPN Zone’s remain, and are located in Anaheim and Los Angeles, meaning that though still technically a chain, the Zone has been downgraded to a regional affair.

That said, the ESPN Zone still belongs on the list because it may be the coolest chain restaurant to watch a bowl game in the nation.

Joe’s Crab Shack

Well positioned nationwide with over 100 locations, Joe’s Crab Shack is your franchise destination if you want to watch the bowl games and chow down on some succulent seafood.

The décor is overwhelming, but somewhere amid the fiberglass sharks, nets and seafaring memorabilia are TVs with football on them.

Joe’s Crab Shack entered the marketplace back in 1991, and is a fun place to eat, have a few cold ones and watch a bit of the bowl bonanza.

BJ’s Brewhouse

Offering locations across 13 of our United States, BJ’s fuses family friendly with hand-crafted beers, making it a unique and tasty bowl-watching affair.

BJ’s beer list starts with eight basic offerings that all pair very well with the wing of a chicken and collegiate gridiron action, presented in crystal-clear high def.

The menu is extensive but not too expensive, and probably does the best job of catering to the foodie than any other on our list.

Beef 'O' Brady’s

“Beef’s,” as it is referred to by its clientele, is a family-friendly sports bar on par with Buffalo Wild Wings but on a smaller and less wing-centric level.

Beef’s boasts over 200 locations, and offers up a full menu, well-stocked bar and a smallish arcade that draws families in like mosquitoes to a ditch in Houston.

What’s also attractive about Beef 'O' Brady’s is the interest they take in their local sports community and its role as a host in the collegiate bowl game that bears its name.

Ironically, the 2011 Beef 'O' Brady’s Bowl is slated to be played this Tuesday, December 20 in St. Petersburg, Florida, pitting FIU and Marshall.

Want more fuel for your football fire?

Well, the last time I went to a Beef’s, I was served an ever-so-frothy Miller High Life on tap…now, that’s awesome.

Champps Americana

The self-proclaimed “Americana Restaurant and Sports Bar & Grill” fits the bill perfectly for a cool place to take in a little bowl action.

Champps dates back to 1984 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and offers up a more upscale dining experience to go along with an impressive onslaught of high definition televisions.

Champps' only drawback is similar to others on our list in that it offers a mere 60 locations nationwide, making it harder for a wide throng of enthusiasts to properly enjoy its delights.

TGI Friday’s

Just fewer than 1,000 Friday’s dot our hills and plains, and the brass railings, red and white stripes and Tiffany lamps do nothing but enhance the purple mountain majesty that is America.

Friday’s has been around since 1965, when its founder purportedly opened a bar in New York in hopes of meeting some choice lady friends.

Ah yes, a noble endeavor indeed, and what was once a mission in match making is today a fine place to watch a bowl game.

Friday’s offers up the same combination so successful at Chili’s, Bennigan’s and Applebee’s…consistent quality and variety, served consistently.

Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke

Bone Daddy’s makes the list despite being a totally regional chain with locations in Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin.

The reason for this is at least three fold, and comes down to atmosphere, taste and other attributes that the male portion of our audience will appreciate fully.

First, Bone Daddy’s is a BBQ joint with perhaps the best meat for miles…yes, from a food standpoint you should run, not walk, to the Daddy that is good to your taste buds.

Complimenting the smoky goodness of the carnage is a set of home-style sides that will simply blow your mind and grow your thighs in a delightful manner.

Secondly, Bone Daddy’s is flat-out cool, from the décor to the TVs to the friendliness of the staff.  As a female, you may resent the alluring attractiveness of the womanly wait staff, but you can’t deny good service when you experience it.

Last, and for lots of folks other than me, not least is the appearance of the said siren-like servers…yes, they’re hot and they’re from Texas.  Commenting further becomes awkward for the female scribe, but these girls are pretty.

Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke has heartily earned my "I’m a Girl and Even I Loved It” endorsement.