Cheaper and Just as Great!

I bought this cookbook because I love to eat out but with 3 small children, we no longer have the money or the patience. (Also, we don't want to punish those of you who are actually "enjoying" your dinner.) I wanted to add some interesting dishes that would change my routine day to day cooking. I chose this cookbook specifically for the restaurants and the recipes included. They are some of my favorite!

Restaurants Included
Applebee's
Benihana
Bennigan's
Big Boy
California Pizza Kitchen
The Cheesecake Factory
Chi-Chi's
Chili's
Cracker Barrel
Denny's
Dive!
Hard Rock Cafè
Hooters
Houlihan's
IHOP
Lone Star Steakhouse
Marie Callender's
Olive Garden
Outback
Perkins
Pizza Hut
Planet Hollywood
Red Lobster
Red Robin
Ruby Tuesdays
Ruth Chris Steakhouse
Shoney's
Sizzler
Stuart Anderson's Black Angus
TGI Friday's
Tony Roma's
Western Sizzlin

Format
The format of this cookbook is nice. Todd Wilbur gives a little history about each restaurant before giving the recipe. He then lists the ingredients and step by step directions. Todd Wilbur also includes an assembly picture (how to assemble). I thought this was a nice touch. At the end of some recipes, he gives a tidbit. Usually this is a variation to the recipe.

Pros
These recipes are great. For the most part, they taste very similar to your favorite restaurants. Cooking with this cookbook is much cheaper than eating out and you can pick all of your favorites from different restaurants. I love the simplicity of the directions for each recipe.
Cons
I wish this cookbook was spiral bond> Because it is bond as a paper back book, it is hard to keep it open while you cook. Some of the recipes may not taste exactly like the restaurants. But to me, they all were pretty close. Also, most of these recipes are pretty high in fat and calories. If like me you are trying to watch your girlish figure(ha-ha, remember I said I have 3 kids), don't make these recipes every day.

My Favorites
Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole
Planet Hollywood Chicken Crunch
Olive Garden Salad Dressing
Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken

Todd Wilbur has written several more of these cookbooks. They are a great addition for any chef!