I compared $30 meals at three different chain restaurants to find the best value.Artography/Shutterstock; Ken Wolter/Shutterstock; Joseph Hendrickson/ShutterstockI went to Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Chili's with a $30 budget.To keep things fair, I ordered chips and queso and a breaded-chicken sandwich at each restaurant.The entrée from Buffalo Wild Wings was my favorite, but I think Chili's offered the best value.Though I typically try to eat local, I've always had a soft spot for casual-dining chains.However, it had been years since I'd eaten at some of my old staples, and I wanted to see which chain restaurants near me offered the best food and value.So, I visited my local Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Chili's locations with plans to spend $30 at each. For a fair comparison, I stuck to similar menu items at each chain.Here's how it went.First, I dined at Applebee's.Ted BergI started at an Applebee's location in Astoria, Queens, which is only a short bike ride from my home.Founded in the Atlanta area in 1980, Applebee's is now owned by Dine Brands Global — the same parent company as IHOP — and has over 1,600 locations across 17 countries and territories.To start, I ordered chips and queso.Ted BergThe first item I ordered was chips and queso, which cost $14.99.The cheesy dip was pleasantly creamy, but not especially flavorful, even though there were visible red and green peppers swimming in it.

I also thought it was a bit on the salty side.The chips were served warm, which was a nice touch, and they had a hint of sweetness to them. However, they didn't taste particularly fresh, and I didn't think the portion size was worth the price tag.For my meal, I had a breaded-chicken sandwich with fries.Ted BergFor my entrée, I got the $16.99 spicy honey-mustard chicken sandwich, which was topped with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.At first glance, I noticed the breaded-chicken breast was enormous, jutting out far from the boundaries of the brioche bun. Unfortunately, though, I was disappointed by my first bite.I wasn't a huge fan of the breading, which became soggy wherever it touched the sauce or vegetables.

I also thought the chicken itself was on the dry side.However, the tomato and lettuce tasted fresh and gave the sandwich some sweetness and crunch. Plus, the sweet, spicy, and tangy honey mustard was the clear highlight of the meal.It came with fries, which were dusted with a nice peppery seasoning, but they weren't especially crispy.In total, before tax and tip, I paid $31.98 for the appetizer and meal, which was slightly over my original budget.Next, I visited Buffalo Wild Wings.Ted BergFor my next stop in the comparison, I took my kids to a Buffalo Wild Wings location in the College Point section of Queens.Initially called Buffalo Wild Wings and Weck, the chain opened its first location in Ohio in 1982.Now owned and operated by Inspire Brands — the parent company of places like Arby's, Sonic, and Dunkin' — the chain has expanded to over 1,400 locations across all 50 US states, as well as six other countries.I thought the chips and queso were a great value.Ted BergI started out with Buffalo Wild Wings' $10.99 queso.

The dip was a bit thinner than the Applebee's version, but significantly tastier thanks to the distinct flavor of green pepper and chunks of fresh tomato.The chips tasted fresh and not too salty, and the quantity felt roughly the same as the more expensive appetizer from Applebee's.The Buffalo-chicken sandwich I ordered was delicious.Ted BergAt $17.99, the Buffalo ranch chicken sandwich from Buffalo Wild Wings was the most expensive of the three I tried.At first glance, the thin, even breading on the chicken breast looked more like something I'd expect at a fast-food restaurant, not on an almost $20 sandwich. However, it turned out to be my favorite of the three I tried.Unlike its competitors, the Buffalo Wild Wings sandwich maintained some crunch in the breading, even in the sauciest spots.

I loved the classic spicy, vinegary Buffalo flavor of the sauce, which was nicely balanced by a drizzle of ranch dressing. Plus, the chicken inside was moist and tender.The bun was hearty and well-proportioned enough to keep the sandwich fairly neat, which is especially advantageous when dining with kids.I'm partial to thin-cut fries, and the ones at Buffalo Wild Wings came with a nice sprinkling of black pepper.In all, Buffalo Wild Wings offered the best sandwich of the three restaurants. Plus, I was able to stay within my budget, spending a total of $28.98 before tax and tip.Finally, I dined at Chili's.Ted BergFounded in 1975, Chili's is now operated by Brinker International — which also owns Maggiano's — and has over 1,600 locations around the world.I visited a Chili's in the Glendale neighborhood of Queens.The chips and queso also came with salsa.Ted BergI started with an $11.49 order of beef queso, which — unlike at the other two restaurants — also came with salsa. It was also easily