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Denny's Worst Menu Items: Steak And Potatoes Sandwich, Fried Cheese Melt, Bacon Sundae & More

Over-The-Top Denny's Culinary Creations
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Denny's has certainly awarded itself a bad reputation when it comes to culinary creations. From the recently released Mac And Cheese Big Daddy Patty Melt -- which fit a burger patty as well as a serving of mac and cheese inside two pieces of bread -- to last year's Fried Cheese Melt Sandwich -- a grilled cheese stuffed with fried mozzarella sticks -- you can always count on Denny's to release a new menu item that has the power to make your stomach turn before sampling.

While you might never enter a Denny's in the revealing light of day, most of us have dined at this establishment at least once (if not countless times) long after twilight, as a way to top off the night. At that hour, these types of dishes are just what we crave. Denny's is aware of its place in the culinary world, and has even created the All Nighter menu especially for these outings. After all, its prime customer base is not the senior, but the 18-24 year old.

You have to hand it to Denny's. The company sure is inventive with its creations -- never ceasing to roll out new menu gimmicks. Some of its most notable menus include Baconalia which celebrated the country's bacon craze, Let's Get Cheesy! which clearly featured a lot of American cheese, and the Rockstar menu which called upon popular rock groups to create dishes inspired by their band. If there is one thing to be learned from Denny's, it is that creativity and perseverance might not bring you to excellence, but it will sure get you noticed.

While these menus are no longer featured at Denny's, you can have faith that the company will surely release equally notable items soon.

What are some of your most notable Denny's experiences?

Denny's Worst Creations
Sweet Ride Nachos(01 of12)
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Can't decide between nachos or french toast? Enjoy both with the Sweet Ride Nachos featured on Denny's All Nighter menu. These nachos consist of freshly fried tortilla chips, dipped in cinnamon sugar, topped with strawberry toppings, raspberry sauce, hot fudge, caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, seasonal fruit and a dollop of whipped cream.Featured on the All Nighter menu in 2008. (credit:Denny's)
Maple Bacon Sundae(02 of12)
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Most have accepted the introduction of bacon cupcakes and bacon marmalade without batting an eyelash. We have faith that when left in the hands of culinary experts, bacon can add something special to many of our favorite foods. But when Denny's decides to give it whirl, a disaster is likely to occur. Mixing a savory, smoky meat with sweet ice cream requires a subtle, trained hand, and Denny's is anything but subtle when it comes to its use of meat products.Featured on the Baconalia menu early 2011. (credit:Flickr: theimpulisivebuy)
Midwestern Meat And Potato Sandwich(03 of12)
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Denny's describes this dish as a "Cheddar bun stuffed with grilled prime rib and French fries, smothered in brown gravy and topped with melted Swiss and American cheeses and mayo. A side of creamy mashed potatoes and yet more gravy completes this culinary masterpiece!" Adding french fries inside a sandwich, while indulgent, is not unheard of, but offering a side of mashed potatoes and gravy to accompany this sandwich is overkill.Featured on the Let's Get Cheesy! menu mid 2011. (credit:Denny's)
All American S.O.S.(04 of12)
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The "All American Rejects" created this dish as part of Denny's Rockstar menu. Inspired by a classic from the band's hometown in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the dish is a mixture of hamburger, cheese, grilled onions and gravy, served on top of grilled Texas toast and hash browns. The band told Buzznet that "The S.O.S. is a dish that we eat on the road all the time. There's something for everyone in this dish and it fills you up good."Featured on the Rockstar menu in 2008. (credit:Denny's )
Postachos(05 of12)
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Why have nachos when you can have postachos? Denny's recreates the classic nachos on its All Nighter menu by replacing tortilla chips with freshly fried and seasoned kettle chips. Would you like bacon or sausage on those chips? Denny's ups the ante by adding both bacon and sausage, bell peppers, onions and then tops it with both a cheese sauce and grated cheddar cheese.Featured on the All Nighter menu in 2008. (credit:Denny's)
Fried Cheese Melt(06 of12)
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The beloved chain restaurant appetizer, mozzarella sticks, receieved a Denny's makeover. This concotion is doubly cheesey, doubly breaded and doubly fried -- and costs just $4. Gawker rightly dubbed this creation "culinary terrorism."Featured on the Let's Get Cheesy! menu mid 2011. (credit:Flickr: smiely)
Taking Back Bacon Burger Fries(07 of12)
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Another creative addition to Denny's Rockstar menu, this item was dreamed up by the band, "Taking Back Sunday" -- think bacon cheeseburger meets cheese fries. The dish includes a plate of fries topped with hamburger, bacon, onions, cheese, tomato and pickle.Featured on the Rockstar menu in 2008. (credit:BrokenSphere/Wikimedia Commons)
Mac And Cheese Big Daddy Patty Melt(08 of12)
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The Mac And Cheese Big Daddy Patty Melt is part of the Denny's Let's Get Cheesy! menu. It's a bargain item, considering that you get both a burger patty and macaroni and cheese, served together in between two pieces of buttery bread. That's two meals for the price of one. Featured on the Let's Get Cheesy! menu mid 2011. (credit:Denny's)
The Grand Slamwich(09 of12)
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The Grand Slamwich takes Denny's iconic breakfast item -- the Grand Slam -- to a whole new level. The breakfast sandwich includes two scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, American cheese, shaved ham and mayonnaise in between two slices of grilled potato bread. And in case you are still hungry after that over-1,000-calorie breakfast, it comes with a side of hash browns. Currently available at Denny's. (credit:Denny's)
Philly Cheesesteak Omelette(10 of12)
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While many people turn to omelettes as a healthier breakfast option, Denny's has taken it in the opposite direction. The Philly Cheesesteak Omelette, a part of the Taste of America menu, is pretty self-explanatory -- picture a Philly cheesesteak wrapped in eggs instead of bread. Denny's claims that it "truly captures the spirit of Philadelphia."Featured on the Taste of America menu early 2011. (credit:Denny's )
The Grand Slam Burrito(11 of12)
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Another twist on the grand slam, this version of the breakfast burrito is stuffed with two scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and melted American cheese. It is topped off with a healthy serving of maple syrup, in place of the more traditional salsa.Featured on the menu in 2009. (credit:Flickr: WordRidden)
Hawaiian Tropical Pancakes & Puppies(12 of12)
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The Hawaiian Tropical Pancakes menu item offers two fluffy macadamia nut pancakes layered with coconut whipped topping. Topped off with lightly grilled pineapple chunks, more coconut whipped topping and sprinkled with toasted coconut. If that sounds like too much sweetness for you to handle, Denny's also offers an appetizer-sized dish -- the Hawaiian Tropical Pancake Puppies. These are packed with pinapple and white chocolate chips, fried and served with a side of syrup for dipping.Featured on the Taste of America menu early 2011. (credit:Denny's)

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