While it may not calculate dollars spent, this list of the most popular restaurants of 2011 is based on web searches. As most of us know, when we perform an Internet search for a restaurant, it is normally to find the location nearest to us. Here is a list of the most popular restaurants of 2011:

1. Pizza Hut. This one is no surprise. Who doesn't like a Pizza Hut pizza every once in a while? Their stuffed crust pizza is my favorite. It cannot be called healthy, but every once in a while you just have to splurge and forget about calories. Pizza Hut also ran all kinds of great deals in 2011, such as their $10 any size and toppings deal that I personally took advantage of several times in 2011.



2. Dominos. Do you notice a trend here? America loves pizza. When you do not feel like cooking or even driving, you can call up a pizza chain and have dinner delivered directly to your door. I wish more restaurants would jump on the bandwagon and offer delivery.



3. Papa John’s. Pizza again. Good pizza, though. Papa John’s pizza is one of my favorites as well.



4. Starbucks. This is a surprise in today's economy. It looks like everyone is still making room in their budgets for expensive coffee drinks. I used to love Starbucks, but now cannot imagine going back to spending $4 on a cup of coffee. I also work at home now, so I do not need that coffee on the run as I used to.



5. McDonald's. Everyone seems to love McDonald's except for me. I have many fond memories eating there as a child, but that is where it ends. I also do not eat hamburgers, so their hamburgers must be great to be this popular. They also offer a value menu, which is a great feature in this economy.



6. Olive Garden. Everyone seems to think that Olive Garden offers excellent Italian food, but being of Italian ancestry myself, I know better. Most do not agree with me and, when many Americans need their Italian food fix, they seem to run for the Garden.