I didn’t need a survey to tell me that we Americans love going out for 5,000-calorie dinners at the Cheesecake Factory. Anyone who’s ever gone to one on a weekend night . . . and found it’s as crowded as a market in Mumbai . . . knows it’s popular.

-And according to a new survey, the Cheesecake Factory is now officially the most popular chain restaurant in the U.S.

-The survey asked people to rank casual and family restaurant chains . . . so it only includes sit-down restaurants, not places like McDonald’s.

-13% of people ranked the Cheesecake Factory number one. Second place was a two-way tie between Texas Roadhouse and Red Robin, both of which got 8% of the vote.

-Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday were next, tied at 5%.

-The rest of the list, in order, goes: Red Lobster, P.F. Chang’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel, T.G.I. Friday’s, Golden Corral, Applebee’s, Chili’s, and IHOP.

-Of the 15 restaurants that made the list, IHOP came in last, with only 1% of the vote. However . . . that means it beat out places like Denny’s, Bennigan’s and Waffle House, which didn’t even make the list.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHAIN RESTAURANT?

Here’s a list of favorite casual and family restaurant chains by rank:

1 –  The Cheesecake Factory

2 – Texas Roadhouse

3 – Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

4 – Olive Garden

5 – Ruby Tuesday

6 – Red Lobster

7 – P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

8 – Longhorn Steakhouse

9 – Outback Steakhouse

10 – Cracker Barrel

11 – T.G.I. Friday’s

12 – Golden Corral

13 – Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar

14 – Chili’s

15 – IHOP