The Hudson Valley has no shortage of incredible restaurants. The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park churns out talented chefs year after year -- many of whom stay in the region. The variety of delicious food options in the Hudson Valley is recognized across the country, and the Food Network frequently features our local restaurants on their shows.

Sometimes, though, you just want some comfort food and to try something your friends in other parts of the country have been raving about.

News of chain restaurants opening in the Hudson Valley were some of our most viewed stories of the year. Here's a look at the restaurants that were most anticipated by WPDH listeners in 2016.

 
The Tilted Kilt
 

 
1955 South Road • Poughkeepsie
 

The Tilted Kilt is a Scottish-themed restaurant chain where the female staff wear some very tiny outfits. The restaurant also offers an extensive beer menu and you'll have over 60 televisions to watch games on when it officially opens Monday, Dec. 19. If you can't wait until Monday, you'll get to meet some of the ladies of the Tilted Kilt at Woodstock Harley-Davidson in Kingston on Friday from 6PM to 11PM.

 
The Golden Corral
 

 
360 Rt 211 East • Middletown
 

Fans of buffets and chocolate fountains, rejoice! The Golden Corral opened a location in Middletown location in June, spending some $3 million to renovate space in the former Caldor Shopping Plaza. And if you live east of the Hudson River, you'll get a chance to experience the Golden Corral soon enough -- a Poughkeepsie location is set to open soon.

 
Texas Roadhouse
 

2323 South Road • Poughkeepsie

Texas Roadhouse brought its steaks and ribs to the Hudson Valley on Halloween. They gave back to the community by doing a special opening the weekend before, offering free meals in exchange for donations to Grace Smith House and the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie.

 
Hardee's
 

 2275 South Road • Poughkeepsie
 

The Hardee's chain serves up fried chicken, huge burgers and mouth-watering breakfast biscuits. For Dutchess residents, the wait for a Hardee's (and jealously over the 2015 opening of the Middletown and Lake Katrine locations) came to an end in 2016. A location came to Poughkeepsie this year. Now go get your burger on.

 
Bonus Video