WINNER: Best restaurant chain that began in Atlanta | Best of Atlanta

Nearly a dozen restaurant chains call Atlanta their birthplace.

Nearly a dozen restaurant chains got their start here in Atlanta.

They serve everything from biscuits to steak to chicken to waffles.

Atlanta is known as a foodie city, with a half-dozen or more websites and publications ranking it among the top in the South.

Southern Living ranked the city No. 5 among best food cities in the South, while personal finance website WalletHub put the metro area at No. 11 in the United States. That means there is a lot of competition for your patronage.

» 5 reasons Atlanta was just named one of the South's best food cities

That’s why we wanted to know your favorite restaurant chain that was founded here.

Tied for third place were Mellow Mushroom, which was founded in Midtown in 1974, and Taco Mac Sports Grill, which began in Virginia-Highland in 1979.

In second place was that staple of late nights and early mornings, Waffle House. On Labor Day 1955, an icon was born when the first Waffle House restaurant opened its doors for business in Avondale Estates, its website states.

» Waffle House, by the numbers

The overwhelming favorite among readers was Chick-fil-A, which began in Hapeville in 1946.

What began as a Truett Cathy's tiny diner is now the largest chicken chain and the third largest fast food restaurant chain in the country.

» Antibiotics are officially off Chick-fil-A's menu

Not a fan of chicken? Check out some of our other Best of Atlanta winners:

» Best rooftop bar

» Best food truck in Atlanta

» Best family attraction

» Best seafood spot

» Best burger in Atlanta 

» Best barbecue in Atlanta

» Best Chinese food

And check out all of our Best of Atlanta winners so far this year.