Subscribe to ListverseTop 16 Awesome Fast Food Restaurants
- Published February 10, 2008 - 438 Comments
There are times when the food in my refrigerator and pantry does not seem very appetizing. Many nights I find myself opening that cold, stainless steel door only to see an oval-shaped dish stuck way in the back covered with tin foil staring at me in wonder…and what about that concoction that I threw together the other night after one too many black and tans!?
The good news is that after God created humans, human creativity created the means to be able to create fast food. And we saw that it was good and we blessed it so.
So here we have the most popular fast food establishments. This list is based upon my own experiences and preferences from worst to best.
16. Taco Bell
Taco Bell got its start by a man named Glen Bell in San Bernardino, California. He began by opening his own hotdog/hamburger stand which he worked himself until he sold it in 1952. Glen had been an avid Mexican food lover and loved the tacos at the take-out places that he frequented in the Mexican neighborhoods. However, he was concerned about the amount of preparation time that it took for these tacos to be made.
Eventually he opened up a taco place oddly named Der Weinerschnitzel (German for breaded veil) with his wife and a friend. Eventually he focused on his taco making skills and when one thing led to another he had 100 restaurants. Officially, Taco Bell went public in 1962 and the rest is history.
The reason for my inclusion of Taco Bell is simply this: most people that I know LOVE Taco Bell, but I personally refuse to eat it. Why?
Taco Bell stays opened well after the 4 a.m. bars and pubs close in my area.
Taco Bell is so affordable that you could eat a days worth of food with only $3.00 USD. That seems a little odd to me.
3) Go to the grocery. Look in the cold cut meat section. Ask for souse or head-cheese. Take it home and grind it up really good and put it in a hard shell taco. That is basically Taco Bell meat.
They literally use a damn caulk gun to spurt excessive amounts of sour cream into the middle of their tacos!
What I typically order from this establishment:
Apple Empanada
15. Kentucky Fried Chicken
Founded in Corbin, Kentucky by Colonel Harlan Sanders in the front room of a gas station that he owned and operated, Colonel Sanders officially sold his first franchise of Kentucky Fried Chicken to a man in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1952. Before that he had created his infamous Original Recipe of 11 herbs and spices in 1940 and sold it in the dining area of his gas station which he affectionately called Sander’s Court & Café.
After a series of bad debts which left him virtually penniless in 1955 he set out on the road once again to try and sell his chicken recipe to restaurants. It apparently worked very well as in 1969 KFC had over 600 franchises in the U.S. and Canada as well as one overseas in England. This was also the year that KFC was officially listed as a tradeable commodity on the New York Stock Exchange.
What I typically order from this establishment:
10 piece bucket of Original Recipe Chicken
14. McDonald’s
Ah, the famous Golden Arches. The world famous McDonald’s fast food restaurant got its start around the same time as Taco Bell in the same location: San Bernardino, California. The restaurant was owned by a couple of brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald. It wasn’t a household name until a man named Raymond Croc heard about them operating 8 of the same type of milk shake machine that he was himself trying to make a living selling, The Multimixer. He saddled up and went out west to talk business. The year was 1954.
After Ray convinced the McDonald brothers to open up several more restaurants in order to sell some of his milk shake machines to each establishment he decided to run one of his own. Ray undertook the sole task of running his own McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955. In 1963 the famous face of Ronald McDonald made his first appearance on a television commercial. After the success of the original McDonald’s franchise in Illinois (which is now a museum of McDonald’s memorabilia) there was no doubt that the restaurant would become famous very quickly.
What I typically order from this establishment:
2 sausage, egg and cheese McGriddles and a large orange juice for breakfast
The Double Quarter Pounder with cheese value meal with a Coke for lunch/dinner
13. Checker’s
Known as Rally’s in some areas of the United States, Checker’s is fairly new to the fast food scene. Founded in Mobile, Alabama in 1986 Checker’s later merged with Rally’s in Louisville, Kentucky to become a bigger corporation. Checker’s is headquartered in Tampa, Florida and has been public since 1991 when it had a total of 85 restaurants in its chain. Most people can recognize these restaurants for their vibrant retro look as well as their unique double drive thru windows and their 2 walk-up windows.
What I typically order from this establishment:
2 Big Buford sandwiches, 1 large Rally fry and a large chocolate or banana milkshake
12. Hardee’s
Founded by a Greenville, North Carolina man by the name of Wilbur Hardee in 1960, Hardee’s has been a staple of the American Midwest and Southeast ever since. The originality of Hardee’s lies in its famous cinnamon raisin biscuits baked fresh under the roof of their equally famous hexagonal buildings. This hexagonal style of building was also reflected in their hexagonal hamburger patties in the pioneering days of the franchise.
In the year 1997, Hardee’s was purchased by a corporation named CKE restaurants that also owned and operated a chain of fast food restaurants called Carl’s Jr. This merger made discerning Hardee’s from Carl’s Jr. restaurants difficult since the famous Carl’s Jr. smiling star logo was incorporated into the Hardee’s logo. Most Hardee’s now serve food more reminiscent of the typical Carl’s Jr. menu.
What I typically order from this establishment:
½ lb. Six Dollar Burger, large order of Crispy Curls and a large chocolate malt
11. White Castle
A young and budding entrepreneur took a huge shot at creating America’s first and oldest fast food restaurant way back in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. His name was Walter Anderson and together with a fellow investor named Billy Ingram made White Castle a famous American name by serving Americans the infamous “Slyder” mini burger for a mere 5 cents a piece.
The challenge of opening up the restaurants was due to the American public’s fear of the unsafe and unsanitary practices by the meat packing industry. This fear was brought about due to Upton Sinclair’s famous novel The Jungle. Anderson and Ingram combated this fear by creating very small establishments painted a white color on the outside to bring to the mind a sense of cleanliness. They also had their workers wear nice white butcher gowns and work in an all stainless steel kitchen to give the place a sanitary feel. This plan worked tremendously as White Castle is still going strong almost 90 years later.
White Castle is famous for the aforementioned Slyders that are uniquely grilled with sliced onions and the bun on the top of the small square burger patty. This gives the burger a steam effect through 5 strategically placed holes in the thin patty which in turn not only steams the burger bun, but also makes flipping the patty over to cook on the other side a thing of the past.
What I typically order from this establishment:
10 sack of Slyders with cheese (if you have eaten White Castle before you should know why they call them Slyders)
10. Arby’s
In 1964 in the small town of Boardman, Ohio two brothers, Leroy and Forrest Raffel, decided to open a restaurant that served roast beef sandwiches with bags of potato chips and giant sized iced teas to drink rather than the typical hamburger and soda pop everyone else was serving up. Upon trying to think of a name for their restaurant they decided on Arby’s which stands for R.B. or Raffel Brothers and also roast beef. Clever huh?
It only took one year for them to sell their first franchise. Since then Arby’s franchises took off like wild fire. At one point Arby’s was owned by The Royal Crown Cola Company (RC Cola), which received a lot of sales through Arby’s restaurants by having their cola served over the ever popular Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The Arby’s franchises are not only famous for their various roast beef sandwiches, but also their secret Arby’s sauce and their spicy Horsey Sauce as well as their delicious Curly Fries. Recent contract negotiations over the past few years have made Pepsi the main carbonated beverage currently being served in all Arby’s locations.
What I typically order from this establishment:
Mix and match 5 for $5.95. I get 3 Arby melts, 1 order of mozzarella sticks and 1 order of potato wedges with a large Pepsi on the side.
9. A&W Restaurant
In 1919 a man named Roy Allen decided to take a shot at making a nice cool beverage during a hot summer day in Lodi, California using a recipe that he purchased from a pharmacist in Arizona. What he created would later be another recognizable American name. Thus was born the infamous A&W Root Beer. But Roy didn’t stop there.
After success in selling mug after mug of his fine elixir from a root beer stand in Lodi and Sacramento he teamed up with one of his original employees, Frank Wright, to officially market their A&W Root Beer (A for Allen and W for Wright). Along with their exclusive, closely guarded, secret recipe root beer being sold in franchise stands spreading east from California they also began selling hotdogs and hamburgers.
By 1970 there were well over 2,000 A&W drive-thru restaurants spread across the nation. The next year A&W decided to create a beverage and bottling division whose sole purpose would be to manufacture and distribute the famous drink. Currently A&W franchises have expanded the world over.
What I typically order from this establishment:
The A&W Papa Burger, 1 large order of onion rings and, of course, a huge frosted mug of A&W Root Beer and an A&W Root Beer Float for dessert
8. Long John Silver’s
Another Yum! Brands acquisition, Long John Silver’s was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous book Treasure Island. The company wanted great seafood at a great price given in a timely manner. So in 1969 the first Long John Silver’s restaurant was founded in Lexington, KY.
The buildings were themed towards a pirate ship. There were ropes winding throughout the restaurants. The waiting areas were modeled to look like the wooden interior of the ships and there was even a bell hung by the exit door for customers to ring if they were satisfied with their visit to the restaurant. I admit that I have ringed the bell several times myself.
Some of us might remember the restaurant Jerry’s. That company also owned and operated the chains of Long John Silver’s restaurants throughout the nation until the corporation’s bankruptcy in 1998. This is when the corporation who would later become Yum! Brands bought them out.
What I typically order from this establishment:
2 fish and 2 chicken planks combo basket with the occasional side order of clam strips and always a large iced tea with a lemon wedge
7. Dairy Queen
Often referred to as DQ, this chain of fast food restaurants has been famous for their ice cream since a father and son team created a soft serve ice cream blend in Illinois and had a friend sell it in his ice cream shop. The soft serve took off and became an overnight sensation. The owner of the ice cream shop, Sherwood “Sherb” Noble, opened the first official Dairy Queen in Joliet, Illinois in 1940.
From there it was every franchiser’s dream. Dairy Queens began sprouting up all over the Midwestern United States and by 1950 there were over 1400 establishments. Eventually the shops starting serving not only frozen treats, but also hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken sandwiches. However, the main focus of Dairy Queen has been their ever famous Blizzard frozen treat since 1985. The Blizzards are made from the same recipe of soft serve ice cream that a young boy and his father invented over 60 years ago.
What I typically order from this establishment:
¼ lb. FlameThrower Grillburger combo meal with Coke to drink and either a butterscotch sundae or a small cotton candy Blizzard (trust me…they’re excellent).
6. Sonic Drive-In
Very famous for keeping the car hop era of the 1950’s alive to this day, Sonic truly is, as they say, America’s Drive-In. It all started when Troy Smith opened up a root beer stand in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1953. The idea behind this stand was for customers to remain humbly in their vehicles and order using a speaker situated on a pole in designated parking spots. Once ready the food would be taken to the car by one of the car hop employees.
Eventually, a very impressed customer named Charles Pappe negotiated with Troy Smith and opened up the very first Sonic Drive-In Restaurant in Woodard, Oklahoma. They decided on the name Sonic in part because the original name Top Hat was already taken and also the word sonic reflected the speed at which a customer’s order was taken and delivered.
Not only does Sonic Drive-In Restaurants stand out because they still utilize the speaker and car hop method of order taking and delivery, but their menu has countless combinations of treats. As a customer you can take any flavor of syrup or juice that they have on their menu and combine it with one of their Slushes, carbonated beverages, or Fresh Fruit Limeaids. This leads to a truly unique drink of your very own.
What I typically order from this establishment:
Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster Sandwich combo with an order of onion rings instead of fries and my very own concoction of the regular strawberry Limeaid with strawberry juice added
5. Burger King
One of my favorite fast food places to eat, Burger King was officially established in 1954 in Miami, Florida by two Hotel Administration graduates from a local college. Sensing that McDonald’s would be a success David Edgerton and James McLamore established a fast food hamburger restaurant called Insta Burger King.
A few years later James McLamore would introduce Burger King’s signature sandwich, The Whopper now dubbed as America’s favorite sandwich. The menu also began to expand from simple burgers and fries to include fish and chicken sandwiches. With much success they forged ahead, but were frequently met with pitfalls, trials and tribulations in the coming years.
Burger King has been owned and sold by more companies than I care to list. The franchise has also caused controversy between rivals like Wendy’s and McDonald’s by claiming that their burgers taste better. The Burger King of Australia, called Hungry Jack, had trouble with Burger King over name problems since there was a name of a Pillsbury product in America called Hungry Jack and Pillsbury just happened to own Burger King at the time of the controversy.
Through all of the messes that the corporation has run into over the past 50+ years, Burger King still remains a solid foundation and a house hold name with its famous Whopper sandwich.
What I typically order from this establishment:
#3 Value Meal: Triple Whopper with cheese, upgraded to large size with a Coke and onion rings instead of french fries
4. Big Boy
The Big Boy double decker sandwich was the first double decker to be introduced in America. It was all thanks to a man named Bob Wian from Glendale, California and his hamburger diner in 1936. The idea came when he was challenged by a group of customers to create something other than a plain old hamburger. The challenge was accepted and thus began the birth of the famous burger with the famous secret sauce.
The name Big Boy came about when Wian met a little pudgy kid who came into the restaurant to grab one of those famous double decker burgers that everyone was talking about. He allegedly called the little kid “Big Boy” and the name has stuck ever since. Next, a customer would one day end up drawing on a napkin the iconic image of the fat little boy in red and white checkered overalls running with a Big Boy burger in his hand. Now Wian had a corporate icon to make his restaurants more recognizable.
Not only is Big Boy recognizable because of the statue of Big Boy in front of each restaurant, but they also retain their retro diner feel. The interior is like being whisked back to the 50’s when diners were at their prime. The fact that they also have a uniquely famous burger also helps too.
What I typically order from this establishment:
2 Swiss Miss sandwiches, an order of onion rings, a Coke with vanilla syrup and chocolate malt
3. Subway
Jared may be an idiotic looking guy, but he promotes one of the best fast food chains in American history so far as I am concerned. Subway was founded by relatives Fred De Luca and Peter Buck in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The 20 year old Fred borrowed some money from Uncle Buck and opened Pete’s Submarines. The name was changed later to Pete’s Subway since radio announcements about the sandwich shop sounded like Pizza Marines. Subsequently, it was shortened to simply Subway.
The success was instantaneous. Not only was Subway able to create custom submarine sandwiches for each customer, but they also used healthy, fresh ingredients. This would be the signature for Subway as the franchises expanded to current franchises basically across the entire planet, even inside the U.S. Pentagon. Franchisees also have the option of what to include in their menu selection making each Subway unique to the area.
What I typically order from this establishment:
Footlong meatball sub on wheat bread with pepper jack cheese, jalapeno peppers and banana peppers (they took the damn white onion off the menu recently those morons!)
2. Qdoba Mexican Grill
This extremely delicious and addicting establishment was founded in 1995 by the glorious minds of Anthony Miller and Robert Hauser of Denver, Colorado and is surprisingly owned by Jack in the Box. The chain focuses on fresh ingredients made to the specifications of the customer. Hence your regular chicken or steak burrito can have any choice of several salsas, black or pinto beans, rice, shredded cheese, queso and fresh guacamole made fresh each day.
Want to know just how addicting this place is? Go to one. You don’t even have to eat there. Just walk in and look at how long the line is. See it? It is like that ALL the time! ALL the time! But man oh man is it worth it!
What I typically order from this establishment:
Chicken Queso Burrito with black beans and rice with shredded cheese, Roasted Chile Corn Salsa and the medium Salsa Verde. I top that off with a large cup full of the best tea on Earth, Nestea Raspberry.
1. Chick-Fil-A
This queen mother of all fast food gluttony was originally founded under the name Dwarf House in a small suburb of Atlanta, Georgia by S. Truett Cathy. Most often found in shopping malls Chick-Fil-A franchises have recently been growing out of the malls and into their own restaurants.
Chick-Fil-A focuses on chicken based dishes rather than hamburgers so often found in fast food establishments. They are set aside from other chicken places like KFC because they use peanut oil to cook in and their meat is all 100% whole white breast meat chicken, none of that mechanically separated compressed stuff found in most other fast food chicken dishes. Everything from their chicken nuggets to their classic chicken sandwich is all white meat.
Another signature dish is their unique waffle fries. This also sets them apart from other places that serve the traditional frenched potato strands. Top that off with the savory Polynesian sauce and you have the best place to grab a bite to eat in the entire world. S. Truett Cathy should be immortalized and given her own star constellation and have a huge statue built in their likeness that would dwarf (no pun intended) The Colossus of Rhodes. I may start that campaign right now in fact!
What I typically order from this establishment:
2 Classic Chicken sandwiches with 2 Polynesian sauce cups, a large order of Waffle Fries and a large Coke.
Contributor: BrotherMan
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February 10th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
w00t right up my alley!
February 10th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Juggz: hehehe Glad we have a hit from time to time
February 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Never heard of the first and second places. Sonic’s is alright, we have a place called Farmer Boys right next to. Suffice to say, since it opened I rarely see anyone go to Sonic’s anymore.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
GO BRONCOS!
February 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
MCdonalds and Arby’s are AWFUL restaraunts. I agree with most of the others though. I wish I could some White Castle but there aren’t any near me. D:
February 10th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Jamie: theyre always a hit, just this one has a special place in my heart…er stomach!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
DQ and Long John Silver are the best.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Juggz: hehe
I had McDonalds tonight – yum yum!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Now it has been YEARS since ive been to a big boy but last time i went i wouldnt consider it a fast food resteraunt like the others, it was more like a dennys where you actually had to go in and sit down have they changed since then?
February 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Rallys/Checkers Rules
February 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for posting jfrater! Awesome to see something that I created on one of my favorite sites!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Juggz: They sort of have changed Big Boy. True it is still a sit down diner, but the ones I have been to have drive-thru windows now. I debated on whether or not to include Big Boy, but because of its history and a drive-thru I said what the hell.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Ah. I see you’re an avid onion ring lover also?
Onion rings>>>> fries.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I crave onion rings like plants crave water.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
is that qdoba place like a chipotle? sure sounds like it. but pleh on fast food. the government’s way to appease the masses. eat something natural and you’ll feel better. and watch supersize me, i guarantee you’ll never eat mcdonald’s fries again. ever find one under a car seat that is months/years old? no mold or decay. that’s just not natural.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Qdobas has the best buritos, i mean they are FREAKING huge!
I could all of the food from these resturants all day looooooonnnnngggggg. And being from kentucky, I love KFC like a plant loves water.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
does big boy really qualify as fast food? hmm…
and what about Wendy’s? is that not a nation-wide place? Wendy’s is by far my favorite.
As Burger King is to McDonalds, Wendy’s is to Burger King.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
petey: Supersize me is what scared me into eating very little McDonald’s any more. As far as fast food in general goes, I do not eat at these places very often. I stopped by an Arby’s several days ago and I got to thinking that The List Universe might like an addition of a list of fast food restaurants.
You do have a valid point though.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I think Wendy’s needs to take KFC’s place. KFC is pretty gross. I’m not just saying that because I’m a vegetarian, even when I did eat meat I would rather go hungry then eat some of their nasty chicken.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Thats weird, i meant to say eat.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Csimmons: I too am a Kentuckian. Notice how a lot of these places are founded in Kentucky and a part of Yum! Brands.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Spence and Kathryn: I did not include Wendy’s simply because I never eat there. These are places that I eat when I do go for some fast food.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Kathryn: How dare you, i understand that you are a vegitarian, but KFC is the best place for chicken, I love the colonel and always will. And i seriously doubt you would rather starve than eat chicken, your ancestors did it, as did everyone elses.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
brotherMan: Yeah that is weird, but Yum! has some of the best fast food joints ever.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
As far as Taco Bell goes I simply included it because my significant other eats there and most often I am forced to be with her when she does. All I eat from there is that apple empanada thing.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I love fast food so much, it’ll take about 20 years off my life.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
brotherMan: that film scared me too, but i still eat there, i even eat at that place in kentucky where Louis Ogborn got raped, i know that sounds evil but there isn’t another one for miles, plus i live right by it.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Csimmons: I remember the McDonald’s incident. I forgot all about that until you mentioned it. Crazy!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
BrotherMan: I know why they call ‘em slyders, I hate that morning after you eat white castle.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
what?? no wendy’s?? Its the best
February 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
i love chick-fil-a, best place ever
February 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
BrotherMan: It was crazy, i lived there for about 2 months until it happened, it turned Mt.Washington upside down!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Schiesl: That is why Chick-Fil-A is #1 on the list
February 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
chick fil la #1??? raising caines is the shit.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Chick fil A has the BEST milkshakes in the world!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
what about popeyes?????!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
chick-fil-a is good, but i would put qdobas at #1, its the best fast food joint ive ever eaten at, well not at, i eat it at home, but it is still damn good.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
dr.blockk: Popeyes isn’t in my top 16, let alone 20
February 10th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
would any of the pizza chain restaurants count??
February 10th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
CSimmons: I think the reason that I chose Chick-Fil-A over Qdoba was because Chick-Fil-A is a lot farther out from where I live than the closest Qdoba and I rarely get to eat there though I love it.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
chsrocket47: That can be your list. A list of the top pizza chains.
February 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
NO IN-N-OUT?!?!?! It should be number one!
February 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Gr8 List! Was thinking of skipping dinner tonight but just reading this list changed my mind. Apart from BK, one of my other favourite haunt in the US is IHOP. Just love their stuffed omlette and pancakes.
And btw, is it just me or is BrotherMan a seriously big eater? Probably just me
February 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I am a huge fast food freak. I have such a busy schedule I have eaten my fair share. I will start at the top.
16. Taco Bell is one of the last places I can go and get food for my whole family and spend under $20. Very rare these days.
15. KFC is not near us and not somewhere we go often. I do like the extra crispy recipe better than original. I really love the popcorn chicken.
14. McD’s I eat breakfast there every Sunday morning on my way to church. It is one of my very bad habits and probably why I have put on 40 pounds in the last 5 yrs. I was just thinking this morning I needed to change this habit.
13. I had never heard of Checkers before listverse. We do not have it here, but we have something similar to the 2 drive through windows and walk up order window. It is called Good Times and I swear their seasoned fries are the best fast food fries ever! They are even good cold.
12. Hardee’s is here, but not a lot of them and I can’t recall ever eating at one. I very rarely go to Carl’s Jr.
11. White Castle’s are not here, but we can buy frozen white castle burgers at the grocery store. YUMMY!
10. Arby’s are here and I always think of them as a grown up fast food place. My mom would get us McD’s as kids and she would go next door for her Arby’s and we would take it all home to eat. I used ot like hte beef n cheddar, but now I like the french dip more. Oh and a turnover is a must.
9. A&W seems to all be connected to KFC’s around here. I love the root beer and floats, not so keen on their burgers.
8. I used to love Long John Silvers. Now the only one I can find is attached to a Taco Bell and their food made me ill last time I ate there.
7. DQ has those new waffle bowls. I am in love with the strawberry chocolate. Not all of our DQ’s here have burgers. I remember going to DQ in junior high just to get a large fry almost daily. Now most of them don’t have fries either.
6. Sonic another one I don’t frequent. For a fast food place I feel they take too long and I am too busy to wait for service I could get inside a sit down joint just to eat in my car.
5. Burger King’s king freaks me out.
4. I only know of one here and it is a sit down.
3. I eat at Subway as often as I can when the urge for a fast food meal comes up because of the healthier choices.
2. Qdoba is yummy, but not one I frequent. I also like that here you can get a beer with your fast food meal.
1. Chick-Fil-A is also my fave, but we do not have one near us. Now I am really craving Chick-Fil-A. Damn you brotherman Damn you! The closest I know of is over half an hour away.
I wondered about Jack in the box not being on here. They just opened one kind of near my home. So far they are not a high one on our list. But good non the less. Of course anytime I don’t have to cook is a good meal. Thank god I married a man that can cook. And cook well. Did they have to have a drive thru to be considered for your list?
February 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
WENDYS!!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
IN-N-OUT should be number 1, i agree wiht you puddingpuppet, they have great service and their food is great, and so simple.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
IN-N-OUT should be number 1, i agree wiht you puddingpuppet, they have great service and ther food is great, and so simple.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
chipoltes is crack, and i think quiznos is better then subway… and kennedy’s fried chicken kicks KFCs ass, so does Crowns, and Johns FC (abbrv.) its funny i didnt know that there were this many fast food chains till i read this and remember every single fas food place ive eaten at
February 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
BrotherMan: nahh, im too much for local pizza places. plus i only eat dominos and pizza hut lol..
oh and for subway, you never want to eat a meatball sub there unless you want to be sick for a couple of days
February 10th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
while i agree mostly with this list, i have to point out one major flaw… NO WENDY’S
February 10th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
JwJwBean: I live in Kentucky and a lot of these places are based in the eastern U.S. it seems. Louisville is home to Yum! Brands which owns A&W, Long John Silver’s, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut which is why you probably see 2 of these restaurants in the same building.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Whoever asked about qdoba and chipotle being similar, yes they are. I htin kchipotle is a bit spicier.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
okay no typing while dog is bumping arm for petting. That was I think chipotle…
February 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
JwJwBean: Overall, I tried to consider what would be considered fast food in my eyes. That was my delima with Big Boy because it does have a drive-thru and they are fast there, but if you sit inside they take longer…and they have a salad bar too.
Also, Subway does not have a drive-thru and I only know of one Qdoba with a drive-thru, but it is in Indiana. Overall I thought of the word “fast” and these are what I came up with though all of them can be slow at times. That goes with any restaurant though.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Csimmons, Chic-fil-a is way better then KFC. But yeah I’d starve before I’d eat chicken, well KFC chicken atleast. It’s really greasy.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I have eaten both Jack in the Box and In-N-Out Burger, but these were only while I was in California visiting family and I ate one time at each place. Good experiences at both establishments from what I recall.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Kathryn: I agree with you on that! Sorry Csimmons.
Taco Bell and KFC are both pretty much the same quality in my eyes. Poor…
February 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
The reason I said that I ordered 10 piece chicken bucket was because I used to have 4 roommates that I lived with and they loved the stuff so I would buy a bucket of chicken for them and sometimes eat a leg. That was about 3 years ago though and I have not eaten there since. Just not my cup of tea.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
IN-N-OUT should be number 1!!!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
All California residents will know that In N Out Burger is better than anything on this list, hands down…Double Double animal style…oh yeah
February 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Anyone here ever eaten at Freebirds? Aside from all the annoying scene kids that hang out there, they make a burrito that God himself would proclaim as “Baddass”.
God actually told me that.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I Know Macdonald’s, KFC and Burger King, but not the rest of them. Although I know Taco Bell, Big Boy and Subway from films and series I can’t say I know them.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Heather: whats In-n-out like? Ive never eaten there.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
How ridiculously obese are you after eating all of that fast food? I suppose that social responsibility, environmental practices, and dietary concerns are not part of deciding how ‘awesome’ a restaurant may be.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
In-N-Out SHOULD be number one, but it is probably completely unknown to anyone outside of California and Nevade because it is STILL privately owned.
BTW, starting wages for a brand new employee is $10 an hour in CA (and has been for several years).
February 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Favs!!!
11. White Castle’s are not here, but we can buy frozen white castle burgers at the grocery store. YUMMY! (agree!)
10. Arby’s
9. A&W Restaurant
7. Dairy Queen
3. Subway
But no in and out????
February 10th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Csimmons: You know what I just realized that I left off of this list? Steak n Shake! DAMN!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Jfrater and BrotherMan: Being the proud Atlantan that I am, I must correct your assumption that S. Truett Cathy was a woman… everyone here knows Mr. Cathy was a brilliant MAN!
And BrotherMan… holy moly, have you ever had their ice cream? Chick-fil-A has some of the best cold treats in fast-food land!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
TACO BELL! I love Taco Bell! Hardee’s is what I know as Carl’s Jr. GOOD FOOD! White Castle is good too. Same with Arby’s. A&W-I’ve never had the food but I love the root beer. Sonic is good too. I’ve never had Big Boy but it reminds me of Austin Powers. Qdoba is good and I’ve never heard of Chick-Fil-A. Maybe it’s because I live in Washington, where nothing good is.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Where I live, we don’t have DQ or A&W. Everyone goes to Fosters Freeze–It’s the best!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Anne Pasek: I never told anyone how frequently or infrequently I eat at these places. I just said that I eat fast food.
And I am not remotely close to being obese.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Daniel: Thanks for the head’s up on that. I researched 2 websites on these subjects. I guess one of them was incorrect.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
i wasn’t sure if qdoba qualified as fast food but they certainly are amazing nonetheless
February 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Wendy’s?
February 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Isn’t the founder of Chick-Fil-A Mormon and that is why they are not open on Sunday?
We have a few other fast food tyoe places popping up around here. Tokyo Joe’s, Spicey Pickle, Panda Express, Noodle and Company, and places like Atlanta Bread Company and Panera Bread I would prefer over the burger joints too.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Heh, after reading this list I looked up a pic of the author. How are you not huge, JFrater?! Those are sooome typical orders…
February 10th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Where did you find a picture of BrotherMan?
February 10th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
when i was in America it was weird to see the differences between fast food places there and here in Australia.
Like KFC for example, the menu is almost completely different in both countries, it’s much MUCH better over here.
and McDonalds is a fair bit different too. Everything even just tasted different…
I much prefer our fast food in Australia hehe, though that may be a litttttle biased.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Couple o’ things:
Chick-fil-a’s founder Truett Cathy is a man.
I have chicken biscuits for breakfast a lot.
I’m really a fan of Sonic not necessarily for their food (although it’s OK) but because they allow school groups to work as car hops to raise money for their activities. My son’s choir “hops” at a local Sonic once a month and it’s a huge help for their program every year.
We have a chain called Church’s Chicken in the south. It kicks KFC off the map.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Nandos or Porto chicken.
I’d also like to give a nod to Legs ‘n Breats, best chips ever.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
You left out the best – In N Out.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
In N OUT Burger is the BEST!!!! Im from Michigan so im lucky if I get to eat it every other year. But no one even comes close to what thoes guys do. NUMBER ONE!!!!
Oh and Chipotle is similar to Qdoba, but way better.
And Pancheros, and Moes, also Foot Ball size burrito restaurants, all better than Qdoba.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
i didnt even know there was 16. subway and bk are badass
February 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
arby’s >>>> all of them
February 10th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
how about arthur treacher’s? anyone remember those? there’s one not far from me, but i haven’t eaten there in years. if i remember correctly they fry everything in the same grease so everything tastes fishy. the hush puppies are pretty good though. we have a local chain here in akron oh called hamburger station. slyders like white castle only home made and waaaaaaaaaaaaay better. they also have fresh cut fries and onion rings.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
never eat at a chick-fil-a in a university. It is shit.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
JwJwBean: I think Cat is thinking that jfrater wrote this…lol. I might post my pic in the forums sometime though.
AND HEY ALL! I WROTE THIS LIST SO I AM AT FAULT HERE!
February 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I would like to suggest Steak N Shake, really good stuff.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
You serious? No In ‘N’ Out? I’m from Cali, living in Utah, and will willingly drive 5 hours to Vegas just so I can get myself a Double Double. Anyone who goes loves it.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
another ky boy here was raised in pikeville until being removed from the state aginst my will as a small child. and i’ll have a double whopper with cheese.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
No Popeye’s? No Church’s Chicken? No In-and-Out?
What a shitty list.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I loves me a cotton candy blizzard…yum
February 10th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
T Bell needs to be up a little higher. I find that the service in my local Taco Bell is always much more polite than the McDonald’s next door or the Pizza Hut across the street. The Crunch wrap supreme is the food equivalent of the nectar of the gods, even though it tastes like you just bit into a charred pice of toast with the first bite (the taste goes away). Wendy’s is also is quite delicious.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
holy crap. i was having a hard time with this list seeing as popeye’s famous fried chicken is light years ahead of kfc and white castle (eventhough it had a movie about it) is seriously sub-par in comparison to krystal. but then, oh but then, qdoba was mentioned.
you have to be getting some sort of endorsement money to even mention them in a list like this. they wouldn’t even be in the top 5 of a burrito establishment only list. one word…
chipotle.
qdoba was started by chipotle employees who saw ways that they could cut costs and deliver a similar product. instead of fresh meats and vegetables they went for frozen pre-packaged ones. the flavor is inferior, the price is greater and the employees are generally more rude and less accomodating.
chipotle is the top of the mountain when it comes to gourmet burritos. anyone who wants to differ will have to be willing to turn to fisticuffs.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Wendy’s – Best In Canada anyhow…
I absolutely abhor Arbey’s…that’s not roast beef..and the grossest cheeze sauce.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
What about Wendy’s? It’s my personal favorite. Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, and very rarely, KFC, is the only fast food I’ll eat.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
BrotherMan: Aw shit you’re right! Steak & Shake kicks ass!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I swear like 10 of these places are within a mile of my house, im in fast food heaven!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Mom424:
At least have the decency to spell Arby’s right. Im kidding. But seriously.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
dischuker- chipotle is pretty damn good, but in las vegas we have zaba’s also. i get cravings for that place. it would give chipotle a run for their money.
gotta agree with everyone that mentioned in-n-out. it’s pretty much the best place to get burgers.
i’ve only eaten at a DQ once, and it was terrible! and just thinking about sonic makes me queasy. it’s like eating flavored grease. and carl’s jr isn’t any better.
and good ole mc donald’s…. if i eat even one fry from there i get heartburn. i refuse to even go into one.
i’m kind of sad jack in the box wasn’t on there. i’m addicted to their tacos. if i get a taste of one, i need more and more.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Mom424: Arbys rocks! I should there is one literally down the street from where i live.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
wOULD YA LOOK AT THAT! im edeged out of 100 again!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I had chick fil a once in florida and it was like eating heaven.
I’m just surronded by mcdonalds and burger kings. no variety
February 10th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Wow, theres like 3 kentucky guys on here! i thought i was the only one! Oh and GO CARDS! WE BEAT GEORGETOWN! CATS SUCK!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Flaghad: what is that mexican place in utah that just serves terribly wonderul greasy food. I went there but I forgot its name.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Oh Man… I LOVE McDonalds, its just my favourite food EVER!! And KFC mmmm-mmmm. I hate to think how obese I’d become if I ever lived in America, sounds all too dangerous for my fast food addiction.
We have a place called Burger Fuel over here, you can get MASSIVE burgers that are made similarly to home-made burgers.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I would have put Steak & Shake on here, there shakes are DA BOMB!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Six-inch chicken and bacon ranch on Italian with lettuce, tomatoes, A LOT of onions, southwest sauce, and pepper. Mmm mmm good!
And, did I miss something or is In N Out not on there?
February 10th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Ashlet: You would get fat if you moved to my town, everywhere you turn theres a fast food joint or a bank, and i live in a tiny ass town.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Oh, and Subway is just rank. Their processed meat makes me feel so sick I have to go to sleep until it subsides, I wanna throw up everytime I walk past one cos of the smell of the bread *barf*.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I wish i knew what in-n-out tasted like, apparently its pretty popular.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Ashley: Subway isn’t that bad, just ask Jared
February 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Csimmons: I recently moved and am living by 2 KFC’s 2 McDonalds, Pizza Hutt, Domino’s, Wendys, 2 BK’s…. and I have trouble…
Its so great though 
I might have to invent some sort of vehicle that lets me excercise while driving
February 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
HAHA… apart from a bicycle of course!! One where all I have to do is sit
February 10th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’m not sure I’m agreeing with you all that much- most of those are awesome, although Long John Silver’s is sit-down, isn’t it? But Taco Bell sucks, I’m sorry to tell you. I ate there once and regretted it, believe me.
Also, where is Wendy’s? Seriously, Wendy’s is awesome. It should at least be on the list. Oh well, it’s all opinion. Maybe I’ll make my own list.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Taco Bell: not that bad but if I want mexican food (if you really want to call their food mexican) I will make it my own self. I normally have a prep of refried beans waiting and a couple cans in the storage.
KFC: It’s alright. I would rather go to Kroger and get their fried chicken 12 piece for $7….
McD: I will not eat their burger meat. If I go to McD i will only eat their chicken nuggets and that is just barely
Checkers: Good food Checkers/Rally’s makes awesome burgers. I don’t frequent this establishment often enough
Hardee’s: Don’t really care for it too much
White Castle: ?!?!?!?! This even made the list I can think of one place that would be put in number one and shrug this hell hole off the standings. I will mention that place later. White Castle is horrible and then some.
Arby’s: Awesome food. I love their roast beef. Another place I should frequent more often.
A&W: The second best in my opinion. They have wonderful food to accompany beach/park trips or quicky picnics.
Long John Silvers: Could be better…could be a hell of alot worse. This place has really good food (when you can keep it down without it going through too fast.)
Dairy Queen: It is all about the ice cream. I don’t care too much for their foodstuffs. But their soft serves and other frozen goodie are fabulous.
Sonic: Another fine place to grab grub. Their food has a flavor that makes it unforgetable.
Burger King: Much much better than the golden arches. I like their burgers though not as much as Checkers/Rally’s or Sonics. And it doesn’t hold a chance against A&W and my #1
Big Boys: Great place to stop for your after bar scene nights. Great food and entertaining environment (oh wait the entertainment is provided by my friends)
Subway: I love this place. I like Blimpies better but those are hard to find anymore.
Qdoba: never heard of it. never ate there. can’t comment on something i haven’t tryed
Chick-fil-A: Only had this place once and I had the flu at the time so I can not comment on their food.
oki now that I got through your list…I need to make one addition.
In N Out: OMG….The bestest (i know it isn’t a word but it is just that good) burgers in the world other than home made. But they are pretty damn close to home made taste. Not alot of fancy nicnac foods. You choose between a single a double or a double double burger then add fries and a drink. That is their menu burger fries and drink. Excuse me while I mop up some drool…….
February 10th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
And I always thought that A&W stood for ‘amburgers and wootbeer…hahaha…seriously, my mouth is watering just reading this list. I’m a big fan of KFC’s popcorn chicken, and I’m not sure what they put in their gravy, but it’s addicting. Also, kudos to KFC for the snacker and McDonalds for the value menu…us starving students have to eat somehow!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
We can get these little deep fried mozerella sticks from KFC at the moment to dip in ranch sauce. They are the best.
I think my brain might actually blow up if I had so many fast food choices.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Csimmons: The city I live in actually has the most resturants per square mile in the U.S.A. At least that is what I have read (can’t remember where though). Not that it should be something to brag about. We have everything (except In N Out) and more with the mom and pop eateries. Heck just yesterday I saw them wisk through building another small building to open a new mom and pop mexican resturant just around the corner. And almost all of them stay open all night. Best place for the after club scenes.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Speaking of places that are open all night, yesterday I went to a bakery in a place called Hamilton. It is honestly the BEST bakery i’ve ever been to. Its open 24/7 and has everything from sandwhiches – burgers – noodles – donuts, everything you could ever want from a bakery. I’m in love.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Why aren’t Zaxby’s, Backyard Burger or Quiznos on this list? They’re better than anything else out there. Maybe they don’t have those where you live, in which case you’re truly deprived.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Okay heres my opinions
Taco Bell: Love the chalupas but regret the morning after
KFC: Im from Kentucky so i automatically love it, specially their bowls MMMMMMMM-MMMMMMMMMM
McDonalds: I live by the one where Louis Ogborn got raped and have a twinge of guilt everytime i eat there, but they still have some damn good food.
Checkers/Rallys: One of the best places iv ever eaten at, I crave the Big Buford!
Hardees: haven’t there in awhile but when i did, it was damn good.
White Castle: its one of those resturants that you regret you ate at the morning after.
Arbys: One word: Awesome
A&W: I have only eaten there once but love the root beer!
Long John Silvers: Im not sure why its even on the list, i personally would rather eat toe jam.
DQ: The ice cream rocks, not so much the burgers
Sonic: tastes like flavored grease
Burger King: Hes called the king for a reason, Get Me A Whopper.
Big Boy: Never eaten there sadly so i can’t talk about it.
SubWay: I love every sub because ive tried every one.
Qdobas: Ive eaten there 3 times an i could live there.
Chick-Fil-A: IT ROCKS, nuff said
I would personally put Steak & Shake on here, and ive never had In-N-Out.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
man im bummed. our hardees just closed up out of the blue and there arent any close. also no arbys either
fazolis is good for an italian food fix, but not sure if they are national or just midwest. i always get about 10 breadsticks.
notice how the prices are going up as min. wage does? to get a sandwich chips and pop at our quiznos is almost $10(USD)
February 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Jared lost weight cuz Subway is so rank he couldn’t finish a whole sub.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Oh Crap I forgot Fazolis! I love the pasta!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
antylon: I don’t doubt it, the smell is pretty bad, i stay in the car when my friends go and get it.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
antylon: Hahaha… that comment just made my day
I think if I would have laughed louder if I wasn’t reading this at work.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
subway bothers me, i like their subway melt, but i wonder about a chain that has to put their restaurants in gas stations and walmarts
February 10th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Hey, where’s Krystals???
February 10th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
taco bell should def be #1!
February 10th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Out here we have Blimpies in gas stations. The walmarts have some subways and I saw a McD’s in a couple too.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Our Subway has drive-thru and white onions… sounds like you’re in the wrong area BrotherMan. Now if they would only start serving sourdough… Yum-O!
February 10th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Two words: “Panera Bread.” If you haven’t been there, you’re missing out.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Jen- Panera Bread is delicious my favorite is probably an ICEE Mocha
February 10th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
OMG. No Panera?! I’ve never even heard of half of these. I definately think you should have included Panera Bread and Wendy’s. Quality places, and Panera is SO MUCH better than Subway, and I do love me a good Subway sub.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
You got to be kidding me!!!!!! I agree with it ALL, EXCEPT WHITE CASTLE! Its horrible, eat at a white castle then eat at a Krystal’s, you will see a HUGE difference. Same type of food, but WAY WAY higher quality. Krystal’s is VERY popular in my home state, Georgia, theres one every 2-10 miles. Best food ever, but sadly I’m stuck in North Carolina, we get Cheerwine (YAY!!!) but no Krystal’s.. Anyway, overall good list. Keep it coming!
February 10th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Popeye’s Chicken. Period.
Don’t have White Castle’s here, but we do have Krystal’s which I LOVE and assume is comparable.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
How could you not put in n out? I stopped eating fast food a year ago, but they are by far the best fast food burgers I’ve ever tasted. Simple menu, good shakes, kick ass fries. C’mon now.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Many of the restaurants on this list and in the comments I’ve never heard of. I had no idea A&W had a restaurant, don’t know Qdoba Mexican Grill, don’t know Chik-Fil-A. I’ve never been to In-N-Out, Checkers or Big Boy.
I think the list and the comments are an indication of where people live or grew up — lots of these restaurants are coastal or are in large cities only. That’s the fun of traveling — going to new restaurants and fast food joints.
I worked for one Yum! brands restaurant and Hardee’s — whatever you do, don’t order anything that includes chili or chicken that isn’t grilled from Hardee’s!
Local-owned restaurants dominate my hometown except for the major fast-food joints. Our DQ shut down due to unsanitary conditions. When I go to the city my favorite location has to be Pasta House…*drool* Next has to be Friday’s (just opened!)
The Taco Bell in my hometown is run by idiots — lots of high school dropouts, drug addicts, and people that are dirtier than a child who just came in from playing in the mud.
Maybe one day I’ll get to experience the phenomena of “in-n-out burger.”
February 10th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
White castle gets a bad rap. I’ve eaten there many times without getting the runs after. I must be one of the lucky ones.
I will never eat Mc Donald’s nuggets again after watching Super Size Me. And they should have kept the super size fries for those of us that don’t care about calories.
Regarding Jared and Subway shouldn’t the fact that he walked to and from Subway everyday be held responsible for his weight loss than the subs.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Interesting list. It was probably hard to make considering the strict regional availability of some of these restaurants.
Personally, I rarely eat fast food. It’s pretty foul and I enjoy living healthy…as well as just plain living. If people choose to eat unhealthy, that’s their prerogative. I just wish people realized that Subway is hardly a healthy alternative. That meatball sub (#3) you eat has just about as many calories as the Triple Whopper w/ cheese (#5).
February 10th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I also love Wendy’s but need to say that the Cook Out chain of fast food restaurants is awesome. I don’t know how wide spread the chain is, but it is huge here in North Carolina. 3.99 for a combo which is plenty to eat. Everyone who loves fast food, and has never been to one, needs to check it out.
February 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
There’s a house in the country I’ve driven by several times that has three Big Boy statues…
February 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Krytals is awesome, i only eat it when im going through the south to florida for vacation, I think if i had one near my house i would never go on vacation again.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
anyone who has ever been to vancouver will know that the white spot (not a great name for a resturant i know) is a god amongst burger places
February 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
if you are in the south and want fish ya gotta go with captain d’s
February 10th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
oh and for chicken it has to be lee’s famous recipie
February 10th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
well for those talking about krystals, its basically the southern equilivant of white castle. 2 big places you missed out on is Canes and Popeyes. although Canes is relatively young and Popeyes should replace KFC .
February 10th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Best fast food place place i have ever eaten was In and Out Burger, but they are only out west…cant get them here
February 10th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Taco Time is WAYYYYY better than Taco Bell, but I think it’s only available on the west coast. Their nachos blow away TB’s, and the ’stuffed mexi-fries’ are sooooo addictive!
February 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
30 Slyders, 5 French Fries, and 4 large Cokes!! Harold and Kumar rocks!!! I can’t wait for number 2 to come out!! Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Hopefully there’s a White Castle in Cuba! XD
February 10th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Runza. You can only get them in Nebraska and maybe Iowa but Damn there is nothing better than Runza. I always stop there when I’m home.
In case you’re wondering, a Runza is chewy bread stuffed with seasoned beef, cabbage, and cheese. They have burgers and chicken also, but nothing beats a swiss mushroom runza, frings, (onion rings and fries mixed together) and a pop. Yes it’s pop, not soda.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Cool to see Subway gettin some respect. I am a store manager for one been there for 6 years now.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Where on earth is In-N-Out Burger? That should be the real number 1.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
And Burgerville in Oregon should be number 2.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
no wendys are you kidding?
February 10th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I don’t know if this is every Chick-Fil-A, but in Tennessee I ordered something on the menu called ‘chicken pieces’ thinking they were nuggets…I was oh so wrong. So very wrong. They were the gizzards and stuff. I still can’t get over it. This Chick-Fil-A was located next to a billboard boasting the world’s biggest adult bookstore was located off the exit two miles down…And In-N-Out is amazing! That and A&W are my favorites.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
We often drive through The Dalles Oregon and see the sign to Burgerville, but never have stopped… will have to try it next time.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
What? NO reference to Moe’s? It’s as good as Qdoba. And Five Guys Hamburgers should be on the list, too.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Burgerville is a chain of fast food restaurants in the Pacific NW that is often considered to be the best fast food in the nation.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Jack In The Box Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger With Curly Fries & a Medium Diet Coke–$5.69, Please Drive Through…
MM!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
By the way:
Burger King is caca.
All must burn.
To the ground
Flame-broiled my ass!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
You’re cardiologist just called. He needs to see you in the morning.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
What? No Krystal burger?! I love that place soo much!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Nothing like a great feed of kiwi fish & chips soaked with vinegar, accompanied of course by thick slices of bread covered with butter-yum yum,
February 10th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Man! Those are the longest (and quite informative) discriptions, BrotherMan! I hope you are informing people that work at these places how special they are.
Allrite! I am going to throw this out there. This is for real. Take yourself back to the 80’s:
Does anybody remember the grand opening of HOOKER”S HAMBURGERS in Nashville TN. It was next to our school and we all wet out as a class to meet(meat) Mr. Hooker (I shook his hand!) and get free hamburgers? Does anybody rember this?
HOOKER”S HAMBURGERS.
It quickly went out of bizness and ended up a Jack In The Box.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Man you’ve got a massive selection in the states – here (NZ) we’ve got (in order of preference) Subway, BK, Macdonalds, KFC and various pizza chains – THATS IT!
some of those places sound pretty good though.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I prefer Chipotle over Qdoba, but thats just me. I actually live right by the first ever Chipotle, and go there all the time (go Denver!!). If you ever go to Qdoba get the shredded pork with the corn salsa and pinto beans. If you ever go to Chipotle get a shredded beef with corn and red (hot) salsa and black and pinto beans. MMMMM I’m going to have to go there for lunch tomorrow. Good list.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
J. Coustark: Shit that sounds good, surely you’ll be wanting some watties tomato sauce though!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
p.s. Ive never even heard of the first or second ones.
A thought: If computers didnt happen, Fast food may have had its way with “the Dream” in America.
Fast food remains the underdog.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
ok big bludder in that first comment-o-mine (#166)
“we all wet out as a class to meet(meat)ect ect”
WENT NOT WET
although its funny as is.
why should I care, but I wonder does anybody recall meeting Mr. Hooker of HOOKER’S HAMBURGERS?
(i know theres a mistake somewhere but i’ll press enter.)
February 10th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
What state was Hooker’s Hamburgers in? I have heard of Hooters. I liked it wet better. I read it as went though.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Phenderbender: I too am in Colorado although up near Coor’s. I didn’t know Chipotle started in Colorado too.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
There you go JwJwBean! clever clever.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I have never heard of like ANY of these. I am Australian, though. No wonder obesity is such a major issue in America :\
February 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Except subway, kfc and mcdonald’s, of course.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
man, i love sonic quite a bit…
but most people would pass out if they knew what is put into most of the food at taco bell, at least where i live
February 10th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I love white castle, I especially liked it when Harold and Kumar ordered what i ordered one time in their movie, thats no joke, i had like 1,000 of those burgers, then the next day i had to get a new toilet.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
J. Coustark: the time is not passing fast enough before I can have more of that!
February 10th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Is there even such a thing as a genuine “A&W” anymore? The only ones I’ve seen are pale imitations of its former self after having been bought out several times (I think they’re owned by Yum’s now, but may be wrong). You couldn’t get me into these new ones at gun point, but the old ones were legendary, with the 10lb frosted glass mugs of rootbeer.
Oh, and of course Wendy’s belongs on the list. Any burger fan knows that. Most Wendy’s I know make their patties fresh daily — I used to run the machine in my college years — rather than have’em shipped in frozen from Argentina (or wherever) like some other franchises.
And Chestica is right about “Runza”, though their quality has gone down drastically in the last few decades. Mostly because they tend to hire nothing but kids. They also have a curious attitude problem. The family that owns it actually thinks they invented Runzas (thus, no one else can make them). This is roughly the same as me saying that my gramma invented vegetable soup.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I love Subway, just had a sub from there today actually! I usually opt for their ham or sweet onion chicken teriyaki subs on wheat with lettuce, onion and pickle.
I can go either way between McDonalds or Burger King, dependong on my mood. I also enjoy Wendy’s, Frosty + fries = yum.
I refuse to eat Taco Bell mainly because I go to the best Mexican fast food chain ever, Mighty Taco! It’s locally owned and operated (Buffalo, NY) and their food just blows Taco Bell out of the water. If you’re ever in the area I highly suggest a Super Mighty or El Nino!
I really wish there was a Sonic Drive-In up here though, their drink menu alone has me wanting to go there! We get lots of their commercials on the satellite TV and it looks like they have tater tots! I hope they put one near me, I’d totally go!
Most of the rest of the list doesn’t have any locations in my area, though I’ve heard of them I’ve never been. Hardees is in Canada I think, and I’d love to try White Castle after seeing that dumb movie.
Great list!
February 10th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
And speaking of “Taco Bell” … What they heck do these Taco chains do to the meat? It looks like they do more than grind it — it looks like they pulverize it. And they all seem to use the same bland, tasteless recipe. I swear, if someone started a Taco franchise that used regular hamburger a proper spices, they’d put Taco Bell et al out of business over night.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
no in and out or jack in the box? im appalled
February 10th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
We don’t call White Castles Slyder’s. They’re just called White Castles. This in the Cincinnati area. The name sticks though. They go in, they come out, with a smell that could kill someone.
February 10th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
No In-n-Out?!
February 10th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Ok I live in MI and as far as I know we have never had #1 or #2 anywhere around here.
Taco Bell is “alright” once in awhile although if I am pretty drunk that is usually where I will end up. ;}
KFC has never really been one of my favorites.
McDonalds I have worked at one for almost a year and a half, started out as crew, become a swing manager within 8 months, never really ate there before i worked there, I eat more there now then i would like, as I get a free meal now that I am a manager, crew gets half price, the one that I work at is very clean, (we hear from customers all the time how clean it is), we do have healthier choices now, not a lot but a few such as the fruit and walnut salads which i love and have one almost everyday.
Checkers All the Rallys here became Checkers with in about the last four or five months i think, I too like their burgers, and Brotherman, try getting the banana and chocolate milkshake mixed together it is fabulous that way!!
Hardees Used to have them around here but they have been gone for a number of years in this area.
White Castle I can not stand White Castles, although I did love Harold and Kumar that movie was great. This used to be my after drinking place till I ate there when I was pregnant and got sick. Enough said.
Arby’s I love Arby’s roast beef and usually get the beef and cheddar and their sandwich’s are the only thing I eat horseradish on, I love their horsey sauce!!!
A & W The ones around here are the drive in type of restaurant with the speakers and the car hops and always have been ever since I have ever known about them. Love their chili dogs but go there mostly just for the root beer. Also because of being the drive in type of resturant and this being Michigan most of them are seasonal. There is one that is open longer than the others but I believe they close for at least a part of the winter months.
Long John Silvers Like them every once in a great while.
Sonic: Don’t have one yet but one is supposed to be opening about 5 miles from me by summer I believe it is. Have always liked the commercials for them and I hope that they have the banana pudding shake sometime again, that sounded so good when i saw the commercials. I hope I am not disappointed in them judging by the comments but I am more interested in the drinks that they have then their food so I should be good.
BK: was always my favorite over McDonalds before I worked there, I get a whopper jr every once in a great while.
Subway I like subway and i really like that they assemble their subs in front of you and I saw someone said something about the meatball subs being as unhealthy as fast food burgers and that is probably right, Subway only advertises 6 of their subs being low fat (6-6 inch subs w/6 grams of fat or less, you add a little more with cheese but still only about 10 grams per sandwich) and they are a much healthier alternative to the normal fast food fare.
i don’t really eat at any of these places that much any more except of course Mickey d’s but I dont eat there every time I work either with the exception of the fruit and walnut snack salads most days, they are great, apple slices and red seedless grapes with walnuts and vanilla yogurt. yummy!!
February 10th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
What! No In & Out Burger? what a bummer.
February 10th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
really, I think In N Out trumps all of these places combined, except if Qdoba is the East Coast/Midwest equivalent of Chipotle
February 10th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Frazzzld: I imagine since this list contains White Castle that the author is not near the west coast. Unfortunately besides California Nevada and Arizona your hard pressed to find an In & Out anywhere else, they limit where they open resteraunts because they’re meat is shipped fresh and not frozen like most places so they cant ship very far being tethered by there distribution center. The only reason I know this is because I wanted to know why in the hell they’re wasn’t one in texas and that was the reason. it sucks i have the In & Out Urge!
February 10th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
This is like a detailed list on how to have a heart attack by 45!
I don’t eat fast food except for Subway, Pita Pit, and Extreme Pita and then its all about choice.
No cheese, light sauce, lots of veggies on whole wheat, and its not so bad.
It no wonder cardiologists are so wealthy!
February 10th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Quiznos > Subway
Popeys > KFC
Chipotle > Qdoba
Wendy’s > McDonald’s
Also, In n Out should be on the list.
IMHO
February 11th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I go to NYU in New York City and one of the dining halls here has the only Chick-Fil-A in all of New York state. It’s open to the public, but there are no signs or anything, so you just have to know where it is if you’re not a student. The food’s amazing–I have a chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and an iced tea for lunch every day of the week.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:18 am
OHHH NO!!! NO IN&OUT?! WHAT THE FUCK?!?!!?! i CANNOT believe that.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:36 am
DAMN ERIN LYNNE! I was JUST about to say that!
February 11th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Why is McDonalds on here? Their motto should be “fat guys sit on all our burgers…”…
At least it didn’t make the top 10
, but neither did Taco Bell!?
February 11th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Samsung. I was so carried away with the thought of all that butter and vinager running down my chin I completly forgot the Watties.Thanks for reminding me.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:24 am
J. Coustark: hahah
February 11th, 2008 at 2:17 am
there are only two fast food places I will eat at “BAJA FRESH” and “IN-N-OUT”. all the rest are gross.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:29 am
If
Checker’s
Arby’s
Sonic
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Chick-Fil-A
are that awesome why haven’t they expanded beyond the American continent? Ask anyone in my country about these & you’ll get a black stare.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:31 am
zantiagos beats taco hell any day…here they put one up right across the street from a taco hell and you never see anyone over there ever anymore.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:03 am
I’d argue your order for this list, just a touch.
it’s, at the least, difficult to find vegetarian food at a fast food place. I’m a chef, and a foodie, and I tend to hate fast food, but the lack of food I can eat at most fast food places is inexcusable. Qdoba should be #1 because unless you’re a freak and hate mexican food, you can be fed there no matter what your dietary restrictions are. chick-fil-a is good, no doubt top 3, but qdoba should win because it’s the only fast food place vegetarians can eat at and feel satiated, as well as being one of the few that has you leaving feeling like you ate something healthy.
Even subway fails at this, since their only options are a house salad (the bigger salads all have meat), the nasty veggie patty they claim for their veggie sub, and whatever soup they feel like not adding chicken to.
good list. kick in the shins for the lack of wendy’s, which pwns all other burger places and lets me get a baked potato with my vastly superior hamburgers which I’d eat were I not disgusted by beef.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Chik-fil-A is too awesome. The only problem is when my wife and I get a bone up our butt to go and get some, it is usually a SUNDAY! D’oh! I creit them for being closed on Sunday but I need to program my brain to accept that. Oh well, it’s then off to Taco Bell for a burriti supreme and some splooged meat. If anybody has ever eaten at Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips, YEARS ago, and eaten at Long John Silver’s isn’t the menu the same? The fish and chicken are both cooked exactly the same and I LOVED Arthur’s chicken and chips!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:29 am
KFC and Burger King are pretty sweet. I’ve not heard of most of these though being from England. I like the look of that frosty tall mug in the A&W Restaurant pic thouigh.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Where is Pizza Hut ?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Pizza Hut is for kids with ADHD and douche bags.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:02 am
for those of you who like chick-fil-a, it is time to be jealous…
if you are one of the first 100 customers at a CFA grand opening you get a “year’s supply” of free CFA. this translates to 52 coupons for a free #1 (sandwich, fries and drink) the coupons are usuable in any frequency at any location.
they open at 6:00am and i got there about 6:00pm the night before. i was number 82. they had a dj, lots of free food and a guy hosting random games and such. i’ll sleep in a parking lot one night to get almost $400 worth of good tasting food. i’ve still got about 30 coupons left from our night in mid december.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:11 am
in and out is amazing. i love the menu!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:24 am
I can not believe Quiznos and Chipotle are not in this list and then you have Arbys or McDonalds….yuck!……by the wat Qdoba is not as good as Chipotle
February 11th, 2008 at 6:26 am
flgh: maybe because your continent sucks!! just kidding.
it’s amazing how, as great as some of these are, they don’t even expand to the whole country. i have sonic’s all over the place down in the south. didn’t know that they aren’t up north. but then again, i’m not a marketing expert, so what do i know?
February 11th, 2008 at 6:30 am
logick: why does beef disgust you? i don’t know what i would do without the prospect of beef in my world.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:39 am
In N Out is by far the best and also Del Taco is way better than Taco Bell. El Pollo Loco is the best chicken, but I thunk these all might be west coast places.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:47 am
but…but…where’s Jack-In-The-Box??? or Whataburger or IN-AN-OUT?! You’ve missed two Southern staples and a californian classis. Psh, oh well at least you put up Sonic…the one by my house knows me by name o.0
February 11th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Fast food restaurants frighten me. Firstly, because I know people who work in those sorts of places, so plenty of horror stories, and also I read Fast Food Nation while my intestines wept with fear. I think if I wasn’t a vegetarian I would be dead by now. Scary.
I much prefer my local takeaways to the big chain restaurants, at least I know the food being cooked was real once.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Good God. I really am an American. I’ve been to nearly all of these . . . Ack. I need to stop eating fast food altogether.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Mmmmmm … ass-widening, artery-clogging deliciousness. Gotta agree with you about the yucky tacos at Taco Bell. The chicken quesadillas are good, though. Also, try Sonic’s Cheese Poppers with ranch dressing (deep fried, cheese-stuffed jalapeno peppers). The jalapenos are very mild — just watch out you don’t burn your tongue on the hot cheese on your first bite. Try a Hardee’s peach shake this summer … awesome!
February 11th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Aside from the occasional e-coli poisoning, Taco Bell rocks. And basically Chik-Fil-A rocks too. If you don’t want junk food, you can get a decent fresh salad there.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:38 am
No Jack in the Box?!?!?!
No Wendy’s?!?!?!
No In-and-Out?!?!? (all better than Burger Queen)
No Del Taco?!?!? (much better than Taco Smell)
No Quiznos??!?! (better than Subway)
where’s the pizza and chinese fast food? Sbarro’s and Panda Express are both better health-wise and faster than any Big Boy or McD’s.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I rarely eat fast food, but I did go to the ‘first’ Chik-Fil-A in Atlanta, and it was pretty neat, it was actually designed like a 50s’ sort of diner, with one of those electric toy trains going around the store.
You know, now that I think about it, the only fast food UI had last year was Chik-fil-A and Arby’s.
Everything else sort of repulses me.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:42 am
i think this will be the most controversial list ever….you’ve hit a nerve JRAFTER!! dont u know food is more important than religion or def leppart vs beetles!
February 11th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Though P.S.
‘No Quiznos??!?! (better than Subway)’
Quiznos is what majorly turned me off from fast food in the first place. That crap is DISGUSTING.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I love Fish and Chips in Northern Territory
February 11th, 2008 at 7:51 am
OH COME ON!!! McDonalds? Thats as close to a scam a restaurant can get! Shitty McShit Burgers…No thanks
February 11th, 2008 at 7:58 am
My favorite place for fast food has to be Pat’s Famous Steaks in Philly. They are open 24 hrs, and there is almost always a line, even at 4am. I know it’s obviously only regional to the Philadelphia area, but I know of no greater meal after a good night at the bar than a Wiz Wit.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Pat’s King of Steaks is the actual name, my mistake, I just woke up.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:15 am
You eat all of that from Arby’s? You’d be huge!
Anyway, this list must have been posted backwards, because Taco Bell is the *best* fast-food place.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Fast Food Restaurants & Nutrition Facts Compared
What did you eat today?
February 11th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Fast Food Restaurants & Nutrition Facts Compared
http://www.acaloriecounter.com/fast-food.php
February 11th, 2008 at 9:09 am
As a rule I don’t eat fast food. But in the course of my life (college particularly) I’ve had my share. I agree with most of this list, though I think the exclusion of Wendy’s is an error. Of all the burger-joint fast food chains, I think Wendy’s tries the hardest to put quality out there… now, of course they don’t always succeed… for instance Wendy’s is known for its chili—which I find offensive. Shouldn’t be such a thing as fast food chili anyway. But for the most part Wendy’s does pretty damn well.
Taco Bell and Arby’s on the other hand—well Taco Bell is just an effrontery to Mexican food, and while I could always swallow it down, I never found Taco Bell in any way enticing. I never felt, “hey, I’ve got a hankerin’ for Taco Bell.”
Arby’s is even worse. That’s not even “real meat” they make their roast beef sandwiches with… it’s some kind of processed, “pressed” meat. (God know what it is that’s pressed or *what* they press it with). Arby’s is an offense to real barbecue and real roast beef… and I am a major roast beef fan, so it offends me all the more. (Real roast beef is red, perfectly veined with fat, incredibly tasty stuff that’s cooked so that it falls apart in your mouth. It ain’t brown pressed crap that’s more akin to olive loaf).
February 11th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Ugh! Qdoba??!! Are you friggen serious?
Double-ugh on LJS and Taco Bell. I just can’t believe Qdoba would be so high on this list….blecch. Won’t argue with Chick-Fil-A but where the hell is Wendy’s? I would go to Wendy’s before ANY of these other places (except maybe Subway, but Subway is shit-on-a-shingle compared to Quiznos or Firehouse).
I just don’t know how to feel about this list. Fast food is a topic near and dear to my heart, and I suppose my ambivalence might be because I’m simply shocked that these restaurants are in the order they are in. Just…..I dunno, “epic fail” arn’t the right words but they’re the first ones that comes to mind.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Mmmmm, I loooove Chick-fil-a and Checker’s. Delish.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:50 am
What, no Mooby’s?!??!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I love Chick-fil-a!!! I’m from Atlanta, Georgia so I’ve grown up around it. Truett Cathy (the founder) lets public schools go on field trips to meet him. I’ve actually sat on his lap before haha. I was so sad that I wouldn’t be able to go to Chick-fil-a anymore because I moved to California to go to college, but they have one right on campus at Cal-Poly. It probably sounds like I’m 400 pounds… haha
February 11th, 2008 at 10:42 am
LOL @ Mike!
IMHO Pizza and Chinese should not be included in this list. This list is for fast food restaurants and pizza/chinese are not that fast plus if you have them delivered is generally around 40 minutes.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I can’t believe Steak ‘N Shake has not been mentioned! Best burgers EVER!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Chipotle is by far my favorite.
It’s a shame that so many people don’t have access to a Whataburger. Best. Fries. Ever.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
not a single pizza establishment……..odd
well i guess it doesnt matter as it is a rather opinatead(cant spell)but nonetheless good list
February 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I find it interesting that Chick-Fil-A is number one. Half of my extended family finds it to be, well, OK but fairly bland. The other half insist/i> that we eat there every time we have fast food (normally when we are all meeting for Christmas shopping or such) because they claim that it is far and away superior to any other fast food. Perhaps entirely coincidentally, the half who feel that it is delicious are exclusively evangelical/fundamentalist Christians, while the half who feel that is somewhat bland are all NOT fundamentalist/evangelical Christians. (For anyone who might not be aware, the founder of Chick-Fil-A is very religious. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, as they say.)
Just to nit-pick; I personally like Taco Bell. However, I have indeed sometimes had fast food that tasted just like “breaded veil”. I think perhaps breaded VEAL was what was meant?
February 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am
stormy617- I am Brit going to University in Michigan, and we do indeed have number two. I have one right by my campus.
Cheers,
Andrew
February 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I have to say I used to love KFC as a kid but Popeyes is sooo much better. Choose either mild or spicy chicken, a warm buttermilk biscuit and a nice bid side of red beans and rice! mmm mmm good
February 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
i agree with #1 but #2 is deffinately TACO BELL
February 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
wat about wings over (your city)
and kfc famous bowels are great and now i actually go there
February 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Reading all of the comments so far it is apparent that this list is biased on my part. I live in Kentucky in what is considered the eastern part of the United States. I have traveled to the following states in the U.S.:
Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. The only western state that I have been to is California.
The fact that my list does not include In-N-Out Burger, Chipolte, Jack in the Box, etc. is because I have only been west of the aforementioned eastern/south-eastern states a total of 2 times.
I researched my list as best as I could and it literally took me 7 hours to finalize. While researching both Wikipedia (i know…i know) and also the websites for each of the 16 restaurants on my list I tried to compact a very short history of each restaurant into each entry on the list. Some were harder than others.
A lot of information was left out of each entry because I wanted to make the entire list as straight to the point as possible.
Overall, I had a lot of fun creating my first list. I read each and every comment since I began typing this response and I have laughed more times than I can remember.
I feel that some of you Listversers should create Another Top 10 Most Awesome Fast Food Restaurants list and submit it to Jamie. Like I said, I have eaten at 2 apparently popular fast food places out west and it was so long ago that I have no clue what I ate on those occassions.
Thanks for all the responses and thanks to Jamie Frater for accepting and posting my list (and changing my rediculous title for the list. I had been…how did you put it?…tippling a few times during initial creation of the list).
February 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
A little biased with the top 2 choices, huh? You clearly chose those because YOU like them, because I never even heard of those restaraunts, and I’m quite sure most posters here never heard of them either.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
BrotherMan – I live in London and haven’t heard of some of those restaurants either. But it’s an interesting list just the same…so thanks !!
February 11th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Brotherman: What the hell is your cholesterol level!!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Maxx: sometimes
February 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
When my family would stop at big boy on like family trips, since we didn’t have any near us, I would always get chocolate milk because for some reason…theirs tasted much better than anywhere else.
Anyways…where’s Pizza Hut?! You may not think it’s fast food…but everything is premade now. No pizza hut makes their own dough. It takes 30 seconds to make a pizza. 8 minutes to cook it. I think that’s fast food.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Angelina: Don’t know. Better than some and worse than others I guess.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Good list, I love DQ’s Butterfinger Blizzards!! Yum!
February 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
This is an outstanding list–most of these places help but the ‘big’ in big bro shane
And in regards to a few queries I found throughout the comments section–Truett Cathy of Chik-Fil-A is a Southern Baptist, but he did found the restaurant on biblical principles (why he’s not open on Sunday and so forth). And Truett Cathy is actually a man so ‘he’ should be immortalized with the star constellation and statue.
Is a White Castle and Krystal the same thing? Krystal burgers have the same ’slyding’ effect.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Maybe you should have a line at the bottom of the list saying “Notable Omission: Wendy’s (I never go there.)”
I know that it’s a local thing, but Halo Burger in Flint, MI, has the best burgers that I’ve ever had. My typical breakfast from them while I was in college was a beefy-double cheeseburger with onion rings and a Vernors.
Also on a Flint note, have a safe White Shirt Day everyone.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
WHAT!!!! Roy Rogers should be #1 merely based upon their ownership of the GREATEST fast food sandwich of ALL TIME… THE GOLD RUSH CHICKEN SANDWICH. Chicken, cheese, bacon, and honey on a bun all melted together produces moderate to extreme oral orgasms. Plus their fried chicken is kick-ass.
On a side note, I just got back from the Obama rally at University of Maryland… 20,000 people… 3 mile long line… tears and cheers… can’t wait to vote for hope and change tomorrow. If you’re in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, don’t forget to vote!!
February 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Is Subway really in Wal-Mart in the States? McDonalds is in Wal-Mart here in Canada…
February 11th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I gotta agree with everyone on here who said In-N-Out should be on this list. They have awesome burgers, shakes, and french fries. I’ve heard of people who live in Oregon and cross the border into CA to get to the nearest In-N-Out (about a 3 hour drive) just for their burgers. I also knew a guy in high school who had a little pocket book type thing that listed all the locations of In-N-Out so that wherever he went, he knew where one was.
I don’t work for In-N-Out but I do work in the same building as their headquarters (Irvine, CA). All their employees get a free lunch with every shift they work. I asked them if they were looking to hire… =P
February 11th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Okay, I’m seriously going regionalize myself here, but has anybody ever eaten at a Culver’s before? The food is actually pretty good and the menu is pretty damn big. It’s gotta be one of my favorite places to eat.
Also, everyone that is dissing on White Castle can just stop right now. Mostly for the fact that I have a craving for it and want to rip anyone who says otherwise into shreds. I do admit it is one of those “good idea at the time” things, but there is no other burger I crave than a sylder.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I worked at Subway for 2 years. Some people who work in fast food wont ever eat it again because “they’ve seen the food made” but subway is clean and everything is fresh. The meatballs are frozen and then basically put in the sauce and just heated up.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Chipotle > Qdoba and Wendy’s > Burger King > McDonalds
February 11th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
qdoba has nothing on chipolte!
i agree on the number 1 spot. i was like come on now where is chick-fil-a!!?!?!?!!?
February 11th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
OK, this list is fucked up! Why would you give Qdoba 2nd when Chipotle is the same thing but so much better?
February 11th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Andrew: hhhmmm I am not sure I have ever seen one, but now I am going to have to look at an old Taco Bell location that I remember noticing a few months ago was a different restaurant now I am not sure but it might in fact be Qdoba. I am in the Downriver Detroit area, so if they are here they are not that big yet otherwise I would see them every where just like everything else. I swear if they put up one more Walgreens I am going to blow it up, LOL ok sorry i will stop ranting now!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Don’t eat clown food (McDonalds). I love Long John Silvers, very underrated.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
It’s funny to see people say “this fast food is awful, but this one’s great!” It’s ALL awful. But it’s all scientifically designed to be delicious and cheap despite the health risks.
Oh…and I wouldn’t consider Bob’s Big Boy a fast food place. It’s a sit-down diner with servers.
Here’s another good list:
http://www.menshealth.com/20worst/worstfood.html
A lot of these meals are comparable to dishes at fast food places. And check out the “burger” category.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Oh…and even though I don’t eat fast food anymore, I would have put Del Taco and Jack In The Box on here as well. These were the places I frequented back in the day. But that was 60 pounds ago…
February 11th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Has anyone eaten at Weiner Schnitzel?
I remember eating there a couple times as a kid in Central Cali, but I don’t remember if it was good or not…??
February 11th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
What abt Komala’s man??Komala’s rule!Bwahahaha
February 11th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
gotta agree with post 165 BUT you forgot that the bread must be fresh WHITE bread and a huge glass of cold milk with that please. (and watties tomatoe sauce!)
February 11th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Lynn-
I grew up in Modesto, Ca, and I love Weinerschnitzel! Every time I go back to visit family my first stop is there! The Chili dogs are amazing! I now live just north of San Francisco, and I haven’t seen any Weinerschnitzels outide of the valley. If someone knows of one let me know!
February 11th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Props on Qdoba, much better then the overrated Chipotle.
In-N-Out needs to be on this list, maybe not #1 since it is limited to 3 states, but at least in the top 15, if not top 5. There are other regional/limited fast food restaurants on here , White Castle and Big Boy.
And after a second look maybe Wendy’s should be on this list, i guess you were not including quality of food/service.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I think from all the comments containing “ZOMG!!!!WTF??!! NO IN N OUT??!!!”, it’s pretty much a unanimous decision that anybody who lives in California or has been to In n Out knows it is the real #1
P.S. If you think you’re up to it, order a 20 x 20(20 patties x 20 slices cheese) with some friends and see if you can finish it in one sitting… mmm….
February 12th, 2008 at 12:24 am
1. He missed In N Out because he is a right-coaster – otherwise, he would have called Hardees “Carl’s Jr.”. I think INOB is overrated.
2. Sub wars – even though Togo’s and Quizno’s are better quality, you can’t beat Subway for value and good-enough taste.
3. Popeye’s > Church’s > KFC
4. Taco Bell rules (again, maybe lower quality, but value and plenty of good tastin’ for me)
5. The Cheesesteak Shop (CA only) rocks!
6. Jack in the Box has come back to RULE in the burger dept. Hands down.
7. Sonic is substandard.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Dude, what about In’N'Out?!? Is that just a California thing?
February 12th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Surprising how many of these I’d never heard of.
I used to love Georgie Pie which I believe was sold out to McDonalds who then closed them all down. Correct me if I’m wrong. Such a pity they were great pies!
February 12th, 2008 at 7:08 am
HAH sometimes you forget how many dicks there are on the internet. And then you remember.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Chipotle?
February 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Amigos (Nebraska) & Egee’s (Tucson)
February 12th, 2008 at 10:25 am
SocialButterfly, the US has Subways in gas stations, Pizza Huts in Targets, Little Ceasers (pizza) in Kmarts, and Starbucks in grocery stores.
and Taco Bell’s Apple Empanada is basically the old McDonald’s apple pie – which was awesome. I have to get the Apple Empanada each time I go to TB.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I don’t know who wrote this terrible list, but here’s a link you’ll find useful, friend:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUE/is_9_136/ai_n17206670
Looking forward to the “Top Ten Cardio-Vascular Accidents” list.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:07 am
veggies: if you go to taco bell, get them to replace all meat with refried beans! its the best and you still get to eat taco bell!
oh ya, and, wtf!! wheres in and out!!! lol just jokin we dont even have that up here!!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:26 am
“Big Kahuna Burger. That’s that Hawaiian burger joint. I heard they got some tasty burgers. I ain’t never had one myself, how are they?”
“They’re good.”
“Mind if I try one of yours?”
“No.”
“Yours is this one, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Uuummmm, that’s a tasty burger.”
“Vince, you ever try a Big Kahuna Burger?”
“No.”
“You wanna bite, they’re real good.”
“I ain’t hungry.”
“Well, if you like hamburgers give ‘em a try sometime. Me, I can’t usually eat ‘em ’cause my girlfriend’s a vegetarian. Which more or less makes me a vegetarian, but I sure love the taste of a good burger.”
February 12th, 2008 at 11:31 am
You, Flock of Seagulls, you know why we’re here?
February 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am
i was hoping somebody would get this. i think that means we can be friends bucslim.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Sony: I feel your pain. But Chipotle is not really a fast food joint. It actually falls into a new category called “fast casual.”
February 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
whatever it’s classification, i would choose to eat a chipotle over all other “fast” options.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
DiscHuker: As far as taste goes sure, but check this out.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Damn. I guess what I said must have gotten sent to spam cause of the way I said it. Here is the link: http://www.menshealth.com/20worst/worstmexican.html
February 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
i don’t eat it because i am under the impression that it will make me skinny, smart or more beautiful. i eat it because it tastes good.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Well said. My original post talked about how it tasted good. Hell, my favorite pizza is considered the most unhealthy pizza in the US
February 12th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I am terrified that you can eat a triple whopper in one sitting! Can you breath afterward? My husband did that once and then ate ANOTHER whopper on top of that. I nearly passed out. Then again, he’s in the Navy and had just gotten off a 2 month deployment, so he hadn’t really eaten in a while. But still.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
hmmm… can IP’s be blocked here? badlist makes the case that they should be
February 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Do they still have Dairy Cheer, Home of the Smashburger in Eastern Kentucky?
There was one in Catlettsburg when you got off I64.
Or was it at the end of the Mountain Parkway?
February 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
i have a friend that is a rather small guy that eats disgusting amounts of food. entire pizzas, ordering multiple burgers, etc, etc. i am amazed at the differences between what two relatively similar size people can eat. stomachs are all about the same size, right?
February 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Carls Jnr is a fav when in Los Angeles – I cant beleive pizza hut still exists over in the USA – its horrid…
Not sure if its a chain – but the burritos from Panchos, Santa Monica are the best…
February 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
ok, i had intended to check the comments to see if somebody else mentioned this.. but after the first 70 i gave up. anyway, clearly this list is limited by what’s available in the area (which is why so many people are crying about the lack of in n out). but i have to say, for my money, taco bueno is great fast food. it’s just as fast and cheap as taco bell, but with food that is actually recognizable as belonging to the animal or vegetable that produced it. plus they have a salsa bar. yum!
oh, and the people who hate the places on this list, it depends on where you’re eating at. i had sonic in california, it sucked. but there’s a sonic on every corner in dallas and they’re all fantastic. same thing with dairy queen.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Each time I go to a pizza hut is a worse experience than the one before. One time we ordered an order of mild wings and a large peperoni pizza. After 30 mintues we get HOT wings and complained and got free breadsticks. Then another hour goes by and no pizza. They gave our pizza to someon ewho came in for a pickup. The mgr offers us a mushroom pizza for free – funny because I hate muchrooms and won’t eat them. Then to top it off, he asks what we want in order to be satisified. I looked him straight in the eye and said I want what I ordered when I ordered it.
We left without paying.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Dischuker – stomachs grow depending on what we force into it. But your stomach is about the size of your fist
February 12th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
badlist: Please don’t! Nobody wants to see your caps, horrid spelling, and poor taste.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
What about Rudfuckers? Hamburgers big as your head. And I agree, no Steak-and-Shake? No es bueno.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
SlickWilly: The correct franchise name is “Buttfuckers”
February 12th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
1. True, I think Sonic sucks, at least here in CA
2. InNOut is CA only, and it’s popular, but overrated
3. Pizza here in CA is almost universally sucky – it’s a mystery to me why places like Pizza Slut, Roundtable, and Mountain Mike’s stay in business. However, some local places make OK pizza, but growing up in NJ around real NY pizza, I am forever ruined to the pizza they serve up out here.
4. FuddRuckers is not fast food, dimwits.
5. What about Panda Express ?
Again, I stick to:
1. Taco Bell (yum) (mexican)
2. Jack in the Box (burgers)
3. Popeye’s (fried chicken)
4. McDonald’s (love that egg/sausage biscuit)
5. DQ (just the soft serve ice cream, their food is not so hot)
6. Subway (great value, good taste)
And I entirely avoid:
1. KFC (dog food chicken)
2. Weinerschnitzel (ug, terrible dogs)
3. Sonic (pathetic burgers)
4. All Pizza chains
Everyone else is in the middle.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I didn’t read all the comments but I need to mention Burgerville. It easily puts all these other places to shame. Seasonal milkshakes, sweet potato fries!!! Amazing!! I’ve tried most of those other places and even went down to California and had in n out burger. I gave up all fast food but Burgerville always has me coming back. The only reason it doesn’t appear on that top ten list is because Brotherman has probably never been there.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
298 doubtfull: what i read is that your stomach is about the size of your fist when it is empty, but typically has a capacity of about 1.5 liters (or US quarts) when full. The difference in what people eat is based on when they feel full rather than when they are full. Most people stop eating well before the stomach is filled. That is why there is always room for jello.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
281 Dischuker: OK, I’ve heard this before but I can’t place it. I’ve thought about it and I come up empty. Please fess up.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Psst. . . Pulp Fiction
February 12th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Chick-Fil-A is definitely the best fast food restaurant around. Might I suggest trying the barbecue sauce as well with the chicken sandwich. And I’ll take mine value sized with a sweet tea.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
jocs: angelina is right. but i guess this means we can’t be friends.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
What came first: Qdoba or Chipotle? They both are similar, but Qdoba has a wider menu, but the burritos are EXACTLY the same. I’m also disappointed Wendy’s isn’t on the menu. Oh, and In-n-Out.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Chipotle should be on this list, its not in all parts of the country yet though. Panda Express is good to diversify this list a bit too.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
yeah were i live, central california we have several taco bells and no hardee’s we have carl’s jrs instead.. we do have the second mcdonalds in the country and our big boy is no longer here. we dont have white castle here nor qdoba unless it is and i don’t know.. and yes chipotle should be on it… but im not a fan of panda.. oh and god yes in and out needs to be on that list best burgers ever and wendys is pretty good so is jack in the box
February 13th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
wow! like I said. . . . who pissed on your cheerios?
February 13th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
hmmm… from this we can conclude… badlist has never been laid, nor has he left the basement since puberty. he prefers his cheerios to be doused in his mother’s piss, and he cries while he eats them because he does not feel loved. therefore, he comes to the internet where he can roam in his dirty pajamas begging anybody who will listen to pay attention. here you go, badlist, you got what you wanted. consider this your Christmas present – i’m paying attention to you.
are you happy now? or do you still feel empty inside.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
OOOOOO
Harsh!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That was awesome. I want a portable TMo that I can carry around to insult people I don’t like!
February 13th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
“This is what you get, when you mess with us”
February 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
There is no place for a “badlist” on listverse. We have only good lists here
February 13th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Badlist, you better leave now for your own safety I mean, we’re all crazy here, I tell ya, CRAZY!!! And really, you are just bringing down my trip. Go be a hater on Ebaumsworld or something, ok?
February 13th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
badlist: You are beginning to resemble something known as the end of an alimentary canal… go look it up.
FYI, Anyone who chooses to vote Huckabee has obviously not used their brain in awhile, so friendly reminder, don’t forget to breathe…
February 13th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
exactly, what does Fuckabee have to do with anything?
February 13th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
The reason IN-N-OUT is so good is it has this sauce that’s amazing, and everything is fresh and made only after you order. If you ever visit california, I recommend trying
February 14th, 2008 at 1:31 am
i think that macdonald and kfc should be higher on the list !!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:59 am
A&W is great, but where is Wendys. The Baconator is awsome, but a heart attack waiting to happen. I can feel my arteries harden already.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
do Qdoba and Subway count? As far as I am concerned if there aren’t drive thrus and there never were drive thrus then its not fast food. I have never been to a drive thru subway
February 14th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
We have a subway here in Colorado that has a Drive Thru.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
We have a drive thru Subway in Tennessee also.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Umm…Popeye’s chicken is way better than KFC. Plus they don’t use MSG, so no sweaty heart palpatations for my hubby (he’s allergic)
February 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
What about Chipotle?? That place is amazing!!
February 15th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
What about Moe’s? Fast food may be bad for you, but it’s so delicious! The first thing I think of after getting discharged from the hospital is a hot crispy chalupa from Taco Bell. Personally I think Whitecastle, DQ, Hardee’s, Checkers, and Sonic are all kind of lame as far as burgers go. I agree that Burger King, Subway, and Chic-fil-A are among the better restaurants here.
Did you know that Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, and A&W are all owned by the same company? Yum!
February 17th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
For those shouting in n out and jack in the box here is an article posted today on the news.
USDA recalls 143 million pounds of beef from California slaughterhouse
…The federal agency said the recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Chino, Calif.-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., which supplies meat to the federal school lunch program and to fast-food chains Jack In The Box and In-N-Out…
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=86571
February 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
JwJwBean, thank you for that. I actually saw the same article and could not agree more.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
There are drive-thru Subways here in Oregon too.. but I still go in to order.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I can’t beleive that in 329 comments, nobody mentioned Harvey’s. It is for me at least the best tasting burger one can find at a fast food restaurant.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Adam: Of course it’s the best tasting burger, you pick the toppings!
February 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
you misspelled Woodward on Sonic Drive-In . While everyone in Woodward forgets the second w, it actually exists. Sonic is pretty much the most amazing place ever!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Wendys needs to be on it. Taco John’s is as good as Taco Bell.
I agree with a commentator early on the Big Boy really became a restrauant. I beginning to become a Quiznos fan over
Subway, though Subway is a little cheaper and quicker.
Sonic was a favorite as a kid but I’m up North now and not many if any here. Gotta check White Castle again when I get to Minnesota. This list is for just about everyone!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Should have in-n-out, my cousin came from vegas last week an brought a burger from there, i had never had one, i am so moving to Vegas!
February 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
S. Truett Cathy is a male.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
Yes, he forgot In-n-Out, but then again, it would only count if you live in the West Coast.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
fresh is best. an oldie, but a goodie. BERNIES, takeaway.nedkelly burger(the works.MERMAID BEACH .
February 29th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
mcdonalds has gotten me sick more times then i wish to count…
eugh i hate that stuff
March 8th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Great list, entertaining to read. I specifically enjoyed the research you put into the histories of the restaurants.
Just a couple of notes:
Hardee’s doesn’t have Six Dollar Burgers – that’s Carl’s Jr. The Hardee’s equivalent is Thickburgers, at least in Greenville and Washington, NC. Interestingly enough, my wife says they used to be called Six Dollar Burgers but changed the name. (Maybe NC saw through the marketing hoax – that is, the burger is in fact about six bucks if you get fries with it, which are free with the “six dollar” burgers they’re poking fun at with the name.) Also, after visiting NC but before moving here, I noticed that a Carls Jr. in California had the header “Thickburgers” above the Six Dollar Menu pane, but “Thickburgers” is mentioned nowhere else.
One last thing. You might have researched peanut allergies, and noted just how many Americans can’t eat at Chik-Fil-A because they use peanut oil that would kill us.
Again thanks for the good read.
March 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
To whomever said Taco Time,,,,no, just no. There are two taco times (taco time, and taco time northwest) and the difference between the two is like night and day. TT is like a sub par taco bell, but more expensive. TTNW is like mana from god!
Nobody mentioned panda express yet?
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Dude, you eat a lot!
But I do agree with Chik-Fil-A. It is the best. And their drive-thru service is superb. Most of the Taco Bells around here take forever to run the drive-thru. But I continue to wait at a fast-food joint for those amazingly awesome chicken chalupas…
Dammit. Now I’m hungry.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I’m mad that McDonalds made it on the list. McDonalds food is the worst!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Yeah, In-N-Out Burger is pretty damn good. Number 1 in my book and I’ve been to pretty much all of them.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Checkers and Arby’s should be higher on the list. Checkers has the best fast food hamburger ever made (Big Buford), and Arby’s curly fries I could eat every day.
To all the McDonald’s haters – I agree with you guys completely. Their food is nasty and you will get food poisoning from it. I did twice and then stopped going there almost 8 years ago.
I live in New York so I when I travel to Florida to see visit family there I get my fix of Chick-Fil-A, Checkers, Sonic, and Hardees. They need to move their francises north so the rest of us can enjoy their food without having to fly to get it.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Nathan: Using peanut oil will not cause an allergic reaction in those sensitive to peanuts. The cause of the reaction is in the proteins not the oils.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Nightstalker: I live in Maryland; we’ve got Chick-Fil-A and Checkers, and supposedly there’s a Sonic somewhere, and we used to have Hardees. No need to go all the way to FL. Oh yea, except it’s warm there…
April 17th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Taco bell is really gross !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAJA FRESH is sooooo gooooood!!! and I can’t believe he forgot In n out
April 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Baja Fresh is the sh*t, but I haven’t been there since I realized my favorite meal there is the nutritional equivalent of two (that’s 2) Big Macs.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
At least it’s freshly made
April 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I LOVE me some sonic, and I havent been to one in almost 3 years! :whine: the closest one to me is in the next state down and 2.5 or so hours from me.
(thats right, none in my entire state but there is at least one in every state near me! grrr…)
and i really like chick-fil-a which gladly, theres one near me!
(Ive seen SuperSize Me! and well..I still do eat McDonalds.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I hate KFC and McDonald’s, ewwww…
Though I love Burger King and Chick-Fil-A =O
April 26th, 2008 at 12:11 am
If you are going to chick-fil-a you have to get their lemonade. It’s the best lemonade in the world!!!
May 31st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I think Chick Fil A is incredibly overrated. The food is ok, but nothing special. That and Truett is a super evangelical right-wing Bush supporting loony!
June 7th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
is everyone elses chick-fil-a closed on sundays? i know the ones around me are cause they’re run by mormons, is that true of all of them?
What about Quiznos? ::creepy posessed hamster voice:: Quiznos suuuuuuuuuuubs! that commercial gave me nightmares.
Also, one of my most favorites is KenTacoHut.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:02 am
Man , I haven’t eaten since Thursday. This was the wrong list to read this morning. I am so hungry. Onion rings mmm.
June 24th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Wow… That’s an impressive list! Looks like I should visit USA sometime! We only got McDonald’s here, that’s the only one on the list I know… Damn! I really am missing out!
June 30th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Five Guys, Jason’s Deli, Pita Pit, and Chipotle should be in the top Four slots (well, Jason’s Deli is not quite Fast food in the strictest sense of the term, but the food comes out hella fast.)
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
to DGSinclair: InNout is not in CA only. We have them in MI. there is one right down the street from a friend of mine, and they suck btw.
and Popeyes Chicken will make you never want to eat KFC again.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Where’s the freakin’ Wimpy?!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:58 am
400+ lbs?
August 30th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hey I thought this list was great but there are 2 places at least worth an honorable mention…. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Subs (HQ in Illinois) and the Pita Pit. Jimmy John’s is “freaky fast” and the Pita Pit is great for custom sandwiches.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:10 am
Wendys here in NZ SUX! The burgers taste like cardboard and the chips look and taste like Leather.
I love Burger King.
September 1st, 2008 at 12:12 am
Two kinds of people that are a never ending source of irritation for me: People that see lists like this and make jokes about fat Americans (a thankfully small number in this comment section), and people who wax self righteous about fast food being unnatural, seeing a heart attack in every french fry. To this second group, I would love to ask exactly what they eat at home, and possibly how much they weigh. Fast food, while not always of the highest quality, not always the most carefully made of products, is yet real food. If someone were literally starving, a fast food meal would be more than sufficient to bring that person back from the brink of death. If you were going to be shut in a cave for a week, you would be better off taking with you a cheeseburger than a carrot. Fast food is not poison, and in moderation can be enjoyed. I am sorry for these people who think a happy meal a month takes 20 years off your life. There are plenty of things you can make right in the privacy of your own home that would give fast food a run for its money in the unhealthy department. The key is really that everything, in moderation, is fine. You don’t have to eat non fat veggie patties on whole wheat pitas with organic, all natural sodium free hummus every day of the week. I would also like to add that study after study proves, the more healthy people think they’re eating, the more likely they are to over indulge. If you backed off the everything restricted regime, you could have your real butter and double chocolate white flour cake and eat it, too (with a lovely spinach salad on the side).
Sorry, I know this is an old post and no one’s likely to read my rant, but I had to get it off my chest.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I drove three hours just to go to Sonic.
Beat that.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Taco Bell uses the lowest quality “food” that is allowed by the FDA. Look into it. No one should be eating it no matter how inexpensive it is.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Lighten up Hillery. (and I mean that literally and figuratively)
September 10th, 2008 at 8:59 am
goddd your a fatty
September 10th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Anybody else sick of people saying “Why isn’t so-and-so on the list?!?!” Because it’s ONE man’s personal opinion morons, that’s why.
September 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
This is the only list I’ve seen so far I’ve totally disagreed with. I’m not gonna scream and shout, however (No matter How much I want to.), and I simply want to say this: Have you tried In-N-Out burger? I assume you haven’t, for if you had you would have definitely put on the list, if not at the number 1 spot. I highly recommend it. The food is great, not that expensive, and most importantly healthy. In fact, I’d say it’s healthier than almost everything on this list. Anyway, just needed to get that off my chest.
September 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
@ Hillery.
Good points. Totally agree that most fitness freaks would shudder at the idea of tucking into a cheeseburger, even though, in moderation, it’s a pretty nice treat. I usually fast food one or twice every two weeks. Never did me any harm, in fact it actually helps dieters because a treat every now and then reduces cravings and gives them a tangible reward!
Having said that though, the coke from McDonald’s is unbelievably sugary! I can’t drink that stuff, it’s like syrup.
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Lotsa good places–
but if you eat Chik fil A, get there in the morning and grab 2-3 chicken breakfast biscuits and a large lemonade (it’s the real deal!). Waffle fries if ya gotta. Forget the fizzy soft drinks.
And I won’t discuss the subject of what your internist may think of all this . . .
October 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Man, I miss Hardee’s sooooo much! They closed down in my area about 12 or so years ago. I used to get two Frisco Burgers. They were big, greasy beef patties(patty’s?)with melted Swiss cheese with a bucketload of Ketchup, on toast. Best burgers on Earth.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
funny story kind of- i was in China for a foriegn exchange trip and i saw a KFC and when i ate there with some of the chinese students they asked if we had KFC in the united states. i couldnt help but luagh a little.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
and no way did you forget jack in the box and whataburger!
November 24th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
in n out should be number one, or at least on the list. also, you forgot del taco…
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
CiCi’s Pizza, Panda Express, Jack in the Box, Bojangles’, Sbarro, Sheetz MTO… and I lived in West Virginia for three years and I can’t forget Tudor’s Biscuit World (or Gino’s Pizza and Spaghetti)!! I miss Qdoba and Hardee’s. And Sonic.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I loooooooooove dq’s chocolate extreme!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
In-N-Out Burger is great! Also even smaller than them as far as franchises go is Nations. A lot of people who live in the area don’t even know about them, but their burgers are so good.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I’m a reformed meat eater so I don’t go to fast food places anymore, but in my previous existence I loved Popeye’s.
In-N-Out Burger must be good also, they always have a huge line of cars at the drive-thru.
December 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
roscoes chickin and waffles!
January 3rd, 2009 at 5:50 am
man I’m hungry now. I love taco bell and chick fil a
haha I haven’t even heard of white castle until Harold and kumar. I didn’t even know it was a real place until this list.
January 4th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I have eaten at every last one of these restaurants.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Whaaat?? Jollibee is not included? It’s the number one fast food restaurant in the Philippines. They even extended their franchise to other countries.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Has anyone ever tried Taco Fresco in the chicagoland area? Great mexican food that is healthy. Chips are greasy and fabulous. Hey they are chips, consider it desert. Check out the website for locations. I go there for lunch at least 5 days a week and lost weight.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hey! My local Arbys has the long John Silvers bell! I’ve rung it 10 times too many.
January 31st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Great list! But I’ve never eaten at Big Boy’s. This is due to the fact that they are not at this location. Sadly, the businesses in my area don’t have the best services.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
My god I did not know there were so many places you could buy a heart attack.
February 25th, 2009 at 2:46 am
The burger from White Castle looks DIRTY
March 4th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
These look kinda good. Too bad here there’s only 15, 14 and 3… oh, and 5 in the form of Hungry Jack’s
March 12th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Sinfully yummy list… I have to admit though, my favorite is sonic’s. When I’m in Vegas I live there… no friends, I don’t eat, but after a long night of scotch, I want a sonic beverage! (Because water just won’t do) And the food aint too bad.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Good grief Brotherman! How can you stand all that fast food?
April 9th, 2009 at 8:59 am
what about whataburger? best fast food ever imho
April 13th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Sonic drinks are the shiznit!! But the best drinks ever…Orange Julius!
I’m from NY so it’s all about Blimpie’s over Subway, Jersey Mike’s, etc.
Chick Fil A is just rank (nastiest “chicken” ever, though the waffle fries are good), and so is Burger King (and just wtf is with the King anyway, he’s extra pervy these days) and White Castle (there are 5 holes in a burger the size of a post-it! Nuff said.)
There’s no excuse not to have Wendy’s on this list. Also Dunkin Donut’s (and I guess Starbucks…) should be floating around on a list too. Munchkins….yum!
April 14th, 2009 at 1:47 am
I sure envy you guys in the USA, over here in Scotland we only got MacD’s, Kfr, BK, Subway.
This makes we want to do a fast food tour of the US.
Chris….
April 14th, 2009 at 3:23 am
what about Wendy’s!?! we had wendy’s in Argentina. too bad we don’t have it here in Spain where I live now.
And I know it’s not Fast Food and I’m getting off the topic, but when I went to the US I loved Denny’s and Hard Rock Cafe’s bbq ribs. Thank God we have TGI Friday’s!!! My favourite restaurant ever ;D For those visiting, it’s located at the Nervion Plaza in Seville, Andalusia.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:51 am
well again BOO
there is only one Holly Trio
1)Friday’s
2)Starbucks (since they have food ,too)
3)pizza Hut
really dissapointing!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 20th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
The last entry claims that Truett Cathy should be given “her” own star constellation; it should read “his” own constellation. Truett Cathy is a man (although now a very old man). As a devout Southern Baptist, I’m sure he forgives you for the gender confusion, but you still can’t get a Chik-Fil-A sandwich on Sunday.
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:15 am
Baja Fresh Food Poisoning at Gresham, Oregon. Two Mahi-mahi Fish tacos at 9pm April 16 2009: in 12 hours exactly I became sick,
This wicked fish poisoning lasted for four days and I feel better but, the pain from the gas and bloating are still causing discomfort into day Five. Mexicans are Idiots they want to trash this country and are not welcome to turn every small town into a Tijuana trash hive. Just last year my friend walk into a Mexican Restraunt in Portland and witnessed a stupid Mexican using a Toilet Brush to clean the whole sink. Hire one and you get what you deserve! Shoddy Crap work with a side order of dangerous ignorant working conditions. How come Baja Fresh only hires Mexicans? talk about discrimination!
May 12th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
All of you people talking about how their favorite place is not on the list… Uhhh HELLO!? Not everyone lives in the same places you retards do. I would say it is a pretty solid list. “What about In-N-Out?” Wow, all of you must be idiots. Not everyone lives in California. Just shut up and get a brain.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:52 am
For whoever asked, YES! We still have Dairy Cheer in Eastern KY. There’s not one in Catlettsburg, but you can find one past the end of the Mountain Parkway in Prestonsburg, AWESOME FOOD!
June 9th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Blasphemy!!! In-N-Out is number 1!! Wow… not even on the list? I’m so disappointed!
June 11th, 2009 at 7:10 am
All of the places on the list are pretty good. But a word of warning to anyone who likes sonic. i ate there last night and got food poisoning from the jalapeno poppers. It also didn’t help that they were a side to the super sonic breakfast burrito–also with jalapenos. I didn’t eat all day until i ate that for dinner so i know that is what it was. I eat there about a couple times a month and never have any problems, but this time got me!
June 11th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Hi,
maybe this was mentioned before, but the best burger joint in my opinion is Carls’ Jr. i live in singapore and there are a few here. the burgers are incredible!
June 12th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
what we have (from this list) in New Zealand: McDonalds,KFC,Burger King,Subway…..
thats kinda sad
June 13th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Whataburger.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
FYI..the founder of Chick fil A is a man. Love their sweet tea and ice cream!
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
Qdoba? BLEH, they’re food is actually quite gross. At least at the one I’ve been to. I think this list is seriously missing Artic Circle, unless that’s just a thing in the NW.
July 4th, 2009 at 1:42 am
have you never heard of in n out?
July 17th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Lets complain, having no In & Out is a crime lol
July 17th, 2009 at 9:39 am
In-n-Out sucks. I don’t understand the fascination with that place. Californians love that crap. I have been in Cali awhile now and I just don’t get it. They’re always busy. All of them, all the time. They have 3 items on the menu only. The burgers are small. The fries, in which they take great pride in as being fresh cut at the store, are not good. No thanks.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:57 am
@Jay Poe (410): They have 3 items on the menu only.
True connoisseurs order off of the “secret menu”:
http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp
Animal style 4×4, baby…
July 25th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
i lawve mcdonalds….i donttt evenn care that it makes you fatttt. lol.
July 25th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
hey look up,,,,theres my comment. im famous =]
August 21st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I thought A&W stood for Amburgers and Wootbeer
August 21st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I’m from CA and I really don’t think In-N-Out is all to great, but most anyone I talk to would disagree haha
August 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 am
where is Chipotle????
August 30th, 2009 at 10:37 am
sonic drive in is the best ya,i just love the sonic blast with mnmm’s an d resee’s and the sonic cheese burger
so good.
August 30th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Sonic drive in is the best you just got love thier cherry limaed and sonic cheese burger it’s classic especialy with tots and also the ‘SONIC BLAST’ maid with MNM and reese’s I love it.Please reply on my email address.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:12 am
hi.im a guy from the philippines.I work here as a sales and marketing manager.Based on my observation regarding the presentation of the product.I preferred to choose A&W Restaurant.If i will be given a chance to work,I’ll choose first the said company.If you want to know more about me,you can reach me @ christianmark.luha@yahoo.com or you can call and text me @ +639071172347.thanks and god bless,.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:13 am
O’ my god this list truly makes me hungry the rumbling belly.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:15 am
and mark you suck i am from phil. too and you should have said shakeys or jollibee ya bastard. ok im gonna hack your sim no. right now. hahahaha. i prefer your head on a plate.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:33 am
It’s worth mentioning that Dairy Queen also has some of the ‘healthiest’ fast food. Their burgers and fries typically have about 1/4 to 1/3 the saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol of most other fast food joints’.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
where the EFF is popeye’s @?!
best fried chicken ever!
October 8th, 2009 at 5:11 am
hey i love theu all shops in the uk so for know i will be buy these all thing from here so i love this good food bye
thank you
October 8th, 2009 at 5:13 am
hey i love cow meet becaseu it soo sweet and nice i aloys eat cow meet i dont like any other meet and i like fish meet as well
October 14th, 2009 at 1:01 am
Gawd, what a disgusting slob you must be, brotherman, or perhaps I should say Idiotdude. People like you are what all too frequently gives Kentuckians a bad name. Please, never tell anyone you are from Kentucky again. You order a 10 piece bucket of chicken for yourself? 2 Big Bufords with a Milkshake? A Triple Whopper with cheese and then you upgrade to the large size fries and drink? You must sweat meat and weigh 600 pounds. You say Supersize Me got you off of McDonalds, then you eat the equivalent of a meal for 4 at KFC or White Castle by yourself? You ever hear of a salad? I think you may have missed the point of the movie, perhaps you should watch it again before you die of advanced coronary artery disease, which should be any minute now.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I’ve never heard of Qdoba before. Sounds pretty sweet, though. White Castle is called Crystal in the South. And Hardee’s should be #1 for the sheer awesomeness of the Mushroom ‘n’ Swiss Thickburger.(Try dipping it in au jus!!)
October 21st, 2009 at 7:12 am
I’m not sure what other places around the world have one, but Jungle Jim’s is a favorite around here in Newfoundland, Canada.
They serve the waffle fries too.
They have a chair in the restaurant that has something to do with being a Wing King ; the person who can eat the most of their signature wings in one sitting.
With a great decor, complete with bamboo everything and jungle creatures roaming the walls, its a nice place to eat, I must say (:
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 am
i cant believe in-n-out isnt on there.
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:42 am
Come on no IN-N-Out?
October 27th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
i am so glad we do not have all these crap fast food places in UK! its bad enough that kids seem to actually enjoy eating filth like mcdonalds.
i will stick to avoiding these!
November 1st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
No In-N-Out burger’s? that should be in the #1 spot
For anyone who lives or visited california had got to try thier burgers, it a rite of passage for californians!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
i am a fatass because of mcdonalds but i still love it
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
i hate big fat niggers that eat a lot of mcdonalds
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
i hate big fatass NIGGERS that eat fast food they smell like shit!!
317-509-6170
give me a shought for ur thout
November 6th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I would definitely agree with Wilm.
In-n-Out deserves the #1 spot. Maybe the creator of this list has never been to California. If so, I feel very, very bad for them. I don’t care about living close to L.A. or anything. I just care about In-n-Out.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:52 am
NANDO”S… I love it… but you dont have it in America.. maybe you shoulda specified??
November 15th, 2009 at 10:35 am
sorry in-n-out is the best of all