Top 16 Awesome Fast Food Restaurants
Published on February 10, 2008 - 382 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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1. Juggz - February 10th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
w00t right up my alley!
2. jfrater - February 10th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Juggz: hehehe Glad we have a hit from time to time
3. Brian Moo - 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.
4. littlegraysheep - February 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
GO BRONCOS!
5. Pyrratus - 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:
6. Juggz - February 10th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Jamie: theyre always a hit, just this one has a special place in my heart…er stomach!
7. shamzahm - February 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
DQ and Long John Silver are the best.
8. jfrater - February 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Juggz: hehe
I had McDonalds tonight - yum yum!
9. Juggz - 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?
10. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Rallys/Checkers Rules
11. BrotherMan - February 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for posting jfrater! Awesome to see something that I created on one of my favorite sites!
12. BrotherMan - 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.
13. Scar.. - February 10th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Ah. I see you’re an avid onion ring lover also?
Onion rings>>>> fries.
14. BrotherMan - February 10th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I crave onion rings like plants crave water.
15. petey mcgee - 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.
16. Csimmons - 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.
17. Spence425 - 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.
18. BrotherMan - 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.
19. Kathryn - 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.
20. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Thats weird, i meant to say eat.
21. BrotherMan - 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.
22. BrotherMan - 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.
23. Csimmons - 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.
24. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
brotherMan: Yeah that is weird, but Yum! has some of the best fast food joints ever.
25. BrotherMan - 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.
26. Evan - February 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I love fast food so much, it’ll take about 20 years off my life.
27. Csimmons - 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.
28. BrotherMan - February 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Csimmons: I remember the McDonald’s incident. I forgot all about that until you mentioned it. Crazy!
29. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
BrotherMan: I know why they call ‘em slyders, I hate that morning after you eat white castle.
30. Schiesl - February 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
what?? no wendy’s?? Its the best
31. Schiesl - February 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
i love chick-fil-a, best place ever
32. Csimmons - 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!
33. BrotherMan - February 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Schiesl: That is why Chick-Fil-A is #1 on the list
34. dr.blockk - February 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
chick fil la #1??? raising caines is the shit.
35. Gravy - February 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Chick fil A has the BEST milkshakes in the world!
36. dr.blockk - February 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
what about popeyes?????!!!
37. Csimmons - 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.
38. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
dr.blockk: Popeyes isn’t in my top 16, let alone 20
39. chsrocket47 - February 10th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
would any of the pizza chain restaurants count??
40. BrotherMan - 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.
41. BrotherMan - February 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
chsrocket47: That can be your list. A list of the top pizza chains.
42. puddingpuppet - February 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
NO IN-N-OUT?!?!?! It should be number one!
43. heavybison - 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
44. JwJwBean - 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?
45. tjgrs - February 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
WENDYS!!!!
46. Guillermo - 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.
47. Guillermo - 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.
48. rational - 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
49. chsrocket47 - 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
50. codman - 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
51. BrotherMan - 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.
52. JwJwBean - 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.
53. JwJwBean - February 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
okay no typing while dog is bumping arm for petting. That was I think chipotle…
54. BrotherMan - 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.
55. Kathryn - 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.
56. BrotherMan - 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.
57. BrotherMan - 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…
58. BrotherMan - 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.
59. Heather - February 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
IN-N-OUT should be number 1!!!
60. berto - 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
61. ProgRapture - 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.
62. beanshide - 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.
63. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Heather: whats In-n-out like? Ive never eaten there.
64. Anne Pasek - 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.
65. mitchsn - 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).
66. babygirl2882 - 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????
67. BrotherMan - 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!
68. Daniel - 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!
69. goof_ball - 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.
70. Aisha - 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!
71. BrotherMan - 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.
72. BrotherMan - 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.
73. Eric - February 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
i wasn’t sure if qdoba qualified as fast food but they certainly are amazing nonetheless
74. chris - February 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Wendy’s?
75. JwJwBean - 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.
76. Cat - 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…
77. JwJwBean - February 10th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Where did you find a picture of BrotherMan?
78. sarahenity - 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.
79. CJ - 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.
80. clumsyk - 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.
81. chaz - February 10th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
You left out the best - In N Out.
82. angryray - 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.
83. jesse - February 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
i didnt even know there was 16. subway and bk are badass
84. Liz - February 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
arby’s >>>> all of them
85. petey mcgee - 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.
86. Christopher Borne - February 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
never eat at a chick-fil-a in a university. It is shit.
87. BrotherMan - 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!
88. Dunfire - February 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I would like to suggest Steak N Shake, really good stuff.
89. Flaghad - 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.
90. swampsnake - 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.
91. jesse - February 10th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
No Popeye’s? No Church’s Chicken? No In-and-Out?
What a shitty list.
92. spagett - February 10th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I loves me a cotton candy blizzard…yum
93. Yondofan12 - 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.
94. DiscHuker - 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.
95. Mom424 - 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.
96. Monkey - 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.
97. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
BrotherMan: Aw shit you’re right! Steak & Shake kicks ass!
98. Csimmons - 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!
99. Yondofan12 - February 10th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Mom424:
At least have the decency to spell Arby’s right. Im kidding. But seriously.
100. downhighway61 - 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.
101. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Mom424: Arbys rocks! I should there is one literally down the street from where i live.
102. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
wOULD YA LOOK AT THAT! im edeged out of 100 again!
103. brendan - 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
104. Csimmons - 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!
105. Yondofan12 - 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.
106. Ashley - 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.
107. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I would have put Steak & Shake on here, there shakes are DA BOMB!
108. chershey - 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?
109. Csimmons - 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.
110. Ashley - 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*.
111. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I wish i knew what in-n-out tasted like, apparently its pretty popular.
112. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Ashley: Subway isn’t that bad, just ask Jared
113. Ashley - 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
114. Ashley - February 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
HAHA… apart from a bicycle of course!! One where all I have to do is sit
115. Mariam67 - 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.
116. Ravyn - 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…….
117. Sarah - 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!
118. Ashley - 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.
119. Ravyn - 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.
120. Ashley - 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.
121. Major Wood - 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.
122. Csimmons - 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.
123. islanderbst - 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)
124. antlyon - February 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Jared lost weight cuz Subway is so rank he couldn’t finish a whole sub.
125. Csimmons - February 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Oh Crap I forgot Fazolis! I love the pasta!
126. Csimmons - 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.
127. Ashley - 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.
128. islanderbst - 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
129. fivestring63 - February 10th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Hey, where’s Krystals???
130. Karen - February 10th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
taco bell should def be #1!
131. JwJwBean - 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.
132. Lynn - 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!
133. Jen - February 10th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Two words: “Panera Bread.” If you haven’t been there, you’re missing out.
134. Matteo - February 10th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Jen- Panera Bread is delicious my favorite is probably an ICEE Mocha
135. Kelsi - 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.
136. Insaniac - 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!
137. bwmyers18 - 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.
138. KATIELOPEZ - 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.
139. FifthSonata - 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.”
140. MImanic - 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.
141. Borg - 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).
142. Eddie - 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.
143. Ginny - 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…
144. Csimmons - 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.
145. Eric - 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
146. swampsnake - February 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
if you are in the south and want fish ya gotta go with captain d’s
147. swampsnake - February 10th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
oh and for chicken it has to be lee’s famous recipie
148. dantheman - 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 .
149. Jimbo78934 - 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
150. Lynn - 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!
151. SubliminalDeath666 - 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
152. Chestica - 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.
153. filipinoknight - 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.
154. Joel - February 10th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Where on earth is In-N-Out Burger? That should be the real number 1.
155. Joel - February 10th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
And Burgerville in Oregon should be number 2.
156. poop - February 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
no wendys are you kidding?
157. amanda - 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.
158. Lynn - 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.
159. Matt L - 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.
160. Q - 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.
161. Yarr - 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!
162. Yarr - February 10th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
By the way:
Burger King is caca.
All must burn.
To the ground
Flame-broiled my ass!
163. Brian B - February 10th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
You’re cardiologist just called. He needs to see you in the morning.
164. Stephi - February 10th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
What? No Krystal burger?! I love that place soo much!
165. J. Coustark. - 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,
166. Diogenes - 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.
167. Samsung - 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.
168. Phenderbender - 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.
169. Samsung - February 10th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
J. Coustark: Shit that sounds good, surely you’ll be wanting some watties tomato sauce though!
170. Diogenes - 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.
171. Diogenes - 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.)
172. JwJwBean - 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.
173. JwJwBean - 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.
174. Diogenes - February 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
There you go JwJwBean! clever clever.
175. Bianca - 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 :\
176. Bianca - February 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Except subway, kfc and mcdonald’s, of course.
177. emilayed - 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
178. Csimmons - 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.
179. jfrater - February 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
J. Coustark: the time is not passing fast enough before I can have more of that!
180. Late O’Day - 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.
181. Miss Destiny - 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!
182. Late O’Day - 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.
183. Mavoonie - February 10th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
no in and out or jack