OT: Americans' Favorite Fast Food Chains

[LafayetteBear]

Some of the favorites are obviously regional. I've never heard of Marco's Pizza, Moe's Southwest Grill or Firehouse Subs. I'm guessing that some of you have never had an In-N-Out Burger. (They're pretty good, I'd say.)

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/09/thes...the-run.html?__source=xfinity|mod&par=xfinity

 

[MrDibbs]

I have enjoyed an In-N-Out Burger a couple of times and they are pretty good.

I am partial to Culver's which is no closer to my home in Pittsburgh's South Hills than Reynoldsburg, OH. Count on seeing Dibbs there whenever my travels fighting I70 traffic heading toward Columbus.

 

[MtNittany]

Firehouse Subs sucks compared even to Jersey Mike's.

As far as fast food chains in general, the best is Chick-Fil-A, and no one else is even close. It isn't only because of the food. It's because they are spotless and the employees are polite and helpful. The food helps as well - pretty damn good.

 

[MtNittany]

I have enjoyed an In-N-Out Burger a couple of times and they are pretty good.

I am partial to Culver's which is no closer to my home in Pittsburgh's South Hills than Reynoldsburg, OH. Count on seeing Dibbs there whenever my travels fighting I70 traffic heading toward Columbus.

We just got a Culvers here in Jupiter. Good stuff. Disappointed in the fried cheese curds, but everything else has been top notch.

 

[psuro]

I chill at White Castle cuz it's the best
But I'm fly at Fatburgee when I'm out west.

 

[sluggo72]

Marcos seemed to be a Midwest place. First time for me was Oklahoma. Ohio had them also

there are Marco here in WV as well as Firehouse subs, neither can come close to a pizza or sub from a NE local pizza shop!! That said, Marco's isn't too bad, to bench mark, better than Poppa John's. Firehouse attraction is they steam the rolls and meat, which means not enough grease for a good cheesesteak!!

 

[PSUcup1]

Pizza and/or hoagies or cheesesteaks (anything on a long roll) from a chain = ugh

best fast food IMO are wendy's and chik-fil-a

never had In & our, but have heard good things

 

[Op2]

I agree with whoever said Firehouse Subs is so-so. I've had it and yes, it's not close to Jersey Mike's.

I went to visit a friend on the West Coast several years ago and he said I gotta try an In 'n Out Burger so I did and he was right, it was pretty great. I read a few books about the Scott Peterson case and one of them was really wonky, with all the details from the police reports, etc, and after they arrested him in SD and were driving him back to No Cal they had to stop and eat and they stopped at In 'n Out Burger. The book even told what Scott Peterson ordered although I forget now.

ETA: I've only had one thing at Chipotle's, their cruncy tacos, and they're very good but they are really expensive for fast food. Where I live (not a big, expensive city) three tacos (and their not big) cost $9-plus. I'm also not crazy about Chipotle's anti-GMO stance which as far as I can tell is an anti-science position.

 

[wex18]

For chicken sandwiches, I like Zaxby's, a chain based in Georgia. Bojangles fried chicken is much better than KFC. Popeye's just opened locally in Durham, but I haven't tried it yet -- last time was in New Orleans just before the 1979 Sugar Bowl.

Cookout is also good, and it has about 30 milkshake flavors.

 

[Op2]

For chicken sandwiches, I like Zaxby's, a chain based in Georgia. Bojangles fried chicken is much better than KFC. Popeye's just opened locally in Durham, but I haven't tried it yet -- last time was in New Orleans just before the 1979 Sugar Bowl.

How many of these restaurants can we link to song lyrics? I remember a song from college radio in the 80s by Timbuk 3 named "Dirty, Dirty Rice" that mentioned Popeye's. The Ben Folds Five song "Army" mentions Chik-Fil-A.

 

[CF LION]

I have stopped at McDonald's about once a week for the past month......to pick up a Shamrock Shake for my son. Other than that, hardly ever visit them. There are some local chains that I'll hit up: Jake's for burgers... Purebred for sandwiches. Too many good mom and pop based pizza places, sub shops and Mexican restaurants nearby to consider one of the chains.

 

[Op2]

I have stopped at McDonald's about once a week for the past month......to pick up a Shamrock Shake for my son. Other than that, hardly ever visit them. There are some local chains that I'll hit up: Jake's for burgers... Purebred for sandwiches. Too many good mom and pop based pizza places, sub shops and Mexican restaurants nearby to consider one of the chains.

Add McDonald's to the song list. Mojo Nixon had a song titled "I Saw Jesus in McDonald's at Midnight."

 

[BrucePa]

I loathe chains. There is so much good food to be had out there, from mom-and-pops and other independently owned places. I will give a pass to small, local chains, because they're not really franchised chains.

In-n-Out has a cult following, but I've tried quite a few and I believe they are about as good as Five Guys. In the immediate L.A. area, Habit Burger is a small chain that clobbers In-n-Out. But like I said, In-n-Out has a cult following.

I've had both Jersey Mike's and Firehouse, and both of them suck compared to a righteous New Jersey hoagie shop.

 

[UncleRoyBiggins]

There is a Mo's Southwest Grill in State College. It's ok. Not something I'd seek out all the time.

 

[Op2]

I loathe chains. There is so much good food to be had out there, from mom-and-pops and other independently owned places. I will give a pass to small, local chains, because they're not really franchised chains.

In-n-Out has a cult following, but I've tried quite a few and I believe they are about as good as Five Guys. In the immediate L.A. area, Habit Burger is a small chain that clobbers In-n-Out. But like I said, In-n-Out has a cult following.

I've had both Jersey Mike's and Firehouse, and both of them suck compared to a righteous New Jersey hoagie shop.

You'd like the town I live in where chains are shunned and independent food places are all the rage. I don't mind it per se but seem to result in restaurants costing more, in my town at least.

Years ago when I was in grad school I want to a professional conference in Chicago. The guy I shared a hotel room with was a guy from Romania that was from the same academic department I was in. So one time it was time to dinner and we went out to eat...in Chicago...and we came across a Wendy's and he wanted to eat there so I did. It really didn't bother me because I like Wendy's and I'm not a big foodie but I was cognizant of the fact that foodies would cringe at going to Chicago and eating at Wendy's.

I was in NYC once in my life, for about two days, and I wanted to see as much as I could so when it came time to eat I just wanted to eat. I didn't care about nice restaurants, I just wanted to get it done with (which resulted in my a few times just getting a hot dog off a street vendor). But anyway, one time I went to eat at McDonald's...in NYC. And the line was so long I went elsewhere.

I did find a small chicken wing chain in NYC named Atomic Wings that I loved. I check it out online now and then and they are slowly expanding but still mostly only in the northeast, where I'm not. I hope to eat there again sometime before I die.

 

[PSUcup1]

forgot about Primo's ... they are good

expensive as all hell, but good

 

[CF LION]

I can't remember the context of the conversation, but I was once told that Columbus, OH is a primary test market for many chain restaurants. I guess the demographics of Columbus are what these restaurants are after. From my visits there, Columbus does seem to have a lot of them -- many that I've never seen back east.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Never had an In & Out burger, but I'm glad to see it's there instead of Shake Shack.

I truly don't understand the fascination for Shake Shack. Thought it was nasty and not that far above McDonalds.

 

[Nitwit]

Rita's Water Ice - not sure if this qualifies as fast food, but it's good. Also in the ice cream (frozen custard category) Kohr Bros., although they have a limited number of stores. They do the classic orange and vanilla twist cone, also a peanut butter and chocolate twist for a break from the traditional. Even a cafe de leche. Almost anything from Wawa is good, especially hoagies and coffee. They bake their rolls fresh in the store every day, and the secret to a great hoagie is the bread. Also Dunkin Donuts coffee is pretty good, better than Starbucks IMHO. Einstein's Bagels is also pretty good for bagel sandwiches.

 

[nitanee123]

When in NYC, best Pizza according to Michael Scott is...

 

[Langmuir]

Pizza and/or hoagies or cheesesteaks (anything on a long roll) from a chain = ugh

best fast food IMO are wendy's and chik-fil-a

never had In & our, but have heard good things

The Wendy's in my neighborhood is awful. It is dirty and disgusting and they always get your order wrong. My kids, who will eat just about any fast food, refuse to go into any Wendy's because of their experience with our local Wendy's.

Chik-fil-a is great though.

 

[throw2oj]

Add McDonald's to the song list. Mojo Nixon had a song titled "I Saw Jesus in McDonald's at Midnight."

Nothing tops this one, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell:

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

For chicken sandwiches, I like Zaxby's, a chain based in Georgia. Bojangles fried chicken is much better than KFC. Popeye's just opened locally in Durham, but I haven't tried it yet -- last time was in New Orleans just before the 1979 Sugar Bowl.

Cookout is also good, and it has about 30 milkshake flavors.

I love Zaxby's - they are all over the South.

I am going to get killed for this - but I also like Waffle House.

 

[Ralphie_]

I like Jersey Mike's. Never been to a Primo. One just opened near me recently and have not been there yet. I like Qdoba better than Mo's. I like Popeye's but have heard Bojangles is better, just never been to one. I like Five Guys on occasion. Love the fries.

 

[83wuzme]

I have enjoyed an In-N-Out Burger a couple of times and they are pretty good.

I am partial to Culver's which is no closer to my home in Pittsburgh's South Hills than Reynoldsburg, OH. Count on seeing Dibbs there whenever my travels fighting I70 traffic heading toward Columbus.

STFU Donnie !

( movie reference )

 

[bboushell]

I rarely eat fast food but Five Guys for a burger, Pei Wei for Chinese, Chick Fil A for Nuggets, anything Peruvian chicken for chicken, Pot bellys for subs, and Mods pizza for you guessed it pizza.

 

[flavorguy]

Never had an In & Out burger, but I'm glad to see it's there instead of Shake Shack.

I truly don't understand the fascination for Shake Shack. Thought it was nasty and not that far above McDonalds.

Can I ask where you had this Shake Shack experience? Are you sure you don't mean "Steak & Shake"...

Shake Shack not being far above McDonald's is a ludicrous, ill-informed statement.

https://www.shakeshack.com

What would you consider a very good Fast Food Chain burger?

 

[RickinDayton]

Firehouse Subs sucks compared even to Jersey Mike's.

As far as fast food chains in general, the best is Chick-Fil-A, and no one else is even close. It isn't only because of the food. It's because they are spotless and the employees are polite and helpful. The food helps as well - pretty damn good.

I agree, Firehouse Subs is not very good. I like Jersey Mikes the best out of the chains. Also like WAWA hoagies and then of course local Philly neighborhood hoagie shops (take your choice, but gotta have Amorrosos rolls).

 

[AWS1022]

For chicken sandwiches, I like Zaxby's, a chain based in Georgia. Bojangles fried chicken is much better than KFC. Popeye's just opened locally in Durham, but I haven't tried it yet -- last time was in New Orleans just before the 1979 Sugar Bowl.

Cookout is also good, and it has about 30 milkshake flavors.

For chicken I like Raising Canes. Firehouse is not very good but I do like Penn Station.

 

[PSUSignore]

How many of these restaurants can we link to song lyrics? I remember a song from college radio in the 80s by Timbuk 3 named "Dirty, Dirty Rice" that mentioned Popeye's. The Ben Folds Five song "Army" mentions Chik-Fil-A.

I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom.

In N Out is overrated, I suspect it's due to the "only available in limited areas" mindset. They finally came to Texas this year, I went a couple times before realizing our local equivalent (P Terry's) is much better.

 

[MtNittany]

Another reason to love Chick-Fil-A is that if you want to own a CFA franchise, you have to work at your CFA franchise. Period.

 

[AWS1022]

I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom.

In N Out is overrated, I suspect it's due to the "only available in limited areas" mindset. They finally came to Texas this year, I went a couple times before realizing our local equivalent (P Terry's) is much better.

Ooh, a Digital Underground reference...nice.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Can I ask where you had this Shake Shack experience? Are you sure you don't mean "Steak & Shake"...

Shake Shack not being far above McDonald's is a ludicrous, ill-informed statement.

https://www.shakeshack.com

What would you consider a very good Fast Food Chain burger?

LOL

Trust me, it's not Steak & Shake.....that sucks too.

It was Shake Shack in King of Prussia.

Very good burger and fast food don't mix over here. Backyard had a decent burger, but decent is about as good as it gets.

 

[AWS1022]

Another reason to love Chick-Fil-A is that if you want to own a CFA franchise, you have to work at your CFA franchise. Period.

Just don't get hungry on Sundays.

 

[MtNittany]

Just don't get hungry on Sundays.

Eat at the Church pot luck after the service.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Also Dunkin Donuts coffee is pretty good, better than Starbucks IMHO.

I think Starbucks is everywhere, and Dunkin Donuts nearly everywhere. I'm wondering if you have Peet's Coffee Stores back East. Peets started in Berkeley, and they have some pretty serious ownage of the high end coffee market here in the Bay Area, and in the LA area as well, I believe. I love Peet's Coffee. Not sure they are operating outside California, though.

 

[Langmuir]

I think Starbucks is everywhere, and Dunkin Donuts nearly everywhere. I'm wondering if you have Peet's Coffee Stores back East. Peets started in Berkeley, and they have some pretty serious ownage of the high end coffee market here in the Bay Area, and in the LA area as well, I believe. I love Peet's Coffee. Not sure they are operating outside California, though.

Love Peet's coffee. I miss it not living in Northern CA anymore. Last time I flew, I had a layover in the SF airport. I was so happy they had a Peet's there. It is the only coffee that can give me a buzz.

About 15 years ago there was a little coffee shop in Philly that served Peet's coffee. It was not quite as good as the actual Peet's shops in CA but was close. They switched to some fair market coffee that they claimed was just as good as Peet's. Not even close.

There are a few stores here in the East but not many, none in PA. You can get the beans (or ground) at most grocery stores in PA and also Amazon. It is not just the same making it home though.

 

[uPBRmeASAP]

I too like Dunkin Donuts coffee but their food quality is horrible. It's hard to mess up breakfast, but their stuff tastes like it's all frozen section/microwave. Even their donuts are overrated. The grocery store always seems to have better donuts in their bakery section.

A better FF alternative to Dunkin for coffee and breakfast is Manhattan Bagel.

 

[sluggo72]

I too like Dunkin Donuts coffee but their food quality is horrible. It's hard to mess up breakfast, but their stuff tastes like it's all frozen section/microwave. Even their donuts are overrated. The grocery store always seems to have better donuts in their bakery section.

A better FF alternative to Dunkin for coffee and breakfast is Manhattan Bagel.

We have a Dunkin Donuts here that the Greek guy leases out half and sells yeros, some of the best I've had

 

[OldTiredLion]

I love Arby's. Too bad the one we had in State College kept getting it's dining room turned into a parking garage by people who couldn't manage that turn driving south on Atherton St. and College Ave. I'm Jonesing for a roast beef sandwich as I write this.