Fast food CAN be good

Barneystinson

I'm just saying. Too much bashing and condemning going on around here, so it's Friday, and let's lighten up and talk about the fast food that's enjoyable and actually tasty. Doesn't have to be low cal, just assumes you KNOW what the caloric content is and can fit it in your day.

Ok, I'll go!

Delicious list:
Chipotle - has the best fast food guac ever. Their bowls are amazing.
Chick Fil'A - Spicy southwest salad or a chicken sandwich.
Arby's - their roast beef sammich is magical.
Zaxby's - You Southern folk have a nice chicken finger plate.
In n Out - best fast food burger, IMO.
Baja Fresh - Tacos FTW
Dunkin - I like their breakfast sandwiches when I'm traveling and in the airport
Wendy's - it may be a zillion calories, but the Frosty is amazing.

Bleh list:
McD's - I dunno why, but McD's food makes me ill.
Taco Bell - Their meat is funky.
BK - I've just never had a thing for BK anything.
Subway - the meat tastes like bad mystery meat and their bread is crappy.
Long John Silver's - Everything here tastes like bad grease to me.
Five Guys - overpriced and totally overrated (I may get flamed for this)
Steak and Shake - see comment about Five Guys
Krispy Kreme - I've never had much of a thing for donuts, but these are just terrible


Honorable (location -specific) mention: Cali-style burrito joints, New Jersey delis (because who doesn't love pastrami?), and Geno's Steaks in Philly.

fbmandy55

OOO I can't wait to go to AZ in the spring with my BF> The first place we are stopping is In N Out! We are huge Lebowski fans and have been dying to go there, none in Indiana...

Barneystinson

OOO I can't wait to go to AZ in the spring with my BF> The first place we are stopping is In N Out! We are huge Lebowski fans and have been dying to go there, none in Indiana...

To me, In n Out and White Castle are the West and East cult classics of fast food!

ajbeans

I actually really love McD's salads with grilled chicken. And I love the McDouble.

Sonic is my favorite new fast-food place. I'd never eaten there before we moved out here last year, and now it's definitely on the top of my list.

I love Wendy's, especially now that they revamped their burgers.

And Arby's beef 'n cheddar will always have my heart. It's just so dang good!

deathstarclock

I bet you work for Burger King or McDonald's...

curlyclo

For the most part, I agree with your analysis. lol. I also don't like Five Guys that much. Steak & Shake out here is very cheap and pretty tasty, so I'd move it to the tasty list. I would add Jimmy John's to the bleh list, I've never liked them.

sc1572

No In N Out here but I've had in on vacation before. My sister now lives near one in a diff state and that's where we're going first when I visit! BEST burger EVER.

mrmanmeat

You think In-n-Out is the best fast food burger. Lost all credit at that line.

Fast food is meh. better options.

papermario

Even better than Chipotle (imo) is Moe's!!! I love their jr burrito at 420 cals!!!

jedi9393

im sorry if I dont ring the bell on how great fast food is, sorry I cant. Chipotle is the only one that is decent. I dont know what a baja fresh, Five guys or a Zaxby's is. I've never had In and Out burger.

I'm not trying to sound harsh, but home cooked food is soooo much better! Or even real food from a restaurant. Arby's roast beef? Good?? It doesnt even come close to real fresh deli made roast beef. Wendy's frosty? Try a fresh batch of real ice cream. I'll take that anyday.

dalgal26

I like the McDonald's salads. We don't eat there often, but not every meal can be a home cooked meal. Not at my house, anyway.

Justjoshin

I heard about In and Out Burger forever, then finally went to one with a friend when I was in Cali last spring.
Wow, have you guys really never had a decent burger that you think that is the best there is?


I have no idea why people eat fast food to begin with, but that list is meh.

jean1058

While the occasional meal out is more convenient, I prefer to cook. I don't have anything against any of the places you mentioned, except, since I've worked in the food service industry most of my life, I know what goes on in those places. If you all knew, they would be OUT OF BUSINESS.

Just sayin'.

Barneystinson

im sorry if I dont ring the bell on how great fast food is, sorry I cant. Chipotle is the only one that is decent. I dont know what a baja fresh, Five guys or a Zaxby's is. I've never had In and Out burger.

I'm not trying to sound harsh, but home cooked food is soooo much better! Or even real food from a restaurant. Arby's roast beef? Good?? It doesnt even come close to real fresh deli made roast beef. Wendy's frosty? Try a fresh batch of real ice cream. I'll take that anyday.

I'm a food snob and cook at home save for some evenings when we try local places. I get into sampling and rating fast food when I travel for work and have limited time / limited options for meals.

Gotta do whatcha gotta do.

vzucco

Totally agree about Five Guys!!!!

Vhovell

I've only ever heard of Subway, McD's, Burger King and Wendy's in that list...i've only had the UK version of subway and haven't had a Wendy since i was last in the states back in 2003!

From the UK i love Pizza Express...haven't eaten Md D's since 2002 when i got food poisening and Burger King smells make be feel sick since i've joint MFP!

So year Pizza Express is the only think for me...apart from a local chippy of course!

Barneystinson

I heard about In and Out Burger forever, then finally went to one with a friend when I was in Cali last spring.
Wow, have you guys really never had a decent burger that you think that is the best there is?


I have no idea why people eat fast food to begin with, but that list is meh.

No. It's not "the best burger" EVER ZOMG!

The best burger EVER is the one I make carefully at home from grass fed beef raised by my own family, topped with a selection of grilled portobellas, hickory smoked bacon, and Finlandia swiss, served with a side of jalepenos and steak fries.

In N Out is one of the better grab and go options I've had while traveling.

Barneystinson

It's a fast food list.

It's not a list of best food EVER.

Jesus people, lighten up.

shakybabe

I'm mostly housebound and live in a small village so some miles form nearest town with McDonalds etc, which is great for my diet as its easier and cheaper for me to get fresh fruit, veg and meat delivered.

On the odd occasion I do get out, I love southern fried chicken for a treat, fish and chips or for restaurant type meals we tend to go to bistro pubs that do carvery's with choice of about 3 different joints, loads of veg, salad and other cooked-to-order dishes too (such as fish and vegetarian). One we go to has a gorgeous dessert trolley they bring round with all the cakes on, makes your mouth water just watching it pass our table.. lol! .. my favourite is hot chocolate fudge cake and ice-cream!.. luckily I only get there a few times a year or I'd have never lost any weight!!! :happy:

immacookie

Genos? Awww seriously? :laugh: :laugh: I cast my vote for Rick's... or swinging the other way John's Roast Pork.


Have you heard of / tried "Elevation Burger" yet? One just opened down the street from me but I haven't managed to get there yet. Everything is supposed to be fresh ground and grass fed.

dad106

I'm a 5 guys fan.. Love their burgers and fries.

Culvers is also another favorite of mine.. Worked there for 4 years during high school and college, and nothing will ever replace a butter burger and cheese curds in my heart. Plus their Custard is amazing.

Not a huge Chipolte fan.. but I like Moe's a lot. Their Steak Taco and Queso is quite good.

Also loving Jersey Mikes over any other sub place any day. Fresh cut meats and cheeses is def. the way to go.

jean1058

I'm a 5 guys fan.. Love their burgers and fries.

Culvers is also another favorite of mine.. Worked there for 4 years during high school and college, and nothing will ever replace a butter burger and cheese curds in my heart. Plus their Custard is amazing.

Not a huge Chipolte fan.. but I like Moe's a lot. Their Steak Taco and Queso is quite good.

Also loving Jersey Mikes over any other sub place any day. Fresh cut meats and cheeses is def. the way to go.

A Culvers just opened locally. Exactly WHAT is a butter burger?

KMSForLife

Five Guys - the cheeseburger is amazing.

Chick-Fil-A - chocolate milkshake is out of this world!

immacookie

I forget about Culver's and Moe's..... oh and Jimmy John's..... I lived in the midwest for a number of years but I can't find those (or white castle) out here in PA. :frown:

HMonsterX

Plain Double Whopper is still my favourite tbh. I used to really like BK fries till they changed them to those "king" fries, which are awful

Fries are funny things. Especially from McDs. When they are freshly cooked they are gorgeous, but when they aren't they're a bit...meh...

ajbeans

I forgot about Culver's. I made the mistake of getting cheese curds the first time I ever went there. So yummy, but I felt so gross afterward.

Fries are funny things. Especially from McDs. When they are freshly cooked they are gorgeous, but when they aren't they're a bit...meh...

Yeah, I don't order fries anymore except from Runza because everywhere else if they're not perfectly fresh I can't eat them.

KBGirts

Here's mine!!!

My Delicious List:

Quizno's! Love their sandwiches and I indulge a litlle and add guacamole to mine
Moe's or Chipotle: I live south of Atlanta and the only Chipotles we have are IN Atlanta but there are plenty of Moes to go 'round
Sonic: For when I want to be seriously BAD.... love their burgers (and cheesesticks... Shhhh....)
Arby's: I pretty much like anything on their menu
Zaxby's: I love the Buffalo Blue Zalad. It's to die for. The chicken platter is awesome too
Chic-Fil-A: Yum, Yum, Yum
Panda Express: Great Chinese food with healthy options

Mediocre List:

Steak and Shake: I like going there for milkshakes; Food is just ok
Subway: The sandwiches are boring but I like them
Popeyes and KFC: I ocassionally want some southern fried chicken and fixin's


Blah List

Wendy's: I think there bread is discusting
Taco Bell: Nasty Meat
McD: I will eat there but always feel so guilty afterwards
Five Guys: I don't get it???? Way to expensive for the tiniest burger I've ever had; Fries weren't amazing either
DQ: Gross.... just Gross (although I do enjoy a blizzard from time to time)
Hardees..... I don't think I need to comment on this one

KatFierce

I am a SAHM with no vehicle so home cooking is my only choice most of the time ( its what Id do anyway really) so it makes fast food even more of a treat than it every was ( i always got a coffee any time i left the house, and usually someting to eat with it, then I had to get the kids something too, WICKED bad!).

My favorites:
Wendys- chicken apple pecan salad with the pomegranate dressing ( half size) soooo good! seriously its my guilty pleasure
McDonalds-plain cheese burger or chicken mcnuggets with sweet and sour ( the chicken nuggets make me remember skipping school to have fun all day with my mom we'd eat there and then go shopping, and go to the garden center then work on the garden together and paint or do a craft, it was so fun)
Subway-sweet onion chicken terriyaki ( I get a 12 inch half now and half for lunch tomorrow) with spinach,chedder and cucumbers
Burger King- Grilled chicken sandwich with cheese and lettuce sooo good.
KFC- snack size famous bowl and a biscuit
Dunkin Donuts- egg white turkey sausage wrap with a med pumpkin coffee with 2 creams
Honey Dew- med ice mocha madness with fat free 1/2 and 1/2 and some coconut dew drops

The only thing on this list Ive had in the last 3-6 months is subway twice and dunkins 3 times, yum. But I walked both places subway is 6 miles ( its in our mall so I went to shop) and dunkins is 3 miles ( next to a small grocery store I frequent)

running_mom

I LOVE taco bell. I don't care if it's not real meat. It's so good : )

yesiamaduck

In Brighton we have 2 famous burger joints

Grubbs and Burger Off

Said Grubbs is pretty much opposite my house! Their Malaysian Burger is to die for (Chilli, Peanutbutter & Lettuce) as is the original (Dill Pickle, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese) hell all their burgers are to die for! But Burger Off ones OM OM OM OM they're even more to die for because they resemble home made burgers (not perfect discs, obviously made of mince *I know all burgers are but these are truly loose in a home made kind of way*) OM NOM NOM NOM they also serve the hottest burger in the UK, I've had it and it hurts spicier then a Phall that's for sure.

SassyCalyGirl

The only fast food I eat is from Qdoba. There Naked Chicken Burrito is delicious.