Fast food/fast casual restaurants

[fan-of-fans]

If you eat at them, what's your favorite fast food or fast casual restaurants?

Mine would probably be Taco Bell, Arby's, Dairy Queen for fast food, with Subway coming in third. I eat at Burger King occasionally, but only with coupons> I won't pay the high price for a Whopper meal. I like most of their breakfast items. I used to like their crinkle cut fries when they offered them. The Oreo shake isn't bad.

At Dairy Queen I usually get chicken strips and fries or a burger and fries. I enjoyed the chicken wraps when they had them. Also, the toast that came with the chicken strips used to be waffle grilled, lately I notice it's just grilled. Of course the Blizzards are great too.

Subway, I like their ham and cheese or roasted chicken, both toasted.

Arby's roast beef of course, I've also lately liked their sliders and potato cakes. I've never cared for their curly fries, I used to get regular fries, but they no longer offer them.

I don't care for McDonald's burgers much - I can handle their chicken nuggets and sandwiches. I do like their greasy breakfast sandwiches once in a while - sausage and egg biscuit, or chicken biscuit. I don't like McMuffins, McGriddles are okay. Once a year or so I'll get the Big Breakfast platter. I rarely eat at McDonald's. And I just remembered now is when they usually do the pumpkin shakes, used to love those.

At Taco Bell I like the chicken and rice burritos best. Definitely don't like bean burritos. My family mostly didn't like Taco Bell and thought it was like baby food filling. lol

Wendy's I used to like pretty well, but lately it seemed I could taste a lot of sodium in the food, so I don't eat there as much. Maybe they oversalt the food.

I also like Checker's/Rally's burgers and fries, but very rarely go to it.

Heard we may be getting a Sonic drive in, I ate at one a time or two, but don't remember much about them.

I miss when our mall had A&W - loved the Root Beer and cheeseburgers as well as the corn dog nuggets. Don't know why they won't come back somewhere else.

One fast food restaurant I heard about the other day was Whataburger. I have seen their former A-frame buildings around but didn't know they were even still in business - never see any open or see any commercials or ads.

 

[arbilab]

There's a Whataburger a half mile south, see the sign from rear driveway.  Not one of their flagships, rather run down, but this whole end of town is.    Been eating Whata since 1976, comes closest to homemade.

 

Sonic next door to work 90-95, ate there so often the manager offered me a charge account.  Another a block from my house in Austin.  But something changed as went along.  Last straw was when they sold me refried (burned) onion rings.

 

Like Subway, except too bready and too expensive.  I can do better at home.

 

McD occasionally, tonight in fact.  Two double cheeseburgers for dollar-two-fitty.  Not a particular value when not 'on sale'.

 

Taco Bell in supermarket parking lot.  I bring home 3 supreme tacos every Tue.  Get real full for $5, all yer major food groups.  Flavor is 'fun' but nothing to write home to Guadalajara about.

 

Might mention I'm catabolic, burn everything I eat and still lose weight unless I top it off with ice cream and powdered sugar donuts.

 

[DADoES]

 
Whataburger, Subway, and Sonic ... roughly in that order.  Sonic has downsized.  Whataburger has raised prices but hasn't downsized so is a better value comparatively.

Rarely do McD's.

Taco Bell opened new last year, or earlier this year, whichever.  More expensive than I expected.

Dairy Queen is good but rarely think to go there.

Jack-in-the-Crack is wayyy on the other end of town.  Won't go there unless I have a coupon, and have learned to get nothing but what the coupon offers or they'll skrew it all up.

KFC closed while ago, recently remodeled into a Chicken Express which is OK.

No Wendy's here.

Next town over has a 9er's Grill which is a very local little chain to the three adjacent counties and drip-down-down-your-arms great.

 

[norgeway]

Well,

Since Rays Kingburger is gone and Hardees has ruined everything they sell, I like Arbys, Love burger King but will not go in our local one because of the bad attitude of the workers, McDonalds is Ok, I like the quarter pounder,and their service is perfect every time .

 

[vacerator]

I was a triple "D" junkie.

Diners, drive in's, and dives.
Amazing what you learn from those shows.
It's fun to find the one off places off the beaten path. Often the best food.
On occasion, we cave in to a whopper meal, and last month tried a Dibella's sub. It was delicious. Subway is no match.

 

[petek]

While I used to like McD's growing up that's not the case now. The only thing I'll get there, unless I'm desperately hungry, is their coffee which is very good imo. 

 

Probably my favorite thing are those signature roast beefs at Arby's.. I like the Philly Beef/Swiss.  As for burgers depends on the day really and if I have a coupon.   I did stop at A&W on my way home last night and the Teenburger and fries were good,, the onion rings a bit mushy but that could be a one off.   Wendy's are good and when I do go I like that they have different stuffed baked potatoes,, get tired of fries all the time.  Burger King is just okay.. although I do get a craving for a whopper once in a while.  I'll even go to Taco Bell maybe once a month.  Harveys (a Cdn chain) has good burgers and you pick your toppings but that's it.. they're good,, not great. You know the typical fast food frozen burger burger.   

 

I thought the burgers at Hardee's were very good.. unfortunately the closest one to me is in Hazel Park (detroit) so it's not that often I get there.  I read they're the same company as Carls Jr.. another which isn't near me.. the closest one of those I think is in Toronto,, even further away.  

 

[fan-of-fans]

Hardees/Carl's Jr, we had Hardees here but it's been over 15 years ago. I liked the fried chicken and biscuits they had. Heard they had a good steak biscuit.

Captain D's is another I forgot - I like them once in a great while, will have the fried fish and okra and fries, but temper it with veggies. I have to have the fish country fried, as the regular batter makes me feel sick. Usually just pick up a big meal and eat it for dinner, keep thinking to get one of their coupon meals but always forget.

I like Wendy's baked potatoes also, sometimes I will substitute that for the fries as their fries just seem to have so much sodium, and the chicken nuggets seem to as well.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Fast food:

While I try not to eat it much when I do I prefer: Culver's, Wendy's, Arby's then McDonalds.
Culver's is always spot on with food and service. They cook every sandwich to order, they always have friendly staff and the food is always hot and fresh.

Wendy's I really only get burgers there but they are always hot, fresh and as ordered. They have more side options(Like Culvers) that give you variety.

Arby's while not as good as it once was still makes a good sandwich. They have Tri-Tators which I really like.

McD's Best fast food breakfast hands down. Otherwise average.

Burger King YUCK! I hope they aren't all as bad as the ones near me. On a GOOD day your food will either be cold or not what you ordered. On a bad day it will be wrong on both counts. I'd have to be desparetely hungry to ever eat there.

There's my $0.02
WK78

 

[firedome]

5 Guys....

rules! They've spoiled me for any other fast food burger & fries, made exactly like you want from fresh beef. But we don't have In-N-Out here in the east, I've heard they're great too.

 

[ea56]

I don't go to fast food restaurants very often anymore. But when I do my favorite for burgers would be Carl's Jr., then Burger King. But Burger King is kind of hit or miss depending upon which one we go to. And Jack In The Box is good for somethings. Their Chicken Salads are usually pretty good, and I like their Egg Rolls and Sourdough Jack.

The one thing I dispise about all of the fast food outlets now are those horrible self serve soda machines. I don't know how you can screw up Coca Cola, but they have found a way. I can't drink the crap that comes out of these machines, its revolting. So consequently, whenever we do go to a fast food joint I order a carton of milk, they haven't found a way to mess this up yet, but I'll bet they're working on it.

What I usually order at Carl's Jr.are 2 Famous Star Burgers with Cheese and a milk, no fries. At BK my order would be the 2 for $5.00 special, one Extra Long Cheeseburger and an Original Chicken Sandwich, sometimes a side salad and a carton of milk, again, no fries. Most fries are over salted, or they aren't hot enough. If I want fries, I'll make them at home.

If we go to McDonalds its usually a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, side salad and milk. We call McDonalds "Fat Daws" because when my niece was a toddler her older sister worked at McDonalds and when my brother would go to pick up the older girl from work they would sometimes have to wait for her. And Leila, the toddler noticed that many of the customers were overweight, and she asked my brother why so many of the people were fat. I know, this is so not PC! But anyway, Leila nicknamed Mickey D's "Fat Daw's" and it just stuck with us. She used to say, "Daddy, can we get some of dose hammers at Fat Daw's", and we just thought she was too cute for words. And Lelia didn't even know who Morgon Spurlock was! But I digress.

A steady diet of fast food is not good for anyone, but an occasional spluge won't hurt either, all in moderation. It can be a fun treat, and a lesson in appreciation for good, home cooked meals.
Eddie

 

[fan-of-fans]

I don't eat McD's much anymore, when I do eat there, I almost get sick. To think at one time, there were days I'd eat lunch and dinner there, no wonder I felt so bad afterward.

Our McD's has the touchscreen ordering system that you can use to order, and pay with card. To pay with cash you have to put in the order and then take the receipt to one of the registers. They are supposed to bring the order to you. I ordered breakfast using this system, took one of the number tents and input the number, sat down, 5 minutes later no one came. Went to the counter and my order was sitting there.

I prefer Taco Bell as it's less greasy and seems a little healthier. Ours moved to a new building last year that sort of looks industrial/California surf style. Concrete floors, wood tables, black roof with no ceiling. The biggest issue there is it's really really slow if there's at all any number of people ordering.

I too agree Subway is expensive. Still tastes better than some fast foods though. I like Publix subs best and would probably eat them more if there was a seating option inside the store. If you buy a meal at Subway it's about as much as a Publix sub.

 

[appnut]

It's extremely rare I actually go out and eat period.  Just too expensive vs. me cooking at home.  I predominantly eat out when my partner is visiting and we still like to cook at home.  But preference is Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.  Whataburger is next.  Five Guys Burgers also.  Was exposed to Zaxby's when visiting him in Alabama and a Zaxby's has just opened here.  For sandwiches either Schlotzsky's or Subway.  Also Bush's Chicken.  Freebirds is a new alternative to Chipolte.   Breakfast is only locally owned Teddy Bear Bakery. 

 

[vacerator]

I Love 5 guy's,

but they don't like my gut. Too greasy! Ever tried Baggar Dave's? Excellent!

 

[jamiel]

Bagger Dave's is quite good. The one near us in Berkley is the original one--they tweak it every so often as they test out new concepts. Hardee's is very scarce here in Michigan--along with the one in Hazel Park there's also one in Warren--they seem to be scraping by and not terribly successful. I'm quite taken with how Olga's Kitchen has shifted themselves--they were started 40 or so years ago as a gyro place, and expanded throughout Michigan/Ohio as generally a table-service restaurant in downtowns/shopping malls. They stayed very static for the '00s (some management/ownership drama) and filed for BK about 5 years ago...a local franchisee (Schostak) bought the company out of BK court and has thoroughly rebooted it in an EXCELLENT manner--they opened a showplace store on Woodward which isn't like the "traditional" Olgas' (which people like around here with table service)...the new place is fast casual (think Panera service-style) which is far more franchiseable now than their old model. They also employ the daughter of a co-worker at one of their locations--the daughter uses a wheel chair and they employ her as a hostess/greeter/runner and it's going really well! My co-worker is so pleased--sounds like her daughter (during high school) is having all the good benefits of having a job just like her friends.

 

[norgeway]

We have a hole in the wall

In Winston Salem called P Bs Takeout, THATS my style hamburger, All the way NC style, Chili, slaw, mustard and onions!

 

[appnut]

Jamie, if I ever have an opportunity to try one of those Olga's Kitchen establishments, I dang sure will.  Relaying about your co-worker's daughter warms my heart and wants me to give them business. 

 

[DADoES]

 
I was at a Five Guys once, after one of the cataract surgeries in July.  Didn't find it particularly special.  9er's Grill is better.

Captain D's here closed YEARS ago.  The building has been recycled into a string of outfits ranging from a doctor office to now a TitleMax and I don't recall what all else.

 

[xraytech]

I don't really do fast food, but every other Saturday at work we get Chick Fil A for breakfast, and occasionally order lunch there. I also like Penn Station Subs. Their bread is very tasty, plenty of meat, and a great Italian vinegarette to top it off.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Five Guys, lots of people love them but I never really cared much for them. I mean the burgers aren't bad, but they're soggy and pretty small. They definitely give you enough fries though. The one here never seems to be busy at all. Possibly because they're rather expensive.

Has anyone noticed their food prep setup behind the plexiglas panels? Never understood the fryer basket sitting on the counter with the cooked fries in it and then putting a roll of paper towels on the fry basket handle. Anyone seen that? It's seems to be a trademark of theirs.

I tried Zaxby's and Chick Fil A up in North Florida. We don't have them around here.