Fast food/fast casual restaurants

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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.
 
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.
 
 
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.
 
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 .
 
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.
 
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.  
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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. 
 
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.
 
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!
 
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. 
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
My favorite fast-food restaurant is In-N-Out Burger. I have a couple of others, but In-N-Out Burger is at the top of favorite fast food restaurants!
 
I find myself at Chick-Fil-A and Taco Villa most often. Taco Villa is a regional Fast Mexican Chain. I also love Whataburger. Canes is pretty good as well. I also love Rosa’s Cafe & Tortilla Factory, which is fast casual Mexican.

My city has one of the highest number of restaurants per capita in the US, so there are plenty to choose from. I try not to eat out too much, but it can be difficult when life gets busy. I have a 5-mile drive to work down one major street, and I pass multiples of the same restaurants along my route. I pass (directly or indirectly) three McDonalds, three Taco Bell’s, three Taco Villas, three Whataburgers, two Burger Kings, two Sonics, multiple donut shops, and tons of single restaurants.

The joke here is that most new construction around here is either a bank, a church or a restaurant!
 
After the Iron Curtain came down and before

places to eat sprang up which served food I could eat, McDonald's was often the only place a vegetarian could get something to eat in much of the East. Prague was especially difficult for vegetarians.

Today?

Well, Subway offers some decent food and I still count on McDonald's extensive list of ingredients to let me eat there. Burger King in our neck of the woods is all over the place in cleanliness and quality. Sonic is the worst, most awful, horrid fast-food place on the planet earth and both in our town stink to the heavens.
 
I don't eat fast food very often but when I do go that route, I like Arby's, Carl's Jr/Hardee's, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Runza (a stuffed sandwich place in Nebraska--yum!), and Taco Time. Also like Subway, Popeye's and Long John Silvers and the occasional KFC.

I used to like Wendy's but their food quality/portion size took a hit in favor of Starbucks-ish restaurants with digital soda machines, fireplaces and ambient lighting. If I wanted that I would go to Outback Steakhouse or another mid-range casual dining establishment.

Taco Bell is a complete joke begging for Taco Time to branch out nationwide. Haven't had Taco Bell in years. The old joke about stomachaches after eating Taco Bell have some truth to it. Taco Time puts it to shame. Everything seems a bit more "cooked to order" at Taco Time. Even the vegetables are fresher.

McDonald's? I'll pass. I haven't had McDonald's in years either. It's not Taco Bell bad but the food is blah.

Carl's Jr/Hardee's has great food, I just don't care much for the R-rated advertising. It's not the Hardee's I grew up with.
 
 

Hmmm.

 

Likes: Arby's, Panera Bread, Panda Express, Wendy's, Five Guys, San Loco (local taco chain), Kentucky Fried Chicken, Subway, Cracker Barrel, TGI Fridays, Firehouse Subs, Ruby Tuesday, Friendly's, Romanos Macaroni Grill, Nathan's, Quizno's, Boston Market, Long John Silvers, El Meson.

 

Borderline: Burger King, Taco Bell, White Castle, Churches, Popeye's, Sonic, Little Caesars, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 7-11, IHOP, Denny's, Applebee's, Johnny Rockets, Ponderosa, Pizza Hut, Dunkin' Donuts.

 

Despise: McDonalds, Papa Johns, Domino's, Perkin's, Sbarro's, Checker's, Starbuck's, Golden Corral

 

When in Spain:

 

Like: Lizerran, Rodillas, Udon.

 

Borderline: Pans & Company, Telepizza.

 

Despise: McDonalds, Burger King.

 

There is more to the list, but these are the one's that came to mind first.
 
Cane's If At All

Before I was able to take early retirement a few years ago at 55, I was a health care administrator with employees and projects over several states. For twenty years I'd travel about 25% of the time, often staying in small towns as well as cities. I guess for people who have never done this, the idea of getting to eat out wherever one pleases on an expense account would be great. But--after over twenty years of doing this I got severely burned out on eating out. It got to where it didn't matter what kind of food, or at what price range; prepared food was just prepared food. There were a few small places in tiny towns in the deep South that were fun to visit, but business didn't take me to those places often.

Since retiring, I'm delighted to fix at home. I find processed, prepared foods boring and I really like cooking simple at home. I do go by Subway at times, but I'll buy the veggie delight and take it home and put my own barbecue or other meats in the sandwich. I like my own hamburgers off the grill, and often will eat the patty with onions and other stuff without the bun. I prefer frying my own chicken. However, in my city outside Houston we have a Raising Cane's and they do have great chicken fingers. I used to enjoy hitting those at times when traveling through Louisiana. But greasy chain-restaurant hamburgers? No, thanks. If I want quick greasy-cheesy, I'll get super nachos at Taco Cabana. I enjoy El Pollo Loco but there aren't many around my part of TX. I used to drive through Wendy's a lot when I was working and buy their baked potatoes--great road food if you don't mind them 'dry'.

To me, though, there is still one thing that McD's does better than anyone: fries. But you have to catch them coming out of the fryer. We know that they are a special species, grown just for them, and it shows.
 
I love Golden Corral, I've never had an issue at the one here, but you have to find a good one to have a good experience.

I've been to Cracker Barrel a few times, like it.

Don't care for Papa John's, too much sauce on the pizza. I like Pizza Hut best, like their buffet. Speaking of Pizza, I wish we had a Cici's here. There used to be one in another town that I went to and the pizza was always hot and fresh, and they had dessert pizzas, and it was cheap. Honestly don't know why we don't have one. Dominoes-not as bad as they were before, but still not as good as Pizza Hut imo, I've tried Hungry Howies, wasn't bad. Never tried Little Caesars, heard it was not very good.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, I usually like, but last time I went had the fried chicken and it did not taste right at all. Haven't been back in a while. I like their potato wedges and the chicken pot pie best.

Starbucks- don't drink coffee, but sometimes will get a hot chocolate there in the winter time. Not somewhere I go often.

Panera, used to go there when I had gift cards. Not much anymore, to me it is too pricey for self service. And if you buy a cheap meal, you don't get much more than a sandwich on two small slice of bread and a cup of soup.

Our Twistee Treat sells Nathan's but haven't tried any hot dogs there. Love the ice cream, but it's rather expensive. Usually get a shake if I go. If I go usually just use the drive thru as I don't like sitting out in the sun there as there's no shelter.

I love IHOP but haven't been in awhile. Never ate at Denny's, went once and waited and waited, no waitress ever came after five minutes, the place looked dirty too. My experience with Perkins was ok.

Remember going to Miami Subs once, years ago, never seen any around here nor LJS's. We're supposed to get a Popeye but it's still not finished, just says "Opening Soon" for many months now. Looks about 90% ready to open.
 
Stopped eating at fast food places years ago. Don't like the stuff at all. I think Arbys is the worst of all. Now I find local dinners are the best food around. We have 3 that all have home made food from scratch that I frequent. Lower prices and much better quality of food. Check around where you live they are everywhere and you help support the local folk and their business.

Jon
 
Burger king for hamburgers, Arbys, and Subway here at home. 

When we are in NOLA, it's The Clover Grill (best burger you will ever eat)  and Willy's Chicken Shack.

Makes me hungry just thinking about it.  Hopefully we can go to NOLA next month.
 

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