What is your favorite fast food?

[Warlord1986]

Outside of pizza with friends I try not to eat fast food. I am no longer in college and my body will not put up with that much salt.

When I eat out it's at a locally owned joint.

Also, to hell with Chick-Fil-A.

[Turtle]

Thai food takeout - easily stretched out to several meals using rice from home.  We've got a favorite local place but aren't going there often any more.

When traveling, Smoothie King to supplement whatever snacks I've brought from home.  Most locations give a veteran discount.

[Phenix]

Also, to hell with Chick-Fil-A.

Why the hate for Chick-Fil-A?
I don't eat their often, but I've had 0 bad experiences. Both food and service are consistently on point at any location I've been. On a couple occasions while on a road trip, their staff has gone out of their way to ensure my wife and I along with our 3 kids had everything we needed (brought us our food, brought refills to the table, brought extra napkins, etc).

[nereo]

Also, to hell with Chick-Fil-A.

Why the hate for Chick-Fil-A?

Personally, I can't get past their previous and public opposition to same-sex marriage and their financial support of anti-LGBTQ causes.  It has nothing to do with the food or their service, I simply don't support businesses that I see as supporting hate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A_and_LGBT_people

[Villanelle]

Also, to hell with Chick-Fil-A.

Why the hate for Chick-Fil-A?
I don't eat their often, but I've had 0 bad experiences. Both food and service are consistently on point at any location I've been. On a couple occasions while on a road trip, their staff has gone out of their way to ensure my wife and I along with our 3 kids had everything we needed (brought us our food, brought refills to the table, brought extra napkins, etc).

Yeah, what Nereo said.  As much as practicable, I don't want to support companies that actively and openly support causes I find repugnant and dangerous.  They are very vocal about their hate, so I won't support them.

[Warlord1986]

Also, to hell with Chick-Fil-A.

Why the hate for Chick-Fil-A?

Personally, I can't get past their previous and public opposition to same-sex marriage and their financial support of anti-LGBTQ causes.  It has nothing to do with the food or their service, I simply don't support businesses that I see as supporting hate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A_and_LGBT_people

This 100%. There are people I love who would be harmed by policies and actions CFA supports. It is not theoretical.

If you need a chicken sandwich go to Zaxby's. I went there for a foodbank fundraiser and the chicken sandwich was delicious.

[Metalcat]

American fast food?

None. It's WAAAAAAY too sweet for me, like everything has been dipped in simple syrup and then rolled in icing sugar.

*barf*

Canadian processed food is getting increasingly sugary though, so I'm not sure how big the difference is anymore. Either way, I'm not bothering with fast food that tastes like sugar unless it's a dessert.

My favorite convenience food is pizza, but it's made from scratch by an old Lebanese baker who doesn't use much sugar in his dough and doesn't use sweet pizza sauce. It's awesome.

[dcheesi]

So for those of you saying "Taco Bell", I've never been able to understand why someone would pick that over an actual taqueria. Can someone enlighten me?

Perhaps because they live in an area without an actual taqueria.  Also, I don't even consider them the same food type, really.  Sure, they both have "taco" in the name of the dish, but that's akin to comparing a garden salad to a jello salad.  Both have "salad" in the name, but they are entirely different foods.

Por que no los dos?

For me, it's in part because we didn't have anything close to a taqueria growing up. The only "Mexican" we had was a local tex-mex place ("La Hacienda"), which was decent quality but really no more authentic than Taco Bell. In fact, I still occasionally order original crunchy tacos at TB out of nostalgia for that long-gone childhood favorite.

At the same time, I love a good, authentic taco from some little hole-in-the-wall taqueria. They're just two completely different dishes, both of which I happen to love!

Really surprised at the Taco Bell answers. 30 years ago in college, sure. Once I had actual good tacos? No way. Curious how Taco Bell tastes given the answers though. Maybe in another 30 years I’ll try again.

My spouse and I went to a Taco Bell a few years ago (pre-pandemic).  I was absolutely appalled at the quality and price of what we received. That was the first time I had eaten Taco Bell in over a decade.

I don't know if my tastes changed, or if the quality went down, or if the restaurant we hit was just having a "bad day".  But what we got was NOT reminiscent of what I remembered getting from Taco Bell as a college student in the mid-00s.

Never again.

There are 3 Taco Bells within a few miles of where I work. There is a noticeable difference in what you receive between each location. I imagine all of the ingredients come from the same truck, but the way they are prepared and then turned into meal is a huge variable. The location across from the college campus gets the most business and has the best tasting food. My guess is that the food is always freshly cooked and hasn't dried out. Also, they've had the same core group of employees for years so you're not typically getting food made by a trainee.

There's a big difference in quality between the franchised TB in my hometown vs. corporate locations in other areas. The most obvious and consistent being the ...consistency of the "refried" beans; the corporate places clearly water down the mix to save money. Also I think the ground beef is better, or at least less hit-and-miss, in the franchise locations. (OTOH, the franchise is always stingy w/ sauce packets)

[getsorted]

Outside of pizza with friends I try not to eat fast food. I am no longer in college and my body will not put up with that much salt.

I feel that about the salt. And the no longer being in college. I used to eat ramen noodle packets for a quick lunch, but now even the fancy ones are too salty.

Also the lack of fiber. I used to eat a slice of takeout pizza for lunch. Now I would not do that without a fiber pill!

I have a friend who occasionally eats at Chik-fil-A and checks in on Facebook just to stir the pot. He says he thinks their labor practices are good and he doubts any other places are doing better. He says there's no ethical consumption under capitalism. But I think he just loves the consternation it causes his friends! He's been married to a man for over 10 years.

[Luke Warm]

I used to hit Whataburger occasionally. Tops burgers are pretty good but I think they are a local fast food drive-thru. There's a few food trucks around town that are pretty good. McDonalds never fails to disappoint.

[Freedomin5]

Outside of pizza with friends I try not to eat fast food. I am no longer in college and my body will not put up with that much salt.

+1

In addition to salt, my body also doesn't process that amount of fat, sugar, and refined carbs as efficiently.

Why isn't there a thread on "What's your favorite vegetable?" or "What's your favorite fruit?"

[Cranky]

So for those of you saying "Taco Bell", I've never been able to understand why someone would pick that over an actual taqueria. Can someone enlighten me?

Because when you are driving down the interstate for a 3 day road trip, it’s a lot easier to find a Taco Bell, and you know what you’re getting.

[uniwelder]

Why isn't there a thread on "What's your favorite vegetable?" or "What's your favorite fruit?"

Nereo fixed that for you.  https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/whats-your-favorite-vegetable/

[Weisass]

Is venison fast enough to count?

[nereo]

Is venison fast enough to count?

Best response thus far.

[mountain mustache]

I get fast food about 2x a year, and it's always a carnitas burrito, or a bean burrito from my favorite drive through Mexican place. Nothing on the menu costs more than $8 and a burrito is big enough for 2 meals. Sometimes I'll get pozole or albondigas on the side if I feel real fancy.

Oh and every once in a while a 99 cent Sonic vanilla cone after a big hike

[roomtempmayo]

A&W is the best! Teen burger onion rings and root beer. They have coupons on their website if anyone’s interested.

I didn't even know A&Ws were still around!

I’m in Canada and there’s a lot of them near where I live :)

And here.  Ontario.

I'll admit to enjoying a Harvey's poutine when I roll through Quebec and Ontario.

[jinga nation]

So for those of you saying "Taco Bell", I've never been able to understand why someone would pick that over an actual taqueria. Can someone enlighten me?

Because when you are driving down the interstate for a 3 day road trip, it’s a lot easier to find a Taco Bell, and you know what you’re getting.

A fast n cheap colon cleanse. Guaranteed. (Issajoke)

I'll only go to the TB at my workplace, clean and efficient. No being cheap, no getting sick, no cutting corners. The franchise is in the Base Exchange hence owned/operated by some AF entity. Generally, Taco Bell's in my metro suck. I'd rather get CHipotle or Moe's.

[nereo]

A fast n cheap colon cleanse. Guaranteed. (Issajoke)

I'll only go to the TB at my workplace, clean and efficient. No being cheap, no getting sick, no cutting corners. The franchise is in the Base Exchange hence owned/operated by some AF entity. Generally, Taco Bell's in my metro suck. I'd rather get CHipotle or Moe's.

Moe’s?

[Monocle Money Mouth]

A fast n cheap colon cleanse. Guaranteed. (Issajoke)

I'll only go to the TB at my workplace, clean and efficient. No being cheap, no getting sick, no cutting corners. The franchise is in the Base Exchange hence owned/operated by some AF entity. Generally, Taco Bell's in my metro suck. I'd rather get CHipotle or Moe's.

Moe’s?

It's another Mexican fast casual place. The chicken club quesadilla is pretty good. They have the fancy Coke machines that can add extra flavors to the pop too.

[YttriumNitrate]

If you're going to eat fast food, you should do it right. Behold, the 53 ounce bucket of Thrasher's French Fries in all its glory...


These fries are completely vegan, so they're healthy. Yup, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[getsorted]

If you're going to eat fast food, you should do it right. Behold, the 53 ounce bucket of Thrasher's French Fries in all its glory...


These fries are completely vegan, so they're healthy. Yup, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Love to see such healthy choices in action! ;)

[10SNE1]

Really surprised at the Taco Bell answers. 30 years ago in college, sure. Once I had actual good tacos? No way. Curious how Taco Bell tastes given the answers though. Maybe in another 30 years I’ll try again.

Agreed, very surprised by that. Taco Bell was a staple for me in college, but I've only been there like once or twice since then.

[FIRE Artist]

Canadian here, Swiss Chalet 1/4 rotisserie chicken is my go to if it is available and will actually get this a couple times a year while in my own city. 

If I only have the big US chain options on a road trip, I will usually go for BK whopper followed by maybe at A&W (not super familiar with the menu, so would just go with whatever sounds good at the time).  I would have to be really desperate to consider McD’s and can’t remember the last time I ate there, but thankfully where there is a McDs there is usually a BK nearby. 

I agree with whoever said Canadian fast food has gotten sweeter, I noticed that as well, especially the bread. 

ETA, currently my favourite convenience food to have when I am in my own home is frozen meals I purchased from the local market/food truck/restaurant collective (a great thing that came out of the pandemic).  Currently I have a stash of New Zealand meat pies, vegan Indonesian “chicken” curry and kung pao, and gourmet dumplings in my freezer.  I rarely eat out now, this is just too convenient to have some of my favourites on hand to reheat when I don’t want to cook. 

[calimom]

Outside of pizza with friends I try not to eat fast food. I am no longer in college and my body will not put up with that much salt.

I have a friend who occasionally eats at Chik-fil-A and checks in on Facebook just to stir the pot. He says he thinks their labor practices are good and he doubts any other places are doing better. He says there's no ethical consumption under capitalism. But I think he just loves the consternation it causes his friends! He's been married to a man for over 10 years.

I was recently watching some episodes on Amazon of a Los Angeles designer doing projects of houses belonging to celebrities. There was several scenes of him and his assistant going to the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A and stuffing themselves with it. The designer, who's gay, skews pretty right wing, so it's a sort of weird contrarian thing I'm sure. 

[Metalcat]

Canadian here, Swiss Chalet 1/4 rotisserie chicken is my go to if it is available and will actually get this a couple times a year while in my own city. 

If I only have the big US chain options on a road trip, I will usually go for BK whopper followed by maybe at A&W (not super familiar with the menu, so would just go with whatever sounds good at the time).  I would have to be really desperate to consider McD’s and can’t remember the last time I ate there, but thankfully where there is a McDs there is usually a BK nearby. 

I agree with whoever said Canadian fast food has gotten sweeter, I noticed that as well, especially the bread. 

ETA, currently my favourite convenience food to have when I am in my own home is frozen meals I purchased from the local market/food truck/restaurant collective (a great thing that came out of the pandemic).  Currently I have a stash of New Zealand meat pies, vegan Indonesian “chicken” curry and kung pao, and gourmet dumplings in my freezer.  I rarely eat out now, this is just too convenient to have some of my favourites on hand to reheat when I don’t want to cook.

That was me, and I can't remember if I said in my post that even grocery store bread is getting too sweet for me.

I bought a loaf of whole grain bread last week, I haven't bought grocery store bread in years, and I had to double check that it wasn't something like a honey loaf because it's so ridiculously sweet.

[pasadenafr]

Canadian here, Swiss Chalet 1/4 rotisserie chicken is my go to if it is available and will actually get this a couple times a year while in my own city. 

If I only have the big US chain options on a road trip, I will usually go for BK whopper followed by maybe at A&W (not super familiar with the menu, so would just go with whatever sounds good at the time).  I would have to be really desperate to consider McD’s and can’t remember the last time I ate there, but thankfully where there is a McDs there is usually a BK nearby. 

I agree with whoever said Canadian fast food has gotten sweeter, I noticed that as well, especially the bread. 

ETA, currently my favourite convenience food to have when I am in my own home is frozen meals I purchased from the local market/food truck/restaurant collective (a great thing that came out of the pandemic).  Currently I have a stash of New Zealand meat pies, vegan Indonesian “chicken” curry and kung pao, and gourmet dumplings in my freezer.  I rarely eat out now, this is just too convenient to have some of my favourites on hand to reheat when I don’t want to cook.

That was me, and I can't remember if I said in my post that even grocery store bread is getting too sweet for me.

I bought a loaf of whole grain bread last week, I haven't bought grocery store bread in years, and I had to double check that it wasn't something like a honey loaf because it's so ridiculously sweet.

As a French person, sugar in bread still hurts my brain. I have to read the label every time I buy bread in a store, or ask the cashier when I buy it in a bakery 🤯.

[Channel-Z]

I have the palette of a child, so I rotate between Chick Fil-A, Chipotle, Culver's and McDonald's. All are within walking distance.

[BussoV6]

Nando's peri-peri chicken. Extra hot.

[Metalcat]

Nando's peri-peri chicken. Extra hot.

I've only been to a Nando's once and I found their chicken offensively bland. Perhaps I went to a bad location? I've never been willing to try it again since I have several hole in the wall BBQ chicken joints a few blocks from me.

Is it normally actually good?

[mizzourah2006]

My favorite is Taco Bell, I think it's a nostalgia thing for me. My family loves Panda Express, we also do Domino's fairly often because it's hard to beat 2 large 2 topping pizzas for $17.

But we honestly, really don't eat out that much. We typically either do fast food or a local restaurant every Friday and that's about it. Every other meal comes from home.

[Kris]

I’ve been scratching my head since this thread started, trying to think of what my answer would be. Because, I just… don’t like fast food? Like, any time I eat it, it’s because we’re on the road during a meal time and haven’t packed anything to eat on the way. None of it really feels like a treat.

Feels like maybe pizza counts, but I can’t think of any chain pizza places I love…

Okay, maybe I’ve got one. A bagel with lox and cream cheese from a place that has reasonable bagels. Not grocery store ones, which are horrid.

[Arbitrage]

I suppose I define fast food differently than some of the responders in this thread do.  We eat it pretty rarely these days unless we're traveling. 

If I'm eliminating fast-casual food, I'm going to go with Arby's.  Love me a big Arby's roast beef sandwich.  In my head, it's still called a "Big Montana," even if they retired that name. 

[FIRE Artist]

I suppose I define fast food differently than some of the responders in this thread do.  We eat it pretty rarely these days unless we're traveling. 

If I'm eliminating fast-casual food, I'm going to go with Arby's.  Love me a big Arby's roast beef sandwich.  In my head, it's still called a "Big Montana," even if they retired that name.

ooooh, I haven’t had Arby’s in at least 20 years.  I used to enjoy their shaved meat sandwiches.  What a concept, serve deli turkey or beef, shaved and warmed up on a warm bun.  Now I am wondering if they are still around in my province.  i bet if i had it now I would be super disappointed though, kinda like when I have my bi-annual nostalgia craving for KD, it never holds up to my memories. 

ETA, I just looked it up and it turns out there are Arby’s all over my city, and one that I drive by every time I pick up from my favourite pizza place.  I guess it is just another place that becomes part of the generic urban landscape that I no longer notice.

[Hula Hoop]

Fast food is kind of thin on the ground here in Italy.  There's pretty much take out pizza and that's about it.  Also McDonald's but I hate McDonalds.  I've seen KFC but it's not near us. Anyway we get take out pizza pretty much every Friday night.  Plus various deep fried goodies to go with it (usually stuffed olives and rice balls).  Yum.  When we're sick of pizza we get take out Chinese or Indian food.  Not sure if that counts as fast food though.

[BussoV6]

Nando's peri-peri chicken. Extra hot.

I've only been to a Nando's once and I found their chicken offensively bland. Perhaps I went to a bad location? I've never been willing to try it again since I have several hole in the wall BBQ chicken joints a few blocks from me.

Is it normally actually good?

It seems to be consistently spicy here in South Africa. However, I have had bland Nando's in London, but full on spicy in Manchester UK. That said, they will prepare it to whatever degree of "hotness" is requested. For my taste, the hotter versions add a lot of flavour as well as some fire.

That said, there are a lot of Mozambique-style chicken places in my home town that are not chains, but serve excellent peri-peri chicken.

[dcheesi]

Nando's peri-peri chicken. Extra hot.

I've only been to a Nando's once and I found their chicken offensively bland. Perhaps I went to a bad location? I've never been willing to try it again since I have several hole in the wall BBQ chicken joints a few blocks from me.

Is it normally actually good?

It seems to be consistently spicy here in South Africa. However, I have had bland Nando's in London, but full on spicy in Manchester UK. That said, they will prepare it to whatever degree of "hotness" is requested. For my taste, the hotter versions add a lot of flavour as well as some fire.

That said, there are a lot of Mozambique-style chicken places in my home town that are not chains, but serve excellent peri-peri chicken.

Nando's in the USA is pretty consistent, and they have bottles of sauce in various heat levels available if you want to kick it up a notch¹. They even sell versions of the sauce in supermarkets, though I've yet to see my personal preference (extra-hot) on the shelf.

¹Though IMHO Nando's sauces are really meant to be grilling/finishing sauces, and the flavor is better when it's been applied during cooking rather than at the table.

[DeniseNJ]

The only fast food I've had in years is a Wendy's salad. Other than that I think it's all gross and hurts my tummy.  I'd rather have a scrambled egg at home than eat fast food.

[Metalcat]

Nando's peri-peri chicken. Extra hot.

I've only been to a Nando's once and I found their chicken offensively bland. Perhaps I went to a bad location? I've never been willing to try it again since I have several hole in the wall BBQ chicken joints a few blocks from me.

Is it normally actually good?

It seems to be consistently spicy here in South Africa. However, I have had bland Nando's in London, but full on spicy in Manchester UK. That said, they will prepare it to whatever degree of "hotness" is requested. For my taste, the hotter versions add a lot of flavour as well as some fire.

That said, there are a lot of Mozambique-style chicken places in my home town that are not chains, but serve excellent peri-peri chicken.

Chicken can be plenty spicy, in terms of scoville units, and still bland as fuck.

I tried the "hot" version and it was still shockingly flavourless, to the point that it wasn't worth eating.

That's why I'm so curious about it and have always thought that I would try it again somewhere to see if it's as dreadful as that first try was. However, when push comes to shove, I'm never curious enough to actually pay to go try something that was once terrible.

I keep thinking some corporate event will cater with Nandos and I'll be able to try it then, since it's so popular, but it hasn't happened yet.

So it may remain a mystery forever.

But fuuuuck, bland chicken is awful.

[sailinlight]

Togos sub shop in California

[ATtiny85]

Togos sub shop in California

Woah, that took me back to 1993 in Davis. Only one visit there, but I can still remember it was really damn good. Wow, I had totally forgotten.

[nereo]

Togos sub shop in California

I’ve lived near three Togos.  All three seemed massively popular with a steady line of customers.  All closed in the early 2000s.  Is it something with their business model that limits their financial success?

[Metalcat]

Togos sub shop in California

I’ve lived near three Togos.  All three seemed massively popular with a steady line of customers.  All closed in the early 2000s.  Is it something with their business model that limits their financial success?

Making convenience food good is *very* expensive compared to the competition's ultra-processed slop that never expires.

[GuitarStv]

Generally not a fan of fast food.  But . . . I love pizza.  Most fast food pizza isn't all that good though.  A properly made Chicago style deep dish pizza - I will eat that until I feel sick.

[sailinlight]

Togos sub shop in California

I’ve lived near three Togos.  All three seemed massively popular with a steady line of customers.  All closed in the early 2000s.  Is it something with their business model that limits their financial success?

No idea, there is still one in my former small town in northern California. I often wanted to got here but the line was usually so long I would give up and go to the Subway in the same shopping center instead. It's pretty expensive for fast food too.

[svosavvy]

Is venison fast enough to count?

Best response thus far.

One of my old hunting buddies used to call it speed meat.

[ATtiny85]

Is venison fast enough to count?

Best response thus far.

One of my old hunting buddies used to call it speed meat.

And the opposite:

"Is that a cow (moo kind)?" "Nope, that's a slow elk"

[svosavvy]

A&W is the best! Teen burger onion rings and root beer. They have coupons on their website if anyone’s interested.

I didn't even know A&Ws were still around!

I’m in Canada and there’s a lot of them near where I live :)

And here.  Ontario.

I'll admit to enjoying a Harvey's poutine when I roll through Quebec and Ontario.

One of my best cheap food experiences ever was a lamb&rice combo thingie with a crap ton of white garlic sauce. It was at a Lebanese place in Orford Quebec.  Now I am a garlic sauce maniac.

[Weisass]

Is venison fast enough to count?

Best response thus far.

One of my old hunting buddies used to call it speed meat.

I like that. Haven’t heard it before. But the shoe fits….

[happychineseboy]

I suppose I define fast food differently than some of the responders in this thread do.  We eat it pretty rarely these days unless we're traveling. 

If I'm eliminating fast-casual food, I'm going to go with Arby's.  Love me a big Arby's roast beef sandwich.  In my head, it's still called a "Big Montana," even if they retired that name.

ooooh, I haven’t had Arby’s in at least 20 years.  I used to enjoy their shaved meat sandwiches.  What a concept, serve deli turkey or beef, shaved and warmed up on a warm bun.  Now I am wondering if they are still around in my province.  i bet if i had it now I would be super disappointed though, kinda like when I have my bi-annual nostalgia craving for KD, it never holds up to my memories. 

ETA, I just looked it up and it turns out there are Arby’s all over my city, and one that I drive by every time I pick up from my favourite pizza place.  I guess it is just another place that becomes part of the generic urban landscape that I no longer notice.

Many new Arby's have gotten rid of the huge red neon cowboy hat sign. I refuse to eat at those Arby's locations.

Hot roast beef with cheddar and a side of curly fries is still one of my favorite fast food meals. Zero fiber in the meal though so I have to eat a salad later in the day or I will be backed up the following day