The Best Fast Food

[Phil_Stein]

Dinner tonight was KFC extra crispy, with mashed potatoes and macaroni - Mmmm - extra cholesterol goodness [/Homer Mode]

As I wait for my arteries to loosen up a bit, and to combat all that vicious talk in the Super Size Me thread about how fast food is bad for you, I thought I'd start a thread on the best fast food meals (not restaurants - just specific foods/combos). Calories and such are most definitely ignored in this tally - you'll find no McDonalds salads here mateys...

To avoid ranking meme drift - the following are in no particular rank/order:

* KFC extra crispy - any piece except the thighs (who likes thighs anyways?)

* McD quarter pounder with cheese.

* Lion's Choice roast beef sandwich (actually healthy too, but who's counting)

* Taco Bell burrito of the month - whatever is new and loaded with lots of gooey sauce.

* Burger King W... - sorry, move along folks - nothing to eat here

[Enidigm]

Hmmm...

I liked Chipotle burritos when i lived where i could still get them. They're owned by McDonalds btw.

I'm occasionally fond of Double Meat Whataburgers. I even like the fries, though i never get them anymore. Sometimes i'll pick up a chocolate chip cookie.

I really like Schlotzsky's sandwitches. Although i think, like most of my choices, they live only in the South or even more regionally. They have a Rueben that's pretty good, although it depends on the store.

Most of my fast food, however is Tex-Mex. Rosa's is the de facto fast food restaurant of the Texas Southwest (or Permian Basin, it doesn't go any further east than San Angelo), and the only fast food i eat regularly. Great fajitas and palatable salsa, and several tasty plates to order at dinner.

I hate McDonalds. I hate Burger King. I hate Taco Bell. I haven't eaten at a BK in probably 15 years - a McDs in maybe only a couple times in 10. Taco Bell i had numbed my taste buds to enough that i ate there with occassional frequency like three years ago, but the food really is crap. OTOH, i can stomach Wendy's, though only their grilled stuff. I like the chocolate smoothy though god knows what it's made of.

[Jamie Madigan]

I liked Chipotle burritos when i lived where i could still get them. They're owned by McDonalds btw.
Oh, man. Chipotle is my greatest weakness. I can eat one of those burritos and be so full I think I'm going to BURST, yet want another one. They're awesome. I've turned several of my co-workers on to them, despite the fact that the nearest one is a good 15 minute drive away from our offices.

[Alan Dunkin]

Honestly KFC Extra Crispy is really good. Some people recommend Church's, but man - when it's fresh and still hot, KFC can be excellent.

Never liked Chipolte.

Red Robbins - decent burgers, milkshakes, and sea food. Their clam chowder is excellent. Is not everywhere though... not sure if it's exactly fast food either... but close.

--- Alan

[Jason Cross]

Popeye's > KFC
Wendy's > McDonalds or BK (mmm... big bacon classic!)

[Brian Rubin]

In N' Out > EVERYONE ELSE.

'Nuff said.

[Gary Whitta]

FATBURGER.

Nuff said x 2

[quatoria]

God, I tried eating a quarter pounder a couple years back. Three hours after eating the thing, it was still sitting in my gut, feeling like a pound of lead shot instead of a quarter pound of preservative-soaked meat. I literally had to induce vomiting in order to stop feeling like I'd swallowed a bowling ball. Awful. I don't think there's a price you could pay me to get me to eat a quarter pounder again, ever.

Now, Chik-fil-a, yum, that's some tasty stuff.

[Brian Rubin]

FATBURGER.

Nuff said x 2
Nah, In N' Out kicks Fatburger in the nads and then shoves a nail in its temple...it's that much better...

[Phil_Stein]

Popeye's > KFC
Wendy's > McDonalds or BK (mmm... big bacon classic!)

Popeye's is excellent, but sadly, the closest one is ~20 miles from my house. It joins Bojangles on my list of chicken that's fondly remembered but seldom eaten.

Dunkin' Donuts (though not strictly fast food, I guess), is another great place that's no longer within driving range.

I forgot to mention Subway, which gets little respect but is awfully good. Roast Beef, on italian, with cheese, green peppers, lettuce, onions, black olives, and hot peppers - mmm...

[Rywill]

In N Out is probably my favorite fast food. Chik-Fil-A is a close second. Fuddruckers has decent burgers, but I don't know if that counts as fast food.

[Alan Dunkin]

Really good chicken sandwiches (chicken-bacon-swiss as well) at Fuddruckers. Also good shakes.

I don't like Chik-fil-A that much anymore, not sure why. Still good waffle fries though..

--- Alan

[Nick Walter]

All of my fast food weaknesses are local chains, with the exception of Chipolte's.

If anyone is ever passing through Nebraska, I strongly recommend trying a King Kong burger. Hint, the chain is named because their burgers are suitable for giant apes. Do not get the double unless extremely hungry.

[DennyA]

Krystal cheeseburger, no mustard (quantity 4)
Chik-fil-A sandwich, no pickles
Popeye's spicy chicken

Of course, the closest I've come to fast food in the past three months is a grilled chicken breast on whole wheat from Ruby's...

[jeffd]

I don't think you can compare In-n-out and Fatburger. THey're two different things and they both have their place.

I was in Vegas, staying at the Excalibur a few weeks ago. There was an In-n-Out burger nearby, had it for the first time - excellent. There was also a Fatburger nearby.

The only thing it lacked was a White Castle. If you've never had White Castle, you don't know what you're missing. I'm pretty sure that if you added a White Castle to the mix of the two above you'd have some kind of fast food burger nirvana.

[Bill Dungsroman]

I don't think you can compare In-n-out and Fatburger. THey're two different things and they both have their place.

I was in Vegas, staying at the Excalibur a few weeks ago. There was an In-n-Out burger nearby, had it for the first time - excellent. There was also a Fatburger nearby.

The only thing it lacked was a White Castle. If you've never had White Castle, you don't know what you're missing. I'm pretty sure that if you added a White Castle to the mix of the two above you'd have some kind of fast food burger nirvana.

Yeah, White Castle has never found a footing out here. Vegas didn't get an In-N-Out until around 1990 (now we've got 15 or so). It sued to be a "thing" to drive out to the Outlet Mall in Barstow, buy (deceptively) cheap name brand clothes and eat at the In-N-Out there, the closest one to Vegas. Oh, and buy a T-Shirt and an old bumper sticker, the ones you can cut the B and R off, and put it on your Pee-Chee folder. Good times...

I like their burgers. I haven't asked for fries well done yet as someone suggested, to make them less starchy.

I'd like to throw in my hat for Chipotle's burritos as well. Can't...stop...eating... I can whack down a Baja Fresh bean and cheese burrito with chicken with ease as well. Schlotzky's smoked turkey breast is good, I wish they had a size just a bit bigger than the regular.

But when I want to be bad, really bad, it's Carl's Jr.'s double Western cheeseburger, crisscut fries, and a chocolate chip cookie. Oh God, my stomach weeps when I punish it like that, but sometimes you just gotta take a hot salty dump into your own mouth.

[Enidigm]

Actually the Subway secret is the Grilled Chicken Breast instead of the sliced meats. Its the same price, tastes good when heated, and was actually 100% meat at some point in its life. You also get more meat per sub i think than the sliced. I like, oddly, garlic bread + chick breast + spinach + sweet onion sauce, w/ some salt and pepper. Tasty and it won't kill you either.

[DennyA]

White Castle is a bland Krystal wannabe.

They look the same, but White Castle lacks the proper aftertaste. You can enjoy the taste of a bag of Krystals for a good three or four hours.

[Phil_Stein]

White Castle is a bland Krystal wannabe.

They look the same, but White Castle lacks the proper aftertaste. You can enjoy the taste of a bag of Krystals for a good three or four hours.

But all the guys in a 3 cube radius will enjoy the aroma of your whities all afternoon.

[Bull]

Dicks. If you eat at Dicks, you get to say, Honey, let's go get some Dicks tonight.

[Brandon Clements]

If you've never had White Castle, you don't know what you're missing.
Krystal is pretty close, but yeah, nothing beats a White Castle. Except, maybe, for a Bacon-Cheese Whataburger at 4:30 in the morning after partying all night. Too bad I've got to drive out to Texas to get one now.

Others of note:

-KFC, original (extra crispy never really clicked with me. Popeye's is mearly a pale shadow of either IMO, albit spicer and with dirty rice)
-Chick-Fil-A is damn good, though I couldn't eat it every day

[Euri]

Jack in the Box hamburgers are okay if you like hamburgers. They use real meat, real vegetables, and everything is whole and identifiable.

[Ben Sones]

In N Out is probably my favorite fast food. Chik-Fil-A is a close second. Fuddruckers has decent burgers, but I don't know if that counts as fast food.

Sit-down dinner with food made to order = not fast food. They are good burgers, though.

I've actually given up most fast food, with the very infrequent breakfast sandwich at McDonalds. Which is funny, because aside from the breakfast sandwiches (especially the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit), I absolutely loathe McDonalds. I do eat at Dibella's relatively often (it's a local sub shop, with some of the best subs I've ever had; they make their own bread throughout the day), though I'm not sure if that counts as fast food, either. If nothing else, it's a little too healthful to be fast food.

There was a place in Vermont that I used to like a lot, though--Al's French Fries. Sort of a retro burger joint. Tasty.

[Kiam]

A slice of Amato pizza with a can of Limonata is perfection (if you don't get a soggy slice!)

[shift6]

The best fast food in Vegas is a place down on Charleston near Torrey Pines. I think it's called Scooters. Best goddamn hamburgers in the city.

The best fast food in Sacramento is Del Taco breakfast. An egg and cheese burrito and a bacon, egg, and cheese quesadilla? Oh yeah baby. Oh yeah.

[Alan Dunkin]

Oh come on, White Castle? Someone going to suggest Jack in the Box next?

--- Alan

[Euri]

Oh come on, White Castle? Someone going to suggest Jack in the Box next?

--- Alan

I already did. What's wrong with Jack in the Box?

[triggercut]

Lion's Choice.

Best roast beef sandwich on the entire planet. I would kill for them to go national.

Runner-up: Damn I miss Steak n Shake.

[MattKeil]

While I used to have a thing for Jack in the Box's Ultimate Cheeseburger, I haven't been able to eat fast food with any regularity in years. It's just too greasy and doesn't taste good to me anymore. However, In-N-Out is simply on a different level than all the other fast food chains, and I'll have a Double-Double maybe once a month if I happen to find one of those sparkly white buildings nearby.

If pizza counts, the best pizza I've ever eaten in my life is from Village Host Pizza, a local chain on the San Francisco peninsula that I ate for lunch at my grandma's every Sunday when I was growing up. Obviously that must color my opinion of it a bit, but it really is unlike any other pizza I've had, and is the biggest culinary disadvantage of living in Los Angeles. Outside of Mulberry Street Pizzeria (which is great, but NY style, which is not my preferred type), the pizza I've had here sucks.

[Rob_Merritt]

Sorry, with me its Taco Bell>*

However Quzinos is pretty dang close.

[Timemaster Tim]

In N' Out > EVERYONE ELSE.

I don't get it. Not being 'merican, I've only eaten at an In 'n' Out once in Sunnyvale. I was underwhelmed. What's the big deal? Did I just get a dud In 'n' Out?

[tronnc]

Another vote for Chipotle. My god those burritos are good and the price is decent I get them here for 5.50. Sure thats not as cheap as real fast food places but its big enough that its all you need plus a drink.

[Gary Whitta]

Has anyone ever ordered a Gargoyle at In'n'Out?

[Troy S Goodfellow]

Popeyes has the best chicken by far. For burgers, I prefer BK.

And Quizno's makes good subs.

Troy

[MattKeil]

Has anyone ever ordered a Gargoyle at In'n'Out?

No. What's that?

[Jeremy Johnsen]

Red Robbins - decent burgers, milkshakes, and sea food. Their clam chowder is excellent. Is not everywhere though... not sure if it's exactly fast food either... but close.

--- Alan
I got food poisoning from the seafood pasta once at Red Robin. I miss the great shakes, but can't bring myself to go back.

Quiznos is great, and the few times I've gone to In-n-Out where really good. My favorites other than that are a couple of local places, Crown Burger and Pace's.

[dannimal]

I likes me a Wendy's Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger (x2) w/ super-big fries and small frosty.

Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese (not a big fan of the fries, but some onion rings are okay).

KFC Extra Crispy. Mmmmm.

McDonalds 20 pc nunggets.

White Castle crave case, sack of fries and sack of onion chips (shared with a pal).

Jimmy John's #10 on Wheat.

Not a big subway fan because you get so little meat (which may have changed with the grilled chicken options).

Had In-N-Out in Vegas (the cabbie came in with us. Good times). Not world ending, but good.

Taco Bell soft taco deluxes for a quick pseudo-mexican fix.

[Miramon]

There are no chains that are very good. I suppose of the big name chains I prefer KFC because they serve food which is identifiable as to origin and ingredients, unlike say McDonalds, Burger King, or Taco Bell, for the most part.

The best fast food comes from non-chain pizzerias, preferably from a hole in the wall actually operated by Neapolitans, not Greeks (who inexplicably operate almost all the pizza places in the Boston area -- not that I have anything against Greek food....) using steel ovens leased by the Mafia. None of this gourmet brick or stone oven crap, with weird ingredients and asymmetrical pies. None of this so-called "deep dish" pizza, which isn't really pizza at all, even if it is edible, which it often isn't due to not being cooked all the way through. Oh yeah, the pies have to be twirled in the air after being rolled out. It probably doesn't really help the flavor or the consistency of the dough all that much compared to just being rolled out and stretched on a board, but the showmanship indicates that the cook knows what he is doing in the other phases of the making of the pie.

Sadly, I haven't found a single restaurant that even approximates this ideal in Massachusetts. The best pizza I've had in my area is ironically enough from a chain -- Papa Gino's. But it doesn't compare to a good hole in the wall.

[Ben]

KFC is inedible. Boston Market is the only chicken place worth eating at.

Quiznos, Quiznos, Quiznos. Right now they have a salad and soup for $5.89 deal that literally cannot be beat, and their subs are consistently top of the line. Subway tastes like soggy garbage after a real sub from Quiznos.

Chipotle is pretty good, but they keep raising the prices by a quarter a month around here.

Baja Fresh is dying out, but man, they serve some frightfully tasty stuff.

I miss Carl's Jr. even though In-n-Out was clearly superior food. Don't know why.

[balut]

Baja Fresh is dying out? I know of at least 2 or 3 that have recently (within the last 2-3 years) opened in the Central Jersey area, and one of those just opened about 6 months ago. Maybe it's not dying out, but more relocating to friendlier locales?

[Jason Levine]

The best fast food comes from non-chain pizzerias, preferably from a hole in the wall actually operated by Neapolitans, not Greeks (who inexplicably operate almost all the pizza places in the Boston area -- not that I have anything against Greek food....) using steel ovens leased by the Mafia. ....
Sadly, I haven't found a single restaurant that even approximates this ideal in Massachusetts. The best pizza I've had in my area is ironically enough from a chain -- Papa Gino's. But it doesn't compare to a good hole in the wall.

I haven't lived in Boston since 1978 and yet this duplicates my memory of the pizza there exactly. Almost uniformly awful. Too bad it hasn't changed.

In the Chicago area, some of the best "fast" food comes from restaurants that aren't chains in the national sense, but have a few locations around Chicagoland. Las Palmas is by no means great Mexican food, but it's miles ahead of Chipotle for similar money. The best burger I've had in the area is Top Notch, which has a couple of locations on the far south side and suburbs.

[Miramon]

Oh, I forgot about Round Table. I really like their pizza, even if it is totally different from the steel oven neapolitan style I espoused above. I like the way they have of crisping everything up. Sadly I think they only exist in California. Also, they seem to be ridiculously expensive. I paid $24 for a single pie plus a bottle of soda last year, I think.

[Matthew Gallant]

Baja Fresh is dying out?
Well, the local one here couldn't compete with Chipotle.

[Ryan A]

I'm seeing a lot of restaraunts listed here that are not, in my opinion, fast food.

The way I see it, the place has to have a drive-up window in order to be considered fast food.

That said, Wendy's is my favorite.

[Kevin Grey]

The love for In N Out is utterly mystifying to me.

I'm a recent west coast transplant and have one approximately a block from my apartment. I've eaten there two or three times and its a good fast food burger but nothing mindblowing. I haven't the slightest clue what all the fuss is about.

[Miramon]

Drive-through is one definition, but I'd say it's fast food if there are no waiters in the place, or if the food is delivered.

[Jason Levine]

Well, by any of the above definitions, my Las Palmas and Top Notch recommendations would not qualify as fast food, since both places have wait staff. I guess they would fit under a larger "cheap eats" category.

In the Chicago area, going by the no waiter/waitress definition of fast food, I'd recommend Buona Beef, some pretty decent sandwiches for an order-at-the-counter operation.

[Phil_Stein]

KFC is inedible. Boston Market is the only chicken place worth eating at.

Quiznos, Quiznos, Quiznos. Right now they have a salad and soup for $5.89 deal that literally cannot be beat, and their subs are consistently top of the line. Subway tastes like soggy garbage after a real sub from Quiznos.



Boston Market is good, but I wouldn't really call it fast food. And it's not a replacement for KFC/Popeye's

Quiznos is ok, but easy to get burned out on. One opened 2 blocks from the office, and it was a big hit with everybody for a month or two, but then we went back to alternating between it and Subway. Quiznos feels much heavier than Subway.

Subway really does have fresh veggies - it's quite good if you like to load on the green (and red and white and black) stuff.

[Robert Sharp]

What a great topic! I just happen to be recovering from food poisoning that I think I got at my favorite Chinese fast food place. I feel great! Cramps, fever, the works!

Anyway, here is my fairly unbiased commentary, since right now nothing sounds good to me.

There is a sub place around here called Firehouse subs, which makes the best subs around. It's psuedo-NY style.

I like Taco Bell...a lot. And yes, I have had real Mexican food, and I know it is better. But we are talking about fast food, and TB is tasty!

Of course, I also like McDs. I get an egg mcmuffin any morning I am out and about...if I am lucky, I top it off with a Krispy Kream, and then I have desert (sour bites!).

Sonic is great, but I almost always feel bad after eating it...kind of like the quarterpounder xp above. But those onion rings are terrific! And a burger with mustard AND mayo AND jalapenos is pretty damned good (no wonder I feel bad after eating there).

[Marcus Walser]

Bojangles. Thread ovar!

[shift6]

Oh come on, White Castle? Someone going to suggest Jack in the Box next?
Jack has some damn good pitas, egg rolls, and milkshakes, duder.

[bago]

It's always great to go grab a bag of Dick's on the way to work.

[Ben]

Phil_Stein- Boston Market fufills the no wait staff requirement. The food isn't cooked to order. We really do need a solid definition, but I'm saying Boston Market is fast food. Can we get a judge's ruling?

Subway has a slight edge in vegetables, but their soups, salads, meats, sauces, cheeses, and toasting technology lag behind Quiznos. Chicken Carbonara. Best single fast food item on any menu.

Moe's is another decent $5 burrito place, not as good as Chipotle, but still pretty tasty.

High end sandwich places: I like Wall Street Deli, Penn Station is OK, and W.G. Grinders is pretty bad. I think those are all just regional chains at this point.

[Nick Walter]

Boston Market is totally fast food. They just skew their menu a bit more towards a home-cooked feel and a bit less towards a grease-orgy feel.

[VegasRobb]

Wendy's Triple, cheese and extra mustard, no tomato, no lettuce.

Fatburger Big King

Burrito Ultimo from Baja Fresh

Angus Steakburger from Burger King

I prefer fresh original over extra crispy from KFC. Hot biscuits with "honey sauce" are good too.

Western Bacon from Carl's Jr.

There's a place in Vegas called "Wing Stop" that has really good french fries, potato salad and the wings aren't bad. Lemon Pepper and Garlic Parmesan are at the top of the list.

[Robert Sharp]

I prefer fresh original over extra crispy from KFC.


I do too. I need those herbs and spices and the extra crispy has less flavor. Still, I sometimes get half and half, since the extra crispy IS good. The coleslaw is one of the main reasons I go to KFC though...love it. I also like their lemon parfaits.

[Bill]

Do you guys remember Kenny Roger's Roasters? Ah, that was some good chicken. Used to go there on a weekly basis.

"The wood makes it good!"

[Greedo]

Whataburger. I'm parital to the Whataburger w/cheese, and they also do a pretty good grilled chicken sandwich.

Culver's. The butterburgers are OK, but what you really go there for are the cheese curds.


Runner-up: Damn I miss Steak n Shake.

Heartily seconded.

[LionelThompson]

One of the very very few things about living in the south: Chik-Fil-A.

Just don't try to go on a Sunday.

[Jason Levine]

In Chicago's west and southwest suburbs there is a fast-food chicken outlet that knocks the sox off KFC, called White Fence Farm. If you're of a mind to support Republican politicos it's a particularly desirable location as its owned by the Hastert Family, as in Speaker of the House, Denny Hastert.

[Talisker]

Steak & Shake, Culver's, Pita House (local -- outstanding gyros, hummus, and other things I can't spell).

[Jason Levine]

Ah yes, the Culver's Butter Burger -- a whole plate of shimmering cholesterol. Can't deny it's damned tasty though.

[Robert Sharp]

I've heard good things about Steak and Shake, but what's the hype about? What should I get if I go there?

[Ben]

Robert- Those things were lies. Steak and Shake serves McDonalds but charges you more because there's a waiter. Their shakes are good, but that's hardly remarkable. Milkshakes are delicious.

Also, drivethrough and wait staff do sometimes coexist. Is Steak and Shake fast food? What about Skyline Chili?

[Jason McMaster]

Milo's

[Rasputin]

There are several Round Tables here in Washington, so they aren't dying out.

I have to go with Fatburger and In-N-Out for burgers, with Dick's and Wendy's behind.

Round Table is the best chain pizza, although I freakin' love this place here called Pizza Bank. God, that stuff's good.

I miss Boston Market out here on the West coast, they were a tasty place to eat for poultry. Now we're stuck with KFC.

[Angie Gallant]

Steak and Shake has decent burgers and decent milkshakes but their fries suck.

[mouselock]

I've heard good things about Steak and Shake, but what's the hype about? What should I get if I go there?

IMO, directions to a nearby Wendy's which will give you a burger just as good at about $1.50 less.

[Jeremy Johnsen]

The love for In N Out is utterly mystifying to me.

I'm a recent west coast transplant and have one approximately a block from my apartment. I've eaten there two or three times and its a good fast food burger but nothing mindblowing. I haven't the slightest clue what all the fuss is about.
I remember reading in Fast Food Nation that In-N-Out was one of the few chains that could be considered not deadly, because everything they used was safe and local. Maybe people can taste the difference between a cow slaughtered in California and a cow slaughtered in Nebraska?

[Euri]

The love for In N Out is utterly mystifying to me.

I'm a recent west coast transplant and have one approximately a block from my apartment. I've eaten there two or three times and its a good fast food burger but nothing mindblowing. I haven't the slightest clue what all the fuss is about.
I remember reading in Fast Food Nation that In-N-Out was one of the few chains that could be considered not deadly, because everything they used was safe and local. Maybe people can taste the difference between a cow slaughtered in California and a cow slaughtered in Nebraska?

I sure can.

Beef that hasn't been frozen tastes way different than beef that has.

[VegasRobb]

The love for In N Out is utterly mystifying to me.

I'm a recent west coast transplant and have one approximately a block from my apartment. I've eaten there two or three times and its a good fast food burger but nothing mindblowing. I haven't the slightest clue what all the fuss is about.
I remember reading in Fast Food Nation that In-N-Out was one of the few chains that could be considered not deadly, because everything they used was safe and local. Maybe people can taste the difference between a cow slaughtered in California and a cow slaughtered in Nebraska?

I sure can.

Beef that hasn't been frozen tastes way different than beef that has.

This came up in that thread about mail order steaks. Interesting.

[Nick Walter]

This came up in that thread about mail order steaks. Interesting.

Yeah, and I still don't buy it :)

I'd believe that for a high quality cut of meat that is prepared properly there may be a difference in flavor introduced by freezing. I've never experienced it, but I'm willing to believe it.

For a burger I simply don't believe it. I've had burgers made from fresh meat and I've had burgers made from frozen meat and I don't taste a difference. Burgers tend to include things like ketchup and mustard and onion and so forth that drown out any subtleties of flavor.

[XtienMurawski]

I have a weird affinity for Jack in the Box, though their burgers do nothing for me. Most fast food burgers are so crappy tasting, so bland. I almost never get a burger if I have to go to a fast food place. I suppose Fatburger is closest in fast food to what a burger should taste like. In-and-Out is okay too, but their fries taste too much like potato chips for me to get excited about them. I think that's because (as previously mentioned) they cut them fresh and fry them immediately, instead of soaking them in water first to destarchify them somewhat.

But Jack in the Box. I'm so ashamed of liking that place because of what I like there...the tacos. They're just this weird, horrible, fried situation that does not in any way really resemble a taco, and yet I could eat them all day long. My favorite fast food meal is to get two of those bad boys, a single egg roll, and Jack's Spicy Crispy Chicken sandwich. And their shakes are pretty good too.

I eat that, then I die. So basically I just spend my time in the car avoiding looking at Jack in the Box signs. Pretending they are not there.

"Ever had sex with an animal, Jack?"

-Amanpour

[JPR]

The great thing about Jack in the Box is that they have everything. There's no other place in the world where you can show up at 4:00 am and order a bacon egg and cheese biscuit, onion rings, jalepeno poppers and 3 eggrolls. They used to have breaded fried cheese ravioli with marinara sauce to dip them in. Those were a good idea that has been sorely missed.

[Bill Dungsroman]

I have a weird affinity for Jack in the Box, though their burgers do nothing for me. Most fast food burgers are so crappy tasting, so bland. I almost never get a burger if I have to go to a fast food place. I suppose Fatburger is closest in fast food to what a burger should taste like. In-and-Out is okay too, but their fries taste too much like potato chips for me to get excited about them. I think that's because (as previously mentioned) they cut them fresh and fry them immediately, instead of soaking them in water first to destarchify them somewhat.

But Jack in the Box. I'm so ashamed of liking that place because of what I like there...the tacos. They're just this weird, horrible, fried situation that does not in any way really resemble a taco, and yet I could eat them all day long. My favorite fast food meal is to get two of those bad boys, a single egg roll, and Jack's Spicy Crispy Chicken sandwich. And their shakes are pretty good too.

I eat that, then I die. So basically I just spend my time in the car avoiding looking at Jack in the Box signs. Pretending they are not there.

"Ever had sex with an animal, Jack?"

-Amanpour

Crispy Chicken sandwich and two tacos = 2 bucks. Perfect 3 AM food break.

[wildpokerman]

I too am among the In and Out WTF club. It seems after polling people at my work at random it's about 50/50 for people who love it and people who say WTF. Here the closest in and out is in Las Vegas so whenever you go invariably there is someone in the party that HAS to eat at in and out. This always causes arguements between the in and out WTFers and the in and out lovers.

I think Krispy Kreme is in the same boat, some people would walk 15 miles on their knees for a bite of Krispy Kreme and some people say it's an ok donut and don't have any idea what the big deal is.

[Timemaster Tim]

some people say it's an ok donut and don't have any idea what the big deal is.

Krispy Kremes invaded Canada only a few years ago. The first franchise that opened was insanely busy. My girlfriend at the time insisted that we go to it a few days after it opened. We were lined up for over half an hour before we could order. People were waltzing out of the place with dozens of the donuts. I think we left with two dozen. She thought they were just heavenly. I just found them to be too sweet.

A while after the big thing died down, me and a couple of buddies were "sick off work" (which really means sick OF work), and went bowling in the middle of the week. We wanted a coffee and a donut, and rather than dropping by the local Tim Horton's, ended up at the Krispy Kreme. We ordered a single donut with our coffee. The cashier had no idea how to ring up a single donut as all she ever did was ring up donuts by the dozen, and ended up giving us our donuts free.

[playingwithknives]

Theres a baked cinammon / apple krispy cream with dusting instead of glaze, its really quite nice. Glaze ones are inedible, its like munching on sweetners instead of candy.

Its just a doughnut though, a rare treat every now and then, and there's certainly _way more nicer sweet treats to be had.

[graller]

Popeye's wins in the chicken category hands down. I can still taste / miss their chicken tenders. Before they renovated the first rest stop on the Mass Pike a couple years ago there was a Popeye's there I used to hit at least 2-3 times a month on my way down to CT.

I am a Baja Fresh fan and can confirm they are opening like crazy in the Northeast. Not a Chipotle's in site to compete with them but they win out over Taco Hell by a large margin.

I don't eat at burger joints ever anymore. You hit 40 and the 1500 calorie lunches just don't work anymore.

[Jeremy Johnsen]

some people say it's an ok donut and don't have any idea what the big deal is.

Krispy Kremes invaded Canada only a few years ago. The first franchise that opened was insanely busy. My girlfriend at the time insisted that we go to it a few days after it opened. We were lined up for over half an hour before we could order. People were waltzing out of the place with dozens of the donuts. I think we left with two dozen. She thought they were just heavenly. I just found them to be too sweet.
They're too sweet by themselves, but a tall glass of milk and two of those donuts can make me a happy man.

[CindySue22]

I like both Crystal's and White Castle, but for all time goodness in fast food burgers, McDonald's Chesseburger (the small, original one) can't be beat, IMHO. If a fast food burger doesn't give you heartburn, it just ain't right.

Err, that's cheeseburger, not chesseburger! :D

[shift6]

This last weekend a buddy of mine was in town. I broke my normal "no red meat" diet and joined him with my own double-double animal style, grilled and raw, ketchup and mustard instead.

See, you know how to order when you worked there. Damn that was a good burger.