What is the best chain fast food restaurant?

[Mannahnin]

See, every 5 Guys I've had beats the every loving hell out of in and out.

Same.

 

[Mannahnin]

Wouldn't that description also apply to Five Guys? I've been to locations in the DC metro area and Minneapolis/St. Paul and none of them that I can recall have drive-thrus.

Fair point. I've never seen a Five Guys with a drive through.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

In-N-Out fries are a great example of how having core principles that you can never, ever budge from can bite you in the butt.

Every chef will tell you that you don't want to immediately fry fresh potatoes and serve them. Good fries, in the McDonald's model, are fried twice, with a resting period in between. If In-N-Out wants to bring up their fries to meet the quality of the rest of their menu, they need to loosen up on their rules, at least where their fries are concerned.

I eat them with condiments which, as I said just a few posts ago, means that the fries, by default, are a failure.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

For me, if you do one thing (chicken strips) you gotta kill it. Every time I get Cane's the strips are hot, fries crispy, toast buttery, and coleslaw fresh. Ice cold coke and its the complete strip basket.

Now, I tried the much beloved Chic Filet and I thought it was very overrated. Like, Id rather have a McChicken overrated.

Yeah, you'll notice that place was conspicuously absent from my list.

All that said, the absolute best fast food chicken I have had was probably Dave's Hot Chicken. Surprised no one else has mentioned that. After that, it's a toss-up among the flavorful places (Jollibees, the various Pollos, etc.).

For the standard "American Fried Chicken," I'd give the edge to Popeye's. Good Popeye's is the best, but Church's (mentioned by another person) is probably more consistent.

 

[payn]

I know y'all are talking about joint's fries being bad and all, and imma let you finish, but Burger King fries are the worst fries of all time. Friend of mine says they are like public school lunch fires lol.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

All that said, the absolute best fast food chicken I have had was probably Dave's Hot Chicken. Surprised no one else has mentioned that. After that, it's a toss-up among the flavorful places (Jollibees, the various Pollos, etc.).

For the standard "American Fried Chicken," I'd give the edge to Popeye's. Good Popeye's is the best, but Church's (mentioned by another person) is probably more consistent.

Co-signed: Dave's Hot Chicken is fantastic.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I know y'all are talking about joint's fries being bad and all, and imma let you finish, but Burger King fries are the worst fries of all time. Friend of mine says they are like public school lunch fires lol.

Yeah, but nobody expects better from Burger King.

In-N-Out has widely beloved burgers, shakes and (the newest item on the menu) hot chocolate. They can clearly do better.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I tried In-and-Out while I was in LA for work.

For me, it's among the worst experiences I've ever had. Barely any meat; weird texture; bland taste.

Same for me.

McDonald's Burgers literally make me physically ill. I'm not sure why, but something in their "meat" is rejected by my body.

Also same for me lol

I voted Sonic (best ice, good burgers, and tons of choice for drinks.) Although, I'm not a fan of the way they treat their employees. IIRC, they consider their employees waiters/waitresses, so they don't pay much and assume tips. But who tips at a fast food place?

 

[Parmandur]

I know y'all are talking about joint's fries being bad and all, and imma let you finish, but Burger King fries are the worst fries of all time. Friend of mine says they are like public school lunch fires lol.

Ain't wrong yet still better than Wendy's.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Oh! I'll add Burgerville not sure if it's multi-state). After being diagnosed as allergic to wheat and gluten, BV has one of the better GF buns available. Most fast food doesn't have GF options.