What is the best chain fast food restaurant?

[MGibster]

I'm surprised to see Long John Silver's on the list of options but unsprised it's not been mentioned yet. We have a single location here in Little Rock and it's over by the university which is in a part of town I am rarely in. I try to go there at least once a year because there's something magical about their breading.

 

[MGibster]

If I want fried chicken, Popeye’s is my preferred chain. As noted above, I wish they’d go back to some of their prior side dish offerings.

It's amazing how much my preferences have changed over the years. It wasn't that long ago that Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich was one of my favorite things to order, but I got one a few weeks ago and it was hot garbage. It was just so inferior to what you can get at Popeye's or Chick-Fil-A that there's no reason to go to Wendy's for that spicy sandwich.

 

[Parmandur]

It's amazing how much my preferences have changed over the years. It wasn't that long ago that Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich was one of my favorite things to order, but I got one a few weeks ago and it was hot garbage. It was just so inferior to what you can get at Popeye's or Chick-Fil-A that there's no reason to go to Wendy's for that spicy sandwich.

Wendy's has also deteriorated since the 2008 financial crisis, like a lot of chains.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm surprised to see Long John Silver's on the list of options but unsprised it's not been mentioned yet. We have a single location here in Little Rock and it's over by the university which is in a part of town I am rarely in. I try to go there at least once a year because there's something magical about their breading.

Where I am, LJS & Captain D’s are damn near the only fast food seafood chains. And most of the LJS & A&W share operating space. I like fried clams, and LJS is one of the few places where I could get them.

But I last went to a Captain D’s in the 1980s, and haven’t been in a LJS in at least 5 years- the last 2 visits, the clams were unforgivably greasy. The last time I TRIED to go was during the later stages of the pandemic, but their dining room was still closed. I’m not eating fried clams in a warm car, no matter how much I’m jonesing for them.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Speaking of hot garbage…

Why can’t any of the big chains produce a simple fish sandwich that’s worth a damn? Flavor-wise, that’s NOT rocket science!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Also: fast food breakfast preferences

There’s only two fast food breakfasts I’ll seek out and eat: the Jack In The Box Breakfast Jack and the Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuits.

 

[Greg K]

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.

I had a co-worker from the East Coast who moved to L.A and a big Five Guys fan. Next to one of our job sites was an In-N-Out. The first two time we went, he was not impressed. The third time driving back to the office after In-N-Out, he surprised me by saying, "They must put something in the burger, because I found myself enjoying the burger this time." After that third visit, he was more than happy to go to In-N-Out

 

[Greg K]

Two burger places that I did not enjoy were Fat Burger and Shake Shack. I remember the latter having a good shake and, iirc, fries.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Also: fast food breakfast preferences

There’s only two fast food breakfasts I’ll seek out and eat: the Jack In The Box Breakfast Jack and the Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuits.

Chick-Fil-A: Hash Brown Scramble Burrito with Chicken Nuggets
Taco Bell: Steak Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito
McDonald's: Chicken, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Re: Popeye’s

Their sides go through changes. They used to have decent Cajun rice (aka dirty rice) and green beans, but both got axed. Their new-ish mashed potatoes were surprisingly good, though.

Their new mac and cheese is also excellent.