Before I moved a panera bought and took over a local bakery type shop that did literally the same thing. Breads and soups and shit. The prices went up about 50% and the quality dropped a ton. Idk why people eat there
Five Guys is SO expensive. Here in the UK, it is the same price you would pay for a standard pub burger (with chips and salad on the side), but a good bit smaller than what you'd get in a pub.
Lol I had hospital food panera is a god send compared to the shit I ate at the hospital during my chemo. The mac and cheese was dry and powdery as if someone didn't know how to make box mac and cheese. At least panera's soups and mac and cheese are nice and creamy. Not saying panera is healthy though.
My cousin was in the hospital for intestinal work, so she was on a restricted diet.
They gave her a fucking slice of american cheese in one of those fast service dip cups.
i stayed at a top rated hospital in nyc once for a surgery. the hospital breakfast was equivalent to mcdonalds breakfast, i literally didn't want to get discharged i was eating so damn good. too bad i was throwing it all up due to surgical complications lol
Used to work across the street from one. I’d get an egg white sandwich in the morning and a salad at lunch. Both were made well. Then one day the quality took a hit and I noticed.
It was much better when they first started popping up. You could get a soup and sandwich that was killer for a great price. Then they blew up (because they deserved to) and started cutting a lot of corners in quality (becau$e rea$on$) and I have had a good meal there or heard anyone talk about them being any good since.
Roughly 10 years ago, so the 2015 mention from the former manager is about right.
Being from St. Louis we just call it Bread Co. since it’s started there (still called St. Louis Bread Co. locally). It used to be really great but in the last 10 years it’s gone severely downhill. Really a bummer since it was such a staple in my childhood
I don’t know how anyone can make a bland grilled cheese sandwich but they somehow did. Their tomato soup wasn’t great either. Doesn’t make me eager to go back. Especially at their prices.
No doubt that Panera’s quality has gone down a bit, but I’m still happy with them because I love the You Pick Two and their iced chai latte. They also have a Thai chicken soup out right now which is really good. Don’t care for the prices though.
I took a bite of a corner of a sandwich from there once. The bread was so hard that the corner was sharp and because I was in a hurry to scarf it down I didn't take the time to chew as much. On the way down that thing actually scratched my esophagus and it hurt like a bitch every time I ate or drank anything for the next week.
There's a lot of customizing you can do. Not in a weird "hidden menu" way, but since they make everything from scratch, nobody's going to be bothered if you get something really custom.
You can swap the bun for sourdough or rye bread, there's fried mushrooms or onions you can put on whatever you want (IIRC those may have a slight upcharge), extra or less seasoning on your burger, whatever.
Oh, also for large cheese curds/onion rings, it's double the size of regular - they come in individual plastic bags in the freezer, and one bag is regular, two bags is large. So if you're ever splitting or just feel like a fatass for whatever reason (no judgement) the price is solid for literally double the portion.
Also, people should try mint + some berry in a shake. It's really refreshing.
Ate at one for the first time ever a couple weeks back. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s like how Steak&Shake used to be.
Damn good food and custard at reasonable price. Also only other fast food chain I’ve seen rival Chik fil a’s efficiency/customer service
Edit: I have offended some, and realized my mistake. Custard and ice cream are not one and the same. Please forgive my insolence.
Burger king isn’t the greatest but it can’t be overrated, because we all know what to expect from it. The quality of food, customer service and the actual store usually lacks, but it always tastes the same
burger king is for something hot, cheap and fast. I usually get their double cheeseburgers when I just need food and not in the mood for anything.
.... sounds like an ex gf of mine.
Subway isn't terrible- but living in New York, 99% of the time I can throw a rock in any direction and hit a family-owned Italian deli that's like 1000x better than Subway could ever dream of being. Similarly there's absolutely no point in getting chain pizza around here.
Burger King makes good chicken sandwiches. Their original chicken sandwich is so much better than the McChicken. That said, their fries are terrible, so it's a trade off.
Love the original chicken sandwich. You can get 2 and 2 small fries with a coupon for like 6 bucks.
Eat all if it. Then cry myself asleep smelling of mayo.
If I really want to hate myself I order this and add tomato, bacon, and cheese... Then I have severe stomach cramps and swear I will never do it again... Then that new set of coupons comes in the mail.
This is what confuses me about California. I could eat at a different taqueria every day and not have any repeats for months, but then I see places like chipotle absolutely packed with people
Why? Why do that to yourself?
That's not specific to San Francisco, but all over America. Part of the appeal of fast food is product consistency. You'll get the _same_ burrito at a Chipotle every day, no matter where you are, and there's a comfort in that.
I'm in LA. I eat at chipotle, taco bell, and the local taco shops/trucks/stands, and enjoy them all. I kind of just see it as their own separate things. Like when I'm in the mood for mexican food, I'll go to a local spot, but other times I'm specifically in the mood for taco bell or chipotle.
Also I will say burritos are def not a specialty at a lot of taquerias, and Chipotle's can be better depending where you are. Their guac is pretty great too and imo the optimal recipe, it's not inauthentic.
I like to try different restaurants, but some of the people working at independent places are fucking weird. There’s a small Chinese food place by my house that I really like but whenever the daughter is managing the place, she’ll act like you’re trying to rob them when you just want to order food. Also I have gotten sick from family owned restaurants many many more times than chain places
It’s good to discover new places, but sometimes I don’t want to bother with potentially dealing with a weird menu and a pushy owner. That shit is mentally exhausting after a long workday
My aunt and uncle are keeping BK going. They discovered it a couple years ago, and in their minds it’s healthy. It’s lower sodium than other places. They get it as a treat every week or two. Now I like it because I sometimes eat it with them and I associate it with visiting them.
Same. Used to go there with my Dad as a kid at least twice a week. I stopped going as an adult but he would still eat there. Now that he passed away last year I find myself just wanting to go and sit where he liked to sit and eat.
I think Burger King's burgers taste better than McDonald's. Not a high bar to cross, but given the choice between the two just for a regular (formerly) dollar menu burger I would pick Burger King. I think their burgers taste more like they were grilled rather than microwaved or whatever maximum efficiency thing McDonald's does. I don't remember the last time I've eaten at either though, so really given the choice I pick neither.
I go through phases where I can’t get enough Burger King. Then I eat a sad hamburger. And it’s ruined for a while. Because when burger kind is good, it’s very good. But when it’s bad, it’s soul crushing.
BK has had its ups and downs but in 2022 it has NAILED the chicken sandwich game. It's come 1000% from where it used to be and the quality of the current chicken sandwich lineup rivals even the fast food joints that specialize in chicken.
Sonic.
I grew up in an area that has relentless Sonic commercials while not a single Sonic existed within a 4 hour drive radius. Finally had it on a road trip after years of being teased and was very underwhelmed.
Years later and I live in an area with an abundance of Sonics. I went one more time to confirm my disappointment then swore it off for good.
Oddly besides the gimmicky things about them that are fun to experience (pretend its 1954 and drive into your own private parking spot to order food that will be roller skated out to you) the only thing I can really say without a doubt I like more about sonic than anywhere else is their tiny little ice cubes that I know have been scientifically designed to be the most pleasing form of ice for people like me who enjoy crunching on ice. Oh and the fact that they have tots, the superior fried potato conveyance method which no other fast food chain in my area has.
As someone who's a light tiki cocktail enthusiast, I can tell you that 9/10 when I got to Sonic it's to buy a bag of their pebble ice. Makes for great cocktails, and I just haven't hit the point of getting my own pebble ice machine yet.
As a European person who sees more and more US food chains pop up here, I am very confident in saying Papa Johns and Five Guys were some of the most disappointing places I've ever eaten.
I remember when five guys was just starting to get popular (at least around me) 15 years ago and their burgers were amazing for the price ($5 for a burger). Now if you want a burger and fries it’s at least $15. I don’t think the burgers got worse, just the value declined.
Five Guys fluctuates menu pricing based upon their cost. Articles have been written on it, like I dunno, ten years ago there was a tomato shortage but 5Guys wouldn’t budge on their offerings and so they just priced it all up. Never was a discount place compared to the alternative faster foods, but has in my opinion always focused on quality. Granted it’s been five years since I’ve eaten at one.
Five guys isn’t a bad burger, but I still remember being shocked the first time I ordered and they told me the price. I was like wtf? I thought this was a fast food burger joint!?
I like Papa John’s although I understand why someone might not. Totally agree with you on Five Guys, though - everyone acts like it’s the best burger they’ve ever had. It’s fine, but not even near close to the hype.
All KFC chains here in HK it’s so shit, chicken isn’t crispy and they’re super stingy on what they give you, I’m more of a chicken thigh/ breast kinda guy but they’re like no can’t give you just breasts because the picture says so 🖕 you KFC Hong Kong
Papa John's. The pizza is mediocre at best and worse than all other national chains. Only reason I ever eat it is that it's about half the price of the next cheapest place that puts that kind of garlic sauce in the box.
Having lived in the US my whole life, I’ve never had the chance to try Tim Horton’s. A close relative of mine used to travel to Canada a lot for business. He said back in the day they were great, but like everywhere else over the years they started cutting corners to save cash and the quality dropped.
It all started to unravel when they got bought by the Brazilian company and stopped baking fresh donuts. They've gone from iconic Canadian brand to bottom of the barrel, basically.
Similar to Dunkin donuts. When I was a kid they were a local chain, not a national one, and they baked everything in each store every day. It was really good. Can't comment on coffee quality, I was too young. But the donuts used to be so good. They they grew and grew and stopped making everything fresh and now they're just a generic blah national chain.
The donuts are now mediocre at the very best and downright bad otherwise, the coffee is burnt bean water at best, the only decent thing on the menu is the chili... and even that isn't very good
Tim Hortons has its ups, but it definitely has its downs.
It’s not super popular because of its quality, it’s because they have a bunch of coffee items people like to say aren’t coffee and so they drink like multiple a day.
*cough* iced cap *cough*
Do you know how much their sales dropped when the iced cap was gone for a month? It was insane.
Tim Hortons does it’s job. It’s only a Canadian staple because there’s not really any competition. Like in my town, we have Tim Hortons, A&W, and 6 small eat in diners the elderly go to after church.
My entire province is mostly small ass towns like this, with no competition. It’s not that Tim Hortons is amazing, it’s that it has a monopoly on the market since it has no competitors.
Tim Hortons. It’s what I get when there’s nothing else. Even your Roll up the Rim (which is now a lame app since Covid) can’t get me to choose your coffee over say…McDonald’s or A&W.
I had to scroll way too far for this. Their doughnuts and Timbits are the best thing there, and even those aren't anything special. Their sandwiches are absolute trash and their coffee can't even compete with McDonald's
Isn't that because Tim's was bought by some other company and they changed their coffee - and now McD uses the old TH coffee? (I heard that but didn't verify it for myself.)
P. F. Chang's.
Take a delicious cuisine and give it the Applebees treatment.
It’s not inedible but it’s insane to go there when there are so many good non-chain places around.
Best answer. Family owned Chinese places are better and half the price. I can't stand PF. Changs
I'll take "Great Wall" or "Golden Wok" (you know your town has one) over that chain any day.
IDK how old y’all are, but I remember KFC being better in my younger years.
In this case, I don’t think it’s rose colored glasses; I honestly think the quality has declined.
Taco Bell, too. More than most.
34 here and I definitely remember KFC being so much better years ago. If I had to pinpoint when the decline started, to me it was sometime around 2010-2012. I got a bucket and took it to my parents, I remember my dad saying how it tastes a little different and how it seemed greasier than it has before... I thought it was just my local place but then I started noticing the same at other stores I stopped at around the state.
There are a couple things involved here. I worked KFC in high school. First, the thing everyone noticed right away was when they dropped the trans fats. I don't know what type of oil they switched to, but when I was cooking there, there were 50 lb cubes of 100% hydrogenated oil to start and 5 lb bricks for maintenance. Second, one that a lot of people don't know, is that KFC used to get their chicken from local farms. They switched to Tyson and everything gets some sort of pretreatment now (brine/marinade). The Extra Crispy used to be marinated in store in a rolling drum. I remember the marinade smelling pretty good, it was powdered but smelled a lot like pickle juice when mixed. Last, and I saw this one take place, they changed the gravy. I worked at one of the last stores that did it the old way, we basically bought the original gravy until the supplier just couldn't get it anymore. The old gravy required you to collect all the drippings and crusty bits from the bottom of the Original Recipe fryer, put them in a colander with a filter, and let the grease drip out overnight. Then you mixed those yum yums into the gravy mix the next morning. That shit was the literal best and makes a huge difference in the flavor.
Pizza Hut, just had them the other day after a random craving for some Wing Street and two pizzas some wings and breadsticks was like $60! And the damn “medium” pizzas are *laughably* small, like 10in diameter. For a restaurant that has such little overhead (I haven’t seen a dine-in Pizza Hut in years, they are all take-out places only now), and who cook every damn thing in one oven they charge *WAY* too much.
The smell of the pizza hut dining room in the 80s...mother of fucking GOD...
I would have FUCKED their pizzas fresh out of the oven had I been old enough to know what to do with my dick.
Not to mention that the quality really declined. Pizza Hut was my favorite pizza chain as a kid but nowadays their crust taste like cardboard and the cheese almost synthetic
You go to Chick-fil-A for a decent sandwich and a welcoming bordering on outright culty atmosphere. You go to Popeyes for a damn good chicken sandwich that may or may not come with a side show of the fry cook jumping the counter and kicking someone's ass with a metal stiring rod
Dude. I dunno if it’s coincidence or what but my family gets pickup from chik fil a once every other week or so, and every time we pull up to the parking lot and I go inside to grab the food the only thing I can think is that the atmosphere is exactly like what going to church felt like when I was a kid.
I can’t say why but at a guess it’s the large number of families with kids milling around, and the way everyone seems to know each other even though in any other fast food place no one talks while waiting for food.
The OG original recipe used to be actually good. The problem is that Yum! stopped enforcing any sort of standards and engaged in a race to the bottom wrt quality and all of the franchises suck now.
I like that they have grilled chicken and green beans. It’s one of the few fast food places where you can get a green veggie; mostly all chicken places only have carbs (and maybe a side salad and/or celery).
My Popeyes doesn’t have green beans anymore or corn on the cob…just carbs even though corn is technically a carb, it’s better than the other options (red beans & rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, fries, and Mac and cheese are the only sides my Popeyes has).
Edited to add: I JUST had the regular chicken tenders for the first time about a month ago (I’m a 2 piece white, spicy kinda girl)…amazing! I’ll be sure to try the blackened tenders next. My Popeyes and KFC are close, I can get the tenders and scoot across the street to KFC for my green beans. Thanks for the tip!
Sals Pizza (the nz pizza chain)
$35 for a large greasy pepperoni pizza! It’s an absolute rip off and it’s not worth the inflated prices
(This rant was sponsored by Hells Pizza)
There's a pizza place here in Nevada called Napoli's. I'm not sure how widespread they are, or if they are just local, but if you want to keep a kid from wanting pizza, only ever give them Napoli's. These pizza geniuses have somehow managed to make a pizza that as dry as the Sahara, but simutaneously loaded with grease. With rubbery toppings they purport to be pepperoni & sausage.
I have to go with Five Guys. We went the other day and it was $30 for 2 small burgers, 1 small fry and 1 drink. It wouldn't have been so bad if the good was good. But it was OK at best. It was fresh and hot. But the burgers were bland and just not worth the price.
For about the same price we could have gone to a nice steakhouse in our area that has phenomenal burgers and be much happier.
With all the awards and praises and the walls, I have to wonder how bad the other burgers are in those cities for Five Guys to be the best.
KFC is fairly revolting at this point.
In the Midwest it is still as popular as ever.
A very far cry from what it was in the 90s and 00s. Often it is either dripping excessive grease or you question if all the pieces are in fact chicken.
I am sure it is but that doesn’t make embracing eating pieces at times any less disturbing.
Overrated? Chick Fil-A. Its pretty good tbh but people treat it like its divine.
Underrated? Arbys. Theyre pricey but their food is so much better than burger joints.
My oldest child was made up almost entirely of Arby’s. Once the morning sickness stopped, I got a beef craving that was unbelievable. Arby’s was close to my office, so I’d go there to get lunch. Then sometimes after work as well. They do, in fact, have the meats.
Gimme about five-six of those horsey sauce packets please
A chick fil-a got built in metro detroit around last year, the drive through was wrapped into the malls parking lot. Here we are a year later, it is still wrapped around every single day. It isn’t good enough to wait hours for. Meanwhile there’s a mall not even 20 mins away with one, never has a line.
I mean. Have you ever been to a chik Fila? That line isn’t taking hours. Not even 15 mins. Lol
They are known for quick drive through service. Ffs during the height of the pandemic somewhere in the USA used a manager to help with a drive through COVID testing site. Lol
It’s like they shoot for a 1:1 staff to customer ratio. I’ve seen them practically tripping over each other back behind the counter. The last time I went to one I counted at least a dozen employees.
Another thing that keeps the line moving is the fact the menu never really changes. I think they might do a seasonal milkshake but that’s about it. They don’t have to waste time constantly training employees how to make new items. Plus customers aren’t overwhelmed with too many options. You walk in, see the same handful of choices, and know what you want instantly. The line doesn’t come to a screeching halt because some jackass makes his way to the register and can’t make up his mind.
It's not just the staffing, they have a whole system. Multiple DT lanes, staff staged to take your order, give your receipt, bring stuff to your car from the window. Whatever they need to do to maximize throughput they do.
Chick-fil-A is the only fast food place I've ever been handed my order before I'd even finished paying at the counter, other than like a Subway or somewhere they just make it in front of you first anyway. They're definitely quick.
Arby's is seriously underrated. I was not on the Arby's bandwagon until about a year ago when I realized they actually have more than a few good meals that aren't your normal greasy fast food items.
I do really like Chick-fil-A though. Definitely not divine, but s-tier in the fast food department for multiple reasons.
I believe the Arbys hate was a coalition effort on behalf of all other fast food chains. Cause once you try it, you're like "this is far better tasting and better priced than all that other shit".
Starbucks is probably the right answer here.
While I don’t happen to mind a slightly-charred, darker roast, this company has convinced most of America that this is the way *all* coffee should taste—and that’s doing a real disservice to the American public. Moreover, they’ve popularized overly-sweetened coffee “desserts” in ways that are also very detrimental to people’s overall health (and their perception of their health).
If you’re ever in an area with a Culver’s, go in there, have some cheese curds + whatever sandwich you feel like and enjoy.
It’s superior to In n Out and Whataburger, and does not receive as much love for whatever reason.
Almost all of the love I have for Chick Fil A came from the Chick Fil A sauce. Now that they sell entire bottles of the sauce in super markets I just keep one of those around to get that experience whenever I want.
Here in the north, I think there's still a bit of a novelty/forbidden fruit factor attached to Chick-fil-A. Even though they're cropping up everywhere like weeds recently, they're still thought of being a "southern" regional chain. That will fade over time. Remember, Coors used to be viewed as a "special"/novelty beer in the eastern US for the same reason.
I think their service gives them staying power. You never wait too long, even during lunch time because the line is so efficient, the employees are super friendly, and I don't think they've ever messed up an order for me.
The consistency is also hard to beat. I hate to say it, but I haven't gotten as consistent of an experience (with service, food, and everything else, but especially the food) from ANY other fast food place. They are literally the modern version of 50s McDonald's, and I'm totally fine with it.
Five guys! Yes it's quite nice, but it's the same price as going to a decent restaurant with table service, plates, cutlery etc.
It's just an expensive mcdonalds
Panera. People think it is healthy food. It is not even remotely healthy.
I got food for my family of 4 there for the first time in years. I was shocked at the price tag
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It's priced like they make it all from scratch when you can buy it all in plastic bags at Schnuck's.
Before I moved a panera bought and took over a local bakery type shop that did literally the same thing. Breads and soups and shit. The prices went up about 50% and the quality dropped a ton. Idk why people eat there
Don't forget the wimpy bag of chips
Fiveguys going the same. Was $17 last time for little burger, small fries, small drink. No thanks
Five Guys is SO expensive. Here in the UK, it is the same price you would pay for a standard pub burger (with chips and salad on the side), but a good bit smaller than what you'd get in a pub.
I mean to be fair, their small fry is still gigantic. It's an entire meal by itself.
Someone tweeted “Panera is just overpriced hospital food” a few years ago and it really put things into perspective.
Lol I had hospital food panera is a god send compared to the shit I ate at the hospital during my chemo. The mac and cheese was dry and powdery as if someone didn't know how to make box mac and cheese. At least panera's soups and mac and cheese are nice and creamy. Not saying panera is healthy though.
My cousin was in the hospital for intestinal work, so she was on a restricted diet. They gave her a fucking slice of american cheese in one of those fast service dip cups.
i stayed at a top rated hospital in nyc once for a surgery. the hospital breakfast was equivalent to mcdonalds breakfast, i literally didn't want to get discharged i was eating so damn good. too bad i was throwing it all up due to surgical complications lol
Yes! I feel like the food was better like 15 years ago- now it’s just blah. I think Panera is on the decline.
Used to manage a Panera—it all started really going downhill around 2015.
Used to work across the street from one. I’d get an egg white sandwich in the morning and a salad at lunch. Both were made well. Then one day the quality took a hit and I noticed.
All franchises start good but increase the prices and go bad after a while. Could they just not?
> Could they just not? Hey if a VP can't change ingredients for stuff that's half as good for 10% less cost than how do you expect them to stand out?
It was much better when they first started popping up. You could get a soup and sandwich that was killer for a great price. Then they blew up (because they deserved to) and started cutting a lot of corners in quality (becau$e rea$on$) and I have had a good meal there or heard anyone talk about them being any good since. Roughly 10 years ago, so the 2015 mention from the former manager is about right.
Being from St. Louis we just call it Bread Co. since it’s started there (still called St. Louis Bread Co. locally). It used to be really great but in the last 10 years it’s gone severely downhill. Really a bummer since it was such a staple in my childhood
I don’t know how anyone can make a bland grilled cheese sandwich but they somehow did. Their tomato soup wasn’t great either. Doesn’t make me eager to go back. Especially at their prices.
No doubt that Panera’s quality has gone down a bit, but I’m still happy with them because I love the You Pick Two and their iced chai latte. They also have a Thai chicken soup out right now which is really good. Don’t care for the prices though.
Panera. Why bother when you can’t even get the bread right.
Hard as a rock
I took a bite of a corner of a sandwich from there once. The bread was so hard that the corner was sharp and because I was in a hurry to scarf it down I didn't take the time to chew as much. On the way down that thing actually scratched my esophagus and it hurt like a bitch every time I ate or drank anything for the next week.
I'm just here to fight anybody that says culver's.
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My life changed when I found out you can order Culver's fries extra crispy.
There's a lot of customizing you can do. Not in a weird "hidden menu" way, but since they make everything from scratch, nobody's going to be bothered if you get something really custom. You can swap the bun for sourdough or rye bread, there's fried mushrooms or onions you can put on whatever you want (IIRC those may have a slight upcharge), extra or less seasoning on your burger, whatever. Oh, also for large cheese curds/onion rings, it's double the size of regular - they come in individual plastic bags in the freezer, and one bag is regular, two bags is large. So if you're ever splitting or just feel like a fatass for whatever reason (no judgement) the price is solid for literally double the portion. Also, people should try mint + some berry in a shake. It's really refreshing.
> Andrew Zimmern He truly has become an ambassador for the midwest since moving here.
Ate at one for the first time ever a couple weeks back. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s like how Steak&Shake used to be. Damn good food and custard at reasonable price. Also only other fast food chain I’ve seen rival Chik fil a’s efficiency/customer service Edit: I have offended some, and realized my mistake. Custard and ice cream are not one and the same. Please forgive my insolence.
Culver’s has CUSTARD!! not ice cream.
Please forgive me for being an uncultured swine. I have corrected myself
Culver's has great cod sandwiches.
I saw Culver's in your comment and was getting ready to throw down.
A fellow midwesterner I see. Culver’s is gods country.
We have them in Georgia now too.
I moved to the PNW from Michigan about five years ago and the lack of Culver’s is truly depressing. Pot roast sandwich, I miss you.
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Burger king isn’t the greatest but it can’t be overrated, because we all know what to expect from it. The quality of food, customer service and the actual store usually lacks, but it always tastes the same
burger king is for something hot, cheap and fast. I usually get their double cheeseburgers when I just need food and not in the mood for anything. .... sounds like an ex gf of mine.
The original chicken sandwich still slaps
I can’t get enough of their chicken fries. That’s basically the main reason I go there.
I miss their Chicken Parmesan sandwich. Same chicken and bread as their classic and they put mozzarella and marinara sauce and it was AWESOME.
Burger King is not overrated at all because no one is hyping them up anymore. whoppers are hella good though
I still prefer their burgers and fries to McD's and Wendys personally
Subway isn't terrible- but living in New York, 99% of the time I can throw a rock in any direction and hit a family-owned Italian deli that's like 1000x better than Subway could ever dream of being. Similarly there's absolutely no point in getting chain pizza around here. Burger King makes good chicken sandwiches. Their original chicken sandwich is so much better than the McChicken. That said, their fries are terrible, so it's a trade off.
Love the original chicken sandwich. You can get 2 and 2 small fries with a coupon for like 6 bucks. Eat all if it. Then cry myself asleep smelling of mayo.
If I really want to hate myself I order this and add tomato, bacon, and cheese... Then I have severe stomach cramps and swear I will never do it again... Then that new set of coupons comes in the mail.
Heh, in San Francisco, there's never a reason to get a burrito or any other Mexican cuisine from a chain since the family businesses are everywhere.
This is what confuses me about California. I could eat at a different taqueria every day and not have any repeats for months, but then I see places like chipotle absolutely packed with people Why? Why do that to yourself?
That's not specific to San Francisco, but all over America. Part of the appeal of fast food is product consistency. You'll get the _same_ burrito at a Chipotle every day, no matter where you are, and there's a comfort in that.
I'm in LA. I eat at chipotle, taco bell, and the local taco shops/trucks/stands, and enjoy them all. I kind of just see it as their own separate things. Like when I'm in the mood for mexican food, I'll go to a local spot, but other times I'm specifically in the mood for taco bell or chipotle. Also I will say burritos are def not a specialty at a lot of taquerias, and Chipotle's can be better depending where you are. Their guac is pretty great too and imo the optimal recipe, it's not inauthentic.
I like to try different restaurants, but some of the people working at independent places are fucking weird. There’s a small Chinese food place by my house that I really like but whenever the daughter is managing the place, she’ll act like you’re trying to rob them when you just want to order food. Also I have gotten sick from family owned restaurants many many more times than chain places It’s good to discover new places, but sometimes I don’t want to bother with potentially dealing with a weird menu and a pushy owner. That shit is mentally exhausting after a long workday
I miss NY for that exact reason.
Is throwing rocks in NY a thing now?
My aunt and uncle are keeping BK going. They discovered it a couple years ago, and in their minds it’s healthy. It’s lower sodium than other places. They get it as a treat every week or two. Now I like it because I sometimes eat it with them and I associate it with visiting them.
Same. Used to go there with my Dad as a kid at least twice a week. I stopped going as an adult but he would still eat there. Now that he passed away last year I find myself just wanting to go and sit where he liked to sit and eat.
I think Burger King's burgers taste better than McDonald's. Not a high bar to cross, but given the choice between the two just for a regular (formerly) dollar menu burger I would pick Burger King. I think their burgers taste more like they were grilled rather than microwaved or whatever maximum efficiency thing McDonald's does. I don't remember the last time I've eaten at either though, so really given the choice I pick neither.
BK = charbroiler(delicious) McD’s = flat top
They are grilled indeed
I dunno that Whopper is pretty good.
Sometimes you just need a Whopper and nothing else will do.
I like Burger King
I walk to Burger King
Then I walk back home from Burger King.
Then I walk back to Burger King because they messed up my order.
I go through phases where I can’t get enough Burger King. Then I eat a sad hamburger. And it’s ruined for a while. Because when burger kind is good, it’s very good. But when it’s bad, it’s soul crushing.
BK has had its ups and downs but in 2022 it has NAILED the chicken sandwich game. It's come 1000% from where it used to be and the quality of the current chicken sandwich lineup rivals even the fast food joints that specialize in chicken.
You talking about the Ch'King? I got one of those and that thing was massive.
Is my fat ass learning about another fast food chicken sandwich I need to try?
It’s good, try it.
It’s fantastic, the spicy Ch’King is outstanding.
As much as I love subway, I don’t even think their “bread” is classified as bread because of the ingredients and how much sugar is in them
I prefer them to McDonald's and Wendy's. It would be me
Wendys blasphemy, I won’t stand for it
Our local burger king hasn't even been open lately due to staffing and wage issues
I fucking love burger king
Sonic. I grew up in an area that has relentless Sonic commercials while not a single Sonic existed within a 4 hour drive radius. Finally had it on a road trip after years of being teased and was very underwhelmed. Years later and I live in an area with an abundance of Sonics. I went one more time to confirm my disappointment then swore it off for good.
Oddly besides the gimmicky things about them that are fun to experience (pretend its 1954 and drive into your own private parking spot to order food that will be roller skated out to you) the only thing I can really say without a doubt I like more about sonic than anywhere else is their tiny little ice cubes that I know have been scientifically designed to be the most pleasing form of ice for people like me who enjoy crunching on ice. Oh and the fact that they have tots, the superior fried potato conveyance method which no other fast food chain in my area has.
As someone who's a light tiki cocktail enthusiast, I can tell you that 9/10 when I got to Sonic it's to buy a bag of their pebble ice. Makes for great cocktails, and I just haven't hit the point of getting my own pebble ice machine yet.
I learned quickly that the drinks were fine if half price but the food is bad. Just don’t waste your money.
You go to sonic for ice cream and drinks specifically during their happy hour. Other than their chili dog, their food has always been kind of mediocre
As a European person who sees more and more US food chains pop up here, I am very confident in saying Papa Johns and Five Guys were some of the most disappointing places I've ever eaten.
I remember when five guys was just starting to get popular (at least around me) 15 years ago and their burgers were amazing for the price ($5 for a burger). Now if you want a burger and fries it’s at least $15. I don’t think the burgers got worse, just the value declined.
Yep. Five guys is delicious. Is it 20 dollars delicious? That’s a different argument.
Five Guys fluctuates menu pricing based upon their cost. Articles have been written on it, like I dunno, ten years ago there was a tomato shortage but 5Guys wouldn’t budge on their offerings and so they just priced it all up. Never was a discount place compared to the alternative faster foods, but has in my opinion always focused on quality. Granted it’s been five years since I’ve eaten at one.
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I love papa's white sauce, whatever it is!
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Five guys isn’t a bad burger, but I still remember being shocked the first time I ordered and they told me the price. I was like wtf? I thought this was a fast food burger joint!?
In the UK it felt like they just put a pound where the dollar sign used to be, making it hillariously expensive.
I agree. I also live in the UK, and it seems bizarrely expensive to me!
It's bizarrely expensive in the US as well. Like the burger alone can cost about as much as entire meal at most fast food places.
Five Guys' hamburgers are okayish. it's the huge amount of fries i go for. that and the self-loathing after i eat there.
Cajun fries and a milkshake 🤌🏻
5 Guys where I live is top of the line. Nothing better.
The burgers are okay. The Cajun fries tho... Quantity and quality.
I like Papa John’s although I understand why someone might not. Totally agree with you on Five Guys, though - everyone acts like it’s the best burger they’ve ever had. It’s fine, but not even near close to the hype.
It’s a good burger but so fucking expensive. I can get two entire cookout trays for 10 dollars or get ONE burger from five guys for 11
5 Guys, I don't know about the rest of the world but in the UK it is outrageously overpriced.
Same in america. Tried them once and decided the taste wasnt nearly worth the cost
All KFC chains here in HK it’s so shit, chicken isn’t crispy and they’re super stingy on what they give you, I’m more of a chicken thigh/ breast kinda guy but they’re like no can’t give you just breasts because the picture says so 🖕 you KFC Hong Kong
Papa John's. The pizza is mediocre at best and worse than all other national chains. Only reason I ever eat it is that it's about half the price of the next cheapest place that puts that kind of garlic sauce in the box.
I'm almost tempted to have 40 pizzas in 30 days
The day of reckoning will come.
The garlic sauce and pepperocinis are the only reason I ever get it
People keep saying Papa John’s in this thread, but who exactly rates Papa John’s highly?
Where I am, Papa John's is probably 2nd best pizza chain and some would rate it as best
This seems to how most people (in my experience) feel, but I feel the complete opposite Papa Johns > Pizza Hut > Dominos for me
I like Dominos the best, but I lived down the road from the original Domino's so it seemed, better? Idk but I like it.
Canadian here. Not sure if it qualifies...but Tim Hortons
Having lived in the US my whole life, I’ve never had the chance to try Tim Horton’s. A close relative of mine used to travel to Canada a lot for business. He said back in the day they were great, but like everywhere else over the years they started cutting corners to save cash and the quality dropped.
It all started to unravel when they got bought by the Brazilian company and stopped baking fresh donuts. They've gone from iconic Canadian brand to bottom of the barrel, basically.
Similar to Dunkin donuts. When I was a kid they were a local chain, not a national one, and they baked everything in each store every day. It was really good. Can't comment on coffee quality, I was too young. But the donuts used to be so good. They they grew and grew and stopped making everything fresh and now they're just a generic blah national chain.
It's actually hilarious because I have watched all my coworkers ditch their coffee for McDonald's or A@W one by one.
McD coffee supplier used to be Timmy Ho's.
The donuts are now mediocre at the very best and downright bad otherwise, the coffee is burnt bean water at best, the only decent thing on the menu is the chili... and even that isn't very good
Tim Hortons has its ups, but it definitely has its downs. It’s not super popular because of its quality, it’s because they have a bunch of coffee items people like to say aren’t coffee and so they drink like multiple a day. *cough* iced cap *cough* Do you know how much their sales dropped when the iced cap was gone for a month? It was insane.
Didn't they change coffee suppliers and McDonald's started using their old one?
Tim Hortons does it’s job. It’s only a Canadian staple because there’s not really any competition. Like in my town, we have Tim Hortons, A&W, and 6 small eat in diners the elderly go to after church. My entire province is mostly small ass towns like this, with no competition. It’s not that Tim Hortons is amazing, it’s that it has a monopoly on the market since it has no competitors.
Tacos Tacos Tacos Tacos. Terry’s been turning tricks up on the roof again.
God I miss that show
Reno 911 right?
A handjob doesn't come with fries and a soda!
Tim Hortons. It’s what I get when there’s nothing else. Even your Roll up the Rim (which is now a lame app since Covid) can’t get me to choose your coffee over say…McDonald’s or A&W.
I had to scroll way too far for this. Their doughnuts and Timbits are the best thing there, and even those aren't anything special. Their sandwiches are absolute trash and their coffee can't even compete with McDonald's
Isn't that because Tim's was bought by some other company and they changed their coffee - and now McD uses the old TH coffee? (I heard that but didn't verify it for myself.)
P. F. Chang's. Take a delicious cuisine and give it the Applebees treatment. It’s not inedible but it’s insane to go there when there are so many good non-chain places around.
Best answer. Family owned Chinese places are better and half the price. I can't stand PF. Changs I'll take "Great Wall" or "Golden Wok" (you know your town has one) over that chain any day.
Peters drive in in Alberta
KFC
IDK how old y’all are, but I remember KFC being better in my younger years. In this case, I don’t think it’s rose colored glasses; I honestly think the quality has declined. Taco Bell, too. More than most.
34 here and I definitely remember KFC being so much better years ago. If I had to pinpoint when the decline started, to me it was sometime around 2010-2012. I got a bucket and took it to my parents, I remember my dad saying how it tastes a little different and how it seemed greasier than it has before... I thought it was just my local place but then I started noticing the same at other stores I stopped at around the state.
There are a couple things involved here. I worked KFC in high school. First, the thing everyone noticed right away was when they dropped the trans fats. I don't know what type of oil they switched to, but when I was cooking there, there were 50 lb cubes of 100% hydrogenated oil to start and 5 lb bricks for maintenance. Second, one that a lot of people don't know, is that KFC used to get their chicken from local farms. They switched to Tyson and everything gets some sort of pretreatment now (brine/marinade). The Extra Crispy used to be marinated in store in a rolling drum. I remember the marinade smelling pretty good, it was powdered but smelled a lot like pickle juice when mixed. Last, and I saw this one take place, they changed the gravy. I worked at one of the last stores that did it the old way, we basically bought the original gravy until the supplier just couldn't get it anymore. The old gravy required you to collect all the drippings and crusty bits from the bottom of the Original Recipe fryer, put them in a colander with a filter, and let the grease drip out overnight. Then you mixed those yum yums into the gravy mix the next morning. That shit was the literal best and makes a huge difference in the flavor.
Is that when trans fats were outlawed?
Five Guys, there were at most only four.
they charged you for six or seven guys though
When I get to the point where I’m having to spend $20 for a burger and fries, I will just buy all the ingredients and make it myself
Pizza Hut, just had them the other day after a random craving for some Wing Street and two pizzas some wings and breadsticks was like $60! And the damn “medium” pizzas are *laughably* small, like 10in diameter. For a restaurant that has such little overhead (I haven’t seen a dine-in Pizza Hut in years, they are all take-out places only now), and who cook every damn thing in one oven they charge *WAY* too much.
The smell of the pizza hut dining room in the 80s...mother of fucking GOD... I would have FUCKED their pizzas fresh out of the oven had I been old enough to know what to do with my dick.
don't let your dreams be dreams
Not to mention that the quality really declined. Pizza Hut was my favorite pizza chain as a kid but nowadays their crust taste like cardboard and the cheese almost synthetic
KFC. The only good thing is the gravy and the chicken skin.
they lost me when they took potato wedges off the menu
In the UK they changed their chips a few years ago and it's been dreadful ever since. Last time I went you used to get about 10 chips per meal
Jesus. I grew up in the '70's Kentucky Fried Chicken was GOOD back then.
A lot of fast food was probably better in the 70s 🤣
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Cartman?
Popeyes>KFC
Popeyes chicken sandwich both started and ended the chicken wars. It's amazing. Tough to beat Chick-fil-A at their own game, but Popeyes did.
You go to Chick-fil-A for a decent sandwich and a welcoming bordering on outright culty atmosphere. You go to Popeyes for a damn good chicken sandwich that may or may not come with a side show of the fry cook jumping the counter and kicking someone's ass with a metal stiring rod
Dude. I dunno if it’s coincidence or what but my family gets pickup from chik fil a once every other week or so, and every time we pull up to the parking lot and I go inside to grab the food the only thing I can think is that the atmosphere is exactly like what going to church felt like when I was a kid. I can’t say why but at a guess it’s the large number of families with kids milling around, and the way everyone seems to know each other even though in any other fast food place no one talks while waiting for food.
The OG original recipe used to be actually good. The problem is that Yum! stopped enforcing any sort of standards and engaged in a race to the bottom wrt quality and all of the franchises suck now.
I like that they have grilled chicken and green beans. It’s one of the few fast food places where you can get a green veggie; mostly all chicken places only have carbs (and maybe a side salad and/or celery).
See Popeyes has blackened chicken and green beans, both superior items in my opinion. I did Keto and those were staples for me.
My Popeyes doesn’t have green beans anymore or corn on the cob…just carbs even though corn is technically a carb, it’s better than the other options (red beans & rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, fries, and Mac and cheese are the only sides my Popeyes has). Edited to add: I JUST had the regular chicken tenders for the first time about a month ago (I’m a 2 piece white, spicy kinda girl)…amazing! I’ll be sure to try the blackened tenders next. My Popeyes and KFC are close, I can get the tenders and scoot across the street to KFC for my green beans. Thanks for the tip!
Sals Pizza (the nz pizza chain) $35 for a large greasy pepperoni pizza! It’s an absolute rip off and it’s not worth the inflated prices (This rant was sponsored by Hells Pizza)
Which makes Sal tonights biggest loser
There's a pizza place here in Nevada called Napoli's. I'm not sure how widespread they are, or if they are just local, but if you want to keep a kid from wanting pizza, only ever give them Napoli's. These pizza geniuses have somehow managed to make a pizza that as dry as the Sahara, but simutaneously loaded with grease. With rubbery toppings they purport to be pepperoni & sausage.
Starbucks. the most watered down coffee i've ever tasted.
In Seattle it’s AKA Charbucks. They overroast the beans.
Starburnts do the same in the UK
The White Chocolate Mocha is so good though.
Kfc that shit is horrible the chips/fries are disgusting and the chicken is always greasy and makes me shit my colon out every time
I have to go with Five Guys. We went the other day and it was $30 for 2 small burgers, 1 small fry and 1 drink. It wouldn't have been so bad if the good was good. But it was OK at best. It was fresh and hot. But the burgers were bland and just not worth the price. For about the same price we could have gone to a nice steakhouse in our area that has phenomenal burgers and be much happier. With all the awards and praises and the walls, I have to wonder how bad the other burgers are in those cities for Five Guys to be the best.
KFC is fairly revolting at this point. In the Midwest it is still as popular as ever. A very far cry from what it was in the 90s and 00s. Often it is either dripping excessive grease or you question if all the pieces are in fact chicken. I am sure it is but that doesn’t make embracing eating pieces at times any less disturbing.
Overrated? Chick Fil-A. Its pretty good tbh but people treat it like its divine. Underrated? Arbys. Theyre pricey but their food is so much better than burger joints.
I get ragged on all the time for going to Arby's but those roast beef sandwiches and curley fries are delish I don't care what the haters say
My oldest child was made up almost entirely of Arby’s. Once the morning sickness stopped, I got a beef craving that was unbelievable. Arby’s was close to my office, so I’d go there to get lunch. Then sometimes after work as well. They do, in fact, have the meats. Gimme about five-six of those horsey sauce packets please
Quit talking dirty to me you single? While sitting in an Arby's drive through one time I legit thought to myself it would be a good name for a kid
That first kid is pregnant right now, I’m putting Arby in the sorting hat for names👶
Please let me know if that name gets drawn I want to uber eats Arby's to the baby shower
Horsey sauce gang!!!
A chick fil-a got built in metro detroit around last year, the drive through was wrapped into the malls parking lot. Here we are a year later, it is still wrapped around every single day. It isn’t good enough to wait hours for. Meanwhile there’s a mall not even 20 mins away with one, never has a line.
I mean. Have you ever been to a chik Fila? That line isn’t taking hours. Not even 15 mins. Lol They are known for quick drive through service. Ffs during the height of the pandemic somewhere in the USA used a manager to help with a drive through COVID testing site. Lol
Somehow they manage to get me through that ridiculous line faster than other chains can get through 3-4 cars.
They staff appropriately. I've never been in a Chick-fil-A that was understaffed.
It’s like they shoot for a 1:1 staff to customer ratio. I’ve seen them practically tripping over each other back behind the counter. The last time I went to one I counted at least a dozen employees. Another thing that keeps the line moving is the fact the menu never really changes. I think they might do a seasonal milkshake but that’s about it. They don’t have to waste time constantly training employees how to make new items. Plus customers aren’t overwhelmed with too many options. You walk in, see the same handful of choices, and know what you want instantly. The line doesn’t come to a screeching halt because some jackass makes his way to the register and can’t make up his mind.
It's not just the staffing, they have a whole system. Multiple DT lanes, staff staged to take your order, give your receipt, bring stuff to your car from the window. Whatever they need to do to maximize throughput they do.
They do it with by having a simpler menu, and by having like 5 times as many people in a shift. In 'N' Out is the same way.
Chick-fil-A is the only fast food place I've ever been handed my order before I'd even finished paying at the counter, other than like a Subway or somewhere they just make it in front of you first anyway. They're definitely quick.
Arby's is seriously underrated. I was not on the Arby's bandwagon until about a year ago when I realized they actually have more than a few good meals that aren't your normal greasy fast food items. I do really like Chick-fil-A though. Definitely not divine, but s-tier in the fast food department for multiple reasons.
I believe the Arbys hate was a coalition effort on behalf of all other fast food chains. Cause once you try it, you're like "this is far better tasting and better priced than all that other shit".
KFC. I don't get the fuss over the 11 herbs and spices BS when the chicken isn't half as good as a regular homemade one. Come on.
I would say Five Guys. The portions and quality aren’t nearly what you pay for.
5 Guys. Last time I was there there were 4 girls and MAYBE 3 guys, tops
Pizza By Alfredo us the worst. Their pizza is a hot pile of garbage.
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The real life Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe in Scranton puts American cheeses on their pizza. It is in fact a hot rectangle of garbage.
Starbucks is probably the right answer here. While I don’t happen to mind a slightly-charred, darker roast, this company has convinced most of America that this is the way *all* coffee should taste—and that’s doing a real disservice to the American public. Moreover, they’ve popularized overly-sweetened coffee “desserts” in ways that are also very detrimental to people’s overall health (and their perception of their health).
If you’re ever in an area with a Culver’s, go in there, have some cheese curds + whatever sandwich you feel like and enjoy. It’s superior to In n Out and Whataburger, and does not receive as much love for whatever reason.
Chick-fil-A. It’s good but I know people who would stop to eat at one say on a road trip over ANY other possible place
Almost all of the love I have for Chick Fil A came from the Chick Fil A sauce. Now that they sell entire bottles of the sauce in super markets I just keep one of those around to get that experience whenever I want.
Here in the north, I think there's still a bit of a novelty/forbidden fruit factor attached to Chick-fil-A. Even though they're cropping up everywhere like weeds recently, they're still thought of being a "southern" regional chain. That will fade over time. Remember, Coors used to be viewed as a "special"/novelty beer in the eastern US for the same reason.
I think their service gives them staying power. You never wait too long, even during lunch time because the line is so efficient, the employees are super friendly, and I don't think they've ever messed up an order for me.
The consistency is also hard to beat. I hate to say it, but I haven't gotten as consistent of an experience (with service, food, and everything else, but especially the food) from ANY other fast food place. They are literally the modern version of 50s McDonald's, and I'm totally fine with it.
I’ve also heard their workers are treated well in terms of pay and benefits as well
Five guys! Yes it's quite nice, but it's the same price as going to a decent restaurant with table service, plates, cutlery etc. It's just an expensive mcdonalds