Fast Food Chain Rankings: My (Probably) Controversial Top 10
It’s my 50th article here at Vendetta. So, I thought I’d do something a little fun and what’s more fun than talking about food? Specifically, we’re going to look at my objectively correct ranking of the Top 10 fast food chains around. Now I’ll be honest, there are places I haven’t been able to eat at since I live around Chicago, so let’s take that into account. Don’t be mad if a few places like In-N-Out or Whataburger aren’t in the list. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
10. Raising Cane’s
There are a lot of fried chicken places, but I’m not sure anyone does their chicken better than Raising Cane’s. They only really offer fried chicken, but they’ve nailed their seasoning and cook on it. It’s really high-quality chicken and is the biggest reason they’re on this list. The fries are above average, and the Texas Toast is buttery deliciousness. The Cane’s sauce though is truly elite and elevates the overall meal. The chicken and the fries are already great but are massively improved from the sauce which separates Cane’s from its competition. On top of that, their sweet iced tea is by far the best I’ve ever had at a fast food chain. Highly recommend. Cane’s might get a bit boring, though, which is the only reason they’re lower on this list.
9. Taco Bell
People either love it or hate it. You can guess what side I’m on. They’ve revolutionized Mexican food with imaginative and delicious dishes that have now become wildly popular, such as the Doritos Locos Tacos or the Mexican Pizza. The place is ALWAYS open and is by far the most affordable fast-food chain around, especially when compared to the rising prices at average chains like McDonald’s and Burger King. All of their sauces rock too and add a nice kick to anything you may have ordered. The tropical drinks and sweet treats also help separate them from other fast-food places. Taco Bell may not do justice to Mexican food, but it sure does justice to being a fast-food chain.
8. Qdoba
If you’ve never been to Qdoba, let me put you on. It’s the best alternative to Chipotle while having free queso and guacamole. The guac isn’t as good as Chipotle’s but let me tell you that queso packs a punch. On top of that, they have an assortment of other sauces as well, instead of just one or two salsas to pick from. Variety like that is a game-changer for a “make your own meal” type of restaurant. The one thing they definitely do better than any other Mexican fast food though is quesadillas. I’m telling you right now. When you go to Qdoba tomorrow, do yourself a favor and order a quesadilla. It’s crispy, cooked to perfection, affordable, and a perfect quantity as well.
7. Chick-fil-A
It’s hard to find any sort of knock on Chick-fil-A’s food because although they keep it simple, they do it very effectively and make consistently good food. I don’t think I can ever remember a legitimate bad Chick-fil-A experience. They don’t mess up. I think their fries are a bit overrated, but their Chick-fil-A sauce is so good it doesn’t really matter. Although the lack of variety in the menu does hold them back on this list, their constant high quality earns them a spot in the Top 10. You’re welcome Chick-fil-A, it was my pleasure.
6. Potbelly
Subs done right. That’s Potbelly for you. In my opinion, it’s the best sub fast food chain, and it’s not that close. Jersey Mike’s, Subway, and Jimmy John’s will pale in comparison. Potbelly has a great menu, a classy feel, and the perfect number of possible toppings that you can put on the sandwich. Their original mix of hot peppers is truly something else. The only thing that keeps it out of the top 5 is the cost. To get a nice, sizable sandwich and drink, the lunch bill will probably end up closer to $15 than $10. Otherwise, it’s a great place for a delicious, customizable sandwich.
5. Wingstop
It’s classic, it’s delicious, and it’s SO underrated. Everyone loves Buffalo Wild Wings as a sit-down place, but Wingstop gets no love as a fast-food chain when it’s just as good, if not better. They pretty much only do wings, but let me tell you, their wings are almost impossible not to like. As long as you’re not a vegetarian, at least. Tons of flavors to choose from ensure you won’t get bored, with my favorite being the Mango Habanero. The fries are also done right and sneakily good. It gets a little costly as far as fast food goes, but you’re paying for some real high quality so it’s worth it.
4. Krispy Kreme
Okay, I know it’s not your traditional fast food, but c’mon, the best donut chain in the country deserves a spot on the list. I don’t make the rules. The glazed donuts they have are classic, but all their other donuts have that extra glaze on them too which makes them truly sensational. Their mini-donuts are also revolutionary. And they give great perks on your birthday or if you graduate. If you’ve never gone, I promise you, it will blow Dunkin’ Donuts out of the water. Krispy Kreme’s food is fast and delicious, so it’s good enough for them to be No. 4 on the list.
3. Sbarro
Look, there’s underrated and then there’s SBARRO. It’s sad this place never ever gets the respect it deserves because they just consistently serve killer food, and it’s like no one cares. Their pizza is pretty above average for a fast food chain with a lot of variety. The Supremo and the Meat Primo are my favorites. Their stromboli is any foodie’s dream. It’s basically a pizza burrito. Enough said. Lastly, their baked ziti is generational. I swear I haven’t had pasta that good at most sit-down Italian places. It’s also pretty cost-effective which just adds to its greatness. The best part about Sbarro is that there’s not a single place that compares. Can you think of any Italian fast food chain that’s actually good? I didn’t think so.
2. Panda Express
If you’re going to disagree with my decision and tell me you don’t like Chinese food, your opinion on food doesn’t really stand in my eyes. Chinese food done right is immaculate. Panda Express does it right while being a fast-food chain that keeps prices reasonable. That’s insane. They’ve also got enough variety but few enough options that they’ve been able to really nail each item down. I honestly don’t think you could even get anything there that’ll taste bad if you tried which in my book is pretty impressive. The fried rice is consistently one of the best you can get, all the meat choices are tremendous, and the sides smack too if you’re about the spring roll, pot sticker or crab rangoon life. Just talking about it makes me crave it and that’s a sign of an elite fast-food chain.
1. Chipotle
I mean, it was destined to be, wasn’t it? It’s by far the greatest fast-food chain we have in our presence, and if you don’t think so, you and your taste buds need to wake up. It’s indescribable, and I’m not sure how they do it, but Chipotle hits the spot EVERY single time. I think it’s the one fast food chain I can’t get bored of. I highly doubt I’d be able to, but if there’s one place I could eat at every single day for the rest of my life, it’s Chipotle.
Every single ingredient they have out on display has been perfected. The cilantro lime rice, the two types of beans that are equally delicious, every single meat option, the fajita veggies, the salsas, the pico de gallo, the corn salsa, the sour cream, the cheese, and most definitely the guac are all the best of the best. Even as a hard-core non-vegetarian, I loved the Sofritas option they have for vegetarians. No other Mexican place comes close to the quality of the ingredients Chipotle uses and when they’re all put together, it’s truly a beautiful thing. I could go on and on about Chipotle, but it’s simply and deniably the G.O.A.T fast food chain. Argue with a wall.
Hopefully you enjoyed. I don’t expect anyone to agree with me completely but at the very least I hope I could convince you to put faith in a few places you normally wouldn’t have yet.
