November 30, 2012

My Fast Food Restaurant Rankings

This was not easy to do. I lost a lot of sleep over it. Okay, I didn't actually loose any sleep (I take fast food seriously, but not that seriously...) but I did put a lot of thought into it. Here's my rankings of fast food restaurants:

  1. In-N-Out Burger
  2. Original Tommy’s
  3. Jack in the Box
  4. Carl’s Jr.
  5. Taco Bell
  6. McDonald’s
  7. Arby’s
  8. Popeyes
  9. Sonic Drive-In
  10. Wendy’s
  11. Wienerschnitzel
  12. Del Taco
  13. El Pollo Loco
  14. Dairy Queen
  15. Chick-Fil-A
  16. KFC
  17. Burger King

There's a lot of fast food restaurants not included in the rankings only because they are not in my area and I can't eat there frequently enough to form an opinion.

UPDATE 12/4/12 - These are places which typically have a drive-through. This is what I consider "fast food." If I have to get out of my car to order, I don't think of it as fast food. This is why I didn't include places like Chipotle, Five Guys, Subway, etc. in the list.

Posted by Jim on November 30, 2012
Comments:

I've never been to the first couple, but Jack-in-the-Box is far and away my favorite overall fast food joint. Burger King has serious consistency problems, or I'd rate them higher as well. Sonic would be higher on the list for their awesome burgers and breakfast burritos.

Posted by: dancinhomer at November 30, 2012 11:38 AM

You have seriously underrated both Del Taco and El Pollo Loco and did not mention Panera.

Also, 'fast food' is not a term which the industry does not even use anymore, they use QSR. Panera, Five Guys (and the like), and Chipotle are QSRs.

Posted by: D.A. at December 1, 2012 7:02 PM

one of my top five favorites in fast food...yes, i am old school, and will call these restaurant chains, fast food, has been for sometime now, five guys. but creeping up into the favorite list is jersey mikes subs...good, quality, and enough on the portion-side, to make their subs, a two day meal. mrs. ghostmarine and i can attest to this after our last outing. i would have probably rated (in my own mind) taco bell higher, except their favorite ingredient, still remains, beans...enough with the beans already...aside from that, the debate will rage on, and on. the only thing left to say is: good eating, enjoy, and as always, semper fi.

Posted by: ghostmarine at December 3, 2012 2:40 PM

I would put Chipotle somewhere in the top 5. I agree with your top two, I think Five Guys is overrated, and I think Wendy's should've been higher. I enjoy fast food once in a while, but I love lists!

Posted by: Paul at December 4, 2012 12:26 AM

Swap Wendy's and BK. I don't know how Wendy's stays in business with it's awfulness.

Posted by: Bob at December 5, 2012 8:25 PM

1. In N Out - I agree
2. Tommy's - I agree
3. Jack in the Box...?? How much did they pay you?


Posted by: Harold at December 19, 2012 7:29 PM

In and Out Burgers are good, Never been to a Tommy's (or even heard of them) so can't comment, Jack in the Box is good for breakfast and late night but not much more. The rest are toss ups except for Wendy's. Wendy's should be in the top three. Their double hamburgers are great, add a baked potato and a small salad and you have a great meal.

Posted by: Henry at February 7, 2013 5:23 PM

And where is Subway on your list. They don't have a drive-thru but they are considered a fast food restaurant. They should be high on your list.

Posted by: Henry at February 7, 2013 5:35 PM

Fatburger. Some of them even have drive-thrus.

Why is Carls Jr. on the list? I can't think of a worse place to be.

Posted by: Brad at July 17, 2014 12:59 PM
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