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The Best Fast Food in the U.S.

Posted Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:53 pm PDT
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Zagat recently released a series of lists ranking the nation's top fast-food picks, a survey done in conjunction with TV's Today show. Zagat readers and Today show viewers sorted their experience into four subcategories: food, facilities, service, and "overall." There are overarching categories for "Mega-Chains," "All Chains" (large and small), and "Full-Service Chains" (think Outback Steakhouse, which placed first overall, or Chili's or Olive Garden).

The best-overall category pretty much breaks down along fast-food party lines. The best burger, for example, is Wendy's, which uses fresh, not frozen, meat, and which, in my burger-eating opinion is head and shoulders above McD's or BK. Best fries are McDonald's, which, in my book, are the standard when it comes to fast food spuds. Best shakes, Dairy Queen; and best chicken, Chick-fil-A.

It's in the All Chain category where things get interesting: The megachains take a beating by the smaller guys. For instance, Wendy's is the only mega to crack the top 5 (in the "food" category). Instead, the names here are Panera Bread Co., Quizno's, and Sonic Drive-In.

In Full-Service, Outback Steakhouse takes top food and top overall. And there's a surprise showing (or perhaps not) by Hooters in the "best service" list (sex sells, people), itself one big 5-way tie.

That I do not see a mention of Applebee's or T.G.I. Friday's (both of which make insipid burgers) on any of the lists bolsters my faith, as does the fact that I see Red Robin on there for No. 2 "top food" in full-service (it does make a pretty good burger).

  • 1. Posted by cortanaylove on Tue, May 22, 2007, 9:43 am PDT

    i like mcdonalds

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  • 2. Posted by Brian J on Tue, May 22, 2007, 9:49 am PDT

    How about Whole Foods or Central Market? They all have cafes with excellent healthy food options.

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  • 3. Posted by xflaretheskyx on Tue, May 22, 2007, 9:53 am PDT

    in and out is probably the best fast food ever. ALL of their ingredients are fresh. beat that!

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  • 4. Posted by pads19 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 9:57 am PDT

    TGI Friday's has some of the best burgers I have ever had. Insipid?

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  • 5. Posted by proverbs_22_1 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 9:57 am PDT

    MY PERSONAL FAV IS EL POLLO LOCO--ESPECIALLY THEIR TACOS CARBONS, I ORDER 2-3 OF THEM. AT A BUCK APIECE, THEY ARE VERY ECONOMICAL.

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  • 6. Posted by GenX'er on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:03 am PDT

    If wendy's served their burger on a warm bun. I might be inclined to agree. Eating a burger with a cool %2 [profane]oasted bun brings down the quality of the overall burger.

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  • 7. Posted by mvolluch on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:06 am PDT

    How about Subway?? It's FAR SUPERIOR to any Quizno's I've ever been to! The service alone is a better reason to go to Subway. They also have wonderful "fresh fit" meals; something all the fatty burger giants don't have. It's also the ONLY FAST FOOD RESTAURANT THAT HAS AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION APPROVED MENU. Top that!

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  • 8. Posted by ibadtzychrldr on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:12 am PDT

    what about In-N-Out people....

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  • 9. Posted by Dinah S on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:13 am PDT

    You are dead right about Red Robin!! We love the burgers and the endless fries are good too.

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  • 10. Posted by sweetjam on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:16 am PDT

    I have to agree with all of Zagats picks!

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  • 11. Posted by Courtney on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:21 am PDT

    What about Doc Green's? They don't have burgers, but they do have the best salads, soups, and sandwiches. And its healthy too.

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  • 12. Posted by Loops on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:29 am PDT

    I love whole foods sandwhiches, they are generously packed with good stuff. They are among my top 5, right next to Red Robin. Yum!

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  • 13. Posted by Frozen Mom on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:29 am PDT

    In-N-Out Bugers and Fries are the BEST. Ell Pollo Loco is second and Red Robin comes third as our favorites :)

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  • 14. Posted by Sugar on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:30 am PDT

    I have to comment that I love Olive Garden. their food and service is Great, and not to mention their peach sangria's! Another great pick on the list is Panera Breads. their breakfast bagels, lunch soup, salad, and sandwich's, and dinner Crispani's are delicous.

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  • 15. Posted by Xeyla on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:32 am PDT

    McDonald fries are not healthy! Have you ever took an order of their fries, stuck them in a sealed jar, and see how long it takes for them to even start to decompose? OVER A MONTH AND NOT A SPECK OF MOLD! Looks just as they did when you first put them in there. How is that for being preserved? Imagine how hard it is for your stomach to digest something that wont decompose.

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  • 16. Posted by Doug N on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:35 am PDT

    Wendy's?...wow.. and then my "favorite" bizarre pick Subway? Subway??? Really? Here's a challenge for you--next time you go to Subway check out their meats that are preportioned...somewhere. Ever notice that each piece of meat looks EXACTLY like the other pieces of meat. Actual meat doesn't do that. And that god awful shreded lettuce..C'mon, whats next-- someone complaining that Taco Bell isn't the best Mexican food? Chains worth raving about: In-N-Out, Carabbas, Outback, Taco Cabana, Noodles, PFChangs, El Pollo Loco, ChefXpress and What the Macaroni Grill Used to Be Before it Started to Suck.

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  • 17. Posted by richardjonitexas on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:36 am PDT

    i don't think subway is good if you look at the meat if you can call it meat... that is why it is suppose to be good for you the meat isn't meat at all it is fake....look at it it is the worst meat ever... and they don't bake their bread daily there is a subway across from where i work i know bread is only baked when they need it

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  • 18. Posted by on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:46 am PDT

    another place that has excellent burgers is ruby tuesdays! they have something called the bison burger. it's exactly what it sounds like. very similar to beef, slightly less flavorful, but a little ketchup and pepper and you'll never know. also, it has about half the fat of a regular burger. very well sized, it will fill you up!

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  • 19. Posted by Diana K on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:46 am PDT

    I think I like Red Robin best for burgers. They cost a little more but they don't cook them to hockey puck consistency and there are many yummy topping choices.

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  • 20. Posted by jannov1955 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:47 am PDT

    Does it really matter what other people think? It is a matter if individual taste and what you like. That to me is the bottom line, and also what makes this country great!

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  • 21. Posted by Kristin G on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:57 am PDT

    I think that IN N Out Burgers and fries are phenomenally better than any other mega chain, but maybe they aren't in the survey because they aren't US wide?

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  • 22. Posted by plasticbarbie1019 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 10:58 am PDT

    im so glad chic fi let is on the list. they have such delicious foods and terrific service

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  • 23. Posted by herenow615 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:03 am PDT

    Whataburger....the best.

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  • 24. Posted by Lizzy on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:09 am PDT

    Sex must sell... I put in some time working at Hooters... There is no way their food would ever hit a "best list" so at least there is one thing going for them: The fake niceness of the waitresses! Oh yeah, and the small outfits I guess.

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  • 25. Posted by Deanna M on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:12 am PDT

    Sad ....how so many fast food death traps are so eager to pay for custom promotional articles to try to regain the market share that is beginning to slip through their grease-laiden fingers due to the swelling grassroots efforts of wellness coordinators in schools across the country now in alignment with and promoting the new Federal Wellness mandate. Tsk Tsk. We're gaining on you...

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  • 26. Posted by trideegurl2 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:16 am PDT

    Fudruckers is the best burger I have ever eaten. EVER.

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  • 27. Posted by novaraen@sbcglobal.net on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:18 am PDT

    I agree, Wendy's burgers are really great! As for McDonalds fries...yuck...they are too greasy for me. Wendy's beats them in that catagory, fer sure! Is this survey about whats good or whats good for you? Where is In and Out burger in all this?...their burgers are awesome!

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  • 28. Posted by novaraen@sbcglobal.net on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:19 am PDT

    Oh yeah....and the best mascot is McDonalds????? That stupid looking clown?? Puuuulllllease!!

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  • 29. Posted by peppajaa on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:22 am PDT

    POLLO LOCO has the best chicken ever! It's grilled. No fattening batter. You can get $1 off if you keep the receipt and call in to take their survey. Their sides are also nutritious and yummy.

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  • 30. Posted by leeyo32 on Tue, May 22, 2007, 11:38 am PDT

    I can't stand IN N Out.

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