Obviously, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but sometimes, the best way to eat that apple is peeled and bagged in a McDonalds Happy Meal. After a long week at school, nothing hits quite as hard as a drive-through taco or a paper wrapped burger, but who takes the cake for the best fast food around?
There’s a lot of factors at play here, so first we need to know what makes a good fast food experience. One thing that is crucial to make a good fast food restaurant is variety without chaos. Take Jack in the Box, for example. With a menu that ranges from burgers, to tacos to chicken strips, everything seems to fall flat. Taco Bell, on the other hand, has consolidated their menu to include just a few key ingredients. They have perfected the ground beef, lettuce and cheese combo, and have used it in almost all of their menu items. By occasionally throwing in some tomatoes and sour cream, as well as switching up the tortilla, it creates a large menu without getting too overwhelming. Chick-fil-a follows a similar principle with their nearly all-chicken menu. However, Chick-fil-a is lacking in variety which makes it difficult for everyone to find something they will enjoy.
Another criteria for the best fast food restaurant is having signature menu items. Any restaurant can make a crappy milkshake, but only Dairy Queen can make a Blizzard. Any place can make a breakfast sandwich, but only McDonalds can make the masterpiece that is a McGriddle. Without signature drinks, foods or desserts, many fast food restaurants become nothing more than a sign on the side of the road, while the signs of their competitors remain a beacon of hope.
The final trait that makes a great fast food restaurant is accessibility. While many people love a Raising Cane’s sandwich, few are willing to drive out to downtown Portland or Vancouver for some chicken. Similarly, while there seems to be a Subway around every street corner, the lack of employees in each one eliminates the “fast” in fast food. If I want to spend an hour getting food, I would rather sit down at one of my favorite actual restaurants.
According to these rules, the best fast food restaurant is clear. Truly, no one out Tacos the Bell. Signature items like the Baja Blast and their mild hot sauce set them apart from any other fast food restaurant, and their abundance and speed set them apart from nearly all other drive-through establishments. Treat yourself today to a crunchwrap supreme to see what fast food is meant to be.
