katrina, if you live where there is Krystal's, they make apple pies the way McDonald's used to make apple pies.

honeygrow's cobb salad

sweet gree's spicy thai salad

both places are awesome! everything is so fresh - made to order :)

Lars, i agree with you, Sushi is very convenient, but pricey around here - the good kind anyway. not the kind u find in TJ's...

Would Togo's or Subway sandwiches be considered fast food? Those are the only places we go to for lunch if we are far from home. I never really ate much fast food, especially after I became a vegetarian in 1970's. Even though we started eating meat again in the 1990's, we didn't go to fast food places. Just never appealed to me.

How could I forget to mention Round Table Pizza? Hubby and I are in agreement that of all the pizza chains, their pizza is the best. Thin, crispy crust and loaded with toppings - they are delicious!

Every couple of years I sneak into McDonalds and have a filet of fish and I do have to admit that if it's not properly made with everything in line, I send it back and have it redone.. I worked at McDonalds, I know how it;s supposed to be done.

Wendy's used to do a meatless salad which was really good but they stopped making it here.

Dick's (small, local chain) cheeseburgers. Sometimes I feel tempted to drive the 40 miles to the nearest one, but never have and likely never will. But I WANT to.

When we were young and somewhat newly married, DH took a job in California which brought us from the East Coast. He started work right away, but knowing I had no food in our new apartment yet, came home at lunchtime to take me out to eat that first week as I scrubbed and organized our place. The first day he took me to a Taco Bell. I had never heard of them. I fell IN LOVE with Taco Bell's tacos, and the romance still flourishes these 50 years later. We have a Taco Bell right here in our little town, and every now and then I hie myself over there for a lunch of two Crispy Tacos Supreme and swoon.

Olychick, did you see my comment about Dick's? It is hard to convey just how good their burgers are........FAR better than any other national fast food chain I have tried. And much better than In&Out burgers!! And great fresh cut (never frozen) fries. Also, it is truly fast food - a limited menu and a highly efficient production line. The only time you may have to wait at all is during the lunch crush when the parking lot is full and they have a hard time keeping up with the french fry demands :-)

No drive-thru and no indoor seating. You step up to one of the windows and order and it's ready to go in a minute or two.

Many of you have mentioned pizza.

Our # 1, favorite of all time, every time, is Jets 8 Corner, Detroit Deep Dish, pepperoni.

New York, Chicago...meh.

Pizza is Nature's most perfect food!!! But in my neighborhood it is not 'fast' food. I remember when I was young living in NYC and one could go into a pizzeria and buy a 'slice' and have it within a couple minutes. None of my neighborhood pizza places have it ready before 15 minutes or so (I guess that is a whole different question, how fast does it have to be before it is 'Fast Food'.

5 Guys if I get a craving for a cheeseburger and don't feel like grilling. My husband will stop on the way home before he hops on the highway. You can either get a single or double patty style. They've got a great menu of items that you can add on top of the burger for free. I usually get two singles with grilled onions and mushrooms and pickles. The burgers are actually grilled there while you wait..no microwaves or leaving under hot lights forever. Fries are good too and they give you tons of them. I don't know if 5 Guys is an East Coast regional place or not but they are a chain.

Just a warning! Burger King is now serving tacos. They are beyond terrible! They are flatter than a pancake, the meat inside is like a paste, so hard it might chip a tooth, tons of sauce literally dripping, tiny bits of wilted yellow lettuce.

I took one bite, spit it out and threw them in the trash. My curiosity got me into that awful mess!

That looks disgusting.

^^ What she said ^^

Chick-Fil-A about twice a year, that's the only fast food I eat. We don't often eat out, just too loaded with salt for my tastes.

We love Dick's, too. Bag of cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings, and the best shakes EVER! Haven't been in years. Need to remedy that soon!

Yuck @ BK taco!

I've been to Burger King maybe 3 times in my entire life........and none of them were memorable visits. Usually when we were on the road and there wasn't much else available. I rate them very low in the fast food food chain :-) That taco looks foul!!

Baja Burger is the place for me.

Love their Baja Burger with grilled pineapple slice,pepper jack cheese, chipolte bbq sauce and I get it served on a wheat bun. When I'm hungry for fries, I get their delicious fried sweet potatoes with their special dipping sauce.

They add to all their french fries, a few slices of fried okra, just to make their fries special.

I alternate about every 6 wks or so with CFA chicken sandwich or LJS fish and coleslaw. sometimes I'll pick up a 6" turkey sub or BMT from subway. I love an Arby's beef'n cheddar too but the closest place is too far to drive just for that. We're supposed to get an Arby's this coming year, so I'll be able to get those more than once every year or 2. for pizza I usually go to Barro's for a slice of vegt pizza (they sell it by the slice too). but around Christmas I had a slice from Buddyz and really liked that, so will try that again one of these days. we recently got a Five Guys but I haven't had a burger anywhere out in probably 40 yr or more (except when I went back to my hometown). Sometimes I'll make them at home or if my BIL grills them at a holiday I'll eat one. I do miss Power's hamburgers from my hometown. greasy little meatballs (that's what we called them) smothered in grilled onions. so wonderful. It was known all around for it's burgers. didn't serve fries. burgers, chili, pie and donuts in the mornings.

Olychick & Gardengal, I live 7 blocks from the newest Dick's that opened a couple of months ago. Two days before it opened there was a HUGE mob of people lined up and camping in the parking lot. The next day that HUGE mob multiplied. There were police directing traffic. On the opening day there was a parade complete with a marching band. Lots of cops directing traffic. It's now a couple of months later, and at any time of the day there's at least 50 people in line. Don't even try going there on a weekend. You have to park a couple of blocks away. I've always lived south of Seattle, and when I was growing up Dick's were always in the north end of Seattle. It wasn't someplace I frequented so I don't have that "nostalgic" feeling about it. Apparently lots of people do though!

Pei Wei. Does that count? I have to eat fast food once in awhile but I can't say I enjoy any of it very much.

Raven, you've done a public service by posting that review of the BK taco, lol!

I was hoping to save any one else from that dreadful experience! The online reviews are about the same as mine lol.

Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich, with spring mix lettuce & sauce.

Kool Beans I love the Jack in the Box taco, yes it is greasy with mush meat. No respectable Mexican calls it a taco, but Jack in the Box does.

One thing I have noticed at fast food places is that one location can be better than another. We have three Mickey D's within 4??? miles of each other. One fries their French fries the way they should be and they stay somewhat crispy even when cold. One even if they are taken from the fryer in front of you are never crisp. The other one can be hit and miss. All three use the timer and I would expect them to have the same texture but no.

I eat at a fast food restaurant perhaps once a year. If I can find one, Steak and Shake is my first choice - their burgers are very good and I love their real milk shakes made with ice cream. If pressed, I'll get a Wendy's single with bacon and catsup - nothing else - fries and a Frosty. I do like their Frosties. They remind me of the original ones at Winstead's Drive-In restaurant in Kansas City. It's still there and DD said her hamburger was delicious as was the Frosty.

Best ever fast food is in Topeka KS at Bobo's Drive-In. Yes, it is still a drive-in, trays on the window and all. Their steak burger is delicious -so it the Spanish Burger, I dream about their onion rings - the best I've ever eaten anywhere - and their shakes are wonderful. Be sure to save room for their famous apple pie a la mode! I was delighted to find that it had not changed one bit (except Bob Bobo died and there are new (as of about 20 years ago!) owners, when I was back for my 50th HS reunion a few years ago.

Where Bobo's is concerned, one CAN "go home again"!!!!

Gardengal, I missed your post about Dick’s. Apparently, several of us near Seattle rate them tops. I went to high school near the one in Lake City...burgers 15 cents, cheeseburgers, 19 cents...or maybe it was 19 cent burgers and 25 cent cheeseburgers? Obviously too long ago! I would forgo many meals in foodie heaven Seattle for a Dick’s meal. I have to go to a burial in Covington next week and it occurred to me that I might be going somewhere near the Kent Dick’s (I have to check a map) so might have to give it a try - despite Sephia’s warnings about the crowds.

Made a couple of not so great choices today. Had a medical test done today, so no food or water two hours prior...on the way home I was so thirsty, stopped at McD's for an unsweet tea. Didn't want to make two stops so decided to try a cheeseburger with big mac sauce on it. Gag. I didn't finish it all. Used to love their burger and fries but can hardly choke them down now. Tonight, stopped at Taco Bell and decided to try something new, a crunchwrap supreme. A hard shell beef taco basically wrapped in a flour tortilla. It was good until I got to the gob of spicy nacho cheese sauce...gag.

Jack in the Box - The great greasy mystery paste tacos, Jumbo Jack with Cheese, and the Chicken Fajita Pita are my favorites. They also have the best fast food onion rings anywhere.

McDonalds - The basic Egg McMuffin. Chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce.

Taco Bell - Soft tacos or nachos. Don't like their crunchy tacos at all.

Best Nachos are at a 24 hour Taco Bravo.

The above are not places that would be my first choice to eat at. I prefer an old fashioned drive in burger joint that cooks to order that I often eat at. They always fry things at the correct temp so nothing is soggy nor greasy. The fries are great and they have fried shrimp on the menu board. Tonight a friend and I split a shrimp basket and a patty melt. There is another hole in the wall privately owned burger place excellent burgers that are cooked to order. They have beef bison and ostrich burgers among other meats. They also have a great condiment bar that includes REAL red relish. Both the above burger places fry thick cut bacon crisp, cooked all the way through with just enough chewiness.

I do consider Togos and Subway fast food. I get a steak and cheese from Subway on the way to the ranch often. It's protein, fills me up and I can easily eat it on the go since I don't load it up with things like I do other sandwiches. At Togos I like to get a combo half Asian salad and 1/2 pastrami. Togos has gone downhill in my opinion. But I come from the early days (1970s) when they started out and you basically got your sandwich custom built. Now it's extra for this and that. Got too big and over franchised.

My most frequent fast food for an actual dinner would be Panda Express. We have a very good one and a very bad one. The good one is a bit further but I avoid the bad one. I get half steamed rice/half chow mein and I like their beef and shrimp seasonal specialties. Off the regular I like the string bean chicken and their broccoli beef.

There are some Argentinian empanada restaurants around here that I like, but the only "drive-through" that I go to here is Gaby's Lebanese restaurant that has good falafel. We usually park and go inside instead, however.

I also like Jody Maroni's on Venice Beach, but I haven't been there since we moved from Venice.

Chick-fil-A grilled chicken club, no bun. Rarely, a Whopper, add mustard. Yum.

I have never been a fast food consumer. I can't even recall the last time I had fast food; I do recall it was years ago on a trip and it was so awful, we didn't eat it. I take it back, about three years ago I had a Sonic burger and was terribly disappointed, because I had heard they were good. It is a shame that some people just don't know what really good food tastes like.

I don't think it's that people don't know what good food tastes like. I have no problem spending $250 on Michelin star fine dining but I also like Taco Bell. I just have different expectations for each.

I am on the road a lot for my business and when lunchtime hits....or my stomach starts to grumble.......fast food is easier, faster and cheaper than a sit down restaurant. I don't expect it to be the same as a cooked-to-order meal. I live in a pretty rural area so not always a big choice of fast food places to pick from. My own location limits theses sorts of establishments so only a single McDonalds unless you want to drive 20 miles :-)

Some of the names mentioned here are unfamiliar so assume they are more regional in nature. For any national chains, the only one I will studiously avoid is Burger King - nothing I have ever eaten there was good. And while none of them are on my 'must stop' list (other than Dick's when I am nearby), most are quite tolerable for a quick and inexpensive meal.

chi, I mostly agree with you but where I disagree is that I think there are a lot of people who don't know what good food tastes like. And a lot of people who have no concern about regularly eating the greasy, salty, processed items that pass as food at most fast food places. Many offer healthier choices these days (like salads, grilled chicken, etc), but that's mostly not what people have mentioned. I restrict my fast food visits to when I'm on the road and want quick food I know won't disagree with me. Often Subway.

I'll mention I tried Chick Fil A once on a visit to the South just because of the hoopla I'd heard and I thought it was awful. The waffle fries were a soggy mess. The people working there I encountered had a distant, Stepford wife-like aura, it was creepy. Food aside, their politics stop me from giving them another cent.

The thing is I eat healthy at home (lots of veggies, salads, fish, etc.) and when I go to a fast food place the reason I go there is for the salty, greasy food. I know what good food is and what it tastes like, but I also like the salty, greasy stuff on occasion. Since I eat fast food maybe six times a year, I don't feel bad about it.

I do agree that there are people out there who don't know what good food is. There are people in my town who will bypass the good restaurant in favor of the lousy restaurant simply because the lousy restaurant has larger portions and they rave about how good the food is. I've eaten at big portion place a few times, and in my opinion, the food sucks. Last time hubby and I ate there, we said never again. But, the portions are huge and that is what the people who go there like about the place. Neither are fast food places; both are sit down, dine in restaurants.

There are also people who have grown up eating fast food and that's all they know so that is what tastes good to them.

"There are also people who have grown up eating fast food and that's all they know "

This is so true and the opposite is also true. Kids who have grown up eating real food in a family that emphasizes healthy eating habits and avoids fast and processed foods tend to prefer following a healthy diet as adults.

I do like McD's sausage egg McMuffin. About once a year...

I completely agree with DawnInCal about how so many people value quantity over quality.

I am going to Sacramento for a few days to attend a convention. I am horrified at all the attendees from outside the area who are asking where places like In and Out, McDonald's etc. are located. For a real seafood (OMG) experience they want to go to Joe's Crab Shack. Ay-yi-yi!!! OK I guess if you are a tourist it's OK once. I suppose next they will want to do lunch at Denny's. :-(

I eat all kinds of food and I am not nutty about healthy versus stick to your ribs classic diner fare but the last thing I want to do when traveling is visit chain restaurants.

There is a reason I am staying at an off site hotel. LOL

All of my relatives insist on eating at In and Out when they come to visit. It's like a cult favorite. The lines around here are always a mile long.

watchme, I once attended a work related training session out of town in an area known for it's seafood restaurants. I had carpooled with a couple of co-workers, so didn't have my own transportation. I was looking forward to a nice seafood lunch, but co-workers insisted on going to Sizzlers because of the all you can eat buffet. *head/desk*

From that day forward, I drove my own car to meetings so that I could eat where I wanted and wasn't at the mercy of others.

I eat out more than I should. Probably because I'm here alone. (son is coming home tonight, though! for a little bit) Picked up a salad at Chick Fil A. Little side salad, pretty basic but good with crispy bell peppers to add to it. I do try and pick healthier items, which I guess has made fast food burgers gross to me. I've really cut out a lot of red meat in my diet, even at home.

Arby's - Beef sandwich

I have almost never met a cheeseburger I didn't like! Also love Popeye's spicy chicken and sometimes a Roy Rogers roast beef.

Not a meal, but I like a bowl of cream of broccoli soup at Tim Hortons on occasion.

Cheeseburger, sometimes with fries and salad at Wendy's.

ole joyful

KFC original.

Around here I usually go to Chick-fil-a for a chicken sandwich and waffle fries on the rare occasion that I have fast food.

My all time favorite would be a Whataburger double bacon and cheese but I haven't had one in years because the closest one is 200+ miles away. I heard Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs QB) say that he wants to bring a Whataburger franchise to Kansas City. He is from Tyler, TX and went to college at Texas Tech.

If anyone can bring a franchise to KC he can with the 200+ million he will be getting on his next contract. I suspect there would need to be multiple Whataburger franchises in the area for the logistics to really work.