It’s in this somewhat nebulous secondary category called “fast-casual.” It’s close enough to fast food to me to count. I mean, Five Guys is also often classified as"fast casual," and that’s just a burger joint to me.
There is no doubt in my mind that Chick-Fil-A’s waffle fries are the greatest item in fast food. I know plenty who go to Chick-Fil-A for those fries.
I mean if I want a spicy chicken sandwich, I’d go to Wendy’s (which destroys Chick-Fil-A’s spicy chicken), but the fries at Chick-Fil-A can totally sway that choice.
I must research this. I’ve never cared much for plain waffle fries, but cheesy waffle fries with jalapenos were one of my weaknesses as a college student. (Made with Merkt’s cheddar cheese spread.) I wonder if they’ve got a cheesy version of them.
ETA: Unfortunately, my luck with Wendy’s spicy chicken is not comparable to the perfection that is Chick Fil A’s version. It’s the one spicy fast food chicken sandwich that actually has detectable heat to it. Unfortunately, while Wendy’s is a walk from my house, I have to drive about a half hour to get to any Chick Fil A near me. And it always seems to be a Sunday when I get the craving… Chick Fil A, in my estimation, really does make the perfect fast food chicken sandwich. And, yes, it’s just a chicken sandwich. But it’s perfect.
Agreed. Sonic’s cherry limeade is amazing.
the problem with Wendy’s is inconsistent quality. back when I ate it more often, the filet in their spicy chicken sandwich was usually either dry and chewy or cooked ok but with soggy breading.
If the production model supports a drive thru, then it can be classified as fast food, imho. Chipotle has no drive.thrus, ergo, not fast food. 
That sounds awesome, but now.
I find Chick-Fil-A’s spicy chicken is basically their regular dunked in buffalo sauce, while the Wendy’s one is actually full of spices in a delicious concoction.
So, I actually find I really like the list, but I’d switch #12 (Chick-Fil-A spicy) and #20 (Wendy’s spicy).
Though if Popeye’s ever makes a spicy chicken sandwich, all bets are off.
So as not to completely hijack and only ask what “RO’d” means, I will also question the lack of the Shamrock Shake.
Well, they do have one and are considering the idea. (ETA: Sorry, that’s actually a spin-off concept called Tasty Made by Chipotle. But we may see them in the future.)
Recreationally Outraged
WAG: Christian homeschoolers who will only take their kids to a place with similar values.
No frito burrito from taco bell? Bogus list. I went to In and Out once. I don’t get the hype. I have a Whataburger and an In and Out within walking distance of home. WB wins hands down every time.
Mmmm…Whataburger’s green chile double. Drool …
hey at least its not “50 fast food things that will kill you” that eat this not that and co was putting out twice a week…
Can someone please explain what RO’d means?
See post 30
I go to Chick-fil-A at least twice a month, and I disagree with the assertion that it’s the best chicken sandwich, actually. I say that because whenever I get their main (fried) chicken sandwich, at some point it gets so chewy that the only way to eat it is to pull the entire rest of the chicken out of the bun. The piece you’re trying to eat will no longer separate from the larger part of the chicken.
Their grilled chicken sandwich is okay, though. Probably my favorite menu item from them is their chicken noodle soup.
WTF is “Shake Shack”?
:: checks Wikipedia ::
So, it’s a place that, until very recently, was strictly local to NYC? Screw that.
I skip to that point right from the start and just tear the sandwich into pieces and eat it that way. This allows for less messing dunking as well.
I totally support CfA’s waffle fries placement on the list. But most of the rest of it is total BS, and I agree with the OP’s outrage that so many dessert items made it into the list in such lofty positions.
Dunking? What are we dunking with a chicken sandwich? Am I eating it wrong?
Of course, it takes me about two to three minutes to eat one of those, so I guess I never get to the point of chewiness. The only chicken sandwich I enjoyed nearly as much was McDonald’s southern chicken sandwich (which was basically a rip-off of the Chick Fil A sandwich.) Plus one place in Budapest where it simply was freshly deep fried chicken, a bun, and some pickle, and literally nothing else (no mayo, no other condiments, nothing Unless you ordered a deluxe sandwich or something. Chick Fil A is the closest I’ve found in the US to those perfect sandwiches, being almost the same thing, so that may be why I love them so.)
I don’t know about everybody else, but I dunk my sandwich in the same sauces I dunk my waffle fries in. Everything except ketchup. Chick-fil-A sauce, Polynesian sauce, BBQ sauce, Buffalo sauce…they’re all good.