If I were going to pay for your lunch and/or dinner (for your whole family) at any fast food chain, where would you pick? Or would you choose to pass and eat at home?
If you choose to take advantage of my offer, though, I’m going to define what “fast food” is (in my opinion). Two things, mostly.
The chain MUST have a drive through. If it does not have a drive through, it’s not fast food (in my opinion) and I won’t treat in that case. You may be able to list many chains you think should apply that don’t have drive through’s, but I don’t care…I’m setting the standards and this is one.
It must be a place where you could get your food in 5-7 minutes or less if the place was not packed/overly busy. Obviously if you’re going there for lunch/dinner, there might be a much longer wait and that’s fine–if so–but it must be a place where you could normally get food within five minutes if you’re the only one there.
I’m defining chain here as “place in more than one location”. If the chain you choose is located only in your state or country, that’s fine…as long as it’s in more than one location.
So, as long as the three rules above apply, you have your pick. Any fast food place you want. You’re free to pass on it too, though.
Without a doubt, Subway (the one in my town has a drive-thru). It’s the closest thing to Real Food you can get at a fast food joint. Second choice would be Arby’s.
We don’t have an In-N-Out where I’m at, but that’s the first that came to mind. Around here, I’ll go for Portillo’s for a coupla hot dogs and/or an Italian beef, dipped, hot & sweet.
Chacho’s, a Mexican food mini-chain in Texas. Ridiculously good for being a 24 hour joint. Inexpensive for the quality. You can usually get your food within 5-7 minutes and they do have a drive through.
For a larger chain, I prefer Jack in the Box, but YMMV. I like In N Out, but I don’t get the fanatic loyalty of some of its fans.
If you were a civilized person and allowed drive-ins, I’d have said Swenson’s. I grew up going to the original location a few times a year as a special treat, and I still adore their burgers. They have a pretty rabid fan base - I think they put crack in the buns or something.