# I'll buy you lunch or dinner at the fast food franchise of your choice. Some rules apply, however. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530 "2012-04-02T00:01:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/1 "2012-04-02T00:01:15Z")
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. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/2 "2012-04-02T00:32:34Z")
Easy. In-N-Out. Double Double, Animal Style, no lettuce, and Animal Style Fries. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/3 "2012-04-02T00:37:23Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/4 "2012-04-02T00:43:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/5 "2012-04-02T00:44:25Z")
KFC, El Pollo Loco, Popeye’s… I’m in a chicken mood today, and I never get to those places. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/6 "2012-04-02T00:45:20Z")
Arby’s. Their Market Fresh sandwiches are probably the best item at any local fast food place. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/7 "2012-04-02T00:49:17Z")
Zaxby’s It cost a little more than some fast food places, but the food is equal to Applebees or Chili’s. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/8 "2012-04-02T00:51:04Z")
Armando’s. Local Mexican food place with amazing carne asada fries. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/9 "2012-04-02T00:59:11Z")
Locally, Fat Mo’s for cheeseburgers. Nationally, Wendy’s for Baja salads or Jack-in-th-Box for sourdough steak melts. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/10 "2012-04-02T01:05:37Z")
Rules, rules, rules. Culver’s. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/11 "2012-04-02T01:13:11Z")
[Burger Baron](http://burgerbaron.com/). Best burgers in Saskatchewan. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/12 "2012-04-02T01:16:12Z")
In-N-Out please. 1 cheeseburger with everything (including onions) 1 cheeseburger with mustard, ketchup, and pickles only 1 hamburger, ketchup only and 3 chocolate shakes. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/13 "2012-04-02T01:17:13Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 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. Good one! The one closest to my house has their pasta restaurant attached as well, so I’d get something from that selection. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/14 "2012-04-02T01:18:37Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Easy. In-N-Out. Double Double, Animal Style, no lettuce, and Animal Style Fries. This, except _with_ lettuce. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/15 "2012-04-02T01:22:17Z")
I’ve already been beaten to answering with “Portillo’s” but that won’t stop me from hopping on the bandwagon. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/16 "2012-04-02T01:24:53Z")
[Chacho’s](http://chachos.com/), 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. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/17 "2012-04-02T01:47:53Z")
Chick-Fil-A. If you were a civilized person and allowed drive-ins, I’d have said [Swenson’s](http://www.swensonsdriveins.com/). 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. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/18 "2012-04-02T01:51:37Z")
Steak Escape. Hold the onions/peppers. Add loaded fries. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/19 "2012-04-02T02:05:57Z")
Michaels Frozen Custard. butter burger, fries, root beer and a banana split to finish it off. pm me for the address to send the check to, or to Paypal me. I’ll email a scan of the receipt. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/20 "2012-04-02T02:47:59Z")
Five Guys doesn’t meet your criteria, so we’re declining your offer and going there without you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530.md?page=2)