# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Celidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Celidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celidin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/61 "2012-04-02T18:18:09Z")
Chik-Fil-A. Best nuggest ever. But that’s cause I’m in the Northeast. If this were CA, then yeah - In N’ Out! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/62 "2012-04-02T18:22:44Z")
> [@Celidin](#): > > Chik-Fil-A. Best nuggest ever. > > But that’s cause I’m in the Northeast. If this were CA, then yeah - In N’ Out! We have a chik-fil-a in The San Fernando Valley now. I’ll take a spict with potato wedges and an Iced Tea. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/63 "2012-04-02T18:38:53Z")
While I think In-N-Out is quite tasty, it bends the rules stated in the OP. Since they cook everything to order it’s quite fresh, but I’ve never seen an In-N-Out get anywhere close to filling an order in 5-7 minutes. Usually more like 15-20. ---
**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, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/64 "2012-04-02T18:48:44Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Yes, does the OP allow drive-ins? 'Cause I agree: Swensons is the real deal. Can you get your food in 5-7 minutes or less? The car hops RUN to your car for your order, and they RUN to place it. I’ve never timed it. But every time I go there, I think it’ll be a little while and start to read a book or something, and some young thing dashes up to my window with my food, and I think, “Already!?!!” Now I’m trying to think of a good reason to go to Akron… ---
**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, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/65 "2012-04-02T18:49:47Z")
> [@Purd\_Werfect](#): > > While I think In-N-Out is quite tasty, it bends the rules stated in the OP. Since they cook everything to order it’s quite fresh, but I’ve never seen an In-N-Out get anywhere close to filling an order in 5-7 minutes. Usually more like 15-20. 15-20? OK, I’ve only been to about twenty or thirty In-N-Outs in my life, but 5-10 minutes is about standard for my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/66 "2012-04-02T19:07:49Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 15-20? OK, I’ve only been to about twenty or thirty In-N-Outs in my life, but 5-10 minutes is about standard for my experience. 10 minutes would be pretty quick in mine. To be fair, I’ve never seen an uncrowded In-N-Out. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/67 "2012-04-02T19:29:05Z")
The occasional rare Firehouse Subs has a drive through, I’ll take that. ---
**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, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/68 "2012-04-02T19:44:46Z")
> [@Purd\_Werfect](#): > > While I think In-N-Out is quite tasty, it bends the rules stated in the OP. Since they cook everything to order it’s quite fresh, but I’ve never seen an In-N-Out get anywhere close to filling an order in 5-7 minutes. Usually more like 15-20. If the drive-thru is PACKED (often, 10+ cars in line), I will wait 15-20 minutes at In-N-Out. If only a few cars, certainly 5-7 minutes, maybe 5-10 minutes. Joe ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/69 "2012-04-02T21:24:40Z")
Can we go back in time before Wendy’s switched up their fries? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/70 "2012-04-02T21:40:36Z")
I’m surprised nobody else has said Rally’s. They definitely qualify: They’re pretty much nothing _but_ drivethrough. Low prices, great burgers, great fries. What’s not to love? ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/71 "2012-04-02T21:42:41Z")
In-N-Out We have two in our neighborhood, and I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes ever. I would say average weight time at either one is 5 mins or so. ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/72 "2012-04-03T21:17:16Z")
I’m surprised no one has said Swish Chalet yet… The one here has a drive-thru that’ll serve you well within your seven-minute maximum, and it’s relatively expensive, with damn good food. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/73 "2012-04-03T22:45:33Z")
I’ve never been to White Castle in my life. ☹ They don’t have 'em around here. So, I’d take the OP up on a trip to White Castle, assuming he’s throwing in a pair of plane tickets as well. If not - Chick Fil A, for breakfast (ZOMG those chicken minis are pure crack deep-fried in heroin) but for shits and giggles, lets say it has to be on a Sunday morning. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 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/617530/74 "2012-04-04T00:01:34Z")
A & W. Since this is pretend, I’ll go ahead and splurge on non-diet root beer (made in the store!) and the deep fried cheese to go with my chicken strip basket. I hope your pockets are deep because my whole family will be wanting root beer floats with their meals. ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2012, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/75 "2012-04-04T11:54:48Z")
Steak & Shake has a drive through, though I’ve never used it. Closest one is 90 miles from here, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2012, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/76 "2012-04-04T12:27:27Z")
I’m stuck between Steak & Shake and Pollo Tropical. Steak & Shake is marginally better but I’m not sure if it counts as fast food as they cook a lot of your stuff to order, and IMO it doesn’t count as fast food unless they have a lot of pre-prepared stuff awaiting you (even if it is possible to circumvent this by special orders at a lot of places.) ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/77 "2012-04-04T13:05:22Z")
Subway or Wendy’s…in Oahu, please. ---
**Author:** ![phxjcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/78 "2012-04-05T02:19:28Z")
Porky’s BBQ in either Memphis, TN or LR, AR. Rack of ribs [dry], beans, slaw, biscuits. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/79 "2012-04-05T17:20:40Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Easy. In-N-Out. Double Double, Animal Style, no lettuce, and Animal Style Fries. > > Joe Do you have an In-N-Out to yourself? Usual wait times are closer to 20 minutes for me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-buy-you-lunch-or-dinner-at-the-fast-food-franchise-of-your-choice-some-rules-apply-however/617530/80 "2012-04-05T17:36:25Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > Do you have an In-N-Out to yourself? Usual wait times are closer to 20 minutes for me. ☹ The one in Riverside? That one is always a long wait but other than that one, it’s 5-10 minutes for me. And when Phoenix got one, my students asked me if I had ever eaten at one: Me: 🆒 Then I asked the student if they had theirs animal style. Him: 😕 Not often the teacher is cooler than the student. [Previous 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=3)