# Jack In The Box, or McDonald's? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 27, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130 "2014-04-27T19:32:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/41 "2014-04-28T18:32:52Z")
McDonalds by default. Never been to Jack. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/42 "2014-04-28T19:24:26Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Horror: Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr are the same chain. Name varies by location. As I said I’ve only been to the latter, but I hear Hardee’s is lower quality. Generally speaking, Carl’s = west, Hardee’s = east. I think at least one state has both. As we know from _Idiocracy_, Carl’s Jr. is popular in Washington DC’s (?) 26th century, so I guess Hardee’s dies out by then. > [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Jack. You can get anything on the menu any time of day. At MickeyD’s, it’s just breakfast until 10 or 11a. > And I hate their breakfast stuff. > > Tacos for breakfast-NOM That’s criminal. Don’t they know that cool people aren’t even up at 11? Also: Taco Bell. You know their late night menu is _made_ for the stoner demographic. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/43 "2014-04-28T19:27:32Z")
I read recently that in response to Taco Bell (re)introducing breakfast, McD’s was considering extending breakfast hours. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/44 "2014-04-28T21:42:07Z")
Jack in the Box on the whole; can’t beat the Sourdough Jack. But sometimes I do get a craving for McDonalds… it has its own unique taste. And I prefer McD’s breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/45 "2014-04-28T22:31:21Z")
There are no Jack in the Box locations here in Alabama. Their website says the closest location is 200 miles away in Murfreesboro, TN. I’ve eaten at them a couple of times on trips to California but it’s been several years. From what I remember it was better than McDonald’s so I would probably choose Jack in the Box if it was available. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/46 "2014-04-29T00:34:54Z")
There hasn’t been a Jack in the Box in this part of the country since I was three years old. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/47 "2014-04-29T00:36:59Z")
Actually I’ve eaten at both today! I took my husband to the dentist, and while he was getting drilled on I went to the McDonalds across the street and had some of their yummy hotcakes. Afterwards I dropped him off at home and headed to work, but I got a flat tire. While waiting at Pep Boys to get the tire replaced, I was feeling peckish so I visited the nearby Jack in the Box for a drink and a snack. JITB has some menu items that I really love, like the horrible but so yummy tacos, the mozzarella sticks, and the cheesecake. I almost never get their burgers, I usually get snacks or breakfast items. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/48 "2014-04-29T00:37:53Z")
Jack in the Box. The first real food I ate after 11 weeks of boot camp was a Jack Ultimate Cheeseburger. I will never forget Jack for that. Thank you Jack…thank you. Jack’s tacos are also one of the few foods that I have puked during a run. I still eat them, mostly because they’re fucking delicious. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/49 "2014-04-29T01:44:42Z")
Jack gets my vote over Mickey D. I like Big Macs, but Jack in the Box has tacos and onion rings. ---
**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 29, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/50 "2014-04-29T01:48:55Z")
Jack in the Box all the way. I used to eat there once a week (before I started to try to keep my weight dialed back). But every now and again a bacon ultimate cheeseburger calls my name. I had one last night, in fact, when I came back from Indonesia. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/51 "2014-04-29T05:39:27Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Jack gets my vote over Mickey D. I like Big Macs, but Jack in the Box has tacos and onion rings. Can’t believe I forgot: and MFing curly fries. I’m not sure why they ask you what kind of fries you want, I don’t remember what the regular ones taste like. It may have been an age, but McD fries were made from cardboard that was somehow stale. I understand they’ve changed at least the oil/fat since then. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/52 "2014-04-29T19:32:04Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Can’t believe I forgot: and MFing curly fries. I’m not sure why they ask you what kind of fries you want, I don’t remember what the regular ones taste like. > > It may have been an age, but McD fries were made from cardboard that was somehow stale. I understand they’ve changed at least the oil/fat since then. LOL. I know, right? What kind of freak wouldn’t want curly fries? 🙂 ---
**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 29, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/53 "2014-04-29T19:44:09Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > It may have been an age, but McD fries were made from cardboard that was somehow stale. That’s odd. To me, McDonald’s has always had the most consistent and best of those shoestring skinless fast-food fries. Always crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, generously salted. No need for any ketchup or other condiment. ---
**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 29, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/54 "2014-04-29T19:50:23Z")
I can’t imagine how this is even close. The explanations from many of you that there isn’t a Jack in the Box within 200-300 miles+ has got to be the reason, though _de gustibus_… rules here too. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/55 "2014-04-29T19:51:27Z")
I don’t eat beef or pork. So comparing the non beef or pork options McDonald’s hands down. Jack in the Box quality varies so widely, in my experience, that if I’m eating fast food (in which case I’m not chasing a transcendent experience) that for that alone the gamble generally isn’t worth it. But for the most part, even when consistently made, the Jack in the Box stuff is pretty bad (but I may be biased because I didn’t grow up with them and my first exposure when they hit the Pacific Northwest were these truly disgusting teriyaki rice bowl things; so that may have planted the seed). So when I go there it is usually because I want curly fries or a milk shake (shakes are definitely superior at Jack in the Box over McDonald’s). Or I’m doing an overnight release at work and it is the only thing open at 3am. ---
**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 29, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/56 "2014-04-29T20:35:35Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s odd. To me, McDonald’s has always had the most consistent and best of those shoestring skinless fast-food fries. Always crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, generously salted. No need for any ketchup or other condiment. There are other places that have better fries than either of them, but I won’t mention them because they’re not in the poll. That said, McDonald’s has better fries than JITB. ---
**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 29, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/57 "2014-04-29T20:44:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > There are other places that have better fries than either of them, but I won’t mention them because they’re not in the poll. That said, McDonald’s has better fries than JITB. Well, I would like to know. Five Guys has better fries, but they don’t qualify based on the parameters. ---
**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 29, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/58 "2014-04-29T21:22:35Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Well, I would like to know. Five Guys has better fries, but they don’t qualify based on the parameters. No they don’t. 😉 McDonald’s is the only place I eat fries straight out of the bag. Everywhere else requires condiments. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/59 "2014-04-29T21:29:50Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I can’t imagine how this is even close. I know! Why isn’t McDonald’s far out in front? > [@](#): > > The explanations from many of you that there isn’t a Jack in the Box within 200-300 miles+ has got to be the reason, OH! You’re one of THEM! On the wrong side! > [@](#): > > though _de gustibus_… rules here too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130/60 "2014-04-30T23:05:23Z")
I don’t like the texture and taste of JITB burgers. Gaines burgers they are. McDonalds is all soft and salty… what I grew up on, which I’m sure has a lot to do with my preference. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-in-the-box-or-mcdonalds/687130.md?page=4)