# Overrated food and drink (brands) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 12, 2023, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515 "2023-10-12T11:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [October 13, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/41 "2023-10-13T19:59:15Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > In 1974, we were living in a state in which Coor’s was not available and was the stuff of legend. We went to a party. A couple of guys arrived with a case of Coor’s, which they had driven hundreds of miles to acquire. Was it delivered in this truck? [![](https://img.truckersnews.com/files/base/randallreilly/all/image/2014/12/tn.bandit-2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&q=70&w=1200) ](https://img.truckersnews.com/files/base/randallreilly/all/image/2014/12/tn.bandit-2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&q=70&w=1200) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/42 "2023-10-13T20:10:16Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I haven’t eaten at McD’s in decades because their burgers are so bad. The patties don’t even taste like beef. BK or Carl’s are the greasiest I’ve found. Never eaten at Wendy’s. BK and Wendy’s are my favourites among the big fast-serve no-wait mass market chains – not the same as the “premium” places, but more than adequate for junk food. All the talk of burgers inspired me to go out and get a BK Whopper just now. Not at all greasy, and for me, BK never has been. It was a nicely assembled burger that held together to the last bite and was pleasantly reminiscent of outdoor grilling. So I’m curious – was the greasy BK burger a one-time experience, or was it consistent? Because that was never my experience. The burgers that I tend to feel are greasy are the ones from McDonald’s, which are literally fried in grease. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/43 "2023-10-13T20:14:19Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > Not to be pedantic about abbreviations, but what the heck is QT? Sorry. I’m so used to referring to QuickTrip as QT that I forgot that’s not the store’s name. As **ISiddiqui** said, it’s a gas station and convenience store that prides itself on decent food and clean bathrooms. And for the most part, they live up to their claims. Doughnuts, especially - they get their daily shipments around 9:00 pm, and are usually cleaned out by 11. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/44 "2023-10-13T20:16:13Z")
Reading the review, i clearly should try shake shak. I eat my burger with few condiments. I’d never put thousand island dressing on it, ick. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/45 "2023-10-13T20:42:18Z")
Thank you, @ISiddiqui and @Slow_Moving_Vehicle ! We apparently don’t rate a QuikTrip location in New Mexico. Luckily, the Dunkin’ Donuts I usually go to still makes its own doughnuts. The only Krispy Kremes I don’t mind are the cake variety. For some reason, all the local independent doughnut shops have gone the KK route and they serve up greasy, undercooked doughnuts. Sometimes they cover them in frosting and stick random decorative food on top. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/46 "2023-10-13T20:46:06Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > So I’m curious – was the greasy BK burger a one-time experience, or was it consistent? Because that was never my experience. I’ve always thought BK’s burgers are greasy. I prefer McD’s to BK for burgers (BK has better chicken sandwiches). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/47 "2023-10-13T20:52:45Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Sorry. I’m so used to referring to QuickTrip as QT that I forgot that’s not the store’s name. So, apparently not the same as [Kwik Trip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwik_Trip). ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/48 "2023-10-13T20:53:53Z")
All this talk of Coors, and not a single mention of its east-of-the-Mississippi rival Stroh’s (RIP)? I have a (maybe even real) memory from the late 70s when my Dad was transferred from Michigan to Texas. Going down to look at houses and such he brought a case of Stroh’s, and coming back to Michigan he brought a case of Coors. He doesn’t drink, so this was to pass around and ingratiate himself to his new and old colleagues. Last Coors I had was a free beer at Coors Stadium. It was fine for free, but I didn’t get a second, even though that would have been free, too. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Stroh’s. Coors the brewery does make better beer than their namesake, such as Blue Moon. Not really competitive with a good micro, but in the “I guess I’d order it in an airport” category. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/49 "2023-10-13T21:03:50Z")
I’ll certainly agree that Coors is overrated, as is Budweiser. But we’ve known this for decades, haven’t we? The one I found hugely overrated is Guinness Irish Stout. First time I tried it, my impression was that it was like drinking molasses infused with Eau de Wet Dog. “No, no!” someone piped up when I shuddered and made a face. “You can’t truly appreciate the genius of this elixir unless you drink of it deeply after it’s pulled from a tap in Ireland!” So… when I went to Ireland, I did as instructed. Gack. No better. Horribly overrated. I loved all the non-brand English bitters, though. As for overrated brand-name foods, Taco Bell anything. I know people who crave this stuff. I ate it once, just to be sure I wasn’t missing out. Sure wasn’t! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/50 "2023-10-13T21:08:46Z")
I _think_ that few people think of Taco Bell as good food, but it’s something that inspires cravings from time to time, (I know that’s true for me.) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/51 "2023-10-13T21:13:30Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I’ll certainly agree that Coors is overrated, as is Budweiser. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > As for overrated brand-name foods, Taco Bell anything. Doesn’t something have to be highly rated to be overrated? My impression is that even people who like Budweiser and/or Taco Bell don’t think it’s especially high quality or gourmet or anything, but that it’s satisfying, reasonably cheap, readily available, and does what they want it to do. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/52 "2023-10-13T21:15:47Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Now here they take three premium fast food burgers. No McDs, BK, etc, the best of the best of the best SIR! > Shake shack won by a nose. I wonder if you read your link here… > [@](#): > > The Shack took it by a pretty healthy margin (more than three times the votes of the other two) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/53 "2023-10-13T21:16:11Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > So I’m curious – was the greasy BK burger a one-time experience, or was it consistent? Because that was never my experience. > > I’ve always thought BK’s burgers are greasy. I prefer McD’s to BK for burgers (BK has better chicken sandwiches). My understanding of how they make their burgers – which might be dated or the available options might vary by the equipment at different locations – is that McDonald’s fries their patties on a hot flat griddle over which another hot griddle is swung down, somewhat like a waffle iron, whereas Burger King places them on a moving grill-like belt which takes them through a flame broiler for just the right amount of time. I also had the impression (maybe true for some locations?) that they optionally might grill them the same way without flame in a very hot electric oven. This supports my impression that McDonald’s burgers are greasier because the fat mostly stays on the griddle, unlike grilling where it drips off the grate. Here in fact is a clever ad that BK ran some years ago showing the back yards of the homes of some McDonald’s executives, who all seem to have an outdoor grill in their yards, so why are they inflicting fried burgers on their customers? > **[Burger King Ads Take a Dig at McDonald's Execs by Pointing Out Their Mansions...](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/burger-king-ads-take-a-dig-at-mcdonalds-execs-by-pointing-out-their-mansions-have-grills/)** > > ‘Flame grilling is hard to resist’ says the subtle new work from David Miami. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/54 "2023-10-13T21:19:05Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Doesn’t something have to be highly rated to be overrated? To me, if someone is rhapsodizing over it, they are rating it highly. And I know several people who rhapsodize with great enthusiasm. Obviously it’s a subjective standard. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/55 "2023-10-13T21:19:51Z")
I’ll have to disagree on the Krispy Kreme, as I really enjoy them. Though I’ve heard others dislike it online too. Then again, I did grow up on them, and it’s not uncommon for people to simply like something most others don’t when they’ve had it all their lives. I had Five Guys only once, and it was actively bad (overdone and dry), but that could have been a one-off. Whataburger was also nothing special, though I’d heard good things. Kerry Gold was indistinguishable from other butter to me, but I’m willing to put that down to an undiscerning palate. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/56 "2023-10-13T21:40:48Z")
As far as just run of the mill burgers go, I’ve always liked Burger King. Being from the south, I prefer my burgers with mustard. They used to have a Mustard Whopper on the menu - which was decent. I think it’s still on the “secret” menu. I don’t eat burgers much these days, but when I ask for one they always look at me funny (here in California). > [@](#): > > … flame-grilled beef patty topped with a simple layer of melted American cheese, crinkle cut pickles, **yellow mustard** , and ketchup on a toasted sesame seed bun. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/57 "2023-10-13T21:53:42Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > So I’m curious – was the greasy BK burger a one-time experience, or was it consistent? I didn’t eat there often, but a few times. It just didn’t appeal to me. Better than McD’s though. This one is kind of specific, but I was trying to see if I could find anything similar to the Cup Custard cookies that I loved as a kid, that are now long gone. I’d heard Custard Creme cookies mentioned on UK shows/movies I’d watched and wondered if they were similar. I found some online (most comments said McVitties was the best brand), so I ordered some. Nope. A very bland sandwich cookie about on a par with a not-so-good supermarket brand cookie. Is there a better brand? Because it was not a good cookie. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/58 "2023-10-13T21:57:21Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Being from the south, I prefer my burgers with mustard. Mustard is a southern thing? I’ve always had mustard on my burgers (no ketchup, yuck). The only southern relatives I have are ones I found while doing genealogy research who split off from my direct line in the 1700s. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/59 "2023-10-13T22:12:27Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Mustard is a southern thing? I just assumed so because once I move from Texas getting mustard on your burger was as rare hen’s teeth. A quick Google search seems to confirm it. Article in the Atlantic: _And guess which state in America uses mustard on its burgers, to the exclusion of ketchup? No, not some liberal, elitist state like Taxachusetts. It’s Texas._ City-Data: _Krystal down here (Southern version of White Castle) only serves their burgers with mustard and a pickle._ The Baltimore Sun: _What’s with mustard on burgers? Everyone knows mustard is for hot dogs and ketchup is for hamburgers. Maybe it’s a southern thing because I moved here from New York 18 months ago…_ ---
**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:** [October 13, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515/60 "2023-10-13T22:23:52Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > So I’m curious – was the greasy BK burger a one-time experience, or was it consistent? My experience is that any particular BK restaurant is a 1 or a 10. Either a great burger exactly as you described or something that might be edible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overrated-food-and-drink-brands/991515.md?page=4)