When it comes to satisfying hunger at a moment’s notice, fast food restaurants like burger chains, taco shops and even pizza joints have become a staple of American culture. But not all restaurants in the genre are created equal, and some have a higher-quality experience than others.
Rather than traditional chains, customers have also started flocking to fast casual restaurants like Chipotle and Panda Express, which allow diners to build their own meals with ingredients of the highest quality. These restaurants also typically provide a variety of options to accommodate those with food allergies or dietary restrictions.
The best fast food restaurants offer a wide range of options for every kind of craving, from hearty burgers to deliciously sweet desserts. Shake Shack is a New York City favorite for its mouthwatering burgers, crinkle-cut fries and thick shakes. And for a hearty meal with a Southern flair, Popeyes offers up its famous fried chicken served with a biscuit and choice of sides like mac and cheese, red beans and rice, coleslaw and Cajun fries.
On a nationwide basis, Chick-Fil-A is the top-rated fast food chain. But in many significant cities, the locals prefer Kentucky Fried Chicken or McDonald’s for their big sandwiches and fresh salads. And a number of regional spots — including In-N-Out Burger, Torchy’s Taco Shop and P. Terry’s in Texas, for example — have carved out their own niche in the world of fast food. Meanwhile, a handful of national chains have seen their popularity plummet in recent years. best fast food restaurants