A new poll: What is the best fast food restaurant?

[stampsx2]

Costco food court would have won if it was an option.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

How did Tim Hortons get on this list? Kind of an insult to fast food if you ask me. There was a time when their food was edible but they started cheaping out with iceberg lettuce in their sandwiches as their Turkey Bacon Club used to be acceptable but the last two times I had one it tasted nasty. If Tim Hortons faced off against 7-Eleven I would probably pick 7-Eleven.

There’s not one item at Tim Hortons that I’d take over any item from 7/11.

7/11 bakes stuff in store. Why is this even a comparison ?

[Voodooman]

I would like to retroactively rescind my votes for Popeyes. How dare they pilot the world famous chicken sandwich in filthy Edmonton?!?

On the other hand, should it prove too greasy, it will be in exactly the right place. And the locals will have their sweatpants close at hand to wipe away any excess oils.

[bob-loblaw]

Since there's multiple brands that aren't in Calgary, I'd pick Jack-in-the-Box for the win. I love their burgers, plus when I first went to them in the US, the free refills of Dr. Pepper put them on top. Lols.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

savages. an oven and a baking sheet (ideally stone) will revivify anything to its original crispy state. sometimes depending on the food item it can even be an improvement as you have control of the broil function for additional crusting/browning.

the only things that go in my microwave are liquids and soft stuff like rice. I understand that convenience/laziness will often play a factor, but if you have a general idea of when you're wanting to eat, the oven route doesn't add any complexity to the process.

This is why I have a toaster oven instead of a microwave. For a couple extra minutes the result is infinitely better.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

This is why I have a toaster oven instead of a microwave. For a couple extra minutes the result is infinitely better.

Absolutely. Toaster oven, put it on bake instead of toast, maybe around that 250 mark or so, throw the pizza slices on the rack, and bake for the same amount of fine you would usually toast a bagel or English muffin. I just twist the timer dial to the exact same place. Profit. Excellent reheated pizza, every time

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Absolutely. Toaster oven, put it on bake instead of toast, maybe around that 250 mark or so, throw the pizza slices on the rack, and bake for the same amount of fine you would usually toast a bagel or English muffin. I just twist the timer dial to the exact same place. Profit. Excellent reheated pizza, every time

Yup it’s the perfect appliance. Big microwave made everyone forget that.

What’s the worst feature of an oven? Preheating time. Well, that’s not an issue in the toaster oven world.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Since we're talking about restaurants that aren't in Calgary...

Carl's Jr. I was excited to try it in Las Vegas. I was expecting an awesome burger because of the commercials, something fresh, and meaty, and delicious.

I didn't realize it was a generic fast food chain. I don't know if the burgers are just below meh, or if it was my expectations were too high.


As for a chain that isn't there but is awesome... Mary Brown's Fried Chicken. Best. Taters. Ever. Period. End. Of. Story.

Lick-A-Chick has good fried chicken, and an even better name.

[Faust]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I mean you literally put a chain that isn't in Calgary on a poll on a Calgary message board. The rest are just standard "OMG, I can't believe this is on here and this isn't" poll anger which would be there no matter what you do.

But I'd argue that a minimum requirement on a Calgary based poll would be that we can get it here, that's the only thing that stuck out as immediately odd to me.

Fair enough. I was operating on the assumption that people from Calgary can travel to other places to try different fast food chains and cast votes on choices that won’t be found within our city limits.

[getbak]

^^^ Carl's Jr has been in Calgary for a few years now.

It's a step up from most fast food, but not a huge step. They do have the best shakes of any fast food chain, better than DQ, IMO.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by getbak

^^^ Carl's Jr has been in Calgary for a few years now.

It's a step up from most fast food, but not a huge step. They do have the best shakes of any fast food chain, better than DQ, IMO.

Oh really? Not being from Calgary I had no idea. Thought it was only in the US.


That said, Wendy's loses to A&W by 1 vote. Not an A&W fan, but maybe because I used to work in a mall where A&W was basically the only food option.

[Harry Lime]

It was interesting venturing back into fast food after eating so healthily during the covidian death wave.

McDonald's tasted gross, as in barely edible. Felt sick afterwards.
Wendy's was pretty tasteless, really dependent on an onion being in there.
A&W I noticed the reliance on lettuce and tomato, or fried onion, and that helps a lot.
DQ, I had their only edible burger, the double with cheese, and it physically feels the best eating it.

It was an interesting experience for all of it. The 'meat' is clearly not meat, after being away from it so long. It's all about what's added. 5 guys adds the most, gives the most flavor, so I'll probably head there next.

It's just amazing how bland everything tasted. 8 million calories, and what you get is McDonald's flavor, or A&W flavor ect. They are not actually burgers at all. Just burger shaped fat nodes, that taste like a particular building.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

There’s not one item at Tim Hortons that I’d take over any item from 7/11.



7/11 bakes stuff in store. Why is this even a comparison ?

7/11 is another place that Asia does better. The food at 7/11s in Japan and Taiwan are surprisingly amazing and I'm not even exaggerating. It's a little surprising because of the high number of other equally amazing, cheap, fresh food options in those countries but after trying 7/11 food in Tokyo for the first time, I went back there multiple times to grab food to reheat at my Airbnb each time during my other trips there. There's a number of food reviews on YouTube of people trying out the various foods at 7/11s or Lawson's in Japan.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Five guys is better but I’d argue almost a different category, certainly a different tier than the rest. Not as fast, not as cheap

I'd never eat at Five guys over In-n-out and I really like Five Guys.

[habernac]

In-N-Out is the most overhyped bland stuff I've ever tasted. What's the draw of that place?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by habernac

In-N-Out is the most overhyped bland stuff I've ever tasted. What's the draw of that place?

I’ll preface this by saying I like In-N-Out

Only being able to get it in certain geographical regions (remember driving to BC to get Kokanee?).

Couple this with the “secret” menu and you have the the draw.


It’s good but is it beyond other fast food chains, meh.

[agulati]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Since we're talking about restaurants that aren't in Calgary...

Carl's Jr. I was excited to try it in Las Vegas. I was expecting an awesome burger because of the commercials, something fresh, and meaty, and delicious.

I didn't realize it was a generic fast food chain. I don't know if the burgers are just below meh, or if it was my expectations were too high.


As for a chain that isn't there but is awesome... Mary Brown's Fried Chicken. Best. Taters. Ever. Period. End. Of. Story.

Lick-A-Chick has good fried chicken, and an even better name.

I’m pretty sure there is at least a Carl’s Jr. in Calgary (McLeod Trail). I think there was one at the University of Calgary campus too.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by agulati

I’m pretty sure there is at least a Carl’s Jr. in Calgary (McLeod Trail). I think there was one at the University of Calgary campus too.

And 16th Ave across from Sait.

[Lubicon]

Not sure I will even vote in the final, neither option is worthy IMHO. Both are overpriced for what you get and Five Guys doesn't seem to fit (my) definition of fast food. I'll probably go with A&W if I do vote, only for the root beer.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by habernac

In-N-Out is the most overhyped bland stuff I've ever tasted. What's the draw of that place?

To me, In-N-Out is more tasty than Five Guys, but Five Guys tastes less "fast foody".