Actually after looking into it a bit more (I'm bored) restaurants like Five Guys, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Fuddrucker's, etc. are generally referred to as "fast casual" restaurants not "fast food." And I agree with that. They have a higher quality of food at a higher price point than "fast food" restaurants and they deserve their own category. I just think it's silly to compare Five Guys with McDonald's or Chipotle with Taco Bell.

Perhaps it's time to start a "Fast Casual" thread?

Geaux,

If only this would have been addressed in the OP...

"Because there's often debate on what exactly constitutes "fast food," I'm going to go with a broad definition for the purposes of discussion - fast-casual places like Chipotle, Quizno's, etc. will be included, as well as gas station deli-type places like Wawa, Sheetz, etc."

No F***ing way in hell am I going to read through 15,000 posts.

G,

Or one...

lol

Haha.

I don't do anything half-assed. If I'm gonna grunch I'm gonna grunch all the way baby.

I don't know if this is nation wide, but got this today as a stocking stuffer for my wife. (Im in South Louisiana)

El D,

Here's two recs from Carl's Jr I wrote up a month ago or so:

I'd just go with whichever 6 dollar burger sounds best to you though. That said, I've heard the turkey burger is pretty bad (but the picture looks good), so stay away from that if it is in the decision set.

(Still curious if anyone has fast food non-milkshake desert recommendations. Besides DQ obv.)

Been around for awhile in the Midwest.

I like the Western Bacon Cheezeburger, which probably takes about 6 weeks off my life every time I have one. Give it a try.

And maybe try a different location. Where I live, there are two within reasonable driving distance, and one of them may be the worst fast food outlet I've ever been to - orders routinely ****ed up, food always cold, etc. The other is just fine - so maybe they're a high variance chain, for some reason.

MM MD

hobbes,

Oh, I am pretty sure that is what I got actually!

As tyler wrote, the location is basically a ****hole. But it looks like there is only one other one nearby, and it is just as much of a ****hole location.

McDonald's hot apple pie. But they were so much better when they were deep fried.

Steam,

Yeah, apple pie is still pretty good, but the fried version was amazing.

I wrote a little while back about Taco Bell caramel apple empanadas, a little reminiscent of those old pies.

Big thanks to everybody who gave me suggestions a few pages back. I got to the states yesterday and so far I had Five Guys and Chick-fil-A. The burger at Five Guys was pretty good, 8 out of 10 I'd say. Probably have to work on my toppings game. The cajun style fries were simply amazing. 10/10. Had the spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A. Pretty sure it was the best fast food item I have ever eaten. 11/10.

It's cold and windy as hell here in Phily, but food wise a great start to my trip.

Oh I forgot: Tried the root beer at Five Guys and hated it. Then I discovered the possibilites of the soda machine. Oh god that thing is glorious; like a billion version of sodas we only have the standard version of in Germany. Also so far every American I met has been just incredibly nice.You rock, guys.

The spicy chicken brings joy to all who consume it. A perfect welcome to America! Next time try it with pepper jack cheese and a sweet iced tea.

Blasphemous! Barq's is one of the best root beers that is not regional or a hard to find root beer. Vanilla barq's on the coke freestyle machines is even more incredible.

MURICA! If you're still in Philly ask around for a good cheesesteak place.

Carmel apple empanadas are legit. A warm carmel apple empanada with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream on top could be amazing.

Went to chick fila as well today...spicy chicken with pepper jack, fries and a drink plus since I was eating in I was able to nap 2-3 Polynesian, honey BBQ and chick fila sauce to add to my stock pile at home..basically a huge win all around IMO

Do you plan on trying Checkers? It is less expensive and lower quality than the two above, but very indicative of fast food if you want to try the whole spectrum.

Big Buford, Spicy Chicken, loaded fries, and some sort of gravy burger if they have it would be things to order. And if you like chili, you can request chili be added to anything you want.

Don't want you to go back to Germany thinking Americans are fat because everyone eats Five Guys and CFA everyday.

Don't forget the ice and free refills

I don't like most of their burgers, but they do make a BBQ grilled chicken sandwich that's pretty darm good. Big hunk of chicken and lotsa BBQ sauce.

They also have their version of the Big Mac ripoff called the Big Carl. It's a lot like a Big King but about twice as much meat.

They do a lot of limited time specials like McDonald's does. They had mini-chimichangas a few months ago that were KILLER.

Burger Thing has a Hershey's pie thing, and something else that's similar.

Jack In The Box always has brownies, cookies, chocolate cake, etc that changes every few months. Also a fruit cup, but dunno if that's just local because of the California freakage.

more CFA love..this weekend hit the drive thru(santa rosa) right at 1030a maybe 4 cars ahead of me. get to the window and the chick is like omg sorry about the wait..lol ok...hands me some free breakfast coupons.

saw somebody mention market/powell.. a superduper burger is right in striking distance...
just sayin.