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What else are the worst chains in your view?

I don't care for KFC or Taco Bell.  We often breakfast at McD's when traveling.  The wife likes it.  We'll get two Subways when traveling at times if there is likely to be a spot in a nice area to dine outside, weather permitting.  We used to go to a Ruby Tuesday's in Ohio because we got to know the folks working there a bit and it was relatively inexpensive.  I still like Bob Evan's pretty well, the wife doesn't.  Cracker Barrel usually is OK.

When you get an itch for fried chicken, KFC scratches that itch. I only get the extra crispy though... I'm not a big fan of their normal breading. 

Taco Bell is trash. 

McD's breakfast has become our road trip food. Wife hates McD's in general, but ever since I introduced her to the McGriddles, she'll allow it on the road.

Usually on road trips, especially if it's up I-5 to NorCal or Oregon, we do try to stop at In & Out for lunch or dinner though. You all know my thoughts on In & Out, after I posted my diatribe two years ago.

The western burger chains are interesting to try. In N Out and Arctic Circle are the best ones. Carl's Jr is not great, but better than it's Eastern counterpart of Hardee's. Jack in the Box is nothing special; not as bad as McD's or Burger King, but definitely behind Wendy's. 

In n Out is overrated to me. I didn't think it was anything special. Considering the wait time, I'd say I was extremely disappointed. 

I've also never heard of it.

I suppose we all had our 3am spots.  Taco Bell was often the only national chain open at that hour, besides the sit-down places like Denny's.  My friends and I would go to Steak n Shake.  Decent burger and they're willing to put chili on anything.
The girls would always want a milkshake (if we had any in tow, lol).


Fast-food chains are interesting.  The conversation has to begin with none of them being "good."  But you could honestly take bits and pieces from each and wind up with a relatively tasty, horrifically unhealthy joint.

I had a friend who would sometimes eat McD's breakfast and BK was dead to her, but I got her to try a croissanwich and she liked it.  As you're all well-aware, as I'm not beholden to "breakfast food" and am leading the resistance against the powerful and sinister egg lobby, I'll focus more on lunch/dinner/supper items here.

First of all, the twin chains - Hardees/Carl's Jr:  I recall Hardees being okay as a kid, but I didn't finish half of the burger the last time I went to a Carl's Jr.  I've always found that to be THE oddest name for a place, too.  Anyway, I don't eat there.  I don't eat a Jack-in-the-Box.  The last chicken sandwich I got there was worse than the cheapest freezer patty you could find and microwave.  They've literally accepted being a rung below McDonalds/BK/et al.  Pathetic.

Checkers/Rallys - double drive thru, identical menus and such.  I don't understand why these twin chains do it, but whatever.  I have very fond memories of checkerburgers from 2-a-day football practices.  They'd buy a couple hundred checkerburgers and toss 'em to us, midday.  I believe they're a little tiny bit saltier, and if I'm not mistaken, have all 3 main condiments on them (rare if true).

I like Taco Bell.  No, it's not legit, not it's not quality, but it is what it is and I enjoy it.  1 packet of the hot sauce on each taco.  Their straws are too narrow.

When I first moved to the west side of Phoenix, I'd frequent my local Denny's.  Same waitress each time.....I've become one of those old fogies.  Anyway, it's in a bad neighborhood, the mirror in the bathroom is permanently missing, but the food has always met my expectations.  That Super Bird or whatever is good, the simple grand slam, the pot roast.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

I think Burger King is a divisive place.  Their fries were rubbish for so long.....meh.  But I've always liked their burgers.  The whopper is a quality burger.  As a kid, I'd always get that long chicken sandwich, which is rubbish.  Their new chicken sandwich is legit.  Chik-fil-A has made everyone else step up to actual breasts on a bun, instead of the oriented-strand plywood chicken from the past (that Jack-in-the-Box still uses).  The rest of the menu involves a lot of bacon, but it's unnecessary. 

I used to poo-poo McDonalds, but now I can tell that they carefully, constantly use their taste-testers and algorithm a burger that is tasty.  Especially without the bottom bun.  No burger that thin is GOOD, but if you remove half the bread and fix that ratio, it works.  Their fries have always been the best.  I appreciate the uniqueness of their tempura-style chicken nuggets. 

Yes, I do eat the chili at Wendy's.  I think Wendy's is a great all-around fast-food chain (remembering that none of them are "good" in a vacuum).

Whataburger somehow has Texas pride attached to it.....all I taste is a lot of mustard.

Chik-fil-A is perfect...good chicken sandwich, which is causing the others to improve, unique and good waffle fries (throw out the ends), and the served sweet tea before anyone else. 

I like Arby's, but the last time I went, it felt like my wallet had been violated. 

Raising Canes - good chicken, I love crinkle-cut fries, and amazing sauce....but I will never understand the long drive-thru lines around Phoenix......even late, even during a pandemic......massive lines and I have no clue as to why.  It's still just fast food, right?

I don't know why Del Taco exists....it's like a generic Taco Bell.  Let that sink in for a minute.

Yes, Krystal is bad.  80% bread, grey meat and all the onions.  Crinkle-cut fries, though.  If 1 Krystal burger is bad, how do 8 of them become a meal?  Nonsensical. 

Any and every burger joint that friends have talked up has disappointed.  It's a burger chain....it has a ceiling.  
In-and-Out has a good burger, but yes, the fries are a deal-breaker for me.  Utter rubbish.  Could not be worse.  I'd wait in a long-ass line at Cane's before I wait in one for In-n-Out.

If you ever think I'm too hard on "the masses," I give to you the Popeye's chicken sandwich fervor.  

"drops mic"

Cook Out was a surprisingly good burger chain, in the Carolinas.